The horizon and the balcony

Chapter thirty-five

The salon was crowded and Lafayette was...well they were anxious to say the least. Hercules had brought them to a salon that specialized in curly hair and everyone was beautiful. All different shades of brown painted the room along with all different textures of hair. It truly opened their eyes to how diverse being black really was. The people with the lightest skin could've had the kinkiest hair and vice versa. It was eye opening, they never saw anything like it growing up. The fairer people had straighter hair and the darker people had kinkier hair. That's just how they thought things were.

"Are you alright beautiful?"Hercules said squeezing their hand. They squeezed back reassuringly and continued to scope the room. Braids,twists,blowouts,presses and every other style you can imagine was there. Little girls ran around giggling as their hair shimmered with golden accessories and wooden beads. It warmed their heart, reminded them of Christmas with there fathers side of the family.

"You know I remember being a kid and my mère always telling me that black was beautiful...I never really believed her until I grew up. I wish I knew how beautiful it really was...it would have saved me so much pain"They whispered. Hercules smiled sadly and gripped their hand tighter.

"I'm glad you know Laf, you deserve to know that you are beautiful. Your skin,your hair and all of your features are beautiful."He said bringing their hand up to his lips kissing it softly. Lafayette could feel themself blush.

"I hope you know that everything you said goes for you too Hercules"They said earnestly.

"I know now but growing up...things weren't easy"He said with a sigh. He lived in a white town,went to a white school and had the pleasure of encountering some of the most ruthless kids he'd ever known.

"I didn't really focus on that though. There were other things that needed to be dealt with"He said.

"Like what my darling?"Lafayette said.

"Providing for my family. Dad was gone, I wasn't the oldest but I looked older...and I was taller. I got the most jobs, my first being a bakers apprentice"He said. Lafayette nodded and thought back to him chucking John over his shoulder like a sack of flour.

"How old were you?"They asked.

"God that was a long time ago...I think maybe eleven? Wait wait no! I was ten, I turned eleven a few months later"He said. Lafayette felt their heart drop, all that manual labor at ten?

"Was that even legal?"They whispered.

Hercules snorted.

"Of course it wasn't legal. It was an under the table job. Besides that my life went smoothly, helped my mama save up a bunch of money and we lived here. All the kids in my new school knew I was an immigrant but they thought I came from Africa. Hell were they surprised when they heard my accent"He said chuckling.

"It is not fair you lost your accent! My accent has been around since I've gotten here!"Lafayette said and pouted crossing their arms.

"I've lived here for about twenty five years, you my love lived here for let's say about nineteen years. Also you still speak your native language so you're bound to keep the accent"He said.

"God I hate when you use logic against me"They mumbled.

"Lafayette!"The woman yelled out. They jumped in their spot and quickly stood up.

"I'm sorry, did I scare you? I'm a bit loud"she said softer. They nodded sheepishly and she shook her head.

"Again I apologize, my name is Angelica and I'll be styling you today!"She said and held her hand out. They walked over within a few strides and shook her hand. This Angelica was beautiful, brown skin, dark brown eyes and a head full of curls. The curls were twisted back at the front and clipped in place with iridescent butterfly clips. My she sure seemed eccentric. They smiled, she reminded them of their cousin Dior. And yes she was just as boujee as her name proved to be.