Chapter 4

RANI

"Come with me." Lydia pulled me in the room and shut the door. "Sorry for the mess." Mess the room was near spotless save the one dress on the settee. "You know you don't talk very much." She cocked her head to the side. "You are safe here, you know I won't hurt you for speaking your mind. It will be refreshing to have a honest friend."

I bow my head not meeting her eyes. "Miss Lydia-" she cut me off

"Just Lydia you may call me Lydia."

"Lydia I'm not sure that you are aware of the consequences that await a slave."

"I am aware, but I do not agree, and nor do I support what's going on. When you are with me though you don't have to worry, I'd like to be friends."

"Friends with a nigger? You are a strange one indeed Lydia." I chuckled. "Alrighty then."

"Yay!" She squealed. "Okay so I'm supposed to meet the other ladies and I need to get dressed. Can you help me please?"

"Of course, now is there a color of dress in particular you wanted?"

"The lilac one if you don't mind." I grab the dress and help her put it on. Then I drag her to the vanity sit her down and started to brush her hair.

"Can I tell you a secret Rani?"

"Who do I have to tell Lydia?"

"True...I um oh how do I put this I don't find my race attractive I mean don't get me wrong but I'm starting to lean more towards the uh darker side you know?"

Darker side? What does she mean by-oh!

"I understand."

"I just don't get why my race in the South does such horrible things to you and your people we are humans no matter the skin color. You have thoughts and feelings and opinions too. I'm sorry." She turns around and taking me by surprise and hugged me. I hugged her back...my first friend of another race.

"Now we best finished your hair."

"okay." I tie a ribbon in her hair and hug her and say, "You look beautiful Lydia."

"All thanks to you." She gets up and runs out the door. Not before yelling out. "I'll tell you about it later." I shoot her a smile.

LYDIA

I don't remember a time when I spoke so freely with someone. She is just so easy to talk to. I feel a connection between us like we have a bond. I wonder if she felt it too.