The Bloody Rose

Chapter Two

I was woken up by a loud knock. What was with these people? I walked up to the door and opened it a crack. There was a girl standing at my door. Her hair was in a pixie cut that didn't reach further than her chin. The ends were dyed bright pink.

"Who are you?" I asked her.

"My name is Solace and I'm here to help you get a make over," she grinned.

"A make over?" I asked, shocked.

"Yep. We're going to bring out the other side of you," she pulled me along.

"Wait! Where are we going?" I followed her downstairs.

"To get your hair done." she said matter-of-factly.

"My hair?" I touched the ends of my hair.

"Yes your hair." she turned to face me. "Have you ever heard of layering?"

"Well yes but---," I started.

"No buts." she held out her finger. "Trust me."

We went down stairs into the… basement? Only it wasn't a basement. I was like a miniature city. She dragged me all the way to a small stall with a few mirrors and chairs. 

"Go on. Tell them how you want your hair done. I'll be back in ten," she dashed off leaving me in the stall. 

"Erm… hi," I said to the guy sitting in a plastic chair.

"You want to get your hair done?" he asked me.

"I guess so," I said.

"Okay. Take a seat," I sat in a chair facing a mirror and he stood behind me. "I'm Emory."

"Destiny," he pulled a brush through my hair.

"So, what would you like?" I thought about it for a bit.

"Can I get it layered and have it frame my face a bit better?" I asked.

"Sure," he grabbed a pair of scissors, "Any length change?"

"No." I had waist long hair and that I was something I was never going to give up that. 

"So how long have you been here for?" Emory asked me.

"I arrived last night," I admitted.

He laughed, "Should've expected that."

"What do you mean?" I frowned.

"Solace likes to drag every newbie down here before many people see them," he grinned.

"Why?" I asked.

"She's a big believer in expressing yourself," he grabbed a comb off the table. I watched as he moved quickly, snipping away at little pieces of hair. By the end it felt so much more lighter and not so messed up. "What do you think?"

"It's great!" I smiled, "What do I owe you?" 

"Nothing. All of us here do this because we enjoy it." he grinned.

"Thank you," Solace returned with a little bag.

"Nice." she grabbed my arm, "See ya Em!"

"Where are we going now?" I asked.

"Just walk around see what else you might be interested in." she shrugged. We walked directly past a piercing stall. I stopped. "What is it?"

"There," I pointed at the stall.

"Piercings?" she asked. "I didn't pin you as the type."

"I've always wanted lots of earrings. I don't know why but I have." I headed over.