Troubled with Tattoos

Chapter Seven:

"No no no," I complained at the cliche horror movie I was watching. "Don't go in there, stupid!" I yelled hopelessly at the dumb girl, shoving buttery popcorn down my throat.

Instead of running out of the exit, the idiot runs up the stairs only to be cornered by the masked murderer. What is wrong with the directors of these horrible movies? They make the girl population look idiotic and useless.

I was wrapped tightly in a fluffy zebra blanket, watching a movie on Cherry's leather couch. It was six o'clock at night, the sun had set a while ago leaving it dark outside.

Camden totally fell for my little white lie yesterday, he was pissed that he not only owed me fifty bucks but that he never got his kiss. I was more than relieved to not disappoint my new friends.

The girls were coming over tomorrow night for romcom movies and endless snacking. Cherry was a little hesitant at first but after some convincing she agreed.

An ear-piercing scream burst through the television causing me to jump a mile. I felt my heart rate nearly pick up ten times the rate. Stupid girl, I told you not to go in there, they never listen to me.

"Vi, turn down that TV you nearly gave me a heart attack." Aunt Cherry spoke as she stomped down the stairs all dressed up. She wore a simple black dress that stopped just below her kneecaps. She wore a jacket over her classy attire, her dirty blonde hair set straight down. Her face wore makeup, something I wasn't used too.

"Where are you going?" I asked curiously, pausing the movie just as the girl was being slaughtered. She grinned sheepishly and I had nearly begged for details. Aunt Cherry was the most humble person I know.

"Cherry, you better tell me this instant." I joked with her but there was still a tone of seriousness to it. Suddenly our roles had switched and she became the teenager and I, the adult.

"I'm just going....on a date." She said twirling a piece of straight blonde hair between her long bony fingers. I gasped excitedly causing her cheeks to turn a shade of pink. She was really starting to live her dream. First the pet shop, now a potential relationship.

"They grow up so fast." I feigned a tear wiping it causing her to laugh at the irony. She put a hand on her hip giving me a funny look.

"Violet do you even know what a date it?" She gave me a pointed look but you could see the humor in it. She'd be the last person to push me into dating.

"I'm not almost forty." I pointed out evilly. I followed up with a bunch of just kiddings. Aunt Cherry and I had the best relationship. We could joke like sisters, lecture like parents, and question each other like cops. It had always been this way. I had always secretly wished Aunt Cherry was my mother when I was younger. She was more welcoming and hung all my drawings on her fridge. My own mother kept me in my room for hours telling me to clean.

"As long as you didn't meet him off tinder." I jokingly stated. But to my surprise her face changed.

"Cherry." I began, she blushed.

"What? We old people can use tinder too." She shrugged. It suddenly occured to me that Cherry thought tinder was an actual dating app. Someone had to break the news to her.

"Tinder is for one night stands Cherry! Most people on there are catfish." I exclaimed. My only mature guardian was about to walk into a terrible date. Not on my watch.

"A catfish? Violet I can assure you this man ain't a fish." She laughed. I nearly smashed my face into the wall at how outdated my aunt was.

"A catfish is someone who is pretending to be someone else by using another persons photos." I explained while sending her phone a link to the show catfish.

"Oh, I knew that sweetie. But, I've known him a long time. We just happened to both swipe right after all these years." She gushed. My expression softened at her tone.

"Okay fine, go. But if he asks to netflix and chill say no!" My mouth blurted out. She laughed but I knew she had no idea what I meant. She was deep into her phone now and probably had no idea what I just said.

"He's here. I'm leaving now." She said excitedly. I chuckled at our quirky relationship. We had grown so much closer this last week after catching up. It almost felt normal, like I lived here my whole life. But the thought of my parents still haunted my thoughts.

"I'll be home late, oh and he's picking me up since my cars being weird again. Oh, that reminds me I have to call the garage shop." Cherry bit her lip getting sidetracked.

"If you need anything please call me right away hun."

"Cherry go! Go have fun!" I smiled jumping off the couch to push her out the door.

