At A Glance
Author	anonymous
Contact	anonymous@bme.anon
When	Three months ago
Artist	Ken & Jen
Studio	Body Gems & More
Location	Lockport, New York

It was a Friday night when I just started to get that itch for a new piercing. I suppose it was brought on by looking at BME's galleries. I didn't want another typical piercing, because I seemed to be falling into a certain group in my high school. So, I was absolutely delighted when I discovered a piercing called a "smiley." I knew that's what I wanted, but I wasn't sure if A. My mom would sign the consent form for this piercing and B. My local piercing studio would actually give me the piercing. After a 30min phone with my mom, which included a lot of promises and begging from me, she agreed to let me get the piercing the next day.

My sister seemed determine to talk me out of it. "You know, I've never seen a 'smiley' before." I looked over at her, "But it's gonna be so cool!" We both seemed to enjoy getting pierced, myself more than her. She was the one who copied my tongue piercing. She mentioned her friend would probably love it and I should see her later tonight. I didn't really like the friend she was taking about, but I agreed to anyway.

I wandered over to Body Gems & More around noon to make sure they would be able to do it. I showed Ken a picture of what I wanted and I got the "you're crazy" look from him. "It's gonna hurt." I waved off his assumption and told him I'd be back around 3 with my mom. The three hours of waiting were driving me absolutely crazy. I just wanted my piercing then. So, I ran out to my mom's car and made her speed up to Body Gems & More. I arrived there and was disappointed there was a line. They never have a line. So, I flopped down on the couch and amused myself with a movie.

Jen finally called me over to the counter. "You again?" She said jokingly and I handed her my ID. "Yeah, I'm getting a smiley today." Her eyebrows raised, "It's gonna hurt." "I've been hearing that a lot." She slid the form across the counter, "Alright. You sign right here, and your mom will need to sign there." I have no clue why she was telling me this, I've been getting pierced by her or Ken for the past 2 years. "So, are you guys having a sale or something? What's with all the people?" My mom walked over after looking through their book of piercings, as if she was looking for something herself. "I dunno. I guess today is just a good day to get pierced."

The girl who had just finished getting her lip pierced was complaining a lot. I kinda wanted to smack her, but I knew Ken or Jen wouldn't be too happy about that. So, I calmed her down by talking about the time I had my lip pierced. She still wouldn't quit whining so I gave up. My mom called me over to look at the piercings book. "Hey!" I called to Jen. "Do you think I could get my piercing in this book?" "Sure." That made me happy. They never had the book when I got pierced before. My name was finally called and I happily walked into the back room. The room was exactly as I remembered it. However, the adernaline of getting pierced flooded my stomach again. "Are you ready?" (No.) "Yes." I replied. My hands gripped the chair in preparation but I saw the needle was already through.

"That's it?" I asked. Ken laughed, "We just need to get the jewelry in." That was a process. The ball kept slipping until they finally got the idea to use clamps to hold it in place. I was released from the chair and checked myself out in the mirror. I loved it. I just wanted to smile forever. My mom was in the waiting room, she never watches me get pierced, and rolled her eyes as I grinned at her. "It'll be 10 since some girl said you referred us." Jen said while handing me the aftercare instructions. "Awesome." I was excited that I didn't have to pay my normal 25 dollar fee.

Jen picked up the camera and pointed it at me. "Wait, your picture!" I flashed the piercing for the camera and she snapped a picture. "Looks good." She said, while flipping the camera around for me to see. "Yeah, cool." I began to move out the door when Jen called to me, "You'll have to tell us what everyone said when you come back next time." I grinned, "Oh, I will!"

It's been about 3 months since I've had my smiley and I still adore it. I've gotten many comments, some good and some bad, about it. I'm very pleased that it's made me stand out, even though I didn't want it for attention, and I doubt that I'll ever take it out.