Wrestle Mania Part II - Nico returns by P.J.

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Wrestle Mania Part II - Nico returns

The furor over the firing of the ass hole wrestling coach was gradually subsiding.

Nico’s dad had just been for his monthly trim. We’d had a lengthy discussion regarding Nico.

His dad had said that Nico would most certainly be in to see me soon. He was still trying to wrap his head around what had happened that day. He was struggling a bit even though the coach had been a brutal ass hole to him he kind of felt guilty for getting him fired. He’d commented to his dad on more than one occasion that he might as well just have dad shave his head anyway. That’s what should have happened at Pete’s. He deserved it after losing the State Championship. Nico’s parents and the school had put him in counseling immediately after it happened but it had been tough on the young man.

Nico’s dad had told me that if Nico came in, under NO circumstances was I to give him a buzz cut.

His dad said he’d pay me for any type of cut Nico wanted to get. Graduation was coming up and there was no way Nico’s cap would fit over that amazing mane he’d grown. But there was also no reason he couldn’t have a nice longer cut. I reassured him that I was sure we could find a style that would show off his handsome face and leave some length too.

Sure enough, the next Wed. rolled around and Nico came strolling in at closing time.

"Hi Pete", he said, giving me a small smile. The guy that was sitting with him that day was following Nico into the shop. "Cam and I are here for haircuts if you still have time?" He pointed to the other guy strolling in the door.

Cam smiled and gave a brief hand wave.

"Sure, sure guys" I replied. "Could you lock the door and pull the shades though. It’s just about closing time and you two will definitely take me some time." (No way was I going to refuse having a go at both of these manes. Cam had a shoulder blade length mane, rich dark blonde and nicely thick and heavy. Maybe I could give him a nice butch since I couldn’t buzz Nico’s, hmm)

The boys stood in the waiting area. Nico had his hands in Cams lush mane. I couldn’t make out what was being said but Nico was shaking his head in the negative. Nico and Cam were lock eyed on each other with very stern expressions.
"O.K. guys, who’s first? Come on over and have a seat." I said, patting the back of the red leather and chrome barber chair.

Cam started for the chair. "Cam, no please don’t." Nico pleaded. "Your hair is so nice, please!" Nico barked again.

Cam flopped down in the big barber chair. "Babe, I know you love it but at least some of it has to go. It’s just getting to long and hard to maintain. Don’t worry, I’m not going to get a butch or anything. Just a few inches off. O.K.?" He smiled at me hopefully. Nico looked very disappointed.

I quickly taped and caped him and started brushing out the amazing mane. I knew he’d never been in my shop before. I’d have remembered this hair, even if it had been shorter cuts. I hoped I could talk him into something clipper short. "O.K. then, Cam. What are we doing today? A nice gentlemen’s taper, some length left on top maybe? You’d look quite handsome in your cap and gown for graduation with it, what da ya say, huh?" I said running my hand through the thick shoulder blade length locks.

Cam gulped audibly. Nico’s eyes bulged, he got a horrified look on his face. Cam shook his head negatively. Causing the thick locks to flop back and forth. MMM, God, I had to get a grip, my self-control was slipping. I was eying the fast feed Osters hanging on their hook nearby. Cam eyed me fearfully through the gap in the thick bang shank. His arm came out and he moved the thick fringe locks off to the side a bit more. "Um, no, nothing that severe please, Pete. Can you trim it off even so it’s still solidly on my shoulders, all one length. Still long enough for a decent low pony tail. Leave my bangs longer though, a few inches below my chin? I like to flip them back and have them stay." He looked anxiously at Nico. "Nic? How’s that Babe?" he said softly. With his nice long neck this would leave quite a bit of hair.

Nico just nodded his head up and down slightly. Shrugging his shoulders. He never took his eyes off Cam though.

