When My Stylist Has a Case of “Baby Brain”

With the holidays fast approaching, I went to the salon for a haircut.

My usual stylist, Marco, had gone home to visit family, so his new apprentice took me.

Halfway through the cut, the girl behind me let out a little giggle.

I glanced up at the mirror and saw it: a huge, choppy chunk was missing from the top of my head. It looked like a dog had chewed on it.

What are you doing?! I snapped.

Her bottom lip trembled, and her eyes instantly welled up. I Im just a newbie!

Just then, a series of semi-transparent comments flickered into my vision, hovering in the air before me:

OMG, this guy is so mean! The baby was just a little nervous!

Our Kiki only messes up a haircut when shes in front of someone she likes! Its her subconscious trying to get his attention!

Girls, screenshot this! This part is so sweet!!

Kiki? Likes?

Like hell! Who shows they like someone by butchering their hair?

And besides, Im a goddamn woman!

Whats wrong? Whats happened?!

The commotion brought the salon owner running.

He hurried over, his eyes landed on my head, and his words died in his throat.

Kiki!

The owners eyes were wide with horror. What have you done? Look what youve done to the clients hair!

He turned to me, bowing repeatedly. I am so sorry! Terribly sorry, sir! This girl is new, shes still a bit clumsy. Ill just

Of course, theres no charge for today. My deepest apologies!

A vein pulsed in my temple.

At least the owner seemed like a normal person who knew who was at fault. If Marco hadnt been out of town, I would never have let this baby touch a single strand of my hair.

Kiki shrank back, muttering under her breath, Its its art!

Its a groundbreaking layered look! I didnt realize you wouldnt like it, sir

Art?

Layered look?

I stared at the gleaming patch of my scalp, struggling to contain my rage. Sir, this isnt about the money. I have an important family dinner to get to.

Kiki peeked at my thunderous expression and said meekly, How about this? I can fix it for you. I promise youll be satisfied!

The owner quickly chimed in, his tone almost pleading, Sir, please, why not let Kiki try again? Were completely booked up for the holidays. Theres really no one else free right now

She can just shorten it a bit, cover up the mistake. Itll be better than how it is now Again, I am so, so sorry!

The pop-up comments continued to float by:

The boss is playing matchmaker! Give our baby a chance!

This guy is seriously so aggressive!

Its okay, girlies~ This is a strong-female-lead story! Theres no fixed male lead! These are all just flings!

Our baby knows her mistake and wants to fix it herself! Im totally shipping this!

Thinking of the family reunion I had to be at in an hour, my temple throbbed.

Fine. Ill trust you one more time.

Kikis tears vanished, replaced by a brilliant smile. She grabbed her scissors and comb, looking ready for a major undertaking.

I stared her down, enunciating every word. Just. Trim it. Fix the short parts, cut the long parts. Thats it.

She nodded vigorously, her expression suddenly serious. Yes, yes! Dont worry! Ill get it right this time!

The buzz of the clippers started again, and the snip of the scissors sounded much more deliberate. The owner stood by, whispering instructions. A little more here Hey, be gentle Watch the layers, dont make another bald spot

The minutes ticked by.

O-Okay! Its done!

I opened my eyes and looked in the mirror.

My hair was now brutally short, with some of the previous unevenness still visible. But the worst part, the absolute killer, was the lightning-bolt-shaped shave line now etched into the left side of my head.

This wasnt just a bad haircut anymore.

I was shaking with rage.

Before I could speak, Kiki pointed proudly at the lightning bolt. See! I designed that part myself! Shorter, with more personality! Isnt it so much better than before? Its super cool now!

The on-screen comments exploded:

OMG a lightning bolt! Our baby is so talented!

Its her special mark! A symbol of her love!

Come on, hero, just say you like it! Im getting angry for you!

What the hell is wrong with you people?!

My voice shot up, laced with an anger I could no longer suppress.

Its the holidays! Are you trying to ruin them for me?!

Butchering my hair wasnt enough the first time, you had to do it again? What is this? This is deliberate!

Nearly everyone in the salon turned to look, pointing and whispering.

That new girl has no skills at all.

No wonder the clients so angry. How can you go out looking like that

My yelling made Kiki flinch, and then she burst into genuine sobs. Im Im sorry

I was just trying to help, to fix it for you. If youre not happy, I I can try to change it again

She bowed over and over, crying, huge tears rolling down her cheeks. She looked utterly pathetic.

Our Kiki is crying her heart out! She already apologized, what more does he want!

Its just a bad haircut, is it that serious? What a petty man!

I feel so bad for our baby. Its not her fault shes clumsy, she was just trying to get the attention of the guy she likes!

Just then, a woman getting a perm a few chairs down couldnt take it anymore.

Hey! I think thats enough out of you! A grown man, cornering a young girl like this in public, do you have any shame?

Shes been apologizing this whole time, what more do you want? Its the holidays, show a little grace, will you?

An older man added, his voice full of patronizing wisdom, Its not easy for young people to find work these days. Shes an apprentice, its a learning process. You have to give them a chance!

Someone even started blaming the owner. Sir, dont you think this customer has a bit of an attitude problem?

Suddenly, I was the villain.

The owner was sweating bullets, trying to mediate but not knowing where to start. Everyone, please calm down, its all a misunderstanding

I scanned the faces of the people who had spoken up and sneered, Then why dont you let her cut your hair next?

The chattering crowd fell silent, their expressions shifting awkwardly. No one wanted to take that offer.

