Richard Allen
(WARNING: I do NOT advise you to read this chapter if you are easily offended. Read at your own risk. This chapter contains untreated mental illnesses, self harm, and depression related topics. You have been warned.)
Outside the tattoo parlor, the rain poured. Richard tried his best to focus on that instead of the pain from the needle. The man was delicately creating the masterpiece Richard described. A pair of boxing gloves with the word victorious written underneath it. He smiled to himself at the thought of Lauren sitting out in the rain. Beside him, Grant had his eyes closed and his fingers gripping the side of the chair as a woman in leather worked on a small, but intricately shaded baseball on his ankle. Richard laughed as Grant spat every curse word he knew.
"It's not that bad, dude." He rolled his eyes.
Grant tensed. "Yeah right. Liar." He hadn't had this much fun in a long time. Grant was starting to find that the Allen boy wasn't half bad. Richard laughed slightly again. He didn't mind the pain.
In fact, Richard took it because he felt as though he deserved it. He deserved every ounce of bone-breaking, tear- jerking punishment he'd ever received. But honestly, Richard was too callous to care, especially if it was about himself. A heartless chuckle escaped his lips. The man finished the tattoo. Richard went to the small mirror in the corner of the shop and glanced at the ink. It was beautiful. Just like he wanted it.
Grant cursed one last time and sighed as the woman finished. He looked at his ankle and smiled.
"Dude, this is sick!" A smile spread across his lips.
"Told you you'd like it." Richard zipped his hoodie. He ran his hands through his black hair and sharpened his grey eyes. Richard pulled a wad of cash from his jean pocket and payed the man and woman. They nodded and headed into a back closet labeled Break Room.
Grant was still grinning to himself. "My mom's gonna kill me."
Richard scoffed. "Hardly. You can easily cover that up by wearing socks, Grant." He flipped his hood over his head and opened the door to leave. Instantly, he frowned when he saw Lauren. She was standing just under the edge of the awning with the rain dancing behind her.
"You are so dead, Grant Williams!" She stormed. "What did you do?" She crossed her arms.
Grant unlocked the car.
"I thought we've been over this. You're not his mom." Richard mused. He flashed an annoyed grin before climbing in the car. Grant waited for his sister to get in the car. She huffed after climbing in the back seat.
"Can we go home now?" She asked, set to annoy the two boys further.
Richard rolled his eyes and Grant backed out of the parking space and back onto the highway. A light smile lifted the corners of his mouth.
"How about some Starbucks?" Grant wanted to laugh, but managed to keep a straight face.
Richard shook his head. "I don't like coffee." He seemed to shut down.
"Oh." Grant didn't push it, especially not in front of Lauren. He kept his eyes on the road.
Lauren was not going to let the emo freak show drag her brother along with him. She had to shake him from whatever trance Richard had on him before it was too late.
