Mikes Birthday Surprise - Mike Recovers by P.J.

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I was right, the last 4 days before school started sucked. Mike was only going thru the motions of getting ready for school. He’d consented to be dragged out shopping for supplies and clothes. No matter how cool the duds his mom had him try he’d just "say sure, whatever. I still look like a dork."

My back to school stuff was nowhere near as cool as his was. We didn’t see much of each other after the weekend. Both sets of parents wanted us well rested and ready for Wed. I was to meet at Mikes house for a ride to school that morning. Mike had practically begged me to come with him. How could I refuse my crush? Especially since I knew what he’d be walking into.

I showed up at Mikes at the appointed time. I said good morning to his folks. His dad said we’d be leaving in a few minutes. "Could you go see if you can drag him out of his room PJ?" Mike was still in his room allegedly getting ready.
I found him sitting on his bed, staring at the floor, baseball cap on one side of him, backpack on the other. I noticed the back pack was bulging.

"Dude, what a ya got in this thing? Mines nowhere near this full. We don’t even have school books yet." I asked.

He just looked morosely at me and flatly said "Ball caps. As many as I could find around here last night."

I momentarily flashed back to the first day after his scalping, at the park, the incident where the other guys razzed him and stole his cap. Ugh. "Oh," I quietly replied. "I’m hoping you don’t need them dude"

He almost whispered back "So am I. But we both know what’s going to happen."

"I tried to sound cheery. "Dude, your hair has grown out some. You don’t look half bad. It’s just not outrageously long yet."

I should have kept my mouth shut. Mike started sniffling.

"C’mon. Your dads ready to leave." I said, picking up his back pack and handing it to him.

We passed through the kitchen, his dad following us out to the car. His mom had snagged him and gave him a huge hug. Whispering something I couldn’t make out.

The ride to school was silent. His dad pulled up out front. The busses were all parked in the loop unloading throngs of kids.

His dad glanced at me as we opened the car doors." Mike, I sincerely hope that today turns out to be a non-event for you. I will be waiting for you right here after schools out, O.K.?"

Mike gave him a curt "Yes sir." And slid out of the car. I thanked his dad for the ride and quickly followed Mike.

We hadn’t gotten 10 feet up the front walk before someone from our class spotted me and shouted Hey, PJ, Who’s the new kid with you?"

And we were off to the races. I glanced back to see that Mikes dad hadn’t left yet. He was watching us intently, the car window was down.

Guys, and a few girls too, started approaching us. It was do or die time. The next thing I heard was "That’s no new kid, that’s Mike! Holy s**t! Someone snatched Mikes ball cap off and shouted "What happened to your hair?!"

I quickly found the cap, grabbed it back, and barked "enough, leave him alone." I started hearing a few of the same old taunts, and more than a few "bummer dude, no more cool hair" comments.

Mike was actually doing a great job of ignoring everyone until Sarah walked up to him. "Hi Mikey, what happened to your gorgeous mane? It’s all gone! That really sucks!" then she turned around and walked away.

That was all it took. Mike turned around and made sure he saw his dad. The expression of anguish and defeat on Mikes face said it all. He grabbed the ball cap from me, mashed it down on his head, and stomped off into the school. Numb to the gasps and expletives murmured by those he passed by.

We weren’t in the same classes that morning but I tried to catch site of him as we moved between classes. He looked awful. We did have the same lunch period so we’d agreed to meet and eat together.
When I saw him going thru the food line he had the same expression on his face from first thing this morning. My heart ached for him. He scanned the room for me, spotted me and came over to sit. I’d chosen a spot somewhat away from the rest of the crowd. I figured he need a break.

"Well?" I asked hopefully.

"I don’t know why I even got lunch, I’m not hungry" he said.

Just then 2 guys approached the table. I recognized them as our friends from the basketball court in the park. They said hi to us. Mike started to get up to leave. He just couldn’t deal with more heckling during lunch. "No, Mike, please stay." Pete said. "Look I just wanted to say we’re sorry. Here, here is your hat too." He plopped the hat down next to Mike. "I haven’t seen you since that day. I don’t know about the rest of the guys but I feel bad about what we did to you. Can we all sit and eat together? Please? The other guys also apologized and started to sit down.

