The Poster With Too Many Smiles

The “MONKEY-HAIR DAY” poster flapped on the fence by Deli Dan’s.

Jackie yanked her long black bangs out of her eyes and squinted at it. Her shark-tooth necklace clicked against her red-and-black striped skull shirt.

“Nope,” she said, in her flat, tough voice. “Not happening.”

Ollie pressed his hands over his ears like the poster could shout. “What if the clippers slip and eat my whole head?”

Remi snorted. “Clippers don’t eat.”

“They do,” Ollie whispered. “They bite. Zzzzt. Gone. Bald.”

Mike, Jacob, and Carson huddled close, all of their hair spilling down like a weird curtain.

Jackie held up her phone. The group chat was exploding: RUN. HIDE. HATS.

Across the street, the Snip-Snap Salon door swung open. Three girls in aprons stepped out, smiling like they had been waiting.

“Aw,” the tallest one called, sweet as syrup. “Look at those monkey-manes.”

Jackie’s missing left tooth showed when she hissed, “Do not come near us with those devils.”

The tall girl tilted her head. “Fine. No clippers first. Dare you.”

Ollie grabbed Jackie’s sleeve, and the alley suddenly felt shorter

Paper Bag Rules

Tessa stepped into the alley like she owned the shadows.

“Walk,” she said, still smiling. “No clippers first. Scout’s honor.”

Jackie lifted her chin. “You’re not a scout.”

“Correct,” Tessa said. “I’m worse. I’m organized.”

The salon smelled like shampoo and cinnamon. A corkboard by the door had a giant “MONKEY-HAIR DAY” chart with gold star stickers.

Ollie whispered, “Why does it have my name?”

“Because you keep running,” Tessa said. “It’s cardio for my business.”

A bell jingled. A baker hurried in, hugging a taped pastry box.

“Delivery for Snip-Snap,” the woman puffed. “And the permission slips. ‘Clipper Panic’ forms. Due tonight.”

Mike blinked. “Permission slips for haircuts?”

Tessa slid a thick stack toward them. “If you don’t bring it signed, you get clippers first tomorrow.”

Jackie’s shark teeth necklace clicked.

Ollie squeaked, “Nope!”

He sprinted. Jacob knocked the pastry box. Papers fluttered like scared birds as the door banged open