Breakout

Chapter 1

Tomorrow is the first day of school and all I can think about is the epic tragedy that is being the "new girl". I'm just lucky mom decided to enroll me in a new school. Still, the pressure is on even when you don't know the people you'll be spending most of your days with. If I'm lucky I'll get to keep my head down for most of them.

It's been a year since I've been in such a formal setting and while it's still nerve wracking. I'd be crazy if I said I wasn't looking forward to getting my life back on track.

My mom seems to think this year will be good as long as I stay out of trouble. In that case, I can guarantee this year will be good because that's exactly what I'm planning to do.

I make my way to the hair salon down town as I contemplate what my schedule will look like for the year. I walk in to find one of my old friends sitting behind the receptionist's counter. She smiles when she sees me brushing her left hand through her pixie cut as was her habit.
"So you got out huh ?"
"Yeah, a few days ago."
"What was it like ?"
"Definitely not what I expected"

She nods. Fingering through the diary on the counter. Kirsty never really asked more than exactly what she wanted to know. I liked that about her. She was straightforward with everyone she knew; making her one of the most realistic people you would ever meet.

"You got an appointment?"
"Yeah. My mom made one yesterday."

She gets up from the counter and walks 'round gesturing to one of the empty chairs.

"Have a seat, milady"

I take a seat in the chair and look at my reflection in the mirror. My hair is brown. A shade so dark it seems black unless I'm standing in direct sunlight. I've always loved my hair. This year however I'm looking for change. As I look over my options. A plump lady with bangs walks in, she drops her Gucci handbag on the counter and starts barking orders at Kirsty. When she sees me she squeals and hurries over to my chair hugging me from the side.

"Oh, Sage hunny I'm so happy to see you. Your mom told me you were coming."
"Hi aunt Sarah."
"Oh doll, you know how I feel about that word!"
I chuckle, "I mean, hi Sarah"
"That's better." She smiles her broad smile and carries on to place a salon cape around me.
"I was perfectly happy to make a house call, you know"
"I know, but I like it here and it gives me reason to get out of the house a little."
"Ah, that's right sweetheart. You've been cooped up too long." She smiles a sad smile and I know she's trying not to bring up my brief stint in juvi. I'm okay with everyone knowing that I just got out of prison but it seems everybody from the postman to my neighbors are trying to sweep it under the rug. I've never been able to cope with awkward behavior but that's all I've had to deal with since I was released.

Sarah strokes my hair, "Have you got something in mind dear ?" I shake my head.
I want change but I have no idea where to begin. "How about a shit ton of color" Kirsty says with an electric smile.
"Uhm, I'm trying to blend in ..not stand out, K"
"Girrrl, you were made to stand out" she says with a laugh. That really got me thinking. I'd been in juvi for 12 months. My hair grew out and I could barely remember the way I liked it. I sat there and looked at my reflection for a good minute. Sarah stroked my hair and smiled at me.