The Haircut Story Site

My creepy neighbour by FinleyJames

My creepy neighbour
I grew up surrounded by the energy of a big city, somewhere in the suburbs. Everybody minds their business and I liked it that way. After 4 years of college I finally got my bachelors degree in journalism. After all that hard work, I got offered a job to present the weather in a very small town about an hour away, and after a few interviews I gladly accepted the job. I was proud, nervous, but mostly excited to finally have my first "big boy" job after just turning 22.

Shortly after I started looking around for housing in this town, I found the perfect apartment. It was beautiful; two bed, two bath. And not even 2 weeks later I was already moving in. Whilst carrying the boxes to my apartment I bumped into my next door neighbour, David. He was a man in his late fifties, grey hair that he sported in a flattop and a short yet full beard. The thing about David is that he always stares at me. Not just your curious, friendly stare. But he’s staring very intently, like he’s studying a painting. Well I know that I’m an attractive guy: 6"3, blue eyes, medium length golden blonde hair thats parted in the middle and a smile that could charm anyone. But I’ve never had anyone stare at me like THIS, like I’m some sort of optical illusion.

After a few days passed, my first work day came around. I put on my white button up shirt and deliberatly left the 2 buttons on the top unbuttoned. My dark blue suit fit perfectly around my fit body, I knew I looked good. And to finish up, I slicked my shiny blonde hair back using some pomade. I looked perfect.

My first weather forecast went amazing, everyone behind the camera stared at me with their mouth agape. the director said I was the person this channel needed. I felt my cheeks blush, said my goodbyes and left to do some grocery shopping. I couldn’t help but notice how peculiar this town is. Everybody seemed to know eachother and I felt like an outsider.

After returning home I bumped into David again. "Well, were you gonna tell me you were going to be on tv? I’ve got a celebrity living next to me!" He shouted. I laughed and we talked for a while. David always had creeped me out, the way he looked at me, the way he talked to me, but suddenly he asked if I wanted to come over to his place after dinner to drink a couple beers. And against my better judgement, I agreed.

After eating dinner, I quickly took a shower and changed into a green polo-shirt and some jeans. I combed my wet hair back and it fell in its usual middle part. I was nervous and I didn’t know why, ‘cause I had no reason to be. After gathering the courage I knocked on his door.

"Hey weatherboy, come in!" He exclaimed. Great. The nicknames have already started.
He motioned to the couch in his living room and I took a seat, his apartment is simular to mine, but a little messier. He came back holding 2 beers in his hand. After giving one to me, he took a seat and sighed, like he was finally able to relax. We got to talking and I was suprised to notice we clicked very well. He told me he used to be in the navy, but now he’s been a barber in the navy for about 12 years. He has no kids and his wife had divorced him. He was actually quite lonely and that’s when I started to feel bad.

"You know Finn…(my name) people in the town have been talking about you." He almost whispered. "Well you think I didn’t notice that?" I laughed while he passed me another beer. "So David.. what have they been saying?" David told me I was known as the "cityboy" and people thought I was too full of myself. "This is an old-fashioned town Finley.. we aren’t used to new people, let alone someone that looks like you." He said with a sorry look. "Well there’s not a lot I can do about that is there?" "You could start by dressing more modestly and maybe getting a haircut" I looked at him suprised, why would I change myself for these people? "Finn I’m just trying to help!"
"Well, that’s not going to happen. Maybe I should just look for another job far away from this godforsaken town!" I stood up to leave but he apologized. "One more beer Finn, just one more" I felt bad for David so I decided to stay for 1 more beer.

I sat back down with a sigh and he gave me a beer and a pat on the shoulder. Was this really meant for me? I started drinking the beer with bigger swigs, I just wanted to go home, but then I started feeling very lightheaded. I looked to my drink and then to David, who was staring at me with a satisfied grin on his face. I wanted to stand up but my legs wouldn’t cooperate, I wanted to talk but my mouth wouldn’t move and the last thing I saw was David standing up from his chair before my vision went black.

I finally started to come back to my senses but I had trouble keeping my eyes open. I realised my shirt was off and I was on a different chair in his kitchen. I blacked out once again but suddenly heard a humming sound coming closer to me. I felt something on the back of my head moving up towards my crown and then again, and again. My thoughts quickly trying to find out what was happening to me and my eyes openend in shock. Locks of golden blonde hair falling onto my jeans. My head was being shaved, DAVID WAS SHAVING MY. HAIR. OFF. I tried to run, scream, kick, I tried everything in my power but my body wouldn’t cooperate. My head was being pushed around whilst the metal thing (what I realised were clippers) buzzed away my beautiful hair. David pushed my chin onto my chest and sighed "I’m sorry bud, this is in your best interest." The clippers were mercilessly hacking off my pride and I could do nothing about it. Feeling hopeless I tried to relax and find some acceptance in it, when my eyes closed once again.

I woke up by the sound of birds chirping outside my window, I was laying on my bed and still had my jeans on, I had no recollection of yesterday and whilst trying to remember how I got here, the headache got to me. I had the worst hangover I have ever had. I decided to take a shower, before walking to the bathroom I quickly downed a glass of water. Walking into the bathroom it finally clicked when I saw my reflection in the mirror. My hair, it was shaved off. Instead of my usual golden locks surrounding my face, I saw about 1/4 inch all over my head. I raised my hand and rubbed it slowly over the shorn hairs, I suddenly thought about david again, how could he do something like this?! I quickly put on a shirt, stormed outside and banged on his door.

He opened the door with a startled face but before he could say anything, I grabbed his neck and pushed him against the wall. "What the f*** David! Why would you do this?!" I shouted. He put his two hands up and answered me calmly. "Finley you were so out of place in this town, I did you a favor. You should buy some new suits at that shop in town, dress a little modestly and you’ll fit right in!" I shook my head in complete bewilderment and let go of his shirts collar. "Besides Finn, look how handsome you are now, you look more mature, your facial features are more prominent and you could even start growing a little beard or mustache!" I stood there taking in what he said, he wasn’t necessarily wrong. I did look good, I looked more mature, more serious. I didn’t want to admit it but I knew deep down he was right.

I didn’t want to talk to him anymore, I turned around to leave but once I was almost out the door he stopped me again. "Finn, one more thing. I thought you might want this back" He walked over to me with a ziplock bag with my hair in it. I stared at him once again in pure bewilderment. Who puts shaved off hair in a ziplock bag? "Keep it. I don’t need that anymore." I said coldly.

After I finally took a shower and got dressed, I went out to buy some new clothes like David mentioned. I was still pissed, I walked around the town and I felt naked, like I went outside without a jacket. An important part of me was missing. But then I started to realise people were smiling at me, they waved at me and some even called me by my name. "Hey Finn!" Two teenage boys shouted. I even walked past a couple, "Looking good man!" the man remarked. I had to contain my happiness, I couldn’t believe it. The next day I returned to work like nothing happened, instead of staring at me, they greeted me with big smiles. A man joking whistled whilst walking past me, and 2 women were whispering about me, often shooting smiling glances my way. I felt confident, maybe this wasn’t so bad after all. But most importantly, I finally belonged in this town.

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