Somewhere

Los Angeles, CA

With all the drinking, the two were scrolling the streets of Los Angeles like lost puppies. Their fingers intertwining with each-other as Sadie head was rested on Jodie's shoulder.

This was why she was the way she was with her—no matter what, the two were inseparable. And as much as Jodie tried to hide it, she knew she felt what Sadie was feeling. "Hey" Jodie said nudging her a little. Ahead of them were an older couple who looked to be in their mid thirties with two younger children.

The woman who had to be the mother cuddled with the two, sleeping peacefully on the pavement, as the dad sat straight up keeping watch. "You got any change on you?" She said again. Sadie nodded, finally removing her head from Jodie's shoulder. She pulled back the zipper of her purse, reaching in to get her wallet. This was something she did all the time when she say people in need. Even when she didn't have the change, it made her feel bad—the least she could do was get them food and that's what she did most times. Sadie handed over a crispy twenty dollar bill to Jodie who gave a sweet smile. "I need to make sure to keep change on me" she whispered, releasing Sadie's hand and slowly walking up on the family—not wanting to scare them.

Watching from a distance once the man saw what Jodie had in her hand, his sadden face was recovered with a smile. She saw him thank her over and over just for Jodie to rub it off as if it wasn't nothing. She walked back over to Sadie not hesitating on grabbing her hand again as they continue down the street. The night was young and even through it all, Sadie felt secure. Everything that happened between them was irrelevant now.

"I swear that makes your whole day" she said, pulling Sadie along down the street

"What giving away money?"

"Just giving to the less fortunate, I just know my blessing is on the way—might not be now but it will come when I less expect it and need it the most"

Sadie looked up towards her to see she still had a faint smile, even with all the drinks they had, she was still able to visualize how fine she was. Her ash brown skin glowing like the street lights, every piece of hair was laid down perfectly and as well as every feature. Moments like this she wonder what it would be like if she was the one marrying her. She wondered, if she decided to just run away together when they were sixteen—would things had been different. Would Jodie had told Sadie she was in love with her back then? Maybe, but she couldn't dwell on the what ifs, what she needed to do was focus on the . Enjoy the time she did get to spend with her, even if it wasn't in the way she wanted too.

"You hear me?" Jodie stopped in her tracks, hands still glued to Sadie.

Delirious and confused, she shook her head, "No I'm sorry, got lost in my thoughts"

"Trying to get matching tattoos" she blurted, pointing towards the building that was only two feet away from them. Sadie frown and turn to see it was a small tattoo shop. Just from looking through the two small front windows, it was completely empty but the neon sign read "open". Matching tattoos? Was this a good idea meaning that they just made amends, this was a permanent decision.

"I don't know" she mumbled, Jodie still eyeing the front door waiting on Sadie's approval.

"Come on, be fun" she fake pouted, "it's just a tattoo"

"What about Beverly" she asked, "wouldn't she have a problem with you getting a matching tattoo with another woman"

Jodie scrunched up her face as if what she just said didn't make sense. She waved her off, pulling her towards the door. Before she could hold her ground and refuse, the door was being pulled open and the bell that hung above rung. The small black speakers that hung in each corner of the shop, played "My Chemical Romance" lowly.

Walking over towards the steel like receptionist desk, Jodie finally released Sadie's hand and folded her arms to lay on the desk. Sadie eyes began to roam, looking at the different artwork on the wall. The bright red wallpaper was accented with black paint splashes. The vibe itself was a little off but what tattoo place was appealing to the eye. Seeing a short petite white girl working over to them, she wore a black skull cut out shirt with denim jeans. Her dark black hair washed away her pale skin. Unlike most, she only had two tattoos visible to the eye, none were on her face. "Hey, looking to get tatted?" She asked, not bothering to give a smile.

