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Sandy Soft
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I can do this! I can be brave. I can be a sporty adventurer girl and that’ll be really cute for my date with Celyn and it’ll be fine, everything’s gonna be FINE! Just keep breathing normal, like a tough girl who isn’t scared of the knife right next to her neck, and maybe even ask to cut it herself, and-
“Ow!” Casey’s pulling my HAIR and it HURTS and-
And-
And I’m REALLY NOT OKAY WITH THIS
And now I’m crying and she’s cutting and I can’t make words come out, just little noises, and…
And it’s gone.
“All done,” Casey says, dripping smugness. She holds out the knife blade, its steel reflecting back at me. “Want a look at your new tomboy style?”
“I…” I hiccup. “I d-don’t w-wanna be a tomboy!”
“Too far, Casey,” Duran sighs. “You ruined the mood. With the Censors, it’s a miracle we found a place that turns a blind eye to a bare ass. But a crying girl under their roof? They’re not going to serve you here anymore, you know.”
“I don’t need their shitty hooch,” Casey says, sheathing her knife with a sharp jab into her belt. “I’ll find someplace else to sleep. I always do.”
“And they’re always more run-down than the last.”
Casey ignores the barb and looks to me, but I can’t really see her though all the tears. “Remember,” she warns, “No magic. No extensions. No nothing, ‘till I say so. Got it?”
“I-I-I-“
“She gets it!” the mild-mannered fairy shouts, drawing a double take from Casey.
“Whatever.” Casey spins on her heel and stalks out the door.
Duran puts his hand on my shoulder and I sniffle. Why didn’t he help? Why didn’t anyone stop it? Why is everyone so mean? Or is it all my fault?
“It’s gonna be okay,” Duran says, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “You did good. Trust me, that went as well as it could have, given how much you trampled on her pride.”
“Do you want us to bring you home?” Zinnia asks, worried.
Um…
Do I want to go home?
My hair is a mess, I’m a mess, and my eyes are red and bloodshot I bet, and I look dumb… but I really don’t want to have my date tomorrow with my hair all sliced up. Does Duran know how to cut hair okay? Or Zinnia? Or do I want to just cry it all out and end the day, and deal with all this tomorrow? Who do I even know that might do hair good?
This is so exhausting… and it’s evening.
Am I done dealing with Duran and Zinnia for one day? If so, do I go find anyone else to help with my hair tonight? Maybe someone I know…
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