”And I wanted straight hair,” I say.

She chuckles a little. ”Don’t you find it strange? Most people who have straight hair want it curly, and those with curly hair want it straight. Redheads want to be blonde, or if they have brown hair, they want it black. Short people want to be taller, tall people want to be shorter. Thin people want to be a bit more fleshy, fleshy people want to be thiner. It’s like grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”

”Actually, straight hair is much easier to deal with or control. When you get your straight hair permed, the curls are perfect and stay right all of the time. When you have naturally curly hair, the curls do whatever they want to do, whenever they want to do it. You have to comb it after every shower if you don’t want it to look like an Afro. And then there are constant tangles, no matter how many times and how properly you’ve combed yourself,” I explain.

”Alright, fine, I get it. Straight hair is better,” Tina smiles.

”Don’t get me wrong, I still love my hair. Speaking of grass that is greener on the other side of the fence… It’s just, you know, people have to learn to accept themselves. However, it’s a hard thing to do in the modern society where self-sickness is being affirmed and perpetuated. I think one’s beauty and worth transcend what they think about themselves, and when they get in touch with that truth, they will begin to become fullfilled with their appearance. And not only appearance.”

”Easy for you to say. You look like a model from Vogue cover.”

I make a grimace. ”Sounds like an insult, because Vogue models always look skinny, unhealthy and generally unattractive.”

She shoves me playfully. ”Oh come on, you know what I mean. You have proper, beautiful facial features and a body to die for.”

I can feel a hot blush blooming on my cheeks. ”Um,” I stutter. ”Thank you, I guess.”

Wow! Now she goes complimenting me out of the blue. This is a good start. I must respond quickly. But what am I gonna say? I can’t compliment her on her looks the way she just did to me. That would seem too corny and too forward yet…