Tremble With Fear
The hairdresser's hands trembled with fear, narrowly avoiding cutting her client. Martha's piercing scream filled the salon as she bolted for the door.
Her heart pounded fiercely in her chest. She struggled to comprehend what she had just seen. Blinking rapidly, she tried to clear the unsettling image from her mind, but it remained vividly real and undeniably flesh and blood.
A Passionate Hairstylist
Martha, a passionate hairstylist, adored her work. She found great joy in helping others feel confident and beautiful, a mission she cherished deeply.
Her salon, nestled in the bustling heart of Los Angeles, California, had garnered a devoted clientele over the years. One day, an unexpected event would forever alter the course of her life.
Completely Unprepared
Martha was completely unprepared for the shock awaiting her at her cherished hair salon. As she was carefully styling a customer's hair, a sudden intrusion took her by surprise.
She stood motionless, her gaze fixed on the mysterious being with quick, nervous movements. Though she tried to speak, the creature vanished before she could utter a word.
A Quiet Afternoon
As Martha wrapped up with a client on a typical, quiet afternoon, she never anticipated what would enter her shop after a decade in business. Standing about four feet tall with small, darting eyes, the creature appeared utterly terrified.
As she fled, Martha questioned her intense fear. Despite her confusion, she struggled to maintain her composure and not let the encounter disturb her too deeply.
Following Her Routine
Martha opened her salon the next morning, following her routine. Her staff trickled in one by one, each preparing for the day ahead. Suddenly, they heard a rustling sound near the door.
To their astonishment, the small creature had returned. It seemed to be crying, its tiny face contorted with sadness. Martha couldn't take her eyes off it, driven by an intense curiosity to understand what it was.
Moving With Caution
Martha moved toward the creature with extreme caution, her heart racing with every step. The creature was clad in a dark green hoodie covered in animal fur, with a large, conical mound atop its head. As she inched closer, the pounding of her heart grew louder.
A faint whimper escaped from the creature, its head bowed low, obscuring its face. Small drops, possibly tears, dripped from its tiny face, falling to the ground below.
Expecting The Worse
As Martha approached, she realized it wasn't a creature but a small child standing before her. She had expected something frightening but found a little girl instead. After some coaxing, Martha managed to persuade the girl to take off her ragged hoodie and sit down for a haircut.
Martha was utterly bewildered by what she saw on the child's head. Her eyes couldn't comprehend it. Glancing around frantically, her jaw dropped as she hoped someone else was witnessing the same shocking sight.
A Chaotic Tangle
The little girl's hair was a chaotic tangle, a dry, broken mess that seemed beyond repair. Martha couldn't fathom what could have caused such neglect. As she examined the extensive damage, her thoughts raced, trying to piece together the story behind it.
The girl's matted hair looked as if it had been inhabited by a wild creature. Steeling herself, Martha took a deep breath and prepared to do what she did best: restore order from chaos.
Taken Aback
Martha was taken aback when the creature finally returned, feeling foolish for ever believing it was something supernatural. Despite her tangled hair, it was just a frightened little girl, her hair woefully neglected.
To get the girl to settle, Martha gently asked if she needed a haircut. The girl introduced herself as Brianna. As Martha began to work on her hair, she realized it would be quite a challenge.
Doubtful
Martha doubted whether she could tame the mess that Brianna's hair had become. Nevertheless, she gave it her all, spending most of her workday painstakingly detangling the severely matted strands.
Despite the difficulties, Martha's resolve never wavered. She was committed to helping this lost child rediscover her true self.
I’m In It Now
She spent hours combing through Brianna's hair, slowly untangling the mess. The girl sat still the entire time, and Martha could see that she was still scared.
As she worked, she gently asked Brianna about herself. The girl didn't say much, but Martha learned that she was a foster child who had been bounced around from home to home.
A True Story
Brianna had always felt trapped. Her mother was incredibly controlling, always hovering over her and her younger brother, making sure they did everything exactly as she wanted.
Brianna's father had left home years ago, leaving her mother to raise the children on her own. With her brother having special needs, her mother was constantly stressed out, and money was always tight. Martha’s heart broke as she listened to the girl’s sad tale.
