Friday

The Detour

Chris ran a hand through his thick curls as he stepped out of the school building, the warm afternoon sun casting long shadows across the pavement. The final bell had rung, signaling the start of another weekend, and he was eager to unwind. His 18th birthday was just two weeks away, and the thought of summer freedom had him grinning.

Beside him, Maria, his best friend since childhood, tied her dark hair into a high ponytail, looking annoyed as she scanned the parking lot.

“Where the hell is she?” she muttered, shifting the weight of her school bag.

Chris knew exactly who she meant—Katerina, Maria’s mother. She was always punctual, a stickler for schedules and order, much to Maria’s frustration.

“She’ll be here,” Chris assured her.

True to form, a sleek black SUV pulled up at the curb moments later. The window rolled down, revealing Katerina’s sharp, calculating eyes. Despite being strict, she was undeniably beautiful—elegant, well-kept, and exuding an air of authority.

“Inside. Now,” she ordered, tapping the steering wheel impatiently.

Chris and Maria slid into the backseat, the leather cool against their skin. Chris greeted her politely, though Maria simply huffed, crossing her arms.

“I swear to God, if you’re about to drag us to some boring errand before we get home—”

Katerina cut her off with a sharp look through the rearview mirror. “We need to make a stop before heading home,” she said in her usual no-nonsense tone.

Maria groaned loudly. “Maaa, no! Can’t we just—”

“It’s not up for discussion.”

Chris had learned long ago that arguing with Katerina was pointless. She was the kind of woman who expected obedience, not negotiations.

Still, he was used to these detours. Sometimes, they led to something decent—like the time Katerina stopped at a high-end outlet, and Maria scored a designer handbag while Chris walked out with an expensive pair of sneakers. Other times, they were just errands that felt like time-wasters.

As they pulled onto a quieter street, Chris noticed where they were heading.

Alexandra’s House.

He tensed slightly. He knew this place well.

A small but stylish home with an attached private salon, it belonged to Alexandra, Katerina’s long-time friend. A skilled hairstylist, Alexandra mostly catered to high-end clients out of her home. She was strikingly beautiful, a little younger than Katerina, with piercing blue eyes and a confidence that made her stand out.

Chris swallowed.

It wasn’t the first time they had come here. He had been here once before, years ago, when Maria was younger, and Katerina had forced her into a shorter haircut she didn’t want. That day had ended in a dramatic meltdown, followed by weeks of Maria complaining about her “stupid” haircut.

But for Chris, the memory of being in that salon had stuck with him for another reason.

Haircuts fascinated him.

Not in a normal way. He didn’t know why, but every time he heard the snip of scissors or the low hum of clippers, something inside him tightened, twisted, sent a strange thrill up his spine.

He had never told anyone. It was stupid. Weird.

And yet, the moment they parked in front of Alexandra’s house, his pulse quickened.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Maria groaned, recognizing their destination. “Why are we here?”

“I need a haircut,” Katerina said simply.

Chris felt a flicker of something—excitement?—but pushed it down.

Maria huffed. “Ugh, fine. But can we at least stay in the car?”

Katerina didn’t dignify that with a response. Instead, she opened her door and stepped out.

Chris followed, feeling the weight of something unspoken settle over him.

He told himself this was just another errand.

But deep down, he knew this stop would be anything but ordinary.

Katerina’s Transformation

The soft chime of a bell rang as Katerina pushed open the door to Alexandra’s private salon.

Inside, the familiar scent of shampoo and freshly cleaned floors filled the air. The space was sleek and minimal—black leather chairs, a row of neatly arranged styling tools, and a single salon chair placed in front of a large, well-lit mirror. A door to the side led to a small waiting area, where Maria flopped onto a couch with an exasperated sigh.

Chris, on the other hand, hovered near the entrance.

And then there was Alexandra.

She emerged from the back room, a knowing smirk already on her lips. She was as stunning as ever—her platinum blonde hair slicked into a sleek high ponytail, her dark eyeliner emphasizing her icy blue eyes.

“Ah, Katerina, darling. I was just thinking about you,” she purred, moving in for a brief hug. “And you brought company.”

Maria barely grunted a greeting, but Chris nodded politely, feeling an odd sense of unease—not from discomfort, but from something else entirely.

“Sit, sit.” Alexandra gestured toward the salon chair, already draping a black cape over the armrest. “What are we doing today?”

Katerina settled into the chair, her long chestnut hair cascading past her shoulders. “Something fresh for summer. Short, but polished.”

Alexandra arched a perfectly sculpted brow. “Short?”

Katerina met her gaze through the mirror. “Yes. You have free rein, just make it stylish.”

