After the eventful morning, Faith made her way to her college. The bus was her main transportation as Bobbi had a bike, but Faith preferred not to have her earphones flung out of her bag on the busy road as her sister moved around traffic like a Fast and Furious scene.
She walked on campus with the same budding nerves as orientation. Her body was cloaked by the oversized green cardigan that she wore like a second skin. Her flowing red hair framed the sides of her face like a curtain hiding her freckles. If you asked her, she saw college as more of a step to supporting Bobbi, who bore the weight of their parents' death. She used to yap about her plans of riding around the country with her bike and fading tattoos. To think it's been 3 years since their passing.
Faith was brought out of her thoughts as more students started making their way to class, like a flock of pigeons to breadcrumbs.
"It's just another at school, Faith. Deep breaths. " She muttered, trying to build courage to face the daily challenge of socialising and not getting entranced by the melodies of SZA or the heart-wrenching vocals of Jhene.
' I really wish I were a normal girl,' she quoted the lyrics to Normal Girl. Her form blended with the moving crowd as she traded nights of bedroom R&B for painting stains and assignment stress. Maybe she'll be satisfied through the weekend 😔
Scene change,
Red ink-tattoo shop, Brooklyn | 11:00 AM
The buzzing sound of a tattoo machine prickling in the skin of clients had a certain piece to it, maybe if ur a masochist then it's a sonnet to ur skin for allowing the intrusion to the dermis layer. Anything for art.
Bobbi was hunched over a client, reclined in her leather chair which lost its texture long before Bobbi owned the building, the spontaneous squeaking of the legs a constant reminder of how it kept strong like the roots of an oak tree. Her mind was focused on the layout of the design of St. Michael the Archangel. She's obviously not religious. Even when her parents were alive, church was never her cup of tea. She preferred the occult-like worship of rock and roll, secular music that shaped her teens, and the blatant fact that her body is tatted to the bone. The client started chatting with her after they got accustomed to the pain, that's how the addiction starts and the next thing she knows, they want a full sleeve like an athlete who finally got their Rookie bonus.
The small talk was one of her favourite parts of her job, the oddness of two strangers getting to know each other over the sound of the machine prickling in their skin to make a work of art that they can carry with them till their skin becomes saggy and more rougher than sandpaper.
The piece of it all was interrupted by the sound of heavy boots, marching their way to the back, the person responsible for the infuriating sound was none other than Jane. Smelling like half-assed made lattes and sass thicker than the foam they use to decorate the drinks. Even in uniform, she looked like a living sin. The one-piece dress that was meant to make her look professional and approachable only highlighted her curvy figure, ample cleavage, and heart-shaped ass that could drive any man sane. Bobbi would've been envious of her friend but she couldn't imagine the hassle of knowing men stare at ur ass as much as a drunken message to ur ex that left you on "seen" for months. Her train of thought was broken by the sound of the goth girl sitting in a chair opposite the one she was occupied at.
"Bobbi," she said, in the tone that only meant she was baiting her for attention.
"What, Jane ?"
The Goth tilted her head at the response, her smirk already visible. "Oh... you know... I'm just checking on my fiesty companion," she added.
Bobbi rolled her eyes, dismissing her words for obvious buttering up before the crunch of awkward silence of the result of Jane running her unhinged mouth. "Companion, you say?" she repeated the word.
"Yes, ur my companion, Bob." The only person who can match my vampire theatrics and witty humour." she boasted as if her words were undeniable truths.
"She sighed, "Of course I am. " Her focus was back on her client, who seemed to be in awe at the spectacle that is Jane Frazer. A typical day in her life.
"Ding, ding." The sounds of the shop's bell rang to notify them of an entrance.
After a few pleading minutes of silence, a tall figure appeared, their head nearly reaching the ceiling fan, the heavy steps vibrated the floor like a jackhammer, the man was wearing fitted Khakis, dress shoes, and an open collar shirt that showed a bit of his tattoo on his right pectoralis. The man was an unfair mix of a well-maintained physique and clothing that highlighted it. Of course, he had his sleeve tattoos showing like the veins of his arms.
Bo~
Bo was enjoying his mundane tasks as he was able to finish up on projects in the studio, got his team instructed on a bookshelf a client in Upstate ordered, 2 days ago and now he was at the tattoo shop one of his employees, Fergy suggested he check out. The guy wasn't his best trainee as his cutting boards were as jagged as his beard. Maybe the kid knew what he was talking about. The thought died in his mind as he walked into a scene that was common at the subway. In the room he entered were 3 people, one a redhead holding a tattoo machine over the lady lying on the chair, and the purpose for such a position? To reach the 3rd occupant of the room, a pale-skinned girl in all black, holding a sketch, spewing about Christianity and frustrated nuns. It's definitely a normal day in New York.
His thoughts seemed to stop them in their tracks as all eyes were solely on him, like window shopping at the dealership. The silence was deafening. The first to break it was the Goth beauty, the sketch she let fell out of her hand like a candy wrapper.
"Oh~my." she purred. Her eyes were tracing him up and down with equal judgment and interest. "And who might you be...sir?" she added
"Jane, don't start!" Bobbi snapped, not wanting any more embarrassment. She rubbed her temple more roughly than she intended. "Welcome to Red Ink. Do you have an appointment?" Bobbi asked with the most professional voice she could imitate.
The man just watched intently as if he was studying the blueprint to their chaos, and after a few seconds of silence, he finally responded, " Does the tattoo come with the act of you trying to tattoo her forehead, or is that an extra fee?" The words sank into the room like an anchor.
"Pfftt! " Jane snorted at the comment. "Yeah, cough up a 50 for already getting half the performance," she added.
"Jane!"Bobbi growled at her. Her focus on the Pinterest board of a man." I'm currently busy, but we can book a session for later on today...tomorrow if needed." she replied.
Bo let out a soft chuckle, his body already turned around, walking his way out." Tomorrow sounds perfect." he called out halfway through the door.
The room went into silence after his odd exit.
"Well...that was something?" Jane muttered.
"Yep. A total weirdo".
"A hot weirdo," Jane added.
Bobbi snorted at the claim,her tone not disagreeing.
"I just realised, he left without saying his name or leaving his contact information. " Jane stroked her head in thought.
"Yeah,just a normal day in New York. "