Paper Hearts

Chapter 1

Maybe it was crazy. Maybe it was reckless. Maybe I would regret it if things went wrong. Maybe my dad would disown me. Maybe he would disown me, and then get over it. He probably would, I thought, get over it I mean.

“Are you sure about this?” Luke asked me. “That’s gonna be there forever. Like for literally EVER.”

“It’s meaningful, though.” I replied, tugging his arms a little harder, trying to force him through the double doors.

“What if it’s not meaningful in 5 years?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.

“Let’s just say I’ve been thinking about it for 2, and I don’t think it will be any less meaningful in 5. You’re not talking me out of it, Hemmo.” I winked.

“Are you sure? Why don’t you get your lip pierced instead? Or your eyebrow or something.” he tried.

I smiled, “Eww. Lip piercings. Gross.” I stuck my tongue out and pretended to be disgusted.

He laughed, “That’s not what you said last night when-”

I smacked him on the chest. “Can you not, please? We’re in public.” I kissed his lips lightly.

“Okay. Em, in all seriousness, I just don’t want you to do something you’ll regret. Tattoos are there forever.” he looked me in the eyes.

“In all seriousness, I really think you’ll like it. Come on.” I looked in his eyes, but he still looked hesitant to walk through the doors into Ink Kandy with me. I poked out my bottom lip.

“Not that, please not that.” he laughed and covered his eyes.

I didn’t say anything and waited for him to peek through his fingers. “Fine. Fine. I’ve done my best and my best isn’t good enough. So you must be pretty serious about it. Let’s go.” he grabbed my hand. I gave him a kiss on the cheek and said, “Thank you for this.”

When we walked through the door, immediately a maybe 30 something year old woman walked over to us with excitement written all over her face.

“Oh my gosh, you’re Luke Hemmings from 5 Seconds of Summer! And you’re Emily, you’re his girlfriend!” she was pretty excited. It was pretty cool to see a tattooed, punk rock, looking chick, fangirl over 5SOS because most people that liked them tended to be preppy, pretty, teenage girls.

We both nodded. I guess Luke didn’t know what to say and I just wasn’t quite used to the attention still.

“I’m Friday.” she smiled and stuck out her hand. We both politely shook it. “So what can I do for you two lovebirds today? Tattoos, piercings?”

Before I could answer, Luke cut in. “Yeah, I would like to get my belly button pierced.”

She looked at him, a little confused, because he said it in such a serious voice, before he cracked a smile, and all three of us laughed.

“No, actually, I have an appointment with Justin.” I told her.

Just then, a very oddly attractive guy walked towards us.

“Hey, Emily. I’m Justin. Nice to meet you.” he reached in for a hug. I hugged him, and I heard Luke groan.

“Nice to meet you as well.” I said back smiling. “This is my boyfriend, Luke.” I pointed towards him.

“Yeah, I know.” he smiled. “Man, I really like your band.”

Luke perked up a little. “Really? Thanks, bro!” He shook Justin’s hand.

“So Emily told me that she doesn’t have any tattoos, and that you aren’t particularly crazy about her getting one, why is that?” Justin asked Luke.

“It’s not that I don’t like tattoos, it’s just, I don’t want her to regret anything. They’re pretty, you know, permanent.” Luke looked at me and bit his lip as he smiled lightly, resting a hand on my shoulder. “And she is so beautiful just the way she is, she doesn’t need any kind of body modification to help with it.”

I turned around, put my hands on the sides of his face and kissed him gently. “I love you.” I told him quietly.

“I love you more.’ he said back.

“Whatever.” I playfully rolled my eyes back at him, and smirked.

I turned back around to face Justin and Friday.

“Alright, are you ready for this?” Justin asked me.

I nodded.

“So, it should take about 5 hours.” Justin looked at Luke and smiled. I knew Luke had made some kind of face or quiet remark.

“You can creep on twitter or get that belly button piercing you’ve been wanting or-” everyone started laughing. “My point is, you’ll be okay.” Luke rolled his eyes but smiled and nodded. “That’s only, like, 30,000 Vines or something.”

“Okay, fine.” he said. “Go ahead and start. The faster you get it done, the faster the anticipation of knowing what you’re getting will go away.” his deep voice stated.

“Alright, if you’re ready to get started, go on back to room number two.” Justin pointed down the hallway.

“See you in 5 hours, love ya.’ I kissed Luke’s cheek.

“I love you too.” he said smiling. I walked towards the room and just barely heard Luke’s voice say, “Please be careful, man. She’s my world.”

“I understand, bro. It’ll be fine.” Justin replied softly.