Ira didn’t respond for an entire minute, but mercifully, Angel let them stir in silence as he stood on Ray’s other side. Ray shivered as a cool breeze brushed past them but waited for Ira to make up her mind. She wouldn’t force her to get a haircut, or even a trim. This had been merely a suggestion and Ray had seen the way those young eyes had brightened in surprise and excitement at her idea.
Now, however, Ira remained frozen at the foot of the place.
But Ray didn’t mind waiting.
Angel made his presence painfully clear as he sidled close to her softly, his long coat brushing hers as he touched his arm to hers. Ray knew she should shift away from him, but he was so warm and silent that she couldn’t really bring herself to move.
“Iamfourteen, you know,” Ira said suddenly, and Ray turned to her, arching a brow as the girl huffed out, staring at the barber place as if it were hell, “I’m not a kid.”
Ray clicked her tongue, “Then can this fourteen-year-old decide if she wants a haircut?” she asked, making sure to say the words casually. She knew she couldn’t push Ira too far, or she’d never come back to her. But she also had to keep her words friendly enough to nudge her.
Ira’s glare burnt in the side of her head, and Ray’s lips twitched, her head moving to look at her lazily,
“Ladies,” Angel's smooth voice drawled from beside Ray, “Let’s quit– excuseme?Why are the two of you glaring atmenow?”
Ira scoffed at crossed her arms, “Fine.”
“Fine.” Angel echoed and Ray bit back her laugh at their childish expressions.
“Alright,” Ray sang, “I’m heading inside to redo my highlights. Whenever you feel like it, just come in.”
And as soon as she strode ahead, Ira trailed behind her solemnly, muttering under her breath as Ray whooped in her head.
“Good work.” Angel whispered as he passed by her and winked, “Now if you’ll excuse me,” he announced as he veered to the opposite end, “I think I’m going to get my hair done as well.”
“You should look at those eyebrows as well.” Ira mumbled and Angel gasped, his eyes flaring as he started. Ray couldn’t resist it either,
“Yea and that stubble?” she noted, and his eyes narrowed into a deathly glare, “Not doing much for you.”
Ira nodded as Angel scoffed and rubbed his chin, “A man doesn’t shave for a day and that’s how he’s treated.”
“Man, my ass.” Both Ray and Ira said at the same time.
Angel walked away with two fingers lifted in the air, making both of them laugh out loud in surprise. Ray made sure to keep the surprise off her face as Ira’s laugh died down.
But even Angel had noticed that laugh, and had made it clear by sharing a soft glance with her. That look, it had been somuchworse for her mind and her heart because suddenly all Ray could think of was last night.
With him being so close.
With his lips brushing by hers sogently. With her question at the end.
“Ray?” Ira’s soft voice drawled out from beside her and Ray’s attention snapped back to her, “You think I can get a small haircut but keep my bangs?”
Her question jarred her, and Ray furrowed her brows as she took a step close, “Yeah, of course. You have naturally curly hair, I think we can shape it up and keep your bangs as well.” She said, raising her hand to touch her hand and just stopping short to peer down at her,
“May I?” she asked gently and Ira’s eyes widened but she nodded. A brief, small movement thattoreRay’s heart as she placed her hand against her soft hair.
“We can get this part shortened and shaped,” she began, her fingers light grazing the uneven hair on the back of her neck, “And then we can get you some side bangs.” Her hand landed atop her head, moving her hair around to see which parting would suit her best. Ray was still peering at the top of Ira’s head when the girl cleared her throat under her. Ray snapped back, pulling her hand away. She couldn’t bring herself to look at Ira’s face, knowing she’d see discomfort in that gaze, which is why she turned to the empty place.
There was one woman in sight, who caught Ray’s eyes and smiled warmly, waving in their direction.
Ray waved back at her and started moving in her direction when Ira’s fingers wrapped around the sleeve of her white T-shirt to stop her. Ray’s brows furrowed in worry,
“What’s up?” she asked, turning to look at the girl’s bowed head, “Do you not want to do this today? It’s completely alright–”
“You’re good to me.”
Ira’s words silenced her, but it was her shining blue grey eyes staring back at her that made her loose her breath, “I was told you wouldn’t be this good. That you would be the worst of them all.”
