marked.

Like a Soldier...

Just before midnight, Sean left my apartment to return to his own, above the corner store. Samantha and I stood up a little while longer to continue our criminal justice-themed marathon. Tomorrow, Samantha, Sean, and I would be going over to Arden's shop to see through Parker's wish. By two o'clock tomorrow, a whole in her heart will be patched up.

*** 

Sam and I quickly got ready the next day. She dressed herself in skinny jeans, a black tank top, black Converse, and tucked her blonde hair in a grey beanie. I simply threw on black leggings, a light blue, buttoned-up shirt, and some black Converse.

Just as Samantha and I jogged down the stairs and stepped outside the door, we were instantly met by Sean.

"Hey Stranger," Sam said with quite the mixture of calm yet bubbly.

Through the dark sunglasses he was wearing, he looked down at her. "Are you dress-up queens ready now?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Hey, the longest time we took was breakfast," Sam said, trying defend our position.

"Yeah, whatever." Sean concluded. And with that, we were off.

***

The minute we got there, Arden had already set up her workspace and was just waiting for me to make the stencil. In just a few minutes, Sam was prepped and ready to go, with the whirring of the tattoo machine starting up. Sam sat through the whole thing like a soldier on a mission. To keep himself busy, Sean circled the tattoo shop, observing and secretly commenting on everything he saw, as if taking mental notes about everything that caught his eye. I sat next to Arden, watching every stroke she made, how delicately yet strongly every shade was.

"So Dani," Arden started.

I looked over at her. "Yeah?" I asked, curious.

"Business is amazing ever since people seen you're drawings. You have a talent, babe."

I cracked a half-smile. "Thanks Arden."

"No, really. I showcases your artwork in the front of the shop and my customers loved it. I was thinking... Maybe..."

I raised an eyebrow. "Maybe?"

Arden looked up from her tattooing for just a moment. "Maybe... You want to be my apprentice."

My heart dropped. "Apprentice? For real?"

In the background, Sam's chuckle let out. "Your face just got more pale than it already is, Dani. Be happy, not scared."

Arden shushed her and continued. "What'd you think, hon? Think you're up for the task? You know, just to get you started..." Where was this going? I wondered.

The minute she finished her sentence, I automatically jumped up and embraced her. Never had I'd been given this opportunity to do what I always loved, and here comes Arden just offering it to me. "Yes! A thousand times yes!" I probably hadn't felt this happy in the longest of time, but finally being able to kickstart my career, my escape... An emotion of epic enlightenment filled up inside me. Arden chuckled then elbowed me lightly in the ribs.

"Now, let's not get all touchy-touchy here. Your new boss is tattooing here." She smiled.

I sat back down with a complete smile plastered on my face. Sean walked over and pinched my on the shoulders, congratulating me for my new apprenticeship. Sam finished her tattoo, and my head was still rumbling with all these thoughts in my head.

Sam got up steadily from her chair, walking over towards an antique mirror to observe a new part of her body canvas. At first, nothing was said, and I waited next to her, patiently to hear her reply. Her posture straightened, and immediately a hand flew to her mouth, covering it so. Through the mirror, I could see her eyes glisten, and I immediately felt proud to have drawn this up for her. Sean came about and took a quick look at the tattoo.

"Well, Dani. Those three hours of arguing were worth it!" Sean says, and I playfully punch him in the arm.

"Now it's your turn to get one!" I tell him, and immediately his face turned pale. I look at him and laugh. "Haha, I thought so."