New Hair

A few months had gone by and summer was coming to an end. It came to me that I had to get my head straight for college. I was already 18 and finished high school. I didn't want to let my mami down. Late at night on that Sunday, I stayed up searching for community colleges in Dallas, Texas since that's where I lived but I could always settle for one in a different city If I had to. I was surprised to see the price.

Though it was a community college and costs much less for tuition than any normal college or university, I'm broke so how was I meant to pay for it. I wouldn't even be able to pay for my room, books, and transportation alone. I couldn't fall asleep that night so I got up and out of my room at about four in the morning. I let out a big yawn as I trudge on over to the kitchen for a bowl of cereal. I sat down on the couch in the living room, leaving the kitchen light on so I could still see.

" This is so frustrating..." I sigh as I rub my head in frustration before I heard a door open and close quietly from down the hall.

I looked back to see Nana's mom emerge from the darkness around the corner. I could tell by her expression she was surprised to see me awake.

" Lynnon? Why are you up so early?"

" I couldn't sleep," I say as I look her up and down. She was in lavender-colored scrubs and was carrying a leather bag over her shoulder.

" Are you going to the hospital?"

Nana's mom starts to walk towards the door, grabbing her coat and keys in the process.

" Yup. My shift starts in a bit so I'm on my way there." She turns back to me and holds a thumbs up while closing one eye. I wouldn't say it was a wink though because she held it closed.

" I'm off. Make sure Nana looks into that college website I told him about, will you?"

I nod in agreement, trying not to show my confusion towards the question.

" Bye love." She calmly says before heading out the door. Closing it slowly so she didn't wake up Nana.

" Hm. I wonder what college Nana plans on going to." That was the last thing I said before finally drifting off to sleep. I abruptly wake up a few hours later by the CREAK of Nana's bedroom door being opened. He spoke up as I heard his footsteps approach the kitchen.

" I would've expected you to wake up later Lynnon"

He started to rummage through the cabinets while I was starting to wake up from being half asleep. I blindly point at Nana.

" Your- um. Your mom said something about looking into some college's website." The instant I finished, the rummaging stopped and I looked up to see Nana slightly frozen.

" Oh.."

I got a bit worried and confused at the sight of his response.

" Is something wrong Nana?"

" No! No no, nothing's wrong. Sorry. You just caught me off guard."

I was confused at the time but I found out late why he acted that way. If only he knew what was going on in my head too. After finishing his breakfast, Nana would ask me a question.

" Let's not worry about college today. How bout' we go get our hair redyed? My roots are starting to grow in any way" He said while pinching his hair and rubbing it in between his thumb and index finger.

" I mean. I guess?" I agreed because it was the same for me too, though you couldn't tell at first glance.

" Ok! Go change."

" Wait now?! But we just woke up. Also, what if the shop's not open?" I confusingly say back to him.

" Yeah! Trust me. They'll be open."

I go change and I end up driving us to the shop by following Nana's directions. We sign in and get ready to get our hair redyed. I watch Nana go first. Getting his hair dyed a vibrant dark blue that faded into a lighter, more green-blue. His hair looked good as new. I was up next, getting my hair dyed my usual red color. I couldn't really pick anything out there since I naturally have brown-colored hair. Unlike Nana, who has naturally blond hair, he could dye any color he wanted, but I liked the red, so I never complained. Nana pays before we leave and we start to walk through Austin.

" So. Is there anything you wanted to do Lynnon?"

" Eat maybe? I haven't eaten anything since yesterday."

Nana starts to rub the back of his head in guilt.

" Right. Sorry about that"