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This last gif is just an example of how Betty's hair looks in the chapter.

My alarm went off causing me to wake up from my slumber and slamming my hand on the clock, shutting it off.

I sat up before climbing out of bed, changing into the clothes I set out and brush my teeth.

I exit my room shortly to hit my fist against Zack's door. "Zackery Cooper, wake up. It's the first day of school," I call out.

Shortly, the door opened. The Star Wars pajamas he was wearing were wrinkled and ruffled as his hair stuck up in different directions. "I'm up," he said.

"Mom said to make sure to put on clean clothes and you comb your hair," I tell him, going back in my room and facing the mirror, ready to put my usual ponytail in but decided against it because when was the last time I wore my hair down.

"Clean clothes, dirty clothes...messy hair, nice hair...I drive girls crazy regardless," Zack said.

I just rolled my eyes and went downstairs to make us a quick breakfast.

***

At school, I approached Cory and Shawn at their lockers.

"Yes. Fine. You're perfect," Cory told Shawn. "Now, can we get out of the hallway where everyone can see me?"

"Hold on. Just need to get a little more hair in my eyes," Shawn said, fixing his hair in his locker mirror.

"You know I hate that," Cory replied, ruffling Shawn's hair.

Shawn looked in the mirror. "Also good."

"Still very cute," I tell Shawn, pecking his cheek.

"Great more hair," Cory said, looking at me before running his hands through his curls. "Also good. Also good. Move!"

Shawn pulled Cory's hands back. "Whoa, whoa. Cory, Cory. Come on. Come on. You're gonna cut your fingers."

"Cory, chill. It's just hair," I add.

"You're right. I'm overreacting. It's just that between you guys and Eric, I feel like I'm surrounded by people with perfect hair," Cory admits.

Topy appeared. "Hi, Cory."

"No need to explain this relationship, is there?" Cory asked, motioning to Topy.

"What are you guys talking about?" Topy asks.

"Nothing. I'm just a little insecure today, but I'm sure it'll pass."

"Hey, Topanga," Dylan greeted, approaching my friend.

"Hey, Dylan," Topy replied.

"So, you wanna go out this weekend?"

"Of course not. I'm going out with Cory."

"Oh, you're still with him? I figured you'd have dumped him over the summer."

"Would you please leave?"

"Yeah, but if you do decide to dump him, here's my card," Dylan said, handing her a card before looking to me. "Hey, Betty. Didn't see you there-"

"Don't even think about it," Shawn cut off, wrapping an arm around my middle. "My beautiful girlfriend and future wife. Get your own."

"Oh," Dylan said, reaching in his pocket. "Well, if you change your mind-"

"Yeah, I don't think so," I add. "I like being with my Shawn more than anything."

"But if you do-"

I roll my eyes, grabbing Shawn's shirt and crashing my lips to his, hoping Dylan got the message to which when I pulled back, he was gone.

"Look, Cory, it's just some guy asking me out. It's no big deal," Topy told Cory.

"Don't freak out," I add.

"Well, it's no big deal to you guys because you're the askees. And why are you the askees? You're always the askee because you guys are gorgeous."

"Sweet, Cor," I smile.

"Well, thank you very much, but give me some credit. No guys go out with girls because of how they look. But you go out with me because of who I am inside," Topy said.

"Absolutely," I say. "Right, Shawn? Boys?"

They looked to each other and chuckled.

"The only reason you think I'm good-looking is because you care about me," Topy said.

Shawn chuckled but Cory didn't. "That was one too many," Cory told him.

"And in your case, I hope that's true for you too," I tell Shawn.

Shawn nodded. "Yes, it is."

"It wouldn't matter what I looked like. You'd still think I was pretty," Topy said.

"Yeah, but, Topanga, I mean, this is easy for you to say. You don't have a nose that takes up half your face and hair like a Brillo pad."

"Cory," I began with a small laugh.

"What? You saw suds?" he asked.

"First of all, I love your face, and I love your hair, but most of all, I love you because of who you are. And I hope you love me because of who I am and not because of my face and hair," Topy stated.

