Nikki M
The cape hung idle in her grasp as she spun the antique chair around to greet me. I remained seated, throat dry, heart about to pound out of my chest. Why could I not just decline politely and tell her who I was and why I was here?? Seconds past which seemed like minutes and she gave the cape another rustle looking directly at me with an impatient glare. For some reason I rose off the bench tucking my hair behind my ear. I felt so compelled to sit in the chair but had no idea why. Just then, the silence was broken and the door opened, we both averted out gaze. An attractive middle age woman burst into the shop. She stood tall also dressed in a fashionable figure hugging outfit. Her hair was expertly styled in a blonde crop, short on the back sides with length on top which became a sweeping bang. She wore thick square black rimmed glasses which oozed elegance and opulence…. “Sally!??” she exclaimed in a questioning manner. I a breathed a gentle sigh of relief… it was Sonja.
“Hi, nice to meet you..”, I stammered politely. She walked over with an amazed look and placed both hands on my shoulders studying my face. “Well well well, my how you’ve grown into a fine young lady, look at you!” she remarked. “You remind me of your mother when she was your age, spitting image!! The last time I saw you, you were small enough to hold in my arms!”. I smiled nervously and didn’t really know what to say. “So you’ve met Zoe I take it??” She said looking over to Zoe who still stood cape in hand… which Sonja noticed… “Oh are you having a haircut..???” she stated with excitement. “uuh.. I…” she cut me off. “Your mother will kill me, I promised I would look after you and not send her little girl back looking too ‘grown up’!” she laughed. Zoe placed a hand on the back of the chair and look at me with an inviting gaze. “Umm…. maybe…… not today.. aah I’m a bit tired and just want to rest I think…..” I stuttered, I’d never felt anything like this before and just wanted to get out of the room, the tension was killing me. “Ok, well lets get you settled and I’ll show you your room” Sonja quipped excitedly. I picked up my bags and tried to avoid eye contact with Zoe. I couldn’t help looking over to her as I knew she was staring at me, she continued to chew her gum whilst she folded the cape. Her piercing gaze remained on me, when our eyes met she pouted and motioned a kiss. I went bright red and looked down at the wooden floor immediately, my heart was racing and my stomach was in knots. I tucked my hair behind my ears and followed Sonja out the back entrance and up the stairs.
Sonja talked and talked as we climbed the stairs above the shop. Upstairs was beautiful, fully refurbished into a modern loft style living space. It was mainly all open plan apart from a few bedrooms she had built recently. “Here we are, make yourself at home” she said as she opened the door. The room was perfect, much bigger than mine at home and double bed. Sonja went through all the ins and outs of everything, kitchen, bathroom, dinner times, weekends etc. “So I was speaking to your mother and we both agreed that it would be good experience for you to spend some time in the shop”. I immediately thought of Zoe and became uncomfortable. “You know, nothing major just cleaning, running errands, laundry etc? I’ll pay you $50 per day, might be some nice saving or shopping money as well as giving you some experience working. What do you think??” she asked. I didn’t really hear any of what she said, was just thinking of Zoe. That figure, her skin, that tattoo, her earrings, those jeans, that haircut, that chair…. I gulped and tucked my hair behind my ear again whilst I got a hot flush. “umm yep that sounds fine” I responded. “Great.. well you get settled and i’ll see you for dinner when the shop closes at 6″. She got up and made her way down stairs to the salon. I took my shoes of lay on bed, I was mentally exhausted.
I woke up later on to a knock at the door, it was Sonja. “Hey there sleepy, you ok?” she queried. I awoke slightly startled and briefly forgot where I was. “You slept through to dinner time, I guess you needed it!?”. I looked at the clock, 7pm. “I’ve saved you some dinner if you’re hungry??”. “Oh yeh… thank you. Sorry, guess I was tired from travel?” I said as I ran my hand through my hair, I wasn’t hungry at all. “Thanks, i’m not actually that hungry, might just rest” I stated. Sonja smiled, “no problem, well i’ll see you bright and early on the salon floor, look forward to getting to know you over the next few weeks, so glad you’ve come to stay. Good night”. “Sure thing, thanks for having me, good night” I replied. The light went out and I lay there awake thinking of Zoe. Couldn’t get that image out of my mind… her still standing next to the chair holding that black cape in her hand. I can see her piercing eyes and her pressing her pouted lips together… I felt feelings down below that I had never felt before… there was a warmth that I had never experienced… I tossed and turned uncomfortably until I eventually fell asleep.
