Summary

Hailee Franklin is a college student finishing up her bachelor's degree in Herpetology. Recently fired from her part-time tattoo artist job, she has to find a way to pay for her sick fathers hospital bills, keep her troublesome brother from being expelled, and all she wants is for life to give her a break.

Brian Haner Jr. is recently single from an engagement and is looking for a good time with his renowned freedom. He heads out to the bar with his band mates and is quite surprised and baffled when his charm doesn't seem to work on the vixen bartender.

"Thank you Mr. Fitzsimmons, I can assure you this will not happen again and that someone," Hailee promised the Dean of the school and snapping a look at her little brother who was sitting in the chair next to her looking bored out of his mind, "will be on punishment for quite a long time."

"Ms. Franklin this is getting out of hand, the next time he's in my office on bad behavior he's getting expelled," Mr. Fitzsimmons warned.

"Thank you for the warning. Let's go Michael," she said as got up from the chair to leave.

Mike trailed along beside his sister through the hallway, trying to keep his distance from her with her clicking heels on the linoleum floor. He knew she was pissed at him but he was still feeling a little baked from earlier.

Pissed off didn't even describe what she was feeling for her brother right now. Not only did she have to leave one of her classes early to come pick up her troublemaker of a brother, but now she was probably going to be late to the shop for her client's appointment. As they both walked over to her car, Hailee stopped Michael from getting in while she fished something out of her purse.

"Here."

"Nuh uh, I am not spraying that shit on me," Mike said shaking his head as his sister held out a hot pink bottle of perfume to him.

"You're in enough trouble as it is so just do it," she demanded. On the inside, she was actually snickering as she held out her Britney Spears Fantasy perfume to her little brother.

Mike cautiously grasped the bottle from his sister and scrunched his nose as if he were holding a bottle of toxic waste. He gave himself 3 quick squirts and hopped in his sister's car. Hailee started it up and as the air conditioner blasted them with cool air, they drove out of the school parking lot. They both sat in silence for 10 agonizing minutes, or at least they were agonizing to Mike. He didn't know what his sister was going to say this time.

"Why do you do it?" she asked.

"Do what?" he asked stupidly.

"You know what I'm talking about. Why the fuck are you going around smoking fucking pot? And at school of all places!" she snapped.

"I don't know, sis. I mean it's not like I'm a frequent smoker but me and some guys were skipping a class and Tony just had some. It was just there."

"So if you and those couple of guys were out near a cliff and they happened to be jumping off would you jump off to just because the opportunity was presented to you?"

"Come on Hails, you know I'd never do something that stupid," he laughed.

"Now isn't the time for shits and giggles Michael." she said curtly and Mike's laughter fell silent. "You're in high school. You're supposed to be learning things that will help you grow up and be prepared for college and the real world. Just because weed isn't as harmful to your body as other drugs or alcohol, it's still illegal for a reason."

Hailee was silent yet again for a few moments before she began to speak. "This is the 3rd time this month alone that I've had to pick you up from the Student Affairs office. Out of all the stupid things you've done, I never would have fathomed that you'd be one of the idiots that would do something as idiotic as smoking pot or taking any kind of drug related substance."

"I'm sorry, sis," he said softly.

"No, you're not fucking sorry. You think that by apologizing for every time you get in trouble is going to help you get out of it. Sorry isn't going to cut it this time, you're close to being expelled from school."

"Are you going to tell dad?" Michael asked timidly.

"Dad has enough trouble trying to deal with chemo. Why should I put extra stress on him?"

Hailee pulled into the driveway of their house and parked outside the garage. They got out of the car and Hailee locked it as they walked to the front door. She scrambled through keys on her key chain and upon finding the house key with a red covering she opened the door.

"Go to your room and drop your stuff off because you're coming with me to the shop," Hailee instructed to her younger brother as she walked through the foyer and into the living room.

Hailee said 'hello' to her father that was sitting in his reclining chair watching the big screen TV. He looked older than ever from the chemo treatments but with tired brown eyes he gave her a weak smile. Hailee bent down to give her dad a kiss on the cheek and told him that she was taking Michael with her to the shop.

He nodded his head and opened his mouth to speak but threw himself into a coughing fit. When he stopped, she saw the trail of blood on lips and was about to help him until a woman came in.

"I'll take over from here, Miss Franklin," Jena, the hospice said.