Mikes dad also had an interesting morning after the boys got out of the car. Just as they were disappearing into the school building a young woman walked up to this car. "Excuse me sir" she politely stated. "Are you by chance Mike or PJ’s father? I thought I saw PJ get out of this car. I wasn’t sure who was with him, I thought it was Mike, but the hair is all wrong."

His dad sighed. "Um, I’m Mikes dad, and that was Mike and PJ getting out of this car."

"Oh, I don’t mean to be nosy, but is Mike alright? We didn’t see him at all this summer. I’m Pete’s mom. He used to come over and swim with us. Then when I saw the hat, and almost no hair, well, I just had to ask. Is he O.K.?"
"Ah, well, Mikes fine, nothing to worry about there. As for the hair, well, ah, that was kind of a bad decision on my part right after school got out. It’s grown out a bit now though."

"Oh, I’m sorry, was it some sort of punishment for Mike?"

"NO, no, just a mis directed father son bonding experience gone really, really bad."

"Oh, that’s too bad" Pete’s mom said. "And he had such beautiful hair too. Pete’s dad is always threatening to take him in and get him a buzz cut. So far, I’ve been able to halt that from happening."

"Well," Mikes dad said, "I don’t know your husband, or what type of relationship he might have with Pete. I would strongly advise him to get off the whole short haircut train if he wants to maintain any type of warm relationship with Pete."

Pete’s mom looked at him with raised eye brows. "I take it Mike didn’t appreciate the gesture."

Mikes dad gave a depressed shake of his head. "Not one little bit. All I can get out of him since that day is yes sir, and no sir. He has no interest in interacting with me at all. He’s become a recluse. PJ is the only kid he’ll allow near him."

"Oh, that’s a shame. These boys and their long hair. I’m glad it’s only a passing phase. We’ll I have to get going. It was nice to meet you. I’m glad it’s only a bad haircut for Mike too." She smiled and walked away.

The guys finished lunch. Mike seemed a tiny bit more at ease. We had gym last period together. Mike couldn’t wear his hat so his short locks were on full display. I’d been afraid of more razzing but it turned out to be almost the exact opposite. I guess by last period what had happened to Mike as a result of his dads arrogance was pretty much known throughout the school. Guys were coming up to him in the locker room and saying how sorry they were that his dad had done that to him.

Mikes dad was parked out in the lot next to the bus loop when we exited the school. Mike didn’t have a hat on anymore. I thought that was a good sign. His dad was leaning against the side of the car as they approached it. "Well, it can’t have gone that bad if you aren’t wearing a hat anymore, Mike. Are you going to be O.K.?" his dad asked.

"After the zillionth time my hat got swiped in the hallways or class rooms pretty much the whole school knows what a dork I look like sir." Mike slid into the back seat and slammed the door. I got in on the other side. We rode home in silence. That’s how the semester began.

After the initial shock, things did settle out. Mike was seldom seen without a hat on though. Especially as time went on. His dad was under the impression that it was because of how bad he felt he looked. I knew that it really was because his fringe was getting longer and it hung in his eyes if he didn’t push it up under his hat. I found it interesting that he never told his dad the real reason.

We settled into the fall semester at school. Still having sleep overs on the weekends. Mikes locks continued to grow un checked. I loved it. I got to push the thick fringe back and see his sparkling blue eyes. The old Mike was slowly emerging. I could get him to smile and laugh. We could hang out at the park again and have pick-up games of hoop or baseball. The guys didn’t say a word about his hair any more.

Mike trimmed my long locks once during the fall. I loved every minute of it. I know he did too. Having a haircut buddy was so cool. He still wasn’t ready for a trim himself yet though. He promised me I’d be the one to trim it when the time came.

