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| “She really needs to get rid of those split ends and I thought she should be brought up to date. Her hair, it just doesn’t do a whole lot for her.” Samantha explained.
Sasha combed through Erika’s hair as Samantha spoke and looked from time to time in the mirror at Erika as he moved her hair around. “Are we going for a big change or a little one?” Erika’s heart skipped a beat. Big change? She didn’t know if she was ready for a big change. Hadn’t she changed enough for one week? By Anistasia Allread |
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Chapter 20
Erika sat towards the back of the bus, surrounded by the girls of Columbine cabin. This array of vastly different girls: the athletic Rachel, the quiet book worm Krystal, the statuesque Katie (supermodel looks), the short, spunky Dani, the smart and logical Victoria, and the cheerleader Samantha. This collection of personalities all called Erika their friend. They put up with her emotional outbursts. They helped her through a potentially embarrassing time with a guy. They accepted her and liked her, as much as she accepted and liked them.
Erika looked from face to smiling face of her new friends and wondered how in one short week, she could arrive a scared, timid, mouse of a person, and then be on the bus today, laughing and giggling, telling jokes, and having a good time. These friends didn’t want to trip her on the trails, or push her head underwater in the lake. Nor did they want to throw food at her in the mess hall. These friends didn’t seem to want anything other than friendship with her. That is something that she was still having a hard time dealing with. She admitted to herself that it was all rather different and strange, but it was something she was starting to understand. Even more, it just felt right.
A small part of her was still terrified at being found out. What would these new friends do if they found out her dreaded secret that she had arrived to the camp with? She suppressed a shiver and bit her lip while she tried to keep the tears from flowing.
“Are you okay?” Samantha leaned in.
“Yeah… I think so.” Erika wiped one eye and smiled back at the blonde beauty. “I am just happy.”
Samantha grinned and rested a hand on her shoulder.
“I’m just not used to having friends. It’s been… a long time.” Her bottom lip trembled.
“Whoa! Erika, are you all right?” Katie sat forward in the seat across the aisle.
“She’s fine.” Samantha cut in. “She’s just a bit emotional today.” Samantha smiled at Katie, then to Erika and back at Katie.
Katie crossed the aisle and wrapped her long skinny arms around Erika, enveloping her in a giant hug. “You looked like you could use a hug.” She whispered into Erika’s ear.
Erika wrapped her arms around the tall girl and hugged back. “Thank you. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“We all get like that every once in a while. Don’t worry about it.” Katie gave a final squeeze and released her.
“Okay,” Rachel and Victoria joined the group. “Victoria and I worked it out. We get four hours to do our laundry and there are seven of us. Eight if we count Phoenix.” Rachel took them all in with her eyes. “If we all share the responsibility for each other’s clothes, and do laundry in shifts, we can each get about three hours to shop or play.”
“When we get to the Laundromat,” Victoria explained. “We will all sort our laundry into the like piles, then get them going. One person will stay there for half an hour while the rest of us take off, then every half hour after, one of will replace the one before us. If we do it this way, we won’t all be stuck at the Laundromat all day.”
“Sounds good to me.” Dani agreed.
“You can count me in on that.” Phoenix came up from behind Rachel.
“Cool.” Victoria smiled. “I just made a quick schedule as to who gets what shift. If you want to trade, go ahead. Just make sure that all of you show up when you are supposed to.” She handed out pieces of paper with numbers on them. “I didn’t know what time we would be getting there, so I assigned numbers instead.”
Erika took one of the slips and looked at it. Number one. “I get first shift it seems.” Erika nodded.
“I gave you first shift so that you could find time to find that stuff you needed to find.” Victoria spoke low so that Phoenix didn’t overhear. “As in power… for your laptop! We all want to jump on during our shifts. That is why I gave Phoenix the last shift. I will be right before her, so that I can hide it before she relieves me.”
“You’re almost as devious as me.” Erika grinned.
“What did you have planned?” Dani asked Erika.
“I hadn’t really thought about it too much.” Erika admitted. “Get the things on our list of course, but after that, I was just going to take it easy.”
“Why don’t you join Katie and I at the nail salon…… We thought we would get a set of nails.”
“I don’t know, maybe.” Erika nodded but was non-committal.
