The Morning Bell

Jackie yanked her red and black striped hoodie over her head and grabbed her backpack. Her long black hair swished across her shoulders as she hurried down the stairs.

"Morning, love!" her mum called from the kitchen.

"G'day," Jackie mumbled, her missing left tooth creating a slight whistle. Her shark tooth necklace clinked against her skull earrings as she rushed toward the door.

Outside, she spotted Ollie across the street. His brown hair stuck up in every direction like he'd been struck by lightning. He was dragging his feet toward school, looking like he was walking to his doom.

"Oi, Ollie!" Jackie called out.

He jumped and spun around, his eyes wide with panic. "Did you hear? Mrs. Henderson announced it yesterday after you left early!"

"Announced what?"

"Field day next week. But not the fun kind." Ollie's voice cracked. "Haircut field day. The hairdressers are coming to school."

Jackie's stomach dropped. Her hand instinctively moved to protect her long hair.

The Emergency Assembly

Jackie and Ollie walked into school together, both dragging their feet. The morning bell rang, and Mrs. Henderson's voice crackled over the speakers.

"All students report to the gymnasium immediately for an emergency assembly."

"This can't be good," Ollie whispered, his hair still sticking up like he'd been electrocuted.

In the gym, Jackie spotted her friends Remi, Mike, Jacob, and Carson huddled near the bleachers. Their hair was just as wild as Ollie's - Remi's curly red locks bounced everywhere, Mike's sandy hair hung past his ears, Jacob's dark hair covered half his face, and Carson's blonde hair looked like a bird's nest.

Mrs. Henderson stood at the front with five cheerful women wearing matching pink aprons. One stepped forward with a bright smile.

"Hello, children! I'm Miss Bella from Bella's Beauty Salon. We're here to help with next week's haircut field day!"

She pulled out electric clippers from her pink bag. The buzzing sound filled the gym.

"NO!" all six friends screamed in unison, jumping backward. "Those devils can't touch our heads!"

The hairdressers giggled sweetly. "Don't worry, darlings. We'll make you look absolutely precious."