SOLACE

one

       Adeline, yeah that's me. The most hopeless romantic person you'd ever meet. I personally blame it on all the books I've read since I was 11 years old.

 After that, I began to fall for the wrong guys. Probably because I knew my ex, Eli was cheating on me but I didn't want to break-up with him because we were on and off and I had to be sure if we would break-up again that it's final.

What a waste of two years for me but I guess it's a good thing. No more crying myself to sleep and waking up with huge puffy eyes and he wouldn't even ask why. Oh yeah, me, Adeline is having her first tattoo today.

Finally, after weeks of cancellation of appointment for my tattoo, the day finally came. I picked the perfect tattoo artist who specializes in minimal tattoos and his shop doesn't look sketchy. 

It had good lighting and air conditioning with other tattoo artists inside. They were very welcoming which made me more comfortable around them since I went in alone. I should've asked my friends but I was lazy to ask them and just decided to give them a surprise. 

It's silly if you would ask me what I'm going to put but it's a childhood dream of mine and I decided this is what I want to have as my first tattoo. 

My friends would surely say that this is my coping mechanism for the break-up, which is just a huge coincidence that the day Eli decided to break-up with me was yesterday. 

I'm totally fine, I knew that day would come. I expected it, I just endured the past two months hoping he would choose me over some girl he has a class with. I kept silent even though I knew he doesn't love me anymore. Ah yes, stupid. I know. Love can make us do stupid decisions. 

It's senior year and I'm just gonna enjoy this last year in high school. I flinched as the needle poked my skin and blood slowly appears after. I let out a hiss as the sharp pain continues but I held my breath, careful not to ruin anything.

 After a painful half an hour, it was bearable but finally, the tattoo was done. The tattoo artist told me how to do aftercare and do's and dont's before I left and thank him. Not bad for a first tattoo, which I didn't expect to be that quick.

As I walked out of the shop satisfied, the sun hitting my face with an aching tattoo on my waist. I immediately told my friend, Cali, that I was going to come over to her house since she's been dying to see what tattoo I got. 

I didn't tell her so I would know her initial reaction. I hurried to catch the bus and ran before the doors closed. I panted and sat to the nearest vacant seat.

       "So you got an astronaut tattoo? Well, the details are good. I'd say your twenty dollars was worth it," Cali says as she continues to study the details. 

It was just an astronaut holding a flag. It was my childhood dream job to become an astronaut as I was so fascinated with the moon and stars.

"Well, thanks for the feedback. You can stop poking it now because it stings. A lot," She chuckles and pulls out her finger and stood straight and looks at me. 

"I see you still have your puffy eyes, Ady. Thought you're over it?" She gives me a smirk.

"Yeah, I am. I cried yesterday, okay? It was just yesterday. Of course, I am lying," I left out a huge sigh and sat at the edge of her bed.

"You know about Eli also flirting with the girl he said that was just his friend. Venice, right? His best friend since junior year as he says." Cali rolled her eyes and sat beside me.

"I knew everything, Cal. I just didn't tell him I knew like I was that naive. I saw their conversations and I was stupid to stay knowing all of that information." I started getting teary-eyed but I held my breath and exhaled to relax. 

"I hate the fact when you told me what he did on your anniversary. You shouldn't have given him the chance to have sex with you and say he loves you and then the next day just breaks up with you. How fucked up is that? I'm so done with guys, especially Eli Johnson. I'm really sorry you met him, I knew he was a huge red flag from the start." Cali let out a deep sigh while standing up across me.

"Well, you know. We can just go to Franco's party on Thursday. I'll be needing drinks as my distraction. You're coming, right?" I glance at her with a plastered smile.

"Of course, I know you badly need a new guy to entertain. I'll be helping you look for guys because I know Franco has a lot of friends outside our school." Cali giggles and pulled me up and gave me a hug.

"So this is what being single feels like, huh?" I jokingly say as Cali laughs and rolls her eyes.

"Now you're living my life, Adeline. I hope your mom doesn't see your fresh tatt or else you're dead. Be a good girl until Thursday so I know you'll be coming. Okay?" I roll my eyes at her as she says the last part.

"You know I'm good at escaping, you don't have to worry at me coming on Thursday." I gave her a cheeky grin.

"Oh, how I miss partying with you and now you're finally single, it's good to be back with you, Ady!" She raises both my arms and giggles as she plays some trap music.

"And to more parties to come!" I say as I played the music louder and continued to dance with Cali.

Being single is not bad after all, I guess?