When we got to Christmas break, he stunned me by asking if I could give him just a tiny tidy up trim. Of course, I told him I would. I was concerned about what he would ask me to do. We planned to trim his locks on Saturday.
Coincidently, I’d been asked over for dinner at his house on Friday. His dad was back in town too.

I have to tell you that when it was just his mom, Mike, and I having dinner, it was such an enjoyable experience. The 3 of us discussed all kinds of stuff. His mom was always interested in how our day had gone. And what we planned on doing over the weekend. She was so cool.

Dinner when is dad was home was a whole different experience. We were finishing homework in Mikes room when his mom called down and said dinner was ready. You should know here that at this time Mikes hair was almost fully covering his ears, hanging nicely over his collar in back, and his fringe was between nose tip and upper lip. Just getting to that really annoying awkward stage. A hat was pretty much all he could use to keep it out of his face. Most of the time when he ate, he wore a hat backwards.

As we sat down his dad said" Since when do we wear hats at the dinner table bud?"

Mikes mom piped up and said "Leave him be, he’s perfectly fine with a hat on." Giving his dad an angry stare.

We settled down to dinner. Eerily quiet. No conversation at all. Mikes dad tried a couple of times to engage Mike in conversation about how school was going but gave up when he got one word answers from Mike.

Surprisingly his dad looked over at me and said" PJ, it looks like your mop is getting a bit out of hand, maybe it’s time I took you boys in to get cleaned up for the Christmas holidays? What do you think?"

I was stunned. I stammered "well, uh, sir, I was thinking about getting a small trim, maybe from your wife sir. There’s no need to go to a shop." I knew I was turning red, but couldn’t stop it. I retucked my thick fringe behind my ear.

I looked over at Mike and braced myself. The color was coming up in Mikes face too, but for a different reason. He was angry. "SIR!" he barked. "For the thousandth time, you will never, and I mean but never get me into any sort of barbershop, salon, or whatever with you. Certainly not PJ either. And you wonder why I won’t go anywhere alone with you. MOM does a fine job trimming my hair, so does PJ for that matter. If you can’t stand the way I look, why don’t you just stop looking at me!" He stood up and looked at his mom "May I be excused, I’m not hungry anymore." He threw his napkin on the table and stomped off to his room.

Ah, yes, another pleasurable evening at Mike’s. Wow.

His mom exploded at his dad." You’re a piece of work you know that. I distinctly remember the discussion when school started that you promised you’d never try and take him to a barber again. Yet here you are trying again. What in the hell is wrong with you. I wouldn’t trust you either if I was him. Good God. And if you’re thinking of going to the barber yourself, instead of having me trim your hair. I hope that couch is comfortable for you!

PJ, could you take Mikes plate down to him. I know he’s hungry. You boys can eat in the family room tonight."

I didn’t waste a minute collecting Mikes plate and silverware and clearing out of the kitchen.

I got Mike out of his room and we sat down to eat. Mike looked at me angrily and said " Man, my hair can’t grow out fast enough. Maybe I’ll grow it down to my waist just to spite him."

I had a momentary vision of Mike with waist length hair, it did strange things to me. Pleasant, but strange. I also knew it would never become a reality either, oh well.

We gave each other a small trim that Saturday. Nothing noteworthy, just a tidy up. Both enjoying the touch time in each other’s hair. Mikes was finally getting long enough to run my fingers through and play with again. Mine was looking more and more like the former Mikes outrageous locks had been. Having Mike play with and trim it was divine.

By the end of school in the spring Mikes fringe was approaching his chin. He was so happy. He could finally tuck it behind his ear, just barely. We could now give each other "a little help’ again when we needed it on a breezy day fishing too.

The summer was bitter sweet. We would be starting high school in the fall. Each at different high schools though. He was going to the local public high school, I would be going to a small private high school in town.

We got in as much play time as we could that summer, lots of fishing and finally I loved being able to give him ‘a little help’ again when he needed it. He’d finally ditched the hat too.

After we started high school we couldn’t spend as much time together. Weekdays were filled with studying and after school activities. We still spent as much time on weekends together as possible, and still had sleep overs frequently though. We also were still haircut buddies. Trims were infrequent as we both still liked our lush long locks.

