Lost and Found

7 | blake

The week draws out slowly, the days starting to feel more like years and the minutes more like hours. It seems like it takes forever for Friday to roll around, though I'm excited when it does.

I have two classes on Fridays, both during the afternoon. I consider myself lucky because I get to sleep in those days before heading to campus for class.

Once my classes are over, I head to the dorm. Walking in, I smile down at my phone as the screen lights up with a text from Dylan, reminding me of our coffee date in an hour. I respond to tell him that I can't wait, entering my dorm in a blissful daze.

However, my daze breaks the moment I lay eyes on Jess.

I stare at Jess with wide eyes, taking the scene before me in. I have to blink a few times to make sure I'm not seeing things.

Jess is leaning over the bathroom sink with the door open. When she notices me, she cries, "Oh, hey Blake!" like everything is perfectly normal. I take in the towel on the floor beneath her and the little boxes scattered around the bathroom counter. Then there's the fact that Jess's hair is utterly white.

Confused, I ask, "What on earth are you doing?"

"Give me a minute," Jess replies. She stands up right, wrapping her hair in a towel before tossing a few boxes into the trash can. Exiting the bathroom, Jess wanders toward me and takes a seat in the chair by the desk. "I know I look crazy, but I'm not."

"Jess," I say slowly, "what are you doing?"

"Remember how I told you I want the lead in the play my drama class is putting on?" Jess prompts. "Well, when we were practicing for our auditions today, I noticed that Mrs. Cyrus was paying a lot of attention to Taylor Clarkson—who is blond. I figured that if I really want to get cast as Aurora, I'd have to up my game. So . . ." Jess trails off, glancing up at me expectantly.

My eyes go wide as I connect the dots Jess has given me. "Don't tell me you dyed your hair . . ."

"Surprise!" Jess exclaims meekly. "I know it was an irrational decision, but I really want to get this part. I probably should have gone to a hair dresser, but I figured it couldn't be that hard to dye my own hair. So I went to the drugstore and bought a few blond packs, because, you know, I have really dark hair. I got the temporary kind that washes out after a few months. I guess I'm a blonde like you now!"

"Oh my God, Jess," I say in a breath, surveying the bathroom. "How many boxes of dye did you use?"

Jess frowns thoughtfully. "About . . . ten?" she mumbles after a moment, expression sheepish. "Do you think that's too many?"

"I hope not," I say, shaking my head. "I guess we'll see after you wash your hair. If it looks weird, I can drive you to the salon across town."

"No you can't," Jess argues. "You have a date with Mr. Doctor in Training, remember?"

"Well, yeah, but—"

Jess holds a hand up to stop me short. "You're not going to miss this date, especially not because of me. I know what happened with Noah really hurt you, but you're finally getting back out there! A guy that is cute, totally sweet, and learning to be a doctor is interested in you! I'm not going to let you mess this up."

I can't help but laugh as Jess shoots me a pointed look. I know she's right. Despite how nervous I am to get back into a relationship, I should at least go out on this date with Dylan. He is cute, and definitely sweet. Who knows where this thing with him could lead? Dylan is the kind of guy I'd like to keep around, and I'm not quite ready to break things off with him yet.

"Fine," I agree, smiling. "I guess I'll get ready while you wash your hair. I'm not missing your blonde debut."

Jess is laughing as she wanders back into the bathroom, closing the door behind her and starting the shower. As Jess takes care of her newly dyed hair, I shift through the clothes in my closet, trying to find an outfit to wear.

I'm finishing getting ready as the bathroom door opens to reveal Jess. I wait in excited anticipation as she exits the bathroom.

"Well?" Jess asks me after a moment, sounding nervous. "What do you think?"

Studying my best friend closely, I begin to smile. Her hair cascades down her shoulders in soft honey-blond waves. Her hair doesn't look dried out or ruined in the slightest.

"You look awesome!" I exclaim. The new blond color brings out the warm undertones of her brown eyes, so they don't look as dark as usual. She also looks more tan than she did before.

"You think?" Jess questions as if she doesn't fully believe me, turning to study her reflection in the mirror hanging on the wall. "I don't know. It's really different."

"True." I wrap an arm around her as I smile at our reflections. "But different isn't necessarily a bad thing. Change can be nice every once in a while."

Meeting my own gaze in the mirror, my smile fades as I find myself wondering if I even believe my own words.

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a/n: today has been a major off day for me sjsjsj. but! here's a third update bc i don't know what else to do.