"And that's how every girl wants to feel," I add. "Shawn, do you love me not matter what I look like?"

"Absolutely," Shawn answered. "You could be bald and short, and I'd still love you." He paused. "Is that the right answer?"

"Do you mean it?" I ask.

"Yes."

"Then, yeah."

"Girls, if I looked in the mirror every morning and saw what you see, I'd feel real good about myself, too," Cory told us.

Topy and I share a look, already forming some plan to prove him wrong. "Oh, so you think that's it?" Topy asked.

"You think what gives us all our confidence is the face and hair?" I ask.

"And the fact that they're perfect, yeah, I think that puts a little spring in your step," Cory stated.

"Oh, yeah?" Topy asked, pulling out a pair of scissors. "Well, here's what I think."

"Words, Topanga. Use your words," Cory told her.

I caught onto her plan. "Topy, do you think you have any spare scissors?" I ask.

"Why, Betty," Topy said, pulling out another pair. "Yes, I do."

"Girls," Cory began.

"Watch this, bud," I tell him before snipping off a random piece of my hair. Not too long pieces I hoped because I didn't exactly have a mirror.
"Shawny, hold this please," I tell him, handing the piece I cut off.

I cut off snips of my hair with the tiny scissors, almost chuckling at Shawn's expression.

Topy handed Cory a piece of her hair. "Well? Am I any different now?" Topy asked.

"Well, somewhat less predictable. But, no, you're right. I'd love you no matter what you looked like," Cory answered.

"Good. Glad you learned something," Topy told him, also handing him the scissors.

As we were both about to walk to our class, we both caught a glimpse of our reflection in Shawn's locker mirror.

Oh no. I thought looks didn't matter, but seeing my hair like this...Oh no...

My hair went down to the middle of my back, now one side of it went down three inches below my shoulder and the other side reached the half of my arm.

Panic mode! Panic mode!

"They're gonna scream now," Shawn said.

And we did. More specifically, I did and didn't stop screaming.

Zack jogged over, ditching the girl he was talking to and pulled me into his side, getting me to clutch onto him for comfort which got me to stop screaming.

"Betty, what's wrong-" Zack began before seeing my hair. "Oh, yikes." I whimpered, feeling like I'm about to cry to which he pulled me tighter into his side. He noticed Shawn holding a chunk of my hair. "What did you do, Hunter?!"

"Nothing!" Shawn defended.

"Shawny, you still love me, right?" I ask.

"Of course I do," he answered.

"Topanga," Zack called.

Topy just looked in the mirror. "It's okay. It's okay. It's just a little hair. It has nothing to do with who I am. I am still Topanga Lawrence, and nobody who cares about me will even notice, right?"

Mr. Feeny approached. "Mr. Matthews. Mr. Hunter. Mr. Cooper." He saw my hair and then, Topy's. "Ooh. What the heck happened to you?"

"Mr. Feeny, we've cut my hair in an attempt to show Cory that physical appearance is secondary to inner beauty," Topy answered.

"I just wanted to be right like I always am," I panic, pulling a bit away from Zack. "And try to embrace inner beauty."

"A-ha," Mr. Feeny said in understanding. "Well, in that case, Miss Lawrence, I applaud your and Miss Cooper's attempt at teaching a very valuable lesson during these extremely vulnerable teenage years."

"You think I'm ugly!" Topy exclaimed, running away.

"You're mean!" I cry, about to start screaming until Zack pulled me back in his side.

"Harsh," Zack said, pulling me away.

I heard Shawn say, "Nice going, Feeny."

***

After class, I went back to Zack who at against the lockers with me instead with me resting against his front while he hugged me.

"You wanna try it again?" Zack asked, handing me the tiny mirror again.

"I'll try," I say, grasping the mirror before looking at myself. I gasp before snapping my eyes shut. "Take it. Take the mirror back."

He took it back. "Just relax, okay?" I nod, leaning my head back against his shoulder. "Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens," he sang. "Doorbells and sleigh bells and...something with mittens. La, la something with string..."

"I'll be better if you stop singing," I giggled.