When we got to sophomore year, we observed and discussed the fact that guys hairstyles were changing. More and more we were seeing long styles that were more tailored and trimmed. Still quite long though too. Center parted with feathered fringes and long in the back were becoming more and more popular. More unisex shops were popping up that catered to guys longer styles too. Barber shops were still as unpopular as ever.

Over time I’d developed a crush on my neighbor Ben, and was being chauffeured to school daily by him. When he got his hair cut into the latest style, I was so impressed with it that I finally screwed up the courage one day to go to the same shop he did and get mine cut in a similar way. (Check out my Joey the Barber story)

I’ll never forget the look on Mikes face when I walked into his house after getting my hair cut.

It was a mix of shock, lust, and envy. His blue eyes blazed as he walked over to me. He buried his hands into the thick locks on the back of my head. "What did you do!" he barked.

I smiled meekly back. "Do you like it?" I searched those blue eyes of his intently.

"Come down to my room" was all he said, withdrawing his hands, turning quickly and heading for his room. I quickly followed. Not knowing what to expect.

As I entered, he quickly shut the door behind me, locking it.

"What made you do this" he said. Running his hands through my plush locks again for emphasis.

"Before I tell you how this came about, you have to tell me …do you like it?" I held my breath.

"His eyes had that sparkle in them I liked so much. His thick fringe had fully grown out along with the rest of his lush locks. His chubby cheeks were starting to flush pink. God, he looked hot. I could also detect a growing bulge below his belt. Ungh.

"Are you serious" he replied. "You look so freaking hot right now. OMG. I never thought in a million years I’d see you with a totally different haircut but, holy crap, wow." He hadn’t taken his eyes off mine, or his hands out of my hair.

I sighed. "Ah, whew, I was worried about what you’d think. I replied. He duck walked me back to his bed, then pushed me down onto it, on my back. He quickly climbed on top of me. Reaching for my belt. What came next is for another story. I’m pretty sure he liked my new cut though.

Afterward, we headed to the kitchen, ravenous for a snack. I proceeded to tell him all about how Ben had gotten his hair cut, and how much I liked it. (I left out the part about me crushing on Ben though. Hey, I was a hormonal teenager, what can I say)

Mike got quiet as we ate. He finally looked up at me, hooking that thick fringe behind his ear. He was so hot looking with those dimples, cleft in his chin, and those blue eyes. I was always amazed at the chubby cheeks. Mike was now almost 6 feet tall, with a lithe, well-muscled frame, but his face had never slimmed out.

Mike stammered "Um, hey, uh, do you think, I mean, oh hell, do you think I’d look good with that style haircut PJ? I mean maybe not as short but…?"

I was slack jawed. After all he’d been through, getting scalped, and painstakingly growing it back out, he would want to cut it. "Seriously, you’d want to get that amazing mane cut, after all you’ve been through with it." I asked quietly.

He got up and cleared the table, putting things away. "I know, to be honest, I’m as shocked as you are. Truth be told, I’ve been noticing guys around school though. Styles like mine are gradually getting replaced with styles like yours though. I really do like it. Aside from the fact that you’re smokin’ hot with it. As much as I love my mane, I think I’d like to try it. I don’t think I want it as short as yours though. I’m terrified to go back into a barber shop though.

I was still shocked at Mikes reaction. "Mike, if you want too, I’ll take you to Joey’s and stay while he cuts your hair. I know he’ll do a great job. Are you sure though. You’ll lose a lot of length, especially that shank of bangs I’m so fond of." I ran my hand thru his plush fringe. "I know you’ll look amazing though" I said searching his eyes.

I’ll think about it PJ. We wouldn’t be able to go till Saturday anyway. I’m busy pretty much all this week." Mike replied. He had a deep in thought expression on his face. I couldn’t read his eyes either.

