The next day, Will walked into the salon feeling a mix of nervousness and determination. The hairdresser greeted him warmly, a cheerful woman with vibrant pink hair and an air of confidence that immediately put him at ease.
“What are we doing today?” she asked, draping a cape over him and running her fingers through his shoulder-length hair.
“Short,” Will said firmly, his voice soft but resolute. “As short as possible while still looking… you know, decent.”
The hairdresser smiled. “Short and chic, got it. You’ve got such great bone structure—this’ll look amazing.”
Will nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. As the scissors began their work, the long strands of Stacy’s familiar waves fell to the floor. He couldn’t help but glance in the mirror, watching his reflection transform. When she finished, the result took him by surprise: a short, layered cut that framed his face perfectly, accentuating the very features that had made him fall for Stacy in the first place.
“All done,” the hairdresser said, spinning him around for a better look. “You look stunning.”
Will flinched slightly at the compliment, managing a weak smile. “Thanks,” he murmured, still processing. The truth was, she was right—he did look stunning. He looked like Stacy but different now. The short haircut gave the face a fresh energy, a personality that was undeniably his own.
As he paid and left, he couldn’t shake the mixed feelings. He admired the face in the mirror, but the realization that these were also his looks now sent a shiver through him.
Next, he went to a small boutique, scanning racks of clothes until he found things that felt more like him. Simple, comfortable jeans, plain T-shirts, a few button-ups, and a jacket that reminded him of something he’d worn back when he was still himself. The outfits leaned tomboyish—functional and unassuming—and as he tried them on, he felt more at ease in his new body for the first time.
When he returned home, Stacy was in the living room, tidying up toys. She looked up as he walked through the door and froze, her eyes widening.
“Wow,” she said, her voice filled with surprise. “Will, you… you look incredible. I mean, you really don’t look like me anymore. Not exactly.”
Will set his bags down, his lips twitching into a nervous smile. “That’s the idea. I wanted to… you know, make it mine.”
“You did it,” she said, her voice soft. “You made it yours.”
Will nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah. It’s still weird, though. I see myself in the mirror, and it’s like… I see you. But I’m starting to feel more like me, too.”
