Yours Truly ❁ n.k.h

• chapter eleven •

Trying to fit back into the mold of my new life was proving to be more difficult than I thought. Today, I was determined to put it all behind me though.

It was my first official day at Judgment Day Ink.

Sawyer, who'd been tasked with showing me around, spent the first half of the tour introducing me to the different artists of the studio. Some were working with clients as she spoke so we didn't exchange much but it was still cool to familiarize myself with the environment. I definitely wasn't going to remember all of their names. But I was pretty good at remembering faces which worked in my favor.

After I met everyone, she began to show me where everything was from the extra Saniderm to needles to consent forms. "You'll have some near your station, but this is just in case you run out before Thomas and I get to restockin' everything." She noted.

Her outfit was a lot more tolerable today, thank God. I'm not sure I'll ever let her live the flannel thing down but this time a plain white shirt and cargo shorts suited her. Well, no, she still looked a little rough. But I'll take this over the latter.

"Okay, and this is your station." She finished, leading me towards a corner at the far right end of the studio. It was away from most which I was grateful for. "I can double check with Thomas but I don't think there's anyone up front looking for flash tattoos so you can just chill out for now. You might want to get started on a few sheets showcasing your work so we can put it up front with the rest of 'em. No use being an apprentice if no one knows you're here, right?"

She gave me a small smile, reaching for a few pieces of paper and handing them back to me. I sat down in my chair.

"Do you have a pencil?"

"Yeah, sure! Give me one second."

I took the time as she walked away to really look around the shop. It was different seeing everyone at work knowing that now you were technically one of those people. This was gonna take some time getting used to.

The redhead returned with a pencil and then went back to her station which wasn't so far away from mine. In between her clients I found myself observing her.

She really was personable. Honestly this shop might be run a little better if her and Thomas switched places in terms of reception. She had a very easygoing demeanor that seemed to draw people in. It was one of the skills you definitely needed working in this industry, but it didn't come easy to some. I've met a few tattoo artists and piercers in my time who didn't have great attitudes and were still expected to be praised for their work. It's always mind boggling to witness.

Between a few impromptu flashes, I found myself actually trying to make conversation.

"So, are you the only one related to Gary here?"

Sawyer pulled an antibacterial wipe from the canister, wiping down her chair from her last client. "No, actually! Thomas at the front desk is my little brother. We're a mom and pop kinda shop here, but not in that way. We just view everyone here as family."

I nodded gingerly.

"I just happened to like piercin', it wasn't anything I started just to get a job. I was the kind of kid that was always doing my own, and I think Uncle Gary would've had my head a lot more about it if I hadn't been around the shop as much as I was. I started picking things up from the old piercers we had and observing them, and after a while he let me have a crack at it." She threw the wipe in the nearby trash bin. "How'd you get started tattooin'?"