The Barber Belt - Rhett’s Return (Part 3 by buzzbro

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Chapter 9: Shaving and Preparation

Ethan at the Shaving Station

Rhett’s eyes remained glued to the chair ahead as Ethan’s white-caped mass was positioned at the Shaving Station. The staff guided him carefully, and the barber immediately instructed, "Chin to your chest, Ethan. Keep it down until I tell you." Ethan obeyed, his small hands clutching the sides of the chair, trembling slightly. Rhett could hear the soft rustle of the cape as it shifted around Ethan’s body, and the faint tap of his shoes against the footrest as he fidgeted nervously.

Ethan handed over his pink slip to the barber, who read it aloud: "Hair thickness 4 out of 5. Small lump on crown. Oster 76 clippers, #00000 for top and sides. Stay still, keep your head down." Ethan swallowed, nodding, his throat tight.

The barber switched the clippers from #1 to #00000, spraying the blades with disinfectant, the sharp chemical smell mingling with the faint antiseptic lingering from previous shaves. The clippers hummed to life with a loud whirring sound, vibrating slightly through the cord which occasionally brushed against Ethan’s cape and face. Ethan jumped in his seat at the sudden noise. "O-okay," he whispered, flinching.

The barber dug the clippers into the forehead, moving smoothly up to the crown. Rhett watched as the top of Ethan’s head was gradually revealed bald, the shiny scalp gleaming under the bright fluorescent lights. Small tufts of brown hair clung to his cape and fell in a pile at his feet. Ethan’s hands gripped the chair as the clippers passed over the crown, leaving a flawless chrome dome, and Rhett noticed the slight tension in Ethan’s shoulders as he kept perfectly still.

Next, the barber tilted Ethan’s head gently, working on the sides and back. Rhett could see each stubble of hair falling into the cape, the way the clippers hummed and buzzed with precision. Ethan briefly peeked at the mirror attached to his chair, the bald dome reflecting back at him. His face was a mix of shock and discomfort, and his small hands fidgeted with the cape as he whispered, "It’s cold… feels funny."

The barber intermittently switched off the clippers to brush stray hairs off Ethan’s scalp, the bristles soft against his newly shaved skin, then powered the clippers back on to finish the sides. Rhett’s stomach knotted as he realized the exact process would soon be happening to him.

⸻

Leo at the Preparation Station

While Ethan was in the Shaving Station, Leo’s chair rolled into the Preparation Station just ahead of Rhett’s. The barber greeted him gently but firmly: "Sit straight, Leo. We’re just getting your hair ready for the Shaving Station." The chair was slightly elevated, the cape tugged snugly over his shoulders, and the faint scent of wet hair mixed with disinfectant filled the small area.

The barber sprayed Leo’s hair with water, the fine mist dampening each brown curl, and used a comb to meticulously detangle every strand, moving slowly from front to back. The comb made a soft scratching sound as it passed through wet hair, the droplets glistening under the bright overhead lights. Rhett noticed the gentle pressure of the comb on Leo’s scalp, the slight tug of stubborn curls, and the way Leo flinched slightly each time a particularly thick section was smoothed down.

Once combed, the barber set Leo’s hair perfectly, ensuring every strand lay flat, ready for shaving. Then came the pink slip procedure, which the barber narrated aloud:

"Hair thickness rating: 3 out of 5," he said as he wrote it down.

"No lumps or bumps noted," he added, running a careful hand over Leo’s head.

"Oster 76 clippers to be used," he concluded, double-checking the instructions.

The barber handed the slip to Leo and explained, "This tells the Shaving Station barber exactly how to proceed. Hand it over and sit still in the chair, and everything will be done safely." The slip was slightly damp from the mist, and Leo gripped it tightly as he prepared for the next step.

Finally, the barber pressed the button to send Leo forward, rolling his chair into the main queue behind Ethan. Rhett watched every movement: the chair gliding along the belt, the slight sway with each movement, the faint scrape of wheels on the metal track, and the soft rustle of Leo’s cape. Rhett’s anticipation grew as he realized his turn was next.

⸻

Rhett at the Preparation Station

Rhett’s chair finally rolled forward into the Preparation Station, and he was instructed to sit upright. The barber addressed him clearly: "We’re just setting your hair for the Shaving Station. Stay still, head straight." Rhett could feel the slight dampness of the water mist on his thick curls and the soft tug of the comb as the barber worked through his hair. Each pass aligned his hair perfectly, readying him for the clippers.

