Two weeks ago is when I got the first one done, actually. I just turned 18 that Thursday and my only friend here in Dallas, Z, is getting ready to leave for military basic training. So, on a whim and decision that her and her room mates want to see me highly messed up, we go down to Deep Ellum. We would be Z, her room mate Freak, and I. Freak goes into a club to try and...get some stuff. Z and I are left to roam the streets of Deep Ellum. It's fun. We're intoxicated on the night, the excitement, the eagerness. We pass by various tattoo and piercing studios, we see many bars and clubs milling with people, we experience a lot of drunken people stumbling around. Interesting night. It got even more interesting when I began talking about how I can't wait to get my first modification...
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Jeremiah Fuentez, Chris Studio Ace In The Hole Location Deep Ellum Dallas, TX Right as we pass by Ace In The Hole piercing/tattoo studio.
I wonder, out loud, how much a piercing would be, more specifically, a nipple piercing. Z drags me inside to ask. $40 for a barbell I am told and I'm thrilled. So, she and I hurry back to my car for the exact $40 that is in my trunk and my ID. We come back, fill out a paper, and the kind Jeremiah, who usually didn't work on Saturday's, leads us to the back room. I'm nervous. I'm queasy. But I've gotten this far, I cannot chicken out now.
For five collective years, I have wanted my nipples pierced. For what reason, you may wonder? Nipples, of all body parts? Well, I'm highly insecure over my breasts. There is something that just irks me about them, and I've done many things in my lowest of emotional instability to my chest area, taking out my anger and frustration and lack of esteem on that area of my body. I decided, five years ago, that driving a needle and sticking some metal in the pointiest parts of those...weird...things would make me feel better. Not only about myself but about my...assets. So, I decided that night to begin.
Jeremiah is a nice man. He answers my questions and deals smoothly with my nervousness. I ask him if people cry. He says, "Sometimes, but they're usually over exaggerating." This makes me feel no better because I am a very dramatic person. I watch him prep everything; he's clean and precise with setting up. He turns to me when he's ready to mark the area of incision and orders for me to "show [him] the goods." I pull off my shirt and unsnap my bra, holding it on for one second before I remove it also. Z exclaims that I have the nicest rack she's seen and I am feeling even more nervous. Jeremiah takes his time, marking the area so it is virtually perfect. He instructs me to lie down on my back and I make Z hold my hand. He looms over me, and I swear, it's menacing. This sweet guy suddenly becomes ominous to me. I close my eyes, take a deep breath as he instructs. He clamps the nipple.
Then he tells me to exhale. As I do, he does the damage. I feel a searing burn, like I've been stung by an ant, and the only thing that comes out of my mouth is a curse. Then I'm smiling. I stand once he's done and see that there is so very minimal, if any, blood, and the vertical barbell is pretty. As I'm dressing myself again, Jeremiah tells me how I should keep it clean and watch it, and Z and I leave.
Later one when the three of us are back at Z's apartment, I'm still excited and riding on the night. We proclaim the news to the other flat mates and friends that are there, and sheepishly I show the work. I explain to a few about my insecurity with my chest and how I think this is the last thing I'll do to that area of my body because I feel now, that I am empowered, that I am... well, perfect in the sense of the word I've been searching for. It may be odd to some, well, a lot, but to me it's completely normal. The metal has become a part of me, has built on what I was before, and I am very happy with it. It's a sexy piercing, also.
The experience was good, not what I thought it would be at all! I expected excruciating pain. It didn't hurt at all really, just burned a tiny bit, and it's easy to look after. Of course, I know I have to keep this a secret within my circle of friends, but I'm happy that it was my first piercing. Now, I'm waiting for the chance for my tattoo.