Page 11 of A Layperry's Heart
Christian’s words fill me with warmth. There’s a chance this is going to work out. There’s a chance I might have a shot at wooing Aldo. My heart flutters pleasantly every time I think about him. It’s maddening and exhilarating all at once.
As we finish up and start to head to our apartment, I nudge Christian with my elbow. “Aldo mentioned he’s given up on wonder and whimsy because he has been burned too many times by human men in the past. Do you think I’ll be the same?”
Christian stops and looks up at me. He places a hand on my shoulder. “I think you’re a good man, Gendry. You would never do something to hurt someone on purpose. My only caution is remembering you’re not staying here forever. As long as you’re both okay with that, I vote that you go for it.”
“You’ve given me much to think about. Thank you, Christian.”
“Don’t mention it,” he says, starting to walk again. “Ever.”
I can’t stop myself from chuckling as I follow behind Christian. My eyes dart around the streeting, taking in all the signs and shops as we walk. Everything is so flashy and bright, so much more obscene than I’m used to. On my home planet, we do our best to live a simple life but here, it’s so different. I’m enjoying everything Earth has to offer, but I can admit I miss being home.
One shop has a glowing pair of scissors. It makes me pause, thinking about Aldo. To my surprise, when I look through the window, I find him standing inside!
“Christian! Aldo is inside!”
Christian slows down, following my gaze. “I think he works here.”
“I must go in and say hello.”
“You could ask him for a haircut while you’re at it. You have money on you, right?”
“Of course! I will pay him for his services. Would you like to come with me?”
“And listen to you awkwardly flirt? Absolutely not. I’ll talk to you later.”
Before I can argue, Christian turns and leaves. I think about chasing him down for only a moment before I think better of it. Christian has shown much of himself to me today through our conversation. It’s best to leave things as they are before I push too much. He’s not a very forthcoming man, but when he shows slivers of himself, it paints a wonderful picture of a truly caring man. One just has to find it beneath miles of cynicism and grunts.
I step inside the shop, looking around in wonder. Everything is so bright. There’s three stations with chairs, giant mirrors, and counters. There are weird looking contraptions towards the back that look like a giant ball goes over someone’s head. Terrifying. There’s also a seat that tips back into a sink which looks mildly interesting.
The walls are a lovely blue color with splashes and dots of a variety of colors. I instantly feel a smile stretch across my lips. This place makes me feel happy, I can’t describe why, but it does.
The smells however, I could really do without. There’s some sort of chemicals in the air that leave my head feeling light and my nose wrinkling.
Aldo looks over at me, a flash of surprise going across his features before he’s smiling.
“Hi, Gendry! I wasn’t expecting you!”
“Hello,” I say in English, hoping my pronunciation is okay. By the look on his face, I’m guessing I nailed it.
The woman in Aldo’s chair turns around. I feel her eyes slide up and down my body. When Aldo does it, I’m filled with warmth, but as she does it, I find that I don’t enjoy it.
“I didn’t realize I liked 'em big and purple,” she says to Aldo with a giggle.
“Hush,” he says, laying a piece of foil over her face and turning the chair around so she can’t keep staring at me. “One second. I’ll be right back,” he says to her before walking over to me.
“What’s brought you here, Gendry?”
I reach into my pocket and pull out my translator, handing it over to Aldo. He takes it and places it into his ear, looking up at me with soft eyes.
“I saw you through the window while I was walking home.”
“Oh. Did you need something?”
I shake my head. “I just wanted to see you. Christian said I should ask you for a haircut.”
“I can do that, but you’ll have to wait. I’m finishing up someone right now.”
“I can wait,” I say right away.