The barber then filled out the pink slip, narrating to Rhett each step:

"Hair thickness: 3-". The barber hesitated, before running his hand right through the top of Rhett’s head. Rhett’s hair raised in tall spikes, remind Rhett of when his mother would sometimes spike up the top of his grown out buzz cuts.

"Let’s make that a 4 out of 5. Your hair is pretty thick" the barber confirmed before jotting it down on the slip. He then combed Rhett’s hair back into position perfectly ready for the onslaught of the clippers.

"Small lump on the crown, to be careful with,"

"Oster 76 clippers for full head."

The barber handed Rhett the slip, which he held in his fingers, slightly damp, the rough texture pressing into his palm. "This tells the Shaving barber exactly how to work with your head," the barber explained, patting him lightly on the shoulder.

Finally, the barber pressed the button sending Rhett to queue behind Leo, the chair rolling forward. Rhett felt the gentle sway, the subtle hum of the conveyor, and the slight scent of damp hair and antiseptic filling his senses. His heart raced as he anticipated what would soon come next.

Chapter 10: The Shaving Station

Leo’s chair rolled forward until it stopped just short of the Shaving Station, directly beside Rhett’s. From here, Leo had a clear, unobstructed view of Ethan ahead of them. The bright lights reflected off Ethan’s head as the barber made the final passes with the clippers, the buzzing filling the room like a mechanical drone that never fully stopped.

Leo turned toward Rhett, his voice shaking.

"I—I don’t want this anymore," Leo whispered, his breath hitching. "I want to back out. Watching him… watching Ethan—it’s scared me."

His hands trembled beneath the cape as tears welled up and spilled over. "I don’t want my head shaved like that," he cried quietly.

Rhett swallowed hard. "I know," he whispered back. "It looks worse than it feels. It’s fast if you don’t move."

Leo shook his head, crying harder now. "I can’t. I really can’t."

The Shaving Station barber glanced over, clearly overhearing Leo’s cries. Without raising his voice, he spoke firmly.

"There’s no backing out," the barber said. "You’ve already been assessed. This will go quicker if you stay still."

Leo sobbed, shrinking back into the chair.

As the barber finished the final pass over Ethan’s scalp, he switched the clippers off and reached for a soft brush. He brushed Ethan’s head carefully, sweeping away the remaining loose hairs from the smooth skin, then wiped Ethan’s cheeks, forehead, and eyelashes with a clean towel to clear away the fine stubble clinging there.

The sheer amount of hair left behind was impossible to ignore.

Ethan’s white cape was heavily littered with thick brown clumps, piled high in his lap and gathered in folds where the fabric draped over his legs. More hair sat around his shoulders and collar, caught where the cape curved around his neck. At the base of the chair, hair had collected in dark mounds, spilling outward onto the tiled floor of the Shaving Station, where it had been crushed flat by shoes and chair wheels. The floor around him was speckled and layered with it—short, long, coarse strands all mixed together.

Ethan stared downward, trembling as he took it all in.

Seeing all of his hair separated from him, no longer part of his head but lying there on the cape and floor, made his chest hitch. A small, broken cry escaped him before he could stop it. His hands twitched beneath the cape as the reality of what had just happened fully sank in.

"Sit up straight. Look ahead," the barber said calmly.

Ethan lifted his head and caught his reflection in the mirror—his scalp completely bare, smooth and pale under the lights. His lips quivered again, tears spilling freely now.

The barber pressed the button.

Ethan’s chair began to move, rolling him forward toward the Finishing Station, carrying him away as he trembled and cried softly, the heavy cape still weighed down with the remains of his hair.

The Shaving Station barber swept the floor quickly, clearing away the clumps of Ethan’s hair, then turned back as Leo’s chair was advanced.

As Leo’s chair began to move, he panicked.

"No—no—Rhett!" Leo screamed, twisting slightly. "Please—I don’t want this!"

His chair halted abruptly before reaching the station. Staff moved in immediately, placing hands on the sides of the chair and adjusting his position. One secured the cape more firmly, smoothing it flat and ensuring it sat tight around his neck. Another steadied his shoulders.

"Sit still," the barber said firmly. "Chin to your chest."

