Tattoos And Body Count

A fresh slate?

The next morning I woke up feeling groggy and lazy. I don't think I'm up for the drama at school today. I feel like I'm on an hex or something, cause lately trouble kept following where I go.

Mum pass by my room, and she didn't hear a sound. I guess that told her I haven't got off the bed. She opened my door and called out for me. "Mia get up, you don't wanna be late for School"

Oh sweet mother I want to be late for school. If I could skip school all together I will.

I turn my back at her and continue to sleep.

She walk in and tap me at the back. "Mia, are you awake?"

"Yes mum" I said sharply. Oh how I hate my life.

When I hear the door close. I decided to stand up and get by my daily morning routine. I wore my flip-flops and took my phone to the toilet.

I sat on the toilet seat and unlock my phone, then a message popped up from an unknown number. It says "Your Tattoo appointment. Come to 33 Avenue Eastmont 5pm tomorrow" these people are up to no good. Nathan is up to no good, I wonder why he is paying me this much attention.

Everything is almost settled now, our living room looks homey now, mum has hung our pictures all over the place and almost all the items are unboxed. I ate my breakfast silently. And mum kept looking at me for some answers but I didn't return her stare. She handed me my lunch then I said "Don't you think it's better if we start getting lunch at the cafeteria instead?"

"Oh, Noah would you like that too?" mum replied asking Noah about his preference, like his choice is the final decision.

Noah nodded. Everything is starting to piss me off, my mum overindulging Noah and Noah feeling entitled. I think I'm paranoid. This school has got me messed up big time!

In the car, on our way to school. I didn't participate in the conversation between mum and Noah, I just want to be alone. I kept looking out the window and kept reading the billboard signs. I think I'm starting to know this neighborhood and I can find my way back home from school. Speaking of school, I took the school bus for the first time yesterday with Brooke. I sat next to Chase from my English class. He was quiet all through the drive till I got to my stop. As quiet as he is, kids still fear and respect him like some kinda mafia.

I guess he kinda is. He's well built and his mustache added to his don look. I tried holding a conversation when we pass by the Golden Bridge. He only said its a nice place to hang out and nothing more. Then when I got to my stop and I was about to get off he said "Watch your back" I didn't have the time to ask for what I should watch out for. Hopefully I get to see him today in class.

"Mia. Noah told me he's gonna be coming home with David's mum every day, will you like to join too?" my mum asked like the drama queen that she is. "No! I'll manage" I replied firmly.

"OK honey, whatever you say"

We got to school and I saw Brooke seating by the oak tree. My spot. Hopefully she was waiting for me.

I got closer and she stood up. "Good morning Mia " she said with her honey voice

"Morning Brooke" I replied with a smile.

We walk through the halls talking about random teenage things. She manage to get me off my wary thoughts, and I'm glad I have a friend now. At least I have a friend now.

We headed to class together. Apparently we have almost all the courses in similar and aat the same time. It's like God has finally chosen my BFF for me at Oakland high.

Half way through the day and I've almost forgotten about my plight, not until I saw Lara been smoochy with a girl at a corner. Very distasteful. How can I make her pay for playing me. I'll be honest. I was really starting to like her a lot. I guess I am not as bad ass I always thought I am. I walk pass them and went by business. I guess she'll go free on this one. There's not much I can do to that.

I have English now but Brooke has economics instead. I got to class and took my seat next to Chase. I clear my throat trying to get him to look at me. He didn't even look up, just kept looking at his phone. It's not your fault, I am the curious cat ready to be killed.

"Hey" I said, and finally it got him to look at me

"Hey" he replied blankly.

"What does it mean, to watch my back" I ask not trying to have any conversation.

" Just like that"

" Just like a warning, or a threat?"

"Which do you think"

"The both?"

"Look. You're new so they'll be gentle on you, but if you don't want to get them pissed you gotta write that tattoo"

Damn! Chase too was in on it as well. What is up with this people

"Who is they?"

"Everybody is they. Mia you don't wanna get on their bad side. And I don't wanna get involved in this. So get that tattoo and try to watch your back" he said, returning his gaze to his phone.

I was left dumbstruck. I need answers cause everything eludes me now.

After English I went to the girl's restroom to take a s**t. After a while I started hearing voices like somebody is coming. It's more than a person, I'm guessing they are three, girls. Their voices got closer and clearer.

One of them said "I heard Lara caught the new girl in her web. That girl should be the next captain for TAB"

" Yeah totally I heard she kiss the new girl on her first day. The new girl is really impulsive"

"Nathan said she's a fresh slate, I feel sorry for her"

" A fresh slate?"

