Red String Of Love

6.1

 A/N: Not a chapter, but this needs to go up before the next chapter does. Thanks for all the beautiful reviews, it helps me a lot.

[I lay sprawled on Marshall’s bed reading a book on sound waves while Marshall is tuning his guitar. Marshall’s house became more like my house. This is where I hang out every day after school, sometimes I sleepover and never return home for a straight week. Of course that means we share his bed but sleeping is all we do. Well, sometimes we touch but we never go all the way. Marshall doesn’t seem to mind me sleeping over and his mother is almost never home to care.

I blink and realize I have been daydreaming which means I have to reread the whole page again. I start with the first line but when I can’t focus I sigh and close the book. I sit up and look at Marshall who was in deep concentration playing his guitar. I notice the tattoo Marshall got on his 16th summer peeking out from his behind his collar. It’s two puncture holes tattoo.

“Marsh”

“Hm?”

“I want a tattoo.” I blurt

“A whu? Uh, sure. What bought that up?” He turns and looks at me

I shrug then scoot closer to my boyfriend and entwine my fingers with his

“Alrighty then, what do you want?” he says kissing my hand

“It’s a secret.” I smile smugly

 Marshall scowls before putting aside his guitar and getting up, “Come on, let’s go.”

“Wait, NOW?!” I freak

“Yeah, now. Let’s get moving.” He says putting on a leather jacket

“Wait, wait, wait! Marshall I’m only 15! I’m underage and –

“No probs.” He grins throwing a card my way; I pick up the card then start panicking.

“MARSHALL! This is a fake ID!”

“Do you want the tattoo or not?” he asks impatiently

I stare at him hesitantly then at the fake ID then back at him; finally I get up and say, “Ok…I’m in.”

“Alright then. Let’s go.” He says then steps out of the room. I go after him but stop at the doorway when I realize I’m still in my t-shirt. I run back around to grab my jacket but pause the moment my fingers brush the cotton material. Should I wear it? Or should I leave without it?

“If you don’t want to, you don’t have to.” Marshall suddenly pops behind me wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my head. “I just think that you shouldn’t be ashamed of these.” He says holding up my wrists then pulling up to his mouth and kissing my scars.

I sigh and hold up my jacket, “I’ll…I’ll leave without it.”

“You sure?” he says sensing my indecisiveness, “Why don’t you grab it with you, just in case.”

I throw the jacket away and shake my head, “No. It’s fine.” Marshall kisses my cheeks and we leave his house.

Throughout the walk I couldn’t help feeling very self-conscious. My eyes darts from one person to the other, I’m feeling sweaty and nervous. Marshall squeezes my hand, “Bubba…” he starts but I put on a smile reassuring him when I notice the concern in his eyes. “I’m fine.”

We enter the Tattoo shop and walk towards a scary looking guy with a mohawk and a pierced nose. He inhales his cigarette and gives us a boring look.

“What is it now Lee?” he asks exhaling the smoke

“Don’t be rude, man. We’re here to get tattoos.” Replies Marshall

“ID?” he requests while stubs the butt of his cigarette

I pull out the ID that Marshall gave me and place it between us. The guy picks ups the card and looks at it, then he turns his eyes and looks at me. I swallow hard.

“I can tell its fake, ya know.” He says bluntly staring at Marshall. I stiffen and my grip on Marshall’s hand tightens

“I know.” Says Marshall casually as his thumb stroked my hand gently

“Well, as long as you’re paying.” He sighs handing the card back to me and walking to the side door with a short grunt of, “Follow me.”

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding and we follow after him. My exposed scars long forgotten.

The hair on my neck stands as the room before me unfolds making my heart pound in my chest. It reminds me vaguely of hospitals which in turn reminds me of my hate for needles. Will it be painful? Is getting a tattoo really worth the pain? Can I back out now?

The guy pats a chair beside him and asks, “Whaddya want?”

Marshall gives me a gentle push towards the chair and I stumble towards it before gingerly lowering myself on it. “I…” I begin and my eyes darts to Marshall. I hold his gaze for a while then continue, “I want the name Marshall Lee engraved here.” I take off my shirt then point to the area right above my heart.

Marshall’s eyes widen in surprise then a bashful smile spreads across his face right before he covers it with his hand and I don’t fail to notice how hard he’s blushing. After that a grinning Marshall pulls up a stool beside me, grabbing hold of my hand he says while pointing to his chest, “I’ll get one too. Gumball, right here.”]