Before anyone could change their mind, I plucked a comb out of the blue goo jar, and grabbed a spray bottle of water. I wiped the comb off, and began the task of dampening Cams mane and combing it out. Once thoroughly damp. I combed it all back, making sure all of it was cleanly back. I got my first look at Cams face. Sparkling blue eyes, with a concerned expression. Chiseled jaw, high cheekbones. What a handsome lad. He’d look great with a crew cut I thought to myself. (Barbers have fantasy’s too you know)

I applied pressure with a couple of fingers to a point on Cams back. "How about here" I said? Indicating a couple of inches lower than a dress shirt collar length. He also had that beautiful long neck so his hair would still be quit long.

"Um, sure Pete. As long as I can still tie it back when I need to. Without having just a stubby tail, if you know what I mean." Cam said.

"Ah, yes." I replied. "You should be fine then son." I quickly made a first snip with the shears, locking in the new shorter length. 8 inches of lush locks slid away. I made one last comb through. Making sure all his hair was behind his shoulders, resting on his back. I snipped my way across. A cascade of blonde locks started falling at my feet. Mmnn, how I wished I was bare foot right now. "There we go Cam" I chirped. The worst is done. I proceeded to give him a deep, wide horse shoe parting. Combing the thick bang shank straight down over his face, and bringing the sides straight down also. What a gorgeous head of hair I thought.

The fringe got trimmed so it was still much longer than the sides, angling back to their side length in a deep v shape. His hair had started drying a bit at this point.

"Cam, do you blow dry your hair, or let it air dry?" I inquired?

"I usually let it air dry Pete. That’s partially why I wanted it cut shorter. It was starting to take forever to dry." He replied.

"O.K. then, I assume you are the flip your fringe back with your hand type of guy, yes?" I said, smiling with raised brows at him.

"Yes, why sir? He replied.

"Take your hand out and give these a flip over and back then" I ordered.

Cam did as instructed. "Oh, ho, ho, yes! Pete, this feels great" he said smiling enthusiastically.

"Ah good" I replied smiling back. "I’m just going to layer the ends a bit and we’re done then." I proceeded to carefully layer the bottom quarter of his mane. Once I was satisfied, I clipped his hair up out of the way, got the straight razor out and dabbed some shaving foam at each side burn and along his nape. He jumped a bit at the sight of the straight razor but settled quickly. (I always love the first time I use it on a young guy to remove the neck fuzzies and square up his side burns. Their reaction is always priceless.)

I wasn’t really ready to be done with him just yet though. I wanted more touch time with those lush locks. I decided to give him the full treatment. I Washed and double conditioned his shorter mane. Nico was a lucky guy if he got to play with Cams lush mane all the time. I showed him how to apply heat protectant, then blow dried him. He looked HOT. I hoped he paid a return visit to the shop at some point in the future, I had an idea for a nice shorter style for him with a long thick fringe.

"There you go Cam" I said brushing all his hair back. "See how that looks and feels." I turned him to face the big mirror.

Both hands came out from under the cape. He ran them thoroughly thru his mane. Eyeing himself critically in the mirror. "Oh, god Pete, this is perfect." He craned his neck around to look at Nico. Nic, what do you think babe?"

Nico had been watching intently throughout the cut. He’d almost swooned when he saw the long locks starting to pile up at my feet.

Nico nodded affirmatively and gave Cam a small smile. "Sure Cam, it looks good I guess."

I quickly uncapped Cam. He hopped down out of the chair and walked over to Nico. Nico stood to meet him. "You O.K. Nic" Cam said softly. "Is it still long enough for you" he intoned, searching Nico’s eyes intently.

Nico ran his hands through Cams plush mane, pulling it all back behind Cams head. I thought I heard a small moan. "Um, yeah, sure, Cam. It’s fine." I wondered in this moment if Nico’s dad knew of this relationship. Nico sounded pretty stressed though. He kept glancing at the door with a faraway look. I had an idea of what he must be thinking about in that moment. I recognized that look when someone was having a flash back. In Nico’s case I’m pretty sure that wasn’t a good flashback either.

