Evangeline thought she had herself under control, accepting her hair loss, but when she stepped in On Fleek Salon and collapsed into muffled sobs, she knew she was very mistaken.

Her tearful, hazel eyes scanned the spacious beauty salon, being reminded with the seriousness of the entire situation. It all dumped on her like a bucket of icey water that had her knees shaking. One of the male employees noticed her horrific state and rushed to her.

"Ma'am, are you okay?" He gripped her shoulder, concern in his eyes. Despite him being a complete stranger, he gazed at her as if he knew exactly who she was and what happened to her. "Do you have an appointment?"

Evangeline shook her head no to both questions. The guy nodded his head in complete understanding. "Okay," he said, his eyes looking through his tablet and his hand still on her shoulder. "I think I can squeeze you in. Lauren will be so pissed if she finds out, so fingers crossed on that. Okay, follow me."

She would have cringed away at the stranger's proximity, but somehow she found it to be comforting. Something about his tender touch and somber eyes told Evangeline that Steve - according to his name tag at least - wouldn't hurt her in a million years. With a shameful, bobbed head, Evangeline followed the energetic hairdresser through the beauty salon.

He was holding a tablet that probably held all the appointments, glancing at her and doing crazy hand gestures. "I'll hook you up with Amber, she's the only one free in the morning. Don't worry though, she's one of the best hairdressers we have. Since you don't want to be kicked out because you don't have an appointment and you don't want me fired if Lauren finds out, if anyone asks just say you took Charlize Lexington's appointment. I know, you don't look like a married superstar, but no one will question it since she always misses her appointments - that's so annoying if you ask me, and it wastes a lot of our employees time. I mean why book it if you're not gonna show up. Anyways, here's your seat."

Evangeline found it challenging to keep up with the kind man's blabber, but she picked up the information she needed. She sat where Steve motioned for her and faced the big, illuminated mirror. She didn't want to have another inspect on her horrible hair's condition, so she focused her gaze on the mirror, not on her face but on Steve's skinny figure behind her. Soon after, a very attractive brunette joined them. Eva figured she must be Amber, since that was her reversed name reflected in her name tag.

Her heart-shaped face was very inviting and friendly, Eva thought she looked familiar but she couldn't really pinpoint where she seen her. Besides, it could've been her mind doing tricks on her. Steve leaned over Amber and muttered a few things in her ear. Eva could have sworn he whispered her name among his hushes but that was unlikely, since Evangeline didn't tell him her name - I'm so paranoid, jeez. Amber whispered something back before Steve went on his way.

Before he went though, he bent and touched Eva's shoulder. His touch, just like before, was soft and comforting that it strangely made the uptight Eva want to spill her darkest secrets and confine him to them - he was that approachable. "Hey, don't worry," His gentle voice made Eva want to swoon even in her miserable condition. "Everything will be okay."

Well, that was weird, Eva thought. As Amber worked on Eva's head, Eva's eyes stayed glued to her lap where her hands were clutching at the grey beanie. Whenever her gaze accidently locked with Amber's, Amber would avert her big eyes and turn away from the mirror so Eva couldn't see her. Okay, this is awkward.

Despite everything, Eva noticed the tangled mess of Amber's hair and wondered how one of the best hairdressers in On Fleek - like Steve had put it - couldn't maintain her own hair to look at least decent. Evangeline shrugged it off, she wasn't one to judge people's choices.

When Amber finished, she didn't stick long enough for Eva to properly thank her, hurrying away to what Eva guessed was another customer. Evangeline didn't blame her, she probably had a lot of heads to work on other than her own, hideous hair. Besides, it wasn't like Eva actually had an appointment, it was a curtsy that they hadn't kicked her out the second she stepped a foot in their salon. Evangeline decided she was grateful for Amber and Steve.

Evangeline stood up from the - surprisingly - very comfortable chair, still clutching at the grey beanie and taking a step closer to the big mirror. Her red hair was styled to a bob - well, not really a straight bob, it was layered and short in the back and getting even and longer towards the front. She even had some side bangs that made her forehead look so much flattering and her cheekbones to appear higher and sharper. Evangeline didn't really know if her haircut even had a name, but Amber did a really good job considering what she had to work with. Eva's oval shaped face appeared new to Eva's eyes, being introduced to a beauty she didn't know she owned - gosh, I didn't even know I was pretty to look at.

Evangeline made her way to the lady in the cash register who reminded her of her mother, except a much older and colder version. Her name tag read Lauren - she was the boss apparently since Steve was so afraid of her. As Evangeline stared into her emotionless, sunken eyes and scowling, thin lips, Eva concluded that Lauren was probably the least nice person in this salon.

Lauren glared at Eva with empty eyes before gluing her gaze back on a gadget that was similar to the one Steve held. "Name, please?"

"I'm Ev-..." Eva cleared her throat, remembering Steve's words. "I mean, I'm here for, eh, Charlize Lexington's appointment." Evangeline would have felt guilty for lying to this elder lady, but she really didn't find it in her to care about something as pity. It wasn't like Charlize - whoever that 'superstar' was - would have showed up anyways.