"Okay, I'll stop," Zack agreed.

Shawn approached. "Need some help?" he asked Zack.

"Please," Zack begged. "I've been sitting her for five minutes, my legs are asleep and I have health class."

Shawn held his hands out to me. "Come on, babe." I took his hands, letting him help me up as Zack walked to health class. "Betty, I don't get why you're sad. You're still beautiful," Shawn told me as we moved to the bench. "Just look in the mirror."

"I can't look in the mirror," I tell him.

"Betts, you and Topanga were right. It doesn't matter to me what you look like. It only matters to me who you are."

"See, that's my problem, Shawny. I thought I was someone who thought that appearance didn't matter, who could only see people for inner beauty, but that was only because I was comfortable with my appearance all this time. But now I'm not," I huff.

"I told you I'd still love you no matter what and I meant it. And not even your hair now can change that," Shawn stated.

"That..." I pause. "Kind of helps."

"Good," Shawn told me, kissing my forehead. "So what's your plan now, Bettykins?"

"Today after school, I'll go down to the beauty parlor, see if they have anything available and get hopefully get my hair fixed," I answer.

***

Zack

At the beauty salon, I bit my thumbnail anxiously, awaiting my sister to come out, hoping her hair would be much better.

"I don't know, man. They've been in there an awful long time," Shawn spoke.

"What are you getting so crazy about?" Cory asked. "She's just getting a haircut."

"No, Cory. We've known Topanga all her life, okay? She doesn't wear make-up. She's never been to a beauty parlor. She's completely natural."

I sat up. "That's also true about Betty. She's an all natural girl too," I state.

"So what's the big deal?" Cory asked.

"The big deal is that they were beautiful before without anybody's help," I began.

"Now they've got professional help. They're gonna be mega-beautiful. We're not even gonna be able to look at them directly without burning our retinas," Shawn added.

"Guys, come on. This is not Beverly Hills. I mean, it's a neighborhood beauty salon next to old lady Schneider's doughnut shop. I mean, they don't exactly do 'miracles' here," Cory said.

A woman turned around in the salon chair and left the salon which had me gaping at her. "Old lady Schneider," Shawn gasped.

"It's a miracle!" Cory exclaimed.

"Hallelujah," I praise.

"Oh, no," Cory said. "Betty and Topanga are gonna come out looking 10 times better than they did when they went in."

"Okay, the first thing they're gonna do or one of them will at least, is dump you, then starting hanging out with other unbelievably good-looking people," I tell him.

"How do you know that?" Cory asked.

"It's what we do," I chuckle.

"I'm already unbelievably good-looking," Shawn stated.

"I'd still worry, Hunter," I tell him.

"Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Well, I think that's interesting, but, oh, so wrong," Cory told me.

I cross my arms. "And why is that, Matthews?" I ask.

"Because if anybody knows hair, it's me. When I get a haircut, it looks terrible for, like, the first six weeks. Then all of a sudden, it looks terrific for, like, a day. Then it's time for another haircut. It's what I like to call the haircut cycle of shame," Cory said.

"Okay, and that's what you think's gonna happen to Topanga?" Shawn asked.

"Yes, I do. Because the universe knows that Topanga and I are supposed to be together, so the universe has seen fit to put Topanga in that chair and make her hideous so we can get through our teenage years awkward hand in awkward hand."

I only laughed. "You know she's coming out great-looking, don't you?"

"Yes!" Cory exclaimed, leaning on my shoulder.

I place Cory to Shawn's shoulder instead. "Its for you." I took this as the time to brag. "And when my sister steps out, her and Shawn are going to be the top, shining couple. Probably the best looking people ever."

Shawn smirked. "You hate the thought of that, don't you?"

I glare at him before sinking down onto the floor. "Don't remind me."

I look to the salon door to see-

Wow, beautiful, gorgeous Topanga exit out. That's not the Topanga I've known for years.

"This universe blows!" Cory exclaimed.

I stood up quickly as the boys also looked at her. "Well, isn't somebody going to say something?" Topanga asked, when none of us said anything.