I quickly decided to break things up and try to distract him. I said "O.K. Nico, my man, it’s your turn, come on up son." I patted the chair back.

Nico made his way up and sat down. I taped and caped him, taking in his amazing mane close up. He shuddered as the cape dropped around his shoulders. I saw his hands clench on the arm rests. I softly squeezed his shoulder. "You’re going to be just fine son, wait and see".

Cam said" Uh, Pete, before you start on Nico, could you show me where the bathroom is? Cam and I walked into the back room. Cam wheeled around, facing me suddenly with his finger to his lips. "Pete, I’m pretty sure Nico will try and have you give him a buzz cut. He’s still having some bouts of survivors’ guilt over what happened that day. Please, please, don’t buzz him, please!" Cam pleadingly whispered.

I smiled, nodding my head. "His dad already talked to me about this too." I replied. "I will be sure not to buzz him. Do you have any ideas as to what I SHOULD do though? He has SO much hair, and it’s so bushy and unique."

Cam whipped out his cell phone and brought up a pic for me to view. "Oh, wow" I said. "That would look really good on him. I bet his graduation cap would fit too, I said laughing quietly." I pulled out my phone "Send me that pic. Let me suggest it to him."

Cam pretended to use the rest room, then came out as I was snapping the cape on Nico.

"Well Nico, what are we thinking about son?" I got a brush out and started brushing the huge mane down all around.

Nico’s shoulders slumped a bit. "Uh, God Pete. Just buzz the whole lot off. I should a just let coach do it that day. I really screwed up." He started glancing furtively around the shop.

I wheeled around in front of him. I was gentle but firm, saying "Nico, I’m pretty sure you’re still the same determined, driven young man you were before that match. You’re still a great wrestler too. You’re going to be heading to a great college in the fall. Look at this as the start of a whole new chapter in your life. You should have a great cut that you feel good about, not some ol butch cut that will remind you of a horrible experience, and make you look ten years old again. Humor me for a minute. What bugs you about this huge mane? What do you like about it, if anything. Be honest now, and no self-pitying remarks."

Nico looked over at Cam and smiled wanly. "Well, what really bugs me is the fringe. It’s always flopping in my face. It’s almost down to my lips now too. I guess I’d like it shorter, just a bit over my eyes maybe, but the rest has to go."

Looking at himself critically in the big mirror he said "I don’t really care about the sides and back." Cam shot him a serious face just then. "Um, well, I guess I still want some length left there, so maybe not clipper short. The back could still be left a bit on the long side." Cam nodded his head approvingly.

"Hmm," I replied. "Well, believe it or not, ever since that awful day I’ve actually thought about you, and what type of cut I would give you if/when you came back in. I’ve honestly never worked with your hair type before. It’s truly unique, for me at least. Your dad gave me the schools wrestling website too. It’s been a long time since I’ve cut your hair so I wanted to see how it grew out for the past couple of years. I pulled out my cell phone and brought up the pic Cam had sent. "What would you think if we took it back down to something like this?" I showed him the pic.

"Um, I guess that could work." Nico replied. "Maybe cut the fringe a bit shorter than it is there. My fringe tends to be a bit bushy so it hangs out, not down. If that makes sense."

I nodded, smiling over at Cam. "O.K., let’s get started then. I have my work cut out for me, that’s for sure." I plunged my hand into the thick bulk hanging down in back. "Don’t panic, but I’m going to use the clippers to remove a lot of the excess bulk first, then we’ll get to the detail work. Sound good?" Nico nodded yes.

I realized as I began removing massive quantities of his lush mane that with this type of hair, he’d probably never be able to do a slick back, or a side part style. His hair just had to much spring to it.