Leo sobbed as the button was pressed again, and his chair slid fully into the Shaving Station.

The barber reached for the pink slip, taking it carefully from Leo’s clenched hands.

"Let’s go through this," the barber said, reading aloud. "Hair thickness: three out of five. No scalp issues. Oster seventy-six clippers. Full shave."

Leo nodded weakly when prompted, his voice barely audible.

The barber took a tissue and gently wiped Leo’s face, clearing away tears, then turned to the tool station. He cleaned the clippers—the same Oster 76 used on Ethan—spraying them briefly before setting them in his hand.

The clippers snapped on with a sharp, loud buzz.

Leo flinched and cried out again.

"Stay still," the barber said, placing a steady hand at the back of Leo’s head.

The clippers were pressed to Leo’s forehead and pushed back in one smooth pass to the crown. Hair fell immediately, sliding down over Leo’s face and cape. More passes followed until the entire top of his head was cleanly shaved, hair collecting across the white fabric and clinging briefly to his skin before being brushed away.

The clippers stopped. The barber brushed Leo’s head, loose hair cascading down the cape and onto the floor.

After a quick clean of the blades, the clippers roared back to life. The barber tilted Leo’s head, shaving the sides and back, lifting his chin so he faced forward.

Rhett saw Leo’s reflection clearly now: eyes wide and glassy, face streaked with tears, damp strands of hair sticking briefly before being swept away.

The barber made two final passes over Leo’s scalp, ensuring nothing remained uneven. Satisfied, he brushed Leo’s head and face one last time and pressed the button.

Leo’s chair moved forward toward the Finishing Station, carrying him away as Rhett’s own chair crept closer to the Shaving Station.

Rhett’s stomach tightened.

Now there was nothing left between him and the clippers.

Chapter 11: The Shaving Station

The conveyor belt carried Rhett’s chair forward with a low, steady rumble. As the Shaving Station came into full view, the barber stepped closer and raised a hand slightly.

"Chin to your chest, Rhett," he said, calm but firm. "Just like last time."

Rhett obeyed, lowering his head. His heart was beating faster now. Even though he had decided to go through with it, the closeness of the moment made his stomach tighten. The smell of disinfectant and warm metal filled the air around the station, sharper here than anywhere else along the belt.

His cape felt heavier than before, the fabric snug around his neck, holding him still. Rhett took a slow breath and tried to steady himself.

The chair locked into place.

"All right," the barber said, stepping directly in front of him. "Let me see your slip."

Rhett lifted one hand from beneath the cape and passed over the pink slip. The barber unfolded it carefully, scanning each line.

"Hair thickness: four out of five," the barber read aloud. "Small lump noted near the crown—nothing to worry about, just something I’ll work around. Clippers: Oster Seventy-Six, full head."

Rhett nodded. Hearing it laid out like that made it feel more official, more inevitable—but also clearer.

"I’ll start at the front," the barber continued, speaking as he worked. "We’ll take the top first, smooth and even, then move to the sides and back. It’ll feel loud and vibrate a bit, but it won’t hurt. Best thing you can do is stay still and let me work."

"I understand," Rhett said quietly. "That’s okay."

The barber gave a brief nod of approval and turned to the tool station. Rhett heard the metallic click as the Oster clippers were adjusted, followed by the sharp hiss of disinfectant sprayed across the blades. A cloth wiped them clean.

Then the clippers roared to life.

The sound was powerful and immediate, sending a vibration straight through Rhett’s chest. He flinched slightly but stayed still, chin still tucked.

The first pass started at his forehead.

The barber pressed the clippers firmly into Rhett’s hairline and drove them back toward the crown in one long, confident motion. Rhett felt the resistance of thick hair give way instantly, followed by a cool, exposed sensation as bare scalp replaced it.

The vibration was constant, buzzing deep against his skin. As the barber made the second and third passes, Rhett could feel hair sliding down the inside of the cape, piling in his lap and some pooling around the seat beneath him. The contrast between the warm weight of hair and the cool air against his newly shaved scalp was startling.

The long power cord from the clippers swung as the barber worked, occasionally brushing Rhett’s cheek and tapping lightly against his face before dragging across the cape. Once it flicked against his lips. Rhett blinked but said nothing, knowing that interrupting would only slow things down.

Pass after pass, the top of his head was cleared completely.

