Reece lay in her room, her body sore and she wanted to cry from the aching, but she was too tired. Her first chemo treatment interrupted her therapy session, which was still being conducted so it would be no good to try and get to Cole. She glanced at the time on her phone, mentally calculating how much longer she would have to wait to text him.
She had a task for her new-found friend, and he was the only one who could perform. Of course she first thought asking her mom or older friends to do it, but they would up breaking down not finishing it, and her father had to lay down after they got back too; from anxiety and heartbreak rather than physical aching. Absentmindedly, her long fingers ran through her hair, which felt like comforting silk.
Reece knew she was probably too demanding, but there was no more time to be timid and conservative. It was better to run head-long into what she needed to, rather than prolonging things. Time was precious to her, and there would be no wasting it. If he refused, she would take matters into her own hands, and that's how it would have to be. She sighed, and opened her book, delving into an adventure of a vampire and her human toy. She wasn't a huge fan of such stories normally, but this one was by her favorite author, so she could see no harm. She jumped when her phone buzzed, and held a hand to her chest, trying to calm her breath and heart.
hey, u ok? noticed u werent at therapy.
The girl smiled, and replied quickly.
eh, had a doc. thing. can you come over 4 dinner?
The message sent, and he saw it. There was a few minutes hesitation, but then the little icon popped up happily, showing he decided to answer.
mom said it was fine. b there in 20.
Reece lay the phone back down on the comforter, and dragged herself out of bed and sighed at the protest of her body. Her feet hit the tiles of her stairs, and she flounced on the couch ungracefully, waiting.
_____
Cole was on time, much to her delight. He smiled at her, and she returned it easily.
"Hey, I have to ask you to help me with something." Reece said, letting him in. Cole nodded and shrugged off his overshirt, laying it to drape tiredly over a chair.
"Whatever you need. You must be pretty... uncomfortable." He muttered. She shrugged, and grabbed his wrist, eliciting a surprised grunt from him, steering him to the upstairs bathroom, where there was a small chair at ready. Reece sat, and pointed to the electric razor plugged into the wall.
"You know how to use that, right?"
"Yeah, I own one. Got to make sure my beard doesn't scare people off." Cole winked, rubbing his hair-free chin. "Why?"
"Good." She simply replied, grabbing the tool and clicking it on. The angry buzz filled the room, like a hornet caught in a jar. Her thin, dainty hand dropped the thing in his hands, causing him a gruff and sharp yell. She laughed, and pointed to her head, and her hair that flowed along her shoulders. "I need you to shave it off. All of it."
"What?" Cole looked at her, brows furrowed in concern. She turned away and looked down in a brief phase of sadness.
"It's going to disappear anyway. Might as well get it over with."
The razor only growled in response, until she felt large warm hands stroke the ends of her hair.
"If that's what you want." He murmured softly, as if not wanting to startle her. Reece nodded, and he sighed, and the buzz got louder to her. Suddenly it was muffled and she was a little startled of metal touching her scalp on her left side. Her hair dropped to the floor, dead and graceful. Both of them sat in silence, while she watched the event in the mirror, her eyes watering. Quickly she wiped the water away, and smiled. The sound of the razor and the calm of the room made her fatigue grow, and she dozed for bit, thinking of head-scarf patterns and colors, and how to match them with her favorite outfits.
Cole's hands found her shoulder gently after a bit, stirring her eyes open. Reece stared at her reflection, a familiar stranger. Her hair was gone, emphasizing her cheekbones and plump lips.
"Good?" The male rumble said, sounding slightly pained. She figured it was just as hard for him as it was her.
"Yes. Thank you." She stood, brushing off the last of the strands that clung to her, and unplugged the razor. "I'll clean up later. Come on, let's see how the parentals will take it!" She laughed, turning off the light behind her and closing the door, leaving part of herself inside.
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A/N: Sorry it's short. I have stuff to do, but I'll update later.
Aww, my babies. Poor Reecie... but don't worry, Cole will kid all the booboos better ;) Haha!