Chris swallowed hard.

He tried not to stare too obviously, but his eyes were glued to Alexandra’s hands as she combed through Katerina’s thick locks, assessing them with a critical eye.

He knew that feeling was coming—the same one that always stirred when he was in a salon.

The anticipation.
The tension.
The strange, unexplainable excitement.

And then—snip.

The first lock of hair fell to the floor.

Chris’s pulse spiked.

Alexandra worked quickly, lifting sections of Katerina’s hair, the silver shears flashing under the salon lights. Long strands slipped from between her fingers, sliding silently to the ground.

She moved with confidence, shaping and sculpting, her eyes sharp and focused.

Chris couldn’t look away.

The soft, rhythmic snipping filled the air, a sound that sent an unshakable thrill down his spine.

And then—the clippers.

Chris tensed as Alexandra set her shears down and reached for them.

She snapped on a guard, tilted Katerina’s head forward, and flicked the switch.

A low hum filled the salon.

Chris barely breathed.

As if sensing his reaction, Alexandra glanced at him through the mirror.

Her smirk returned.

Chris quickly looked away, pretending to check his phone.

But he still heard it.

The soft rasp as the clippers glided up the back of Katerina’s neck.

The gentle buzz as Alexandra carved out a 360 undercut, revealing bare skin beneath the thick layers.

Chris clenched his hands into fists, forcing himself to stay still, but his heart hammered.

Katerina, unfazed, examined her reflection as Alexandra worked. “I like it,” she murmured approvingly.

“Of course you do,” Alexandra mused, brushing off stray hairs. “You trust me.”

She switched to a razor, perfecting the undercut, making sure every edge was clean. Then, after a final pass with the clippers, she dusted off Katerina’s neck and whisked the cape away.

“Done.”

Katerina turned her head side to side, inspecting the precise angles of the A-line bob, the crisp, shaved undercut peeking through whenever she moved.

“It’s perfect,” she declared.

Maria finally looked up from her phone.

“Oh my God, Mom,” she groaned. “You actually went through with it.”

Katerina lifted an eyebrow. “And you’re next.”

Maria bolted upright. “What? No. Hell no.”

Alexandra, already tidying her tools, chuckled. “Relax, darling. Just a trim.”

Chris, still trying to calm his racing thoughts, glanced at Maria. He was relieved Katerina’s focus was now on her daughter. Maybe—just maybe—he’d get to leave without being dragged into the chair.

But then—Alexandra’s voice.

“What about Chris?”

Chris felt his stomach drop.

Maria’s head snapped toward him. She grinned. “Oh, yes. Chris definitely needs a haircut.”

Katerina nodded in approval. “He really does.”

Chris swallowed.

He wasn’t getting out of this.

The Haircut Offer & Maria’s Rebellion

Chris’s pulse pounded in his ears as Katerina stepped away from the chair, her freshly cut bob and shaved undercut sharp and stylish.

Maria, still glaring at her mother’s reflection in the mirror, muttered, “I still can’t believe you actually did that.”

Katerina smirked. “And now, it’s your turn.”

Maria’s eyes widened in horror. “Excuse me?”

Chris let out a quiet breath, relieved that the attention was now off him. Maybe he had a chance to slip away unnoticed.

But then—Alexandra turned her gaze on him.

Her lips curled into a knowing smile. “And what about Chris? That mop of curls is getting out of control.”

Chris tensed as all eyes landed on him.

Maria, sensing an opportunity to shift the focus, immediately pounced. “Oh, yeah, Chris. You definitely need a haircut.”

“Mm-hmm,” Katerina agreed, crossing her arms. “Something much shorter would suit you.”

Chris felt his stomach twist. He had been in this situation before—pressured into the chair, feeling trapped while someone else decided how much of his hair he’d lose.

Alexandra tilted her head, watching his reaction with interest.

“Well?” she asked, picking up a comb and tapping it against her palm. “Are we doing this?”

Chris hesitated. He didn’t want to say no outright—not when Alexandra’s voice was smooth like silk, coaxing, teasing.

But he didn’t want to go too short, either.

“Uh… maybe just a trim?” he offered.

Alexandra’s smirk faltered for the briefest second. She clearly wanted to take off more.

Maria rolled her eyes. “Lame. You should just shave it off.”

Chris shot her a glare. “Yeah, because that worked out so well for you last time, huh?”

Maria scoffed but before she could fire back, Katerina stepped in.

“Enough,” she said, her tone clipped. She turned to Alexandra. “Give Maria the bob you suggested earlier. She needs a more mature look.”

Maria gasped. “No. No way. I like my hair long.”