Rough Childhood
Brianna had been home-schooled her whole life, and she rarely had the opportunity to play outdoors or have any kind of social life. As she approached her teenage years, Brianna felt like her childhood had slipped away from her.
“Just cut it all off Brianna shouted. “I don’t want it, I don’t like it!” Martha knew now where this anger was coming from. She had to help this girl come out of her shell.
Poor Self Image
One thing that Brianna held onto during these difficult years was her hair. She hadn't cut it in three years, and it flowed down her back in long, tangled waves. It was a small act of rebellion, but it made her feel like she had some control over her own life.
But now, she was growing into a young woman, and she was changing. She couldn’t bear to live like this anymore. She had to speak out.
A Sign
Brianna said that “One day, when I was walking past the hair salon, I caught a glimpse of a kind-looking angel woman working inside; it was you.” Martha smiled and understood because she was a hairdresser with decades of experience.
Brianna found herself drawn to Martha, and she mustered up the courage to go inside and talk to her. It was a sign of change.
Real Feelings
As Brianna sat in the chair, Martha listened to her story. Brianna poured out her heart, telling Martha about her controlling mother, her absent father, and her isolated childhood.
Martha listened with empathy, and Brianna felt like someone finally understood her. But were Brianna’s intentions real? Was this a true relationship? It was too soon to tell.
Help A Girl Out
Martha suggested cutting Brianna's hair, and Brianna hesitated. Her hair was the one thing that made her feel like she had some control over her life.
But Martha gently reassured her that cutting her hair could be a symbol of a fresh start, a new beginning. Brianna looked at her ugly hair in the mirror. She hated her reflection.
It’s Time
This was the final moment, and she had to let go. Brianna took a deep breath and agreed to cut her hair. “What can we do with you?” the hairdresser said as she analyzed Brianna’s messy mop.
As Martha snipped away at her matted locks, Brianna felt like a weight was being lifted from her shoulders. As the long strands fell away, Brianna felt like she was shedding her old self and starting anew.
Trying To Help
As Martha worked, she talked to Brianna about the importance of self-care and self-love. She encouraged Brianna to find activities that brought her joy and to prioritize her own mental health.
“How can I love myself if nobody loves me? Nobody wants to talk to ugly girls like me.” Martha tried to stifle her tears as she worked.
A Depressed Girl
“Brianna, why do you say such things?” Martha cried, “You’re still so young, and you have your whole life ahead of you, don’t give up!” “You don’t understand; nobody wants to be my friend, I’m all alone”
Martha was heartsore that such a delightful girl was going through such trauma. She had to help her no matter what.
The Big Reveal
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Martha was finished. Brianna had finished her story, and by the time she was done, Brianna's hair looked brand new. They chose smart layers which framed her face, and she looked amazing.
Brianna's hair was no longer a tangled mess but a beautiful, shiny mane. She looked clean and neat for the first time. But would the teen love her new look?
Moment Of Truth
The girl looked up at Martha and smiled, and for a moment, Martha felt like she had made a real difference in someone's life. “I love it!” Brianna exclaimed. “It doesn’t even look like me!” she squealed.
“Hold your horses, America's next top model; we are not even done yet. I still have to put a hair mask treatment on you.” Martha asked Brianna to come back when she could, and Brianna happily agreed.
Round Two
Martha was looking forward to seeing Brianna. She thought she would come in the morning, but she didn’t show. It was towards the late afternoon that the worried hairdresser saw her latest pro bono client.
Brianna looked at her with a troubled face. “Is something wrong, Brianna?” Martha questioned. “Don’t worry about it,” the troubled teen scoffed. She was ruining her new haircut with her sad smile.
Not What I Hoped
Martha continued to massage the relaxer into the teen's dry scalp. “You know you can tell me anything, right?” Martha reassured her.
Brianna burst into tears. “My mother didn’t even notice my haircut,” she cried, “It’s like I don’t even exist to her at all! Why did she adopt me if she can’t love me?”