When the clippers switched off briefly, Rhett became aware of just how much hair was gone. The barber brushed his scalp firmly, sweeping loose strands away, then tilted Rhett’s head upright.

Rhett caught a glimpse of himself in the station mirror: the entire top of his head smooth and pale, the sides still dark and full.

The clippers started again.

The barber tilted Rhett’s head slightly to one side and began shaving above his ear. The vibration felt stronger here, closer to bone, and the sound echoed inside Rhett’s head. Hair fell in thick sheets, collecting along the cape’s folds and cascading down to the floor.

The cord smacked lightly against Rhett’s cheek again as the barber worked around the curve of his head. Rhett clenched his jaw but stayed still, eyes fixed forward.

Within minutes, the sides and back were stripped clean. The barber went over everything again—slow, methodical passes to ensure uniform smoothness—before switching the clippers off for the final time.

The silence felt heavy.

The barber brushed Rhett’s head thoroughly, then wiped his forehead, cheeks, and neck with a clean cloth, removing the last clinging hairs.

"Well done," the barber said. "That’s a clean finish."

He picked up a handheld mirror and held it in front of Rhett, rotating it slowly so Rhett could see every angle—front, sides, back.

"This’ll be easy to maintain," the barber added. "You’re signed up monthly now, so next time we’ll have a larger cape ready for you."

Rhett nodded, studying his reflection. His head was completely shaved—smooth, even, unmistakable. The cape was blanketed with hair, thick piles resting in his lap, clinging to the chair’s edges, and scattered across the floor beneath him.

The barber gave his head one final brush and wiped Rhett’s face clean again.

Then he stepped back and pressed the control button.

Rhett’s chair began to move forward, the belt carrying him away from the Shaving Station and toward the Finishing Station, leaving behind the sound of clippers and the weight of hair on the floor.

Chapter 12: The Finishing Station

Rhett’s chair glided forward with a low mechanical hum as it left the Shaving Station behind. The sound of clippers faded, replaced by a softer, more controlled atmosphere. The belt slowed, then stopped again as his chair locked neatly into position at the Finishing Station.

The first thing Rhett noticed was how bright it was.

Overhead lights reflected faintly off his newly shaved scalp, making the air feel cooler against his skin. Without hair to dull sensation, every shift in temperature felt sharper, more immediate. He swallowed and adjusted his shoulders slightly beneath the cape, aware of how light his head felt now—almost hollow.

A finishing barber stepped into view, dressed in a clean apron and gloves. Their movements were slower than the shaving barber’s, deliberate and practiced.

"All right, Rhett," the barber said evenly. "Just relax. We’ll get you cleaned up."

Rhett nodded.

The barber reached for a soft brush and began sweeping gently over Rhett’s scalp, neck, and ears. Compared to the harsh vibration of the clippers, this felt almost soothing. Fine hairs lifted and floated away, landing silently on the floor or being caught in the folds of the cape. Rhett could hear the faint whisper of the bristles against skin.

Next came a warm cloth.

The barber wiped carefully around Rhett’s hairline, across his forehead, behind his ears, and down the back of his neck. The cloth smelled faintly of antiseptic and soap. Rhett closed his eyes briefly as it passed over sensitive areas that had just been shaved smooth.

"Let me know if that’s too warm," the barber said.

"It’s fine," Rhett replied quietly.

The barber checked the back of his head with practiced fingers, running a hand lightly over the scalp to feel for any remaining roughness. Finding none, they nodded to themselves.

A small mirror was adjusted in front of Rhett, angled carefully.

Rhett looked.

His reflection was unmistakable: his head completely smooth, evenly shaved from forehead to nape. His ears looked more prominent now, his face different somehow—older, more exposed. He tilted his head slightly, watching how the light caught on bare skin where hair had been just minutes before.

The barber watched his reaction but said nothing, simply allowing him the moment.

Then came the uncapping.

The barber reached behind Rhett’s neck and began undoing the metal poppers one by one. Each snap echoed softly in the quiet station. As the cape loosened, Rhett felt cool air reach his shoulders and chest. The weight of hair shifted and slid as the barber lifted the cape carefully away, keeping most of the loose clippings contained.

When the cape was finally removed, Rhett felt suddenly lighter. The chair beneath him was brushed clean quickly, and stray hairs were swept from his clothes with a soft handheld brush.