Katerina narrowed her eyes. “It’s just a bob, Maria. Don’t be dramatic.”

Maria crossed her arms. “You’re making me cut my hair while Chris gets to keep his stupid curls? That’s so unfair.”

Katerina sighed, already losing patience. “We’ll discuss fairness later. Get in the chair.”

“No.”

The tension in the room spiked instantly.

Katerina’s jaw tightened. Maria’s defiance was expected, but outright refusal? That was pushing it.

Maria, knowing she was on dangerous ground, locked eyes with her mother.

For a few beats, no one spoke.

Then Katerina exhaled sharply.

“Fine,” she said icily. “Let’s talk about this somewhere private.”

Maria stiffened. She knew exactly what that meant.

Without another word, Katerina grabbed her daughter’s wrist and led her into an adjacent room, shutting the door behind them.

The second they disappeared, the muffled sound of rapid Greek filled the air.

Chris swallowed. He couldn’t understand most of it, but Katerina’s tone was firm, relentless—Maria was fighting a losing battle.

Meanwhile, Alexandra turned to Chris with a sly look.

“Well,” she murmured, stepping closer. “That leaves just you.”

Chris’s throat went dry.

“I—uh—”

Alexandra took his arm gently, but firmly. “Come on, darling. Let’s make you look sharp.”

Before he could protest, he was in the chair.

The cape swirled around him, settling over his shoulders as Alexandra fastened it at the back of his neck.

Chris’s pulse raced.

He met Alexandra’s gaze in the mirror, and there it was—that smirk.

She knew.

She had seen the way he reacted when Katerina’s hair was being cut. She had noticed the way his breathing changed when the clippers had switched on.

And now?

Now, she was toying with him.

“So, Chris,” she said, combing through his thick curls. “Just a trim?”

Chris nodded quickly. “Yeah. Just a little off the top and sides.”

Alexandra hummed, pretending to consider it. “Hmm. Boring, but okay.”

She reached for her shears, and Chris exhaled slightly in relief. He had avoided the clippers.

For now.

Alexandra ran her fingers through his hair, lifting sections, deciding where to cut. Her nails grazed his scalp slightly, and Chris swallowed hard.

Then—snip.

The first lock of curls fell onto the cape.

Chris bit the inside of his cheek, forcing himself to act normal.

Alexandra continued to cut methodically, her hands brushing against his skin as she shaped the new style. She was taking her time, making sure he felt every careful movement.

And Chris?

Chris was losing his mind.

This was different from his usual haircuts. Maybe it was the way Alexandra stood just a little too close, her breath warm against his ear as she adjusted the angle of his head. Maybe it was the way she smirked every time he tensed.

Or maybe, it was the fact that she knew.

She knew how much this affected him.

And she was enjoying every second of it.

Just as Alexandra snipped away another curl, the door to the other room burst open.

Maria stormed out, fuming, her cheeks flushed.

Behind her, Katerina followed calmly.

Maria glared at Alexandra. “Fine,” she snapped. “Cut it.”

Chris blinked, confused.

Wait—she agreed?

Alexandra, delighted, set down the scissors and gestured toward the empty salon chair.

Maria plopped down angrily. “Just the stupid bob. That’s it.”

Alexandra nodded, picking up her shears.

Maria tightened her jaw.

Then—snip.

The first cut was brutal.

Alexandra severed Maria’s ponytail at the base of her nape.

Chris sucked in a breath.

There was no going back now.

Maria stared in shock at her reflection, her once-long hair now hacked away.

For a second, everything was still.

Then, Maria made a mistake.

She opened her mouth.

“This is so fucking stu—”

“Enough.”

Katerina’s voice cut through the air like a blade.

Maria shut up instantly.

Katerina stepped forward, her expression cold and unyielding.

“You know what?” she said. “Forget the bob.”

Maria froze.

Alexandra perked up, intrigued.

Katerina folded her arms. “Buzz her.”

Maria’s entire body stiffened. “Wait. No. What?!”

“Buzz it all off,” Katerina said, her voice calm, firm. “Since she clearly can’t keep her mouth shut.”

Chris felt his stomach drop.

Alexandra’s grin widened.

“Oh, I like this idea,” she mused, already reaching for the clippers.

Maria started to protest, but Katerina held up a finger.

“One more word,” she said coldly. “Alexandra will shave you bald and your eyebrows, too.”

Maria went pale.

Chris felt a strange mix of emotions as Alexandra clicked the clippers on.

And as the buzzing sound filled the air, Chris realized something.

This wasn’t just about Maria anymore.

His turn was coming.

