The Morning Bell

Jackie pressed her face against the cool window of Harristown Elementary, watching the yellow school bus rumble away. Her long black hair fell like a curtain across her eyes as she scanned the courtyard below. Kids scattered in every direction, but she spotted them immediately.

"There they are," she muttered in her Australian accent, pointing at five boys huddled near the flagpole like scared rabbits.

Ollie stood in the center, his wild brown hair sticking up in twelve different directions. He kept glancing nervously at the school entrance. Remi tugged at his own tangled mess of blonde curls while Mike ran his fingers through his shaggy red hair. Jacob's dark hair hung past his shoulders, and Carson's sandy locks looked like he'd stuck his finger in an electrical socket.

"Boys," Jackie sighed, adjusting her red and black striped shirt. "They're more scared of scissors than monsters under their beds."

The morning announcement crackled through the speakers: "Attention students, tomorrow is our annual Hair Care Day. Please report to the gymnasium at nine o'clock sharp."

Through the window, Jackie watched all five boys sprint toward the school's back exit, screaming in perfect harmony.

The Gleaming Devils

Jackie sprinted down the hallway, her red and black boots squeaking against the polished floor. She had to catch those boys before they reached the parking lot.

"Oi! Wait up!" she called out, pushing through the double doors into the bright afternoon sun.

The five boys stood frozen beside the school's laundromat building, staring at something that made their faces go pale. Jackie skidded to a stop beside them.

A smart-looking woman with short auburn hair stepped out from behind the building, carrying a large black case. She wore a crisp white apron over her jeans and had kind green eyes that sparkled with mischief.

"Well, well," the woman said with a grin. "Looks like I found my Hair Care Day volunteers early."

"Who are you?" Ollie squeaked, his wild brown hair trembling.

"Miss Penny," she replied, setting down her case with a metallic click. "Head stylist for tomorrow's event. I was just setting up my station."

The case popped open, revealing rows of gleaming scissors, combs, and electric clippers. All six kids gasped in horror.

"If those devils get near my head, I'm gonna drop dead!" Mike wailed, clutching his shaggy red hair.

Miss Penny chuckled. "Oh, this will be more fun than I thought."