Daniels Wedding by Brent

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We were at the pool when Daniel told me the big news. "I proposed to Gina last night! We’re getting married!"

Dan and I had been best friends since high school, almost eight years now. We’d always been close. He’d been dating Gina for a year and a half, and they were a good pair. About a year ago, Dan shaved his head, and liked it so much that he’d kept it smooth ever since. My hairstyle was more conservative, but I definitely admired his smooth-shaven scalp. It looked awesome with his muscular physique.

This particular morning we were at the local swimming pool, where we met at 6am three times a week to swim lanes. We had quit early and were relaxing in the hot tub when he shared his news with me. I knew he seemed a little too happy for that time of day! I congratulated him and he continued, "I’d like you to be my best man." I told him I’d be honored, but he had one condition: "I want all 5 of my groomsmen, including you, to have a shaved head in the wedding, just like me. Gina and I thought it would look really sharp, and it would be memorable too." Although I felt a bit apprehensive, I agreed immediately. I’d do anything for my good friend.

The wedding was four months away, and we decided that all the guys would get together one month before the big day and shave our heads, so that they’d have some color on them by then. Everyone was up for the challenge, even though none of us had ever even had buzzcuts, much less a razor-shaved scalp. My hair was blond and wavy, about 3 inches long and usually sort of messy looking (but in a stylish way). Dean had a businessman’s cut, and Jeremy had a slightly longer one. Vince’s black hair was curly and quite short. Jack had the longest style of the bunch. His shoulder-length brown hair was usually in a neat ponytail, showing off his undercut. Once in awhile he’d buzz the undercut really short. We all sometimes bugged him about his "girly" haircut, but it actually suited him well.

We planned our party for the night before a triathlon that Daniel, Vince, and I had been training for. We thought the July race would be a great chance to start our tans. The six of us ordered pizza, drank some beer and watched GI Jane (to get inspired by Demi, I guess) then played volleyball in Jeremy’s pool. After a while Dan said it was time to start the haircuts. He plugged in his clippers on the patio and we all pulled some chairs around the stool that he’d set up. Dan announced that he wanted to do the honors, and that we’d go from shortest current hair, to longest. That meant Vince, Dean, Jeremy, me, and then Jack, who was most reluctant to give up his hair.

I grabbed my camera and set the timer for a "before" picture, then Dan started in on Vince. I snapped a few more pics as Vince’s black curls were peeled off. His dark skin looked amazing when it was all done. He checked the mirror and smiled at how it had turned out. Dean’s hair went almost as quick, and he was disappointed to discover a Gorbachev-like scar above his right temple. Too late now! I had to be careful with photographing Jeremy, because his damp swim trunks did little to hide his arousal during his shearing. Everyone tactfully pretended to ignore it.

My turn was next. I was actually trembling in anticipation. The cool metal of the buzzing clipper blades touched my neck and moved up quickly to my crown. What an awesome sensation! After a couple more passes, I had only short bristles left on the back and sides. From the front, it looked like a mohawk. After getting Vince to take another picture, I told Dan to keep going. It felt so weird to feel the evening breeze on my scalp. When Dan was done, I rubbed my head with both hands. It felt incredible! I checked the mirror and was happily surprised at my new look. I looked even better than Dan!

When I came back from the bathroom mirror, I saw Jack edging away from the group. I yelled, "Get him!" All of us ran after him as he tried to escape. There really wasn’t anywhere for him to go, and we tackled him and threw him in the pool. We dragged him back to the stool and all held him down as Dan shaved a strip right down the middle. Jack settled down when we threatened to shave more than just his head if he didn’t cooperate. We all took turns smoothing each other out with Mach III’s after we finished up. The smooth feeling after the stubble was gone was indescribable!

Well, Dan and Gina were right. Us guys really did look sharp on their wedding day. For some reason, about eight other guys (and one girl) ended up shaving their heads at the bachelor party, but we looked way better than any of them because they all still had gleaming white heads.

It turned out my "date" Kendra (Gina’s maid of honour) was the girl I had been flirting with at the grocery store lately, and when she saw my new look, the flirting intensified. Now we’re dating, and I have no plans to grow out my hair. Dean and Jer grew their hair out, but Vince and (surprisingly) Jack also kept the smooth look. I’m very glad Daniel asked me to do this favour for him!

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