Ink-redible encounter

It was 9am and me and the lads had just landed at the JFK airport in New York to celebrate Oritse's birthday, I knew it was going to go down in New York as we'd came here earlier in the year for a holiday and the nightlife was UNREAL! I was conisdering whether to get a new tattoo done at the famous New York Ink as well as I'd seen that program a million times and I loved their work! 

As I got to my hotel room I walked onto the balcony to be confronted by the New York skyline, it was undescribeable how beautiful it was. I walked over to the bedroom and dumped my baggage on the super king sized bed and pulled out a photo, it was of my best friend Lisa Murray. She was an amazing woman, and had been my best friend since I was little..unfortunately she passed away in a car accident last year and I want to get it tattooed on me to remember all of the times we spent together. I felt a clump in the back of my throat as I looked closely at the photo, she was so beautiful.

I decided to get it done today, that way I had the rest of  the break to wind Oritse up. I called a cab and went straight to the New York Ink studio where I explained what I wanted doing and they were very welcoming and luckily they managed to get me in straight away.

"We'll book you in with our newbie Chloe, she's British so you'll have something to talk about" The man chuckled. 

"Thank you" I chuckled back. 

--10 MINUTES LATER--

I was sitting in the waiting room when a stunning lady walked out from the back room.

"Mr Merrygold?" The woman asked looking directly at me. Her eyes seemed to beam as she gave me a cheeky smile.

"That's me, you must be Chloe" I replied getting up and welcoming her with a warm hug.

"WHIT WOO!" I heard one of the tattooists tease from another chair.

Me and Chloe chuckled and we looked kept making eye contact until we reached the chair where she sat me down.

"So what was it you were after?" She asked, preparing her inks.

"I was wondering if you could do a portriat of this photo?" I replied, handing her the photo.\

"Aw wow, she's so pretty" She replied looking taken aback by her.

"Yeah, she's a stunner alright" I replied as I remembered all the little things like her laugh.My train of thought was interrupted by Chloes soothing voice.

"So, is she your girlfriend?" Chloe asked as she started to make a stencil for the tattoo.

"No, she was a really close friend" I replied, forcing a smile on my face as I felt like I was going to cry.

Chloe hadn't finished the stencil and was placing it on my forearm where I directed to with my hand. She then put it in place and started to tattoo me.

"Was?" She asked inquisitivelly making a short amount of eye contact as she did.

"She was involved in a car accident. She didn't make it" before I knew it there were tears flooding my face and Chloe had stopped tattooing.

"Oh my..I'm so sorry I shouldn't of brought it up. Here let me get you some tissues" Chloe said sympathetically as she gently stroked the top of my arm then she reached over to pass me a tissue that was on her desk.

I begun to wipe my eyes and then I looked up at Chloe at half smiled at her.

"Thank you. Ah god, I bet  look like a cry baby now" I chuckled slightly.

"NO, no it's fine. A lot of people cry when I tattoo them" She joked as she gave me a cheeky wink. Then continued to tattoo me.

--A FEW HOURS LATER-- 

Me and Chloe had been getting on so well! She was understanding, clever and just fun to be around. THE perfect girl! 

"All done Mr Merrygold" She grinned as she cleaned off some off the excess ink and then allowed me to look at it.

"Aw wow! That is amazing, thank you! Oh, and please..call me Ast" I smiled as I admired my tattoo.

"No problem, I'm glad you like it Ast" She grinned as she removed her gloves.

"Look, I don't want to come across too forward but I'd love it if you join me for-" I was interrupted by my phone ringing "excuse me a sec" I continued as I answered the phone and put it on loudspeaker. It was Marv.

(Marvin- M Me- A)

A: Wassup bruv?

M: where the heck are you? We've been looking for you..you've been gone for ages!

A: Oh yeah sorry, I went to get that tattoo I was on about.

M: Oh right okay, well don't be long. Reesh is getting impatient.

A: I won't be long. Cya in a bit bruv.

M: alright, cya

(PHONECALL ENDED) 

"Someones in trouble" I heard Chloe joke.

"Yeah..I always am" I laughed and she joined in with the laugh.

"Anyway, what were you saying?" She smiled.

"I was wondering if you wanted to go out for dinner sometime?" I asked as I bit my lip waiting for a response.

"I thought you'd never ask" Chloe grinned as we exchanged numbers.

"Great, I'll text you as I've gotta run" I winked as I got up.

"Alright" She smiled.

I returned the smile and then left the shop, saying my 'goodbyes' as I did. Wow, I can already tell that me and Chloe are going to have a long, fulfilling relationship.