"Stand still," the barber said gently, brushing down Rhett’s shoulders, arms, and legs. "Almost done."

Rhett could hear the faint sound of other chairs arriving and departing further down the belt, but here the atmosphere was calmer, quieter—like an exit corridor after something intense.

The barber gave a final nod of approval.

"All finished."

A small green light illuminated on the control panel, and the chair unlocked. Rhett felt it roll forward just a fraction, signaling the end of the process. He sat still for a moment, absorbing the feeling of completion—the hum of the machinery, the clean scent of the station, the unfamiliar smoothness of his head.

Whatever came next, the Barber Belt was finished with him.

As Rhett prepared to step away from the chair, a staff member approached holding a small tablet mounted in a rubberized frame. The device was already awake, the screen glowing softly.

"Before you go," the staff member said calmly, "we need to take your completion photo."

Rhett paused. He’d noticed other boys earlier being stopped briefly after the Finishing Station, guided to a marked spot on the floor beneath a plain, light-colored wall. Now it was his turn.

He was positioned carefully, feet placed on the taped outlines, shoulders squared. Another staff member adjusted the overhead light slightly so it shone evenly across his head. Rhett felt the brightness again on his scalp, warmer now that he was standing.

"Look straight ahead," the staff member instructed. "Chin level."

Rhett did as he was told, fixing his gaze on a small dot on the wall. He was acutely aware of how exposed his head felt, the smooth skin catching the light with no hair left to soften it.

The tablet was raised.

There was a brief pause as the staff member checked the framing, then a soft click as the photo was taken. Rhett blinked instinctively.

"Good," the staff member said. "One more for the side."

Rhett turned his head slightly, feeling the cool air move across his scalp as he shifted. Another click followed.

The staff member glanced at the screen, nodded in satisfaction, and tapped a few notes onto the tablet.

"All set."

Rhett was thanked and guided onward, the moment already logged and filed away—another completed record of the Barber Belt experience.

Chapter 13: Reunited

Rhett was guided by a staff member through a final set of double doors and into a quiet, softly lit waiting room. The air here was warmer, the faint scent of disinfectant replaced by a subtle aroma of hair products. He sank into one of the padded chairs, feeling the smooth, exposed skin of his freshly shaved scalp prickling against the air. Despite the soft hum of the ventilation system and the muted chatter from staff, his thoughts were louder—he was still raw with a mix of embarrassment, sadness, and lingering anger at his mother.

A staff member approached with a small goody bag, handing it carefully to Rhett. Inside was sun cream, a bottle of scalp protection spray, a soft cap, and a colorful brochure detailing care instructions for shaved heads. Rhett’s fingers lingered over the items, the cap feeling strange in his hands, a small symbol of his new look. Before he could explore further, another staff member placed a set of photos in front of him—before and after images of his haircut. He froze as his eyes fell on the pictures: the thick, messy hair he had come in with contrasted sharply with the gleaming bald scalp that now stared back at him from the after shots. A small tear pricked at his eye, but it quickly turned to irritation, and he slammed the photos lightly onto his lap.

Moments later, the door opened and his mother entered. Rhett looked away, still nursing his frustration, but she approached him quickly and enveloped him in a hug. "Oh, Rhett…" she said softly, her voice tinged with guilt. "I know this was hard, and I’m sorry for tricking you, but it really is for the best."

Rhett squirmed slightly in her embrace, keeping his gaze fixed on the floor. "I still don’t like it," he mumbled, his voice low, tinged with embarrassment and defiance. "I didn’t want it, and I don’t want to come back next month. I wanted a barber cut! A modern style! I feel like… like a little kid. Everyone else has normal hair."

His mother sighed, brushing a hand gently over the smooth curve of his scalp. "I understand how you feel. I really do," she said, squeezing him once more. "But this will be practical for swimming, for school, and it will grow back quickly. I know it seems unfair now, but I promise it’s for your benefit."

Rhett crossed his arms stubbornly, the sharpness of his protest softened only slightly by her gentle tone. "It’s still unfair. I wanted a cool haircut like my friends."

She nodded, hugging him again, a little longer this time. "I’m sorry, Rhett. Truly. I didn’t want to upset you. I just… want what’s best for you."

