Viva La Hella

The Test

Chloe wakes up as Max gently shakes her.

'You didn't wake up on the alarm'
'Fuck, am I late?' she sits up.
'No' the brunette smiles handing over a mug of coffee 'I woke earlier and actually turned it off. You'll be fine.'
'I hate you' she sips some coffee.
'You're nervous.'
'I have to prove today.'
'Guess you're not hungry.'
'Couldn't swallow a bite.'
'You'll be fine' she gently kisses her forehead 'You're talented and I believe in you'
'Please, don't put it this way. I feel like under pressure.'
'Sorry. I'll deliver some lunch later, how's that sound?'
'Not bad. Will you on the menu?'
'Well, I may be the dessert after dinner' she smirks.
'Sounds great' she kisses the photographer and drinks the rest of her coffee 'I just can't imagine what Matt idea about this test is'
'Relax now. You'll be fine, Chloe. You didn't forget that you have to drop me off at Powell's, right? I'm meeting Kate there and don't wanna be late'
'You don't wanna be late?' she laughs as she softly kisses her 'What about me? Can I be late?'
'I hate you when you're like this. Stop scoffing and get dressed!'
'In the bossy mood again?' she stands up, walking to the wardrobe.
'I'm just looking out for you.'
'How nice of you' she laughs as she puts on her pants 'You think I have to be taken care of?'
'No. I just want you to be fine. I can't lose you.'
'You won't.'
'I'm just... trying to help'
'I know' she smiles as she puts on a tank top and walk to Max 'Wasn't a complaint' she kisses her softly 'But you know, I'm not a kid who should be taken care of'
'Well, you're pretty childish sometimes' she laughs 'But I have to admit that you actually grew during the past year.'
'Thanks to you' she kisses her cheek.
'Can we go?'
'Already?' she kisses her softly.
'I knew it...'
'What?' she kisses her again.
'That we would end up like this' she wraps her arms around the punk's neck.
'But I can't resist. I just... can't help it. I love you' she mumbles.
'It's okay' she smiles 'I love you, too' she kisses the blunette then their forehead meet.
'Shall we go?'
'We truly should'
'I know' she sighs.
'Are you nervous?'
'Hella'
'You'll be fine. I'll drop by, okay, Chlo?'
'Sure. Come on' she kisses her forehead 'I'm dropping you off at Powell's'
Chloe's getting more and more nervous. She looks at Max as she parks at Powell's.
'Baby, you'll be fine!' Max smiles.
'I... know'
'What would you get for lunch?'
'You.'
'Chloe!'
'Uhmm... A sandwich will do.'
'Okay.'
'Say Kate "Hi" in my name, will you? And also tell her she can drop in anytime she wanna get rad!' she grins.
'Very funny. For luck' she kisses her long and softly 'I'll be there soon, okay?'
'Okay' she smiles as she watches the brunette walking in.
After a sigh she continues her way to the parlor. She grabs her tattoo pistol and ink and walks in.

'Chloe Price is on time!' Matt smiles as she sees the blunette 'Funny, Darren just said the opposite.'
'Darren said that? Like he would be any better' she laughs.
'Now, sit down, Chloe. Remember my full name?'
'Matthew Morgan'
'Cool. Where do you think my ancestors from?'
'Morgan...' she mumbles 'Definitely from overseas. It could be Welsh or... Celtic, maybe?'
'Well, aren't you smart? I'm actually Celtic. What do you know about the Celtic, Chloe?'
'Uhm, like... almost nothing. Maybe what everybody else. They were warriors with cool hairdos and tattoos.'
'Aren't you cute, kid?' he laughs.
'And they were kinda spiritual, right?' she scratches her neck.
'Okay, hey, I didn't mean to stress you out, calm down, Chloe. The main thing is that, I want a Celtic tattoo. The people who worked here all got one on me.'
'Do you still have space for mine?' she smiles nervously.
'Oh no, you don't get it. They can't even tattoo me if I don't like the design. If someone fucks the actual tattoo up, they have to pay for the removal.'
'You're not chickenshit, Matt...' she sighs, brushing off her face.
'Didn't mean to scare you. But you have to prove, okay?'
'Sure' the punk speaks again after a moment of silence 'May I see your tattoos?'
'Sure' the man takes off his shirt, then he smiles 'You see, I have one on my left ankle too, and a Celtic cross on my thigh'
'Okay, well... We talked about spirituality' Chloe hits a serious voice.
'Yeah'
'Do you have a spirit animal?'
'That's the spirit! Pun intended!' he grins and winks 'Yeah, I actually have one. Or let's see. Celtics have more spiritual signs based on astrology. So, my birthday is in late March. We have spiritual trees, oghams, animals, gems and colors.'
'Mhm... Matt... What is an ogham?'
'It's from the Celtic alphabet.'
'I think I'm gonna pass on that. I'm thinking about your spirit animal in the spiritual color. How's that sound?'
'Original and unique.'
'Tell me about your spiritual things'
'You're actually interested?' his eyes widen.
'Yeah. I find it very interesting.'
'Nobody did before. Okay, Chloe. My ogham looks like this' he draws it fast 'My tree is alder and my gemstone is ruby. The color is red and my spirit animal is bear.'
'A red bear...' she thinks for a moment 'Would it be okay? It would be hella great as a full-back tattoo, but... well, out of space, what about your shoulder-blade?'
'Hmm... Sounds good. Draw something. I'll be back. Going out for a coffee. Want some?'
'Aha'