“I honestly don’t know. I’ve always worn my hair long.”
He tilts his head to the side. “Do you style it in any certain way?”
“No,” Jada answers before I can. “It’s always in a ponytail.”
I playfully stick my tongue out at her. “Hey, I never said I was a hairdresser. Besides, I don’t have all the time in the world to do my hair. With work, the boys, the renovations and baking, I need something quick.”
“Hmm,” Jameel hums, tapping a finger to his chin. “How much do you trust me?”
Granted, this is my first time meeting the guy, but I had all the trust in the world in him. I’ve seen what he is capable of.
“I trust you.”
“Uh oh, Ella,” Kareem chuckles. “Careful. You might walk out here with a bald fade.”
I don’t think I have the face structure to pull that off, but if Jameel says I do, I’d believe him.
“No,” Jameel scoffs, pulling my hair out of the ponytail holder. “I would never go that short without permission.” He drags my hair over my shoulders. The split ends fall just past my breasts.
“What are you thinking of for color?” Jada asks. She steps up beside Jameel as they both study my hair.
“Color?”
Jada chuckles. “Oh yeah. Time to let go of the black. Remember, this is all about a new you.”
She’s right. I didn’t want to walk out of here the same old Ella. I wanted a new look. A new view of life and myself. It’s time.
“I think I have an idea. Come on.” Jameel grabs my hand and hauls me over to his station.
I take a seat in his chair and let out a deep breath. In that exhale, I was letting all my inhibitions go. Goodbye to the old Ella and hello to the new.
When the chair finally spins back around to the mirror, my breath catches in my throat. There is no way I’m the same woman I was when I walked in. My long bra-length hair has been cut to a face framing layered, shoulder-length bob. The dark chocolate, honey blonde, and caramel highlights make my brown eyes stand out even more.
“Do you like it?” Jameel asks.
I’ve been sitting here staring at myself in the mirror, turning my head from side to side.
“It....It....” The tears come immediately. “It’s so beautiful.” I finally get the words out.
Jameel lets out a breath and fans himself. “Girl, you had me nervous.”
We both laugh as I rake my hand through my hair.
“I went for something different, but still low-maintenance. This requires a wrap at night and some curls if you want to recreate this volume. But with your face structure, this bob is perfect. And with those brown eyes, I knew these highlights would make everything pop.”
I couldn’t turn away from myself in the mirror. I don’t think I’ve felt this beautiful in years.
“Holy shit,” Jada’s voice appears behind me. I look past my reflection in the mirror to see her and Kareem standing behind us with our lunch. “Ella, you look stunning.”
“She’s right. You look amazing.”
“Thanks, guys,” I blush and look back at the mirror. “I guess I’m finally ready to go on a date now.”
Jameel waves his hand through the air. “Girl, you were already ready for that, but now you can feel more confident.”
“I’ve been out of the dating game for so long. It all feels foreign to me.”
Jada places a bag of food on the vanity in front of me before spinning the chair around so I can face her.