"Yeah, that's what he said"

"Wow. She's gonna get messed up in no time like the rest of us. She had better do as she be told if she doesn't wanna end up like Julie"

"TAB rules are sacred, I'm starting to think that this game is a cult game. Like we're all cultists, except for the downers ofcause. Their bodies are ink free" she giggles

"OH oh oh, you guys, got another tattoo on my lower belly, see"

They whispered something and giggled then they left.

I peeped through the hole to make sure. I flush and got out. Eeww. What the heck. So all the kids here draw tattoos like it's their identity.

Okay Oakland high is a freak show.

I got out of the restroom and went to my locker to pick my stuff, I'm done for the day. I saw Brooke approaching smiling.

"How's it going?" she replied reading my expression.

"Oh not too good. I heard some girls talking about some TAB, and they were excited that they got fresh tattoos on their bodies. What is going on?"

"Yeah it's a game called Tattoos and Body Count it is the identity between kids in school starting from nine grade. Chase created it as a one time thing, but Nathan kept it going and now it's getting out of hand almost everybody in school is trying to beat the highest body count, they're not scared of STDs anymore. The amount of person you have s*x with will fetch you money The highest number of body count in a semester will get about $100, and Nathan gets the tattoo appointment scheduled so you can't just randomly go make a tattoo with the signatory TAB, It's really a freak show around here"

"It is insane. Why would anybody play that game. Its stupid" I replied both in amusement and disgust.

"These kids don't think so, it's the new social thing" Brooke explain. I followed her to her locker as well to pick her things

"So you're saying kids randomly f**k each other for money now?, this is some real hoeing s**t" I declared and Brooke laugh. "I don't think it's about the money anymore, it's from the fame of it" she said

"So who's leading?" I ask out of curiosity

"It used to be Chase, his whole body is covered in ink, but Nathan beat his score last semester with Just two points and that is about it"

"What's is Nathan's body count"

"22"

"That is unhealthy, this school is really messed up, I'm in danger here" I said sarcastically

"Yeah, I guess we just have to get out alive"

"What is your body count?" I ask

"2, and it really wasn't about the game. I didn't even wanna get a tattoo but I don't wanna end up like Julie" she explains

"What happened to Julie?"

"You don't wanna know" she replies looking terrified now. We starting walking out to the bus

"So you never had a tattoo before?"

"Yes never"

You're a fresh slate!" she said smiling

" A fresh slate?, I heard those girls calling me that earlier too"

"Yes, it means your body is new. Like you might be a virgin or something" she said and that made me blush. OK I'm not totally proud of being a virgin. As bad ass as I was at San Francisco, I just couldn't bring myself to having s*x with those kids. I feel like they ain't worth it, and I don't really like them as much plus I'm not ready, so it is what it is.

"I have an appointment by five, should I go?"

"I mean you have nothing to lose. Just get it done and forget about this whole thing. Unless you wanna be billed for the rest of your school years" Brooke said

"I hate those body inks, plus my mum will freak out, but I guess I have no choice" I said.

"Where is your appointment?"

I brought out my phone and showed "Do you know where that is?"

"Yeah" she said reading the address on my phone

"Can you come with me?"

"Sure" she replied.

Then we get on the bus

As we walk in, I notice kids looking at me. Some where whispering. I feel like punching them right in the face,

The bus stop at a point and Brooke signal for us to come down. I followed her lead, we have to take another bus at Eastmont. But we got hamburger at a food truck before boarding another bus, I was starving for real, I barely ate my breakfast this morning. We ate through the drive to Eastmont.

The bus stop and we got off. It was almost five o'clock now, she lead my through an alley and knock at a creepy looking metal. The door opened and Brooke said to the old guy standing by the door that we're from Nathan. He gave us a scrutinized look before finally letting us through.

The room felf fuzzy and it was almost dark with just a red light beaming at a far end.

"How can I help you" said another older guy coming out from behind a beaded curtain, he was putting on just a short without a shirt.

This has gotta be the worse day of my life.

"I have an appointment, from Nathan" Brooke said, seeing I am too dazed to reply

"OK, have a seat" he instructed. We sat down.

"Which one of you is it?" he asked

"I am"

"OK, what are you writing"

"It's a name Lara" I replied

As I called out Lara's name Brooke shocking turn her head to my direction

"OK girl" she said, nodding and smiling at the same time.

The tattoo artist brought out his tool and plug it in. The sound of the instrument took over the whole room. OK Mia this is really happening.