Splash of Vodka

Time For Change

"Carter," I smirk. She looks at me, with question filled eyes. "I think it is time for a change.

My best friends eyes light up, and I can't help but smile. Wrapping her arms around me, she squeezes me tight. "I knew this day would come!

A small laugh escapes my lips as I hug her back. Feeling her warm embrace, I knew that this is the right thing. It's what I need to do.

We let go of each other. With a smile on her face, and excitement in her eyes, I can already tell what she is about to say. "Get dressed, we are going shopping!" 

I hop out of bed and walk to my closet, pulling out a mini green, laced romper and putting it on, not caring that Carter is sitting on my bed, watching me with joy filled eyes. I can tell she has been waiting for this day to come for a long time. And if I am being honest, so was I. 

***

The summer breeze blows through my hair, giving me a refreshed feeling as my best friend drives her silver convertible Camaro through the streets. 

I rest my arm on the door, my hand rolling with the wave of the wind passing as we drive. A thought passes my mind, and before I could even consider it, the question escapes my lips. "What would you think if I were to change my hair colour?" 

I turn to face her to watch her reaction. Her face is brightened, as she gives me a small glance before answering. "I love your hair the way it is, but it wouldn't be a full changed makeover if you didn't try something different with your hair. What are you thinking?"

I bite my lip, I didn't really think about the colour. Currently my hair is a dull brown, I never really liked it much. To me, it feels boring. All the popular girls in school have blond hair, making them look preppy and cute. I could never compare to them with this boring colour. "How about red? I feel like I could look like a baddie with red hair," I suggest the thought out loud.

"I think red would look very sexy, everyone will be all over you and no one at school has red hair. You would stand out against all the other girls". She gives me a wink and in that moment, I decided it's what I'll do. The thought of boys finding me sexy pleases me, and I can't help but smile and shake my head at the thought. No one is going to mess with me once we are done here.

"You know," Carter starts, looking at me with the corner of her eye. "You could always change your name, too. If you really want to go all out". I haven't thought about that.  I mean, if I really want people to think of me differently, changing my name wouldn't be a bad thing at all. 

"I could.. But  what should I change it to?" I turn to her, hoping that she has an idea. I don't want to change it to something weird that makes me sound like more of a nerd than I already am. 

"That's for you to decide, I can't choose it for you if you'll be sticking with it. I can give you ideas if you would like. But you have to decide for yourself". 

I'm really going to have to think about this. I know Carter will give me great choices, and I sure would need all the help I can get. But I want to choose something powerful, something everyone would remember in a good way. In a way they wouldn't think of me and know that I'm a loser. 

***

"Now turn around, tell me, what do you think doll face?" The gay hair dresser questions me. As my eyes land on the mirror in front of me, I see a beautiful girl sitting there. She has beautiful red hair, her blue eyes contrasting against the bright hair colour. She looks gorgeous, hot, sexy! Is this me? 

"Who is she?" I can't help but say out loud. 

"That's you, and you look hot!" The guy says to me, filling me with confidence. I can't help but blush a little, I really do look hot! 

I turn to Carter, wanting to hear her opinion and her face is lit up with happiness, with a bright smile on her face. "Who's that sexy girl that I call my best friend?" She says.

"Her name is Rosa," I say with a wink and turn back to look at myself in the mirror. I haven't thought about the name much, well. I have, but I couldn't settle on a name. None of them sounded right to me. But seeing myself in the mirror right here and now, it just came to me. And it fits perfectly! This makeover will make everyone want to be my friend. And the best part is, no one will remember who I was before. 

"Well, Rosa dear, all the boys, or girls, will turn for a second look when they see you!" Noah squeezes my shoulders lightly to show he cares. We told him my whole story and he felt really bad. Not out of pity, though. He understood. Growing up as a kid, he knew he liked guys. And when he came out at the start of high school, he got heavily made fun of for it. It doesn't bother him so much now because he's a famous hair dresser where as his high school bullies are stuck in the same town they were born and grew up in, not making it anywhere in life.

"Thank you, really. I only look like this because of you and I can't thank you enough!" I turn around in my chair to stand up and give him a hug. Noah rubs my back before placing his hands on my shoulders and pushing me back to look him in the eyes. 

"Oh, please my dear. You always looked like this. It was just waiting for the right time to come out!" He smiles and we give the two French kisses, you know, you kiss the left cheek and then the right. "And Rosa, from now on. You come to me and me only to touch up your hair or makeup, or even if you need help finding some cute outfits. I will be here for you!" 

I can't help but have a huge smile on my face. I think I have a new gay best friend, and I love it so much! "I appreciate your help so much and look forward to our upcoming events!" 

He smiles and is about to say something when the door bell rings and someone steps through the front door. "As much as I would love to chat with you lovely ladies, I have a customer to attend to! I'll see you girls soon!"

"Thank you again, Noah! I'll be over again soon!" 

He gives us a little wave as he welcomes his customer into a seat and starts talking with her. 

We step outside and I breath in the fresh air. Welcome to the world, Rosa. This is a new life and everyone is going to love you! I can't help but think to myself. 

With shopping bags filling the trunk and the back seats, Carter and I get in the front and drive off to find a restaurant to have supper at. 

"Hey Rosa, I need to let you know.." My best friend starts and I look at her in question. "I have some news for you, but I'll wait to tell you when we are eating so that we can talk more about it". I can't help but wonder what she is talking about, hopefully it isn't bad news...

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Question: what do you think the news Carter has could be? Do you think it will be positive or negative?

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this, or are interested in finding out what happens next, add this story to your library and I will try to update weekly!