CONTEST ENTRIES

#aussomehair short story challenge

a/n: yes i'm not canadian but this awesome person i'm dedicating this to told me that i should still enter and her kindness to someone she hadn't even met warmed my cold heart ;) thank you so much! -aadya

Snip. Snip. Snip. My hair fell off, inch by inch, strand by strand, bunch by bunch. The long hair that became part of my personality was going, leaving a hole in my heart. Who would I become now? The blindfold around my eyes fell off and my hand flew up to my mouth as tears pricked my eyes. My hair was perfect. My locks were short near my shoulders and had a straight cut. The auburn strands were now light enough to display my highlights, something I'd wished for since I noticed them. The kind lady held out my hair that had been cut off and I felt like I was doing a good job letting go of my hair in a way someone would benefit from it. We packed the hair ready for donation in a plastic bag and we left the shop. I wondered, standing in front of the mirror, what would change with this hair now.

4 MONTHS LATER

"Wow! You're so beautiful!" My friends paraded around me as my birthday was in full swing. I wore something that would've been out of my comfort zone, a cami top and miniskirt. It felt good to let go of the childish part of my life now. "Hey birthday girl!" My best friend dragged me into the bathroom, purse in hand. She'd obviously noticed my zoning-out expression. I had to get ready for another one of her annoying as hell but actually sane lectures. She should run a damn podcast.

"Ok siree girl you are now grown-up! Mature. I mean you look bomb, my girl. You shouldn't worry about your looks. You're different now, in personality and in looks. You look more mature now and you're different without your badass mane . But the thoughts of it shouldn't weigh you down, especially today of all days. You're a badass girl with short hair you can confidently rock. You've shed your thick skin and become a better person. Your comfort zone is now gone; confidence is you. You've had so many personality changes and changes to your life. You can do your hair so well, it's beautiful. You rock clothes in all shapes and sizes. You walk confidently. You do you girl. I'm so proud of you and your journey in overcoming your scars. Nothing will stop you. Ok? Understand it and believe when I say, your hair is perfect. You're perfect."

My eyes slowly blinked as I listened to her. My self-esteem increased. I should be proud. She was right, every word. I was perfect to myself. "You really should run a podcast," I swiped on my lipgloss and exited the bathroom. I entered the fray of girls and as I danced the night away, I felt amazing. Happy birthday to the new me, I guess. It's good to finally embrace myself and you should to. Because this is reality, not a dream. A toast to the new me!