All I was doing with the clippers was roughing out the overall length for the cut. First I’d given him a wide, deep horseshoe parting. I was picking up large sections on the sides and back, letting my hands slip away from his scalp about 3 inches, then just shearing off what hung beyond my fingers. His hair was so thick this was much easier on my hands using the clippers. Copious quantities of bushy as blonde locks started cascading down into his lap. Part of me wished I could just let the hungry clippers land on his nape and slide upward, up and over his crown, then down to his forehead. I caught myself though. He’d look like he was 10 years old again with a #1 butch. I saw Cam look at me with raised brows too. He would never let me get away with that anyway. Finally, I was satisfied with the reduction in bulk the clippers had accomplished and clicked them off. I’d noticed Nico sighing heavily several times while I was doing this. I checked to make sure he was still dry eyed. To my relief, he was. I can be a pretty good counselor, when it’s necessary, but I was hoping Nico could just relax and enjoy this experience as much as I was.

Cam had watched my every move, eyes getting bigger with each handful that landed in Nico’s lap.

"There, that’s a good start, for sure Nico" I said, giving his shoulder a soft squeeze.

"God Pete, I guess I didn’t realize just how long it’s gotten. Are you sure you haven’t started giving me a buzz cut?" Nico said softly.

I ran my hand up into the thick shag still covering the back, and hanging a few inches below his nape. "I’ve only just made a dent in it man." I said laughing.

Now came the real skill. I set about the task of layering and shaping the thick locks. While paying close attention to the details of his cut, I’d surreptitiously glance at Cam. I’d turned Nico away from the mirror at the beginning of the cutting, so he and Cam could look at one another. I loved watching Cams facial expressions change from approving to shock as either a small or large quantity of Nico’s lush locks came free after a snip of the shears. I noticed that Nico was watching Cam too.

I finally got the sides and back worked down to a nice overall length. I still wasn’t sure his graduation cap would ever fit over the thick lush bulk though. He looked kind of ridiculous with the nice evenly layered sides and back, and this heavy thick bulk of fringe and top locks clipped out of the way yet. The sides covered about half of his ears, the back was perfectly layered and finished off about an inch or so below his nape. He looked great so far.

"Wow Pete", Nico lamented. "My head feels so light. And there’s enough bushy bulk in my lap to form a soccer ball. Are you sure you aren’t scalping me with those shears?"

"Son, I still haven’t touched that huge fringe yet. Besides, I thought you wanted a buzz cut?" I said smirking at him.

Nico gave me a small smile back. "I know you haven’t buzzed it. Cam would have been out of that chair in a flash and wrestled the shears out of your hands." Cam looked up and grinned, nodding his head. "I guess I don’t really, actually want it buzzed. Walking in here today brought it all back to me in living color though. I still wonder what might have happened if you hadn’t been quick on your feet to grab the clippers from him. That whole day is still surreal to me. At least the night mares have stopped."

"Ah, let’s not dwell on the past son. He got what he deserved. My job here now is to make you look handsome for graduation and the next phase of your life." I patted his shoulder.

"Now then my friend, we’re in the home stretch." I said, reaching up and unclipping the huge fringe. I combed it all forward. The longest locks just reaching below his lower lip. I had to step back for a minute and take in the site of the huge fringe hanging down on his face. "Nico, how did you ever see your opponent on the mat, son." I chirped.

He finally chuckled. "Well, to be honest Pete, I never had to worry about seeing him. I could pretty much go by feel. I never wanted to make eye contact anyway. I found that most times they were too intimidated by this mane to grab me anywhere near my head. Once I realized that, I knew I could just let it grow. It kind of became my trade mark if you will. I also loved the fact that I was driving our coach, and a lot of times, the other coaches too, crazy mad. They couldn’t force me to cut it. I just kept winning and winning. I finally realized after I lost the championship match that I’d placed too much emphasis on it as a good luck charm too. Looking back now, I had also learned how to take being degraded and demeaned on the mat by the coach in stride, not letting it bother me. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right. I guess he really was a colossal ass hole now that I think about it. I guess I am glad too that I’ve saved the rest of the team from having to deal with him next season. I hope he’s not able to coach anywhere else either. "I liked this line of thinking from Nico way better than the survivor’s guilt I’d heard when he walked in.

