The Morning Announcement

Megan adjusted her red glasses and looked around the bustling hallway of Willow Tree School. Her blonde pigtails bounced as she walked, the tiny cat on her red dress pocket seeming to smile at everyone she passed.

"Did you hear?" Lucy van Pelt called out, her voice carrying across the crowded space. "Miss Diamond is coming today for haircuts!"

Charlie Brown froze beside his locker, his face turning pale. His messy brown hair stuck up in every direction, making him look like he'd been struck by lightning.

"Oh no," he whispered, clutching his books tighter. "Not Miss Diamond. Anyone but Miss Diamond."

Megan noticed how his hands shook slightly. She'd never seen Charlie Brown look so worried, not even when he was pitching against the toughest teams.

Linus van Pelt walked up, his security blanket draped over his shoulder. "Charlie Brown, what's wrong? It's just a haircut."

"Just a haircut?" Charlie Brown's voice cracked. "You don't understand. What if she makes me look weird? What if Vivian thinks I look ridiculous?"

Megan glanced toward the redhead across the hall, then back at her panicked friend.

The Announcement

"Charlie Brown, you're being ridiculous," Lucy said, rolling her eyes. "It's just hair."

"Easy for you to say," Charlie Brown muttered. "Your hair always looks perfect."

Megan stepped closer, pushing her red glasses up her nose. "What exactly are you afraid of?"

Before Charlie Brown could answer, the school's speaker crackled to life. Principal Johnson's voice echoed through the hallway.

"Attention students. Due to Miss Diamond's family emergency, all haircuts have been moved to tomorrow morning. Students must report to the gymnasium at eight o'clock sharp for their appointments."

Charlie Brown's face went even paler. "Tomorrow morning? But that's when Vivian gets here early for choir practice!"

Linus shifted his security blanket to his other arm. "Maybe that's good. You'll have more time to prepare."

"More time to worry, you mean," Charlie Brown groaned.

Megan watched as Vivian walked past them, her red hair catching the light from the windows. She noticed how Charlie Brown's eyes followed her, and how his hands trembled even more.

"We need to help him," Megan whispered to Linus.

"But how?" Linus whispered back.