“What about you Samantha?” Katie asked.
“I was going to get my bangs trimmed while we were in town, they’re getting a bit long, but then, I might stop by.” Samantha looked at her light pink nails. “I’m due for a fill.”
“Rachel and I are taking money from everyone to get the decorations for the cabin.” Victoria re-joined the group.
“How much?” Krystal asked.
“I don’t know, three to five dollars each.” Victoria shrugged. “Balloons, streamers, flags, and stuff.
Each of the girls handed over a bit of cash, which Victoria pocketed. “Thank you.”
The town was a town you’d find from the turn of last century. Stoplights on the street corner, sidewalks lining old store fronts with apartments and offices on the second and third floors. Cars lined the sides of the streets, where there were old parking meters. Brick and stone facades, and large picture windows welcomed them with a well-worn look of friendliness.
“Can you say Norman Rockwell?” Victoria giggled.
“Who?” Dani asked.
“Norman Rockwell, the illustrator.” Victoria looked quickly over a Dani. “Do you mean to tell me that you’ve never heard of Norman Rockwell?”
“Sorry.” Dani shrugged.
“She would know who he is, if she saw one of his paintings.” Samantha piped up.
The bus drove to the end of the three blocks that consisted of town and pulled into a gravel parking lot. The brick wall facing the lot had a chipped and faded advertisement mural for Coke-cola that looked to have been painted fifty or more years ago. The lot was mostly empty, but a few large trucks were parked here and there, most haphazardly. More than two of the trucks had some kind of dog in its bed.
“Okay, ladies,” a counselor stood up in front of the bus. “You have four hours to do laundry. No more than that. If your clothes are still wet when it’s time to leave, you take them back to camp wet where you can lay them out to dry in the sun.”
The bus doors opened and the counselor followed by the girls all carrying various bags of dirty laundry exited the bus and headed two doors down the street to the Laundromat.
The girls of Cabin Columbine staked out four washers and began separating their laundry into them. Darks and jeans into one, whites into another, etc… Victoria pulled a small zip-lock bag of laundry soap out of her bag and measured some into each.
She stopped and looked at the other girls of the cabin grinning at her. “What? I don’t trust the soap that they sell out of those dispensers.”
Phoenix followed her, putting coins into the machines and turning them on. It only took a few minutes and the wash was going.
“Do you think someone will prank the cabin while we’re here?” Krystal asked.
“There is a good chance. Oak Cabin hasn’t done a panty raid on us yet…… but I think they may try something while we are gone.” Rachel admitted. “That is, after all, why we laid out our panties for them.” She joined Dani in a good chuckle.
“What if they decide to do something else?” Krystal looked worried.
“Then we will retaliate.” Rachel smiled at the quiet girl. “There’s nothing to worry about.”
“I just worry about my books getting damaged or stolen.” Krystal mumbled.
“Most people won’t bother with a suitcase full of books.” Katie tried to help reassure Krystal. “Why didn’t you bring your kindle? It would be much easier than carrying all of those books.”
“No electronics.” Krystal shrugged. “I actually prefer paper over a screen. I know its strange, but I love the smell of the paper.”
Rachel wrinkled her nose.
“Krystal has the next shift so she should be relieving you in half an hour.” Victoria informed Erika. “I know it’s kind of boring, sitting here watching the machines, but we don’t want any of the other cabins to mess with them. I have heard of many pranks happening in the Laundromat.”
“I’m just going down to the five and dime to get a few things.” Krystal assured Erika. “I won’t be long.”
“I’ll get my bangs cut while Krystal is serving her time. Want to join me?” Samantha asked.
“Sure, I guess.” Erika smiled. “See you in a little bit. She waved as the other girls left. Erika waited a few minutes longer for another counselor to leave the Laundromat before pulling her lap top out of hiding. She went to the back corner of the place and plugged the power cord into a wall socket.
“…. got a lap top.” A girl’s voice reached Erika
“Must have smuggled it in. lucky.” Her friend answered.
Erika booted up and was rewarded with a signal for the web. She brought up her email and checked it. There were only a couple messages in her inbox and all but two were advertisements. One was from an online gaming group that Eric was a member of. They were missing his presence in the game and were wondering when he would be back. The other was from a fan of his comic, concerned that he hadn’t updated his strip in just over a week.