"Okay wish me luck." She kissed me softly on my cheek, careful not to mess up her lipstick. She was nearly down the stone steps before she turned back around to shout something.

"Don't forget to feed Ollie!" She said hopping into the blue Honda. I waved bye to her not being able to see who was in the driver's seat. I locked the door once the vehicle left wishing the best of luck to Cherry.

She's been waiting to start her family for a while now, I'm just afraid that I'm getting in the way of it. What if she marries this guy and needs the extra room for her kids?

My mind aimlessly went to the cut on my arm. Cherry had been helping me put ointment on it to prevent infection. I tried to not ever look at it, it was a reminder of the past and I so desperately wanted a new future.

I sat down on the leather couch and began slowly unraveling the bandage. My skin looked a different color from being wrapped so tight, making my stomach churn.

The cold air felt good against my skin as I unwrapped the last layer. The bandage slipped off leaving a long jagged scar down my forearm.

Cherry's homemade stitches held it together. The scar was fresh making me wonder if it'd stay there forever. Does my mother regret cutting my arm? Or did she wish she did more?

Part of me wanted to go home and see the damage I caused. Then there was the other part that knew I wouldn't be back for a while.

Cherry's home phone rang throughout the house distracting me from my thoughts. I looked around for the phone finding one sitting on the counter as it lit up.

I recognized the number as Cherry's, which had me wondering if it was a horrible date already and she snuck out the bathroom window again.

"Hello?" I answered the second the phone went to my ear.

"Hi Violet, could you do me a huge favor?" she begged through the phone.

"What is it?" I asked gladly to be out of my thoughts.

"Could you go down to the car repair garage and ask them to pick up my car? I've tried calling but no one's answering." Her sweet voice pleaded.

I nodded, eager to see the boy again until I realized she couldn't see me moving my head.

"Yes Cherry, I'll leave now," I spoke a little too excited to leave the house. Surely this town isn't dangerous otherwise Aunt Cherry would never ask such a favor. I was just eager to see the mysterious Austin again. I checked the time on my phone to find 3 missed calls from Cherry. I cursed myself for leaving my phone on silent for too long before turning the volume up.

"Thank you, Vi! I owe you one!" She said happily. I could hear the faint sound of the radio in the background telling me they were still in the car.

"Well, I've got to go now, thanks again hun!" She said before hanging up. I imagined they were getting to know each other and Cherry randomly remembered her car scenario. I grabbed a thick sweatshirt hanging in the closets remembering that I had to feed little Ollie first. I left my cut uncovered figuring it needed some air to heal.

I poured some dog food into Ollie's bowl. The sound of the food hitting the bowl was enough to capture his attention and before I knew it he was munching on it next to my legs.

I left the house after I changed out of my polka dot pajamas and replaced them with jeans and put on that thick sweatshirt. I had memorized the directions to the garage shop since they weren't that complicated.

So here I stood in the garage calling out a hello only to not be answered. After a long dark walk by myself I didn't have the patience for this. No one was at the desk out front so I just invited myself into the garage.

The radio was playing but not as loud as last time. I could hear tools clinking around and then I saw him.

I recognized his tattoos, the weird tribal pattern over one shoulder and a skull on the other. He wore what was supposed to be a white t-shirt but was now dirty and stained. His jeans hugged him tightly, but loose at the legs.

His dark chocolate brown hair stuck out in different angles. His back faced me until my mouth moved faster than my brain and I called out his name.

"Austin!" I called out. His name coming out of my own mouth sent tingles down my spine. My feet found their way closer to him and before I knew it I was within five feet of him.

He turned around and I stood there stunned staring at his all muscular glory. Focus Violet, focus.

"It's been a week and your best customer is in need again." I joked pushing a piece of blonde hair behind my ear.

His blue eyes bored into mine as if he didn't comprehend a single word I just said. I had to strain my eyes in order for them to not wander over his sexy body.

"Right on time" He smiled wiping his sweaty forehead with a clean cloth. He dropped to his feet and laid on the creeper. The conversation had ended but I wanted it to continue.

"How did you learn how to do all this?" I asked watching his muscular body roll back under the car on the creeper.

