As Valentina got into the car, she leaned her head against the dashboard and sighed.

Honestly, she just wanted to go get drunk and then go take a lovely depression nap. Instead, she had to make sure she was ready to go after sorting her things out, last-minute shopping, and organizing things for her apartment.

Cooling her brain for the moment, she just blankly stared ahead and lost track of time.

Hearing Rio enter the car, she didn’t bother to look at him.

It was silent for a moment before Rio calmly spoke out.

“Kaiser Grayson is a bastard. I just want you to know that.”

At his blunt declaration, she couldn’t help but burst out laughing as she asked, “Did he say something crazy to you?”

“The real question is what didn’t he say to me. I went to scold him and got my character broken down into pieces.”

“He can be harsh but he means well some of the time. Sorry…and thanks, Rio. You’re a good friend. Like the big brother I never had.”

“I can’t believe you’re defending him. And I’m not your brother.”

“What?”

As he mumbled, Valentina looked over at him curiously as she hadn’t heard what he said.

“I said, you know the best way to get over a breakup?”

“Who said it’s a breakup?” she turned to glare at him, feeling her irritation grow at the smirk on his face.

“I walked in. You were crying. And packed all your things and left? When I talked to him, he was staring out the window like a music video? Looks like a breakup to me.”

“Shut up.” Valentina rolled her eyes and looked away.

“Hey.”

“Val.”

“Val.”

“Valentina!!!”

“What?!” she yelled back at him, her eyes looking as if she wanted to beat him up.

“Want to go get a piercing?”

“…What?”

At the random words, she could only look at him in confusion.

“A piercing. Whenever I feel bad about something and can’t act too crazy, I either go get a piercing or a tattoo. We’re supposed to be accompanying each other as close friends, right? You’re in a bad mood. After that conversation, I’m in a bad mood too and I assume you don’t want a tattoo. So, let’s go get a piercing. Unless you’re chicken.” Hearing his mocking tone, she glared at him.

“I’m not chicken.”

“Cluck, cluck, cluck.”

Rio made chicken sounds at her, and she felt her competitive spirit ignite.

“Fine. If you get one, I’ll get one.”

“Uhh, uhh, you have to get two for everyone that I get. I’m a guy, so the spots are limited. So four for you, and two for me. I want some more ear piercings, so you might as well accompany me.” He smirked at her again.

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“Then go get them. Why are you dragging me into this? Deal with yourr bad mood with your own piercings. I want to sleep.”

“Cluck, cluck, cluck. Chicken!!!!!!”

“Fine.” She gave him a dark smile back. She wasn’t afraid to pierce her body, and she would thoroughly make him regret making a bet with her.

“Good. I’ll take you to my piercer. Speaking of which, do you want a milkshake? I’m hungry, and sugar is great when you get pierced and are in a bad mood. I need another cheat meal before I start cutting, so I’ll take you to my favorite spot. They say the calories don’t count if you’re with a friend.”

Valentina: “……just make sure your mask is on you punk.”

Why did she feel as if he just wanted a milkshake and somebody to accompany him when dealing with his bad mood? Better yet, wasn’t she the one that needed comforting?

It seemed that the past two days, all she had done was accompany him to his favorite food spots and eat and drink more than she had in a while.

After stopping for milkshakes, she got chocolate caramel while Rio got mango peach. Rio quickly drove her to his place, dropping her suitcase off before taking her to a tattoo shop near the downtown area.

Taking the recent incident to heart, she sent him in through first, then followed a couple of minutes later, making sure her face was covered by her hat and mask.

As she walked in, a small bell chimed.

The tattoo shop gave off a mysterious yet minimal vibe. The walls were painted black and had sharp white accents in the form of furniture, counters, chairs, and paintings. Breaking up the dichromatic color scheme were several plants.

Rio was sitting on a white barstool on a counter, flipping through a folder, while the person who she assumed was the owner glanced up at her.

To be honest, he was the coolest-looking person she had seen in real life.

The man was wearing a short-sleeved rock band t-shirt, black skinny jeans, and a buzz cut dyed half-black-half-white. From the neck down, any inch of visible golden skin was covered in tattoos. From pure black bands to intricately colored images, the man looked like a mural. Additionally, his ears were covered in piercings, as were his eyebrows, nose, and lips. All in all, he looked very cool, and Valentina could feel her eyes sparkle as she looked at him.

“Hey love, what brings you in today?” a calm, soothing voice spoke to her in a soft Australian accent sounded out, but before she could respond, Rio rudely cut it.

“Took you long enough. Slowpoke.”

“I’m just trying not to be discovered, unlike somebody who doesn’t care.” Valentina walked over and smacked his arm before snatching the booklet from him.

“Oh? You’re friends?” the man asked.

“Barely. Anyway, I’m here to get pierced, bro.”

