Member-only story
Unsuitable Affinities
A Short Story
“Boys don’t usually get henna done.” I laughed as he sat down next to me and extended his palm. “Also, there’s a line.” I pointed to the women impatiently waiting for their turn.
“But I’m VIP, being your best friend and all.” Yousef turned around to look at the line of irate women staring at him with daggers in their eyes. He flashed his too charming smile.
I shook my head.
“Oh come on, Aadila. Just do a small design,” he pleaded.
“Okay,” I acquiesced.
“Easy. I’ll say I was just using the opportunity to flirt with you,” he snickered.
I rolled my eyes. “It must be so nice to be a man. If I confessed to that, I wouldn’t be able to venture out alone for weeks, maybe months, maybe ever.”
“Yeah, that does suck. Okay, well, I’ll say I was flirting with you, but you weren’t having any of it. Your purity will remain unsullied.”
“Is that really better?”
“No, but paint on my body, Dillasauras. Fast! I’ve got places to be and people to fill with envy.”
I meticulously drew petals on his hand, fully engaged in the art. The henna cone cooperated for the most part, which was always a relief. If I messed up Yousef’s design, I wouldn’t hear the…
