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to look at me, or touch me, or anything. If he tries it again he’s losing a testicle.
    Hands are suddenly on my shoulders and I jump back in the seat.
    Missy giggles. “Sorry, hon, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
    I clutch my chest and try to laugh it off.
    “Looks like you’ll need a few more minutes,” she says prodding my scalp. She plops the dryer back over my head and smiles. “I’ll make sure to wave in front of your face or something when I come back.”
    “Ha ha.”
    Ten minutes later, it’s like my face is on fire. Missy shuts off the dryer and the cold air hits me in a soothing wave of relief.
    “Ooo!” she squeals. “It’s gonna look real pretty, Zoe.”
    I nod and she leads me to the sink. I close my eyes and involuntarily moan as she washes my hair. Oh my gosh, this is the best part. Her fingers massage my scalp and the warmth of the water sends me into an intoxicating state of bliss. Ah yeah. No Sierra, no Cody, no persona. Just me in a luxurious bath.
    Then a face snaps behind my eyes. I’m not alone in my paradise here, and I’m not sure if I’m happy or upset to see his dark eyes, his dark brown hair falling slightly in front of them, his boyish grin as he strokes my lips with his thumb, the muscles in his arms flexing as he moves his hand to wrap around the back of my neck, his long eyelashes brushing underneath his eyes as he closes them, his lips parting and coming closer…
    The squeak of the water faucet jolts me back to the salon. My face is warm, actually my entire body is flushed, and I have to calm my breathing.
    What is wrong with me?
    “Did you enjoy that?” I look at Missy who is stifling a huge grin, and I gaze around the salon as I hear several sniggers. Hope is keeled over in a fit, wiping her eyes.
    I don’t know if it’s possible to send all the blood in your body up to your face, but I’m sure that’s what happens to me.
    “Um… yeah.” Oh man. How loud was I moaning?
    “Come on.” Missy giggles and pulls me to the styling chair.
    I plunge into an agonizing hour of being locked in the seat while several people whisper around me and steal amused glances in my direction. Hope keeps winking at me, and I’m ready to sock her perfect nose in.
    That’s not even the worst part. Zak will not leave my thoughts, no matter how hard I try to shut the door on him. He’s just so… swoon! I wish I could give him a popular makeover like all those movies so we could be friends in public. But, knowing Zak, that totally wouldn’t fly. Besides, he wouldn’t be Zak anymore. And that would suck. Having two personas is tough business. Worth it, but it’s not for everybody.
    I’m done before Hope, but I don’t have to wait long. We primp ourselves in the mirror, throwing out compliments to each other, though it seems pretty fake.
    “Really, Zoe. You’re totally sexy as a redhead. Cody will be falling all over himself when he sees it.”
    This is how distant my friends are from me. I haven’t said a word to him since last week, and no one has noticed.
    “Yeah.”
    She gives me a look. Oh right. I’m supposed to be agreeing or something.
    “Looks like it’ll be a club night for me too.” I force a smile. “No way am I letting this hair go to waste.”
     “That’s what happens when you don’t use the cheap stuff.” Missy grins as she rings me up.
    I roll my eyes and pay her, wishing I could afford to give her a bigger tip.
    Hope links elbows with me and speed walks through the parking lot.
    “What’s the rush?” I say as I try not to fall face-first on the asphalt. Heels aren’t good for walking, but they are rule number three.
    “You’ll see.” She’s grinning from ear to ear, and I can’t help but reciprocate. I love it when Hope is like this. Like we’re really friends and she wouldn’t care if I suddenly spouted off Dr. Who trivia.
    But she would, so I keep my mouth shut.
    We hop in her car. (Cute sports car that looks like the one Sierra wrecked, only