Jena was in her late twenties and Hailee was quite glad that she was the hospice to tend to him. Jena worked here every day during the week and got her days off on weekends. His weekend hospice was a burly woman named Esther that took her job far too seriously. Hailee gave Jena a smile and told her she'd be back in few hours before leaving to her room. She walked out of the living room and went back to the foyer to take the stairs. Walking down the hall into her bedroom that was the second door on the left, she threw her bags and purse gently on the floor before collapsing in her bed.

Hailee felt more stressed than ever today. She had to go into to work and she knew she'd already be late but she needed this job. She had to pay her father's hospice bill soon and the bills for the house. She was so glad that her parents had made a college fund for her so that gave her some weight off her shoulders but there was still over things that were going on.

"I guess it's time to go in," Hailee groaned to herself as she rose out of bed.

She grabbed her tattoo kit and her purse, shutting the door to her room as she left. She walked back into the foyer where her dad was absently staring at the TV.

"Dad, I'm taking Mike with me to work. We'll be back in a few hours," Hailee told him. He gave her a small nod.

"MIKE! LET'S GO!" Hailee yelled.

She heard the unmistakable sounds of her brother coming down the stairs with his cell phone in his hands doing what she thought was texting.

"Hand over the phone," she said holding out her hand.

"But Hails!" he complained.

"No buts," she said while taking the phone from his hands. "Mike! Gross!"

Her brother was watching lesbian porn on his phone.

"What, I'm a curious growing boy!" he defended.

"Yeah whatever, you're not even 18. Looking at porn is just as illegal as smoking for you."

They both got back in the car and left their house and, as fast as she could while obeying the speed limit, drove to the shop.

"When we get back home you're gonna be on probation. No cellphone, laptop, iPod, Xbox, or PS3. No hanging out with the guys, no girls, and hand over your license," Hailee listed.

"Okay fine, but can I at least keep my iPod? You wouldn't be so mean to deprive me of my music would you?" he whined giving her a puppy dog pout that she saw from her peripheral vision.

"Alright then, go ahead. But I'm changing the wi-fi password," she reasoned.

Mike groaned and slumped in his seat. He was not happy at all but he knew better than to go against her orders. Hailee made the usual 30 minute drive to the shop in 15 minutes and she scrambled as fast as she could to get inside with her brother trailing behind her.

"What's up Hails?" Sam, the front desk manger, asked.

"Hey, not much, just got the troublemaker with me. Is my client here yet?" Hailee asked her.

"Not yet, but you better hurry up and clock in before you're seriously late," Sam smiled.

"Hey Sam, what's up?" Mike said while leaning on the counter top near Sam.

"Hey kiddo, what's going on?" Sam laughed while messing up his hair.

Hailee rolled her eyes as Mike was about to make another failed attempt at flirting with Sam. She went to the back of the shop and found the employee room and checked in. She placed her purse and other things in her locker, on her way out she met her boss.

"You're late, Hailee. This is the 3rd time. You're a great addition to this shop but if you're late again I'm gonna have to fire you," Nick said, patting my shoulder.

"I know, Nick. Thanks for not firing me already," Hailee smiled.

"Just go get set up before your client gets here," he laughed.

She thanked Nick again and went back to her station where Mike had already set up her station.

"Thanks, bro," she smirked while messing up his hair.

"Hey! Watch the hair," he said.

"Hails, Mr. Garrett's here for his consultation," Sam called.

"I'm going to talk to Darryl," Mike stated while going to Darryl's station across the room.

Hailee introduced herself to her client and began her consultation. He was actually pretty good looking, but she could tell he was a lot younger than what she'd go for in a guy. But that didn't really stop him from flexing his muscles while trying to figure out where he would put his tattoo. He was getting the words "carpe diem" in an old English text with a little bit of filigree.

"I think on my back at the top of my shoulder blades will be good," he said while lifting his arms and flexing his back muscles.

Hailee laughed, "I think I can do that. If you can leave this font reference with me I'll get everything sized and squared away in about 20 minutes. So you can wait around here or go-"

"I think I'll wait around here," he cut off.

Hailee smiled and went off to the tracing table. She began tracing on the special paper and sized it to fit how he wanted it on his back. She added in some filigree for the final touches and checked over her work, making sure it was spelled correctly and that it looked okay.

