Sixteen-year-old Yasmine Emori Sanders was getting ready to start at a new high school. She recently moved in with her sister Charlie after her mother's death. The death ultimately took a toll on her. She didn't eat or sleep for weeks. Her mother wa...
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Hours Later..... As Yasmine lay on her bed, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, seeing Soreia's name light up. She hesitated, her thumb hovering over the screen, but curiosity (and maybe a hint of loneliness) won out.
"Hey, stranger!" Soreia's voice was bright and full of energy.
"Hey." Yasmine managed a small smile, comforted by her friend's familiar enthusiasm.
Soreia, sensing the melancholy in Yasmine's voice, didn't push. "Listen, I had this idea—why don't we hit the salon this weekend? We could go all out with matching hairstyles! I've been saving ideas forever. You in?"
The thought of a new look—and a bonding day with Soreia—made Yasmine feel a spark of excitement. "That... actually sounds really good."
"Perfect!" Soreia's voice bubbled with excitement. "We'll be twins! And after the salon, we can hit the mall—just like old times. We'll make a whole day out of it."
The idea of a full day with Soreia felt like exactly what Yasmine needed. "Okay, I'm in. A new style and a shopping spree—maybe it'll turn things around."
"Exactly!" Soreia laughed. "Let's spoil ourselves a little. Meet me at my place around noon?"
Yasmine felt a bit of warmth return as she hung up, already looking forward to Saturday and the distraction it would bring.
Saturday arrived, and by noon, Yasmine was at Soreia's doorstep, greeted by her friend's familiar grin. Soreia pulled her into a hug, squeezing tight. "You ready for the best day ever?"
They headed to the salon first, and as the stylists worked, Soreia scrolled through her phone, showing Yasmine different styles they could try. After a few back-and-forth ideas, they settled on matching blue wigs with each style personalized just enough to complement their features.
As the stylist added the final touches, Soreia caught Yasmine's eye in the mirror, giving her a playful wink. "See? Fresh hair, fresh start. You look amazing!"
Yasmine laughed, feeling lighter. "I feel like a different person. Maybe this is exactly what I needed."
Leaving the salon with renewed energy, they made their way to the mall. The familiar hum of people, the smell of pretzels from the food court, and the rows of shops filled Yasmine with nostalgia. She hadn't realized how much she missed these moments with Soreia.
They hopped from store to store, trying on clothes, picking out matching accessories, and goofing off in between. At one point, Soreia tossed a fuzzy hat onto Yasmine's head and snapped a picture before Yasmine could even protest.
"Gorgeous!" Soreia declared, laughing at Yasmine's exaggerated eye roll.
After hours of shopping bags and laughter, they finally took a break in the food court, sipping on smoothies and catching up.