Next morning I awoke to my alarm going off and once again took me a moment to realise where I was. After getting up, having a shower, I briefly made something to eat before making my way down stairs. I’d dressed in my jeans, sandals and a casual t-shirt as I wasn’t really sure what was expected. After all the trouble I had sleeping the night before, I was extremely nervous about seeing Zoe again. I got to the bottom of the stairs and could hear chatting. I took a deep breath and walked out onto the salon floor. “Morning sleepy head” quipped Sonja as she counted money at the register. “Morning” I smiled back. I looked to my left and saw Zoe…. She sat crossed legged in her own chair tussling her hair in the mirror. She wore the same black leather boots as yesterday, but today it was a black leather skirt in place of ripped jeans. Once again my heart raced and I got that same feeling in my stomach. She noticed I had walked in and looked over, “morning…” she said with a mischievous smile. I went bright red and smiled before tucking my hair behind my ear. “So Sal, let me show you around” said Sonja enthusiastically. She then showed me the register and how it worked before taking me out the back where the laundry and cleaning supplies were kept.
“So as you may of noticed, we cater for mainly women in my shop…..” she stated with a smiled. “Its a place for the modern women to get a top quality modern haircut without an appointment. That being the case we seem to appeal largely to the lesbian community…and mainly female professionals. As the shop has a reputation for specialising in shorter styles, we’ve also created a bit of a niche for what we call ‘disciplinary services’. Meaning that we cater for a lot of disciplinary requirements from military organisations, schools and also parents. So please don’t be too shocked if you see anyone here having a haircut that seems to be somewhat forced upon them…”. I was a little shocked, but was still a little unfocussed due to Zoe dominating my thoughts. Sonja then took me through the daily cleaning and replenishing tasks etc which all seemed straight forward. “Zoe and I will often sing out to you if we need anything. It’s going to be so helpful to have you here, I hope you enjoy it and have fun!”. Just then the the door opened and an executive women made her way through the door. “Morning” Sonja beamed. “Sally can you please take her suit jacket..” Sonja queried. I nodded and walked over to take the women’s jacket. I hung it up and on the coat rack whilst Sonja ushered her through to her chair. The women settled into red leather chair as Sonja shook out the cape. She elegantly crossed her legs as the black cape billowed out in front of her. Sonja let it settle on the women before walking forward to the counter. I was fascinated by this whole process as I was used to sitting on a stool with a sheet pegged around my neck. There was a roll of tissue hanging on the wall, Sonja pulled a long length before ripping it clear. Then she repositioned her self behind the chair and stretched the tissue around the women’s neck. The women raised her chin and Sonja folded it in place at the back. The cape was then drawn around the tissue and snapped closed with a pop. Sonja began to comb through the woman’s hair as they discussed her haircut. At this point I figured it probably rude if I continued to watch so I went out the back to the laundry where I knew was a load of washing to do.
After the washing machine was going I grabbed the broom and made my way back out to the floor. The same woman still sat there crossed legged having her already short haircut trimmed. Judging by the stray hairs all over the cape and floor I would I assume she was almost finished. I began to sweep in the waiting area when the door opened, two people walked in. A younger girl entered first followed by a tall older woman in her 40s. She was an imposing figure standing well over 6ft in a long black trench coat and high heeled boats. She was pristine in her grooming, her sleek black bob sitting perfectly at her shoulders with not a hair out of place. She removed her jacket and handed it to me before ordering the young girl to the chair in a stern manner. At a guess I would have said the younger girl was mid 20s. She had long her to her mid back which looked rather unruly and unkept. She just wore normal flat shoes, jeans and a plain t-shirt. Zoe stepped out of her chair and slipped the cape off the armrest with a smile. I was intrigued to see what would happen next.