"Yeah me an-" Jodie looked back at Sadie, "me and my friend were looking to get matching ones"

The girl nodded her head, as she bent down under the desk to retrieve something. When she gave back up, she dropped a brown booklet hard on the desktop, causing Jodie to move back a little. "Okay, here's a booklet of tattoos if you don't have an idea on what you want to get"

"I mean I think I know" Jodie reassured her

"You do?" Sadie asked, looking over towards the woman then back at her.

"Okay" was all the girl said, she popped a black hair tie from her wrist, to pull back her hair that was covering her face. It was then, Sadie noticed a small butterfly under her eye. Her eyes, ocean blue which only made her pale skin more immaculate—in Sadie's opinion she looked like a vampire.

"Do you have a picture or-"

"Just something simple" Jodie started, "I was thinking maybe like a tree" she said looking back at Sadie with a smile, "remember like our tree house back then?" She asked her

She felt her heart get warm, "yeah I remember"

Jodie nodded then turned back to the girl, "maybe like a small tree on the inside of the forearm" she rolled up her sleeves to begin to give an demonstration, "but with mines it will be connected or somewhat combined with an S and hers" she pointed to Sadie without even looking, "hers will be with a J"

The concept was cute and Sadie couldn't believe she came up with that within ten-seconds. It was almost like this had been on her mind for a while. The tree symbolizes the tree house they shared when they were back home in Westbrooks. It was a place they had a lot of memories—a place where they shared secrets, tears, laughs and a few arguments. It was once their safe space, a place that made them feel like they were on top of the world and no one could intervene their alter reality. It was when life was good, and Sadie can say she was truly happy. A place where the person she longed for the most kissed her for the first time.

"Okay, so I'll draw out an outline, show you guys and let me know if you like it" she said,

"The tree doesn't have to be detailed, just as long as it can be seen as a tree" Jodie told her. She nodded once again as she went towards the back, and began doing the work.

The two sat up front waiting for her to come back with the idea that Jodie had, come to life. "I'm really about to get married" she said out of nowhere, "and the fact that I have you back in my life, this all feels like a dream"

This all felt like a nightmare to Sadie. Jodie and Beverly were getting married in less than two weeks. What was her future going to look like? There wasn't no escaping this wedding, she knew it was going to be broadcasted all over social media due to the fact of Beverly being an A-list actress. "You're coming right" she said again. She probably noticed how quiet she was, and it was only because she didn't know what to say or how to act.

"Of course, why wouldn't I" she gave a faint smile, "this is going to be an important day for you and I already missed out on a lot of those"

"I just hope—" she stopped, looking down at her pants pocket that indicated that her phone was vibrating. She pulled it out, only looking at the screen for a quick second before she laid it in her lap, "I just hope neither of us get cold feet" she told, "like I love Beverly more than I love myself at times but when you think about it, getting married is a big step"

Sadie saw, Jodie beginning to get sappy, she moved in closer, resting her hand on her back then moving it in a circular motion. "I'm not trying to talk your head off about my love life but sometimes I worry"

Waiting for her to finish, Sadie eyes never left her. Instead, Jodie sat up straight, waving off the conversation as if she wasn't about to say something. And as much as she wanted to push it on her to finish, Sadie thought it was best not too. If she wanted to continue she would've—and to be completely honest she didn't want to hear anything about Jodie's love for another woman. The fact that she said she loved Beverly more than she loved herself already tore her to pieces.

"Stephanie" she quickly changed the subject, "how are things with you and her"

Nonexistent now. She was all for it but now that Jodie and her were in a good place again, she could careless about moving forward with her. Stephanie was a good girl better yet a great one but in Sadie's eyes she felt like she met her at a wrong time. And to be real maybe no time would've been the right time.

"We're um" she began to stumble over her words, "we're in a good place"

Jodie furrowed her brows, "meaning that you two are together"

"How did you get, we're together from we're in a good place?"

Jodie laughed, taking Sadie hand into hers again, "Have y'all kissed?" She titled her head sideways, watching Sadie's lips.

