Two Tattoos With One Million Heartbeats.

two.

Rule #2
Do not show other people your names

Later that night, I went down to meet Stella. I had showered my shoulder length black hair, and straightened my bangs so they were not frizzy or wavy like the rest of my hair, because then the bangs shrunk and looked weird. I put on a small amount of makeup, just some concealer, blush, and eyeliner with some mascara. I had an off white sweater, where the sleeves were a bit too long and baggy for my arms, black jeans with rips on both knees, exposing my pale skin, and some combat boots. I walked down, and saw Stella with her tied up blonde hair and a small amount of makeup with a cute black skirt and a red and white shirt that had some words on the front with a black cardigan and converse.

"Ready?" said Stella. "Nope!" I said before heading towards the door, leading to the street her car was parked on. She double checked if the doors were locked, and we headed out into the night.

The city lights for the holidays approaching were beautiful. Something I was glad I left my room to see. It wasn't just normal lighting, It was clean. Pure. A calling and a reason for each decoration shined.
    
     We headed back home. When we got there, she parked her car and grabbed her keys and purse. We both got out of the car with the door slam sound echoing through the empty streets. Our street being on a dead end, and we are the last house, not much happens around here. But just a few streets down is the city we go to. A few street lights shined through trees, and on those trees were leaves falling off and onto the ground, making a slight crunch under your feet.

     We got inside, and turned the lights on and put the tv on. I sat on the couch as Stella went into her room, I didn't know what for, but I heard her going through a few draws.

     Our house was pretty large for the two of us. Though we are both full time students, we work. I work on the weekends at a small breakfast shop in the city, where all the cute old people come in. Sometimes, if they need help during the weekdays, I'll come in. It's only open from 5 AM-10 AM, therefore if you're opening and prepping the food, you need to be there by 4 AM. Its a job for the early birds. I am at school to be a journalist, but I also would like to go into being a secretary for businesses in the larger city near us, since I love keeping everything organized for myself, and others.  Stella worked at a small graphic design company, working at the front doing costumer service. She is at school to be a graphic designer, and it's already amazing seeing her get her foot in the door of a large business she is aiming for.
    
     Soon, she returns with a lighter, a small bowl packed with marijuana, and another small glass ashtray. She sits next to me and offers.

"Hit it, I am not gonna smoke." She said, while handing me the smoke filled bowl. "Why not?" I questioned. It was her idea to smoke.

"I still want pizza, so I'll drive, then pick up the pizza, then do it. I don't want to be high and drive." She responded. I nodded, it made sense to use it responsibly. Soon, After a few hits, I felt fine until I could do it later on with Stella.

     I usually don't smoke unless I am working on my writing, especially if I have large writers block. My creativity flows when I do that stuff, but other than that, I don't really do it. I think too much during the high, and my anxiety spikes up. If I'm alone and not writing, that's basically a death wish to get high. I occasionally do it if I'm with Stella, since she does it all the time.

We headed to her car soon after. I hopped in the passenger side and she jumped in the driver seat. She started up the car and turned on the heat right away. Since it was kind of cold, but not freezing just yet. Tonight was actually nicer than other days, with high of 40 degrees. We start driving, watching the lights once again.

We later then stop for pizza. I argued bacon and onion, but we settled on bacon and peppers. I grabbed the money from my wallet and pushed the car door open.

"On me, Stel." I said before leaving. "You sure?" She answered back, obviously feeling bad she was allowing me to pay. "It's not a problem." I shut the car door and headed towards the pizza shop.

Inside was exactly what I expected it to be. A few booths for people to eat, the kitchen in the back, the cashier, and barstools with a bar table in front of it. The floors were red and white tiles, and the place look just slightly run down.

"A large bacon and pepper please. And I'm gonna grab a soda from the cooler over there." I said without looking up. The cooler had a few small one person soda bottles, but I grabbed the 12 liter bottle for Stella and I.

"$12.49 please" the man behind the counter said. I shuffled through my wallet and grabbed out a $10 and a $5.

"Keep the change." I said with a smile, knowing this poor kid, who looks around my age, probably works tons of hours and gets paid minimum wage. The least I could do is give him a small tip.

"Thank you. And what's the name for your order?" The man says smiling, putting the change in the small glass jar that says "Tips!!" on the front in colored marker.

"Claudia, please." I answer, waiting for my receipt.

"Did you say Claudia?" The man said, the smile on his face dropping with no transition in between. Before I do anything else, I look down at his nametag...

Devon.