The young girl sheepishly walked to the chair where Zoe waited, my heart raced as part of me knew what was about to happen. The girl turned to look at the older woman who had sat in the waiting area directly behind Zoe’s chair. She began to plead with the woman, “SIT!” she screamed, “It’s too late for that now!” scowled the woman. I was scared of this woman and I didn’t even know her! The girl seemed to accept her fate and hesitantly sat in the waiting chair. Zoe throw the cape over her own shoulder before clipping the girls hair on top of her head. She too reached forward and removed a length of tissue before placing it around the girls trembling neck. Watching this unfold was giving me mass anxiety, I couldn’t keep still. Zoe twirled the cape around the girl and snapped it in place. She then pumped lever on the bottom of the chair with her foot. I couldn’t take my eyes of Zoe, she was so incredibly appealing, unlike anyone I had ever seen back home. My concentration was broken by Zoe discussing the girls haircut with the older woman… “Number 1 and a wet shave on her neck please darling” she said looking up from her newspaper. The girls eyes widened in horror. “Sure thing” said Zoe with a smile before reaching for her clippers and the right guard.
“Number 1!” I thought to myself in amazement. Wasn’t exactly sure what that meant but knew it was going to be a big haircut and knew this girl didn’t want it. Don’t ask me why but I found myself getting slightly aroused. Zoe flicked the switch on the clippers which came to life with a hum. She looked over to me and I immediately looked away and kept sweeping. Meanwhile Sonja was dusting stray hairs off her client and was just peeling the cape and tissue away. The chair lowered and Sonja assisted the woman in stepping out. Sonja shook the cape out as the women stood up and fingered her new cut in the mirror. It looked amazing, she reminded me of one of those CEO women you see on TV. The woman then looked over at the young girl and seemed to take interest. Zoe placed the clippers at the girls front hair line and began to drag them back. Mounds and mounds of hair fell to the floor and leaving a path of stubble in their wake.
Surprisingly the businesswoman then made her way over to the chair. The girls head was now bent forward to her chest as Zoe methodically peeled her hair away in seconds. “Nothing says discipline like a good haircut” she stated approvingly. Hair was sliding down the cape and falling to the floor as the women from the waiting area looked up from her paper. “Too true indeed, this one but refused to comply with basic rules” she stated. The businesswoman nodded, “Well you wont do that again will you young lady?” she queried. There was silence from the girl as the last of her hair slid into her caped lap. No doubt this was the last thing she wanted to hear, some big-shot women preaching about discipline. “Excuse me!!??” exclaimed the older women, “This lady has asked you a question! What do you say??” she bellowed. “No” the young girl mumbled. “NO WHAT!?” the woman yelled before putting down the paper and walked to the chair. “No ma’am” the girl mumbled once more. “You’re lucky I don’t have you shaved to the skin this instant!!”. The girl cowered in the chair as Zoe put the finishing touches on her with what looked like a razor. The businesswoman smiled, “Let me get this,” she said before handing Sonja a $100 bill for the girls shaving. “what do you say!!!” said the women, “thank you for paying for my haircut ma’am” replied the girl. “My pleasure, I hope you’ve learned a valuable lesson”, the businesswoman and the other lady briefly conversed before she left. What a morning!
I began sweeping up the blonde clippings under Sonja’s chair. I couldn’t help but continually look over to Zoe. It was excited about what was taking place but equally as attracted to looking at Zoe. I don’t know if it was her or her haircut that I just couldn’t keep my eyes off. At that point she was cleaning the girls neck like with some tissue before peeling the cape away as the chair lowered. The woman walked to the chair and ran her hand over the girls head. “very good, thank you sweetheart” she said to Zoe. The girl, somewhat embarrassed stepped out of the chair and made her way to the exit. “See you again soon” said the woman before putting on her jacket and leaving.