"You’re really serious about this aren’t you" I murmured. Shaking my head. I gave him a hug and ruffled my hand through the plush shoulder length locks hanging off the back of his head. "I have to get back home for dinner. We’ll talk more this week O.k.?"

He nodded his head up and down. Ruffling my new do as I walked out the door.

The week flew by. We’d talked several times throughout the week and he was all over the map about getting it cut. I called Joeys and made an appointment for Mike last thing Saturday afternoon. Just in case he really was serious. I was nervous myself. Part of me didn’t want to see that magnificent mane all chopped up.

Mike came over for dinner Friday night. He couldn’t take his eyes off me the entire evening. We were watching a movie and having a little hair play later that evening. Mike paused with his hands in my mop. "You know, I think I want to get it cut, PJ. You still have plenty of length for me to play with, and you look so freaking hot man."

"O.K. Mike, put up or shut up time. I made a 3:30 appointment with Joey for you tomorrow. We’ll go together. Sound good?" I replied.

"Get your fill of my mop then PJ. This is the last night for it I guess." He gave me a lopsided smile. I smiled back and said "wanna spend the night here then?" I wiggled my eyebrows conspiratorially at him.

He nodded and gave me his best dirty smirk.

We parted company the next morning. I told him I’d pick him up at 3:15. I didn’t want him chickening out. Part of me was really psyched to see all that hair get cut. And still look hot this time, not scalped.

I tapped the horn and Mike came out. He slid in the front seat. I smiled at him and ran my hand into his thick lush locks. "Ready big guy?" I said.

"Ungh, not really, but let’s do this." He quietly replied.

Relax, it’ll be great, you’ll see" I said smiling back.

We walked in to Joeys shop. I greeted Joeys dad. He looked hopefully at me and smiled. I said, Sorry Joe, this one’s for Joey too. He’s a friend of mine.

Joe replied. "Rats, that kid has all the fun."

I laughed and said "you could too, let him teach you how to cut these long styles. I bet you’d be great at it. You just gotta put the clippers down."

"He smiled back, probably never going to happen with Joey in the shop" he replied nodding at his son Joey.

I walked over and shook Joey’s hand. "Hey Joey, this is Mike, he’d like to talk to you about getting his hair cut. Possibly something like mine. He really likes my cut, but doesn’t want his that short."

Joey smiled warmly at Mike "pleasure to meet you, Mike. Have a seat and let’s talk." He extended his hand for Mike to shake.

Mike looked at me for confirmation that he should sit in the chair. I nodded that it was O.K. I knew Mike was on edge. So far he was doing fine though.

Joey spun the chair around so Mike was facing the big mirror. He got a brush and gently started brushing Mikes mane. He stopped and massaged Mikes shoulders for a minute. "You can relax big guy. I won’t bite, I promise."

I saw Mike exhale and try to smile. "Sorry, my last haircut experience wasn’t a pleasant one.

"Well, I hope to change that "Joey replied.

"Now, you like PJ’s style but want a longer version of it, is that right?" Joey said as he tried parting Mikes mane down the center.

Mike looked a little strange, but I realized it was more the current hair length than the center parting that looked off.

"Mike perked up" yeah, I guess, I’d like to keep my ears covered, and I don’t mind if the fringe hangs in my face. How long could you leave it? I’d like it a bit longer in back too. That probably won’t work will it. I guess I shouldn’t have come then." He was almost babbling he was so nervous.

Joey patted his shoulders. "Take a breath Mike. I’m gathering that you definitely do not want anything remotely resembling a short haircut, am I right?"

"Mike’s shoulders sagged bit. "Yes, yes, I definitely do not want anything close to a short cut. I love my long hair, I just want it to have a bit more style if that’s possible. But keep it long?"

"O.K. I think I can handle that. And I promise, it’ll be at least a couple of inches longer than PJ’s at the very shortest, how’s that sound?" Joey replied.

Mike relaxed a bit more, glancing over at me. "Yes, O.K. I guess. Longer is better"

"O.K. Let’s get you washed and conditioned first then." Joey said, swinging the chair around. He reclined Mike and proceeded to wash and double condition his mane. "This is quite a nice head of hair you’ve got Mike. I’d be nervous too if my last experience getting a haircut wasn’t good."

