The Love of An Computer Artist

I was laying on the couch in the lobby at work, today was my turn to open up shop; I was currently working as a receptionist at One Ink Tattoos in San Diego, California. The one thing I love being a receptionist is that my work station is literally in my hands or on my laptop per say. What I mean is all I have to do is set up appointments then store the information into my database. Database? What am I some sort of robot or a machine? Who uses the word, ‘database’—all I had to say was store them in files. Anyway, so I can either work from one of the three red couches or sit behind the receptionist counter.

I bet you’re wondering who I am or who is talking to you. Let me introduce myself, my name is Shay Taylor; I originally moved here to San Diego from South Carolina with my best friend/roommate, Jae Jung, about four years ago and I love it here. I enjoy how I can see the beach from my bedroom window, but would I ever go to beach; sadly no. I have a fear of public confrontation and well, if I am surrounded by a large group of people…I tend to freak out. I’m surprised I was able to be working at One Ink, since people are moving in and out of here like clockwork. I am twenty-one and I am completely shyer than a fish in a ocean of sharks.

I had time to spare since work didn't start until 11am and it was only…9:34, so I had time to either play some MineCraft or chat online. You see, I am very into video games and sometimes I chat online; trust me, I know it can be dangerous, but I make sure to extra careful and keep a secure network. I logged onto MineCraft as userR0B0TICM0NK3YKISS3S0101 and got busy working on a tree house that I have been trying to complete since I first started, but unfortunately, those stupid creepers and spiders kept getting in my way. Time went by so quickly that I didn’t even notice the sound of the ball above the door signaling that someone had entered.

“I see someone is yet again engulfed in an endless session of Mineshaft…,” said a deep voice, “Having fun, little one?” Taking my eyes of the screen for a second, standing before me was none other than Jeff or you could say my boss.

Jeff York is the owner of One Ink Tattoos and he is the reason, I joined the One Ink family. Let me explain, when I first moved here with Jae Jung, I was working as a freelance computer repair-women with some company and one day, Jeff stumbled into my workplace asking if I could fix his tablet and we went from there. He sometimes has me design tattoos on my laptop for him since I majored in Graphic Design when I was in college, so I have become quite useful to him. Anyway back to talking about Jeff, compared to me, he’s quite tall and very slim yet muscular with a small tan to his young Latin-Californian skin. His hair is a short spiky light brown and it goes well against his sparkly ocean blue eyes.

I frowned and shook my head, “Jeff, I have told you countless times that this is not Mineshaft, its MineCRAFT…and yes, I am playing it. It’s only 9:50 something anyway, so I have time.”

“It’s actually fifteen minutes to eleven, so I am going to go set up my station.” Off he went to the back to his area, “By the way, when my appointments come, send them back to me!”

I quickly glanced at the time on my phone and started getting things in order: by logging out of MineCraft, putting my phone on vibrate, setting up behind the receptionist counter, and then finally getting to work. Looking at the schedule, the first appointment of the day didn't start until 11:40am and that was for the other tattoo artist, that just started working here about a week ago. To be honest, I didn't even really know him, just only his name, which was Sam. I was and still am too afraid to talk to him due to his demeanor. He seems like a nice guy but you could never know. Jeff once told me that he and Sam met at a tattooing convention in Miami. Appearance-wise, Sam is at least three or six inches taller than me with long black hair that he keeps tucked under a beanie. His skin is quite pale compared to Jeff’s. I think he may love birds though, since a majority of his tattoos consists of them. Other than that, I really don’t know the guy.

While waiting for Sam to show up for work, I decided to play music on the stereo system that we had here in the lobby after plugging up my mp3 player. I should ask Jeff for any suggestions, “Hey Jeff?!” I shouted loud even for him to hear me.

“Yeah?!”

“I’m about to play some music!”

“Okay, what do you have in mind?” I literally jumped out of my skin when I felt his breath on the back of my neck as I let out a mouse-like scream. I had to wait for my blood pressure to go down before replying.

Strolling through the list of bands, “Motionless In White…New Found Glory…Non-point…Opeth…Of Mice & Men…Pierce the Veil...” I slowly named off some bands that he may like. The way a job environment can function properly is if everyone can get along and have the same similar taste in music.

“Motionless In White sounds good right about now…” said a calm yet mellowed out voice from behind us. Leaning against the door frame was Sam with three cups of coffee from a local coffee shop around here—not talking about StarBucks because I, one time drank their vanilla bean caramel frappuccino and I got soooo sick, it was beyond funny. “Play ‘Black Damask’ I love that song.” To say I was shocked was an understatement, this was the first time Sam ever uttered a word let alone ever asked me to do anything. Usually, he would just write his appointments down on a sticky note and I would file them into my computer. So sorry if I was frozen in shock with my mouth hanging to the ground. “Oh, by the way, I got coffee…Jeff, for you…and Shay, here is yours.” He handed us our drinks before heading to his area.

