Chapter Thirty-Eight

(Uptown 777 Grant Wood Road, Time: 1:42 Pm)

As Jayden prepared for another day at his barber shop, Barbets, a teenager entered the establishment.

The teenager seemed eager but struggled to express their desires verbally. Jayden then noticed something wrapped around the teen's ear and immediately recognised it.

Sensing their frustration, Jayden decided to surprise them by initiating a conversation using sign language.

Jayden: [Signing] "Hi there! How can I help you today?"

The teenager's eyes widened in surprise, and a smile lit up their face as they realized they had found someone who understood their mode of communication.

Teenager: [Signing, excitedly] "Oh wow! You know sign language? That's amazing!"

Jayden" Yes, I've learned a bit. It's always great to be able to communicate with more people."

With the ice broken, the teenager relaxed into the barber's chair, ready for their haircut.

Jayden picked up the clippers and began working, engaging in a conversation that was filled with laughter and everyday topics.

" So, do you have any funny stories from your time as a barber?"

Jayden: [Signing, chuckling] "Oh, plenty! There was this one time when a customer fell asleep during their haircut and woke up with a stylishly asymmetrical look."

The teenager erupted into giggles, their hands moving animatedly as they tried to suppress their laughter.

"That must have been hilarious! Did they like the surprise?"

"Surprisingly, they loved it! They said it gave them a whole new perspective."

The conversation flowed effortlessly, with the teenager sharing stories about their school, friends, and hobbies, all expressed through lively sign language.

"You know what's the best part about school? Lunch break! It's like a mini-party every day."

" I totally get it! Those lunchtime adventures and trying to trade snacks were the highlight of my school days too."

As the haircut progressed, Jayden and the teenager continued to bond, sharing anecdotes and jokes while exploring various topics.

" So, do you have any favourite movies or TV shows?

" I'm a big fan of superhero movies and shows, which is no surprise living in Gotham! But lately, ive been really getting into Game of Thrones. How about you?"

( Before anyone says why would game of Thrones exists in dc, it exists in the Titan's TV show, so it's existing in mine.)

"Superheroes and dragons are cool, but I'm a sucker for romantic comedies. They always give me that warm fuzzy feeling."

The two laughed, exchanged recommendations, and even reenacted some movie scenes with exaggerated expressions and gestures.

Throughout the rest of the haircut, the conversation continued to be light, fun, and filled with everyday teenage topics, bringing joy and laughter to both Jayden and the teenager.

"Thank you for not only giving me a great haircut but also for making this experience so much fun!"

"It was my pleasure. I'm glad we could connect and share a few laughs." Jayden sighed before they left with a satisfied smile.

" What an interesting customer." That was what Jayden thought before sweeping the floor clean.

.....

(777 Grant Wood Road, Time: 6:17 Pm)

Later that same day, Jayden received another interesting customer...though it was a customer that well, that Jayden honestly didn't want to see...

Jayden faced the challenge of a talkative customer known as Max, whose energetic storytelling had earned them the nickname "The Spirited Storyteller."

As Max settled into the barber's chair, Jayden braced himself for the onslaught of tales and randomness.

"Hey there, Jayden! Let me tell you about the time I found a magic lamp in my backyard. I rubbed it, and out popped a talking squirrel who taught me the secret dance moves of the forest!"

Jayden stifled a sigh, realizing that Max's stories were about to take them on another wild ride.

"That's quite an extraordinary discovery, Max. It seems like you have a knack for attracting enchanting experiences."

As Jayden meticulously trimmed and styled Max's hair, the conversation meandered through a maze of subjects, encompassing everything from conspiracy theories and unusual hobbies to the merits of different flavours of ice cream.

Max's words flowed like a river in full spate, leaving Jayden struggling to keep up.

"Did you know that hummingbirds are excellent tap dancers? I once witnessed a hummingbird duo perform a dazzling routine in my garden. It was magical!"

Jayden forced a smile, fighting the growing annoyance buried deep within. He marvelled at Max's ability to conjure such imaginative Lies.

"That's truly a remarkable story, Max. It seems like nature has hidden talents waiting to be discovered."

As Jayden deftly worked on Max's hair, the conversation took unexpected detours, diving into the realms of parallel universes, peculiar superstitions, and the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle. Max's stories were a whirlwind of randomness that left Jayden's head spinning.

"Guess what? I recently stumbled upon an ancient recipe for a potion that grants the power to communicate with trees. I brewed it and had a long conversation with an oak tree named Bartholomew!"

Jayden fought the urge to roll his eyes, realizing that patience was key when dealing with Max's wild tales.

"A conversation with a tree? That's quite an extraordinary experience, Max. I bet Bartholomew had some fascinating stories to share."

As the haircut progressed, Max's tales continued to flow unabated, ranging from encounters with aliens in the supermarket to uncovering secret societies of synchronized swimmers in the local park.

Jayden marvelled at the boundless imagination behind each story while secretly wishing for a moment of respite.

"You won't believe it, Jayden! I once rode a unicycle while juggling cupcakes, and the circus offered me a job on the spot!"

Jayden couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, struggling to comprehend the eccentricity of Max's experiences.

"That sounds like a remarkable feat, Max. I hope they offered you a lifetime supply of cupcakes alongside that job offer!"

As the haircut neared its end, Jayden skillfully crafted Max's desired style while navigating the labyrinth of Max's tales with unwavering composure.

"You know, Jayden, I've always believed that haircuts hold the key to unlocking hidden talents. With your expert touch, I can feel my creative energy soaring!"

Jayden forced a smile, hiding his growing exhaustion, and responded with a touch of sarcasm.

Jayden: "Well, Max, I'm glad I could channel my magical hairstyling powers into boosting your creativity. Who knows what extraordinary feats await you now?"

With the haircut complete, Max paid, thanked Jayden for his patience and expertise, and left the shop, his voice gradually fading into the bustling city streets.

Jayden released a sigh of relief, finally able to exhale the pent-up frustration that had been building throughout the marathon of stories.

After Max had disappeared completely Jayden flopped onto one of the barber chairs and let out the deep breath he was holding in.

He had nothing against Max really." But man can that guy talk." Jayden thought, just glad that the random and definitely not true facts were over.

*Ring*

But as he had just started to relax on the barber chair, the familiar ringing tone of the bell sounded, and Jayden got up to greet the customer.

"Wow, I'm gone a month and you've already started growing grey hair..." Suddenly, a familiar voice teased and Jayden who was about to greet the customer snapped his head straight to the door.

"Lola..."

"In the flesh, hope you didn't miss me too much." She said with a chuckle, but before she could even react Jayden had pounced on her and brought her into a tight embrace.

" I missed you too..." Lola said while hugging him back.