Secret Story
When Bethany, 26, messed up, her sister had her back
Unwrapping the box, I couldn’t wait to try my new toy. ‘It’s more than I would usually spend… but how could I say no?’ I told my best friend, Jana, 26.
With unruly hair, I was willing to fork out a little extra on a curling iron to help manage my crazy locks.
And this one could be used on wet hair!
‘I’m so nervous,’ Jana said, unqrapping the towel from her head.
A guy she really liked had finally asked her out and I was helping her to get ready for the big date.
‘You’re going to look incredible!’ I said.
As I brushed her locks, she read out the instructions.
Wrapping her hair around the iron, my eyes widened as it sizzled violently.
‘Jana!’ I worried.
‘Crackling noises are expected as the hot iron evaporates the water from your wet hair,’ she read.
Phew! I thought, relaxing again.
Unclamping the iron, I smiled as Jana’s gorgeous brunette locks bounced around her cheek.
‘That’s the perfect curl!’ she squealed in excitement.
Chatting about her date, I made my way around her head leaving a trail of curls.
Then I realised I’d missed a big spot at the back.
Lifting up a few strands, I clamped a large section around the iron.
As it crackled away, Jana showed me photos of her date on her phone.
Leaning forward to see them, I noticed the iron wasn’t tugging against her head. Instead, it was in my hand – with her hair wrapped around it!
I’ve burnt it off! I realised in horror.
‘It looks great Bethany, is the back finished?’ Jana asked, turning her head in the mirror.
Quickly unwrapping the big strand from the iron, I slipped it into my pocket.
‘Mm… hmm,’ I mumbled not making eye contact.
All I could see was a huge chunk missing – smack bang in the middle of her head!
What should I do? I thought, tearing up.
Grabbing the hairspray, I tried to cover it… but it was no use, I could still see it!
I’ll tell her after her date, when she’s not so stressed,
I thought.
‘I love it, thanks so much ,’ Jana said, hugging me.
The next morning she called to tell me her date went horribly.
Agreeing to have lunch the next day, I knew I needed to confess.
I know she’ll never speak to me again, I worried. Coming for support, my sister Eliza waited with me at the cafe table.
‘So sorry I’m late, I went for a trim and it was so busy,’ she said, ruffling her hair. ‘It’s a new salon and they only do cuts, so it was really cheap.’
‘Oh my gosh Jana!’ Eliza blurted, before I could say anything. ‘They’ve cut a chunk out of your hair!’
Staring at Eliza I secretly mouthed it was my doing.
Jana made us go with her when she complained and demanded they fix it.
The poor hairdresser’s English wasn’t very good and she tried hard to explain to all of us that the chunk of hair had been missing all along.
But Jana was too upset to hear anything rational.
I felt terrible that an innocent hairdresser was being blamed for my blunder.
She’d obviously been too nice to say anything to Jana.
I watched guiltily as the hairdresser created a new cut that hid the bald amazingly well.
Swearing Eliza to secrecy, I can’t believe Jana still doesn’t know I burnt off her hair.