Jeff thanked him then hugged me softly, “Relax, he must be in a good mood today and I agree on Black Damask.” He then went return to the back.

I smiled and started up the music; within no time, MIW was flowing throughout the building and the day began.

This was going to be a great work day since I got some gaming in, got to hear some MIW and now, I was about to enjoy an evening’s brew of…wait, I don’t even know what kind of coffee Sam got for me. After fumbling around with the cup, I found a handwritten label that said, “Coffee w/ French Vanilla Cream and Toasted Honey Glazed Hazelnut blended,’ at least, it sounds and smells delicious. What matters most is the taste though…I took a deep breath and took a generous sip and I was blown away by the warming sensation that made my tongue dance around my mouth in absolute bliss. Like an off-the-charts roller coaster ride. I had to have this more often…I was hooked. More songs by various bands played as I silently danced around in my spot while drinking my addictive brew.

The day ended finally at 8pm and I was so ready to go home back to my apartment, today’s appointments were over and done, everything was clean and ready to go for tomorrow; now it was time to close up the shop. Sam suggested that we celebrate ending the day by going to a local club/bar called Instincts, but as usual, I didn't want to go. So the guys said their goodbyes and I made my way home in my Ford Focus.

Once I made it home, I was surprised to see that Jae Jung’s car was here, since she sometimes has to work late due to all her fashion design deadlines. Must be not one of those days, I guess. I parked my car in the driveway and made my way up to the apartment; I was about to pull out my key when the front door was ripped up and I was yanked into the house.

“Welcome home, Shay!” Jae Jung happily yelled while wrapping her arms around my small frame. Lee Jae Jung or Jae for short; was my Korean twin because we literally did everything together. We went to our high school prom together—she even designed and made our dresses, we went to summer camp two years in a row, we even shared chicken pox, and one time, we accidentally ended up trying LARPing—Live Action Role Playing—once, we hated it. Ever since high school and art college, I started feeling less beautiful whenever I stood next her, my confidence died whenever we were around guys or girls. Yeah, she had long flowing hair, flawless skin, midnight eyes and a smile that would make you melt into yourself, but aside from all those features, she was a complete dork just like me except she has better fashion sense.

“Jae…you’re squeezing me…too tight…,” I couldn't breathe, she was hugging the life out of me with every passing second, “please let go…please.”

“Oh sorry, so sorry,” she immediately let me go, “I just missed you so much!”

“You saw me this morning, when we were getting ready…”

“Yeah, but you were on your computer…as usual…” She replied while frowning and looking at her feet.

“But I still was here though…how about whatever you want to do…I will do it.” I promised. Her head snapped back up as the look on her face was devilish.

“Whatever I want to do?”

“Nothing sexual!” I cried.

“No, no, just lets go clubbing…I want you to get out of here for one.”

“I already told Jeff and that guy Sam that I wouldn't go when they asked me…,” I explained.

“But you said whatever I want to do…” immediately out came puppy-dog eyes Jae Jung, which is the most saddest thing to see because first her eyes get glossy, second her lip quiver like a earthquake and lastly, the tears start flowing like Niagara Falls

I embraced her and gave in, “Fine, I will go. But you are going to help me get ready and don’t make me look spunky.”

The puppy-dog eyes quickly ended just as quickly as they started and now I had to witness a dancing Jae Jung as she skipped off to my room to look for things to put together an outfit. I grumbled and went to take a quick shower, just as I got done in there; I was greeted in my room by a grinning Jae Jung with clothes in her hands.

“Get dressed and I will do your makeup. I will make you look breath-taking, trust me.” I nodded and got dressed in the outfit then sat down on the edge of my bed. “Let’s begin.”

Once she was done and I able to finally look in my stand-up mirror, I couldn't even recognize myself and this brought tears to my eyes, “So beautiful…Jae, you made me beautiful…” as I spoke, I watched as a single tear rolled down my cheek.

I felt her arms wrapped around me, “No, silly you was always beautiful, I didn’t do anything, but put makeup on you. Now, stop crying, you’ll ruin my artwork.” Before I could say anything, she was already off skipping to her room to get ready. I decided to just wait downstairs for her. Gosh, I will be in a place filled with complete strangers except for Jae Jung, oh my god, I’m going to puke on myself. Hurry up Jae Jung, before I back out and lock myself in my room like last time.

“Ready! Let’s go!” Before I could even analyze her outfit, she already was dragging me outside and pushing me into her car. Off we went down the road to Instinct and my anxiety was flying through the roof of Jae Jung’s car. Please don’t let me do anything stupid.

Notes

I hope you enjoy this story because I have been giving it a lot of thought. Tell me what you think in the comments below and don't forget to subscribe.

~Trint <3