Diamonds and Gold

The one bedroom apartment I shared with my fiance, Wade, over looked the beautiful San Diego ocean. It had a very large living room that held memories of the time spent in them. The old stains from split wine, coke, and who knows what else were almost invisible to us know. The smell of cigarettes perfumed the room and stained the walls no matter how hard we cleaned. The kitchen was always messy from the many homemade meals. It wasn't the best place in the world, I'll give it that but it was the home I had built with Wade over the past 3 years.

I moved to California only 5 short years ago. I started working for a tattoo parlor called the Crooked Moon. The shop was a nice size with about 7 artist. I remember the day Wade first walked into the shop.

It was only a few months after moving I meet him.

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"Hey, I was, uh," I looked up to a guy not much older than me with his eyes averted to the ground, "wonder if you could," his hands ran through his chestnut hair, "fit me in for a session today?"

I smiled and looked at my scheduled, "Your in luck. I had two cancels back-to-back." I stood up from my work station, "Names Quinn. So what can I do for you today, Mr?" I extended my hand.

"Names Wade," His soft ocean green eyes meet mine and I could feel butterflies form in my stomach, "I was wanting to get something on my left hand."

Once the tattoo gun started up, Wade seemed more comfortable and just keep on talking. We talked about our tattoos and which ones meant the most to us and why. We talked for what felt like a life time. Before I knew it Wade had convinced me to see his band play at a local bar after work. After that I couldn't stay away from him.

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I rolled over onto my back, blocking the sun light from my eyes. I could hear the sink cut off; then Wade appeared in the door way. He stood there looking at me in his ugly banana boxers.

We held eye contact for only a second before he moved towards the bed, "Good morning," His smooth, husky voice the only sound in the room.

I smiled, "Good morning."

He moved towards the dresser and began pulling out clothes, "I have an early practice and I'm staying late after work."

I stood up and let my feet touch the icy hard wood floors, "What time is it?" I wiping sleep from my eyes.

"It's 8." He pulled his black jeans on, "I have to go or I'm gonna be late." He pulled his shirt on.

"Alright." I walked over and put my hand against his face, "I love you."

His lips meet mine but only for a brief second, "You, too." As Wade left the room, I made my way to the bathroom.

The steaming water sprayed onto my cold, sheepish body. I felt myself waking up the longer I stayed in. The warmth of the shower was engulfing. I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to leave this warmth but alas I had too.

I wrapped a town around my body as I did my makeup. I found a pair of underwear and black skinny jeans and slipped them on. I searched through the closet for a suitable shirt till I came about a hot pink spaghetti strap shirt. I added a pair of plugs and a watch.
I checked the time. 9. I guess I better go so I can grab breakfast and head to work. I slipped my shoes on at the door and grabbed my purse and keys.

When I got to the shop, I set my things in my locker. "Damn Quinn, back at it again with those white vans!" I felt someone pat my back. I turned around to see Ashley.

"Fuck you." I said flipping her off as I made my way to the counter, "Why are you here so earlier? I've never seen you here before noon." I went into the computer system and looked to see who I had scheduled to tattoo first.

"I had a friend call me last night said one of her friends really wanted me to tattoo them. I think she was drunk but not gonna pass up the opportunity to make a little cash." She smiled and slipped on a cup of coffee leaving little red lipstick stains on the cup.

"Well I don't have anyone to tattoo until 12 so unless a walk-in happens I'm gonna just set around and watch you tat." I moved some papers around trying to keep busy so I was just setting around.

"No, problem but," I looked up at her and she was pointing outside. I knew exactly what she was talking about.

The door opened a small bell jingled above, "Hey, a friend of mine told me about this place. I'm looking for an Ashley." A guy with a round baby face said to us.

"That would be me." Ashley walked around the counter and shook his hand.

"My name is Tony. This here is an old friend of mine Vic." Tony motioned towards the skinnier guy with long brown hair.

"It's good to meet you both. This is Quinn." Ashley motioned towards me and I half ass waved. I never got comfortable around clients until the buzzing of the gun started.

Within minutes Ashley was drawing up Tony's new tattoo, leaving Vic and I in the front lobby. Vic was rather quite looking through the many tattoos we had hanging on the wall, "Find something you like?" I leaned against the counter top.