It wasn’t long before Krystal came back. Erika was just about to leave when the washers wound down to a stop from there last spin cycle.
“Let me help you with this.” Erika insisted.
The two girls quickly transferred the wet clothing from the washers to the dryers. Krystal pulled a few items of clothing out of the pile and hung them over an empty chair. “We don’t want those to shrink.” She explained to Erika. “Go on and get out of here. I think Samantha is waiting for you.”
“Go ahead and use the lap top, Krystal. But don’t let anyone who isn’t from our cabin use it please.” Erika exited the building to meet the blonde cheerleader, waiting in front of the window of the shoe store next door
“I love that pair.” She sighed wistfully as Erika joined her. She turned from the window and taking Erika’s hand, started leading her down the side walk. “I’ve already stopped by the salon and made appointments for us.”
“Us?” Erika looked to the girl of her dreams with shock.
“I’m getting my bangs trimmed up a touch and you need to get rid of those split ends.”
“I have split ends?” Erika pulled a strand of dark hair around so that she could view the end.
“Yes. And you need to be updated. Having long hair is one thing, but having a good cut is a totally incredible and refreshing experience.” Samantha explained.
“But… I don’t have that kind of money.” Erika protested.
“It’s my treat, Erika.” Samantha smiled to her new friend. “Besides I still owe you for the whole date thing. Besides, I hear that this guy is great!”
“How great can he be if he is up in this hole of a town?” Erika wondered aloud.
Samantha dragged her a few more stores down until they stood in front of Salon Sasha. Expecting a salon all in pink with blue haired old ladies sitting under dryers and gossiping about the town slut, Erika was quite surprised to find a modern salon decorated with muted warm colors.
The receptionist desk was a convex counter that faced the front door, behind the desk, the salon area itself was a circular area that along with the receptionist desk, created a circle. Ornate, gold-framed, full-length mirrors hung in front of each brown leather salon chair. A small wood chest of drawers stood beside each mirror as a tool station.
“Hello.” A receptionist with spiky platinum blonde hair with a chunk of purple greeted them. Erika liked her immediately. Her hair made her look like she stepped out of an anime. “You must be Erika.”
“Ah…. Yes.” Erika greeted.
“Samantha said that she was going to bring you in.” The pretty girl smiled. “Sasha will be out in just a moment. He needs to help his client to her car.
As if on cue. An older lady with a short spiky gray hair and pink tips, slowly came around the corner, cane in hand and a smile on her lips as a very flamboyant effeminate man came up behind her. His dark hair looked messy but in an on-purpose way and he wore a very nice buttoned shirt.
“The ladies at the home just love what you do with my hair, Sasha.” The elder lady smiled at the stylist.
“It always helps to have a beautiful woman with a great head of hair to work with.” Sasha smiled at the woman.
“Sasha,” the receptionist interrupted. “This is Samantha for a fringe trim and Erika for a cut.”
“Ladies.” Sasha looked at the two girls. “Go ahead and have a seat in the salon. I’ll be with you in just a few moments, I’ve got to help Grace to her truck.” Sasha looked at the receptionist. “Could you be a dear and cape them for me?” Sasha assisted Grace out the door.
“Go have a seat, I’ll be right there.” The receptionist gestured into the salon.
Samantha and Erika walked into the circular part of the salon and took a seat in chairs next to one another. Separating the stations from one another were green potted plants. In fact, Erika didn’t realize, until just now, how many potted plants filled the salon. Other than the warm colors, natural woods, the dark green of plants filled the salon.
“Can I get you some coffee? Mocha?” The receptionist asked as she draped Samantha with a cape.
“No thanks.” I’m just getting my fringe trimmed.” Samantha smiled at the young receptionist.
“Becky.” The stylist called from the door. “I need to ask you to run an errand for me.”
The receptionist snapped the cape around Samantha’s neck and walked to the meet up with Sasha. The stylist gave her some instructions in a low tone and handed her what looked to be a credit card.
Sasha stood behind Sam and looked at her in the mirror. “Hello, Samantha, I’m Sasha. We’re just trimming your fringe today?”
“Yes please.” Samantha smiled back. She pulled a piece of fringe down and showed the stylist. “It’s been a couple of months and they’re getting a bit long…. Just a trim though.”