After a few quiet moments, she helped him to his feet. Rhett’s legs felt unsteady, as if he were walking differently with his newly shaved head. Hand in hand, they moved toward the exit. His mother opened the door to the bright sunlight outside, and the world felt sharper, unfamiliar, reflecting the changes on his head. Rhett squinted, still pouting slightly, but allowed himself to be guided to the car, the finality of the experience settling in with every step.

Chapter 14: The Journey Home

Rhett slid into the passenger seat of the car, still feeling the smooth, prickling sensation of his freshly shaved scalp. Reflexively, he pulled his baseball cap down over his head—but immediately noticed it fit far too loosely now. The thick hair that had once held it snugly in place was gone, and the cap wobbled on his head. He pushed it down, adjusted the strap, twisted it slightly for a better fit, but the awkward looseness was unavoidable. He huffed quietly, a small surge of irritation rising in his chest. It was a tangible reminder of what he had just lost: his hair, his comfort, and the control he thought he had over his own look.

Chloe slid into the driver’s seat and started the car. "So," she began cautiously, glancing at him through the rearview mirror, "how was it, Rhett? How did it feel?"

Rhett fidgeted in the seat, tracing the seam of the seatbelt, before beginning to speak. "It… it was weird. And… kind of scary at first. Watching the other boys, seeing the clippers, the way they shaved Ethan and Leo… it made me nervous. I didn’t think I’d be able to do it." He paused, swallowing. "But… once it started, I… I don’t know… I just had to sit still. It felt cold, the clippers buzzing, the cord hitting my head. And all the hair falling… on me, on the cape… on the floor. I’ve never seen so much hair in my life. It made me feel… small, I guess."

Chloe nodded, her grip tightening briefly on the steering wheel. "I know, Rhett… I really do. I feel guilty. I’m sorry I tricked you. I know it was hard." She glanced at him, her expression softening. "But… you’ll still be signed up for the Monthly Subscription."

Rhett’s head snapped up, eyes wide with shock. "What? No! I’m not doing that! I—Why? And… why isn’t Rian signed up too?"

Chloe bit her lip, weighing her words. "Well… I hadn’t thought about Rian yet. Maybe… we should consider it, actually." She made a mental note to discuss it with Chris later. "But it will be good for you. Regular haircuts, practical, neat… especially with swimming."

Rhett’s jaw set as he muttered, "I still don’t want it." But the conversation was interrupted as Chloe’s tone brightened. "Okay, how about we make a deal? Let’s get some food first, and then you can pick out a new outfit on the way home. Sound fair?"

Rhett blinked, surprise flickering across his face. Slowly, the tight knot of frustration in his chest loosened. "Really? I can choose?" he asked, voice tinged with hope. "Where can we eat? And… where can I get an outfit?"

Chloe smiled and nodded. "You can choose. Go ahead."

Rhett’s face brightened, the first real smile since leaving the Shaving Station spreading across his features. "A burger place! Yeah, I want burgers! And… I know this new streetwear shop just opened—it’s got stuff for guys my age up to, like, forty! I want to pick a new hoody, some jeans, a t-shirt, a hat, and sneakers."

Chloe bit her lip, glancing at the rearview mirror again. The store choices made her slightly nervous; the prices would be high, and she hadn’t budgeted for a full outfit. But seeing Rhett’s enthusiasm, the way his eyes sparkled despite the lingering embarrassment from the haircut, made her decide it was worth it. "Alright," she said, voice warm. "We’ll do it. You can choose whatever you like."

Rhett’s smile widened even more, his shaved head barely covered by the slightly loose cap, but now he felt a small sense of control returning. The hum of the car engine, the soft whir of passing traffic, and the scent of the leather interior seemed to blend into a calming rhythm. For the first time since the morning, he felt a flicker of excitement, imagining burgers, soft streetwear fabrics, and a new outfit that would help him reclaim some of the identity he felt he had temporarily lost.

Chapter 15: The Reveal

The car rolled smoothly into the driveway, the tires crunching lightly over the gravel as Chloe guided it into the garage. She cut the engine and turned to Rhett. "Alright," she said, voice calm but firm. "Take your bags inside while I go next door to get Rian."

Rhett nodded silently, the new clothes he’d picked out still resting in shopping bags at his feet. He opened the car door, feeling the cool air brush over his freshly shaved scalp. Each step into the garage echoed softly as he lifted the bags and carried them toward the front door.

