 |
| Not Final Characters Design |
The Short Haircut For My Crush
The bell above the door jingled as Alex stepped into the small neighborhood salon. The scent of hair spray and shampoo hung in the air, a blend of familiarity and nerves that made Alex’s heart race even more. For years, Alex had kept the same hairstyle—shoulder-length waves that friends described as "effortlessly cool." But today was different. Today, everything was about to change.
It all started a week ago, when Alex overheard Emma, the girl who had unknowingly stolen his heart, talking to her best friend at the coffee shop.
"I’ve always liked short hair," Emma had said, sipping her latte. "There’s just something so confident about it."
The words replayed in Alex’s mind like a song stuck on loop. Emma’s smile, her voice, the way her eyes lit up when she spoke—it all merged into one singular mission. Short hair. Confidence. A chance to maybe, just maybe, catch Emma’s attention.
“Hi there! Do you have an appointment?” The receptionist’s cheerful voice snapped Alex back to the present.
“Uh, no. Just a walk-in,” Alex stammered, running a hand through their hair for what felt like the last time.
“No problem! We’ve got a spot open. Right this way.”
Alex followed, their palms sweating. They’d spent the past week oscillating between excitement and dread. Was this a bold move or a ridiculous one? Did it scream confidence or desperation? The truth was, Alex wasn’t sure. But the thought of Emma noticing—really noticing—was enough to push them forward.
“What are we doing today?” the stylist asked, snapping on a cape and securing it around Alex’s neck.
“I, uh...” Alex hesitated. Words felt heavy and slippery. “I was thinking of going short. Like, really short.”
The stylist raised an eyebrow but smiled. “Alright, let’s do it. Any particular style in mind?”
Alex pulled out their phone and showed a picture they’d agonized over for hours. It was sleek, modern, and completely unlike anything they’d ever dared to try.
“Great choice,” the stylist said. “Let’s get started.”
 |
| Not final illustration |
As the scissors snipped and the clippers hummed, Alex’s anxiety began to mix with a strange exhilaration. Strands of hair fell to the floor, each one a piece of the old Alex being shed. The stylist worked with precision, shaping and smoothing until the reflection in the mirror looked like someone Alex had never met before—someone daring, someone new.
When it was done, the stylist spun the chair around. “What do you think?”
Alex stared at the mirror, hardly recognizing the confident, sharp look staring back. “It’s… perfect.”
Walking out of the salon, Alex felt lighter, not just from the haircut but from the sense of possibility. The next day, they found themselves back at the coffee shop, sitting at their usual spot, pretending not to notice when Emma walked in. But Emma noticed.
“Alex?” she said, her eyes widening. “You cut your hair! It looks amazing.”
“Oh, this?” Alex said, feigning nonchalance even as their heart threatened to leap out of their chest. “Just felt like a change.”
Emma smiled, her gaze lingering a moment longer than usual. “Well, it suits you. Really. You look great.”
And just like that, the weeks of doubt and the hours in the salon were worth it. Emma’s smile was brighter than ever, and for the first time, Alex felt like they had the confidence to hold it.
“So,” Emma said, sliding into the seat across from Alex. “Tell me what inspired the change.”
Alex grinned, the words coming easier than expected. “Maybe I wanted to try something bold.”
Emma’s laugh was soft and warm. “Well, mission accomplished.”
Tag: short haircut for my crush, romance short story, crush prefers short hair
Comments