"Beautiful," was all I could utter, my throat feeling dry. "Need. To ask. Out."

"Zack!" Cory exclaimed.

"Hunter, pull me back before I start proposing to her," I tell Shawn, getting him to pull me back by the arm.

"What do you think?" Another voice asked.

That's when I saw my sister. Her hair was much more even, her somewhat straight hair was now much more wavy and reached a bit below her shoulders and a smile grazed on her lips.

Shawn let go of my arm and took three steps beside Cory in front of Betty, gaping like a fish.

"Keep it under control, keep it under control," I heard Shawn mutter before telling Betty. "Oh, the heck with that! Marry me! I live in a trailer park and I have no education, but my hair does this!" He ran his hands through his hair three times.

"Shawn!" Cory exclaimed.

"Shut up, man! I'm going for it!" Shawn told him. I grab the spray bottle off the counter and spray Shawn in the face. "Thanks. Thanks. I'm back." He still made motions for her to call him to which she just giggled at.

"All right, Topanga, I want the name of the guy who did this to you," Cory said.

"You don't like it?" Topanga asked.

"No, no, it's not that I don't like it, it's just that my best friend and this girl I'm in love with was never interested in what they looked like before, and now I see make-up on your faces and polish on your nails and toes and-"

I nudge Shawn who was looking down. "Stop looking at her toes."

"But they sparkle," Shawn replied.

"I want the name of the guy who did this to you," Cory said.

"My stylist's name is Mr. Cellini. Cory, it's just a haircut. It's just some make-up," Topanga stated.

"Yeah, it's not like it's going to change us," Betty added.

Topanga looked at her watch. "Ooh, we gotta go," Topanga told Betty.

"Well, where are you going?" I ask.

"This outfit with this hair? Hello, bye-bye. I am so at the mall," Topanga answered, walking out.

"And I'm so craving an Orange Julius," Betty said.

"You don't drink Orange Julius," Cory told her.

"I do now," she replied about to head out the door when she stopped. "Oh, almost forgot something." She kissed Shawn for a long time before pulling back and following Topanga out.

"This is the best day ever," Shawn said, grinning.

Oh, but knowing Hunter he might have seconds thoughts. "Remember, you love her no matter what."

"You know, this just isn't like Topanga," Cory spoke. "Obviously, she and Betty are under the influence of this so-called Mr. Cellini."

"Yeah. I say we go back there," I state. Truth was, my sister couldn't be hotter than me. I was hot, she was... cute. That's the way it's always been.

"You are my friend, aren't you?" Cory asked me.

"I guess," I answer. "But you've never called me that."

"And that little comment with Topanga?" Cory asked.

"Well, I think the three of us can be very happy together," I teased.

I followed the boys to the back of the salon. "All right, which one of you guys worked on Topanga Lawrence?" Cory asked.

"Ah, that would be me, Bosco Cellini," a man answered.

"All right, Bosco, I want to know where you come off taking a natural beauty like Topanga and painting her face and nails and messing with her beautiful hair?"  Cory asked.

"'Messing'?" The man questioned. "Hey, friends to the little whining boy, did he say 'messing'?"

"Yeah. That's what I heard," Shawn admits.

"Me too. But you did mess with my sister," I state.

"Well, for your informazione, it is very rare that on a Tuesday, our slow day, that Venus de Milo herself would sit in my chair and say to me, 'Make with me what you wish'," the man explained. "I am a European man secure enough in my own masculinity to admit to you, I wept. I cried like a little baby cries."

"All right, all right, Bosco, first of all, we're in the middle of Philadelphia here, so let's just drop this phony accent," Shawn cut off.

"Scusi?"

"Talk in English, I barely got any of that," I add.

"All right, all right. Here's how it went down. Chicky comes in, plops down a half a c-note, right? I do a little snippety-snip, badda-boom, badda-bing, your girlfriend's a looker. Her friend, Chicky comes in. I do a little snippety-snip, badda-boom, badda-bing, her friend's a looker too."

"You're right. I mean, she is beautiful," Cory said.

"Okay, let's go, buddy. There's nothing left for you here," Shawn told him.

