Times Three (X3)

CHAPTER 12 - Truth & Trust

Previously On Triplets Apart:
The gang goes out to enjoy themselves at a game but Tariq and Jada bumped into each other outside in her car as he gives her advice on her problems she refuses to talk about. She randomly decides that she wants to get a tattoo.

***

"This is crazy." Tariq grins, tangled in amusement.

"Where can I find a tattoo shop?" I ask.

"Well, there's a really good one just 5 minutes away, he's Mario's tattooist."

"Let's do this." I hop out the back and in the driver's seat. Tariq circles around, taking the passenger's seat.

"What about the rest? Mariyah?"

"I want a really small tattoo so it'll take like only 15 minutes. Mariyah's fine, they're all fine. The game has another hour left so we'll be back in time.. and they all have cars, so nobody has to wait on us." I turn the engine to life and drive out. Tariq continues to chuckle in amusement.

"Are you sure about this? Tattoos can't be undone." His tone slightly serious and a bit concerned.

"Do I look unsure? And actually, they can be undone." My lips creases up in a smirk at him, he looks at me and laughs, shaking his head. Finally revealing his braces which perfectly aligns his beautiful teeth.. something about his smile and the way his eyes closes up when he laughs.

Tariq navigates me until we arrive at the tattoo shop. His poor way of giving directions irritates my soul until we finally get to our destination. At a point I thought we were lost but turns out that he knew what he was saying, he just brought it across weirdly from being high.

We get out the car and walk around to the front of it. I glance up at the building as a grin makes its way to my ears. I peek over at Tariq only to find him grinning with me, his eye contact already stuck on me. He tugs at my wrist and we both pace towards the inside and await the tattoo artist to call us in.

I'm glad he's here with me on this and for some reason, I think if it was anyone else, I wouldn't be this happy and I wouldn't have gone through with it. He elicits a different type of peace in me and I can't place a finger as to why just yet.

Or maybe I'm just high. Yeah, that's the reason.

"Which one of you is getting a tat?" The tattoo artist finally asks. He's white with a crazy mohawk hairstyle as his body covered in tattoos and piercings even on his face and the shaved sides of his head.

His appearance comes off a little harsh, well, really harsh but his tone outshines it all and his very welcoming smile adds even more points.

"She is." Tariq points his thumb to me.

"Come." The tattooist tells me.

"Can my friend come with me?" I ask.

"Of course." He replies. I grab Tariq's elbow, tugging him behind me in excitement. He would've fallen if he wasn't so strong.

"My name's Rick. What type of tattoo are you looking to get?" He asks as he gathers his necessary tools to work.

That needle... I think to myself as the tip of it glistens once.

"Uhh.. Something small, maybe a word?" My voice is hemmed with unsureness.

"What word?"

I pause to think for a minute realizing I haven't really decided. I take a deep breath and exhale. How did I come for a tattoo without even having an idea of the word I wanted?