A/N: I'm so glad that people are enjoying my story! I was nervous at first about posting because I like to write but have never been that good at it. I'm not a huge fan of this chapter, but I really wanted to get something up. I know I've said this before but if you have any suggestions for the story, let me know! Also, I meant to put this in the first chapter but I forgot. I know that in the movie they used a different method for tattooing. I just liked the idea of a tattoo gun.

Lydia belongs to me. The rest belongs to Veronica Roth.

"I don't really want to be here so can we pick up the pace." I complain. Kalel already has 4 outfits hanging on her arm as she walks past clothing racks. Not to mention the 3 bags from previous stores we have already been to.

"Oh please. You can't wear that tonight." She says eyeing my outfit. I groan and turn to the nearest rack, looking through clothes.

"Who says I even have to go anyway. I'd much rather lay in bed or something." I grumble. She turns around and gives me her signature "you're serious" look. I roll my eyes and move on to the next rack.

"What's up with you anyway? You've been on edge all day."

"Nothing. Just tired." I lie. I don't feel like explaining my run in with Eric and I don't really want to even tell her. If I tell her she will not stop bothering me about it and right now it's the last thing I want to think about.

"Whatever you say." She says. I can tell she's suspicious but drops it for now. That's one thing I really love about our friendship. We both have boundaries and we know not to cross them, unless we are extremely concerned about each other.

After a few minutes she's back to her happy, go lucky self and is practically throwing clothes my way that she wants me to try on. I take some of them and go to the changing room.

The first is a black dress that has cut outs on the sides and is very form fitting. I try it on, shimmying into it. Once I finally pull it all the way up it looks horrible. The sides are bunched up and the cut outs don't lie flat like they're supposed too. I take it off and try on another black dress that is fitted towards the chest and then cinches at the waist and flairs out. I try on a leather jacket over it also. I look at myself in the mirror. I still look like myself but vamped up a little. I change into my clothes and I decide I like this and discard the rest on the rack outside.

"Ok found some stuff, can we go?" I say when I finally relocate Kalel. Her face spreads into a wide smile as she nods and we head over to the check out.

We walk down the hall, stopping when we get to my door. "Be ready at 6 tonight!" She says before unlocking her door and stepping in. She shuts the door behind her and I head into my apartment. I set my bags down by the door and pull my boots off. I go back to my closet and pull out some workout clothes, as well as running shoes. Whenever I'm stressed I go for a run.

Once outside, I keep a steady jog going. The brisk wind whips at my face making my eyes water but I push through, and just keep running, letting my mind wander. It's march and the while the weather's still cold there is no snow which makes it a little easier to get around.

After about 3 miles I decide to call it quits and I head over to the tattoo shop to figure out an appointment time for Eric. On my way I hear someone calling my name from further down the hall. Once I get closer the figure comes into focus and I realize it's Zach, a frequent customer of ours at the tattoo shop.

"Hey Lydia!" He calls out. He comes up to me, stopping a few feet in front of me, smiling.

"Hey Zach, how's the tattoo looking?" I ask. He pulls up his sleeve, shoving his arm my way. There lies an eagle, its wings pointing opposite directions. You can see the intricate designs of the feathers, I spent a lot of time drawing this one.

"Wow, it looks great. Wonder who drew it?" I say jokingly. He chuckles, pulling back down his sleeve.

"You did a great job. Anyway, I haven't seen you in awhile. I was wondering how you've been?" He asks. He slides his hands into his pockets, waiting for my answer.

"Oh, uh, I've been good. Just busy, you know, at the shop." I reply. He nods, taking a step closer.

"If you are free sometime, would you like to do something?" He asks.

I take a step back, giving myself some room. I don't exactly want a relationship right now. And while Zach is nice, he's definitely not my type. I don't want to do anything but I would feel bad saying no. I contemplate this for a few seconds.

"Well, as I said, I'm pretty busy lately. How about this, I can let you know when I'm free and we can go from there?" I offer.

A huge smile appears on his face and he nods his head. I start backing away more. "I'll be in touch." I say before turning around and heading into the shop.

I go straight to the counter and flip to my schedule. I don't have any appointments for 12 on Monday. I figure that should work and flip to the back to find Eric's phone number. I dial it and wait as it rings.

