Unstable | E.D (Book 2)

eighteen - tattoo

Jasmine

His hands were covering both of my eyes, while he slowly guided me through the parking lot of an unknown place. His body was pressed up behind mine, while his chin rested on my shoulder. His favorite cologne radiated off his body and into the wind that blew around us. 

"Can I see now?" I ask, impatiently. I hated surprises, I like to know everything and anything that's going on around me. I felt like I was walking off of a cliff or bridge. Even though I actually knew that I wasn't. 

"Not yet, stop being a baby."

We eventually stop & the warmth of his hands disappeared from my face. My eyes adjust to the building that was in front of us. 

A tattoo shop. 

I look over at him as he studied my reaction. A skeptical look took over my features. We're getting tattoos?

"What are you getting done?" 

"It's a surprise." I sigh as he pulls on my arm, leading us inside the parlor.

My eyes immediately look towards the girl that was sitting behind the front desk.
She had bright blonde hair and pale skin that accentuated her blue eyes. Her body was filled with different colors & figures of ink. Her body was like a walking portrait. I couldn't help but study it awe.

The girl's face lights up once she sees Ethan enter the shop. Do they know each other? By the look of his face, it looks like he's happy to see her too. She comes from behind the desk, giving him a large hug. I stood there awkwardly not really sure what to do. Are they close friends?

Once they pull apart she sends me a bright smile. Ethan dangles his arm around my neck, pulling me closer to his body. "This is my girlfriend, Jasmine. This is a long time friend of mine, Ella." He says.

I send her a smile, while extending my hand to shake her's. However, she ended up giving me a warm hug. My eyes widened, being caught off guard. "You're so beautiful." She says, while watching me.

I couldn't help but feel the same way. Her smile was infectious. "Thank you, so are you."

"So, what brings you here after all these years?" She asks, while looking at both of us. My eyes scan over the different artworks that were scattered across the wall. It was like I was in a graffiti museum.

The walls were littered with all kinds of vibrant colors. I've always admired tattoos artists—artists in general. Their hands were able to bring simple sketches to life. My gaze was captivated by the large wall in front of me. I didn't pick up what he told her we were here for. 

"Are you getting anything done?" He asks, while wrapping his arms around my shoulders from behind. His warmth diverted me from my intense admiration for the art sketches on the wall.

My eyes were fixated on a large sketch of a scorpion. "Yeah, that." I say, nodding towards it. A small chuckle escapes from his mouth. I turn around, facing him. "What about you?" I ask him.

"I'm just gonna get a dragon or something." He shrugs. I didn't really think much of it, although I did find that he was being unusual.

A dragon? I'd never expect him to get something like that permanently tattooed on his body. Like I said, I didn't think much of it. I tried to follow him to the room where he was getting it done but he suggested that I wait in the waiting area. 

That's when my suspicions started to grow. 

-

I had been waiting for a while and I started to become frustrated. Why couldn't I go in the room with him? It's like he was hiding something. Did he want to be alone with her?

I tried to brush off my speculations because I trusted him, however, I didn't trust that girl I had just met. If she was his so-called "long time friend", how come he's never mentioned her? In that moment I realised I was overthinking. 

The moment I thought I was simply over overthinking the situation, I started to hear loud laughs coming from the opposite side of the room. You're not the jealous type. I thought repeatedly. 

I started to wonder if he was actually getting a 'dragon' tattoo. It was just such a random choice of art for him to permanently put on his body. A couple minutes later, I heard their laughters inching closer and closer in the hallway.

"I want to show you something." He says, while biting on his lip nervously.

My eyes narrow suspiciously once I noticed how flustered he started to look. Is the Ethan Dolan nervous? He can't be.

He took both of my hands, holding onto them gently. I even started to grow nervous, the suspense was killing me. "What is it?" I asked. He turns his wrist over and I look down unknowingly.

My mouth fell open once I saw my name written beautifully in cursive  handwriting—in my handwriting. "Is that my handwriting?" I asked, completely and utterly surprised.

He nods his head, studying my reaction. I grabbed his face, planting repeatedly small kisses on his lips. A small smile breaks out on to his face. I couldn't help but smile too. The whole surprise was him getting a tattoo of my name. I most definitely overthought the whole situation, like I always do.

"I can't believe you did this." I said, while studying his arm. I felt like I had to get his name next. No one had ever gotten a tattoo of my name—in my own handwriting before.

"I love you." I breathed, while hugging him tightly.

"It's just a tattoo." He laughs.

Maybe it was just a tattoo, but it symbolises more than just me and my name. It also symbolises love and commitment. Two years ago if you were to ask Ethan what those two words meant, he wouldn't have the slightest clue. I'm sure he wouldn't have even dreamt of getting a girl's name tattooed him.

The fact that he's able to be vulnerable with me & let me in, shows that I broke through his walls. I showed him what it's like to be in a relationship based off of love and not pleasures.

I showed him how to love.