Page 17 of Kayla's List
#14.Go on an unplanned trip.
It felt liberating to cross off some of the things that I never would’ve considered in the past. With every number I marked through, I imagined myself getting lighter. Who knew how different I would be at the end of my twenty-ninth year.
I was excited for myself because I’m considering my feelings for the first time in my life. Although it is a hard habit to break, I’m not worrying about what anyone else thinks. It’s a hard thing for me to do, and it takes a lot of self-reminders. But I’m making a conscious effort.
“The least you can do is pretend to be excited about the party. Maybe you can cross some more things off of your list,” Emani says encouragingly.
I sigh heavily, but she’s right, so I nod my head in agreement. If I want to complete my list, I actually have to go out.
“Well, I might as well cross out a few more things since we’re in Vegas. Think we can find a black hair salon? I think I’m ready to get rid of this bun.” I swallow hard. Now that I’ve said it out loud, I know my friends will make me go through with it.
“Finally!” Emani surprises me because she is the least outspoken about my looks.
“Hey!” I slap her playfully with a mock frown. “My bun isn’t that bad.”
“If you say so,” Shelby mumbles, but I hear her smart remark.
“When was your last perm?” Emani asks, looking at my hair like she’s the one who will be doing it.
“It’s been four months. It’s time for a new one.”
“Have you thought about going natural?” Shelby asks.
“I don’t want to go through the big chop. My head isn’t shaped right.” My friends laugh, and I shrug my shoulders. I can feel the lumps and bumps in my head, and I’m not trying to look like I got beat up.
“You don’t have to cut all of your hair off. You can wear braids or weave until the perm grows out, and cut a little as you go.” I get what Shelby is saying, but I’m still apprehensive about the whole process of going natural.
Even though she wears wigs, braids, and weaves most of the time, Shelby went natural over six years ago. However, I just don’t want to learn the maintenance of natural hair care. I watchedYouTubefor an entire day, and once I was finished, I was shook. The versatility with natural hair is endless, but I’m woman enough to admit that I’m too lazy to evenwantto try.
“I’ll stick to the creamy crack for now. I need something low maintenance.” I stand my ground. If not, I’ll be going natural to please Shelby, and then I’ll be miserable and resentful.
“I know exactly what you need.” Shelby puts her hands up in a surrendering motion when she looks at the deep frown that I feel on my face. “It’s for you, not me. I promise.”
I reluctantly nod. As much as I want to stand up for myself, I still trust Shelby. But, Lord, I hope she doesn’t have me looking crazy.
The Makeover
ANDERSON
Since my meeting with Pearson this morning, I’ve been on cloud nine and I haven’t come down. Walking throughTechConthis year has been eye opening. The vast improvements in technology from one year to the next is miraculous. It gives me the kick in the ass that I need. I can’t afford to slack off, orManiacal Sportswill be a thing of the past before we even get started.
Both Vance and Bethany trailed behind me all day, taking notes, talking about marketing strategies, and peppering me with questions. Brady and his assistant worked the booth. We had large screen TV’s set up, showing a continuous loop of theManiacal Sportsapp from a user’s perspective.
Luckily, we were one of the few sports apps at the conference this year. A lot of companies are going toward social interaction such as dating apps and video sharing platforms. Our company is unique for now, and we need to make sure we get out ahead of the copycats that will surely follow.
My entire day was filled with useful information and ideas. The positivity of the day carried me through Pearson’s keynote speech as well as the networking event. For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel like I was pasting on a persona just to talk to potential clients.
It was such a great day that it took me no time at all to get ready for Pearson’s shindig atHouston’s. In fact, I was a little pumped up. My brooding the night before got me a meeting with Pearson Grant, so maybe I would take a night off from thinking about Kayla.
As soon as my party pulled up to the entrance of the club, I saw the line. It was déjà vu all over again. Only this time, I knew we wouldn’t be standing in line or fighting crowds. We would be hanging out with a billionaire tech guru.
Once we were escorted to the VIP, I got a chance to really take in my surroundings.Houston’swas the stereotypical Vegas nightclub. It had go-go dancers, both male and female, dancing in cages high above the crowd. Along with the strobe lights, the loud top 40 hits were playing, and people dressed in their best attention getting outfits. It was definitely the quintessential club scene.
“Man, I bet Jason and Tobin are sick right now!” Brady raises his voice to be heard over the music. Even though it’s somewhat muted in the VIP section, it’s still loud as hell.
“Yeah, we told them to come, but you know they think it’s a big geek convention.” I shrug, laughing.
Jason swears he isn’t into all of the same things Brady and I are, even though he spends more time at our offices than he does his own. I’m not sure he can call us geeks when his diplomatic ass works as a mathematical engineerfor fun.