"Is that so?" The woman lifted her gaze from her lit screen, her cold eyes running up Eva's figure. "Well, I'm good friends with Charlize, and she never mentioned anything about a redheaded teenager coming instead of her."

Eva fiddled with the grey beanie in her hands under the ruthless gaze. Eva had a feeling that Lauren knew about the false appointment, but it wasn't like Lauren could do anything now other than charging her - Evangeline already got herself served. "It was just a haircut, by the way." Eva added, afraid the woman which Eva took over her appointment booked more like a pedicure or something that might've left Eva's pockets bleeding.

"Yes, I know. It's all in the schedule - the very same schedule that needs to be followed exactly as it is." Lauren looked at her, licking her lips as if to contain her temper. She shook her head, placing her precious tablet on the desk. "Whatever, young lady. That would be 150 dollars."

The price was ridiculously high, but Eva wasn't one to complain - she was the one who barged inside a high-class service with no prior booking or questions about the price. Besides, what else did she expect when she asked Trudy about a good beauty salon other than a money-sucking one?

Eva gave the lady in the cash register, Lauren, the money Hannah gave to her that morning. Hannah was particularly generous because that was, sadly, the only way she knew how to comfort her devastated daughter - well, that and a piece of candy as if Eva was freaking four.

When Evangeline left On Fleek Salon, she felt better than when she got in. She realized she was still holding the beanie in her hand, she didn't know where to put now that she didn't need it. She ended up stuffing half of it in her jeans' back pocket with the other half hanging annoyingly out, she didn't have any other choice since she wasn't Trudy who walked everywhere with a multi-thousand dollar clutch in her hands.

The sun was shining bright above Eva's head, reminding her that Summer was just around the corner, while the blossoms were a clear sign that Spring wouldn't be leaving anytime soon. As Eva walked down that luxurious street, she couldn't help but feel extremely cautious. Her hazel eyes rolled everywhere to watch her surroundings because Zarek's house was down that street, and she couldn't afford the risk of bumping into him.

Eva looked at both sides before crossing the street, cursing at herself for coming to that neighborhood despite desperately needing a haircut. It had been only five days since the horrific incident, and Eva was already challenging her chances of seeing Zarek. Eva dreaded the moment she would come face to face with Zarek, it was inevitable; they went to the same highschool and the Spring Break would only last fourteen days and six of which have already passed, but for now, she pushed it in the back of her conscious like she had seen Hannah do many times before.

Eva took a turn to the right and breathed a huge sigh of relief - Zarek's white mansion was behind her.

A small whimper regained Eva her sense of place. She frowned her auburn eyebrows as she went to the source of it - a man sitting on one of the benches a few feet ahead. His elbows supported himself on his knees while his hands held his face, covering it. His shoulders were shaking, gasping for air every so often.

Eva's feet led her to the man who was having a sensitive moment with himself. Her curiosity was taking over, she had never seen a man cry in front of her before - other than actors in movies, of course, but that didn't really count. Eva didn't know if she should have offered her help, or if that would have been considered inappropriate. She wanted to make this man feel better, even though she had no idea who he was and why he was feeling down, but she also didn't want to invade on his privacy.

Eva looked around - nobody was in sight other than a few passing, luxurious cars. Everyone was out there having fun in the vacations of their lives, Eva figured, and nobody, other than her, was available to offer the needed attention to the man crying on the bench. Eva didn't want to pretend that nothing was happening, she wanted to acknowledge the problems because that was all what she wished from her own mother to do for her. The scene was too familiar to Eva, despite it happening to a complete stranger, and she related to him. She didn't want him to feel lonely like she always did, so she willed to offer what she was never given - understanding and comfort.

Eva stood before the man, her gentle finger tapping his shoulder. "Excuse me, sir, are you okay?"

The man flinched. Eva cursed herself for her wrong approach - it was stupid to ask that question, he was crying, of course he wasn't okay. The man looked up at her, his tears streaming out of his bloodshot red eyes. For a second, Eva lost herself in his intense grey eyes. So much repressed, raw emptions were displayed in his wild, raw pupils - it was beautiful.

He knotted his eyebrows. "Do I know you?" His voice was hoarse with a hint of irritation.

Eva studied his face, her hands flying to her mouth in shock. "Hunter?" Eva couldn't believe that the insensitive ladiesman was having a breakdown.

Hunter's suspicious, grey eyes examined her. "Ev-Evangeline?" He couldn't believe it was her, looking her up and down before his piercing eyes zeroed on her new hair.

Eva grew self-conscious.

Hunter eyed it for barely a moment. He didn't ask anything, which left Eva wondering if he didn't notice her hair loss or if he simply didn't care. Hunter cleared his throat and wiped his tears with his sleeve as if they were nothing. Hunter was about to put his mask back on. I won't let him. Eva was so tired of hidden emotions and false facades that she decided she had enough of them.

