Tattoos

Chapter 4

       I jolt awake to the sound of someone banging on my door. 3 solid knocks, a pause and another 3 knocks. I quickly gain my bearings, realizing I'm on the couch and not tucked away in my room. I look around and quickly throw on my slippers. Wrapping the blanket around my shoulders I look through the peep hole in my door. Jace's familiar face enters my view and I look down at my tiny and slightly scandalous pajamas. I feel the heat rush to my face as I crack open the door.

       The only thing that manages to escape my lips is a small 'Hi'. I watch him through the tiny crack as he runs his hands through his hair.
"Can I come in?" He suddenly blurts. I nod my head and open my door enough for him to squeeze passed me. He looks me over and I suddenly feel small.
"How did you find out where I lived, and what are you doing here?" I ask, nervous laughter echoing my voice.
"I...I um, asked some people. I wanted to show you something, how quickly can you throw on decent clothes?" He asks. 
"Umm...gimme 5." I murmur and scurry away from him. I smile at the puzzled look left on his face as I run down the hallway, a quiet snicker escaping my mouth.

       I rush into my room and gab the first 2 matching things in my closet, a faded AC/DC shit and leggings. I slam my door and squiggle into my leggings, pulling the shirt over my head and expertly tucking it into my pants. I throw my hair into a quick but messy ponytail and run into the bathroom to brush my teeth. I stride out of the bathroom, confidence clear on my face only to disappear the second I see Jace. My face heats up as looks me over and his face visibly lightens.
"You...you look..." He stutters. My thoughts rush through my head as I tuck a stray piece of hair behind my ear.
"I look...what?" I say, impatiently putting on my moccasins. He looks down at his shoes and I notice a light brush creeping up on his cheeks.
"You look good." He chokes. His voice cracks mid sentence and I can't help but laugh. The distress on his face disappears within seconds, replaced by the steely look I've become so familiar with. It's a bit intimidating at first because he always just looks pissed, but I've come to realize its just his neutral expression.
"Where are we going?" I ask as he grabs my hand and begins to pull me out the door, "And what's the rush dumbdumb, I forgot my keys." He drops my hand and laughs to himself as I rush back in to the tiny apartment. Grabbing my keys and blue spiked backpack, I lock the door and slam right into Jace's chest, briefly reminding me of the first time I met him. Instead of being flustered as I was the first time, I laugh to myself and mutter a sarcastic apology. He laughs, a genuine Jace laugh. I memorize the sound, replaying it when it begins to slip my mind.

"C'mon, we gotta get to my car." Jace says, grabbing my hand once again and practically dragging me down the hallway. My face flushes and I laugh, my messy ponytail bouncing wildly as we race down the stairs. This has to be the most I've ever laughed before 9 in the morning. He's laughing too and the sound fills the empty hallways of each level we reach. Being the top floor of the 10 story apartments wasn't my brightest idea but it's gets us both laughing uncontrollably. I'm glad for the time I get to spend with him, besides anything beats going to work or school.

       I'm greeted with the chilly breeze as we step out into the refreshing morning air. I shudder a bit but look around for a car that's out of the ordinary. Sure enough, a 1991 sky blue Chevy Cheyenne is parked 2 cars from the end of my complex, the direction Jace is now walking. I take a deep breathe as a thousand thought race through my mind. What have you got planned Jace?