Underneath My Skin

Ch. 23

I look at my alarm clock and it's eight in the morning. I groan and get out of bed. I eat a bowl of cereal and tidy upnthe apartment. I wash all the clothes I has packed. I look at the clock and it's now ten. I unwrap my hand. The cuts are still deep but I dont think I need to continue wrapping it. I brush my teeth and take a quick shower. I air dry my hair and straighten it. I put on a strapless light purple maxi dress and some nude flats.

I swipe on some eye liner and mascara. I cover the light bruises with foundation. I walk into the kitchen, grab my purse, and head outside. I want to do something exilerating, so my feet carry me to a tattoo shop close by. I walk over to the counter where a man with gages and way too many tattoos stands.

"Hello, welcome to Ink Freaks. How can I help you?"

I smile. " Do you do walk ins or appointment only?"

"We do walk ins. Wait right here."

He disappears and we he returns a man with an equal amount of tattoos stands next to him.

"Hey I'm Chandler," he holds out his hand and I shake it.

"I'm Briella."

"Follow me."

I follow him and he leads me to an office. I have a seat in front of the desk and he sits behind the desk.

"Were you wanting to get a tattoo today?" he asks.

"Yes."

"What do you have in mind?"

"I want the words, you have to fall beore you fly. Right here."

I turn and point to my shoulder blade.

***

I stand from the cushioned table and walk over to the mirror. I turn around and the words You have to fall Before you fly,  are written in black cursive on my shoulder blade with three little black birds flying above the words. I pay the man two hundred and fifty dollars and leave the shop.

I walk over to a small boutique and Zayn pops into my mind. I pull out my phone and call him.

"Hello?" He says.

"Hey. Im back. Do you want to grab some lunch?" 

"Yes. Just give me a time and place."

I look at the time and it's almost noon.

"Wing stop at one sound good?" I ask.

"Sounds great. I'll see you at one."

I hang up. Someone taps me on the shoulder and I turn around to face piercing blue eyes.

"Briella, right?" he asks in his  thick Irish accent.

"Yeah. Niall, right?"

"Yes. it's so nice to see you. How was the visit with you family?"

I furrow a brow. Then I realize that he's Zayn's best friend.

"Uh..  It was good."

He smiles. "Mhmm, and how was the visit to Carson Ridge?"

My jaw drops. Fuck fuck fuck.

"How did you kn-"

"Briella, Harry and zayn are my best mates." He cuts me off.

My stomach drops. "Does Zayn know about Carson Ridge?" I whisper.

He laughs. " God no. I'm not like that. I won't tell him, trust me."