Page 31 of The Ninth

I’ve never had braids, wigs, sew-ins, anything. I wear my hair natural always and then get a few silk presses in the winter. Time was definitely needed to think about what form of protective style I wanted, the maintenance, curly or straight, what color. I wasn’t prepared to make any decisions. I’m a girl who scrolls Pinterest for weeks just to get the basic. Cassie, who was sitting silently next to me, looked over from her phone.

“Mmmm. I’m really feeling the natural especially for our weekend at the club. You definitely should get a trim, a natural cut with face framing layers, and probably a rod set. If you let the curls fall on their own over time and just spray some oil sheen with a scarf, it’ll last a minute. If you want to be different, let’s throw in some brown highlights. Very pretty for whatever nigga you checking that phone for.”

I was mid unlocking my phone screen when she said that. Everyone laughed as I blushed.

Tati gasped, “Girl, who you done found already?! Matter fact don’t say it. I’m scared me or Kenzie already hunched them.”

All of us cracked up laughing as the stylists got started on our heads.

Tatianna didn’t have to tell me a fuck thing twice! I’ve had my thoughts on if Duke has been around or been in the strip club, lusting after my own cousin and her friends. He just didn’t give that. He didn’t give parties, strippers, hoes, and drama. Definitely not no drug dealer like Twist. Twist, I could already assume was ran through as hell. For right now, I’m just allowing myself to have fun. And I wouldn’t mind doing that with Duke.

But first he’ll have to text or call me.

I’ve never gotten a rod set, so I sat quietly while everyone else gossiped. The most random things were all over my mind. Should I get new clothes? Am I dressing up my uniform enough? How long am I actually going to work there? When should I speak with Cassie? What the fuck is Throwback Night going to entail? If Duke and I are going to just fizzle to a strictly friendship, will I still be able to work there comfortably? I should call my parents and grandmother. Maybe a few more days won’t hurt.

Before I knew it, the stylist finished taking the rods out and sprayed oil sheen all over my head. She pulled the curls just a little at the roots. They fell in tight, brown and black ringlets all around my face, framing it perfectly. My hair was full, healthy, and shiny. Thank you, Cassie!

“Perfect!” she smiled, coming up behind me.

She had an ash blonde sew-in plus the sewn-on frontal that was at least forty inches. Her eyebrows were dyed the same color. It was fire. I smiled awkwardly as she pulled her phone out, taking a picture of both of us in the mirror. I gave cutie patootie. She gave woman of your dreams.

Tati got a navy blue, thirty inch wig. She could make any color look like it grew out of her head. Kenzie randomly decided to cut all of her hair off. The black pixie cut on her somehow someway made her even more alluring than before. Kenzie is fine, fine. They all are.

As soon as we left the salon, two men stood up from their cars across the plaza. One yelled, waving us over while the other just took off running towards us. Kenzie, Tati and I waited as Cassie jumped straight into the truck, locking her door.

“She got a nigga or something?!” he smiled. He was extremely good looking.

“A husband,” Kenzie said.

“And what you got?”

“No time.”

“Well, me and my homie paying for y’all’s hair, here....” he pulled out a stack.

Kenzie opened her hand before he placed it in her palm. Her second hand came up, causing him to laugh. He filled that one as well. She smirked, leaning forward and puckering her lips. To my surprise, the nigga bent down and kissed them.

“You love me?”

“You the love of my life, on everything.”

“You from here?”

“Nah. Just sliding through.”

“Here, take my number...” He got his phone out eagerly, looking to her. “773-202-5000”

Tatianna snickered as she turned, getting into the truck. As I turned away, his friend waved at me. Once we were all in, Tati started cackling.

“BITCH! YOU PLAY TOO FUCKING MUCH, ON MY DEDDY!”

Kenzie sighed, “I don’t have time for anybody right now. I gotta wait four more days to call and get my nigga back. Cassie, how much is K3 paying for our entire day? Let me pay him back.”

“A gripmillion. Fuck that nigga’s pockets, let them reap what they sow...” she mumbled.

Tati wasted no time blasting the music, trying to get her spirits back up. Despite Cassie feeling down, the rest of the afternoon went amazing. It felt so good to be done up with some girls, laughing and talking. We went shopping and then dipped into Soulé Chicago. I had the best catfish slider and then the Surf and Turf Pasta. Even Cassie perked up as we ate and had our little drinks.

Tati’s phone rang. She saw it was Poncho and answered, smiling.