"Oh no. Tattoos aren't for me." Vic walked over to the counter wanting to engage in conversation.

"You must be afraid of needles." I brushed a stray piece of hair behind my head.

"You know it." He smiled. His smile was cute and friendly just like the vibe I was getting off of him.

"So how'd Tony find out about this place again?" I sipped on an ice frappe I had bought from McDonald's earlier.

"He has this girl he started hanging out with and she has had all her work done here."
I knew who he was talking about right away, "Oh Alena! Yeah she's Ashley's regular. We are suppose to be getting drinks with her tonight."

Vic opened his mouth to say something but my phone rang, "Excuse me."

I put a cigarette in my mouth as I stepped outside, "Hello?" I asked as I lite the tiny killer between my lips.

"Hey," I heard Aaron's deep voice on the other end, "is Ashley at work? She wasn't here when I woke up."

I laughed slightly, "Yeah she's here. When did you get up?" I let the deadly smoke fill my lungs. The smoke slowly turning into the black tar.

"I just got up like 10 minutes ago." He yawned, "Today is my off day."

I thought for a second as I processed what Wade told me this morning, "Wade said you guys had band practice this morning. Did you skip?"

"I didn't hear anything about practice. I hope I didn't miss something." His voice trailed off a little bit. He was quite for a few seconds as I stomped my cigarette out, "Well, I gotta go. If we did have band practice I need to call Wade."

When I came back in Tony was already at the counter, "That happened fast."

"Well," Vic said pushing his hair out of his face, "we have to be at the studio soon. So Tony just got the outline."

I sat my phone behind the counter, "Let me see."

Tony removed the covering to reveal the outline of a cartoon like turtle, "I can't wait to see it when it's colored." He put the covering back on, "So, Ashley, when can I come back?"

Ashley made a few clicks on the computer, "Let me see," she scrolled down the screen, "how about 3 weeks from today?"

"That works perfect." Tony took out his phone, "Let me get both of your numbers. I think we are having a party tomorrow and I wanna let people meet the awesome tattoo artist here!" Tony laughed, "Plus Alena is gonna be there." He smiled lightly.

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As I pulled in the drive way, I noticed Wade wasn't home. It was dark outside and I'd be headed to the bar soon. I parked my car and got out.

I heard my phone go off as I grabbed clothes for the night. I grabbed my phone off the bed and saw it was a text from.

Sorry not coming home tonight. Practicing at Aaron's and got drunk. No ride home. See you tomorrow my love.

Lately his band practice has been causing him not to be home very much, but it didn't bother me. I trusted him completely and knew they were all working to get signed to a label.

I got dressed rather quickly. I slipped into a black mid-thigh skirt, a spaghetti strapped crop top, and some heels. I did my makeup a little darker and applied my favorite choker. I headed to the bar.

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"So, why didn't you tell us you were talking to such a cutie?" Ashley asked Alena.

Alena's long curly dark brown hair was pulled up in pony tail, "I didn't think it was gonna be something worth tell you about. I've only hung out with him once and Vic was there with his girlfriend." Alena took a shot of vodka

I felt my stomach turn at the smell of it, "Fuck, Alena. I thought we talked about Vodka and me." I fanned the air with my hand.

"Not my fault you drank almost 2/5 in a night." Her eyebrows moved up and down as a smile crossed her face.

"So how are things with you and Wade?" Ashley asked looking up at the TV screen.
"Things are good, I guess. He spends a lot of time at band practice here lately. He's at Aaron's now. But -"

Ashley slammed her shot glass on the table, "Aaron's on his way here."

I was a little confused but didn't have time to answer as my phone started ringing, "It's Wade. Wanna go outside with me while I smoke?"

"Fuck! It went to voicemail." I tapped away at my phone calling my voicemail.

"It happens." Alena lite us all three cigarettes at once.

"You are the best." Ashley said taking one and handing the other one to me.

I placed the phone to my ear.

"Are you sure she isn't gonna find out?" I heard a girl faintly say.

"No. She won't." I could hear Wade say back.

Within seconds I heard moans and screams. I hung up and took a long hard drag off my cigarette.

Notes

Working on Chapter two as we speak!