Chapter 2 - Attack of the Twin by myboyfriendisbald

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Casey and Jared were set to stay with us for two weeks until they headed off to Morocco for their next trip. Over their first few days staying with us I discovered that Jared’s earring wasn’t new, that he’d just recently put it back in. Apparently when he and Colby were sixteen they’d gone and gotten their left ears pierced, but they’d both taken them out in college. I never noticed the tiny white mark on Colby’s ear until I squinted at it that night. We were all seated at the dining room table, Cole had made filet mignon wrapped in bacon with grilled asparagus and baby potatoes for dinner. Everything was utterly delicious, and Colby finally seemed unperturbed by Jared’s haircut. I’d finally gotten used to it as well, my neck was healing from the whiplash I’d gotten doing a double take every time I saw him...

During our morning jog, Casey had told me about how the whole haircut escapade unfolded in the first place. Apparently on their flight to Chile they’d talked about how since Jared and Colby don’t get along with their parents, she’d never seen any pictures of the twins when they were younger. She’d teasingly told Jared she was disappointed she would never get to see what he looked like baby faced and buzzed for the summer. "He got that twinkle in his eye, like when you know he’s about to do or say something ridiculous. Next thing I know, we’re in our hotel room, and he walks out of the bathroom and hands me his chopped off ponytail. I almost cried, his hair was completely mangled. And then he wanted me to buzz it the rest of the way off! And I thought for sure I was going to hate the way he looked, and then I felt guilty for thinking that, because what difference does it make what he looks like? I love him for more than his looks. But honestly after I buzzed it, I realized I really dig it. I’m sure he’ll grow it back eventually, but for now I can’t stop touching it!"

It was true, I’d look over at her and she’d be running her nails over the back of his neck absentmindedly. Weirdly, it gave me a pang of jealousy. It wasn’t that I wanted Colby to cut his hair, it was that I wanted to know what Casey was getting to experience with Jared. It was making sense to me why Colby felt weird now that he and his brother didn’t look exactly the same. I was so used to watching Jared and Casey interact and seeing their relationship like a mirror of ours, but now it wasn’t, and it was weird...

"Anyone want a refill on drinks?" Jared stood and went to the bar cart.
We all nodded and he got to work pouring. We had all finished eating dinner, but were too full for dessert just yet. Colby was sitting with his arm around my shoulder.
"You two look so cute right now," Casey commented, pulling out her phone, "Scoot over Cole, let me snap a picture."
Cole leaned closer to me and kissed my cheek.
"Ok, one more for good measure."
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Jared walking over to where we were sitting, and I assumed he was going to do bunny ears or something childish. It wasn’t until Colby’s face was dragged away from mine that I realized what was actually happening. Jared had Colby’s long ponytail clenched in one hand, and a pair of kitchen shears in his other.
"Jared, don’t you freaking dare," Colby growled, trying to squirm away.
"Oh come on bro, you know you’re just dying to twin again."
"Don’t you think if I wanted to I would have done it myself already?"
"No, because you’re a wimp. Come on, lemme help you."
I felt paralyzed, I should have reacted a lot faster. Before I could form any words other than "oh no", Jared had already started shearing off Colby’s hair above the elastic.
Colby’s eyes went wild with anger and he tried to get up, but Jared just shoved him back down into the chair.
Finally, with one last sickening shhnck, Jared waved Colby’s severed ponytail over his head like a prize ribbon. "There, isn’t that so f-king freeing?"
Casey put her phone down, I realized she must have been recording the whole thing, probably for their travel vlog.
Colby’s hands went up and pawed at his mangled hair, which now fell raggedly around his chin. "Jar, I’m going to kill you."
Jared laughed, patting Colby on the back, "No, you’re not. Not after you realize how right I am about this. Cas, did you pack the clippers we bought?"
Casey just shook her head in disbelief and laughed, "Yes, Jar. They’re in my suitcase."
Jared clapped Colby on the back once again and ventured off down the hall.
I locked eyes with Casey, "Did you know he was going to do that??"
"I had a suspicion, but no, I didn’t."
"You were recording!" Colby still looked completely distraught, but he hadn’t moved from his chair.
"Good timing on my part," Casey shrugged, "You never know when Jared’s going to pull some kind of stunt, I’m always prepared."
Jared came back with the clippers in hand and plugged them in behind Colby.
"Jared, I’m serious. I don’t want to shave my head, so just leave it alone. I’ll go get it sorted out at a salon tomorrow."
Jared rolled his eyes, "Have I ever steered you wrong?"
"All the time!"
"Untrue. And besides, you won’t be bald-bald, so just relax."
"Tess, surely you’re with me on this, right? Shouldn’t I just wait until tomorrow?" Colby’s eyes locked on mine, pleading. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure how to answer. Unlike Casey, I knew how it would turn out if Colby buzzed his hair. However, I knew Colby would be very upset if I didn’t side with him on this. But, did I want to? Thinking about watching all his hair get mowed off was kind of turning me on more than I wanted to admit…
"Well, what’s it gonna be Tess? Cole’s fate is in your hands."


To be continued…

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