~*Mai*~
I felt myself wake up slowly. I was warm, and so very comfortable. My eyes fluttered open, but I didn’t see anything. I blinked, thinking maybe I was just a little drowsy still. Nothing changed. ‘What’s going on?’ I thought. ‘I know it’s morning…’ I felt something bush my arm a little. Panicked, I screamed. Suddenly, a bright light hit my eyes and I heard a thud next to me. I rubbed my eyes quickly and looked around. “T-Takumi? Oh, it was your wing that was over me.” I realized.
“I’m confused…what happened?” Takumi asked, rubbing his eyes as he propped himself up on his elbow.
“I, scared myself. Good morning.” I explained simply. He was half asleep, I figured he wouldn’t retain anything.
“Oh, ok, morning.” He hopped up and stretched out, his wings glistening in the morning sun. “I’m such a graceful bird in the morning.” ‘More like gorgeous…’ I thought.
“You are.” I agreed. “Can I borrow some clothes today? My Aunt and haven’t gone, um, shopping in a long time, and most of my clothes are too worn to wear anymore.” I asked. I was kind of ashamed actually. I got my clothes from salvation army, or I would rummage around in the drop off bins for clothes to try to find some halfway decent clothes. Takumi had always been sweet and let me wear some of his things whenever I needed them without prejudice.
“That’s fine, I can get you some new clothes while we’re out today.” He said cheerfully.
“Oh no, it’s ok, really…you don’t have to.” As sweet as he was to offer, and even though we were dating now, it still felt like I was a burden. He took my wrist gently and pulled me into a hug.
“You’re getting new clothes.” He stated.
“And if I say no?” I smiled a little.
“Too bad, I’m not taking no as an answer.” Takumi kissed the top of my head lightly.
“Ok, just don’t go overboard.” I wasn’t sure if I would be comfortable with him spoiling me.
“I won’t, besides, I have to get my hair done today. If you wanted something done with yours, we can do that too.” He grabbed some cargo pants, and a button up shirt for me. They were both dark, but fit me ok.
“Oh…I-I’ve never done something like that before, but I’m willing to try something new.” I nodded.
“Good, get dresses and grab some breakfast. Then we’ll head out.” I didn’t need to be told twice. I practically ran out of his room and changed in the bathroom. Then I raced to the kitchen and ate a small bowl of cereal. I poked my head into his room again and saw him putting on his eyeliner.
“Are you ready?” I asked.
“Yep, I’m good. Lets go then. We’ll take my moms car so we don’t cause a scene.” He smiled at me.
“Ok.” I jumped down the stairs two steps at a time and went out to the car. But I saw something that I had never really noticed before, since I hadn’t been in the garage very much. It was a motorcycle. “Who’s is that?!” I asked excitedly.
“Mine. It just isn’t registered yet. I’ve always wanted one, so my parents got me one as a surprise.” Takumi explained.
“Ok, take me for a ride sometime soon!” I asked. He laughed and agreed.
“It’s a good thing mom leaves her car home.” He started it up and we headed to the heart of the city, about 20 minutes away. We went to the hair place first. I sat on the little couch and quietly flipped through the books that were on the small bench. The smell in the place was strange. It was something I had never experienced before. I looked at the ends of my hair, and became a little self conscious. I glanced at Takumi who was in a chair at a station talking to a lady and pointing at his hair. His hair still looked so healthy, and mine was so, jagged and frayed. Pretty fried. I had cut my own hair for the most part. One picture caught my eye. This girl had green hair, and some black streaks. I decided to go with that, because it didn’t look too insane. I looked over at Takumi again, and he smiled at me. The hair lady came back with a white paste, and slathered Takumi’s hair with it. Takumi moved to the chair next to him and the lady came over to me.
“I’m Martha, what can I do for you?” She asked me with a dazzling smile.
“Um…” I pointed to the picture I found. “B-But, just the black streaks please.” I said.
“How about the cut?” She asked.
“Trim off the dead ends please, nothing to crazy.” I added. She laughed a little.
“Come on back sweetie.” She led me to the chair Takumi had sat in first. He looked at me and smiled beautifully.
“What are you going to do?” He asked.
“Just getting some black streaks and a trim.” I said. “What about you?”
“I’m not telling, it’s a surprise.” He laughed. I huffed. “It’ll be different.” He said simply. Martha came back with a dark paste for me about 10 minutes later. She combed through my hair with her fingers and tried parting it different ways.
“Is this your natural hair color?” She asked seriously.
“Y-Yes.” I said. She nodded.
“Alright.” She separated my hair into sections and took those and put the hair on top of a sheet of foil. She took the dark paste, and pretty much painted my hair and folded the foil up and clipped it up. She continued until my streaks were done, then she took Takumi back and washed his hair. He came back over and his hair was so white. Martha disappeared into the back room again.
“You, you look like a snow angel.” I said surprised.
“Thank you. I have to go through one more round of color and then I’ll be done.” He grinned. He seemed excited and it just made me giggle. He was so happy and I loved seeing him like this. Martha came back a few minutes later with a ridiculously bright almost mint color. My eyes widened. “It isn’t actually going to be this color.” Takumi laughed at my reaction. I breathed a slight sigh of relief. Martha pulled more sheets of tin foil and I just focused on the mirror while she did Takumi. She didn’t take too long though.
“Come with me and we will get you washed, cut and styled.” Martha led me to the sinks, and she washed my hair. It was so relaxing, the way she massaged the shampoo and conditioner into my scalp and gently rinsed it out.
“That was amazing.” I smiled at her. She giggled.
“I get that a lot.” She dried my hair, and the black was perfect. It wasn’t too over done, and Takumi was all smiles.
“You look so pretty Mai.” He said. I blushed and Martha looked at us and grinned.
“Are you two dating?” She asked.
“Yes. We sure are.” Takumi immediately answered. I smiled.
“Aw, that’s so sweet. He will take great care of you Mai!”
“I know.” I nodded and Takumi was led away to the sink again. I watched him intently, and when he came back over to his chair and the towel was removed, I gasped. The tips of his hair were colored a beautiful, electric blue, and he kept the rest of his hair snowy white.
“What do you think?” He asked me.
“It’s so, lovely.” I smiled. He grinned and Martha began snipping at his hair. It was a little different than before. Takumi was going to have to part it differently. He looked breathtaking. He paid for both of us and took my hand.
“Ready to go shopping?” He asked. I nodded. We got to the mall and I was pretty excited. I hadn’t been to the mall in quite some time.
“Can we go in here?” I asked, pointing to Maurices. I saw some of the clothes they had in the window, and they looked really cute.
“Sure.” Takumi answered, and I bounced into the store. But, with everything I picked up that I liked, I looked at the price tag, and then hung it back where it came from. Takumi must have noticed this, because he spoke up. “Pick something out if you want it Mai, really, I insist.” He said.
“Ok…” I picked up a couple sundresses I was eying for a while now. “Gray or this pale yellow?” I asked him.
“Um…try the gray one on.” He said. I nodded and went into one of the changing rooms. I put on Takumi’s pick and strolled out. He smiled.
“It’s wonderful.” I nodded and skipped back into my dressing room and changed back. Takumi took the dress and got it for me.
“Thank you so much Takumi.” I got on my tip toes and gave him a peck on the cheek.
