Pretty Painless Piercing

On March 26, 2004, I rushed out the doors of my high school and went to pick up my friend Tommy from his high school. He climbed in the car and off we went to New Image Tattoo and Piercing. I was so nervous on the way there but super excited because I was going to get my first body piercing.

I was scared and nervous because I only had my ears pierced. My mom got them done when I was six months old, so I don't remember if it hurt or not. Plus, my parents didn't know that I was going to get a piercing, so not knowing their reaction was a big concern. As much as I was scared about the outcome, the adrenaline was still pumping through my body like beats in a club playing hip hop.

As I pulled into the parking lot, I started having second thoughts. I've never done anything like this before and I thought if my parents found out that they'd make me take out my piercing. As I walked through the doors and into the waiting area I was greeted by Bart, one of the owners. We talked for a little while and I had to fill out papers as well as pick a navel ring. My choices were barbells or hoops. They recommended a hoop for easier cleaning and a little faster healing time. Since I was going to the beach for senior week in three months, and the hoops were cuter, I choose the hoop. It was a silver hoop with a red ball.

I requested Kurt, the same guy who did my friends piercing. I heard a lot of good recommendations, so that's who I wanted. He took me into the room and explained everything as he was opening the packages to everything he was going to use. He explained how to clean my new piercing, as well as healing time. He had me stand up so he could mark me so the piercing would be straight and then had me sit back down. He reclined the chair and I peaked my head up so I could watch as he pierced my belly button but I got yelled at. He explained that the piercing could become off center because I was using stomach muscles to pull myself up to watch. So I put my head back down and he used a breathing technique with me.

As

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