Inside the house, Rhett dropped the bags in the hallway and carried them upstairs to his bedroom. He sat on the edge of his bed and began unpacking, removing the tissue paper and peeling off the labels from each item. There was a soft rustle as he laid out the new hoody, t-shirt, jeans, baseball cap, and sneakers. His fingers lingered on the fabric, feeling the smooth cotton and denim, a small comfort after the morning’s ordeal.

Rhett moved to the shower, stripping off his old clothes. The water hit his scalp first, and he shivered slightly at the sensation—the wet spray on his bare head was a sharp reminder of the Barber Belt and the shaved chrome dome that now covered his head. It felt smooth, tender, and oddly exposed, a constant reminder of what had been taken from him that morning. He washed quickly, trying not to linger too long on the strange vulnerability he felt.

After drying off, he changed into his new outfit. The hoody, slightly oversized now that his hair no longer added bulk to his head, slid easily over his scalp. He pulled on his jeans and sneakers, smoothing down the t-shirt before grabbing his new baseball cap, adjusting it carefully to fit his bare head snugly. It was different, unfamiliar, but it felt like the first step in reclaiming some control.

Rhett padded downstairs, the house quiet except for the faint murmur of conversation coming from the kitchen. He peeked around the corner and saw Chloe and Rian talking. He tugged the hood of his hoody up over his head, hiding the stark baldness from his younger brother, who had been so excited to see his "new modern haircut."

"Rhett! You’ve got to show me!" Rian exclaimed, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "I want the same haircut as you! Whatever you got!"

Chloe glanced at Rhett, giving him a small, knowing smile. "Rian," she said softly, "it wouldn’t be a problem at all. I can arrange for you to get the same haircut as Rhett. You’ll be taken along with him when his monthly appointment comes up, and you’ll be signed up for the subscription too."

Rian shrieked with glee at first, spinning around, clapping his hands. "Really? Really?! That’s amazing!" He turned eagerly to Rhett. "Come on, show me your new haircut!"

Rhett smirked slightly, sharing a knowing glance with his mother, and slowly pulled the hood down from his head. His shining white scalp was revealed, smooth and gleaming in the kitchen light.

Rian froze, his excitement turning immediately to confusion. His eyes went wide, and his jaw dropped. "Wait… what?!" he whispered, his voice quivering. "This isn’t a modern haircut!"

Chloe crouched slightly to meet Rian at eye level. "Rian," she said gently but firmly, "I took Rhett back to the Barber Belt for his haircut. He didn’t get to choose; he was forced to have it done there. And since you said you wanted the same haircut as Rhett, you’ll be going along next time. You’ll also be signed up for the monthly subscription."

Rian’s face crumpled instantly. Panic and disbelief washed over him. "No! I don’t want to! I don’t want it! This is so unfair!" he shouted, voice rising. Tears welled up in his eyes as he stamped his feet.

"Rian!" Chloe said sharply, her tone stern. "Enough. You need to calm down. You agreed you wanted the same haircut, and you’ll have to follow through."

But it was too late; Rian turned and stormed off to his bedroom, slamming the door with a force that rattled the frame. The sound of his cries echoed through the house as he buried his face into his pillow, wailing.

Rhett remained in the kitchen, his hood down, feeling a mix of sympathy for Rian and a small, quiet satisfaction. For the first time since leaving the Barber Belt, he allowed himself to sit back, watching the chaos unfold and realizing that, for now, at least, he had survived his ordeal—and he was still one step ahead of his younger brother.

Chapter 16: Telling Dad

Back at home, Rhett had finished settling into his new outfit, the day’s ordeal lingering in the back of his mind as he quietly picked at his lunch. Chloe, still conscious of the moment and wanting to keep a record, pulled out her phone.

She opened the photo gallery and carefully snapped a picture of the "before and after" pictures of Rhett from the Barber Belt—the contrast stark, the shaved head gleaming under the light. She took a moment to check the images, ensuring both sides were clear, then opened WhatsApp and sent the photos straight to Chris, Rhett’s dad.

Moments later, her phone buzzed with a reply. Chris had sent a thumbs-up emoji, followed by a text: "I approve of the haircut. Looks good on him, suits him—makes him look older. He should keep it. How did he do at the Barber Belt?"

