Chapter 96：Change

Sherry still needed to buy presents for the party so she wandered around in the shopping centre, distracted by the numerous questions that flooded her mind. Frustrated, Sherry stopped to sigh. The river of busy last minute Christmas shoppers avoided her with annoyance while she stood still, lost in her thoughts.

"Don't stop in the middle of nowhere!" A voice scolded.

Sherry snapped back to reality and instantly moved out of the way, leaning against the railing. In front of her was a hair salon. Sherry brushed her fingers through her long hair. It's been awhile since she last cut it. Perhaps, cutting it would allow her a change in pace? Thinking so, Sherry walked into the shop.

"Welcome? How can I help you today? Would you like to get your nails painted or do your hair?" The employee enthusiastically greeted.

"I'll like to get a haircut please."

The employee pointed at the seats. "Please take a seat for now. We'll be ready in just a moment."

Sherry nodded and took a seat. With all the time in the world to think, Sherry started to…think. She thought of her relationship with Dylan and thought back to her conversation with Sam. In the end, if she wanted things to change, she needed to take that step didn't she?

"Please take a seat in that chair over there." The employee from earlier returned and guided Sherry with a smile. Sherry nodded and went over to sit in the front of the mirror.

"How would you like to cut it?" The friendly hairdresser asked.

After thinking for a bit, Sherry pointed at just below her chin. "I'll like to cut until here, please."

"Until here?" The hairdresser confirmed. Sherry looked through the reflection in the mirror and nodded.

"Yes, please."

"Alright then." The hairdresser started her work on Sherry's hair and made some small talk while she was at it. "What's the occasion? Too hot?"

Sherry wanted to shake her head but realising that that was probably not a good idea, she simply smiled and verbally answered with red cheeks. "No. I'm going to confess to my friend."

"My oh my. Then I best make it look as beautiful as I can." She chuckled and continued, seeing that Sherry didn't mind. "What's he like? To score such a beautiful lady such as yourself, he must be quite a charmer."

Sherry giggled and spoke with a dreamy voice of a girl in love. "He is. Everywhere he goes, people can't help but to stop and stare. And I too can't get my eyes off of him."

"Then you best get a good grasp of him. If you let him go, who knows who would end up snatching him?"

"Yes. That's why I'm going to confess to him. But I'm not quite sure how it's going to turn out. Quite frankly, I'm afraid."

"Chin up, sweetie. Have some confidence in yourself. Any man would like a girl who tried her best for him."

"…Mm, I will. Thank you."

The hairdresser giggled. "You're welcome, hun. I hope it goes well."

"Mm. Thank you."

The hairdresser was very experienced and cut Sherry's hair swiftly without making any errors. In no time, Sherry's hair was cut to her desired length, transforming her looks entirely.

"How do you like it, sweetie?" The hairdresser blow dried Sherry's hair and asked with a smile.

Sherry ran her fingers through her hair, feeling as though it had abruptly been cut short. She gazed at her reflection in the mirror in a daze. Her hair that used to fall down her chest like a waterfall could barely be tucked behind her ears now. The ends curled inwards, looking both fluffy and soft. "I feel like I'm a different person."

"I'm assuming you like it?"

Sherry nodded. "Mm, I feel like I can do it now. Thank you, miss."

"It's my pleasure. Now, go get your man."

Just at that moment, Sherry vibrated and she got a text from an unknown number. Curious, Sherry opened it.

{Hello, Sherry. It's me, Dylan. Would you like to go out for dinner next Tuesday?}

A smile founds its way to Sherry's lips. Her gaze softened and she quickly replied.

{With the others or just us two?}

{Just the two of us. Alone.}

{Oh, are Janine and Charlotte both busy?}

{No, I just want to eat dinner alone with you.}

Sherry felt her cheeks getting hotter. She shyly typed, 'is this a date?', before shaking her head with a wry smile and deleting it.

"Can't get ahead of myself." She chided.

"Is it your friend?" The kind hairdresser was still waiting for Sherry to pay and teased nonchalantly.

"M-mm, he's inviting me for dinner next Tuesday." Sherry replied with a smile.

Sherry's blush deepened by a few shades of red. "W-we're just friends…for now." Her voice faded towards the end, it was so soft that the hairdresser almost couldn't hear.

"Hmmmmmm." She hummed with a mischievous smile. "Have fun on your Christmas date."

Sherry quickly paid and left the shop as if escaping from the hairdresser's teasing. Her cheeks were flushed with a bright red, even her ears becoming so hot it could melt ice.

{Where will we be eating?}

{At XXXXXX}

{Isn't that a really fancy restaurant? I heard that you have to get reservations to dine there.}

{I've already settled everything. All you have to do is pretty up and wait for me at home.}

{Un. See you next week}

{[Heart Emoji]}

Sherry couldn't help but to stare at the heart that Dylan sent. She knew she couldn't read too much into it, but she found herself just staring. Her heart pound noisily in her chest, face hot and red, lips widening into a foolish grin.

"Stupid Dylan. Only had his phone for one day and he's already so skilled with it." Sherry muttered to herself.

-----

Janine at the time: You type so slow! Use your thumbs, not your index finger. Urgh, you type like an old granny.

Dylan: I want to send a text to Sherry. Can you please help me?

Janine: Before you start texting, learn to text! Do you want to bore her to death while you type at a speed of one letter per second? Do you?!

Dylan: Uh, then please teach me?

Janine: By the end of this lesson, you'll act like you were born in the same generation as us!

Dylan: I am though?

Janine: Then act like it!