Selfish Machines

Chapter One

"No Tony. It's okay. Don't listen to them. You don't have cooties!" I comforted Tony as he cried. The other kids were making fun of him. "Yes I do Chris. That's why they laugh at me! I have cooties!"

I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock. I always have that same dream. The dream from the first time Tony and I talked. We were best friends. We were since that moment when we were 5. That was 21 years ago. So long ago! I shook the memory from my brain as I went to get ready for work. I work at a tattoo shop in San Diego, California, where I live. It's the best job I could think of having. Anyway, after I got dressed in my normal outfit (Band shirt, random skinny jeans, vans) I grabbed a banana, my phone, keys, and purse and walked out to my car. I drove to work and set up my station. I sat around and listened to music as no one was in yet. I was singing along to Sleepwalking by Bring Me The Horizon when I heard someone at the front. I walked to them as I paused the music.

"Hey. How may I help you?" "I want a tattoo." "Okay. Come on to the back." He told me what he wanted and I went to draw it out. He loved my drawing so I set everything up so I can get the tat done. We started talking while I was working on it. "What's your name?' "Tony. Yours?" "I'm Christine." "Hmm. I used to have a friend named Christine." "I used to have a friend named Tony. He just got popular in high school and we stopped talking." Right when I said that he tensed up. "What's wrong?" "Christine? Christine Antonia Hemsworth." "Tony!" "Oh my God! It's you!" I kept doing the tattoo as we caught up on everything. Apparently he's in a band called Pierce The Veil. It sounds good. "So. I know this is a little weird because we just became friends again. But I was wondering, we need a tattoo artist that can do our tats on the bus while we're touring. Can you do it? You'll get paid and everything!" "Of course I'll do it Tone!" "Good. We leave next week." "Kay." I finished and he loved it. 

I did some more tattoos and after the day was over, I said goodbye to the rest of my co-workers and drove home. As I was getting ready for bed, I got an unknown call. I answered. "Hello?" "Hey Chris!" "Tone? How did you get my number?" "I kinda stole your phone and got it." "Okay... So whatcha need?" "I wanted to tell you that my band wanted to meet you before the tour began." "Okay. I don't work tomorrow. Can you guys meet at my place tomorrow?" "Sure. Text me your address later." "Alright. I'll do it in the morning." "Okay. Bye Chris." "Bye Tone."

I plugged my phone up to charge. I went to sleep, knowing I would defiantly have that same dream again.