Promises.

I

1.

"We are looking to be filled from the outside in, not realizing that we were made whole when we got here."

Sunday, July 26, 2015
August Alsina.

I plopped down on the couch in the waitin' room of the tattoo shop, ti'ed. Not necessarily ti'ed of workin' due to the fact that nobody wanted me to do their tattoo since I was the newbie here, at City of Ink. But I was jus' ti'ed of sittin' 'round here doin' nothin'.

The owner of the tattoo shop, Nipsey, the receptionist, Solana, and three other tattoo artists, Dutchess, Chance, and Kehlani were also in here just chilling. The only one that was missing was Rocky, who was busy, doin' a tattoo in the back.

"Tired, huh?" Solana asked me from the front desk. As the receptionist, her job was to sit behind the desk in the waitin' room makin' tattoo appointments, answerin' the phone, givin' the tattoo artists their scheduled appointments, and promotin' the shop online. I learned that all from bothering her out of boredom, asking questions.

"Yeh', I ain't done shit, but I'm ti'ed of just sittin' here." I ran a hand through my short curls.

"Don't worry, bruh. You'll probably get some customers next week or even in a couple of days," Nipsey told me.

"Hopefully," I laughed.

The chimes on the door sounded throughout the room, lettin' us know that somebody was comin' in.

There came in a gorgeous, black beauty. Her dark skin had a glow that made her even more beautiful. She had short dark purple hair that fitted her skin tone perfectly. Interruptin' my gaze from her, everybody ran over towards her, tryin' to hug her all at once.

"Best friend!" Kehlani yelled. She ran and hugged her as well, while I simply stayed put on the couch, awkwardly.

"We all missed you, boo." Solana told her.

She laughed. "I literally seen y'all last week," Her voice was warm, and girlie.

"Yeah, yeah, but it feels like forever." Dutchess said.

"I know, y'all love me." She smirked. "Where's Rocky?"

"He's back there doing a tattoo," Kehlani told her.

"How you been?" Nip asked her.

She sighed and mustered up a smile. "I'm fine, Nipsey. Can't complain,"

She walked ova' to the couch and sat beside me. Sittin' down, she looked over at me. She put her hand out, indicating she wanted to shake my hand. "Hello,"

I grabbed her hand and lifted it, kissin' the back of her hand. "How you doin'?"

"I'm well," She blushed, shyly. "You're quite the charmer, aren't you?"

"Well, if I do say so myself..."

"Look at you, girl, flirtin' with your replacement," Chance said to her, laughing.

"Oh, you're my replacement?"

Before I could reply, Nipsey spoke. "Aug, this is the tattoo artist I was telling you about," I instantly remembered him informin' me of her earlier when he gave me a tour of the shop. She was one of his first clients here. After working for him for three years, she quit three months ago because of "personal problems" in which she now faces, as Nip said. Although she quit, I was told that she visits the shop weekly. "But, anyway this is August. I wouldn't call him or anyone, for that matter, your replacement because you know you're irreplaceable. However, he's dope as hell. He really got skills,"