Fireflies & Wishes.

The room was small, pictures and drawings all over the wall. Some with bursts of colour and others in black, my eyes memorized these bizarre drawings. I gulped loudly, suddenly feeling regret push its way through my thoughts. I rolled my eyes sarcastically, that was the whole point I was here.

“Are you sure now? You look doubtful.” The man asked huskily, arching his eyebrow.

I glanced at him, running my eyes along his colourful arms. I smiled tentatively and nodded. Regret was the whole reason I was here.

“Okay, then you better listen up then.”

***

They were sore, very sore. I had to admit. But the pain reminded me I was human and that I possibly made the best decision of my life. The bandages covered them at this very moment in time, but I finally plucked up the courage to get ‘Forget’ tattooed on my left wrist in italic and ‘Regret’ on my right. Then very bravely got a small heart tattooed on each wrist next to ‘Forget’ and ‘Regret’.

Of course there is a message behind the reasons to why I got this tattooed on my wrists. There is a story to everything.

I’ve been raised to appreciate everything, and be thankful. It was how my family rolled. My mother always reminded me that even a smile can light up someone’s day. And that is what I did. I lit up someone’s whole world, as he did mine. We seemed perfect together. All through high school, we were labelled as the ultimate couple, envy of everyone. But of course, reality soon kicks in and I crushed his whole world. He, Oliver wanted more, he wanted more in the world and wanted more with me, but I couldn’t give him everything he wanted. He proposed to me on the eve of graduation in high school, in front of the whole school in the cafeteria. He asked my parent’s permission before even discussing the idea with me. And I rejected him, in front of everyone.

Some may class it harsh, but it was too much commitment. The idea of marriage was too permanent for me. My feelings weren’t meant to be used in such rash banal decisions. Perfect timing for me, as my father took a brilliant raise in his job, and we moved to Tempe, Arizona. Ivy-Leigh was never heard of again in Phoenix, a fresh start for me, marvellous.

Now three years on, and I am still part time in College and part time helping out in a Pre-School. Things were falling into place for me, I would hardly look at a boy in case I’d hurt them or they confine me into commitment for life. It was my best friend, Leia’s bright idea get a tattoo to represent moving on.

The trilling bell of the door, snapped me out of my little world moment.

I moved up from my seat, and headed towards the door, opening it.

“Leia, we have had this talk. You can’t always forget your keys, do something about it.” I huffed, as I walked away from the open door.

The petite crazy bright burgundy curls bounced as she followed me, shutting the door carefully behind her. Her blue eyes sparkled with delight. My room-mate was the complete opposite of me, eccentric, wild and outspoken, we've knew each other for a long time but when I moved to Tempe, it gave us the opportunity to live in each others pockets, litreally.

“Shut it grump, remember that list we have for us.” She trailed off, her eyes dazzling with enthusiasm.

I sighed, and nodded. It was hard to forget this list. It’s the reason why we have a house together. This list had every weird and extreme ideas that we piled together when we were drunk holding our pity party, it’s pretty much like a bucket list but ones we know we can achieve.

I showed her my wrists. “You can cross tattoos off for me, anyways.”

Leia’s eyes popped out of her head. “You got it! Wait! Stop sidetracking me, you know my friend Dakota who I have been working with in the record store, is holding a party, and she said I can come, and she thinks you are cool so you can come too!”

A small smile rose upon my lips. “A party? We’ve been to loads of them.”

“Yes, but this will be different, because our aim for the night is to complete two of the things on the list.” She grinned, and then her grin turned mischievous. “Or else.”

“Wait, I want to know what’s on the end of the bargain. Before I agree to anything.” I narrowed my eyes at her.

“You have to get another tattoo.”

“Sure, sure.” I sighed with defeat.