Beating Herself Up
Martha held the crying girl tightly, “You’re not alone dear; I promise you will be okay.” Brianna tried to hold back her tears, but she couldn’t anymore.
“The truth is that I’m ashamed of my hair,” the distraught teen cried. “I feel so embarrassed about my appearance, and I don’t want to be here.” Martha knew that she had to do something drastic to help this girl.
Desperate Measures
The worried hairdresser quickly finished with Brianna. She showed her how to maintain her hairstyle and keep her hair healthy.
The troubled teen was feeling slightly happier after seeing her new do and flicked her hair as she looked in the mirror. Martha was getting anxious. She tried to talk some sense into Brianna before she left.
I Tried
Over the next few days, Brianna started to make small changes in her life. She started going for walks in nature, something she had never done before.
She started practicing yoga and meditation, and she found that it helped to calm her racing thoughts. She started to act like a new person too. Her new image definitely had an influence on her interests.
Going Smoothly
Brianna's hair was shorter and more manageable, but it was also a symbol of her new identity. She was no longer the passive, controlled girl she had once been.
The next week Brianna went to see Martha. She walked into the salon with a frantic look on her face. She seemed to be worried about something. Martha noticed that she looked different.
Spoke To Soon
She was wearing her green hoodie again. The young teenager was trying to say something, but she was speaking so fast that Martha couldn’t fully understand what she was saying. “Slow down, Bri,” Martha said and grabbed her by her shoulders, “Who? What?”
Brianna choked on her tears; my mother, she said…she saw...” The poor girl fell on the floor crying. Martha was in shock as she tried to pick the girl off the floor.
Hidden Hair
Martha held the crying girl close and said, “Tell me what happened” Brianna looked up at her, her face full of tears, and said, “I'd rather show you.” She slowly pulled off the hoodie.
What she revealed made Martha scream in shock. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. What had she done? What happened to her beautiful creation?
Bad Hair Day
Brianna’s hair was a mess. It looked like someone had ruffled it up on purpose. Martha thought she knew who it was. “Look!” the teenager turned her head; there was bubble gum stuck to the side of her head.
“Was it your foster mother?” Martha held the girl's face in her hands. “I don’t know,” she said, "I was sleeping; maybe she did it then.” Martha was furious. She asked Brianna to come back the next day for a touch-up, and the girl agreed. But she also knew that she was in a bigger problem now.
Arrival Mama Bear
The next day, Brianna's mother barged into the salon, demanding to know who had cut her daughter's hair. Martha was scared, thinking that she had done something wrong,
But when Brianna's mother walked into the salon the next day, Martha was terrified. The woman was big, loud, and looked like she was ready to start a fight.
Blunt Confrontation
"Who cut my daughter's hair?" she demanded, looking angry. Martha took a deep breath and stepped forward. "I did, ma'am. Is there a problem?"
Yes, there is a problem, actually,” the tall woman said with a stern voice. Martha was prepared for the worst, but she also had her comeback ready if Brianna’s mother overstepped her boundary. She was in her salon, after all.
Unexpected Response
Martha braced herself for a screaming match, but Brianna's mother surprised her by thanking her. “How is it possible that you are this good with this type of hair?” Martha was speechless. “You have to squeeze me in some time,” the mother said coolly. All Martha could do was say thanks.
The woman's expression softened. "No, no problem. I just wanted to thank you. Brianna never lets anyone touch her hair, not even me. But when she came home yesterday, she couldn't stop talking about you. Thank you."
The Mothers’ Side
Brianna's mother explained that her daughter had never allowed anyone to touch her hair before and that Martha's efforts had made her daughter incredibly happy. Brianna's mother was a big and loud woman, but her gratitude towards Martha was sincere, and Martha was happy to have helped Brianna.
But Brianna looked doubtful. She kept shaking her head in disbelief. Did the troubled teen know something more about her mother?
Fine For Now
Martha felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders. She was relieved and happy that she had made a difference in Brianna's life.
From that day on, Brianna came to Martha's salon every week, and they developed a close bond. Martha had never felt so fulfilled in her job, and she knew that she had found her calling.
