loulolly🍭

Loja and Rita just returned home after a dancing competition. The silver medal was now hanging among the other gold and bronze medals on the wall. Bags with a dress, papers, empty lunch boxes and other stuff were forming a messy pile near the door. The room was lit by an everlasting red sunlight that formed patterns on the floor and writing table, light cut to many pieces with a window frame. A tired but happy atmosphere filled the room.

Loja was sitting on the bed and Rita was sitting on the floor in between her legs. Loja was carefully pulling out pins from Rita’s hair that was formed into a tight bun. Rita's hair was straight and silky and didn't want to hold the shape of a bun, so Loja had to apply a big amount of hair wax before the competition. Now it made a crunchy noise when she pulled the hairpins out.

While Loja was undoing the complex hairstyle, Rita fell asleep, burying her face in her knees that she pulled to her chest. Loja's eyelids were heavy and she was on the verge of falling asleep too, but she had to fight the sleepiness for the sake of Rita's hair and quality rest.

Today's events were replaying in Loja's head. Vague pictures of the corridors in the Hall, loud and crowded dressing room, cold and less crowded bathroom where she had to cheer Rita up and prevent her from having a panic attack, dark and stuffy backstage, Rita's performance (it was perfect even from backstage, but Rita disagreed when Loja mentioned that later), nervous waiting for the jury decision, excitement and relief at the rewarding and a long way home.

Finally, all 32 pins were pulled out and lying on the cloth. Some of them had a red flower shaped tip made of some kind of red gemstone. When Loja first saw them, Rita said that it's her family's relic. That's the reason why Rita kept them separately in her jewellery box. Loja was very proud that Rita trusted her enough to let her work with them while she's asleep.

Loja sighed. “Here comes the hardest part…” She thought. She picked up the comb and started gently combing her friend’s hair, starting from the ends and moving up to the roots. Some wax came off and she wiped it with a napkin.

It felt like she combed for hours. When she was done, Rita was fast asleep. As much as Loja didn't want to wake her up, it was necessary to wash away the remaining wax or it would be all over their bed next morning. So Loja brought up all her storyteller skills and tried to wake Rita up as gently as she could.

“Honey, wake up,” she murmured, bending closer to Rita's ear and lightly patting her head. “We need to wash your hair.”

Rita slowly turned her head and faced Loja with a sleepy and sad expression. Loja made an apologizing face. Rita heavily sighed and stretched. Loja waited until Rita got up and they both slowly headed to their bathroom.

Loja lit up the candle while Rita was collecting her hair washing supplies. Then they both came closer to the bathtub and when Rita reached for the shower, Loja stopped her. “Let me do it for you.” She said calmly, and Rita put her arm away and knelt near the tub with her head over it. Loja turned the water on and adjusted the temperature. It took some time for water to become warmer since they were living in the Valley - a place known for its cold and harsh climate, - and they didn't have a strong water heater yet.

Rita, with her hair covering her face, lazily watched the water running. A warm light was reflecting from the water drops, creating shiny patterns. A meditating sound of water drops hitting the stone surface of the bathtub filled the room.

Finally, the water warmed up. Loja held the shower above Rita's head and soaked her hair. Rita closed her eyes and relaxed. Loja’s movements were slow and gentle, but strong enough to wash out all the wax. They were filled with so much love and affection, that Rita wanted to purr and cry at the same time, but, tired and sleepy, she chose not to and instead silently enjoyed the princess treatment her friend provided to her.

When there was no more wax and shampoo left on Rita's hair, Loja turned the water off and put the towel on her friend's head. She wanted to ruffle it, but Rita already started to wrap the towel around her head, forming a turban, so Loja backed away and wiped her hands with another towel. When Rita stood up, she put the candle out and both girls walked out of the bathroom and went to their bedroom.

Loja noticed hairpins and the comb were still on the bed. She quickly began to clean them and put them in their place. Meanwhile Rita was drying her hair with the towel. When she decided that her hair was dry enough, she noticed that Loja was still cleaning up, putting hairpins in the jewellery box at the table, and there was one hairpin that was forgotten on the floor. She picked it up, came closer to Loja and stretched her arm out from behind Loja's back, showing her the pin. “Here.” She whispered in the latter's ear, kindly smirking.

“Oh! Thank you. Haven't seen it there.” Loja said gratefully, taking the pin and placing it in the jewellery box. She looked at the bed one more time and, not noticing any tools left there, turned to Rita. “Ready to go to bed?” She asked, not minding the almost nonexistent distance between her and Rita.

“Wait. Close your eyes.” Rita asked, and Loja obeyed. Rita gently cupped Loja's head, moving closer and placing a kiss on her cheek. Loja gasped, pleasantly surprised, and when Rita moved her face away and lightly hugged her by her neck, she giggled. “Thank you for being my hairdresser today.” Rita smiled gratefully. Loja hugged her by her waist, placing her chin on her shoulder.