Maria’s Meltdown & The Drastic Decision

The clippers roared to life, filling the salon with their unmistakable buzzing hum.

Maria sat frozen, her face pale, eyes darting between the mirror and the clippers in Alexandra’s hand. She gripped the armrests of the chair so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Chris couldn’t look away.

His heart pounded as Alexandra pressed a hand against Maria’s head, tilting it forward. The moment stretched, drawn out agonizingly long as Alexandra hovered the clippers over Maria’s nape.

Then—they made contact.

A sharp rasp echoed through the room as the first pass of the clippers sliced through Maria’s remaining hair.

Chris swallowed hard.

The shorn strands tumbled down onto the cape, onto the floor—soft, lifeless, completely erased.

Maria let out a sharp breath, gripping the chair even harder. She kept her mouth shut, but Chris could see her whole body trembling.

Katerina stood nearby, arms crossed, her face unreadable.

Alexandra, meanwhile, was enjoying herself.

With slow, methodical movements, she guided the clippers higher, stripping away the length at the back. The contrast was stark—bare, pale skin exposed beneath the dark strands.

Chris’s breathing hitched.

Something inside him twisted in a way he didn’t fully understand.

He should’ve felt bad for Maria. He should’ve been horrified.

But instead?

His entire body was buzzing with something else entirely.

Maria, to her credit, stayed silent. But her defiance still burned in her eyes, even as more of her hair was taken.

Chris wasn’t sure if he admired it or feared it.

Then Alexandra moved to the sides, guiding the clippers just above Maria’s ears, shaving the fade down to the skin.

Maria’s breath came out shaky. Her fingers twitched, like she wanted to reach up and stop it but knew she couldn’t.

Chris clenched his jaw, forcing himself to stay still.

And then, Alexandra turned the chair slightly, making sure Chris had a perfect view.

She met his gaze in the mirror.

And she smirked.

Chris’s stomach flipped.

She knew.

She had known all along.

And now? She was putting on a show.

Chris tried to look away—tried to force his mind to think about something, anything else.

But the sight of Maria’s barely-there buzzcut, the sharp fade down to the skin, the low hum of the clippers vibrating through the room—it was all too much.

Chris shifted in his seat, suddenly acutely aware of the heat creeping up his neck.

Alexandra’s grin widened.

She turned off the clippers, brushing the remaining hair from Maria’s shoulders. The salon fell into tense silence.

Maria stared at herself in the mirror.

Her once-long hair was completely gone.

Her scalp was visible through the soft shadow of stubble that remained, her features sharper, more exposed.

She opened her mouth—then stopped.

Because Katerina was watching her.

And Maria knew the deal.

One more word, and her eyebrows would go too.

Chris could almost feel the weight of her rage, simmering just beneath the surface.

Alexandra gave the top of Maria’s head a playful pat. “Looks good on you, darling.”

Maria’s nostrils flared, but she didn’t respond.

Chris was still staring, his pulse racing, when Katerina finally turned to him.

“All right, Chris,” she said. “Your turn.”

Chris’s stomach dropped.

The room felt smaller, hotter.

Maria whipped her head toward him, eyes lighting up with sadistic glee.

“Oh, this is gonna be fun,” she muttered under her breath.

Chris swallowed hard.

“Wait,” Alexandra cut in smoothly, holding up a hand.

Chris exhaled in relief.

Maybe she was going to let him off the hook.

Maybe he’d get a simple trim after all—

“I think we should do something a little different,” Alexandra purred, running her fingers through his curls.

Chris went rigid.

Katerina raised an eyebrow. “What do you suggest?”

Maria, still fuming but clearly enjoying this, smirked. “Give him the exact same cut as me.”

Chris’s heart nearly stopped.

A buzzcut like Maria’s?

No.

No way.

He opened his mouth to protest, but Alexandra cut in again.

“Oh, Katerina,” she said sweetly. “Let’s not be too drastic. A little shorter, sure—but I think we can leave some length.”

Chris almost sagged in relief.

But then Alexandra leaned down, her lips just inches from his ear.

Her breath was warm against his skin.

And then she whispered, just for him to hear:

“Not today, sweetheart. But in two weeks? I’m shaving you bald.”

Chris’s entire body stiffened.

A slow, creeping shiver crawled up his spine.

She straightened, smiling innocently.

Katerina nodded in approval. “Fine. Keep it short, but not as drastic as Maria’s.”

Maria huffed in annoyance. “Oh, come on!”

But Katerina had made her decision.

Chris was too shocked to argue.

His mind was stuck on Alexandra’s words.

He barely noticed as she tilted his head forward, the scissors slicing through his curls.

