Off Limits

Chapter 5 - Easton's Date.

"So, how are things with Easton?" Candy asked while making a face that looked awfully painful. We were in a downtown tattoo store and she added another rose to her sleeve. From her shoulder down to her elbow, she now has five red roses on her left arm. "As well as it gets," I reply. After last night Easton and I weren't on good terms. I still couldn't believe that my hideous ex-boyfriend had emailed my dad and told him that Easton and I had a 'secret relationship' and that we were in love. Surprisingly, when my father questioned me if it was true, he was calm. I suspected that he didn't think that it was true, and I was correct. Before we hang up, we talked on the phone for another 10 minutes. Despite his only recent departure, I really miss him.

"Alright, we're all set," said the tattoo artist. She jumped off the stool and strutted towards me. "What do you think?" she asked me.

"It looks really good," I told her.

Candy flashed me a grin and tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Are you up next?" The tattoo artist asked me. I was clean of all piercings and tattoos, I didn't have anything against it, but my dad wasn't particularly fond of it.

"Nah, I'm fine," I replied.

"Come on, Isabelle. You should totally get a tattoo, it's going to look so nice on you!"

"You used my full name..." I muttered.

"Yes, because it's adorable." She smiled and I rolled my eyes at her, there was no way I was getting a tattoo today.

"Okay, you don't have to get a tattoo, but what about a piercing?" she asked, her eyes shining. This girl...

"We've got a lot of women coming here to get a piercing, the most common one is a belly piercing." The tattoo artist said. I looked down at my flat stomach, considering it. It would look good, and I definitely have the body to show it off.

"How much for a belly piercing?" I asked curiously.

"For you? Free of charge." He winked at me and I blushed.

"That wouldn't feel right," I told him. "I want to pay."

"Alright, fine. Whatever you want. Follow me." He began walking towards an empty room in the back.

"Oh my God! I can't believe you're getting a piercing!" Candy squealed, voicing my thoughts.

I took a deep breath and followed the tattoo artist.

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"Aha... yes. Tonight?"

As I entered the living room, Easton was speaking on the phone. When he saw me, his eyes snapped to me and then to my stomach, where my fresh piercing shone. He stared up at me, narrowing his eyes, then shaking his head slowly. Then he returned to whatever conversation he had on the phone.

"Sure, 8 would be good. I'll text you the address, bye." He hung up the phone and walked to me.

"What have you done?" He growled. His mouth was a thin line and his brows were furrowed. His breathing was heavy and his nostrils were flaring. Oh wow, he's cute when he's mad.

"Well?"

He raised one eyebrow, waiting for me to reply. Right, he had asked me a question. I gave him my brightest smile, knowing it would annoy him.

"Do you like it?" He stared at me and then quirked one corner of his mouth up, before slowly shaking his head.

"Your dad will kill you."

"I don't care. I'm 18, if I want to pierce my belly, I can."

I know I showed confidence, but deep inside I knew that a storm was coming. My father made it very clear that I have to follow his rules as long as I remain under his roof. But he's not going to be home for another three weeks and I can easily conceal my piercing by covering my stomach.

"Who were you talking to on the phone?" I questioned him casually. I was dying to ask him since I walked into the living room.

"Just a girl."

I was waiting for him to elaborate, but he never did. Looks like I was going to have to push him for information.

"Oh? What were you talking about?"

"We're having a date tonight." He said, then started to walk away.

"Wait," I called after him. He turned on his heel and gave me one of his pant dropping smiles.

"Yes?"

"Uhm... is she coming here?"

I really hope she isn't. I don't want to see her, I already hate her. Just the thought of him touching this woman... kissing her. It makes me feel sick and I don't know why. I'm not in love with him or anything, I'm just very into him for some reason.

"Yes, she's coming here. So if you could stay out of the house that'd be great."

Uhm, excuse me? Did he just ask me to stay out of MY house?

"Uhm, no. That won't be happening. I live here, and I'm not going anywhere." I crossed my arms and gave him a challenging look. "Okay, do anything you want." He shrugged like he didn't care about it, and it stung a little.

"Actually, my friend Candy is coming over tonight. We're joining the musical at school so we're going to have to practice. We're likely going to be very noisy, so it's probably best if you take your date somewhere else tonight." That was a lie, but I wanted him and his date to go somewhere else. He raised his eyebrows and snorted, he knew I was lying, but he chose to play along.

That's fine, practice as much as you need. Just remain in your space and we're not going to have an issue."

My jaw dropped open. I was about to say something but he turned rapidly and walked away.

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I called Candy and she came over. We were now laying at our opposite sides on my bed while talking and eating chips. She was telling me about a new tattoo she wanted to get, but I had a hard time listening to her. My mind kept wandering to Easton and his date. I wanted to see what she looked like, I wonder if she's pretty? I bet she is, Easton probably only dates Instagram models. Yes, that is a thing, apparently.

Candy suddenly popped up on her elbows and glared down at me.

"What?" I asked.

"You're not listening to me, are you?"

Guilty. I haven't heard a word she said.

"Ah, sorry. I've been up in the clouds, could you repeat it?"

She sat up, crossing her ankles. She looked at me questionably, she knew something was up.

"Easton has a date over tonight," I informed her.  Candy pursed her lips and made a humming sound.

"Is she hot?" She asked me.

"I haven't seen her. I bet she's got long legs, long dark eyelashes, and full lips." I sighed and stared up at the ceiling.

There was a pause, and then with such force I almost fell off the bed, Candy jumped up from the bed.

"We should spy on them!" she squeaked as she jumped up and down.

"Are you crazy? No way Candy, I'm not doing it," I told her.

"But why not?" she whined.

"Because it's wrong. Now get back on the bed and remove this terrible idea out of your head. Let's watch some Netflix, I'll let you pick the movie this time."

She didn't move, she just crossed her arms and glared at me.

"Aren't you curious about what she looks like? Or what they're doing right now?" she asked. I wasn't going to tell her that's been on my mind for the recent hour or two. She started to make her way to the door when I didn't reply. I jumped from my bed, ran towards her and shut the door.

"Candy, what are you doing?" I yelled in a whisper.

"I'm going to spy on them. You can stay here if you want," she said and then left the room. I took a deep breath, and then followed her.

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