Spotlight |h.s|

Seventy Eight

Aubrey Hart

I observe my hip in the mirror, the new ink on the skin being slightly inflamed with a red tint to it as it's properly covered with antibiotic ointment and plastic wrap. I'm so excited to show Harry what I got when I get home, and I really hope it doesn't freak him out too much.

I stare at it in awe for a moment, trying to absorb the fact that I actually took the plunge and did it. I've had the idea in my head for a little less than a week, this being a major contrast to my other tattoos that I debated on for months on end. Still, I think it fits right in with the rest. I'm just in a bit of an exciting form of shock as I stare at my skin in my reflection.

I now have a tiny butterfly tattooed on my left hip.

It's probably far too soon for me to be making such a permanent decision, but considering the fact that whoever is watching me could get me at any moment, I'm giving myself a pass. It's also not big at all, the size of a quarter, maybe. It's not like I got his name permanently inked on my ass or something.

Jade only called me an idiot three times once she saw it, but then explained that she expected it since I was so persistent about not letting him come with us. Zayn thinks it's cute, being just as bad as me with the whole romance thing. Jade then proceeded to remind him that they'd have to be at least 30 and married before she ever got a tattoo that had anything to do with him.

She comes up behind me when she sees me staring at my skin, grabbing my shoulders and shaking them a little with a laugh, "Are you ready to go back and show him?"

I turn around with a nervous exhale, "What if he hates it?"

"He's not going to hate it," she shakes her head, "He's all gross and sappy around you just like you are with him. I'm surprised you beat him to it with how inked up he already is."

"I hope this doesn't make him feel like he has to do something like this for me," I instantly get a bit anxious about this decision, "I did it because I wanted to. I don't want him doing something so permanent just because I did."

"I'm sure if Harry got a tattoo for you, it would be because he wanted to. Despite what I used to think, he isn't an idiot."

"Aw, the friendship thing is already starting to work." I fake pout, making her roll her eyes.

"Let's just go so you can show him this thing like you've been dying to since you got it. Wait until we're gone to be all gross, please." She drags me to the door with a sigh, pretending to be bothered by it but laughing after she says it.

"Says the one who was holding Zayn's hand the whole drive here. That's just as sappy." I tease her back with a mocking tone of voice.

She rolls her eyes at me with a head shake, smiling as Zayn and the three guards assigned to me follow us out of the parlor. I already paid and got my special antibiotic cream I'll have to use on the new tattoo for a bit. I gave the guy a generous tip after asking him to clear the rest of the place out to be safe, but he didn't seem to mind at all.

The guards all load into their car, Zayn, Jade, and I getting into Zayn's parked beside it. I sit in the back, of course, quickly pulling out my phone to text Harry like he asked me to before I left. I hope this eases some of his nerves about this whole thing.

I let him know that we're on our way back, sitting my phone in my lap and expecting an instant reply given how nervous he was about all of this in the first place. Zayn starts the car while I wait for a text back, pulling out of the driveway of the parlor and heading in the direction of Harry and I's building.

I'm so glad everything turned out okay. I don't know what I would've done if I got hurt while being out. Not even for my sake, but for his. I don't want to hurt him like I know I would by getting hurt myself. I can't let anything like that happen. Not ever.