– I love doing hairstyles and learning to do new ones, so if you don't want to cut your hair, you can be my guinea pig. There's a reason you grew that ponytail» she said.

– That's great! Why didn't you tell me this before? You have no idea how tired I am of ponytails and knots on the back of my head! – I exclaimed. – Well, go ahead, show your skills.

– Right now?

– Are you afraid?

– No way! Release your horrible ponytail!

I pulled the rubber band off my hair, and it fell down my back.

– Well, you're in trouble! – Mary said seriously, sitting down behind me and combing my hair with her fingers. – If it hurts, feel free to scream.

– Okay. – Thankfully, I didn't feel any pain.

I was a perfect mannequin, but it felt good to know that Mary saw more than just my appearance. Mary was a magician who saw things that other people didn't. And I had never thought of myself as having a beautiful soul.

Mary braided my hair, and I felt the pleasure of her fingers touching my head, and closed my eyes.

– Your hair is a godsend for a hairdresser» Mary said. – But unfortunately, I'm not a professional. You know, it's really beautiful, though, it's so thick… Can I ask you something?

– What? – I asked.

– If you don't know how to do your hair or braid it, then you should walk around with it loose, but don't do that stupid, ugly ponytail. Phew! I've been meaning to tell you this for a long time! I haven't had the courage.

– You don't like my ponytail?

– That's gross! I was tempted to cut all your hair bands! – Mary said and pulled one of my strands hard. – Oh, I'm sorry… Does it hurt?

– It's okay, it's bearable. And since you're so concerned about my hair, I'm making you, Mary Smith, my personal hairdresser: from now on, my hair is your responsibility.

– Good, at least you'll be human!

«I'll be human. No, Mary, that's impossible! Alas» went through my mind.

– By the way, there's a bunch of Playboys to our right» Mary said quietly, almost in my ear. – And one of them is staring at you. Look, but don't let him see you.

– You're a spy» I grinned, but pretended to shake off the right sleeve of my coat and cast a glance at the company next to me.

«There's that flatterer again!» – I thought with a chuckle when I saw among the girls and guys the very same Playboy.

– I know this guy: he's been hitting on me since the beginning of the school year» I said quietly to my friend, and she laughed mockingly. – He's always talking such nonsense!

– I don't like him either: he's kind of slick. And his hair is awful. The guy who hit you by a car is much handsomer, and his hair is marvelous. I've never seen such great hair on a guy. And his hairstyle is cool, and that slick guy's hair looks like it's greased up» Mary said.

I'd forgotten all about Frederik Haraldson. Luckily, he was very unobtrusive.

– By the way, what's the name of the guy? – Mary asked.

– What guy?

– The one who hit you by a car. That's it! The masterpiece is over!

Mary clapped her hands, and I ran my palm through my hair and found that it was now in an oddly braided braid.

– Mary, you're a talent! – I admired you sincerely.

– And let me make you another hairstyle? Would you like to? – Mary asked, immediately grasping my hair.

I didn't want to interrupt her euphoria.

– Come on, I'm curious» I replied.

She started to unravel my braid.

– What's his name?

– Why do you want to know?

– Maybe I like him, okay?

– Is it that serious? – I played along with my friend.

– No, of course not: I've been hopelessly in love with Andrew for a long time.

– Then why did you break up?! – I asked, startled by the news.

– I was a fool, and I didn't like the fact that he was so clever, and I was just a dummy next to him» Mary said.

– But that's a good thing: he's older and wiser, he can teach you a lot, and if he dated you, he didn't care about the difference in your education. Isn't that right? – I suggested with a laugh.

– Why are you laughing? – Mary asked, laughing too.

– I just think you're terribly contradictory!

– I am not!

– I am.

– No, I'm not!

– Okay, I'll shut up! – I grinned.

She was a pleasure to fool around with: Mary was always easy to wind up. And so was I.