52. New Scars

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I had to run to Mikey's shop so that I wasn't late, carrying my bags full of shoes, dresses and birthday presents I must have looked like a fool. I didn't stop when I spotted some of the girls from my high school, I just kept running. On the way there I could feel a sense of tension building up inside me, but I couldn't remember why, until I was stood in the doorway panting. My eyes fell on Mikey, who was sat with his drawing pad on his lap. Shaking myself I took the final steps to him, glancing around to see the shop empty of anyone but Mikey and Immy. I gladly went and sat on the chair opposite Mikey. "err, hey" I rubbed the back of my neck, and looked away Mikey immediately knew that there was something wrong, because he said
"what's the matter Scarlett" I glanced up to see the tension on his face, as I blurted out
"I need another tattoo adding to the ones I've already planned" the tension levels in the room eased off, then spiked again as Mikey and Immy realized what I meant
"show me" Mikey said as he eased the pad down I nodded and took off my shit, then turned around, unclasping the bra I was wearing so that they could see clearly. Immy came around the counter
"shit Scarlett how?" they knew I would lie, but they asked anyway
"I got in an accident" I tried to shrug, but grimaced at the slight twinge. I heard a sigh
"you don't have to lie to us, we can help you" Mikey pleaded. I shook my head
"well you always know how to find us if you need us" he sighed, and got some tracing paper out. After he finished tracing he said "these are fairly new, so they are going to hurt more than the others," he looked me in the eye as a warning "okay, then, I will sketch those up for you in time for your next appointment" he gestured to his chair and I sat down while he filed away the large paper. As he began tattooing the conversation began flowing
"Mikey, can you put on me somewhere 'no one can hurt me without my permission'?" he thought for a while, as I breathed steadily so that he could work easily on the image currently being plastered up my side
"yes, I can put it on your side, across the ribs, It will hurt, but there won't be anything there
I smiled, suppressing a laugh "what it will hurt more than the ribs your currently drawing on?" I asked sarcastically he chuckled
"hey, I can make it hurt more if you want me to" I smiled and went back to gazing at the ceiling as Mikey finished the work.

He put the phrase on my other ribs and wrapped me in cling film before I left. I thanked him, and began the short journey home with all my bags and gifts.


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