Mom said yes, then a LONG wait.

At A Glance Author Airin Contact songjanelikes@hotmail.com Artist Brad Studio Acme Ink Location Louisville, Kentucky

So I was walking around the house one day with a fake ring on, mom was folding laundry and I casually walked up to her and said "Mom, what would you do if I REALLY had this pierced?" She shrugged at me and said "Oh I don't know, I wish you would have told me first, but now that I see it, it is sort of pretty..."

Next thing I knew I was on the good side of mom AND dad (who currently resides in Arizona, but STILL has a very valid opinion on the subject) and I was calling around town trying to find somewhere to get it done. My good friend Dylan, who has over 15 piercings seems to be a connosieur of such places, so he reccomended Acme Ink. I was off, with no expectation of what to come.

Three weeks before my 16th birthday, I walked into Acme Ink with a smile so big it hurt my face, and adrenaline pumping out my tear ducts. They asked the question "How old are you?"

"15" I replied happily. And the man just shook his head. "We can't pierce you unless you're 16." I felt my heart just drop. They tried to regain my focus by asking when my birthday was. I timidly said three weeks, as I felt the need to faint rush through me. My mom said that we'd be back. As Brad put it "You waited 15 years, you can certainly wait another three weeks. It won't kill 'ya." AAAH!! But didn't he understand?? I wanted to show it to all my friends before school was out! I wanted it to be not so sore before my dance recital (which took place the weekend right AFTER my birthday, so I would have to wait until June 13th to get it done.) I bawled and pouted, not even my friends could bring me out of that mood.

There wasn't a single STERILE place in town that would do as good a job as Brad would do, so I had to sit it out. But yesterday, FINALLY, I got it done. I was excited and nerwracked once again. Ready. I was ready. I had my jewelry picked out in my head, I knew what I wanted.

The time came again where I walked into Acme Ink, this time with a smile not so big and a stomach full of butterflies. "Did I mention I don't like pain?" I told Brad. He smiled, handed mom and I the forms...yada yada yada. You know it. I'm underage, mom signed, I picked out this cute curved barbell with a pink rhinestone...and I laid back, didn't watch.

The pain? There wasn't any. He did it SO quickly...within two deep breaths it was over. I felt it alright, nothing unbearable, my little brother said I didn't even wince. The best part was when I THOUGHT it was done but the jewelry wasn't in yet. It was this long needle sticking out of my belly button with a cork on one end. No blood, no nothing. I was like "Shit, I shoudln't have looked up." Oh well. Before I knew it, mom handed the cutie (did I mention Brad looked VERY good) forty bucks and we were out.

Now I have had it for 24 hours, and it looks like I've had it for months. I have had friends that have gone to other places around town and they were all in agony within three hours, and it always looked all red and swollen. I reccomend that you look around because you want someone that will do it that well on you. You don't need a bunch of pain. Mine doesn't even have crusties. Just clean it three times a day, don't swim for a couple of weeks, and avoid hot tubs. And sleeping? On your back, though mine didn't even hurt when my cat stepped on it. No biggie, don't cover it up, and if you get a barbell clean behind it too. I have seen some nasty infections...mine will NEVER get like that.

I don't know about the age thing in other states, but honestly, it IS worth it to wait until you are 16...it made a wonderful birthday present, that I didn't even have to pay for. I now have 8 piercings (with the ears and stuff) and I am tickled pink. Which suits the cute little stud that has taken up permanent residence in my navel.

I think instead of dollar signs I have barbells in my eyes, because in just two years I will be 18, and hopefully paying yet another visit to someone like Brad to get my tongue maybe. The eyebrow is cool too, oh who knows, possibilities are endless! But shhhh...don't tell mom!

IF you want my name on IM is SngJaneLks or BlynkOneEighty2