Page 130 of Fragments

“I’m sure it’s not,” I tell him. “I think any tattoo is cool because it’s, like, self-expression, ya know?”

“Says the virgin,” Kang teases through his chewing. I’m glaring at him as he swallows, containing his evil smirk. “Sorry…tattoovirgin.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m seriously regretting telling you that…”

“Hey, I think it’s cute,” he goes on with the obvious ragging. “There aresomanythings little Luthy’s never done.”

“You sure you wanna pull that thread, Hoover?” I taunt him with my own wicked grin. “I’m calling youHoovernow, since you really like to suck—”

“Okay, fine,” Kang grunts. “You made your point, shithead. I’ll never mention your cherry ever again.” He draws an X over his chest with his finger.

“Much obliged.” I smirk at him, and he makes a face feigning amusement.

“For real, though,” Kang says. “Are you ever gonna get one?”

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while.” I nod, my mind mulling over tattoos.

“You know Ren would die.” He chuckles. “Putting something permanent on you must be like his dream come true.” Heat rises in my cheeks as I purse my lips. “Just make sure you get it where you can see it. Otherwise, you’ll end up withProperty of Warren Xavieron your lower back.”

He cackles while I shake my head. Still, he’s not wrong about the tattoo thing. Ren has been not-so-subtly hinting that he wants to tattoo me for years, and it’s not that I’m opposed to it. I’m just very indecisive about what I’d like to get. Ren has drawn me a few ideas since he got his gun, but for some reason, it’s still dragging my feet.

I have no qualms about it being permanent. Plus, it’s something exciting to do in a place where excitement is in short supply.

Maybe it’s just the idea of my first tattoo…

Kang might be right. I seem to have avirgin mentality. Always dwelling on the first time needing to bespecial.

I’m distracted from these thoughts when Velle shouts about the two-minute warning. We gather ourselves up and head back, at which point Rook grabs Dash and brings him to Ren’s cell. On my way past, I peek inside at Ren, sitting on his bed fiddling with his tray of tattoo supplies.

Man, this mood is a tough one to shake.

I still feel guilty about what I said to Dash, and now, on top of it, I can’t stop thinking about Ren. In my defense, I have a tendency to think about Ren, and it always irks me when I can’t make myself stop.

In my cell, I try to shake it off, climbing up to my bunk to work on my machine a little.

Everything is fine. Dash is good, Ren and I are better as friends, and I’m just having a bad day. No reason to get all Edgar Allan Poe about it.

Focusing my energy on the computer gives me a renewed sense of determination. Twenty-minutes later, I’ve had a mini breakthrough, which is unfortunately cut short by voices out in the row. I think Rook is bringing Dash back, but when I hear Velle grumbling, I can tell right away he isn’t happy.

I mean, when is that dude ever happy?

Still, I can decipher his moods and his tones pretty well, and the one I’m hearing now usually means,Ultimate Bitch Mode: Activated.

Jeez, I guess everyone’s having a bad day. It must be a full moon… Mercury in retrograde or some shit.

Easing toward the edge of my bed, I try to listen to what Velle’s saying. He’s obviously talking to Dash, but they’re a little too far away for me to make it out. Dash’s voice raises in volume, and it sounds like they’re definitely arguing.

Then I hear Velle say something aboutmurder, and the nameKarly Clayton.

Oh shit. He’s talking to Dash about his crimes… about killing the governor’s niece.

My stomach is churning.Dash really did suppress memories of what got him sent here. My poor, broken friend…

Velle snarls, “Fucking high-profile goddamn bullshit…” And the next thing I know, he’s dragging Dash up to our cell and shoving him inside.

Dash crashes to the floor with the echo of Velle slamming the bars and storming off.

Quickly, I rush down from my bunk to get my friend, who’s literally curled up in the fetal position on the floor, trembling and rocking himself, muttering under his breath.