A Fresh Start on Langeoog by Cody

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Henrik stepped off the small ferry boat with his heavy suitcase and took a deep breath of the salty North Sea air. The Langeoog boys’ boarding school, nestled among dunes and pine forests, was both inviting and awe-inspiring. It was Henrik’s first day, and he was curious about how his new life on the island would begin.

As he entered the room, he was greeted by Jonas, a lean boy with brown eyes and a relaxed demeanor. "Welcome! Henrik, right? I’m Jonas. We’re sharing this room. Max and Leon are connected to us through the bathroom over there. You’ll meet them soon."

Henrik set down his suitcase and looked around the room. The furnishings were simple: two beds, two desks, and a wardrobe. From the open bathroom door, faint laughter could be heard.

Jonas grinned. "Ah, there they are." Together, they stepped into the bathroom, where Max and Leon were already standing at the sink. Max, stocky and freckled, had his blonde hair styled in a short undercut. Leon, slimmer and sporting a mischievous smile, also had a freshly maintained undercut. Both looked impeccably groomed, though their hair had grown out slightly over the summer.

"New guy?" Max asked with a grin, eyeing Henrik. "I’m Max. This is Leon. Welcome to our little domain."

Henrik nodded, nervously brushing back his long, thick hair. "Thanks. Nice to meet you."

Leon chuckled. "So, what are we going to do with that hair?"

Henrik frowned. Jonas explained, "There are rules here about hair length. Short cuts are mandatory. Yannick will take care of it shortly."

"Yannick?" Henrik asked.

"A friend of ours. His dad’s a barber, and Yannick’s almost as good as him. He cuts our hair every year before the first day of school. It’s tradition."

Henrik still felt unsure when, ten minutes later, Yannick arrived. He was a confident boy with a suitcase full of barber tools. He seemed practiced as he entered the bathroom. Here, it was a rule to be naked â€" an expectation the boys had long accepted. Henrik hesitated briefly but then followed suit, removing his clothes like the others. The feeling of being so exposed and vulnerable was new to him, while for the others, it seemed entirely normal.

"Alright, who’s first?" Yannick asked with a broad smile.

Max stepped forward. "I’ll go first. My undercut desperately needs a touch-up." Yannick set him on a stool in the center of the bathroom. With a practiced hand, he grabbed the clippers and started neatly shaving the sides and back while trimming the top evenly. Max appeared relaxed, almost proud, as the hair fell away.

"Done," Yannick announced after a few minutes. Max ran a hand over his freshly trimmed head and grinned. "Perfect. Thanks, man!"

Next up was Leon. "Same as always," he said, taking a seat. Yannick renewed the undercut, carefully trimming the curls on top just enough to maintain their texture. Leon looked at himself in the mirror and nodded approvingly. "Not bad. Looks almost professional."

Then it was Jonas’ turn. He had a crew cut that had simply grown out a bit. Yannick worked with the clippers and scissors to restore the classic, no-fuss style. Jonas appeared at ease and winked at Henrik. "Your big moment, my friend."

Henrik was the last one. He felt the others’ eyes on him as he approached the stool. His long hair nearly reached his shoulders, and it had always been a part of his identity. "Are you sure this is necessary?" he asked hesitantly.

"Don’t worry," Yannick reassured him. "We’ll go for something that suits you. How about a modern undercut? Short sides, longer top â€" it’ll highlight your features."

Henrik nodded slowly. "Okay, go for it."

Yannick started with the clippers on the sides and back. Henrik felt the hair falling away and couldn’t help but feel a pang of unease. The other boys watched him, but none of them teased â€" there was a quiet sense of understanding in the air.

"Almost done," Yannick said as he made the final adjustments. When Henrik looked in the mirror, he barely recognized himself. The undercut accentuated his eyes and facial structure. Despite his initial doubts, he had to admit it looked good.

"That’s it," Yannick said with satisfaction as he packed up his tools. "You’re all set for the first day of school."

The four boys looked at each other and started laughing. It was a good start for Henrik, who felt he was beginning to fit in.

After the haircuts, Max suggested, "How about we all shower now? The haircut was just the start; now we’ll really look like ourselves again." The others laughed and agreed.

Under the communal shower with its four showerheads, they stood side by side as warm water poured over them, washing away the last traces of hair from their shoulders. It was a mix of relief and a touch of awkwardness, especially for Henrik, who was still adjusting to this open and carefree atmosphere. But the laughter and lighthearted conversations of the others quickly helped him feel more at ease. Once they were done, they dried off and felt ready for the day ahead â€" freshly styled and full of energy.

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