Page 54 of The Tattoo Artist

“And that is something I would not want to be remembered as.” I shot out, sliding off the bed.

“What? Are you scared you’re going to make Ares gay or something?”

I let out a laugh and throw a pillow at him. “No!”

“Well, I guess that settles it then,” Clark said, shaking his head in amazement. “Definitely not gay.”

I nodded, glad that Clark now had his answer.

“So, what are you doing tonight?” Clark asks, his eyes sparkling with curiosity as I rummage through my clothes in my cramped closet.

“We’re going out on a date,” I reply, frustration building as I realised, I had nothing suitable to wear. I finally pulled out a dress that was slightly longer, but it still had a touch of allure that I desired.

“But I have nothing!” I groan, slamming the cupboard door closed and sliding down against it in exasperation.

Clark’s face lit up with a mischievous grin.

“Then this calls for a shopping trip,” he declares, getting up from my bed. “Come on, let’s go and find you a nice dress and some lingerie.”

I looked at him, surprised by his suggestion. “Lingerie? Why would I need that?”

He chuckled, his eyes dancing with amusement.

“Because you’re going to lose your virginity tonight!”

I roll my eyes at him.

“Fine.”

It was a dark shop, filled with racks of different coloured lingerie.

The fact that it is my first time ever entering a shop like this weirds me out a little, but Clark struts in ready to start shopping. I follow behind him like a lost puppy, my fingers trailing the hangers.

“I think red would suit your skin tone.” He speaks as he raises the red bra against my body, I glance down at the price and my eyes widen.

Sixty dollars for one bra?

“Clark, I can’t afford this.” I whisper, embarrassment glowing on my face. I wanted to leave; I knew shopping in a store like this would be expensive.

A good escape comes through as I slide out my phone to see Catherine calling me. I raise a finger at Clark before heading out of the store for better signal, “hello?” I speak.

“Alex…hey…ahhh…I miss you!” She slurs out her words, clearly drunk.

“Catherine? Are you drunk?” I question her as I look around the busy shopping mall.

“No!” She hiccups. “I…am not drunk!” She begins to laugh, and I sigh.

“Where are you? I’ll come pick you up.” Clark comes in front of me, raising his hands and I mouth that it was Catherine.

“No! It’s not like I’m at the club downtown…” then I hear her vomiting.

I glance up at Clark, “can you take me to the club downtown?” He nods his head as we make our way to the car, I end the phone call-slightly annoyed since I did want to do some shopping but at the same time relived.

Once we reach the club, I step out of the car. “It’s okay, you can go-sorry about this.”

“No problem, call me if you need anything.” I shut his car door and slip inside the club. The club was packed, bodies pressed against each other in a sweaty frenzy. Why was it so busy this early on?

“sorry, excuse me-just passing through. Cathy!” I shout above the music, my voice barely audible.

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