Everything with you

Part 46

Emma

The mirror in front of me reflected someone I barely recognized. I tilted my head slightly, running my fingers through my freshly cut hair. The once long, dark strands that used to cascade down my back were now gone, replaced by a sleek, shoulder-length style. The color had been lightened, soft caramel highlights catching the light in a way that made me look... brighter. Different.

Hayley stood behind her, grinning like she'd just won the lottery. "Told you it would look amazing," she said, her tone triumphant. "Short hair suits you, Em. It's bold, confident—like you should be."

I smiled faintly, brushing the ends with my fingers again. I didn't feel bold or confident yet, but looking at myself like this, I wondered if I could be. The new hair was a stark contrast to how I'd looked—and felt—only hours ago. It was strange, but maybe that was the point.

"I don't know," I said, my voice hesitant as I turned my head to see the cut from another angle. "It's... a lot to get used to."

"That's the whole idea," Hayley said, plopping down in the salon chair next to me. "You've been stuck in your head for weeks, and your hair was practically screaming, 'I'm in a rut.' This? This is you taking a step forward."

I chuckled softly, my lips curling into a small, genuine smile. "I guess."

"Hey." Hayley leaned closer, resting her chin in her palm. "It's not just about the breakup, you know. This is about you. You needed a change, and now you've got it. Besides, you look freaking stunning."

I finally let myself smile fully, meeting my own eyes in the mirror. The lightened color brought out her features in a way I hadn't noticed before, and the shorter cut made me feel lighter—like I was shedding a version of myself I didn't want to carry anymore.

"Thanks, Hay," I said, my voice soft but sincere.

Hayley grinned. "Anytime. Now, how about we grab some coffee and let the world admire your fabulous new look?"

I laughed, standing up and giving my reflection one last look. "Yeah," she said, my shoulders squaring slightly. "Let's do it."

As they walked out of the salon, the cool air brushed against my freshly trimmed hair, and for the first time in weeks, I felt like I could breathe.

I stepped into my childhood home, the faint smell of lavender and lemon cleaner greeting me as I closed the door behind me. The familiarity of the place wrapped around me like a blanket, yet something about being here felt different this time. My mom poked her head out from the kitchen, her eyes lighting up when she saw me.

"There she is!" my mom said, wiping her hands on a dishtowel as she hurried over. She stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening as she took in my new hair. "Oh, my goodness, look at you! Your hair—it's gorgeous!"

I smiled, tucking a strand behind my ear. "Thanks, Mom. Hayley talked me into it."

"Well, she did you a favor," her mom said, cupping Emma's face briefly before pulling her into a hug. "You look radiant."

They settled in the kitchen, where a steaming pot of soup simmered on the stove, and the table was already set for two. My dad was working and would only come for dinner today. As we ate, I braced myself for the inevitable conversation about Justin. My mom had been vocal about her disapproval of him from the start, and I was certain she'd have something to say about the breakup.

But the topic didn't come up. Instead, my mom asked about Hayley, my exams, and my plans for the summer. She even cracked a few jokes, her mood light and cheerful in a way that caught me off guard.