“I need the living room.” Ethan points to his roommate and then to the hall.
“No probs, dude. See ya.” The guy disappears down the hall, but not before smiling and winking at Ana. She rolls her eyes, but I don’t miss the slight upward tug of her lips, no doubt reveling in the attention.
Ethan puts a shirt on and ties his black hair into a ponytail. “Kami, my girl. Come here.” He picks me up and spins me around, causing me to grin. “I haven’t seen you in months. Look how much older you already look. Whoever you end up with is one lucky person.”
I blush. “Thanks, Ethan. And yes, they will be very lucky.”
He laughs. “Atta girl. Love the confidence.”
“Hi, Ethan,” Ana says dryly.
Ethan wiggles his brows at me before turning around. “Oh hey Ana, didn’t see you there.”
Ana’s eyes are practically shooting daggers at the guy, yet somehow, his smile stays in place.
“Can we please get this over with?” Ana sneers.
Testy.
“Okay, everybody needs to tell me what they want. Make it meaningful. Oh, and for the girls, none on your lower back, come back to me in your twenties for that.” He pauses and points his index finger to the left. “Although, brother, I would love to see you with a butterfly right at the end of your spine, I think it’d look beautiful on you.”
Next thing I see is a pillow hitting Ethan’s face from across the living room. His cousin and I laugh while Ana remains silent, looking bored.
“I already know what I want, dickhead.” Cam then whispers something in Ethan’s ear, provoking a soft grin on his cousin's lips. He nods his agreement.
“Do you know what you want?” Ana whispers and leans next to me.
Her dark eyes study me with curiosity. “I do.”
She raises both her eyebrows, looking impressed. “Wow, someone’s being bold today. What’s your idea?”
Reluctantly, I tell her the only kind of tattoo I’d ever want.
Ana nods once. “I like it.”
Giving her a smile, I walk towards Cam to see what Ethan is drawing up for him until he puts his arm out before I can reach the iPad.
“Ah, ah, ah. No peeking till we all finish.”
A smirk tugs at Cam’s lips.
“Fine with me,” I reply.
“Me too,” Ana agrees from behind.
About four hours later, we all have our tattoos done, and they’re covered with clear bandages and a small dark one right on top to hide the tattoo itself. Cameron’s is slightly bigger than mine and Ana’s. Allof our placements are different, too. Cam’s is on his forearm, close to his wrist, Ana’s is on her ribcage and mine is around my ankle.
“Two final requests. First, if anyone asks, I didn’t do these, and second, don’t be stupid and go showing it off till you turn eighteen.” He sighs. “Ready for the big reveal?” Ethan waves his hands at us.
“On three,” Cam says.
“One.” I grab the black piece above the wrapping. “Two.” I start lifting the tape. “Three.” All the black squares come off, and I almost choke on the gasp that escapes me.
“What the fuck?!” Cam yells.
“How? Who? What?” I turn and narrow my eyes. “Ethan?”
He puts his hands up in surrender. “Don’t blame me. You all asked for a unique star tattoo, so I gave you all a similar design. Thought it’d be more special that way.” His tone is one of boredom.