Taking A Stand
Brianna also started standing up to her mother more. She set boundaries and refused to be controlled any longer. Her new hair gave her a new attitude.
It wasn't easy, but with Martha's encouragement, Brianna found the strength to speak her mind and assert her independence. But what would her mother have to say about it?
A New Life
As the weeks went on, Brianna became a regular at Martha's salon, and her hair looked better than ever. Martha had never been prouder of her work, and Brianna's transformation inspired her to help others in similar situations.
Martha realized that being a hairstylist wasn't just about making people look good on the outside but also about making them feel good on the inside.
Busy Ladies
Brianna's story became known around town, and Martha's salon became a haven for people who needed a little bit of extra care and attention. Martha's clientele grew, and she became known as the "miracle worker" among her customers.
Martha never forgot the lesson she learned from Brianna, and she continued to treat every customer with the same care and compassion that she had shown Brianna.
Making The Most
Martha realized that even the smallest and most unexpected moments can change a person's life forever. Brianna's arrival in her salon had been a surprise, but it had also been a gift. Her mother also eased up on her, and they tried to develop their relationship.
It taught Martha that no matter how difficult a situation may seem, there is always hope for a happy ending. But she didn’t know that her story wasn’t over yet.
Not A Good Idea
Martha was overwhelmed by girls trying to take chances to get free hairdos. Some girls purposely mess up their hair to get free treatments. Martha lost a lot of money in the business. Martha had to shut her doors for a week.
During that week, Martha was determined to come up with a solution to prevent this from happening again. She decided to implement a new policy where she would charge a non-refundable consultation fee for any hair that needed significant work or fixing. This fee would be deducted from the final cost of the service if the customer decided to proceed with the treatment.
Guess Who's Back
When Martha reopened her doors, she was surprised to see Brianna waiting outside. Brianna had a smile on her face, and her hair was now in pristine condition. Martha was overjoyed to see the transformation and asked Brianna how she managed to fix it. Brianna explained that she had been using a homemade hair treatment that she learned from her grandmother, who was a hairdresser.
Martha was curious about the treatment and asked Brianna to share it with her. Brianna agreed and even offered to help Martha make the treatment for her other customers. The treatment consisted of natural ingredients, such as coconut oil, honey, and avocado. Martha was amazed at how effective it was, and soon her customers were raving about the results. As word spread about Martha's new hair treatment, her business began to thrive. People were even coming from other cities just to get their hair done by her. Martha was ecstatic and couldn't believe how much her life had changed because of Brianna and her grandmother's recipe.
Still Growing Strong
One day, while combing a teenager's hair, Martha got the surprise of her life. The teenager was none other than Brianna, all grown up and with her own hairdressing business. She popped in for a surprise visit. Brianna explained that she had been inspired by Martha to pursue a career in hairdressing, and she wanted to thank her for everything she had done for her.
Martha was filled with emotion and couldn't believe that the little girl with the matted hair had grown up to be such a successful and kind person. Brianna even gave Martha a plaque that read "Best Hairdresser in Town" and told her that she would always be her mentor.
Lesson Learned
Martha realized that sometimes, the biggest surprises in life come from unexpected places. She was grateful for Brianna and the lesson she had learned about the power of determination, hard work, and generosity. From that day forward, Martha knew that no matter what challenges she faced, she could always overcome them with the help of those around her.
Brianna also started to make friends. She joined a local theatre group and discovered a love of acting. She even landed a lead role in a play, something that would have been unimaginable just a few months earlier. Through it all, Brianna remained close to Martha. The hairdresser had become a mentor and a friend, and Brianna knew that she could always turn to her for advice and support.
Beautiful Brianna
Looking back on that fateful day when she first walked into Martha's salon, Brianna knew that it had changed her life. She was grateful for the kindness and wisdom that Martha had shown her, and she knew that she would carry those lessons with her for the rest of her life.
And as she admired herself in the mirror and ran her fingers through her newly-cut hair, Brianna smiled at her gorgeous new self. Now she was finally herself and felt comfortable in her own skin.