The Urge at Paul’s Place. by KeaXton

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It was May. The days were just starting to get hotter and hotter. Average of 90 degrees. It was two weeks out of school and my hair was covering my ears, eyes and neck. I was ready for a summer cut. At this time I’d never had a buzz, butch or anything in between. I had straight blonde hair.

Every day I would ride my bike to have some freedom at 13; Down around the lake, into the neighborhood, or down to the little shopping area near my house. In the shopping mall was a Prized Mexican restaurant, paint store, a pottery store, and Paul’s Barber Shop. I’d always been scared of barbershops making my hair so ridiculously short. I’d ride past Paul’s pretty often just to see if I’d finally take the urge and do it.

Outside of Paul’s was a giant sign that said "Summer Buzz Cuts $13". Now that’s a deal. At this time I was paying for things myself and not asking my parents for money except, my only allowance was through Chores. So getting a cheap haircut for summer was something I was looking to get.

When i got home from riding, i went to my room and got ready for bed. I decided right then and there, tomorrow bright and early, I was going to Paul’s and get my buzzcut for the summer.

The next morning I woke up and my hair had never looked better. It had a good sleep too. It was ready to get buzzed down to the skin.

I get my bike and head out the door at 9:45 as Paul’s was open at 10. as I’m going up and down the hill to get to Paul’s my stomach is in knots as I’m worrying it will be such a change. But I persist and get up that final steep hill that always gave me trouble.

I arrive and park my bike outside the shop and head in. Paul greets me with a smile and tells me to take a seat. It looks like he’s just cleaning up after the day before. Sweeping up the last of the hair.

"Hey that a cool bike" he says. "Mind if I bring it in here so it doesn’t get snatched."

There’s my chance to just go ahead and leave but my legs stayed. I was getting this buzzcut. I grab my bike and park it in his shop next to the seats.

"Thanks I appreciate that. I’d rather not worry about my bike".

"Go ahead and take a seat on the throne" he says to me.

I take my seat in the chair and he starts to wrap me up.

"Oh son you’re a little sweaty from your ride. Take off your top and I’ll wrap you up and I’ll throw your shirt into the dryer for you. "

I do as he says. He capes me up and i sit underneath shirtless and frightened but intrigued. Paul was very kind man. He comes back from the dryer he has in the back and starts chatting me up.

"What are we gonna do today son? First timer at Paul’s? "He asked?

"Yeah I saw your sign For $13 buzz cuts. I’d like that please. You can pick the length it’s summer time. "

I’m trying to play it cool the whole time as i know these bangs at my eyebrows are going to get eliminated. I’m ready for the change. As He pulls out his clippers I feel everything in my body gravel. He turns me towards the window where I can’t see the mirror.

He starts by going right down the middle leaving nothing but a #3 on top. After a few passes I ask him to turn me around and my bangs are gone, my hair is gone. Damn I looked different but in a good way.

He spins me around again and continues buzzing away. Blonde hair turning to brown patches as they land in my lap. I was so excited to see my final look.

He finishes the cut, takes off the cape and turns me around. My features never looked better. Seeing this cut and showing me off shirtless I was in awe.

He finishes me up with a neck shave and says "there we go. Number 3 all over. $13 dollars please. I gave him 16, he grabbed my top from the dyer, headed on my way."

I left my helmet off on the way home so I could feel the breeze in my buzz cut all the way home. I loved the way it felt and I went back to Paul’s every 3 weeks that summer.

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