I hear Kelly gasp behind me.
"Uh. Hi." I say breathlessly. Is this happening? For real?
"Hi!" Kelly says, stepping closer to me to shake Michael's hand. I stare into those green eyes, afraid this is a dream.
"Do I know you?" I ask. Duh you know him, idiot!
"You might know me, I'm in this band-" Michael starts, but Kelly cuts him off.
"You're Michael Clifford!"
He smiles. "Yeah! But not so loud, my band will hear you guys." He winks at us. I'm still staring, frozen.
He takes the dye box out of Kelly's hand. "Who's this for?" He asks. Kelly points at me. I get major butterflies as Michael looks into my eyes, at my face, and he twirles my hair in his fingers." Pink." He says.
"What?" Kelly asks.
"She'd look perfect in pink. Oh. And I didn't get your names." He says, smirking. As if he knows he's killing ny insides. Kelly introduces us. "My name's Kelly, and this is Tabitha."
He laughs." Tabitha? Like, the girl on instagram? The one with a fan page?"
Oh shit.
My eyes widen.
Oh shit!
I blush.
"Tabitha! You do!" Kelly says through gritted teeth.
"How do you know?" I ask. My voice comes out normal, dispite the internal war raging within me.
"Oh, cause... ya know. I study my fans." He winks.
Michael Clifford, you really didn't need that wink. Now I might as well die on the spot. Shit.
"Can I have your number?" Michael asks. I stare into his eyes... they're hypnotizing.
"Uh sure." I say. I quickly take out a pen and write my number on his arm. He smiles, and Kelly is practically frozen.
"Nice meeting you, Tabitha, Kelly. I'll keep in touch." Michael winks again, and takes a box of pink from the shelf. He walks down the aisle, leaving us to our thoughts.
"FUCK." Kelly whispers, "did that just happen?"
I gulp. "I hope so!"
Kelly grabs a pink box from the shelf. "If Michael Clifford says pink is your color, then pink we will dye!" She says.
"Pink we'll die?" I say, jokingly.
"No, stupid. Dye not die!" We laugh together and bring the box to check out. The clerk seems abnormally happy. "Did you know Michael Clifford is in this store?" She says, showing a bubbly smile.
Kelly nods. "We know." I wink at her.
~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~
At Kelly's house, after we dye my hair, I admire her work in the mirror. Michael was right, pink looks good on me. Kelly walks back into her room from getting food from the kitchen. "Michael is a fucking genius. How does he know this shit?" She mumbles.
I laugh. "Not sure. But I'd expect it from a guy who dyes his hair all the time."
"True!" Kelly laughs, popping a chip into her mouth.
I sigh. "Do you think he'll call?" I ask, probably sounding dreamy.
"Idk, but seriously. He asked! That's bragging rights." Kelly laughs.
Looking at the clock, I announce I need to go home. Kelly drives, and hands me a scullcap before I get out. I nod, knowing what to do. I wave a goodbye and step out of the car.
Kelly drives away, and I'd like to think it was all a wonderful dream, but my pink hair reminds me that it was real. I tuck all my hair inside the hat and walk into my house.
Mom is right inside, but I didn't do anything wrong, so she ignores me. I go to my room, and before I know it, I'm asleep.
