You look just like him by noguard

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Getting out of his new-ish car, 16-year old Toby Billings approached the home of Archer Thomas, the man who had always cut him & his fathers hair. A few months ago, Archer has retired and sold the shop he used to own but Toby visited him for a trim every so often.

People always told Toby that he always looked like he was about to smile, with two semi-prominent dimples and flushed cheeks adorning his face when he did. His brown eyes had matched his about-as-dark hair. His hair was cut about an "average" length for a guy, the sides were always 2-4 inches long, usually getting longer the more they went up. That lead to the top, which lead to his bangs which were usually fashioned to swoop to the side in a messy manner; the rest of the top being the same length. A few swoops popped up here and there as well. Today, although, both Toby & Archer had something different in mind.

Toby knocked on the door, and it opened up to Archers usual cheery face; eyes squinted ever so slightly and wrinkles framing the features of his face.

"Toby! You’re here. I’ve just about got everything ready," Archer exclaimed.

"Hey, Mr. Tho- Archer, I mean."

Toby sometimes made the mistake of calling him Mr. Thomas as he did when he was younger.

The smell of the house was homey and welcoming, almost cinnamon-esque. He quickly spot the culprit of the slight aroma; a candle near the corner of the room, melting at the sides from heavy use.

"Alright, it’s all ready. Come now, don’t be shy," Archer suddenly exclaimed from the bathroom.

"Coming," Toby took his shoes off and hung his jacket on the coat hanger and headed to where he was.

The bathroom was oddly large; but appeared smaller due to the spinny chair in the middle of the room where he would sit; which he did. Toby’s heart started to pound in anticipation.

"Alright, so you still want me to give you what I gave your dad every time he came here," Archer said with a smile.

Toby stuttered slightly.

"Yeah," Toby remembered what his now-deceased father got every time; it was tight and short, a #2 on the top, 1-0 on the sides & back, & razor shaved near the nape and on the sideburns. It wasn’t exactly Toby’s aesthetic, but he’d thought it’d be neat to try out; he’ll look a lot different.

Archer caped Toby and tied a tissue around his neck.

"You ready?"

"Readier than ever, I guess."

"Alright, tough guy," Archer playfully responded while equipping the clippers with a #2 and bowing Toby’s head down.

"You want me to do it fast or slow?"

"Slow, I guess," Toby smiled and shrugged.

"Slow it is, now just relax," Toby listened to the clippers start to roar and, although his chest was pounding, he closed his eyes peacefully.

Archer plowed the turned on clippers into the boys nape and proceeded to the forelock, where the now shorn hair fell into his lap. Toby heard the noise and peeked; a long chunk of hair in his lap. The rest of the back & top slowly followed suit and fell into his lap, along with the sides; the slight tug of the clippers being quite soothing for his scalp.

"How’s it so far," Archer pointed to the mirror.

Toby looked up and his hazy eyes widened.

"Woah!" Toby exclaimed.

"It’s different, alright, but I actually quite like it."

Toby stroked his shorn scalp, the stubble feeling soft one way and rough the other way. Only a light brown color remained on his head. His forehead was exposed and he found himself quite attractive, honestly. He blushed.

"We’ve still got some work to do! Be patient, boy," Archer joked proceeded by Toby slightly laughing.

"Go for it."

Toby looked back down as the #1 guard was used on his sides and nearing the top. The tug was stronger this time, but it didn’t compare to the #0. When that was put onto the lower areas of his sides and back, the tug wasn’t strong enough to be unpleasant, but it was certainly a pleasant shock. He jumped a bit.

"Never had it cut this short, huh," Archer joked.

"Not at all," Toby closed his eyes and smiled.

Archer lifted Toby’s head up and blowed off most of the hair with a blow dryer.

Toby looked up and almost gasped. His slightly paler scalp was now exposed.

"Alright, time for the last step; be very still," Archer popped out a razor knife and started to scrape the stubble near the bottom and on the sideburns. This was the strangest sensation, feeling the knife scrape off the stubble.

Archer wet his hands and rubbed Toby’s scalp thoroughly, getting every inch of his head. He dried it off with a towel.

"What do you think? You look just like him," Archer tapped Toby’s shoulder. Toby lifted his head up.

Even though he had already seen it, he was shocked; though he smiled and his cheeks turned a pink hue. He started to rub his scalp with one hand. The transition from a velvet-like material to sandpaper to smooth scalp was astonishing, no matter his dad had always gotten this. The shaved look looked pretty sick along with his ear piercings.

"It’s awesome; honestly. Thank you so much," Toby softly smiled at Archer after he had uncaped him and let him get out of the chair.

"I’m glad you do," Archer gave me a thumbs up.

"If you want to get it touched up, come back in 1-2 weeks, ok?" Archer said as Toby equipped his shoes and coat.

"I may just do that! Goodbye," Toby waved and slowly closed the door.

Toby approached his car and rubbed his head, the sensational feeling returning. He left his car window open as he drove back, the wind seeping through the sparse hair in his scalp.

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