whine. She looked over at him and saw that he hadnât eaten much of his breakfast. Now shewas really starting to get worried. She had no choiceâsheâd have to tell Mom.
That day, Brooke wore two of the barrettes she and Aly had made the day before. At least fifteen girls at school asked where they could get them. Even better, the same fifteen girls said they never knew short hair could be so cool until they saw Brooke with her barrettes. Even Caleb complimented Brookeâs haircutâand her barrettes.
Whenever people asked, the Tanner girls said that starting this weekend, the barrettes would be available at the Sparkle Spa for $2.00 each and that the money would go to a good cause.
But even more surprising was what happened at the end of the day. While Aly was waiting for Brooke on the steps of the school, Violet Quinn, a second grader, ran up to her, and she had a haircut just like Brookeâs.
âWhat do you think of my new hair, Aly?â Violet asked, spinning around so Aly could check her out from all sides.
âIt looks awesome,â Aly said. Violet and her sister, Daisy, were both Sparkle Spa customers.
âYesterday I was getting my hair trimmed. Lou was talking about the cute cut she had just given another customer. She thought it would look good on me, and it turned out that the customer was Brooke Tanner. I said I wanted her haircut too!â
Violet turned around again, to show off her hair. âBrookeâs haircut is so, so cool. When I got home, Daisy was jealous. I think sheâs going to get her hair cut the same way today.â
âReally?â Aly asked, tugging her backpack straps.
Violet nodded. Daisy had pretty long hair. Come to think of it, Violet had too.
All of a sudden, Aly had a terrific idea. One that wouldmean a side trip on the way to the salon after school.
âIâm going to come to the Sparkle Spa this weekend for those cool barrettes Brooke has,â Violet told her. âIf Daisy winds up with a new style, Iâll buy some for her too.â
Aly smiled at Violet. âWell, weâll be there,â she said. âDonât forget to let me or Charlotte know if you want a manicure or pedicure appointment this weekend.â
âIâll ask my mom,â Violet said. âIâve been thinking nail polish would go really well with my new haircut.â
Aly laughed. âI think nail polish goes really well with all haircuts.â
Violet laughed too and skipped over to her momâs car in the pickup circle in front of school.
When Brooke came out of the building with Sophie following her, Aly told them, âWe have tomake a detour today on the way to the Sparkle Spa. Did you see Violetâs new haircut?â
Brooke grinned from ear to ear. âJust like mine.â
âExactly,â Aly answered as the girls started walking. âAnd Daisy might be getting one today. Her hairâs almost as long as yours used to be. We absolutely have to tell Lou about Loving Locks.â
âMaybe I should get my hair cut,â Sophie said as the group walked into Skip to My Lou. Her dark, straight hair came to about the bottom of her shoulder blades. âHow many inches do you think it is?â
âWe need something to measure it with,â Brooke said. She asked Mallory, the salon receptionist, if she had a ruler. Fortunately, Mallory found a plastic one that looked like it had at one point lived in someoneâs school desk.
âMeasure it from the tip-top of my head,â Sophie requested.
Brooke started at Sophieâs part, gently pulling a strand away from her head to check its length. âThereâs the first twelve inches,â she said, marking the spot on Sophieâs hair with her finger where the ruler ended, then moving the ruler down. âAnd another six inches. So you measure eighteen inches,â she reported.
âHow many inches do I need in order to donate?â