After a few rings it connects.

"Hello?" a throaty voice says from the other end.

"Hi, Eric. It's Lydia, from the tattoo shop." I mention before diving into the details.

"It's not Monday." He says. I can almost hear the grin as he says it. What a smart ass.

"I'm aware. I had time to come and schedule your appointment today." I inform him, flipping through the schedule until I land back on Monday. "If this works for you, I can get you in at 12 on Monday."

"Yeah, that's fine."

"Ok, cool. So did you already have the tattoo drawn up?" I question. I hear a jingle at the door and watch as Tori walks in. I wave as she nods at me then heads back into the storage room.

"Yeah. Tori has that part covered. See you Monday Stiff." He says.

"See yo-" I start but he's already hung up. I put my phone down and sigh. I fill the blank space with his name and close it.

I walk towards the supply room to find Tori.

"So you've got everything covered for Eric's tattoo? I scheduled it for 12 on Monday." I say.

"Yep. I should be down with the addition sometime tomorrow." She says, giving me a look.

"What's the look for?" I ask.

She gives me a little grin. "Just curious as to why Eric all of the sudden wants you to tattoo him." She confesses. I sigh, shaking my head.

"I wish I knew. Look, I didn't mean to take one of your clients. I can tell him I won't do it." I offer. I don't want to ruin my friendship with Tori. She's practically an older sister to me and it means a lot.

She picks up a box of gloves off the shelf and chucks it at me. "Don't be stupid! You didn't take him. I was the one who asked you to tattoo him the first time. Anyway, I already have enough people as it is." She assures me.

"Ok, I was just making sure." I admit. She grins and gets up. "Alright, well go home and shower. You stink." She jokes and I lightly punch her arm. We both laugh and I head for the door and get on my way home.

I'm adding the final touch of makeup when I hear a knock at my door. I quickly finish then run to get it.

I open it and Kalel looks me up and down. "Damn it. You look better than me." She says pushing past me and into my apartment.

I follow her into the bathroom and look at myself in the mirror. I do look good. The dress makes me look older, but not in a bad way, and my makeup corresponds well with my outfit and adds a sexier edge to my whole look. Kalel always looks good, but today I actually feel as pretty as her. She pulls out red lipstick and starts applying it.

"Oh relax. You look fine. You're in a relationship anyway. You don't need to impress anyone." I remind her.

She finishes the top lip then turns to look at me. "About that... We are actually off at the moment." She turns back towards the mirror, puckering her lips.

"What did he do now." I question. I don't really care about the answer because by the end of the night she will wind up in his arms, and they will be shoving their tongues down each other's throats.

"Just little things that lead up to the usual blow out." She mumbles, capping her lipstick and turning to face me. "It doesn't matter, let's get out of here." She says grabbing my arm.

At the door I throw on some black ankle boots and off we go.

We arrive at pit, joining the party. The music is blaring and I immediately see Jared, Jade, and Aria dancing. A man walks by with a tray of drinks and Kalel and I both take one before joining our friends. I don't usually drink that much but I decide to change it up a little tonight.

I walk over to my friends and start dancing. "There she is." Jade yells, as I get closer. "You look hot!" Aria points out. I laugh and then twirl around showing off my outfit. "She looks better than me!" Kalel adds. I roll my eyes, then finish my drink.

By the end of the night Kalel is, as predicted, in Jared's arms, and I can barely walk. I take a seat on a bench and drink some water. I don't remember how many drinks I had but I know it will be one gnarly headache tomorrow. A figure approaches me and it takes me a few seconds to realize that it's Jade

"Hey, you alright?" She asks. I nod my head, taking another sip of water.

"We are all going back to my place to hang out for a little. Want to come?" I shake my head no. Honestly, all I want to do right now is crawl into bed and sleep for months.

"Ok, well call if you need anything." She says. I nod and wait until they leave before I head home.

I make it halfway back when I decide to take a break and sit down. I rub my head, and bring my knees up to my face, resting my head. I could probably fall asleep right here if I wanted too. I hear footsteps approaching me but I'm too tired to look up. They stop abruptly in front of me and I hear a familiar voice say my name.

It doesn't take me long to register who the throaty voice belongs to. I look and and standing there, looking down at me with a concerned mixed with confused expression, is Eric.