SINcere.

Depression.

Pain sears through my leg. I hiss as the needle finishes its last touches. ''Okay, all done,'' A female voice says and I exhale, as relief rushes through my blood.  

''Whoa, man, that looks sick.'' 

''Yeah bro, real wicked...'' 

I smile in satisfaction as I nod, agreeing to Bastian and Ai's comments. A scorpion tattoo in red, blue and black ink imprinted forever on my right calf, stares back at me from the mirror. I am in awe.  

I turn to the artist, ''Yeah, thanks Zoey. It's better than what I would have ever imagined!'' The caramel skinned girl in a long black dress, with tats all over her arms and neck, grins at me, proud with her work. 

We walk out of the shop into the chilly air of December. People in jackets and coats pass us by, and speeding cars zoom past. Ai asks, ''Hey what happened to getting a tattoo of a stallion on your leg?'' 

My mind turns distant as I reply, ''Stallions represent strength first of all, and so do Scorpions. But, there is a huge difference between the two.'' 

We are walking side by side now, my best mates at either side of me. ''Oh I see, while they both represent strength, Stallions stand for unity and integrity; while Scorpions are...evil and they represent a venomous mentality of isolation...'' Bastian's voice fills my mind and I nod, impressed that he read my mind. 

Ai jumps in, ''Oh, I get it. Stallions are for... I guess happy campers... while Scorpions stand for the tough guys whole abide by their own rules.'' 

''Yeah, pretty much,'' I agree. '' I am no happy camper...'' 

''Hmm, I would have gotten a Stallion.'' 

Of course you would have, Bastian. I roll my eyes. 

We reach our vehicles parked by the curb, I hop onto my motorcycle- I put on a helmet. Bastian forced me to buy one ''for my own safety, ''apparently. Ai's pick-up truck is parked in front of me. They both turn in my direction before entering the truck; ''mate, are you coming to Joey's?'' 

I ask Ai, ''what's happening there?'' 

Bastian answers, ''poker and video games.'' 

Oh yes, the interesting ritual of the 21st of December. All my friends, and the friends of my friends come together at someone's place, to celebrate Christmas in the form of poker or Texas Hold'em, and the more respected activity of video games, while drinking beer and barbecuing steak. 

''Yeah, I'll be there.'' 

''Cool, see you.'' They enter the car and Ai drives away joining the Locke-Ville town center traffic.  

The engine of the bike breaths to life and I go the opposite direction that my mates went. As the bike makes turns and stops at traffic lights, the familiar hopelessness consumes me. I still have no job after four months since I got fired. The girl I was so in love with left me for my enemy and has bruised me beyond repair.  

Four weeks have passed since my birthday. She never said a word.  

Hatred evaporates from the gaping hole in my chest. Dad, every night before I go to sleep, I think about her and every morning when I wake up, she's the first thing that comes to my mind-not breathing, not eating, no! Just Eve's face and the good/ bad times we shared. And when I lie on Bastian's or Ai's couch, I honestly wonder; did that girl even love me? 

She just left me to suffer. There hasn't been any word from her end, nothing at all. While I still pathetically text her and call her cell. Actually the number stopped working two weeks ago. I guess she changed her cell number. Honestly, if I say that she didn't break me for good, I would be lying!