Eva sat next to him on the bench, Hunter's black eyebrow cocked. Eva looked at him, a challenge in her otherwise peaceful eyes. "What?"

Yes, Eva knew what she was doing. She knew Hunter was heartless enough to make a bet involving her but that wasn't a solid reason for Eva to ditch him in his misery. She wanted to comfort him, even though she didn't exactly know why or how.

Hunter narrowed his gaze. "Who told you you can sit here?"

Eva faked a laugh. "Who said I can't?" She didn't know where all that confidence was coming from, it could've been the new hair or why she had that hair that made her so strong. She didn't hesitate to put this burst of defiance into use, hopefully brightening someone's day.

Hunter took a deep breathed, keeping himself composed. "Listen-... Evangeline, right?"

She nodded. "You can call me Eva."

"Okay, Eva, whatever," Hunter looked at her, his grey eyes holding a threatening edge. "This stays between us. If anyone finds out-"

"Hey," Eva cut him off, not sure she wanted to hear the rest of that sentence. "Don't worry about it, your secret is safe with me."

"How can I know you're telling the truth?"

"Just trust me," Eva said, surprising herself when she inched closer, "What's wrong?"

Hunter grimaced. "Nothing," he spat, "My blood sugar is just low."

She didn't believe him. As far as she knew, a low blood sugar wouldn't make someone's eyes shed tears, she still decided to let it go. It was personal business after all. However, Eva was still determined at making a difference. Her hand searched her jeans' pocket and gave him a piece of candy - the very same one her mother gave to her that morning before she left the house.

Hunter eyed it for a second before he took it and unwrapped it. He shoved it down his throat, bobbing his Adam's apple. "Thanks," he mumbled, "You better not kidnap me in a van now because who keeps candies in their pockets like that?" Hunter shook his head. "What a creep."

Eva ignored his insult, her tongue burning her to blurt the upcoming question. "Are you diabetic?"

"What?" Hunter's eyes widened. "It's none of your business."

"Right, I'm sorry." Eva's freckled cheeks heated up. She reached to hide her blush with her hair. Reality slapped her hard when her hand went right through it. She completely forgot about her short hair - this will take a lot of getting used to.

"You're extra nice to me today," Hunter must've realized his lack of manners bacause he smiled, his signature mask was officially on. "What do you want from me? My coc-"

"Stop right there," Eva rushed her words. "I just wanted to help, okay? Don't think of this too much."

Hunter wiggled his black eyebrows. "Too late. I already thought many inappropriate thoughts."

Eva groaned. "Stop already."

Hunter leaned in, his face was so close that Eva couldn't have mistaken the mischief in his grey eyes for anything else. "I made you groan, soon I'll make you moan, baby."

Hunter erupted laughing, making Eva flinch away. "God," she exasperated, "I'm starting to think I made a mistake by coming here..."

Eva was uncomfortable. She didn't know why Hunter was so flirtatious with her. They never had a proper conversation before this one because they didn't have any classes together whatsoever and they barely spoke in the hallways - actually, no, they avoided each other in the hallways. Eva stayed out of his way because despite the word around him and how nice and thoughtful he was, Eva had an insight on how ruthless and evil he could be. He used to date Alisha, her cousin, until he dumped her because Anastasia, this hot college girl, is my girlfriend and you were just a side chick all along - apparently those were his literal words to Alisha.

If that wasn't an enough evidence on how quickly he wore and dropped his masks then the fact that he just called Eva a creep depite doing nothing but helping him and then he turned a leaf just like that and started flirting with her definitely was. Eva knew Hunter was big trouble, but he was a human being, and every human being deserved comfort and validation.

But why is he acting this way all of a sudden? Okay, so she might have allowed him to touch her back in his party six days ago, but that was only to make his girlfriend - Anna, right? - jealous. Hunter better not take that as a green light to be fully comfortable around Evangeline, because she certainly didn't want any business with yet another dangerous guy. Zarek was more than a handful.

Hunter's facial expressions stiffened. "It's not a mistake," he said, "You can come wherever you want, hottie."

"Okay, better get going." Eva stood up, already a few steps away from him. "Later, Hunter. Don't hunt anyone till then, okay?"

Hunter winked. "I have one arrow only, and I'm aiming it at your heart, hottie,"

Shaking her head, Eva continued on her way. At the small gesture, her short hair brushed against her neck, prickling a few goosebumps. Evangeline shrugged the feeling away, heading towards a house she hadn't seen for five days - Trudy's mansion.

When Eva asked Trudy about a good beauty salon yesterday, Trudy had insisted on going with her - it will be a fun, Trudy had said through the phone, we'll have a spa day and we'll both feel as new people, I swear there's no better way to get over your problems. Evangeline refused, for obvious reasons; she hadn't told Trudy what Zarek had done to her yet.

She had a feeling it wouldn't be pretty when she would break the news to her, but as Eva rang that door, she knew it wouldn't take her long to find out.

Zarek was more than a handful... smh

ngl, it was gonna be mouthful instead of handful but that would have been a bit much, nah?