The Ink That Brands Us ✔️

Chapter Nine

"God! I thought class would never end! I can't believe he's making us stand up and present our essays in front of the entire class! I am complete shit at public speaking and will make a complete ass out of myself."

    June was in my public speaking class where we had become friends after we were grouped together for a project after we ended up being the last two people without partners.

She ended up being a really cool chick.

"I'm surprised you were awake to hear him make that announcement," I laughed.

"Well, that class is just so boring!" She cried, tossing her raven-colored hair over her shoulder.  It was long, almost reaching her waist. I had major hair envy over it. "I don't know how you stay awake."

"One of us has to pay attention or we will both fail," I said, elbowing her playfully.

"True," she shrugged. "We meeting Saw for lunch?"

I had introduced Saw and June a few weeks ago, and they were fast friends. They both share a deep love for tattooing and it turns out June had been looking into doing an apprenticeship at a tattoo shop over the summer.

Saw offered to talk to Mack for her, to see if maybe she could do it at Colorado Ink. June loved the idea and couldn't wait to see if he would accept and in the meantime, she and Saw were working on a memorial piece that June wanted to have done.

"Yea. She said to meet her at the cafe," I said, my nose scrunching up in disgust.

    June nodded.

    We normally left campus for lunch, but there were a few days when one of us had class right after lunch, so we would meet up at the Campus Cafe. It was at the center of campus and usually, only the people who lived on campus ate there. The food was disgusting and sometimes not editable.

    Saw was waiting for us at our usual table when June and I arrived. We hurried through the line and made our way to the table. Saw was texting at top speed, not bothering to look up and greet us.

    I chuckled as I watched her fingers fly across the screen.

    "What?" June asked as she sat down.

    I gestured towards Saw.

    "She is without a doubt the fastest texter on the planet."

    Saw looked up, smiling.

    "It's a gift," she said, winking.

    "I'd say so," I chuckled, picking up the slice of pizza I chose for lunch.

    When I took a bite, I almost gagged but forced the bite down. I pushed the plate away, frowning.

    "Is it me or is the food getting worse here? I mean, how do you mess up pizza?" I looked up to find Saw and June staring at me.

    They had no problems eating the nasty pizza. I assumed it was because they've been living off it longer.

"We go over this every time we eat here," June said, shaking her head. "It's just you. The food isn't that bad." She lifted her slice in salute, then took a big bite.

I looked to Saw, whose pizza was almost gone. She didn't have a problem with it either.

"Looks like I will be waiting to eat until I get home tonight," I sulked, pulling my phone out to check the time. "Crap, I have to go. I have to be at work soon."

I had fallen into a routine since class had started back up.

After class, I would stop by my apartment and change, then head to work. My usual jeans and t-shirt seemed a little too casual for work, though I knew Mack wouldn't mind.