Chrysalis

A short story of a defining moment in a young persons life. Please note this is a work of fiction, and any similarities yada yada :)

"Hello Lisa, take a seat and we'll take a look. Right what are we doing today? It was restyle wasn't it?"

I sank into the plastic chair and watched myself in the large mirror in front of me as the stylist brushed out my long thick hair. It reached a good few inches last the top of the seat, cloaking my shoulders and framing my face in gold. Heavy and thick, I could feel it's weight and the more she brushed the more I hunched my shoulders and fought the need to hide behind that curtain.

"Do you have that picture? Ok that's good. I can cut here and leave longer on top. Your hair is quite wavy so it may react differently but it should create good texture and I'll show you how to style it and some product. Did you want to donate?"

I hadn't thought of that. I nodded and she left to get some elastic bands. This is it I thought. No turning back.

She out my hair into two long plaits and I sniggered. I hadn't worn this style since primary school. Scissors poised she looked in the mirror and caught my eye. "Ready?"

"Yes"

The first cuts sounded crisp and the first plait started to come away, the newly shortened hair springing back with each snip. I started to feel lighter. The second plait went the same way and she stood back and ruffled through my hair. I smiled at myself in the mirror.

"Ok. I'll start with the clippers, number four around the bottom then I'll blend up"

The clippers buzzed and for the first time I could remember, I could feel the air whisper across the back of my neck. I looked in the mirror as the stylist worked and the earlier smile was still hovering around my lips. I sat a bit straighter in the chair.

She continued to work, clipping and snipping shaping the hair so it hugged my tight and sleek. The style I had chosen was much longer on top so she trimmed it as it lay sweeping across the front of my face and ruffled through again to check her work.

"Right. Let's get it washed, then I'll show you how you can dry it and I'll check the finish."

Now washing my hair up until now had been a total chore. Water seemed to run off it and it took forever to work the shampoo through and then to rinse it back out again. This time I was done in a few minutes. She led me back to the chair and I sat down again, but I was smiling properly now and my back was straight in the chair.

She added some mousse, explaining how to use it properly, and started with the hairdryer. I watched her work and asked a few questions about brushes and heat. This was all new to me. Usually I just let it air dry and pulled it back. She took her time with me, showing me how to create volume on the top and to avoid my cowlick causing a problem. The clippers came out again to tidy my neck and shape around my ears before she added powder and styling clay.

She stood back to admire her handiwork and held the mirror behind me. I couldn't stop it. A full on grin spread across my face and my eyes were sparkling back at me. "It's great! I love it." I turned to look at her. "Thank you so much!" She smiled back at me and fussed over a few loose hairs on my shoulders.

"If you follow me to the till, we can set up your next appointment. I reckon we will need to tidy up the sides in a few weeks but it will be longer before we recut the top."

As I followed her I sneaked a sideways glance in the mirrors that walled the salon. Who was this person grinning back. I looked visibly lighter with a sparkle that I had never seen in myself. The loss of that heavy hair seemed to have released the tension I usually carried and my head was held high with my shoulders low and back. The new me was ready to face the world and I was ready.

"Right we can fit you in on the eighteenth." She looked me in the eye. "What name shall I book you under she asked.

"James" I said before leaving to make my new start.

Reviews

[matrixmark]

Read through this piece and thought it enjoyable. THE ENDING - Oh wow! DIDNT SEE THAT COMING AT ALL.
The bit where you weote about the buuzzing clippers beought back memories of me as a kid - the buzzing noise always made me jolt.

Cool and unexpected piece.

Mark.

[Georgina]

Thank you :)

[Relic]

So 'James' was making his transition into a female huh? I think the story would have been a bit better had you incorporated some tension somewhere. As it is, I found it a bit boring being I'm not gay or a woman. This may hurt your chances with guys reading it. You still write well, though, that's something that will never change. :)

[Relic]

What I meant was if guys start reading about the process you write about here, they may think it's a poem for woman reader and turn the page.

[Georgina]

Ha whoops! Sorry 😳

[Relic]

........................ :)