The Longest Drive of My Life
The drive to school took fifteen minutes.
It felt like fifteen hours.
Every terrible possibility raced through my mind.
Had Letty gotten into a fight?
Had someone bullied her?
Had she gotten hurt?
Had something happened because of the wig?
By the time I pulled into the parking lot, I could barely breathe.
The principal was waiting outside.
His expression was strange.
Not angry.
Not upset.
Almost stunned.
“Come with me,” he said.
“What happened?”
“You need to see.”
We walked quickly toward his office.
My heart hammered so hard I could hear it.
The principal opened the door.
I stepped inside.
And nearly collapsed.
The Room Full of Hair
At first I couldn’t understand what I was seeing.
The office was crowded.
Teachers.
Parents.
Students.
At least twenty people.
Some were crying.
Others were smiling.
And in the middle of the room stood Letty.
She looked shocked.
Embarrassed.
Overwhelmed.
Then I noticed something else.
Several girls were standing beside her.
Their hair was gone.
Not completely shaved.
But dramatically shortened.
Shoulder length.
Chin length.
Pixie cuts.
One by one, I looked around.
More students.
More cut hair.
Boys too.