"Thank you "Mike replied. It’s taken over two years to grow it back out, with a couple of trims along the way."

"I think you’ll be pleased with what I do for you Mike. It might take some time but we’ll get there.’"

He tipped the chair back up again and spun Mike back to facing the mirror.

I settled into the adjacent chair, with Joeys permission, and waited anxiously for the cutting to begin. I was already at half-mast just anticipating what was coming. Yikes. I also realized in the moment that this was likely the last time I’d see Mike with his long mane. I knew Joey would do a fantastic job with him but a significant amount of length was coming off. I also realized that we probably wouldn’t be haircut buddies after this also. I decided to pay as much attention to what Joey was doing as I could. Maybe I could at least give Mike a trim now and then.

While I was ruminating on the situation, Joey had sectioned Mikes hair off. He had a deep v shape in the back, and his huge bang shank was hanging in his face with a wide top parting on each side.
Joey was just combing the hair over Mikes left ear straight down. I held my breath for the first snip. Joey slid the shears in at Mikes jawline, significantly below his ear. Still, about 5 inches of gorgeous white blonde hair was going to be severed. Snip! Snip! Snip! Just like that everything from the back of Mikes ear to his cheek was now jawbone length.

Mike yelped. "PJ help, Holy Crap! Stop please!"

I spoke up. "What’s the matter dude?"

"All I can see is my long hair in my lap! He’s cutting it way to short. OMG!" Mike barked.

I sighed, putting my hand up "Relax, it’s fine, don’t worry, I have your back big guy. Joey, how about if you clip Mikes bangs up out of the way so he can see what you are doing? Would that help, Mike? I looked at Mike anxiously.

Joey twirled Mike thick bang shank a couple of times, then pulled it up on top of his head and clipped it in place.

Mike visibly relaxed when he saw how long the left side still was. "Joey, I’m so sorry, I saw the long hair in my lap and panicked. This looks O.K. though."

Joey moved to the right side and trimmed it off at Mikes jawline also. Mike sighed heavily.

As Joey was combing the back down He said" jeeze Mike, that must have been some bad experience you had. Your taught as a bow string still.

Mike exhaled loudly "Oh, yeah. I went from hair like it was when we came in, to the shortest short back and sides you’ve ever seen. Completely forced. By my dear old dad no less." Mike gave me a knowing look as he recounted what happened.

Joey stood back, looked Mike in the eye and said "you don’t ever have to worry about getting an unwanted shearing from me sir. Even if your dad were to come in with you."

Joey proceeded to remove about 5 inches of mane from the back of Mike head while he talked. Now I could start to see where the cut was going. When Joey cut mine last week, I was way too focused on the fact that I was in a barber shop for the first time in years. I didn’t pay any attention to the way he was cutting my hair into this new style. Now I had a chance to watch him, close up and hopefully learn a bit of his technique. If I couldn’t pick up on how to cut it, my days as Mikes haircut buddy were doomed.

Joey worked his way around Mikes head, carefully layering it. It looked amazing. Joey constantly ruffled Mikes locks to see how they fell after each snip he took.

Mike was laser focused on the mirror, watching Joeys every move. He hadn’t relaxed a bit either. I knew exactly how he felt. I wish there was some way I could reassure him that he was going to look great.

Joey reached up and unclipped the thick bang shank. It flopped down across Mikes face. Joey carefully combed it out and straight down. Then he parted it in the middle and combed the left side down, picking up a bit of the side length with it. The fringe was crazy long, just touching Mikes collar bone.

Joey separated just the fringe again and slid the scissors in about even with the tip of Mikes nose. He quickly snipped downward, cutting on an angle down to Mikes lower lip. 7inches of glorious fringe slid away. Mike gasped in horror. "Oh my god Joey! My fringe! It’s gone!"

