"Every smile, every whisper, every moment brings me closer to the impossible conclusion that i have known you before, i have loved you before- in another life time, a different place- some other existence."
- Lang Love.
THERE she was.
She is beautiful.
The most beautiful woman Mark had ever seen.
She had on a sleeveless maxi dress that clung to her body, hugging her curves. It was a nude colored material that blended well with her warm ebony skin. Her locs were in an up-do, tied like a knot on top of her head with a few locs falling on her forehead, imitating bangs. She had on a pair of clear framed glasses, it beautiful accentuated her oval shaped face. In her right hand, she held a red cup, identical to the ones, Tessa, Xavier and Mark were holding. She was small, not so small but the height difference between herself and Cleo was apparent as they walked towards the group. She was smiling brightly as she and Cleo were engaged in conversation. There was a small skip in her step as her feet hit the sand.
She looked happy.
And that made him happy.
"Guys, meet Beth." Cleo says as they arrive the scene.
"Hi." She says, the shyness evident in her voice. She pushes a loc out of her face and smiles.
Mark watches in awe.
She's here. She is really here.
He could feel his heart racing at the sound of her voice. His palm was sweaty, his breathing; hitched.
The last time he saw her was when he tried to catch her after class. And of course, the woeful failure of that attempt can't forgotten. But yet, here she was. Standing right next to him.
"Hey, I'm Xavier. Nice to meet you." Xavier says. Based on his seating position, he was directly facing them so he leans forward with an outstretched hand to shake her.
Beth takes his hand and shakes it.
"Likewise." She says. Cleo gestures for them to cross over the log they stood in front of so they could sit. Cleo sits on the sand as she was previously doing and Beth sits on the log, mindful of her dress. She rubs her upper arm; a thing she did when she was nervous.
Mark noticed and logged that into his brain.
"Your hair is cute." Tessa says, she maintained a monotone demeanor. she had been sitting in the corner, now on Cleo's right, with an unreadable expression. She didn't seem to be fond of Beth like the others. At least not at that moment.
"Thank you." Beth beams.
"I've heard a lot about how black women install hair that isn't theirs. And it must have been rather expensive," She starts, eyes fixed in a disapproving manner on Beth's hair, "Your hair, I mean." Tessa says again flicking her finger in a pointy motion, this time she had a taunting smile on her face.
"Tessa!!" Cleo bursts.
"What?" She asks, harmlessly, the smile still hanging on her face.
Beth lets out a low laugh. "That's okay. Well seeing as how I grew MY hair from my scalp, I don't have to relay that much of my expenses to take care of it." She starts, "While I acknowledge and thank you for being interested in the dynamic of my hair, I would like for you to understand that a black woman's hair is her crown, don't attempt to speak ill of it. Yes, we are quite into adding extensions to our hair, it is disrespectful to just loudly declare your mediocre assumptions to a black woman, or any woman at that. Next time, stop at the compliment and when you think about pressing on in an ignorant manner, wipe the smug look off your face and stay the hell out of black people's business." She says, all in a low tone while maintaining eye contact with her.