"Why does it matter"

"It don't I just want to know—I thought we were friends, we use to be able to tell each other these type of things"

Key word, "Use" too. Times has changed and they were no longer two young black girls from Westbrooks. She felt that Jodie knowing that her and Stephanie kissed had nothing to do with her but apart of her felt as if she had to tell her. Just when she was about to say something, the girl came back up to the desk. Jodie was the first to stand up and walk over—within a few seconds Sadie did the same. Looking down at the paper, it was an "S" shaded in the back as the tree covered over it. The branches had a few leaves but it only made the tattoo better with a few looking as if they were messing. "I love this" Jodie cooed, "girl did you read my mind and saw the exact image I had for this" pressing her finger on the paper then looking at the girl.

"I just know how to please my clients" she said back, finally showing that she was somewhat human, giving them both a smile. "So who wants to go first"

Jodie immediately pointed towards Sadie causing her to jerk her head back. "What" Jodie laughed, "I don't have any tattoos" she busted into more laughter. No way she was tricking Sadie like this, all of this was her idea and she don't have a lick of ink on her body.

"Are you kidding me" she couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm scared of needles" she confessed, which only have Sadie laugh harder, "please just go first"

Sadie being just like Jodie, she didn't have a tattoo either. It had nothing to do with her being scared of needles, she just never thought about it before. She looked over to the girl, letting it be known that she was going to go first. She motioned for them both to follow to the back so they could get started. They turned a corner and was introduced to a booth. The girl immediately went to spraying the black chair down a couple times before telling Sadie to lay down.

Watching as Jodie looked at her intensively, she wasn't as nervous as she was. The girl then pulled out a draw, revealing brand new razors. "Do you mind taking off your jacket" she asked her.

Sadie nodded, leaning up forward doing as she was told. Within seconds she was handing the jacket off to Jodie as she laid back down. The girl, starting to shave the area the tattoo was going to go, once she was finish and pay it dry, she laid down the stencil. "Is that where you want it?" she asked, "look in the mirror"

Sadie sat in that chair for about ten minutes, making every face she could at how the needle pressed against her skin. No matter how much pain she was going through she didn't shed a tear or move too much. She knew Jodie was only a few feet away and was watching her like a test, so she could know and prepare herself for when it was her turn. Within a thirty minute time span, Jodie and Sadie were leaving the shop with a plastic wrapped on both of their forearms. This night with Jodie was surreal and also unexpected. She knew Jodie was going to have hell once Beverly saw the tattoo on her arm.

If the shoe was on the other foot, and she was the one in Beverly's spot she knew she would've felt some type of way especially it being weeks before their wedding and you decide to get a matching tattoo with a woman who you just rekindled with about a month ago. But that's what happens when you get liquor substances in your system you make unethical decisions. Before Sadie knew it, she was walking in her towns house bare foot and the striking of pain in her arm. After leaving the shop, the two decided it was best to call Ubers since they both had drinking. They said their goodbyes and went their separate way and now Sadie was creeping towards her bedroom—walking in, falling straight back on the bed, she couldn't help but to close her eyes.

Hours later, hearing the same ringer every ten-seconds. Sadie thought it was just something she was dreaming about. It didn't dawn on her that her phone had been ringing off the hook all morning. She squirmed in her sheets, feeling pain in her arm caused her to jump a little. "Yo SADIE" Mike banged on her front door.

She instantly hopped up, searching the room, delirious and not so sure what was going on, she looked at the clock that sat on her nightstand. It read nine in the morning, "SADIE!", she groan as she snatched the sheets off her body. Her feet heavily hanging over the bed before they were placed on the wooden floor. It was too early for this and all Sadie knew was that she was going to curse him out for waking her up.

