Once Erica's leg had been wrapped and the station cleaned, ready for the next person to get some permanent art Mike was sitting upon the tattoo table. Erica had gone into the kitchen to get a bottle of water. She came back and sat at the desk situated in the middle of the shop. She was looking through the appointment book to see how busy she was over the next couple of weeks. She had only a few people booked in so a lot of free time was to be expected. Erica preferred to be working. When she was working her thoughts couldn't eat her alive.

Stan was talking to the guys asking what they were doing in Reading if they're from San Diego. "That's quite a way to come for a tattoo" he said jokingly. "Well a friend of ours said that we should check this place out, since we'll be here for the next 2 weeks we thought 'why not?' haha" Mike said.

Erica's ears shot up, "what are you guys doing here for 2 weeks? Don't you have like touring to do or something haha?" Tony decided to take this one. It was the first time he had properly spoken since getting there "We have a bit of time off and we had decided that this year we're going to Reading Festival. So we're staying at a hotel in the town centre and will just be hanging out for the next couple of weeks before we go home on the Monday after the festival." He smiled and went back to looking at his phone. Erica has been going to Reading Festival since she was 8. Her father worked with a lot of the bands there which meant she was fortunate enough to meet many of them over the years. "Ah sweet" she said continuing with "I guess I'll see you there. I love going to Fest. One of my favourite times of the year"

The boys all seemed to be pleased with this news. Especially Mike. He had barely taken his eyes off Erica since they first were called over by Stan. He was mesmerized by her bright green eyes and red ombre hair. Her tattoo covered body the two piercings in her face. A black septum keeper ring and a black stud for her Medusa piercing. She had had these piercings since she was 16. She's always loved piercings and tattoos. Erica hadn't noticed Mike observing her though. Which he was thankful for. He didn't want to get caught and cause an awkwardness.

Erica went back to the kitchen and as she did so Stan called out to her "Erica, you better be getting some food! You haven't eaten today and you know you have to. I don't want a repeat of last month!" He didn't mention anything too obvious so the four Mexicans wouldn't question either one of them. Erica's mind flashed back to the month before.

"I'm just not hungry, Stan. Gosh I'm not going back to that, I'm just not hungry." She was practically shouting at him. Good job the shop was shut so they could have lunch. Or at least so Stan could.

"Erica you haven't eaten in a week. I know you haven't. You know if you relapse the doctor will have no choice but to send you to the recovery centre!" Erica sighed and tried to fight back tears. "I'm not going back to that Stan. I'm just not hungry, I promise you. I promise that when I get home I'll eat an entire meal" Stan stood up and walked over to slim framed girl. "At least eat a small bowl of cereals for me? Just so I know that you're okay" Erica sighed in defeat and went to the fridge to reach up for the box of Cheerios that sat upon it. Before she had the box in her grasp she had fainted. Falling face first onto the cold concrete of the kitchen floor.

She shook the memory from her mind and shouted back to him "I've already eaten today" "No you haven't now get a bowl of cereal or a sandwich please!" He was stern but calm at the same time. He didn't want to upset her since he knew how sensitive she was about this situation. "Fine, if it will keep you off my back" She huffed back to him getting a bowl of Cheerios. They were her favourite cereals.

She walked back into the shop and sat back at the reception desk munching away at her bowl of cereal. Over exaggerating her smile in Stan's direction.

"So what do you guys have planned for the next two weeks?" Stan asked the band. "We'll probably just hang out, maybe go into London or something. We haven't really thought about it" Mike responded. "Well I'm having a party tomorrow night, if you don't have anything planned then you are more than welcome to come along?" Erica looked over at them, hoping they would all say yes. She was a big fan of theirs but to actually hang out and get to know them as more than just a band would be something she'd like very much. "We do like to party" Jaime replied, Stan nodded taking that as a yes. Erica looked over to Stan and he could see that she was happy with what had just happened. "Hey Erica, you better dress up for tomorrow. You never dress up, even when you promise me you will!" Erica huffed and walked towards the kitchen to put her bowl in the sink. Coming back through with an annoyed look on her face "But I hate dressing up. Why do you never just let me where shorts and a t-shirt?" "Because it's my house, my party and I think you look nice when you where a dress" He shot her a small smile, knowing just how much she hated dressing up. She always had nice clothes in her closet but never really wore them. Stan has always had an eye for fashion which is why he always nags Erica with this. "Ugh, I'll think about it" "Well what if I said you're not allowed in unless you're wearing a dress and heels?" Erica dragged herself over to the guys and sat between Jaime and Tony. Feeling a bit uncomfortable about this conversation. Even though it was nothing major. "What if I come in shorts and top, but bring Whiskey?" Erica LOVED whiskey. It was practically all she drank. Mike smiled at this and decided it was his turn to speak "Or you could bring whiskey and wear a dress" He winked at her then back at his torso that was still being tattooed. Stan looked at Erica, back to Mike and back to Erica again "I think you should listen to Mike" Erica put her hands up in defeat "Fine, I'll wear a bloody dress" Everyone cheered and Erica got up as she saw a man walking through the door. It was now 8:45pm. The man was Erica's father Huw. He picked her up on Thursdays because they always went out for dinner. It was their tradition.

"Hey sugar plum" He says as he planted a kiss on her cheek "Ready to go?" He waved at Stan and nodded towards the guys as a means of greeting them. He recognised them but had no clue who they were. Or at least that's what Erica thought. "Yeah sure, let me just get my bag from upstairs" While Erica was off doing that Vic had approached Huw and had begun talking about he liked what he was doing with new bands in the industry. Giving them all a chance. That's what Huw's idea was when he started Silver Records and he stuck by that for the last 25 years.. Erica returned to the shop and said her goodbyes. Hugging each of them band members and Stan. Her hug with Mike felt different to the rest though. Erica doesn't usually liked to be touched by guys but since this was the band that saved her life she felt it was okay. She said a quick "See you all tomorrow" to them and with that she left the shop with her dad.

Notes

Okay, so I know the tattoo shop scene has gone on for a bit but I think it was needed to establish a few things. This is my second update today. I think I'll upload again in a few days. It is coming quite easy to me though, since I've had this idea for a few weeks.

I do hope you like it. Tell me if you don't. Constructive criticism is always good.

Thanks :)