Sasha smiled as he took his comb and shears and went to work. Erika watched as he combed out her hair and sliced back and forth with his scissors. A few moments later, and Samantha was grinning in the mirror.
“Thanks Sasha.” She looked at him through the mirror. “It’s perfect. Not too short.”
“No problem my dear.” Sasha whipped the cape off of her and let her up. He dropped the cape in the seat after she vacated it and went over and stood behind Erika.
“And what are we going to do for you, hon?” Sasha smiled at Erika through the mirror.
“I’m not really sure.” Erika admitted.
“Not sure?”
“This was her idea.” Erika looked over to the golden girl that Eric was in love with.
Sasha looked over to Samantha.
“She really needs to get rid of those split ends and I thought she should be brought up to date. Her hair, it just doesn’t do a whole lot for her.” Samantha explained.
Sasha combed through Erika’s hair as Samantha spoke and looked from time to time in the mirror at Erika as he moved her hair around. “Are we going for a big change or a little one?”
Erika’s heart skipped a beat. Big change? She didn’t know if she was ready for a big change. Hadn’t she changed enough for one week?
“What did you have in mind, Sasha?” Samantha inquired.
“Well…….” Sasha played with Erika’s hair. He looked directly into Erika’s eyes. Erika felt self-conscious from his probing look. “You have a beautiful face, Erika.” He spoke directly to her through the mirror. “You could continue wearing it long, and I’d just update it. You could also wear it in a flirty bob, similar to say….. Jennie McCarthy, or shorter and funkier like Victoria Beckham’s look.” He paused and pulled Erika’s hair away from her face. “Or you could be daring and pull a short messy crop similar to that of Kiera Knightly in Domino.”
The color drained from Erika’s face. It had taken Eric years to grow his hair to the shoulder length that it was now, and this ‘light in the loafers’ stylist suggested chopping it all off? The bob seemed too girlish, it would be perfect for the summer, but going home with that cut would be difficult at best. The short, short hair? Well that would be easier to pull off when going home, but wouldn’t it make her look to much like a guy during the summer? A lot of Hollywood stars chopped their locks for different roles. And Kiera Knightly did look hot in the short crop that she sported for that film role. Long hair with layers would be just the same as she had. It would look great for the summer, but how would Eric explain the girl cut on his long hair to his parents?
Erika looked to Samantha for some help.
“They all sound really cute.” Samantha agreed. “Sasha, why don’t we let you decide. Besides, I’ve got to go back to relieve Krystal in a few minutes. I’ll be back before Sasha gets finished with you, or soon after.” Samantha rested a hand on Erika’s shoulder and gave her a reassuring squeeze. “Thanks for doing this Sasha.”
“Is that okay with you, Erika?” Sasha again captured her gaze.
All Erika could do was nod. She swallowed a hard lump and nodded with a slight smile.
End of Chapter Twenty
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Comments
I know this is more than a cut, but ...
... I love it!
"All the world really is a stage, darlings, so strut your stuff, have fun, and give the public a good show!" Miss Jezzi Belle at the end of each show
BE a lady!
Umm
Sasha should recognize Erika for Eric, and quietly ask if it is an ongoing deception, or a temporary one.
Then make the haircut according to those needs, as in either max deception, or slightly alterable later to go back to being a boy.
Either way then leaves the opening for young Eric/Erika to agonize over whichever choice, and to regret "the path not taken".
Umm
I agree! Sasha should be able to read Eric and put two and two together.
As for the hair, I vote for something long but with a sultry, sexy sort of style.
Penny
Long hair !
I have hair, what there is of it, down between my shoulder blades. Anyone trying to shorten it will lose a piece of their anatomy.
Gwen
Long hair...
I have hair too, down to the small of my back. If anyone tried to cut it, they would lose several anatomical necessities, not least of which would probably require the wearing of ladies clothes (once the bleeding had been staunched), training in the art of talking with a falsetto voice and wearing one's balls as earrings!
I don't think I'm a good client for anyone wielding a pair of scissors and holding my hair at the same time.
I cut some off a while ago - about four to six inches and Penny didn't even notice!
Nick
Haircut?
Hmm, well let's see.