Joey laughed softly. "Mike, it’s not gone, it’s just shorter like we discussed. I’m hoping this length works out. I usually cut this style with a fringe about to the bridge of your nose, You said you wanted it as long as possible though."

Mike looked at me still shell shocked. I pulled my fringe down and sure enough, it was just about to the middle of my nose.

Let’s keep going Mike" Joey said. I have to do the other side to that length too now. Mike sagged in the chair. I could see him struggling to look through the fringe and watch Joeys movements in the big mirror.

3 quick snips and Mikes magnificent fringe was history. I’m not sure why, but the fact that we’d already had our class pics taken flashed in my brain. At least there’d be his school pic to document how long and great it looked.

Joey combed, snipped and ruffled Mikes damp fringe for a few minutes. I was impressed with the care he was taking. I was also starting to understand the mechanics of this cut.

Joey wriggled his fingers through Mikes fringe, pushing it all straight up and back on his head. He gave Mikes head a gentle wiggle. The thick, carefully cut fringe locks stayed far enough off to the sides so Mike could see out of both eyes.
I got my first look at the more or less finished style. I was hard as a rock in an instant. Mike looked hot AF.

Joey proceeded to fully dry Mikes hair, continuously brushing the fringe straight up and back. He told Mike to pay close attention to how he was drying it.

Mike saw the finished cut and relaxed for the first time since we’d arrived. He smiled over at me.

Joey piped up" O.K. I want you to look down, then take your hand and slide your fingers up through the fringe, pulling it up over the top of your head, and towards the back. Yup, just like that. Perfect. What do you think? Do you want the fringe shorter?"

Mike yelped "NO, this is plenty short enough! Man, this is sooooo different. Wow. It’s definitely a lot shorter than it was, but there’s still a lot of length."

Joey smiled" Mike, you came in with a long mop that needed attention desperately. You have great hair to work with. I must say, this is the longest I’ve ever cut this style but, it looks fantastic on you."

I looked at Joey and said "we won’t be cutting my fringe anytime soon Joey. I like the length of Mikes better than mine."

Joey just shrugged his shoulders. "As long as you keep coming back, I’ll cut it any way you want."

Joey brushed Mike down and removed the cape. Mike stood and walked closer to the mirror. Running his hands through his plush locks. "Well Mike what’s the verdict? Does it meet with your approval?" Joey asked.

Yes, oh yes, it looks amazing Joey, thank you so much. I think PJ and I will be coming in to visit from time to time from now on. Mike smiled and looked at me.

Mike looked over at me "PJ, what do YOU think? Do you like it?"

I grinned at both of them. ‘Yes, oh my god yes. You are so f#cking hot Mike. Wow."

We thanked Joey again, Mike tried to pay for the cut but Joey steadfastly declined saying the pleasure was all his. He could pay when he came back next time.

Mike and I headed back to his house. Mike couldn’t stop smiling. He also couldn’t stop running his hands through his hair. "Wow" was all he kept saying.

When we walked into his kitchen, his mom was getting dinner ready. She turned to say hello and gasped.

Michael! What happened to your hair! She barked.

Mike grinned back and said "what do you think, do you like it?"

"Oh, honey, you look fantastic! It’s just quite a change for you is all. Do YOU like it" she asked.

I’m getting used to it" Mike replied. "Yeah, I do like it. I like it a lot."

As we heading down to Mikes room his dad walked into the kitchen.

His dad said "Hi PJ, Who’s this? OMG, Mike!?" he exclaimed. "Wow, what happened to you? Who finally forced you to cut that mop? And PJ, yours is cut too! Wow."

Mike gave his dad a flat stare "NO one forced me sir, I went on my own. PJ came along for some moral support too of course." He gave me a warm smile.

"I got mine cut last weekend sir, on my own too." I replied.

"Well, it’s certainly a step in the right direction boys." His dad replied. "I can see both of your eyes now too. It’s very well cut too. Still needs to be shorter though."

All Mike said was" Thank you sir. This is plenty short enough." and headed down to his room.

I quickly followed. I couldn’t wait to get my hands in his plush locks.

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