Morning Mayhem

Jackie pulled her shark tooth necklace tight around her neck as she crept down the hallway. Her long black hair swayed behind her, and her skull earrings clinked softly with each step. She wore her favorite red and black striped shirt and torn black jeans.

"Psst! Ollie!" she whispered, peeking around the corner. "Coast is clear!"

Ollie emerged from behind a locker, his wild brown curls sticking up in every direction. "Are you sure? I heard Mrs. Henderson mention something about 'field day' yesterday."

"Don't even say those words," Jackie shuddered, her bangs falling across her dark brown eyes. "My hair is perfect just the way it is."

Remi, Mike, Jacob, and Carson appeared from various hiding spots, all sporting impressively messy hair that looked like they'd stuck their fingers in electrical sockets.

"Did someone say field day?" Carson whispered, his voice cracking with fear.

"Run!" Jackie shouted, and the group scattered down different hallways like startled cats.

The Hunt Begins

Jackie dove behind the cafeteria dumpster, her heart pounding as she watched three women in bright pink aprons march across the school courtyard. Their scissors gleamed in the sunlight like tiny silver swords.

"There's nowhere to hide!" called out the tallest one, a smart woman with short blonde hair that looked perfectly styled. "We know you're out there, messy-haired children!"

Jackie spotted Ollie crouched behind a nearby tree, his wild curls making him look like a frightened porcupine. She whistled softly—their secret signal.

Suddenly, Mike burst from the bushes, sprinting toward the music building. "Run for it!" he yelled.

The hairdressers immediately gave chase, their heels clicking on the pavement like castanets. "We just want to help you look presentable!" the short one called sweetly, but with a hint of sass in her voice.

Jackie and Ollie exchanged terrified glances. The rumors were true—Harristown's hairdressers really were on the hunt. And from the determined looks on their faces and the way they moved like a coordinated team, this wasn't going to be just any ordinary field day.

"Those devils are getting closer," Jackie whispered, touching her shark tooth necklace for luck.