Page 65

Abby

The school year has ended. I’m happy with myself. An average above four will make it easier for me to achieve what I’ve set out to do. I have met all the conditions necessary to achieve my goals. Now all I have to do is to get a minimum of B in the mock exams and an A on the finals, so that I will be exempted from the oral exams, which I’d otherwise fail. Too much stress. It’s easier with math, because it’s all about sitting down and solving tasks, and then just talk about it based on the calculations on the paper. With my mother tongue it’s worse, because the examiners can ask about anything from the last four years, and I didn’t like absolutely any of the readings—I have no idea what was in them. If I write it well enough, I’ll get it over with.

It’s my eighteenth birthday in a week and a half. I can’t wait. I’m planning to get a tattoo, though that depends on whether I can raise the full amount.

I made it! I did two parties. One for family and the other for friends. I got a pair of lovely platform sandals from Grandma. Their soles are made of brown decorated plastic, the texture resembling the trunk of a tree, covered in woodworm-made patterns. The top is blue suede, and the bases have African beads in various colors sewn in. The shoes are more than beautiful. They’re unique! I’m over the moon about them. I also got a CD with my favorite music and cash, of course.

“Abby, I still think it’s a very bad idea.”

“You’re exaggerating, Connor. I’ve wanted to do this forever, and now I have the opportunity.”

All the way to Crown, Ve has been bitching at me, suggesting that the tattoo is a bad idea. But I persisted. I want it, and I want it now.

“I’ll do it with or without you; I won’t change my mind.”

He shakes his head in disbelief and waves his hand in a submissive gesture.

“There’s a tattoo studio. Let’s go inside, ask around.”

I enter a dark room. A tattooed girl raises her head from above a newspaper, looking at us quizzically, chewing gum.

“Can I help you?” she asks finally, annoyed that we’ve interrupted her reading.

“I would like to get a tattoo.”

“Right. Did you have an appointment?”

“No.”

“Do you want to make one?”

“Will it work out today?” I ask, slightly confused by her threatening, dismissive tone. She leans over her notebook, running her black fingernails over it, and then, without looking up, replies, “Maybe. What are you interested in?”

“I want some shape on the lower back. What’s the price?”

“Depends on the size. Three to five hundred. Dave is going to be free in an hour.”

“I’ll think about it,” I say and leave.

“Fucking hell, Gail, think this through. Aren’t you scared of that place?”

“No more than that girl. She was a bit creepy. Let’s walk around. Maybe I’ll find something cheaper.”

That place gave me the creeps. After about thirty minutes of walking, I finally spot another signboard that says “Tattoo”. I go inside. Several guys are busy tattooing. One breaks away from his work and turns toward us.

“Can I help you with something?” he asks, holding a tattooing device in one hand.

I explain to him what I would like to have. He stands up and hands me an album.

“Browse through. If you like something, we’ll do it. Two hundred and fifty.”

“Can I modify it in some way?”

“What are you thinking?”

“If I chose, for example, this one.” I show the first one that I see. “Could I improve something in it; for example, add color?”

“Sure thing. Have a seat and make yourself comfortable.”

Ve has a grim face, but he sits down and looks through the album with me. Ten minutes in, I feel I’ve found my tattoo. Add some blue, and it will be perfect.

“I think I got it.”

“Is this equipment disinfected somehow?” Connor asks. There’s concern in his voice.

“Of course, otherwise they would close our salon,” replies the tattooist and turns to me: “Something catch your attention?”

“Yes, I’d like this one, but these points must be blue and shiny.”

“No problem. Ready?”

“Yes!” I answer firmly.

“Then hop on here. I’m Lenny. Lean back on this chair and don’t move.”

“Will it hurt?”

“Depends on your pain threshold.”

Damn, I didn’t think of that before. I start to panic, and Ve catches it right away.

“Do you want to think about it some more?” he asks, but I shake my head. I know that if I leave now, I’ll never make up my mind again in my life.

