Take a Mile (Being Revised)

Chapter Eight

At eight on the dot I was knocking on the door to Alecea’s. The lady working in the lobby was a real snob otherwise I would have been earlier. I wanted to get more information on my ‘date’. I was let in by Anna who had taken a liking to me rather quick. I kicked off my shoes and opened Alecea’s door to see her brushing her hair frantically. “Brush any harder and you aren’t going to have any hair.”

                She ignored me and brushed harder. I don’t know what she was trying to do but it wasn’t working for her. I walked behind her and took the brush pushing her into the chair in front of her mirror.

                I worked silently and swiftly concentrating on my work. She tried to talk but I told her to be quiet and close her eyes. A few minutes later I told her to open her eyes. She gasped and started jumping up and down clapping. “Oh it looks sexy! Thank you.” I had styled her hair in a perfect chignon. Some of my best work, if I do say so myself. “Where did you learn to do that?” She asked touching it delicately in the mirror. Truth is I had learned to do it from one of my foster mothers who ran a hair salon out of the basement. But I didn’t tell her that.

                “I had a job at a hair salon once.” I lied. “That’s cool. I’ve always wanted to work in a hair salon but, I’d probably brush the peoples’ hair out.” She said rolling her eyes. I nodded in agreement. She applied a little makeup and started rummaging through her closet. I decided to get answers out of her now. “So, tell me about my date.” She poked her head out of the closet. “Well he’s nice.” I laid flat on her bed. “And he’s a friend of Kaden.” I put my head on the palms of my hands. “And he has a car.” Was she being serious. “He umm… well he uh.” Does she know anything about him?

                I glared at her and huffed. “You don’t know anything about him do you?” I asked. She smiled sheepishly. “Well no, he only told me his name.” I shook my head and wagged my finger at her. “He could be a psycho murderer and kill us all.” She scoffed backing up out of the closet. “Look I may not know him but Kaden really does and I doubt that my Kaden would set you up with a psycho murderer ok.” Rolling my eyes I sat up and checked the time. “So what’s this guy’s name and when is he supposed to be here?” She stood in her floor length mirror straightening her purple blouse and black skinny jeans. “Well he should be here any minute and his name is-“ She was cut off by the doorbell. She let out a squeal and then composed herself.

                We both walked to the door, well I walked she ran. She opened the door with a huge smile on her face and jumped into the arms of the cute guy she was dancing with at the party. He hugged her back and turned her in circles. They laughed and smiled while I stood there awkwardly rubbing the back of my neck with my hand. Alecea looked at me and smiled with her face heating up. “Rickey this is Kaden, Kaden this is my best friend Rickey.” I shook the smiling brown curly haired, green/blue eyed guy’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you Rickey.” He said in an adorable British accent.

                “Nice to meet you too Kaden.” She shut the door after saying bye to Anna and we all climbed into the car. “Sorry Rickey, my friend is going to meet  us at the place we are having breakfast.” I just nodded. I leaned my head against the window of the car and looked out at the passing trees. Alecea then gasped and I looked at her in worry. Kaden grabbed her hand and I noticed Alecea staring at me. “I just noticed that your eyes are blue Rickey, how had I missed that before? They are gorgeous! But wait aren’t you black? How does that work? Are you mixed then? Do they always do that? If so for how long? Will they go back to normal?” Blocking out her sudden bout of questions I looked at my reflection in the window. My eyes were a delicate shade of blue.

                I shrugged my shoulders. They change colors I can’t help that. “To answer all of your questions, I don’t know, thank you, I am black, I don’t know how or why, I am not mixed, they always do this, it had been happening all my life, and yes, they will go back to their normal brown.” That girl sure asks a lot of questions. Kaden laughed and squeezed Alecea’s hand. “You sure ask a lot of questions sweetie.” I laughed when she blushed back he kissed her knuckles making her relax. They shared love that was plain to see. He would ask something and sit quietly listening to her answer.