The day went on and tons more clients came and left. Hair piled up on the floor and I kept sweeping. Between sweeping, register and laundry I was pretty busy all day. However my obsession with Zoe wasn’t going away. I just couldn’t stop staring at her. Sometimes I would be caught, sometimes not. I just couldn’t help it, I was fascinated in her and she did something to me that could not describe.
At about 5pm Sonja was finishing up a customer. The cape was drawn away and shaken out before the client stepped out of the chair. If there was someone waiting I would go to the register, if not I would get my broom ready to clean her station. On this occasion no one was waiting so I began to sweep around her chair. Sonja escorted her to the salon whilst Zoe had thrown her cape over a younger girl as the mother stood over the chair discussing how she wanted it cut.
“Girls i’m going to the bank and then out to see a girlfriend, i’ll be back later tonight so you’ll have to lock up Zo” stated Sonja. Zoe looked over, “no worries, see you tomorrow babe” she called. I couldn’t believe I was here alone with her. My anxiety started again and I panicked. Maybe I could just stay out in the laundry area for the rest of the day, hopefully it would stay busy so it wasn’t just us two. Zoe and I made eye contact, she smiled at me with a devilish grin. Once again I went bright red and quickly had to go out the back for a drink. A few minutes late I had composed myself and made my way out the front. I suspect the girls haircut was nearing completion as the mother was again at the chair nodding in approval. At that point I was cleaning one of the product stands when I heard the cape being whisked away. The girl and mother walked towards the register with Zoe and paid before departing out the front door. The bell chimed as Zoe saw them out and closed the door behind them. She then locked the door and flipped the open sign to closed. I looked at my watch at noticed it was 5:25pm and thought she must have decided to close slightly early.
I continued to spray and wipe the coffee tables etc at the waiting bench when I knew Zoe was walking behind me. Once again my heart started beating faster and I felt light headed. I took deep breaths as I could hear Zoe sweeping around her chair. I then heard the familiar sound of the cape being snapped open with a flourish. Assuming she was shaking it out ready for the laundry….”next” she called. My mouth went completely dry as I slowly turned around to see her standing next to her chair again. “I believe you’re next Miss…?” she said quizzically. My mouth opened by nothing came out. She stood there, same cape in hand, same leather boots, short leather skirt, tight fighting top… she smiled in a seductive way and patted the back of the pink barbers chair after spinning it to face me. I did my best but I couldn’t resist….something came over me and I put down my cloth and spray bottle before making my way hesitantly to her chair. It all happened in slow motion, she held the chair as I placed a foot on the footrest and climbed into her chair… “You didn’t really think you would get away without a haircut from me today did you babe…??” she asked in a low sexy voice. I went bright red once more as I settled back into the chair whilst she slowly spun me to face the mirror. I looked at myself sitting in that chair and couldn’t believe my eyes. Zoe smiled like a cat that got the cream and threw the cape over her shoulder.
There was still time to not go through with this, I could get up and walk away, I should get up and walk away. Do I want this?? How and why is this happening?? What is this feeling coming over me??? She pulled my hair through her hands before clipping it all above my head with a clip of her top. I still sat there silent, gripping the armrests so tight. She walked past the chair and pulled a long ream of tissue from the roll. It was torn loose before she stood behind me. Looking me in the eye she slowly reached forward and spread it around my quivering neck. It was pulled tight then folded together. I was completely new to this whole scenario and she knew it. Next she took the cape and violently shook it next to me whilst smiling seductively in the mirror, she knew she’d won. Then in one action it was floated in front of me and enveloped my entire body. I knew now there was no turning back… She pulled the ends together whilst she pumped the lever on the chair with her boot. The whole time she never took her gaze of me. My heart was pounding and felt like I was sweating profusely. My stomach was in knots and full of butterflies. The chair suddenly jerked to halt as she brought the cape together at my neck. She moved incredibly close to my ear as she drew it together. I could smell her strong scented perfume, it was then I started feeling a new arousal between my legs. The cape was drawn closed with a loud snap whilst she whispered in my ear…. “relax sweetheart…….. its just a haircut”
