Page 11 of Unexpected Prejudice

“I didn’t know what you wanted us to do, so I stocked my station with pretty much everything.”

Still standing, he stared at the stocked station, obviously impressed. Or was he confused?

“Tish was supposed to be your hair stylist,” I said, forcing him to sit down. “And like I said, her daughter got sick, so she had to leave, and instead, I agreed to do your hair. But—” I stopped to examine his braids, which were a bit messy but stunning. “Do you dye your hair?” I asked, moving my fingers through his light-brown locks.

“No, I don’t,” he answered. “You started to say something about your station.”

“Oh, shit. That’s right. I totally did, didn’t I?” I laughed because I’d almost forgotten what I wanted to tell him in the first place. “Anyway, I always make a list of my customers and what they like to do with their hair so I can have my station ready for them. Since you were a surprise, I just prepared for anything, really.”

He winced, offering me an awkward smile. “Oh, I just wanted a haircut. Sorry.”

“That’s fine. I brought shears as well. So, what do you want us to do?” I asked as I put the black smock around his neck so he wouldn’t get messy as I worked.

“I don’t care as long as it’s short.”

I already picked up my favorite shears for the job. “How short?”

“Short enough so no one will be able to grab me by the hair.”

Judging by his beaten face, I had a feeling there was more to it than his need for a practical haircut. Assuming I wouldn’t like the answer, I fought the urge to ask him what he meant.

“So, where do I know you from?” I asked instead.

His expression hardened, and he bit down on his full bottom lip. “We go to school together.” Once again, he gave me a simple answer that sounded like it took a lot out of him. The way he clenched his jaw was as if talking pained him in a way. Thanks to my Levi, I understood that some people didn’t like to talk.

“For real?”

He nodded, and then it hit me.

“Oh, shit! You sat in detention with us. You sat next to Andrei’s new friend and the beautiful guy with the ugly personality.”

“Shay-Lee doesn’t have an ugly personality,” he said, almost defensively, and I sensed I’d hurt him.

“Oh, I didn’t mean to upset you. I guess he’s your friend, but still, he wasn’t very nice.”

He didn’t say anything else, falling into silence again as I continued to work on his hair. It really was a shame to cut it off. He had such beautiful curls that could have looked very good in a—

“Is the guy you were with in the cafeteria… ehhh,” he started saying, throwing me out of my thoughts. “The one you… I mean… is he your, you know?”

His question was confusing, like a puzzle, so I tried to put the pieces together. In my defense, I was bad at puzzles.

“Are you talking about Levi?”

“I don’t know his name.”

“Extremely intelligent, strong, highly sensitive, absolutely beautiful, adorable freckles, and has a sunburn under his eyes?” I tried to describe Levi the best way I could, but from the stunned look on the guy’s face, I guessed I wasn’t doing a very good job. It also occurred to me I didn’t ask for his name.

“By the way, what’s your name?”

“Jordan. But you can call me Jordy.”

“Jordy. That’s cool. I’m Jessie or Jess, whatever you like better. Anyway, you were asking about Levi. Weren’t you?”

“I think so.” The blush returned to his face. “The guy you… you know. In the hallway, with your mouth—”

“The guy I kissed?” I offered, as I tried to save poor Jordy from his misery.

“Yeah,” he mumbled to himself then looked at me again. “Is he your boyfriend?”