As an ex hairdresser, I can see the temptation for letting the imagination run riot with such a head of hair, but it has to be said that going from long to short takes time, not least to grow back.
"We don't cut hair any longer" was what my boss always used to say.
I think something soft. Erika's shoulder-length hair should frame her pretty face, soft around the edges, but with weight over the rest. It should be long enough to stay in a pony tail, but with a wispy fringe (bangs), long over the eyes.
I don't bloody know anyway. We all have slightly differing images of Erika, but you're the only one who knows what your minds eye is seeing...
Go for it AA.
you were a hairdresser!
Who's a dark horse then eh Nick. Sigh... I think that settles it, I'll have to read this. I've been resisting.. little kiddies camp type thing and all, eek... but so many comments arguing points and discussing. Has to be a reason for that, so...
Oh, the haircut thing caught my eye. A few years back a 'stylist' decided I should have shorter hair ( it's just past shoulder length and has been for several years) and she made a motion to chop away. I told her if she came wiithin arms length I'd strangle her with her hairdryer (sigh...failing girl..again). She no longer comes within arms length and I still have longish hair.
I'll get back to you AA.
Kristina
I was
It's not something I used to bandy about much, but I guess I'm over that insecurity thing.
So yes, for my sins I was a hairdresser for a few years and still dabble to this day. It doesn't pay as well as playing about with computers and with the old PC's I still get to be creative, so I think going back to minimum wage, long hours and trying to decipher someone's haircut from a wrinkled one inch photo cut from an ancient newspaper would be a mistake.
I suppose there's a slim chance...
NOT!!!
Nick
I love long hair !
Didn't Olivia Newton John have hair that was sort of short on the front and sides but tapered to long hair in back?
If I had grown my hair as I wanted to, it would be ankle length now and I would have a gillian grand children from my adopted children. I might not even be here because I'd be too busy baking pies, and bossing the old man around. He'd pat me on the butt as we "mounted" the stairs to go to bed. I would be giggling, knowing that there is probably not enough viagra on the planet for him to be able to service me. giggle. But, I'd happily lay on my master's chest at night knowing that he loved me.
Gwen Brown
Hair cut
I do really enjoy this story and maybe this haircut will shock Erica into letting it be known what she wants and make a transition to having her opinion matter. I think she will be asked where she is staying out of politeness, but the hairdresser already knows about camp and will give her a short and manageable bob with cute sexy bangs that fall over part of her face. Practical but not too practical. This may be the push she needs to admit whether she likes being a girl or not. She will look totally feminine.
Allowing a hairdresser free reign is dangerous if you want to look like a boy again without going to a buzz cut. I don't know which would upset Erica more at this point. I am guessing the buzz cut.
Kristi Lynne Fitzpatrick
Suggestion
Obviously, Sasha has to read Eric, or already have been clued in by Samantha. Have Sasha keep it long, but help along the natural waviness in Eric's hair to make a Scarlett Johansson cut—unmistakably feminine, but low maintainance. Add a streak, perhaps blonde, better still, something unnatural like pink or pale blue, just to emphasize the girliness.
Have Sasha help Erica over the shock by promising that she can go to a messy crop at the end of the summer, and have him cut short the whinging by hinting that Sasha knows Erica is really Eric.
I think the Scarlett
I think the Scarlett Johansson cut would be cute. And I also think Sahsa should find out and maybe offer a few more tips?
Heather
We are the change that will save the world.
Heather
We are the change that will save the world.
Audience Participation
It's all well and good to collect haircut suggestions from the readers, but whatever you choose has to support the plot you have in mind.
Erika is already a super-attractive babe type that the boys are speechless around, unless they're actually hitting on her for dates. So, there's no real upside in that direction.
You've got her recorded as fairly attached to having long hair, which she enjoys having styled or braided by the girls in the cabin. All that goes away with a short cut. Plus, would she get depressed, lose her self-confidence, become suicidal?
If she comes out of the salon looking worse than when she went in, and we've already established that there's not much to gain on the upside, will the girls of the cabin ostracize Samantha for perpetrating it?
Be careful, dear. Don't step on your own plot just to amuse the readers. I kind of like the story the way it's going. I'm not sure it needs a hard left turn across 8 lanes of traffic.
