Samantha sat still, the white barber’s cape snugly wrapped around her neck. The mirror in front of her reflected a calm face, but her heart was racing. She took a deep breath and nodded once. The clippers buzzed to life behind her.
"Are you sure?" the barber asked one last time, raising an eyebrow.
She smiled. "Absolutely. Let's do it."
With a gentle touch, the barber pressed the clippers to the crown of her head. The hum grew louder as they carved a clean path through her thick dark hair. Long strands tumbled down the cape and onto the floor. Samantha watched in fascination—half nervous, half thrilled—as each pass revealed more of her scalp.
As the transformation continued, she felt oddly liberated. No more hiding behind her hair. No more fussing with curls, tangles, or split ends. Just her, stripped bare of the external noise.
The cool air tingled against her freshly exposed skin. A light sheen of sweat dotted her forehead, mixing with the soft buzz of the clippers and the occasional whisper of falling strands. The last patch was cleared, and the clippers finally fell silent.
The barber brushed off the remaining bits of hair and turned the chair to face the mirror fully.
Samantha stared at her reflection. A completely bald head, smooth and striking. Her green eyes looked brighter, her cheekbones sharper. She reached up and touched her scalp, feeling the soft stubble and the exhilarating newness of it all.
She grinned. "Wow. I love it."
Outside, the sun caught the smooth curve of her head, and for the first time in a long time, Samantha felt completely herself—fearless, unburdened, and ready for whatever came next.