#7
Noah blinked “Change #? Why
Before I could answer, Ethan had slinked over, pretending not to eavesdrop while clearly
listenino
“You’re not seriously planning to change your tattoo, are you?” he asked, eyes narrowed.
No one acknowledged him, so he continued anyway.
“I heard that getting too many tattoos too often damages your skin. It can cause hyperpigmentation… even cancer, you know?”
I frowned thoughtfully. “Really? That serious?”
He eagerly nodded, thinking I bought it. “Of course! It’s bad for your health. So don’t change it”
I patted Noah on the shoulder.
“You heard him. Looks like we shouldn’t get tattoos too frequently.”
Ethan’s face lit up with satisfaction.
Right after class, Ethan rushed straight to the tattoo parlor.
Watching his back disappear down the hall, I pulled two temporary tattoo stickers from my
bag.
Noah took one and chuckled.
“What do you think he’ll do when he finds out we never got real tattoos at all? Can’t wait to see his face.”
I just grinned and made a quiet “shhh” gesture.
Later, back at the dorm, I applied the tattoo sticker to my arm and snapped a photo–this time featuring a different design, modeled after a popular basketball star’s ink. Totally new, totally uncopyable.
I calculated the time it would take Ethan to finish his tattoo, then posted the photo to my Instagram story with a casual caption.
I wondered what went through his head when he saw it right after his tattoo session ended.
Speak of the devil–my phone rang.
It was Ethan.
I didn’t answer.
He called again. And again. Over 30 times.
I turned my phone to silent and went out to dinner with my roommates. We didn’t return until 10 p.m.
As soon as I stepped into the dorm, Ethan lunged at me and grabbed my arm. eves wide
Chapter 5
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11:19 Mon 28 JUL
007
As soon as I stepped into the dorm, Ethan lunged at me and grabbed my arm, eyes wide and bloodshot, staring at the tattoo.
Realizing it was completely different from the design I’d posted two days ago, he looked like he was about to explode.
“Julian! Are you deliberately messing with me?! Didn’t you just get a tattoo two days ago? Why did you change it today?! Are you insane?! You think money grows on trees?!”
He waved his arms in frustration.
“Do you know how much I paid? 350 dollars! I sat there in pain for hours getting it done- and you just change yours like that?! Can you not mess with me for once?! Can’t you think about me?!”
I looked at his frenzied face and shrugged innocently.
“I can’t help it. My monthly allowance is 70,000 dollars. If I don’t spend it, I feel uncomfortable. What else am I supposed to do?”
Mon, 20 JUL
Chapter 6