She cut with precision, taking off more and more, shorter than he had ever gone before.

And with every deliberate snip, Chris felt his heart pound harder and harder.

Because now, he wasn’t just losing his hair.

He was on a countdown.

A countdown to something he wasn’t sure he was ready for.

And as Alexandra gave him a final knowing smile, he realized—

In two weeks, he’d be back.

And he wouldn’t be leaving with just a haircut.

A Whispered Warning

Chris sat frozen in the salon chair, still reeling from Alexandra’s whispered words.

Not today, sweetheart. But in two weeks? I’m shaving you bald.

The words echoed in his head, making his stomach tighten in a way he couldn’t quite understand.

His breath hitched as Alexandra’s shears worked quickly, cutting away his thick curls.

Snip. Snip. Snip.

Strands of hair fell onto the cape, sliding down to the floor, joining the remnants of Maria’s old style.

Chris wasn’t sure how to feel.

This wasn’t like his usual haircuts—quick trims, barely noticeable changes. This was different.

Alexandra was cutting him short. Shorter than he’d ever gone before. Shorter than he’d agreed to.

But even worse?

She was enjoying it.

He could tell from the way she smirked in the mirror, the way her fingers lingered in his hair just a little too long, the way she whispered so only he could hear.

“Poor baby,” she cooed, dragging the comb through his remaining length. “You look so nervous.”

Chris’s face burned.

He tried to ignore her, but the heat in his stomach wouldn’t settle.

He shouldn’t be enjoying this. He shouldn’t be reacting at all.

But he was.

And Alexandra knew it.

She switched to clippers, snapping on a guard before tilting his head forward.

The low hum filled his ears.

Chris’s hands clenched under the cape.

And then—she started buzzing.

The vibration sent a shockwave through his scalp.

His pulse spiked.

The clippers glided over the back of his head, shearing away the last of his curls.

Chris felt everything—the gentle pressure of Alexandra’s hand, the soft rasp of hair being stripped away, the cold rush of air against newly exposed skin.

And he could see Maria watching.

Her lips curled in amusement.

“Oh, man,” she muttered. “Chris, you’re so screwed.”

Chris swallowed hard, avoiding her gaze.

Alexandra lifted his chin, forcing him to meet her eyes in the mirror.

“I bet you feel lighter already,” she mused.

Chris didn’t answer.

His reflection stared back at him—a completely different version of himself.

The thick waves that once framed his face were gone, replaced by a sharp, faded cut that left him almost unrecognizable.

His jawline stood out more, his features sharper, stronger.

It should’ve made him feel relieved.

Instead?

He felt exposed.

Vulnerable.

Like Alexandra had just taken more than his hair.

She switched guards, sharpening the fade, tapering the back down even shorter.

Chris’s legs tensed beneath the cape.

Then, just as he thought it was over, Alexandra leaned down again, her lips barely brushing against his ear.

And she whispered—so low only he could hear:

“I should’ve taken it all off.”

Chris’s breath hitched.

He went rigid, his pulse thundering in his chest.

Alexandra’s fingers brushed the back of his neck.

She sighed dramatically. “But I guess you’re not ready yet.”

Chris felt a shiver crawl down his spine.

Not ready yet?

His stomach flipped.

She was planning something.

He didn’t know how. He didn’t know why.

But he knew—this wasn’t over.

She dusted off his neck and pulled the cape away.

“All done,” she chirped.

Chris exhaled shakily.

Katerina stepped forward, nodding in approval. “This is much better.”

Maria snorted. “It’s still unfair. He got off easy.”

Katerina shot her a warning glance. “Don’t push it.”

Maria huffed, crossing her arms.

Chris slowly stood up, running a hand over his freshly buzzed hair.

It felt so different.

But the strangest part?

He already missed the feeling of the clippers.

And Alexandra knew it.

She watched him, a glint of amusement flickering in her icy blue eyes.

Then, as if reading his mind, she spoke.

“Well,” she said, brushing stray hairs from her wrist. “You’ll both need touch-ups in two weeks.”

Chris stiffened.

Maria groaned. “Ugh. No way. I’m not coming back here.”

Katerina arched a brow. “Oh, you’re coming.”

Maria slumped. “This sucks.”

Katerina ignored her, turning to Alexandra. “Thank you. I’ll bring them back in two weeks.”

Alexandra smirked. “Perfect.”

Chris’s stomach churned.

Two weeks.

Two weeks until he’d be sitting in this chair again.

Two weeks until Alexandra had him under her clippers again.

Two weeks until—

He swallowed hard.

He had no idea what would happen next.

But something told him…

Alexandra did.