Heading towards the front area as she precisely took step by step, bumping into the wall as she went. The banging never stopped so when the door swung open, her face showed every emotion she was feeling—annoyed, tired and irritated. Mike standing there his fist still balled up from hitting on her door like he was the police. "Have you lost your mind!" She yelled, propping the door open just a little as she leaned her head on it, "it's nine in the morning"

"Well you wasn't answering your phone" he waved his in front of her, "you had me and Cynthia worried, she said she haven't talked to you since you went to the shoot"

"I-I know" she said, the Sun blinding her which caused her to put her hand over eyes to block it, "I ended up hanging with Jodie"

His face soften as he began to nod his head, "Make sense"

"What does that mean" she frown

"Nothing" he shook his head again, "I went to the diner to see if Stephanie have talked to you and she said she haven't since the premiere". Sadie could feel the judgement coming and honestly she didn't want to hear it. She liked Stephanie but being with Jodie last night and getting matching tattoos had her confused at the moment.

"I'm not Cynthia" he said, stepping up closer to force Sadie to not only move out the way but open the door wider. When she did he made his way in. "I don't care what you got going with Jodie or Stephanie" he turned to looked over his shoulder, "I just wanna make sure you're okay before anything"

Hearing that only made Sadie soul smile. She followed behind him towards her couch. She watched as he began to remove his jacket and place it on the chair. "So" he said as he sat down, "how are you? And I mean mentally"

"Honestly" she said, walking over to him, just to stand there, "confused"

He furrowed his brows, shifting on the couch as if he was trying to find a comfortable spot, "confused about what? Stephanie or Jodie?"

"Both" she blurted. With Jodie, they had history and whether that history started off friendly—they still had something deeper. And with Stephanie she was something new and fresh, something that Sadie knew she needed but also didn't want.

"What's that?" He asked as he pointed to the wrapped bandage on her arm. She quickly threw her arms behind her back in hopes that he just forget what he saw. "So we hiding things now? I thought we were best friends"

"And we are Mike but—"

"But what?" He cut her off, "I don't know when you're going to realize that I'm not judging you. I never have, and as long as we've known each-other you would think you would know that by now"

"Okay" she mumbled, slowly pulling one arm out from behind one at a time. Mike watching her closely, his eyes infatuated with the bandage. She stepped closer so he could see, pulling it back as she began to unravel it, it was obviously Mike already knew what it was.

"You got a tattoo" he said still watching. She just nodded, taking the wrap off completely to reveal the matching tattoo she shared with Jodie.

"A tree?" He questioned, having a puzzled look on his face.

"Yeah you like" she smiled, hoping he wasn't going to ask too many questions.

Mike shrugged his shoulders as he looked at it one last time before leaning back on the couch again. "If you like I love it" he laughed

What would he think of her if she told him Jodie had the same one. And the crazy part about it—Jodie doesn't even have a matching one with the person she's going to marry in a less than two weeks.

"Jodie has it too" she told, watching his expression, trying to see if it would have a change.

"Huh?" What do you—"

"I mean, we both got matching tattoos yesterday"

"Why" was all he said. And to be real, she couldn't give him an honest answer. It was just an in the moment thing and neither were really thinking well at least she wasn't. She didn't regret it but she almost knew Jodie had too once she woke up to it this morning.

"It's just a friendship tattoo nothing serious"

"But it is too you" he told her, "you'll in love with this woman and you thought it was a good idea to get a matching tattoo with her."

"Thought you don't judge" she teased, sighing as she finally plopped down on the couch next to him.

"Not judging just trying to make sense of it that's all"

Nothing needed to make sense. It made sense to her and that's all that mattered. "So what you think I'm stupid" she turned her head to look at him.

"Nah" he shook his head, "not at all, if you felt like that was the right thing to do then so be it. You're a grown woman I can't tell you what to do"

"Yeah but you're my friend, you can tell me the truth"

The room grew silence only for a quick second before Mike kissed his teeth, "I feel like you're wasting your time. Jodie isn't leaving Beverly and that's just being real. If she was, it would've happened by now. I just don't understand why you're holding on to something that will never be. She doesn't love you Sadie and honestly I don't think she ever will, so why give up on dating other people because you're living in a fantasy."