A Whole New Ball Game by Belle Payton Read Free Book Online Page A

thought. Her second-ever crush, and he already has a girlfriend. Her sister was headed for certain disappointment. It was hard not to get mad at Jack. What was he up to, flirting with Ava? She’d need to talk Ava out of liking him and find someone more appropriate for her.

CHAPTER
SIX
    Ava was at the salon waiting for them when they arrived. The place was bustling. Ava and Alex were both given gowns to put on and then led to stations on opposite sides of the center aisle of mirrors. Mrs. Sackett settled into an empty chair along the wall behind Alex and opened her mystery novel.
    Alex’s stylist was named Jolene. She was young, with shoulder-length, butter-colored hair that gleamed in the salon’s flattering lighting. Soon she and Alex were chatting away.
    â€œI was thinking of maybe adding in some layers,” said Alex. She looked at Jolene in the mirror for confirmation. “Or straightening it?”
    â€œI don’t think you need layers,” said Jolene,fluffing up Alex’s hair with all ten fingers. She sectioned off a horizontal part and twisted the rest of Alex’s hair into a ponytail. Then she secured it with a clip to the top of her head. “And you’ve got such a fantastic natural curl. It’d be a shame to see it go.” Her silver scissors flashed as she snipped away.
    â€œWhat about highlights?” asked Alex. “It seems like a lot of the girls at my new school have blond hair. Should I lighten my hair up, do you think? Nothing too crazy, maybe just some caramel-colored pieces . . . it can be kind of a gradual transition and then maybe I can go lighter. . . .” Alex chattered on.
    â€œStop!” said Jolene, laughing. “Dark hair and green eyes—why, you have Scarlett O’Hara’s coloring!”
    Alex knew that was a character from Gone with the Wind . She made a mental note to add the book to her reading list.
    â€œAnyway, didn’t I see you with a twin sister?” asked Jolene. “How silly would it look for you to have blond hair when your identical twin doesn’t?”
    â€œThat’s true,” said Alex. “And of course I would never change my look drastically withoutconsulting Ava. We’ve always had the same hairstyle. I just want to be sure I’m up-to-date with whatever is trending at my new school. I’ve noticed everyone here seems to have straight hair. Are you sure my curls aren’t a problem?”
    Jolene laughed again. “You’re a beautiful girl with beautiful hair. And clearly very smart, too! I wouldn’t be too worried.”
    They talked about nail color and fashions, Jolene’s scissors flashing and whirring all the while as a small fringe of brown hair fell to the floor around Alex’s chair.
    At last she handed Alex a mirror and spun her around so she could see the back.
    â€œThanks. It looks great,” said Alex. “You like it, Mom?”
    Her mom didn’t answer. Alex put the hand mirror down and looked at her mother. Didn’t she like her hair?
    But Mrs. Sackett wasn’t staring at Alex. She was staring past her. Alex swiveled her chair around to follow her gaze.
    Ava had emerged from around the bank of mirrors. She stood a few feet away, still draped in her navy-blue smock, smiling shyly at them.
    Alex gasped.
    Ava’s hair was all cut off. Up to her chin . It was almost as short as Tommy’s . For a second or two, Alex thought maybe it was just pulled back in a bun, although logically that made no sense. Then the realization sank in.
    â€œWhat did you do?” sputtered Alex.
    Jolene seemed to sense that now might be a good time to step away. “You’re all set, honey,” she said, patting Alex on the shoulder. “I have another client.” She turned meaningfully toward Mrs. Sackett. “Good luck with them, Mom,” she said, and hurried off.
    Ava’s smile had evaporated. “You don’t