away; b.e.

Chapter 14

Olivia's Point of View

We got to the tattoo parlor and we all decided to get a tattoo. But, since we're all underage we can't get full on tattoos since it's illegal to get a tattoo under 18 in California. So, we're all getting temporary long lasting tattoos. I already have a tattoo-well it's more of a stick and poke but it's pretty big. I got it after I got clean.

Layla is up first for a tattoo and she decided to get 'ℒℴ𝓋ℯ, 𝒜𝓁𝓌𝒶𝓎𝓈' on her wrist in her mom's handwriting. They were really close before she died, now it's just Layla and her dad, JP Keating. He's a pretty big producer and has worked with many different artists, both big and small.

Everyone was kind of just sitting around, waiting for their turn. Emilie on the other hand, she's heavily invested in her phone; texting rapidly.

Emilie's POV

iMessage

Clauds😈🖕

hey, what'd you say to Bil? she's been crying for the past 15 minutes non stop. i'm worried for her, em. ever since you've left, she's been so...sad. she doesn't want to be with anyone and the only time she is with anyone, is during her shows. she still sleeps in your lavender hoodie that you gave her that night, she wears your bomber jacket all the time, even though it's practically may. just please emilie, please, for all of our sakes, help her

I sat there rewriting and deleting and rewriting and deleting again. I don't know how to respond. Ok breath.

I start typing again, and this time, not deleting.

iMessage

Clauds😈🖕

i don't really know what to say clauds. i know what happened was extremely traumatic and i, somehow, helped ease the pain, but i'm not there anymore. i mean, you guys are coming back to la in a few days, maybe that'll help: being back home

right, cause you're in LA. listen em, i'm really happy for you, that you have this newly found independence but you were a big part of billie's life. she would never stop talking about you, and then you just left. i know the guilt you felt and that it's unbearable, but please, help her

i'll try claudia, i don't really know how much i can do, but i'll do what i can
Read 3:39

Fuck my life.

iMessage

Bil🧸

hey bil
Delivered 3:42

No response.

"Emilie, it's your turn," Jordan says. Since I'm emancipated, I can get a permanent tattoo. I put my phone in my pocket and go up to the tattoo artist. I show him what I want and he gets to work creating a stencil and prepping me.

~

"Yoooo! That's sick. It's simple but it's sick. It fits you," Coop says. I thank her and take my hoodie off leaving me in just my red sweatpants and black nike sport bra.