"You did a very nice job."

"Hey, don't mention it," the man says.

***

Betty

In class, the next day, Topy and I sat at desks, talking when Mr. Turner came in. "All right, everybody, take your seats. Come on, take your seats. What is so interesting that you all have to crowd around here." I took the empty seat beside Topy instead of sitting in the back. Mr. Turner looked at us. "Oh, boy. Look at you."

"Yeah. Topanga and I got a haircut," I said.

"Do you like it?" Topy asked.

"Hey! Hey! Focus, Mr. Turner. Some are here to learn," Cory remarked.

"Okay, today, we're going to be talking about John Merrick, immortalized in the play The Elephant Man. Now, even though he was tragically disfigured, he still won the hearts of London society with his wonderful inner spirit," Mr. Turner began.

"Yeah, you know what? I come from a great-looking family, and I'm just going through my awkward teenage phase, but that doesn't mean I can't win the hearts of high school society with my wonderful inner spirit," I heard Cory say.

"Now, see, what's really interesting about John Merrick is that he came from a wonderful-looking family, yet was so hideous himself, he was forced to wear a burlap sack over his head and perform as a sideshow freak until the day that his oversized head rolled back and he died," Mr. Turner finished.

"And when did he grow out of this death?" Cory asked.

Mr. Feeny came in. "Attention, please. Excuse the interruption, Mr. Turner. A reminder that this Friday is picture day, so, please, dress nicely and try to look your best."

"Already do," I giggle to Topy.

"Shawn?" Cory asked my boyfriend.

"Yeah?" Shawn asked.

"I just want to die. Please don't lift my oversized head."

***

Later, in the bathroom, I went up to the mirror, looking at my hair. It still looked like perfection. A few of some of the football jocks asked me out but I declined, of course.

The stall door opened, revealing my boyfriend. "So here's how I see it," Shawn started.

I chuckled. "You know, you really can't make it a habit to be in here."

Shawn ignored that comment and continued, "I grew up with these three people, and I guess they're my best friends in the world."

"They already sound like they're great," I remark.

"As I understand it, one of them, who in my opinion is a good-looking guy, is going through a shaky time right now."

This got me to look away from the mirror. "Where is Cory?" I ask.

"That's not as important as where you are, Betty. In all the time that I've known you, I can't remember you ever looking in the mirror. You had this confidence in yourself, and I really loved that about you."

I scoff. "Come on, Shawny, everybody in high school has a mirror in their locker and checks each other out and only cares about how they look."

"But up until a couple days ago, you never did. Your world got completely rocked when you hacked your hair off and saw that for two seconds you can actually look a little less than perfect."

"But I never thought..." I began, I stare back at my reflection. "This isn't me, is it, Shawny?"

"Well," he rested his head on my shoulder. "It's not my Betty Cooper I know. But obviously we're all at that age where we're going through changes."

I began to smile, grabbing a paper towel, wiping the lipstick off and eye shadow before turning on the faucet and wetting my hair. I flipped my hair up, somewhat wetting Shawn in the process. "Oh, that's great. Thanks," he remaked.

I pull my spare hairtie of my wrist, pulling my hair up in my usual ponytail. "Better?" I ask.

"Now, that's my Betty Cooper," Shawn replied, pressing his lips to mine.

***

I found Zack afterwards leaning against the lockers talking to someone I didn't know.

I wrap my arms around his shoulders which caused me to somewhat stand on my toes to do so. "You're welcome," was all I told him.

Zack turned to face me to which he frowned at. "What happened to your hair? It's back to normal."

"I realized the new haircut changed me and my original hair style is much better. Plus, it means your back to being the 'hotter twin'."

Zack smiled. "Hunter told you, didn't he?" he asked.

I nod with a chuckle. "Yeah."

"Well, I'm glad you're back, sis. You were starting to turn into...Jennifer."

My smile faded. "Never compare me to that spawn of Satan."

***

And thy evil cousin shall wreak havoc upon thy inseparable lovers...

Take a guess what that means. Please don't hate me as we get a bit deeper into season 4.