We Can Make Something Beautiful

Back on the bus, everyone got settled on the couch and floor, waiting to hear how Amanda was doing.

“So, Amanda. How have things been?” Jake asked, handing her a glass of grape juice.

“Well, for starters, I don’t know if you heard, but Mel’s parents are threatening to send her to a weird Orthodox camp next summer.” She sipped her juice and set it down on the coffee table.

“Mel?” I asked, confused. I shifted my weight around in Andy’s lap, trying to get comfortable. It’s not exactly easy with nothing but skin and bones under your butt.

“Amanda’s girlfriend.” Andy explained. He leaned back a little, causing my back to press against his stomach.

As Amanda went on about Mel, Andy’s dark hair continued to tickle the back of my neck. Eventually, I had enough, and I grabbed an elastic around my wrist and handed it to him.

“Tie it up, or I will cut it off,” I said, playfully.

He took the elastic and pulled his long, black hair into a low pony tail. He then looked at me and raised an eyebrow.

“Happy?”

“Very much so.”

“I’ve been wanting to cut it for a while, it’s getting to be too much,” the singer said, and he wrapped his inked arms around my torso.

As we listened to Amanda’s story, I could only imagine what she was going through. Mel’s parents were homophobic, and the fact that their little girl was happy with another little girl was too much for them to handle. They were threatening to send her away to an Orthodox camp, terminating the relationship between Mel and Amanda.

I was honestly very proud of Amanda. She kept smiling through everything, and she was a very optimistic person. According to CC, she always found the good in people, even if they were Satan himself. If you looked at Amanda, without knowing her, you would think she was a happy 14-year-old with a good life and a happy attitude. I was proud of her for that very reason. She made people believe she was okay, even when she was breaking down inside. She was strong, even when she didn’t have to be.

“And that’s when things got bad,” Amanda said, snapping me out of my trance. “Amber was taking over, I couldn’t go one day, not even a few hours without her taking control and I couldn’t deal with it anymore. Honestly, if it weren’t for this band, I wouldn’t be here.” She looked to CC and smiled. The drummer’s eyes were welled up with tears, and he engulfed her in what seemed like the thousandth hug that day. She laughed lightly and told CC that she was okay now that she was with him.

“Well, it’s good to know that you’re okay now,” Acid said, her bright red hair looking damp from all the sweat it had accumulated that day. “I’m gonna go take a shower, okay?” She rose from Ashley’s lap, turned to kiss his cheek, and walked back to the bunk area.

“Amanda, this band, how did it save your life?” Andy asked, rocking back and forth on his tailbone.

“Well, Andy. Mostly your lyrics, and the music in general, spoke to me. Carolyn, especially, told me that it was okay to be different and that it was okay to break down. Because you guys would be right there to help me and to tell me that things would be okay. I could just turn my iPod on, and suddenly, with your voice, and your guitars, and your bass, and your drums, everything was peaceful in my world. I could drown out my problems and I could drown out Amber’s voice. You guys gave me strength, and I will be forever grateful.” Her freckles lined her bright smile and her blue eyes shone with truth.

“Wow, that’s…amazing,” Jake said, an acoustic guitar in hand. He carefully set down the instrument and patted Amanda’s shoulder, knowing that she’d had too many hugs.

I leaned back against Andy’s stomach and said “You know, you guys did that for me, too.”

“Well, I’m glad we could help,” he said. He subconsciously started to rub my arm, as Amanda began to tell the other band members one of her many stories. Andy continued talking with “What do you think about getting a tattoo?”

“Wait, legit? I’ve always wanted a bunch of tattoos, but I just turned 18, so I haven’t gotten the chance to take any action on that.” I looked back and saw Andy smirking, which was never good.

“How ‘bout we get you a tattoo? Anything you want, I’ll pay.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“No! I’m serious! I know a really great guy, we can go now if you want. And, maybe, if you’re good, a piercing or two.”

It took me a couple minutes to process what was happening. I was finally getting the body mods I’d wanted since 6th grade. I was going to get a tattoo, possibly even a piercing.

“Well, I don’t know what the fuck you’re waiting on, let’s go!”

I sprung up and grabbed Andy's hand, dragging him with me as I screamed goodbye to the people on the bus and dragged him towards his car.

Off to the tattoo parlor! :D

Notes

Love me, hate me, I'm so fucking sorry this took so long Pinjas :( My WiFi has been down for the past 3 weeks because mom couldn't afford the bill... This is what I have, I'm sorry if it sucks :( I love every single one of you, thanks for reading this. Comment, please, I like hearing what you guys think of my story. If anyone has any ideas for what ink Blade should get, comment, send me a picture, I don't care. I haven't been getting a lot of feedback lately, so it would be nice to have some people respond. I love you Pinjas(: Happy Holidays!