"My father taught me, they're the kinda skills you don't really forget overnight," He rolled back out as he answered my question. He had a new speck of dirt on his forehead and a smudge on his cheek. His hands had oil all over them but he seemed as though he was used to it.

He reached out for the wrench and rolled back under again. We stayed silent for a few minutes, I helplessly couldn't keep my eyes off him for any more than a second.

"Austin you here?!" A familiar voice called out that I couldn't quite place a name too. The unsuspected noise made my heart leap out in fear but it soon calmed down.

"Yeah!" Austin shouted back from under the vehicle. I could hear him turn the wrench from the noise it made. My father had taught me about bets and lies. He was never a handyman.

Heavy footsteps hitting the metal stairs sounded throughout the garage and Austin rolled out again but this time standing up beside me. He was very close to me might I add but it didn't seem to affect him one bit.

He was tall making me have to lift my head to look at him. But of course, I wasn't looking at him anymore instead I was staring at the player as he entered the garage. He wore a leather jacket with jeans walking over like he owned the place. Typical Cam. He looked badass.

"Austin, can you- Violet?" Camden looked surprised to see me here. Austin stood there confused at whatever kind of question that was supposed to be.

"Hey, Cam," I smiled waving my fingers at him.

"What are you doing here?" He asked looking between me and Austin skeptically.

"Just doing a favor for my Aunt," I answered. What really had me wondering was how on earth Camden Taylor knew Austin Hayes?

"Oh, well Austin could you close the shop? I'm kind of busy." He smirked trailing off and I knew damn well why he was busy. It seemed Austin did too.

"Is it the red head again?" Austin sighed crossing his arms. It made me wonder if Austin was that type of guy but by his reaction, it seemed otherwise.

"Maybe" He bit his lip with a smug look. I rolled my eyes in response, typical

"Fine go." Austin gave in reluctantly. A smile spread across Camden's face.

Austin lifted the bottom of his tank up wiping off his cheek. I truly tried my hardest not to stare but it was impossible.

Austin rolled back under the current vehicle he was working on ignoring Cam.

"Well, I got to go, bye Violet!" He waved jogging outside the garage doors. The faint sound of a car door closing met my ears and soon his car sped off. I'm pretty sure that was the first conversation we had without one perverted joke or a pickup line.

"How do you know Camden Taylor?" Austin asked from under the silver Toyota. I shrugged my bony shoulder, though he couldn't see it. Why was he asking?

"He's on my bus and he's in a few of my classes. How do you know him?" I asked back leaning against a black Mazda nearby.

"We grew up together, he's like family." I heard him say from under the Toyota. Should I leave now? What was I still even doing here? Deep down I knew exactly why I was still here. You're trying to get to know the mysterious boy better. But what if she was wrong?

He rolled back out just next to my legs, stretching out his body causing his shirt to slightly lift.

"Looks like I'm all done here," he muttered to himself cleaning his dirty hands off with a rag. He kicked the creeper away so he didn't trip over it and put away a few tools. I almost hadn't noticed he was staring at me, he raised an eyebrow.

"Why are you still here?" He smirked as he cleaned off some more tools. A blush spread across my cheeks at the fact that he noticed I was purposely wasting time.

"I-I uh wanted to make sure someone could pick up my aunts car..." I hesitantly lied. He gave me a funny look telling me he knew better than that but I went along with it.

"I'll have someone come grab it tomorrow" He said leaning against one of the tool carts.

I rocked back and forth on my heels, biting my lip. He still had that same smug look on his face. He chuckled wiping a few tools off. "Come on, I have to lock up."

My feet followed his as he led me outside and snapped the garage doors closed. He locked them up double-checking to see if they were secure.

"All locked up. Do you need something else?" He teased. I needed some unholy things but none that I could get myself to admit at the moment.

Obnoxiously loud bangs interrupted our conversation. They sounded an awful lot like gunshots. How would I know that you may ask? My father loved going to the gun range.

The sound echoed throughout the garage. The loud pounding of heavy footsteps hitting gravel sounded through the air and I soon realized we were in trouble.