Ve sits down next to me and slides his hand into mine, giving me encouragement. Meanwhile, Lenny gets down to business. When the cold needle makes contact with my skin, I feel only a tingling sensation. It’s neither too painful, nor pleasant. Nevertheless, when it approaches the part where my flesh is softer, it hurts like hell. I clench my teeth and Ve’s hand with each movement of the needle.

“Done!”

Oh God, I thought this would never end. It wasn’t so bad, but I’m aching all over from sitting in one position for so long.

“Now I’ll spread some ointment over that. Buy more of it. This is the name. Don’t pour any water over it. You have to keep the patch on for some time. It may itch a lot when it heals, but don’t scratch it or you’ll ruin it and get scars.”

“How does it look?” I ask Ve.

“I didn’t think I’d say this, but I like it.”

For some reason, I feel relieved. I haven’t thought it through, it seems. As soon as we’re back from Crown, we’re supposed to go to my parents’. How do I hide that from them on hot days? I’m beginning to worry.

“You’ll have to help me out, Ve. They can’t see there’s something on my back.”

“Now you’re saying that? Did you even consider anything while making that decision?”

“I don’t think so.”

The idea of getting a tattoo was too attractive to let me think it through. Especially what’s going to happen when my parents discover what I did.

During the two weeks we spend at my parents’ house, I somehow manage to hide the “crime” on my skin.

“We’re going out, Mom,” I say one day.

“Where are you going?”

“We’re off for a walk around the neighborhood. Maybe we’ll end up by the river.”

“Okay. Can you buy some juices on your way?”

“Sure, only we’re going to be out for a while.”

We head to the clearing. I remember when I was a child there was a fireplace in the copse of trees by the road. I want to go there and check if it’s still there.

When we reach our destination, I squeeze through the thicket and find some benches made out of tree trunks. There’s a table and a swing too.

“Wow, what a cool spot.”

Ve passes me by and sits down on one of the benches. I walk over and stand between his legs. His palms touch my buttocks. His nose brushes the skin around my navel. He bites down on my shirt and lifts it up, pressing his lips to my belly. His tongue flicks out and runs along the line of my briefs. There’s that familiar warmth inside me again. I lean on the table and thrust with my hips. He raises my miniskirt, pulls the briefs to the side, and runs a wet tongue down my pussy. I let out a deep moan.

“It’s such a turn-on.”

“What?”

“The fact that we’re doing it fully dressed on some benches in a forest by the road. What is it with us and having sex in places like that?”

“I don’t know, but it turns me on too.”

He’s torturing me with his tongue, sliding two fingers inside me and moving them steadily, never breaking the kiss. The combination of those two things doesn’t leave me much in the way of possibility. His damp, warm tongue slides across my clit. I dig my fingers into his shoulders, each lick making me tighten my grip. I’m not in control of myself. Spasms overcome me. I moan as my legs start quivering. As the last jolt shakes me, I collapse, landing in Ve’s lap, panting.

“You’re amazing. I love you,” I say into his ear, giving it a lick and a bite. Finally, I rest my head on his shoulder and wrap my arms around him.

He pulls my hair, drawing my face closer to his as he plunges in for a deep, passionate kiss. My breathing is still quickened. I want him. With one hand, I unzip his pants and reach inside to find his gorgeous cock. It’s hard and ready for me. I release it and lift myself a fraction only to then drop straight on the prick. As it goes inside, deep, Ve lets out a groan straight into my mouth. Our tongues twist around each other in their dance, and our bodies, connected, bring one another pleasure. I ride him like a seesaw, releasing all the tension left inside me.

“I’m going to come, Abby.” Ve’s whisper brings me back to reality, pushing ecstasy away.

“Last a little longer,” I gasp and pick up the pace. He leans me back to increase the sensation.

“I can’t do it, Abby! Get off now.”