“Is that right? You gonna introduce us?”

“Sure. Val this is Ray, my piercer. Ray, this is Valentina. An actress. Both of you be cool.”

“Pleasure, Valentina. You look lovely and smell great.” Ray calmly held out his hand for her to shake.

Quickly taking his hand, she gave him a bright smile before responding, “Thank you! You look amazing as well, and your tattoos and piercings are so cool. And your art is amazing as well, and I love your accent, and the hair. I want to be like you when I grow up.”

As the word vomit escaped her mouth, Valentina quickly released his hand, and her entire face turned red from embarrassment. Ray simply blinked before he burst out laughing, the tongue ring in his mouth catching the light.

“Well, thank you for the compliment, love. I’m glad you like my tattoos and piercings. I don’t think you need to be like me when you grow up. You’re already cool to me. Do you know a lot about tattoos?”

At the way he said tattoos, she couldn’t help but sigh happily but hearing Rio’s cough, she straightened up before answering.

“I don’t but I definitely want a couple at some point in my life. Do you mind if I take a closer look at your sleeve?”

“Of course love. The really detailed ones are on my back and chest if you want to look. I designed most of these my self.

“Wow. Amazing. Please show me.”

“Hey, hey, hey. I said to be cool. No flirting.” Rio rudely interrupted before glaring at her.

“Get your mind out of the gutter Rio. I’m just glad someone appreciates my art and talking to a prospective client.”

“Yeah, get your mind out of the gutter, Rio. I just want to look at his amazing art.” Valentina shamelessly piled on.

At his glare, she burst out laughing, the sound tinkling like the bells on the door.

As he heard it, Ray’s eyes flashed for a moment as he really examined the woman in front of him. Simple black leggings, an oversized black shirt, and a baseball cap with her hair pulled out in a loose ponytail with bangs curling around her face. It was a simple outfit, and she had no makeup on, but he could still see the unworldly beauty of the other person, especially those vibrant green eyes that were so expressive. Although she was smiling previously, a melancholy air surrounded her body, making him feel that he had to protect her, but when she broke out in wild laughter, it felt as if the sun had come out.

Unknowingly, his demeanor softened as he turned to her.

“What are you getting done today, love? Piercings or are you shopping for tattoos? If so, you can take a look at my work, or I can recommend someone to you if you don’t like my style?”

“I would love to look through your work, but I don’t know if I have time. Today. I want 12 piercings, please. One set on the tragus, 2sets on the lobes, one set on the upper lobe, one set on the conch, and a double belly button piercing. Rio will be getting six today as well and has agreed to let me choose the locations.”

As the two men blinked at her, Valentina laughed lightly before smirking at Rio.

“What?”

“Aren’t you filming starting tomorrow? And no I did not let you choose!” he asked in a shocked tone.

“I am. So I’ll get the double belly button done today so you know I’m serious and get the rest once I’m done filming. However, the way I see it, you owe me six piercings. Two on your ears, two on your nose. And…” she leaned close to him and whispered with a sly smile, “two on your nipples for being annoying and always in my business. I’m sure your fans will love it since apparently you like to be shirtless when guests are over. Show it off to them on stage next time.”

“Hell no!” Rio quickly stood up, almost flipping the stool over.

“Who’s the chicken now?”

“I’m not chicken, but I’m not getting a damn nipple piercing.”

“Are you sure? I think it would really be a hit with the Demonic Pillars, Mr. Badass Fallen Angel. I’ve seen the fanfictions they’ve made of you and Shawn. You should go for it. Your popularity will go through the roof. Promise.”

“I agree. Women love seeing their idols with those. It wouldn’t be the first or the last time it’s done. It wouldn’t even be my first time doing them for a male idol either.” Ray chimed in.

“Lalala, I cannot hear what you’re saying and I hate you both.” Rio covered his ears while looking between her and Ray with a glare on his face.

Ray turned to Valentinaa with a smile and fake whispered, “Chicken.”

“Buck buck buck.” Valentina made chicken noises, and they both burst out laughing while staring at Rio.

“I won’t e-”

“Buck buck buck-”

“Never. It will ne-”

“Cluck cluck cluck, chicken!” Valentina mocked, feeling her stress leave her body as Rio’s face turned red then white then red again.

Ahh, it felt so good to peer pressure someone into doing what she wanted.

Given enough time, she was sure she could wear Rio down, but for now, she had things to do so she let him slide just this once.

Even as he continued protesting, she calmly followed Ray to the backroom and got her belly button pierced, choosing red heart jewelry and nodding in approval.

A nice change to her body that nobody would notice and a subtle painful reminder to be smarter in the future.

When she came out and wanted to pay, she realized that she still had the card Kaiser had given her. She would have to find a way to return it ASAP.