The owner wiped his brow, about to try another placating tactic.

High-energy moment ahead! Our baby has a secret weapon!

Kiki gets who she wants! Time to teach this guy a lesson!

Hehe, Kiki-baby has been secretly livestreaming this whole time~

Livestreaming?

My eyes darted around the room.

Sure enough, on the bottom shelf of Kikis utility cart, a phone was propped up, angled perfectly at me.

What are you doing?

I pointed sharply at the phone. Are you livestreaming? Youre filming me without my permission?!

A flash of panic crossed Kikis eyes, quickly replaced by a wounded expression.

Im Im sorry, sir, please dont be angry, its all my fault

I was just trying to document my work Im sorry

She cowered, shrinking back as if in fear. The the thing from before when you touched my hand, I wont tell anyone

Really, dont worry, Im sorry

Touched her hand?

My mind went blank.

Everyone else in the salon heard her. Their heads snapped in my direction.

No wonder she messed up his hair! She was fighting back! A silent protest!

Scumbag! Pervert! And he was acting so self-righteous just a minute ago!

Call the police! We have to protect our baby!

The stream is blowing up! Our Kiki is so brave! You tell them, girl!

I was stunned. What are you talking about? When did I ever touch your hand?

Kikis tears flowed even faster. No! No! You didnt touch my hand, sir! I was just making it up!

Im sorry! Its all my fault! Please dont be angry! Please dont come near me

As she spoke, she backed away, trying to hide behind the owner.

That did it. The salon erupted.

Aha! So hes a creep! Gets called out and then tries to threaten a young girl!

He was so high and mighty before, turns out hes the one with a guilty conscience!

No wonder the poor girl was shaking so bad she messed up your hair. You probably scared her to death!

Thats right! Call the cops! Arrest the pervert!

The accusations grew louder and more intense. A few of the younger male customers stood up, forming a loose circle around me.

The owner stood between me and the angry mob. Everyone, calm down! Please! We dont know the full story

Kiki! What is going on with you! Turn off the stream! Stop talking nonsense!

I Im not talking nonsense Kiki whimpered from behind him, her eyes darting to her phone screen, where the viewer count was skyrocketing.

Explain yourself!

I took a sharp step forward. Turn off the damn stream! Now!

My movement was like lighting a fuse.

Hes going to hit her! someone shouted.

Stop him! the woman with the perm screamed.

Two men who were standing close grabbed my arms, one on each side.

Let go of me!

The feeling of being treated like a criminal made my vision swim.

Call the police! Someone call the police! A man was already fumbling for his phone.

The salon was in chaos.

I stared at Kiki, who was still hiding behind the owner. You said I touched your hand? Wheres your proof?

You have to have proof for something like that. You cant just open your mouth and ruin someones reputation with lies.

Kikis crying paused for a moment. She sniffled, Im sorry, I I dont have any proof

I was facing away from the security camera, so it probably didnt record anything I was just so scared, thats why I started the stream

I nodded slowly. Then lets call the police.

Let them come. Let them check the surveillance footage, review the positions, take statements.

Kikis crying stopped. She quickly glanced at the now-quiet crowd.

Even if the police come they probably wont find anything conclusive, since theres no direct evidence.

She looked down, twisting the hem of her apron. This was my fault. I shouldnt have shouldnt have said anything out of fear. Ive caused you trouble, sir, and Ive disturbed everyone in the salon.

I Ill just let it go. Im sorry

The owner seized the opportunity like a lifeline. Yes, yes! Its all a misunderstanding! Its cleared up now!

Its the holidays, lets all just get along! We can all take a step back and let this go, right? Your cut is on the house, and Ill even give you a

Let it go? I cut off his attempt to smooth things over.

I looked at Kiki, my gaze unwavering. Since you admit you have no proof, fine.

But right now, I want you to state clearly whether I touched your hand or not.

Say yes, or say no. No more vague, misleading words.

I took another half-step closer.

Say it. Otherwise, Im calling the police myself, and well let them decide whos lying and whos being framed.

All eyes in the room were now fixed on Kiki, waiting for her answer.

Sir

Kiki started speaking, and the tears started flowing again. Ive already decided to let this go. Why do you keep coming after me?

She suddenly lifted her head, her voice filled with tragic indignation.

Everyone, you be the judge! The truth is, this isnt the first time this man has been to our salon!

If you dont believe me, check the security cameras outside!

His black Mercedes, he parks it right in front of our salon all the time! Hes been here several times! And every single time, he tries to request me specifically to cut his hair!

Her emotions escalated.

I was always too scared to serve him alone, so I always made excuses to get out of it!

Today, I just couldnt avoid it, and now sob

She covered her face, weeping uncontrollably, perfectly portraying a victim who had long suffered in silence.

I messed up his hair, that was my fault. I was shaking, I was nervous

But why was I nervous? Why was I so scared? Its because of everything that happened before!

I started the stream because I was afraid no one would believe me! Waaaah

She had constructed the perfect narrative. Even my car, which I parked wherever a spot was available on this street, was now evidence of a premeditated plot.

The crowd gasped, turning to me with looks of pure disgust.

The owner was completely stunned, looking back and forth between the sobbing Kiki and my stone-cold face, utterly lost.

PLOT TWIST! So it was long-term harassment!

No wonder she reacted so strongly! A bad haircut is getting off easy!

She started the stream to protect herself! We totally misunderstood her!

What about the outside cameras? Boss, pull up the footage! Lets nail this scumbag!