About six hours after I felt that first cold wipe of the sterol alcohol I was sitting in a McDonalds with my tattoo artist, Amy Montgomery.

“I don’t know how I can thank you.” I answered honestly before sipping my coke.

“Listen honey, it’s my job and frankly it’s a gorgeous tattoo. Your father was one smart man.” Amy insisted.

I was allowed to keep the sweater and I had it zipped up enough to hide my shirtless body but not enough to make me melt in the California night.

“Well I should get your pre-adult butt home, shouldn’t I?” Amy asked stealing a fry.

“I supposed... my parents freaked out the last time I spent the night away from home.” I answered thinking back to my puppies.

“You do it often?” Amy asked as we walked out of the restaurant.

“No... I think this is the most rebellious thing I’ve done!” I realized in awe.

“You don’t strike me as a rebellious kid Mia.” Amy told me unlocking the car.

“I’m not! I just recorded an application for York University today. Singing scholarship, I gave a home to three amazing husky puppies, got a step-father and step-brother along with a new group of friends who love me and a boyfriend who I thought I loved.” I explained thinking back over the few months, “Oh, and I should have a new sibling on the way...” I remembered.

“Mia you sound like the golden child of a perfect new life. What could possibly be wrong?” Amy asked laughing. I stared out the window.

“Have you ever had that gut feeling like everything is about to fall apart, so you let it over take and fall into the down-ward spiral feeling?” I asked Amy feeling a little silly about being so depressed.

“Called instincts my dear! The only thing I think you should ever trust. Your instincts will save your life.” Amy answered honestly as we stopped outside the house I lived in.

“Yeah but when my loving boyfriend and I start fighting about drinking and a bunch of stuff just goes wrong for no reason... I dunno it was just like in all the chaos I needed to rebel. I did and now I feel complete.” I said with a sigh and smile.

“I’m glad I could help with that Mia. Now listen kiddo, that card has my home and cell number too okay. If things get bad, call me and I’ll be here whenever wherever you need me. I got your bad.” Amy promised. I hugged her and grabbed my bag from the back seat.

The moonlight crawled over my hand as I stopped at the door. I slowly opened it and heard a quiet house.
“Amelia?” I heard my Moms voice.

“Hey Mom.” I called out. I was suddenly on the ground and my dogs licked my face with determination.

“Yeah, hey guys! Common get off!” I hissed trying to stand up.

“Oh my god Mia! We’ve been worried sick.” Brian Sr. said coming up. Oddly enough they didn’t seem angry... well at least not yet.

“Why it’s only 9:00 PM.” I stated confused. My Mom hugged me.

“We didn’t know where you were. Zacky said he found your phone in the music room. Your music teacher said something about an audition tape and we couldn’t... who’s sweater is that?” My Mom asked suddenly getting off topic.

“A friend’s, why?” I asked confused.

“I’ve heard of that... that’s a tattoo shop. Universal Color, it’s a tattoo shop downtown.” Brian Sr. said with a louder voice.

The door opened behind me before I had a chance to respond.
“MIA!” Synyster yelled hugging me.

“What’s wrong with everyone? I’ve been gone for like eight hours.” I complained.

“Doesn’t matter, why do you have a tattoo shop sweater?” My Mom asked.

I rolled my eyes, “I told you it’s a friends’ sweater. Anyways, I’ll tell you all about the audition tape in the morning. I’m exhausted.” I sighed walking passed everyone to grab some ice for my new tattoo.

“Amelia Haner-Lawrence. We will talk about this right now.” My Mom complained following me.

“MOM, please! Look I’m exhausted and my throat hurts from my audition! I’m sleepy from the McDonalds I just ate and I’m sore. I will talk about everything in the morning. Goodnight, to all of you.” I said sounding like I was giving a final statement.

I walked up to my bedroom with my soft ice pack. When I opened the door, I saw Kelsey and Zacky asleep on Kelsey’s bed.
Now before you get all mad... it was adorable. They slept side by side... with a pillow divider. Turns out Kelsey truly thought about her friends.

I unzipped the sweater and threw on a lose t-shirt with some shorts and crawled into bed. I laid the icepack on my hip where the tattoo hurt the most and drifted into sleep...

Next Morning...
My senses said I was awake and I move only a little.
I heard the bedroom door opened slightly and a scream,

“OH MY GOD! MIA!” My eyes snapped open and I shot up.

“Mom! What is it?” I yelled standing, she stared at my side and I looked down,

“Oh crap.” I hissed. Somewhere along my tattoo it had bled... a lot.

“Mia we need to get you to a hospital!” She cried.

I looked over and Zacky and Kelsey were no longer on Kelsey’s bed.
“Mom I’m fine.” I insisted. I moved into the bathroom whacking her hands away.

“Amelia move your hands NOW!” Her voice boomed. Brian Sr. and Synyster, Zacky and Matt along with Kayla and Tyler were all gathered at the top of the stairs. All yelling something or another.

“Mia.” Zacky hissed with a line of worry. He rushed forward.

“ALL OF YOU! BACK OFF!” I yelled finally. I got near the full length mirror and slowly lifted my shirt.

“What the hell is that?” Brain Sr. said after my shirt revealed where the skin had split; which was a quite tiny split, blood just spreads you know?

“It’s a tattoo.” I said absentmindedly.

“I’m sorry a what?” My Mom asked in shock. Matt has slowly moved forward. I looked at his... experience in tattoo and allowed him to look at it.

“I got a tattoo last night. For Dad and I must’ve slept funny.” I muttered.

“Not really just the ice helped split it, like chapped lips.” Matt explained cleaning off my side.

“Ow!” I hissed.

“Mia, you are so grounded and so much more that I can’t even fathom!” My mom sighed.

“Okay Mom but I do need to go to school so can all except Matt who is cleaning me off please leave the bathroom!” I said getting angrier.

After everyone left I looked down at Matt,
“Hey Mattie, how Val?” I asked with a smile.

He just laughed and rubbed some cream over the tattoo.