Kamala straightened her blouse as she made her way to the register, her hands fingering her crystal choker, a token of love from her

Grandmother. Her reflection bounced of the mirror, that layed propped on the wall her creamy complexion bouncing of one of the mirrors that layed on the other side of the wall. As she arrived at the counter her hands grasped eachother for support as her gaze met her client. The woman looked In her thirties, dark soft waves framing her face just about touching her shoulders and her almond eyes glaring straight at her.

“Hi ma’am, can I help you?” Kamala said in her sweet voice. She knew these type of clients, she had them often.

“I have been waiting here for 2 minutes” the client said in an awfully loud tone. Kamala’s colleague, who was mid sweeping peered at them, stifiling a laugh. Kamala couldn’t help by giggle too as she turned to her colleague giving her a mischievous look. Then she slowly turned back to her client, seeing lines etched on her forehead. Her thin lips pressed into an irritated line.

“If you think this is so funny I’ll have my husband sue you- all of you” she said, her tone dangerously low.

“I’m so sorry ma’am, we meant no harm, me and my colleague’s were tending clients and were not available, again we’re so sorry for the disconvenience” Kamala said meekly, her voice remaining sweet and timid.

Suddenly the store bell rang, another client. She motioned her to sit down.

“Lizy can u tend this client please” I asked my colleague, motioning the Karen client to follow me.

“So that rat of a person doesn’t have to wait but I do? What is the meaning of this.” The Karen client said, her tone full of disgust.

“Ma’am we treat all of our clients equally, we just are more available at this moment” I said quietly, peering to the other client examining her. The young man wore an oversized hoodie, a tattoo running down his neck. His head hung low. But I could still see his cobalt blue eyes inspecting the place, a tiny bit of sweat glistening on his deep brown skin. Kamala felt a deep blush etch on her face when she looked away, noticing that this young man was particularly handsome.

“Since your not asking, I want layers and 3 inches off” the Karen client barked.

“Sorry ma’am, thank you” Kamala said in a hushed tone scrambling for her materials. She managed to get 2 quick sneak peeks at the man while grabbing her scissors.

“Instead of looking at him, you should be doing your job- and ew aren’t you gonna use fresh scissors on me” she snapped, crinkling her nose.

I said nothing picking up the scissors feeling the sensation of joy creep up my skin as I went into my own world, perfecting the woman’s hair, examining it from different angles. When I finished I looked at her hair with pride, turning her chair to face the mirror, her hands adjusting it.

“I hate it, can’t you just do your job?!” Karen woman said, looking at me like a bug she wanted to squish.

“I-.. can do a blowout if you want” I questioned biting my lip as I felt the blush creep onto my face again, feeling Mr. Handsome guy’s gaze on me. Karen looked up to me straight in the eye, stood up and left. She left the place without paying. I felt my all the blood from my face draw out as I bit my lip a little harder. My boss was going to kill me. I rushed up to Lizy, her eyes looking down at the floor with fear.

“What do I do Lizy?!” I cried to her, shaking her shoulders, but she wouldn’t look up. Suddenly I felt chills run down my back, my brain still trying to register what was happening. Someone was in the room. I quickly turned around my hands flinging behind my back as I looked at my boss with complete terror. His cold stare looked like it could bite me, Making me quiver slightly.

“What you should do is you should find that woman before I fire you.” He bellowed, his hand beckoning for me to go closer. I held back my tears as I slumped forward. I knew what was going to happen. He titled up my chin, his breath warm on my face. I closed my eyes bracing for it as i clenched my fists, then it came, a slap so hard that it left sharp tiny tingles on my skin, then a punch, then a kick. I struggled to breath, as my stomach heaved my knees bent on the floor, hands pressed protectively on my belly as I crawled behind Lizy, letting out a wheezing cough as Lizy hugged me tightly sobs ricocheting out of her.

“How could he do this to you” she sobbed, gently stroking my slightly damp hair. I felt my counciousness go thin as I silently passed out.

——————- ———————————— ————-

I woke up to the sounds of blaring sirens, a headache flaring as I struggled to get up. I peered at the clock, 1:27. I looked around, my eyes adjusting to see cops and officers surrounding me, asking questions and taking pictures. I blocked them out as I got up and the. Stumbled, reaching for the nearest chair for support. I hadn’t gone home that night. My face lit up seeing mr.handsome guy in a police uniform, I had to get his number. I felt almost drunk as I sashayed over to him, teasingly tapping him on the shoulder, my words slurring together.

“Ma’am you have been exposed to drugs, please sit down” he said. I sat down in the chair, feeling confused. I tried to remember after the beating. Lizy hugging me, tears falling down her face as the same words echoed in my ears

“How could he do this to you!”