A Pig, A Devil, A Cheetah

Stick and Poke

"Listen! It doesn't even hurt that bad." Ash tries to convince me. They are currently trying to give me a stick and poke tattoo.

It dumb I know but we've been wanting to do this for forever. We already have our designs picked out. The only downside is I really suck at art. But Ash insisted. They're super confident because they're practically a god at art. Atleast in my opinion.

They don't mind what I put on them as long as it's small and simple.

Hey, they have to live with it forever. Not my problem.

"You know that's probably what the first guy trying get a blowjob said." I argue. I'm only confident making these jokes with Ash. Being friends for our whole lives does that to you. But despite being comfortable I still blush.

Ash doubles over in laughter which causes me to laugh, too.

Gaining our composure, I prepare to be stabbed repeatedly with a needle.

I watch carefully as they thoroughly cleans everything. Still a little wary, I ask them to clean the needle once more. With a roll of their eyes, they silently comply. 

They count down from three while I squeeze my eyes shut. I squeal when I feel the needle piercing my skin. I cover my mouth while they continue.

Pools of tears start to gather in my eyes as they start to finish up. I peak at the tattoo on my arm and it's perfect.

A little tiny ace on my wrist.

He's apart of me now. It's hard for him not to be.

I wonder what would've happened to him if I stayed in that coma.

Would he grow up to be an artist? He had so many dreams he would never admit. And then there's Mel. She wouldn't loved to be an ocean life specialist. Ben and Mason. They could've had more kids. Lived happily. Kai...he was a special kid. Always hopeful. He probably would've been famous.

Mathias. What future could he have? What future would him and Ace have? He would've been a world renowned teacher. Ace and him would go their separate ways. Things would be happy for everyone.

But then there's the side that nothing goes good.

Ace jumped off that cliff. I jumped off that cliff.

Mel would be broke and living on the streets. Never having the three kids she wanted.

Ben and Mason would get divorced and one of them would end up in a small apartment to which they could barely afford rent.

Kai would grow up depressed after his brother committed suicide. Turning to drugs and parties.

Mathias would be the only one who turned out good either way. Because he never cared for Ace. He just saw a good lay in a damaged kid.

A chance to ruin his life.

To ruin my life.

"I love it." I whisper. Ash smiles feeling accomplished.

"Now my turn!" They exclaim excitedly. I'm giving them a small star.

We both love sneaking out during the night to go to our 'spot' and just stare at the stars. One of the many things we bonded over.

At first I'm scared because I don't want to hurt them but  they don't say anything or scream so I continue a little more confidently.

Soon we are both tattooed and feeling on top of the world.

Ash gets a call soon after from their mom saying they have to head home. We hug tightly before they make their way out of my room and then out of the house.

Alone.

Again.