I do so, but only reluctantly. Ve pushes me over the table. I prop my elbows on the wooden surface, sticking my ass out. He goes in deep, hard. In this position, all I need are three more thrusts, and then my body is shaking again in the throes of orgasm, alight with electric current. Ve pistons a couple more times, bringing me even more pleasure. I can feel him throb inside me and hear him moan. I topple to the table and feel the hot goo splatter over my ass, dripping to the ground.

“I love you, Gail.”

We’re such freaks, aren’t we? Ve wipes me clean with some tissues and helps me up. I’m completely drained. We sit there for an hour more, hugging, connected by passion and mutual attraction. This can’t be compared to anything.

When we finally go back to our town, I feel relief. Even better, my parents agreed for me to visit Connor’s grandma or go with him to the seaside. The only issue I have right now is that the fucking thing on my back is itching like crazy. I’m not able to keep myself from scratching, which causes my skin to form bumps and scars.

But I’m so happy about the trip! I’m packing my last bag. Dad comes to check up on us. I’m leaning over a cabinet in the kitchen when he arrives at the door. My shirt lifts, uncovering the tattoo. I got so used to it, I forgot to keep my back covered at all times.

“What’s that stuck to your back? It looks ridiculous!” Dad’s roar brings me back to earth. I glance around, looking for some help, for some kind of support from Ve, but he’s as panicked as I am.

“It’s nothing,” I say quickly.

“Come here, show it to me.”

If I come over, he’ll discover it’s a real tattoo. I don’t know what to do. I’m so disoriented.

“Cover that immediately. What will people say? That you’re some kind of hoodlum!”

Here we go again. What will people say? That’s always the most important thing. I roll my eyes. Ve stands rooted to thespot. He doesn’t move a muscle.

“You’re sticking shit to your back and exposing yourself! Get a real one, smartass, if you want to know how much it hurts!”

Ve chokes, hearing this. I burst out laughing. It’s just beyond me.

“What’s so funny?” Dad asks, momentarily puzzled.

“If you have to know, Dad, this one’s real.”

“What!?”

“It’s real.”

“Get over here right away!” he cries.

I do as he asks, and he turns me around, making sure I wasn’t lying. He runs a finger across my skin. His fury is palpable. His energy is singeing me. I pull away.

“Fucking hell! Have you lost your goddamned mind, girl?! This lasts forever! You know that, don’t you? And you? What’s wrong with you? You’re as irresponsible as she is! How could you let her do it?”

“I tried talking her out of it, sir.”

“Then she doesn’t care what you say to her! That’s how much you care about him?” Dad turns to me. “Why don’t you listen to him?” He’s trying his manipulation again. I’m immune to it.

“It was my decision. Nobody can tell me what to do with my body!” I cry out.

“You can’t be trusted. Forget about your trip! Unpack your things. I will not let you go anywhere. You’re too irresponsible!” He squeezes past me and leaves for the balcony to have a smoke.

I send Ve a pleading look.

“What am I supposed to do? He won’t budge. He’ll have to calm down first…”

“But what about our trip?”

“Nothing. Better luck next time.”

“You really think I won’t be able to convince him?”

“You’re kidding? Didn’t you hear him?”

Ve’s right. There’s no chance he will let us go now. He’ll want to punish me for acting out. I won’t give him the satisfaction. I’m not going to ask.

When he’s finished with his cigarette, he walks right by me, says goodbye to Connor, and leaves. I drag Ve to the balcony. As soon as Dad gets in his car and drives off, I light my own cigarette.

“I wanted to go so bad.”

“I know, Abby. Me too. But we can’t do anything now.”

Connor sits on the bench and stretches out his arms, putting his elbows on the windowsill behind him. He faces the sun, eyes closed.

“I’m so stupid! If I was just a little more careful, we’d be riding a train by now.”

Ve pulls me in for a hug.

“I know a couple ways to make you feel better,” he says, licking my neck.

“Yes?”

“Oh, yeah. And I’ll try one out right away.”