"Hey, hey, look who showed up" Jaimie grinned, looking over to me as I walked through the shop doors clutching a latte in my free hand.
"Oh shut it" I answered groggily, as I brushed past him, and made my way behind the counter, which was planted in the middle of the studio. "Well you're in a good mood" he pointed out sarcastically.
How the hell was I supposed to be? It was seven in the fucking morning on a Monday when I wasn't even supposed to be working. I was picking up Sara's shift because she decided to call in sick.
Now it was only Jaimie and I for the morning, which wasn't exactly my cup of tea, considering that he was my Manager. I was only second in command– Assistant Manager, but normally I was in charge since my regular shift is in the afternoon, when Jaimie isn't here.

"It's fucking early" I groaned, suppressing a yawn as he chuckled at me. "Not a morning person, I see" he smirked.
"I don't get how you do this every day" I mutter, taking a sip of my coffee, and praying that it would kick in soon while he shrugged his shoulders. "You're picking up Sara's work for today" he said, "Luckily, you only have one client"
I took another gulp of coffee, "What's the catch?" I asked, unimpressed. There was always a catch. "You're finishing a sleeve" he chuckled in response as I rolled my eyes. And, there it was.
"How many you got today?" I asked, changing the subject as he tapped his fingers rhythmically on the desk. "One, same as you" he answered as I nodded my head in response. "No one wants to get up this early to be stabbed with needles" I half grinned, "How long's this shit gonna take me anyways?"
"That's on you" he answered, just as the bell on the shop door rang and flew open to reveal a small pixie-like girl with blond curly hair. Her arms were covered in tattoos and I couldn't help but think that she looked like a badass Shirley Temple.
"Hey" Jaimie grinned, putting on his best customer service smile, "You must be Lissa?" he asks, holding out his hand. "Yeah" she answered, offering his a warm smile as she shook his hand, "Jaimie, right?"
I rolled my eyes, taking my attention off their small talk until he led her back into stall 3 to start working. As he left me alone at the front of the studio, I sighed tiredly and pulled out our appointment book from beneath the counter top. Today was not off to a good start. Getting up early was bad enough, but tonight I was planning on staying out late at a concert, which would more than likely require me running into my cousin while being there.
I didn't exactly want to go, but C.C. had convinced me to come see him and the rest of Black Veil Brides one last time before they left L.A. for tour. That kid– for all intensive purposes– was a brother to me, actually, all of them were... Even Ashley. I guess that's why I was going tonight, wasn't it?
I sighed again, playing with a pen attached to the clip board that listed all of our clients names and contact information on it. Jaimie's notes were on top and I assumed that mine was listed on the sheet of paper beneath his.
Fortunately, I could've cared less about who I was working on. As an artist, the 'who' wasn't an important question– the 'what' on the other hand? Well, that was what mattered. And seeing as I already knew that I was finishing a sleeve, flipping though the notes seemed trivial. I'd meet whoever it was when they got here.
Sipping my coffee, I glanced around the shop. I was rarely here this early, but for some odd reason, it felt nice having the place almost to myself for once. I could hear Lissa and Jaimie chit chatting from the back of the shop, beneath the soft buzzing of the tattoo gun. I was just about to go start setting up when I noticed a figure from outside approaching the shop doors.
Suddenly, the bell rang again, breaking my train of thought. My eyes immediately shot to the door just as it swung open and my client walked inside. I felt my heart drop a few stories when I saw him.
"Mad Hatter!" he grinned, walking up to me, and enveloping me in a tight hug, causing my stomach to go crazy with butterflies.
Only Ashley would think to nick name me something that stupid.

Notes

Hey there, friends! Sorry this chapter was a bit slow. Next one will get a bit more interesting. I'm really into exposition so I'm trying to set this up as well as I can for ya'll. Please bear with me and leave some feedback if ya can! Thanks for your readership! :)