I can’t wait to see you, Amery. I miss you so much, novio. xoVic

I shoved my phone back into my pocket as I heard the door ding telling me that I need to greet our visitors. I was at a tattoo parlor. I didn’t do the tattoo’s but I didn’t clean up after the others and I set up appointments with the clients. I loved being around this place, better than my other job where I just waited on rich folks. They’d look me up and down because I looked different than them. I shook my head as I made my way to the front. I saw Drake talking with who I assume just walked in. Great, now my ass will get chewed because he had to deal with the customer first. I love this job but Drake and I didn’t get along. I think it was because he tried asking me on a date when I first started here but I turned him down. He was pissed off when he found out who my group of friends were.

“Amery.” I heard Drake say.

“Shut up, Drake. We don’t need your shit. You had to greet a fucking customer. Amery was busy in the back.” Derek said then went back to tattooing someone. I sighed in relief. Derek was my homeboy. Well, he was here at work. I’ve been here for two years now. I’ve saw someone talented tattoo artist come and go but Derek was my favorite. He was the one that gave me my first tattoo.

“Amery can sanitize my work area. I have to run out back.” Mitch, the other worker asked. I nodded. It was my job to do this. I went into the back and got the cleaning bottle then went over to Mitch’s work place. I looked up and saw Drake staring my way. I glanced over at Derek who would look up at Drake then back down at what he was doing. The door dinged, I looked up and I started smiling.

“Mike Fuentes.” I shouted. He looked up, shocked.

“When did you start working here? I come here all the time.” Mike said pulling me into a hug after I walked over to him.

“I’ve been here for two years.” I said.

“I thought you were waiting on those rich bitches over at that fancy ass restaurant?” Mike asked. I frowned.

“I am. I have two jobs.” I said. Mike looked at me.

“Why? Are you having trouble, Amery?” He asked. I shook my head. I didn’t want to speak because I didn’t really want to lie to him but if I didn’t get enough money for this month’s rent then I’ll be out on my own.

“Amery, come on now.” Mike said.

“Are you here for an appointment or what?” I asked trying to change the subject.

“Yes, actually I am. Is Blake working?” Mike asked. I shook my head.

“No, she’s gone for the week. Family emergency.” I said. Mike frowned.

“I’m free, man.” Drake said.

“No thanks, man. I really like Blake’s work.” Mike said.

“Derek is the one that gave me my first tattoo.” I said. Mike looked at me.

“You have a tattoo? Does Vic know this?” He asked. I laughed.

“I have three and I sure hope Vic knows. Have we not been to the beach together since I’ve gotten them or what?” I asked.

“Where? Can you show me? Are they in naughty spots?” Mike smirked.

“Yeah, I will show you but not here.” I said grabbing Mike’s hand and pulling him towards the back. I had to pull my shirt up to show him.

“Don’t Let Me Jump, Don’t Let Me Fall. Aren’t those our lyrics?” Mike asked. I nodded.

“Yes, from Hell Above.” I said.

“I love that one. Where are your other ones?” Mike asked. I turned around after pulling my shirt back down and then pulling my lip out. My bottom lips was tattooed.

“Holy shit, Amery. You’re a bad ass. Let Live? As in the band or?” Mike asked. I shook my head.

“No, Of Mice & Men’s song title.” I said.

“Where’s the other one?” He asked. I pulled my pant leg up and revealed the rose on my ankle and around it says You’ll Be Missed. It’s a tattoo dedicated to my grandma. She pretty much raised me. I’m going to be getting more but for now, those were plenty.

“Does Vic know about the lip tattoo?” Mike asked. I shook my head.

“He actually only knows about my ankle tattoo.” I laughed.

“When are you going to see him?” He asked. I shrugged.

“He sent me a text a couple of hours ago. I don’t know. I don’t think he knows that I’m down here at the shop.” I said. Mike laughed before pulling his phone out.

“Now he does. Let’s go out front.” Mike said grabbing my hand.

“She’s such a bitch. How she wears those v-neck shirts and those see everything your momma gave you pants.” Drake said.

“You fucking hate her because she wouldn’t suck your dick the first day she started here. Shut the fuck up about it already.” Derek said.

“Are they talking about you, Amery?” Mike whispered. I nodded, looking down at my shoes. Mike stormed into the front of the shop, grabbed Drake by the throat.

“You ever call her a bitch again or anything other name because she didn’t suck your dick then I will slit your throat and throw you into the ocean, got it.” Mike growled. I’ve never seen Mike act like that.

“Okay.” Drake spat out after Mike released him. I just hope that Mike didn’t get me fired because Drake was good buddies with Frank, the owner. Things were awkward for about fifteen minutes until the door dinged again. I looked up and saw my best friend.

“Victor Fuentes. I missed you mucho.” I said tackling him into a hug. I felt his arms wrap around my waist, pulling me tighter.

“Amery Jones, I think I missed you mucho more.” Vic laughed. I shook my head in disagreement.

“That’s crazy non sense, Vic.” I said.

“How about we both miss each other the same?” Vic asked. I nodded.

“Though I missed you more.” We both said. Derek, Mitch, and Mike all laughed at our stubbornness.

“So how late are you working till?” Vic asked.

“I get off work here at 5 then I have that waitress job down at the one restaurant and I work there 6 to 12.” I said. Vic frowned.

“But I have three days off.” I said. Vic smiled.

“I’ll take you to your other job. Why do you have two jobs?” Vic asked. I shrugged. I didn’t want him to know that I’m barely getting paid.

“I like working, I guess. I don’t know. I’m looking for a different job. I hate that restaurant job.” I said. I looked at the clock not realize it was nearly 5 o’clock. I didn’t have the closing shift but Avery did. Poor girl has to deal with Frank the owner tonight.

“Amery, can I talk with you?” I heard someone say. I looked up at the back doorway and saw Frank and Drake standing there. fuck

“God Damn.” I mumbled. I shoved Mike as I walked towards them.

“Amery, dear. Drake here said your friends out there attacked him. Is that true?” Frank asked. I looked down at the ground and nodded.

“Why is that? Drake said he was just standing there and Mike, is it, walked out and attacked him.” He asked.

“Drake was saying some bad things about me. He called me a bitch.” I said. Frank shook his head.

“I’m giving you a month’s vacation, Amery. I think you need it.” Frank said.

“No pay?” I asked.

“No pay.” Frank said. I nodded then turned around, walked out. I looked over at Derek. He shook his head.

“Call me later, Amery.” Derek said.

“You heard all of it?” I asked. He nodded. So that meant that Vic and Mike also heard.

“Bye, DerDer. Love you.” I said after grabbing my things, heading for the door and throwing him the peace sign.

“Bye Amery Dawn.” Derek shouted. I had to control myself until I was alone. I was literally fucked now.

“Why don’t you skip out on this shift, Amery?” Vic asked.

“I know you just got back, Vic but I need to keep working. I just got laid off from that shop and I’m not getting much money in. I need to work. I’m sorry, Vic.” I said. Vic sighed. I knew he was about to go on his lecture about how I don’t even need to have a job when I can just go on tour with them and work for them. I’d love to do that but I need to prove to my parents, who never gave a shit about me that I can do this all by myself.

“Vic, please. You know my reason for this. I need to prove my parents wrong.” I said.

“Fuck your parents, Amery. Fuck those assholes.” Vic said He never once said that or raised his voice like that. I hugged him.

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Vic.” I said then walked into the building for my second job. I’ll go job hunting tomorrow to replace this lame job I’m at now.