To Lovingly Hate You

Chance Encounter

Adeline POV

Before I knew it, Mal told me to slow down as we approached a building with a large sign shaped like a pair of scissors hanging off the front, the words "Curl Up and Dye" written on the front in colorful letters. What a clever name, that is so goddamn cute!

I slowly pulled into a little parking spot and put the kickstand down before grabbing the keys, Mal hopped off from behind me. She took a deep breath as she took her helmet off, and once I hopped off I reached for the seat and lifted it up and grabbed the chain and lock I knew should be in there. Mal stepped back and watched, fiddling with her nails as I chained the motorbike to a concrete bar and post, and yeah, you don't usually need to chain up a motorized vehicle. Usually you just... take the keys and you're good! But this is the Isle, I'm sure it can be stolen in other ways, not if I have the key to the ignition and the key to the chain, that makes it a little harder.

I popped both the keys in my pocket and took my helmet off, holding it under my arm as I took my fingerless gloves off and put them in. Mal rested her helmet on the seat, but I kept mine with me, I'm not interested in getting any of my stuff stolen right now.

Also... it is... dreary on land over here, even worse than it was in the ocean.

Everything's... dirty, decrepit, falling apart... so many horrible words, I could list so many to accurately describe this place. It's just... horrible, it... hurts my heart.

Mal led the way and I nearly got sidetracked looking around at my surroundings, but quickly caught up as she walked through the door made of multiple layers of plastic sheets. I held my hand out to clear the way, flinching as each plastic sheet swung back to hit me, but after three layers, I stopped squinting so much and opened my eyes.

And... wow... what a place in such a sad, grey little town.

Loud paint colors splattered all over the walls, and all sorts of crazy decorations lined the ceiling, it just... wow is it insanely cool in here! I looked around in awe, smiling wide at all the hair-cutting stations put in neat lines and the wash station in the back with the drying stations in the middle, all the way to the right there are some mani-pedi stations! This is surprisingly put together! I love the vibe, goodness me!

As we walked further into the salon, I suddenly heard some light humming emanating from the back. My ears perked up and turned towards the sound, and so I looked that way and spotted two little girls, humming and dancing as one swept and one wiped down a countertop,

"Diz? Dizzy?~"

Mal sang as she approached one of the girls, one with big tails decorated with bouncing curled ribbons. The other girl wore mostly red and black, her hair held back by a few braids, and she kept her head down. The other girl quickly looked up and pulled her headphones off onto her neck, her decorated glasses, hair, and outfit are just... perfect to match this place. Now, is the outfit a bit of a modern fashion disaster? Yes, is this a child who at least matches her profession? Yes, so I respect it... even though all the different colors are giving me a bit of a headache.

The young girl, Dizzy I believe, lit up at the sight of Mal. With a high pitch squeal that made my ears shoot up before pinning back, making me flinch as she darted towards Mal and threw her arms around her in a tight hug,

"Mal! Oh my gosh!"

She squealed again, fuck! My damn ears are laid almost perfectly back, which usually only happens when I'm angry, but right now that's just too damn loud! I cocked my head to the side a bit in an attempt to relieve the pressure, but it was only relieved when the girl stopped squealing. I let out a sigh of relief once her squeals were replaced with giggles and rubbed each of my ears for a moment to soothe them and help them come back up after being laid so flat. As for the little girl, she jumped around with glee as she hugged Mal tight, and for once I felt like I really saw Mal just... melt into a soft smile, I suppose she has some good friends over here that really bring out the best in her huh?