Warmth tinges my cheeks at her compliment. “Thanks. I didn’t know what else to do with it. Didn’t feel like blow-drying it.” I fiddle with the wet ends. “Don’t you dare give me an ‘I told you so,’ but I’ve been thinking about what you said in the gardens. About making a change. Maybe.”

She bites her lip to keep from laughing, and I stick out my tongue. “It was only a suggestion!” she calls over her shoulder as the microwave beeps and she hops up to get the puffed-up bag of popcorn. “But I would be totally pro a curly bob. Not super short or anything, but like, curls down to here.” She indicates her throat just past her chin. “Your hair’s naturally wavy anyway, right? It’d be so much less work.”

“That sounds … kind of cute, actually,” I say, but what I’m thinking is whether Shannon would think I could pull it off, and if Chase prefers long hair. His dating history would suggest he does. “I was also thinking of maybe going lighter. Like, actual blond—not my something-in-between-blond-and-brown color.”

She tips her head, examining me in a way that makes me feel warm all over, and nods. “You would look so good blond, I bet.” She puts the popcorn on the counter, walks over, and delicately lifts a braid. “Yeah, I totally see it.”

I forget how to breathe until the braid once again grazes my shoulder. “You think?”

“I definitely think. There’s a cool wig shop I’ve been wanting to check out, for fun and maybe a few pictures. We could try it, see what you think. If you like it, I know a great place only a few miles away with a stylist named Valentina who’s a genius. She used to style my mom’s hair when we came here before my parents’ divorce, and trust me, my mother would not let anyone who couldn’t medal in the hair Olympics touch her precious locks.”

It sounds scary and fun, and I’m not sure which emotion is winning. I haven’t changed my look in … ever, really. The one I have now has always worked well enough—it’s friend-approved, mom-adored, and even if I haven’t gotten the Boy, it certainly looks good enough to get other boys for some fun here and there.

What would they all think if I came back with such a drastic change?

No, wait, screw that—what would I think?

“Let’s try it,” I say before I can let anyone else’s voice make me second-guess myself. “It’s just temporary, right? No commitment until I see if I like it.”

“Exactly. No cutting or dyeing until you get to see it on you. But I bet you’re gonna look amazing. I have an eye for these things.”