Chloe smiled faintly at the message, then began typing back. "He did fine overall, although it was stressful at first. I’ve signed him up for a monthly haircut subscription at the Barber Belt. It’s cheaper overall than booking individual appointments, and it will keep him shaved smooth all year, which will be really good for swimming. I’m also going to sign Rian up for the same subscription, and they’ll attend their appointments together."

Her phone buzzed almost immediately with Chris’s response. "I’m ok with the subscription, sounds like a good idea. How are you planning to break the news to Rian? Is he too young for monthly shaves?"

Chloe typed back, explaining her reasoning: "Rian likes to get his head regularly buzzed by me, and he has been shaved at the Barber Belt before. I think he’s old and mature enough to handle monthly shaves. I’ve already informed him about it—he’s not taking it well. He’s currently crying in his bedroom."

Chris replied with a laughing emoji and a short message: "He’ll get over it. He’ll come around to the decision soon enough."

Chloe placed her phone down, exhaling slowly. She glanced toward the staircase where faint sobs still echoed from Rian’s bedroom. Then she looked at Rhett, his smooth scalp glinting in the afternoon sunlight, and saw a mixture of embarrassment, defiance, and a spark of pride in him. Despite the tension, she felt a quiet satisfaction that the boys would both be taken care of, and that the monthly haircuts would provide both practicality and consistency.

Rhett, sensing his mother’s gaze, gave a small nod, pulling his hoodie slightly over his head again. It was a silent acknowledgment—they both knew the day had been tough, but the new reality was now set. Chloe reached over and gently ruffled his hood, a quiet gesture of reassurance that, despite the shock of the morning, things were moving forward—and life at home would continue, though now with a monthly appointment already scheduled for the boys.

Chapter 17: Video Call

Later that afternoon, Rhett’s phone buzzed with an incoming video call. The screen lit up with his dad’s smiling face.

"Hey, champ! How’s it going? How’s that new haircut?" Chris asked cheerfully.

Rhett hesitated for a moment, then slowly pulled the hood of his hoody off his head, revealing his freshly shaved scalp. "It’s… done," he said quietly, holding his head still for the camera.

Chris feigned surprise, widening his eyes and opening his mouth. "Whoa! You got your head shaved again! Did you go back to the Barber Belt?"

"Yeah… this morning," Rhett replied, his tone flat, a mix of embarrassment and lingering frustration.

Chris raised an eyebrow. "Did you go yourself? Did you ask for it?"

Rhett frowned. "No… Mom said we were going to a barber to get a modern haircut, but… she tricked me. Took me to the Barber Belt."

For a moment, Rhett expected his dad to react with shock or concern, but Chris only nodded. "Ah, okay. Mom told me all about it and asked me if it was alright before booking you in."

Rhett’s jaw dropped slightly. "She… she asked you?" he murmured, incredulous.

"Yep. And she explained everything," Chris replied calmly. "It’s for your benefit, Rhett. Trust me, it’s better this way."

Rhett’s eyes narrowed, a mix of shock and annoyance at his dad for not being more concerned. Chris chuckled softly at his expression. "I know, I know… it seems rough now, but it really is better for you. Now, can you do me a favour?"

"What?" Rhett asked cautiously.

"Go fetch your new swim cap from the package you got a few days ago. Put it on your head."

Rhett grabbed the cap, slipping it over his smooth scalp. Immediately, he noticed how easy and snug it fit—much smoother than it would have over his thick hair. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"See?" Chris said, grinning through the screen. "Now you’ll be more aerodynamic in the pool. You’ll be faster in races. All that hair was slowing you down a bit."

Rhett’s eyes lit up. "Really? So… it actually helps me swim faster?"

"You bet," his dad replied. "You’ll love it."

For the first time all day, Rhett felt genuinely excited about his bald head. "Okay… okay, I’m kind of looking forward to the next swim practice."

They chatted a little more before ending the call, and Rhett set the phone down, tugging lightly at his hoody. A sense of pride began to replace the frustration from earlier.

Sitting back, Rhett realized something surprising: he was actually looking forward to his next Barber Belt appointment in a month’s time. And, more than that, he couldn’t wait to see his little brother join him, sharing the same experience and becoming part of his head shave gang.

For the first time, the thought of his bald head didn’t feel like a punishment—it felt like a step into something new. Something faster. Something exciting.

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