While Nico paused to ponder further on this, I promptly slid the shears in at the bottom of his eye, then slid them a tiny bit lower and snipped. I kept snipping till all of that lush bang bulk slid away, exposing at least the lower half of his face. I saw Cam paw furiously at his phone, checking Nico’s fringe against the pic I was sure he’d looked up again. Nico had quickly tensed up as I started snipping the fringe. As I finished he sighed heavily.

Nico looked a bit shocked under the shorter fringe. I asked if he was doing O.K. He nodded yes, so I started establishing a guide length down thru the center of the top of his head, nice and long, going a bit shorter at the crown. Then I worked my way from front to back, using the fringe length as my other guide. When I finished, I ran my hand through and fluffed it a little. With less bulk, the fringe had come up a bit. It was only just about half covering his eyes now, and still damp. I could just see Nico staring at Cam, waiting for a reaction.

Cam gave Nico a small smile. Nico seamed to relax a bit more in the chair. "O.K. Nico, almost done, just have to get rid of a couple of years’ worth of neck fuzzies and square up those bushy sideburns." I chirped.

I gave him a dab of shaving foam at his sideburns and nape too. He’d already seen the straight razor so he was prepared. I worked my way across his nape, under the thick locks, it gave him a more finished look. I didn’t even ask about his side burns, I quickly reduced the bulk and chopped them midway down his ear. I wiped the excess foam away and stood back for a moment, admiring the new look. Wow, with the couple of days scruff growth he had, he looked like one hot dude. Judging from the glint in Cams eyes he must have thought so too.

I’d cut it so he could part it anywhere, or wear it without a part if he wanted. I looked expectantly at Cam now and asked. "Cam, what do you think we should do here, part it or leave the thick fringe down?" Cam walked up to the chair, a coy smile on his face. Nico looked expectantly from Cam to me.

"Let’s let him see the new Nico first Pete." Cam said, grinning and giving the chair a push so it swiveled around for Nico to face the mirror. The look on Nico’s face said it all. He was totally shocked by the reflection staring back at him in the mirror. He turned his head from side to side. He looked down in his lap. He searched Cams reflected face for a reaction. Cam said "May I Pete?" motioning to Nico’s head.

I knew exactly what he wanted to do. Get his hands in that plush mane. I nodded approval. Cam reached around Nico’s head. He gently parted the fringe in the center. Shaking his head no, he fluffed it again. This time he tried a three-quarter part, brushing it from left to right. He shook his head no again. "Well Pete, until it’s too long in front again, I kind of like it with no part. Nico?" Cam asked with raised brows.

Nico broke into an ear-to-ear smile. "If you like it this way, so do I babe. Pete, this is incredible. I’d completely forgotten how I looked with shorter hair. Oh my God."

"Ah, I’m glad you like it son" I replied, smiling warmly back at him. I don’t think you need any product in it so can I take this off then" I asked, indicating the cape.

Nico nodded affirmatively. I brushed him down quickly and unsnapped the cape. The huge mound of hair slowly slid to the floor.

Nico’s hands went to his head, slowly running his hands through the plush shorter locks. "Oh, Pete, this feels amazing" he said, grinning. Wait till my Dad sees it.

Nico stood, now face to face with Cam. "Well, do you like it?" Cam wrapped his hands around Nico’s neck, massaging the back of Nico’s head. "MMMM, yeah babe. Still lots here to play with. Oh, and yeah, you look f%$king hot!" I couldn’t help but laugh at the two of them.

"Pete, what do I owe you for this amazing transformation.?" Nico asked.

"You only owe me a smile, a thank you, and a promise that you’ll make sure I’m your barber, even while your away at college, wait till you come home for haircuts. You too Cam." I replied, smiling.

I got an enthusiastic ‘absolutely Pete" from both of them at the same time.

I laughed. "O.K. now get outa here youse guys. Go show off your new looks." The last I saw was the two of them walking out the door. Each with a hand buried in the thick locks at the back of the others head. I couldn’t help but smile. This day had ended perfectly.

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