"Just breathe, son. The more you freak out the more it will hurt. You are doing pretty good. He's like half way done" said my dad as I felt the tiny needle continue to stab into my upper arm.

"Dad, I already told you. It. Does. Not. Hurt. God, just cause you are freaking out while you watch me get it done, does not mean I'm freaking out. Seriously, half your upper body is covered in ink, why the heck are you freaking out?"

"It's just worrying me that you aren't in pain, cause at this rate, you will end up with a lot more ink than me, and a lot faster for that matter." replied my dad with a smile on his face. "It's looking really good though," he added as he looked over my head at my left upper arm and shoulder.

"God, I just want to look at it already." I said. I was half laying, half sitting on my stomach on an angled chair with my head facing my dad who was on the right of me.

"Don't look just yet, dude. It's almost done." said the tattoo artist. "I don't want you to move and screw it up."

"Okay, okay," I said and took a deep breath. "I've just been waiting to get this for so long that I'm really excited to see the final design."

"It looks rad, I'm still impressed you designed it on your own. It took me years to get this good," said the artist as he wiped away the excess ink. "And there you go, tattoo finished," he added as he slid his chair back. I sat up and turned so that my arm faced the mirror. He rolled his chair next me and held my sketch next to my arm. "I hope you like the way it turned out."

"I love it. You really did an amazing job. I wasn't expecting the contrast of the tree to look that good." I said as I looked at my arm in the mirror. "Thank you for doing this for me, Dad. I definitely wasn't expecting this, I mean, I didn't really expect ANYTHING that happened today, especially everything that happened with Andrew, but this goes even beyond that." I sat there looking at my arm in amazement. "You have really outdone yourself this time." I said as I gently traced the silhouette of the tree trunk spanning up my arm, slowly fading into color as it begins to branch out over my shoulder. The lengthy branches contained dark, red-brown leaves and deep navy blue blossoms.

I was just getting ready to stand up when my phone chimed. I pulled my phone out to check who it was. Displayed on my screen was the name Andrew with two little blue hearts. I smiled softly as I unlocked it to read the message.

Hey Luke, my shift just ended and I was hoping we could plan that upcoming date..?

I tried my best to keep my smile hidden and replied to his message.

I would really like that. What did you have in mind?

I locked my phone and stood up, looking at my arm in the mirror again. "Does Mom know I was getting this done today?" I asked my dad.

"Well, she knows you were getting a tattoo, I'm not sure this is quite what she was was thinking, but it looks amazing. I love the way you added yesterday's date into it. That will for sure be meaningful for the rest of your life," he answered as my phone chimed again with another text from Andrew.

I was thinking maybe dinner and a movie, tonight? Around 7?

I smiled wide this time, unable to hide it, as I responded.

That sounds really nice. Pick me up at my place? or do you want me to meet you there?

He responded quickly to the message.

Okay, yay, sorry I'm just excited. I wouldn't mind picking you up. Where do you live?

I responded as my dad stared at me.

I live in Green Grove, on Westwood Road, over by the high school.

"Um, so, Dad, can we hurry home, I have a date in like an hour and I really want to shower before he picks me up." I asked him as we began to walk to the door.

"So I take it that was the dressing room boy texting you," he said as we walked out to the truck.

"Dad, his name is Andrew, for like the 15th time today, it's Andrew. And yes, it was Andrew. He's picking me up at 7 for dinner and a movie. I mean, if that's okay," I said suddenly stumbling over my words.

"Dude, you seriously need to calm down. Yes, you can go tonight, but we really should hurry home if you want to shower and all that good stuff," said my dad as he unlocked the truck. "Are you driving or am I?"

"You, I want to be able to keep texting him." I said I walked around to the passenger's side door. I climbed into the truck and pulled my phone out of my pocket to see a message from Andrew.

Okay, yeah, I know where that is. I will be there to pick you up at 7 (:

I smiled and replied to his message.

Cool. So how was work today?

About half way home he finally replied.

Sorry for the long response time, I was driving. Work today was great at the start of my shift and quickly became boring. Did I mention you showed up like 10 minutes into my shift?

The two of us texted about our days for the remainder of my drive home, having no issues with the train of conversation. As we pulled into the driveway I sent him a message saying I had to go get ready for this date with an awesome guy. I went to grab a couple of bags from the back seat but my dad stopped me.

"Luke, get your butt inside and start getting ready. I can get the bags on my own." he said as he tossed me the keys.

"Okay, thanks again, Dad. For everything." I said as I went inside and headed straight to the shower.