Erika/Eric needs to assert her/his self
Samantha is doing it agin, acting without asking Erik what HE wants.
I agree with Pippa, go with what fits your future plot but a couple things to keep in mind. One is he/she wants to keep it long and I agree if this loon of a hairdresser is any good her will realize Erik is a boy and privately ask him/her what is going on and what he/she really wants.
The other option -- the Devil's Advocate option -- is for Ericka/Erik to go balistic and say, "I'm out of here, charge Samantha for a wash/cut/perm/dye job/wig and anything else you want. She lied to me agian and it's over. I like being liked for a change but I'm not becoming Samantha's castrated toy to get it." Ideally several of the other girls will hear this and the truth will be known.
Why doesn't she tell the girls the truth? But then the truth is so hard some times. Poor kid. Samantha, starr thinking or do you want another suicide on your karmic tab?
I agree, a too striking hairdo will maybe be a problem come the end of camp and she/he does not want any more males attracted to him/her.
Good luck on this one, AA.
John in Wauwatosa
John in Wauwatosa
camp k #20
hair leve it loung short dont look good,due something loung and sexey with it,
mr charlles r purcell
verry good story i wood love to see a lot more of this all i can say is wow verry good thanks for shareing
The long and short of Erika's hair
Just to put you all at ease........ Erika's hair will remain long..... for now.
Being a hairstylist who most of you would hate, because I love chopping off hair, I thought on a whim of putting Erika through a make-over of sorts, but was unsure how it would be received by my three fans, so I posed the question. I got my answer and the story will continue without 'Making a hard turn through eight lanes of traffic'
Having said that, I want to thank you for your input, and insight to the characters of this story. I am pleased, excited and humbled with how in touch, involved, and attached you are to the characters of the story. It warms me and makes me feel special that there are three people out there who like my writing.
Thank you so very much,
A.A.
Three?
So who else is reading this?
Come on, own up!
three fans
I didn't say that there were only three people reading it. I said that I had three fans.... three people who liked it. :)
A.A.
Isnt' false modesty cute??
I'm sure she has dozens of fans...she just won't believe it!!
Huggles!!
Alexis
Psychological marble cake
I can honestly say that some of us believe we are truely incompetent. I worked very hard at what I used to do, and had many people tell me how beautiful my work was. I was often told how fast I was, too.
Do you think a damn bit of it sunk in at the time? Hell No! I know exactly what it is like to not experience a sense of fulfillment when complemented.
I sense that I am almost finished with my many years long psycho therapy, except for periodic tune ups.
Now days, I take great pleasure when complemented. All the old demons are put to rest.
I prayerfully ask for the same for all of you.
Gwen Brown
Hair Length
Since you asked.
I think the hair should be left long, trim it and be done with it, he has to go home and couldn't with any one of the hair styles you talked about, give him a break K. I do think he is enjoying it very much but i wouldn't do him any harm. think about it please, long hair.
Hugs and Kisses
Melissa Ann
Hugs and Kisses
Melissa Ann
HE doesn't have to ...
... go home with the style he gets at the salon. There is plenty of time to enjoy a girly style like the one I posted (hint hint :-) and then get it cut the last visit to town. I, for one, and I consider myself a fan - #4? - would LIKE to see a makeover, perhaps requested by HER in a "In for a penny, in for a pound" moment. Of course, as conflicted as he/she is, there may be moments of regret.
This one might actually work.
"All the world really is a stage, darlings, so strut your stuff, have fun, and give the public a good show!" Miss Jezzi Belle at the end of each show
BE a lady!
go short
Hi
I think the point here is you have to look out for yourself.
If Sasha is given an open brief - has gven the client every oportunity to specify a preference and is still given an open brief then his choices will be based on artistic considerations.
The face fits a Kiera Knightly cut and so that is what should be done.
Erika loves it - it forces her to be 'out there' but is really scared by it
At the end of the camp she decided she has to go short to morph back to Eric - possible shaved sides & flat top which because of Erica's skull shape works wonderfully - problem now is that with really short hair and a symmetrical skull the hair is androgynous. Eric has been using it as part of the Eric identity - now he can't
Hair
Keep it long.
hugs :)
Michelle SidheElf Amaianna
having short hair
I like mine long, but a short cut can look very pretty