"Oh come on," Austin groaned running his hands down his face in agony. My heart rate picked up and I was getting more panicked by the second. This was all happening too fast and I couldn't keep up.

Austin's blank eyes met my terrified ones, his humorous face now gone and filled with an annoyed stare.

"Run." His tone serious and angry making frightening shivers run up and down my spine. My feet couldn't move they were frozen in place. My heart raced so fast it sure wasn't healthy.

"Violet run!" He shouted louder the footsteps of the shooters coming closer. It was like everything was happening in slow motion. His lips moved in slow motion as he screamed for me to run. I forced my legs to move as I made a sprint to leave.

Don't look back, don't look back, don't look back.

But my brain had other ideas and I looked back. There were three guys tackling him to the ground. I ran back to him despite him yelling to do the opposite. I couldn't just sit here and let him get jumped.

My quick thinking acted before me and suddenly I jumped on his attackers back and he stumbled for balance being caught off guard. I didn't quite know what to do after that, I didn't have enough time to plan out my whole being the hero in my head. Luckily, my distraction gave Austin just enough time to get up.

"What the hell?" His deep voice rang through my ears as he forcefully whipped me off his back landing painfully on my butt. Ouch. The same man lifted his clenched fist moving in an arc motion straight towards Austin's stomach.

I was about to warn him right as he caught his fist, twisting his arm very painfully. The man whimpered trying to twist his body to fit with the position of his arm. With just one move he could break his arm and they both knew that.

Austin sent me a hard glare and I flinched at it watching him let go of the man's arm. He cowardly held his arm against him as the next guy gave it a shot. He was mad that I didn't run, but I was doing fine. Hell, I was mad too. Austin dodged and hit like a pro and I would've been admiring him if I wasn't terrified of these strange men.

"Violet watch out!" Austin yelled giving the man one last punch in his gut sending him tumbling to the floor. However, I was too busy watching Austin fight I didn't notice the guy behind me.

What I didn't miss was the excruciating pain in my head as I fell to the cold hard ground. My sight was blurry and I couldn't think straight. I kept hearing my name but I couldn't tell who was saying it. Suddenly, I was extremely tired and I closed my blurry eyes drifting off instantly.

My bed feels extra comfy today. I slid my arms around my pillow only to find it wasn't my fluffy one I had at Cherrys house. My eyes burst open as I stared around the unfamiliar room. Where on earth was I? Oh god, I had been kidnapped. I sat straight up rubbing my crusty eyes. The sun wasn't even up yet, what time was it?

Last night's events came crashing into my mind as I sat there astonished. Aunt Cherry must've been freaking out, I bet she is looking for me.

"Hey." A smooth voice came from the doorway as my eyes met his mesmerizing blue ones. He leaned against the frame studying me. He changed out of his dirty clothes into fresh ones. My head started to ache the more I moved.

"Do you remember what happened?" He asked, his voice was laced with hopes of wishing I hadn't.

"Yes," I answered wondering where he was going with this.

"I told you to run." He spoke, his eyes burning into mine. I nearly flinched at his harsh tone reminding me of my fathers.

"I know, I-" I began to explain but he didn't want to hear it.

"Why didn't you run?" He ran his hands down his face in frustration. I sat there in his bed quietly, shocked that this jerk was the same guy who helped me at the salon with his dog.

"Next time I tell you to do something, do it."

"I don't take orders from strangers." I pointed out, the anger slowly beginning to rise in my chest. I couldn't believe he was talking to me as if he had owned me. The audacity he had to act this way was ridiculous. Last night he was outnumbered and i may have intervened. No harm was done. Well except for his face, he had a cut on his lip and bruises forming on his tattooed arms. Oh, and of course my pounding headache.

He paced around the room as I began to get a good look at it. His walls were a dark blue with a gray carpet. His bed set was black and his walls were clean of any posters. He had an empty desk in the corner and a dresser that was overstuffed.

I bit my lip nervously, that'll be the last time I help a partial stranger. He was making this whole situation more confusing and it was hurting my brain. I rubbed my temples in circles trying to ease the pain.