"Mr. Garrett." Hailee said and spotted him in the waiting area. "If you'll come with me over here to the mirror I can place the tracing and you can tell me if you like the placement."

He got up from his chair, shirt still off and muscles tensed so the definition of his pecks and 6-pack were bulging. He stood in front of the mirror and had his back facing Hailee while she placed the paper on his back. After peeling it off she grabbed a handheld mirror and handed it to him, while turning him around so he could see it.

"Yep, I think it looks good."

"Alright then, I guess we can start," Hailee smiled.

"I meant you," he said with a gleaming smile.

Hailee felt a small blush creep on to her cheeks and said, "Thanks but I think it's time to get started. You wanted it all in black with some shading, correct?"

He confirmed his choice of color and after Hailee got her machine and things ready, her client laid down on the table and she began tattooing. The hum of the machine was soothing to her, tattooing was the perfect way for her to release stress. Most girls go spend a day at a spa getting massaged and laying in mud baths, she gave people an artistic gift that stays with them forever. She talked with her client and found out the meaning behind his tattoo.

She already knew that "carpe diem" is Latin for "seize the day" and learned that Mr. Garrett was actually getting ready to head back into the Marines. His dad had always told him to seize the day and do what you love and fuck the rest. It was that basic concept of living life to the fullest, be wise it's the only one you have and most of us don't live long.

"Alright, Mr. Garrett after I clean you up, you can take a look in the mirror again," Hailee said while she cleaned up the excess mess.

He got up after she had finished and went to take a look back in the mirror. He was completely shocked. He loved the shading she put into some of the letters and the touches of filigree she added definitely made it look a lot better than the plain black font he had showed her.

He hugged her in thanks and she gave him the directions for caring for his tattoo after he leaves the shop. She told him to come by in a week for a checkup and left him to pay for it at the front desk with Sam.

She cleaned and changed her station to get it ready for her next client, even though their appointment wasn't till about 40 minutes. Hailee decided to go visit with Darryl while she waited. She went across the shop and found her brother sitting at the desk part of his station while Darryl sat at his chair. Darryl is pretty much her best friend in this shop. He looks like the basic image of a tattoo artist. He has one inch plugs, tattoos all over, full sleeves, and snake bites but he prefers to wear one lip ring. Contrary to what you may think because of his muscular build he's a big teddy bear and a total sweetheart and has the cutest son named Tristen.

"Hey Darryl," Hailee greeted.

He got up from his seat and gave her a hug and smile. "Hey Hails, how've you been?"

"Good. How are you and Tristen?"

"Great. He can't wait to see you and Mike again," he laughed.

"Well maybe we can all go out again sometime soon. I miss the little guy," Hailee giggled.

"What about this Friday? I have the day off and we could all go to the beach and grab ice cream."

"Yeah, I don't have work that day either. I can pick up Mike after my classes, get changed at home, and meet you guys at the beach around 3," Hailee calculated aloud a plan.

"I'll tell Tristen the good news when I pick him up from my moms," Darryl grinned.

"Don't I get a say in this?" Mike said.

"Of course, sweetie. What do you want to do: stay at home with nothing to do because all your stuff has been taken or go out to the beach?" Hailee cooed.

"I see your point. I choose the beach," Mike said while pointing a finger toward the air.

Darryl grasped my hand and whispered in my ear, "Can I talk to you in the back?" I nodded and he dragged me to the back room.

"So I talked to Mike about today," Darryl started.

Hailee sighed. "I just don't know what to do about him. Nothing I seem to do to discipline him seems to work."

"I talked to him for you a little bit. Ya know, just a general sort of thing about how drugs are bad and there are more important things in life and to go a little easy on you," he said.

"Easy on me?" she questioned.

"Well you're only his sister trying to fill in the role of his parents, you take care of him, your dad, go to school, and have a job. It's a lot to have on your plate and I know it's wearing you down," he said looking straight into her eyes.

He was right, all the things in her life were tiring her out but if she didn't do it then who would? She went to school to study what she loved and she worked to keep herself from delving in to the money she had saved from when her mom died. She wanted to be an independent woman like her mother taught her to be, to work for the things she wanted in life. If it meant that she'd have to tire herself out, then she would do it.

Hailee and Mike finished their conversation and by the time they got back out front, Hailee's next client had come in and it was time to get back to work.

Thank you for reading and please review!