The Best Friend by Melody Carlson

hair?”
    Lishia’s eyes grew wide. “What do you mean?”
    â€œI mean, we could see if they could fit you in. This is where I get my hair done, and they’re really good. Sometimes they take walk-ins, and—”
    â€œBut there’s no way I can afford that,” Lishia said suddenly.
    â€œCome on,” Riley urged, “let’s just ask. They probably don’t have time for you anyway.”
    The next thing Lishia knew, Riley was standing there talking to the receptionist. As ridiculously impossible as this all seemed, Lishia knew that she really did want to do something different with her hair. Ever since Chelsea had come onto the scene, Lishia had been rethinking her own natural color. Maybe it was true—maybe her auburn hair was mousy . . . maybe blondes really did have more fun.
    â€œThey can do it!” Riley exclaimed.
    â€œBut I still can’t afford—”
    â€œNever mind. I’ll put it on my card and you can pay me back later.”
    â€œBut I can’t—”
    â€œDo you want to catch Todd’s eye tonight or not?” Riley gave her an impatient look.
    â€œWell, I—”
    â€œIf we’re going to do this, we need to get moving,” the hairdresser urged Lishia.
    â€œGo!” Riley put her hand on Lishia’s back as she removed her bags and purse. “Indulge yourself for once!”
    Just like that, Lishia was suddenly getting her hair shampooed. Unreal! She tried not to think about things like money and paying Riley back. After all, it wasn’t as if Riley gave her a choice in this matter. Besides, the truth was, Lishia wanted this. She wanted it badly! As the hairdresser did her work, Lishia imagined what it would feel like to walk into Todd’s birthday party and have him stare at her as if seeing her for the first time. She pictured him coming directly to her, taking her hand in his, asking her to dance . . . and that would be only the beginning!
    Todd was just getting down on one knee and asking her to become his wife when the hairdresser proclaimed, “Finished!”
    â€œHuh?” Lishia woke herself from her daydream.
    â€œWith just enough time for a cigarette break before my next client.” The hairdresser grinned. “What do you think?”
    Lishia stared into the mirror. “Wow.” Her hand went up to her lightened hair. She looked like someone else. “Is that really me?”
    â€œPretty chic, eh?”
    Lishia wasn’t so sure. After years of auburn hair, it was shocking to see herself as a blonde. “I like the cut,” she managed to say as she turned her head from side to side, watching the sleek, highlighted hair moving. It was definitely pretty, but she wasn’t sure that it was really her. It was like she’d turned into someone else.
    â€œYou look fantastic,” Riley said as she came over to look.
    â€œDo you really think so?”
    â€œOn with you,” the hairdresser commanded. “I have to clean up my station now. You’ll have to gawk at yourself somewhere else.”
    â€œI already took care of the bill,” Riley said as she handed Lishia back her things. “And now we have just enough time to get home and get ready for the big night.” She shook her head in amazement. “You really look hot, Lishia. Almost like someone else.”
    â€œYeah, that’s what worries me.” She touched her hair, surprised to find that it even felt different.
    â€œA new and improved you,” Riley assured her.
    Lishia began to giggle as they walked through the mall. “Is it just my imagination, or am I catching more looks from guys?”
    â€œThey’re looking at both of us,” Riley told her. “With your new ’do, we probably look pretty good together.”
    â€œI guess so.” Lishia wondered what her mom would say when she saw it. Not that her mother was opposed to such things, but she