Opening a Barber Shop (2) by Scott the Haircut Lover

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Opening a Barber Shop (2)


So the party was winding down. This guy keeps looking at me. I really wasn’t getting the vibe, but I finally went up to him. "Hey man I am Tyler. Don’t think I know you." He smiled and said "I am Zack. Just moved here from California." I looked at him and said "That explains the surfer haircut." Zack was really good looking. Blonde, blue eyes, total surfer hair, we were about the same height and build. He playfully said "Ive been checking out your haircut all night." I smiled "I just got it today. Its totally different than what is was. In fact mine was much more like yours a few hours ago." What was it about this guy that I didn’t even know that I was drawn to? I am just getting back on my feet here and I am certainly not attracted to a guy.

Zack and I ended up talking for quite a while. I ended up explaining what had been going on the last several months and how today was the best day I have had in a very long time. I found out that Zack also had tragedy in his family and moved to our town to live with his grand parents. So as the conversation continued we found that we had a lot in common. I kept looking at his hair wondering if I had made a mistake earlier today. I really was digging the way it flowed. But then, every once in a while, I would rub my head as we talked and it reminded me that I was in love with my new look. No going back to the mullet and certainly not the over grown mop I had when I woke up today.

Monday came and I saw Zack in the hall way at school. "He Zack!" He smiled big and said "Hey Tyler! So glad to see you. I know no one here I am totally lost." I said "No worries. I own this place *giggles and I will show you around. Let me see your schedule." Zack handed me his schedule. We had a couple of classes together which for some reason excited me. Mid day Zack and I sat down and had lunch together. I wasn’t blowing off my long time friends, but my new friend and I had a lot in common. It felt really good talking to him and he was new. I was all about new since Saturday when I got my haircut. I asked Zack what he was doing after school. He shocked me! "Well I am going to get this surfer cut tamed down. I was hoping you could give me some advice on a salon or a barber shop." My jaw about dropped "Well I have been going to the same barber for a really long time. He cuts almost all of the guys in our schools hair. He is not only really cool he is a great barber!" Zack smiled "Do I need to make an appointment?" I said "Nah he will fit you in no matter what. Especially if I go with you." Zack was thrilled I was able to give him the suggestion of where he could get a good haircut. We decided to meet in the parking lot after school. I told him to hop in. Zack eagerly jumped into my jeep and off we went. As we drove off he said "That’s my grand parents house". I smiled "I live on the next block." Zack "oh cool! I would love to meet you aunt she sounds like an amazing person!" Me "Well after the haircut why don’t you join us for dinner. I told her I was bringing pizza home so its not big deal." Zack looked excited and agreed to come over to dinner. I saw him texting his grandma letting her know he met a new friend and was going to his house for dinner.

We pulled into the parking lot of Jarrod’s shop. I held the door for Zack and saw that Jarrod had Peter in the chair getting his shape up. Jarrod smiled at me "Back already?" I giggled, "No… I mean yes but not for me… This is Zack he just moved to town and asked me where he should get his haircut so of course I brought him here." Jarrod said "Have a seat guys ill be right with you." I saw Zack looking around the shop. He walked over to the wall with all the pictures of the styles and then I saw him inspect the counter where Jarrod had all his tools. Peter was looking sharper than ever. Jarrod made all of the guys at our school look great!

Peter got out of the chair. He paid Jarrod but he didn’t leave. He sat next to me and we chatted. Zack took a seat in Jarrods chair. Peter was asking me how I was doing. I told him much better. He was happy to hear it. Zack, meanwhile, was telling Jarrod how he wanted his haircut. Jarrod kept looking over at me then back to Zack. I really wasn’t paying much attention, but I did notice the looks. As Peter and I talked we heard the clipper come to live and the bleach blonde surfer cut on Zack’s head being mowed down. Simultaneously Peter and I gasp! Whoa! We both, without saying a word, started to stare at what was happening in Jarrods chair. Zack didn’t seem bothered at all as his haircut was starting to resemble mine more and more.

There was something going on inside me that I had never felt before. Zack was part of it but there was more to it. I started to really pay attention to how Jarrod was cutting his hair. I also noticed how happy Peter was when he got out of the chair a few minutes ago. Then I saw some joy on Zack’s face as his hair was basically being cut off. It left me thinking and remembering how much I enjoyed coming to this shop. How good I felt when I left. After so much grief I was definitely looking for happiness where ever I could find it. Peter said to me "Isn’t it great getting a fresh cut? I was so happy to see you at the party all cleaned up. I know it had to make you feel better about yourself." I looked at him and thanked him for being a true friend. And I acknowledged that he was correct! It changed my entire attitude. He gave me a bro hug and headed out. I turned my attention to what was happening in Jarrod’s chair. I was mesmerized by the transformation and realized that was me just a couple of days ago. Jarrod was talking to Zack. I started to capture all the smells of the barber shop. I also found myself focusing on how precise Jarrod was. I mean I had been in that same chair 100 times I am sure, but seeing it from the waiting area was a completely different experience.

The haircut was coming to an end. Seth had just walked in for his haircut and we chatted a bit. Zack had a high skin fade, his top was mowed down to less than ½ inch. It was a bit shorter than mine. He rubbed the back of his head and got out of the chair. He looked at Jarrod "I guess I will be seeing a lot of you now that I have this style." Jarrod smiled "Well I hope so and I really loved giving you a cut like Tylers." I told Zack I would meet him in a minute and I asked Seth if he minded let me talk to Jarrod for a minute. There was no argument. Jarrod and I walked in back. Jarrod looked a bit confused "What’s up Tyler?" I was nervous for some reason "Jarrod, can I come work here? I mean I know I don’t know how to cut hair, but I want to learn and ill sweep up and keep things neat and greet customers." Jarrod did look surprised but also had a smile "Yeah man. I’d love to have an apprentice." I knew he needed to get to Seth so I said "Thanks! Ill see you Saturday?" He gave me a bro hug and said "See you Saturday Tyler"……. And the story continues……

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