It was a week ago when Eddie Munson amazed me with his version of my designs. "These are perfect, holy shit, you're doing this in colour right?" I had squealed. Eddie's face lit up, huge smile reaching his eyes. "You're the boss. I got Tuesday next week free if you're ready to get started?" He'd tapped the papers against the wall, looking at me expectantly. So, I'd agreed.
Since then, the days had dragged. On Thursday the schools broke for summer and we were immediately inundated with kids and families, fighting over the popular titles. The only thing that got me through that week was the thought of being tattooed. Tattoos hurt like fuck - anyone who says differently is a liar - but I enjoy the pain. I'd watched grown ass, burly men tap out after a couple hours, whilst I could sit strong for 8 hours. That's what we were doing today.
I had every Sunday and Tuesday off work; inconvenient I know. But Sunday and Mondays were the only days Robin could see her girlfriend Vicky. They'd been together almost 6 months and Robin spent every other Sunday and Monday visiting her at college. This Friday though, Vicky would be back in Hawkins for the summer. Vicky was nice, I'm totally happy for them, truly. Although, holding back my guilt for keeping what Vicky and I did a secret from Robin was getting harder and harder. I knew Vicky felt this too but, she promised me Robin would never know that she was one of the girls Billy made us have a three way with.
I was already sweating and it wasn't even 10am - good idea to wear striped shorts and a nearly-backless Motorhead tank top. When I arrived, Tat Life was empty apart from Kim and Eddie. Once again Kim's beauty wowed me, but this time I was able to form a coherent sentence, "your dress is really cute". She thanked me and said Eddie would be ready in a few. A huge fan in the studio was blowing my hair all over the place. "Hello, crazy hair" Eddie's voice carried over the noise. I started slapping my purple locks down on my head as I followed him to his station. "Hey, long day for us right? Let's hope you don't get sick of me" I joked. He gave me a long look up and down before shaking his head slightly and smiling.
I stood as still as possible whilst Eddie applied the stencil he made. "Okay now, sit here...just like this, with your arm like that" Eddie had his large hands on my shoulders and was applying light pressure to manipulate me into the best position. His touch was gentle, yet I could feel the strength lying underneath. Eddie began tattooing the lines into my skin; the first time the needle went in, it gave me that familiar first shock of pain, and he stopped to look at me. As if waiting for permission to touch me again. I nodded. David Bowie songs had been playing throughout the studio for an hour, which was nice because I felt able to sit quietly and listen to the music, rather than scramble to make conversation with Eddie Munson. After the first hour passed, Eddie said " So what did you think of Bowie in Labyrinth?". I grinned, "I can't believe you're such a fan of Labyrinth" I teased him. We discussed that movie for over a half hour - I'd finally met someone who loved it as much as me! "I know its a kid's movie but those puppets pulling their heads off, and those goblins, they're the thing of nightmares." Eddie responded. Every now and then Eddie would glance up at me and I got to see the deep colour of his eyes. I never noticed how glittery they were before, with speckles of green and gold mixed with the brown.
We took a half hour break for lunch; the studio was full now, all artists busy working and the synchronised noise of tattoo machines was actually comforting. As I scooped some fruit and a sandwich from my bag, Eddie said "I'll be right back, do you want a coffee?" Eddie had his hand tucked into his back pocket - I nodded and got very distracted by watching his ass as he walked to the small kitchen area. A few moments later I heard a familiar voice next to me. "Hey Rain! This looks awesome already. Jake would be so jealous!" Annie - from Jake's tattoo shop - was beaming at me. "Oh hi Annie! This your first day?" I smiled awkwardly at her. "Yah, first day and I'm swamped" She sounded stoked. Her golden blonde hair reached her waist and she looked like a literal angel. Eddie was walking back towards me with two coffees, "can't believe you're being tattooed by Eddie, you lucky ducky. He's a fucking babe." Annie whispered to me, but her eyes were stuck on Eddie. She scurried away before Eddie reached me though.
As the day went on I had an unfamiliar feeling in my stomach, like a tight knot, and it got worse anytime I saw how Annie was looking at Eddie. Was this...jealousy?