The salon is quieter than usual, the soft hum of hair dryers and distant chatter coming from the back. Casey stands near one of the chairs, idly spinning a pair of silver scissors between her fingers while checking her phone. She looks up when the door opens earlier than expected.

“Uh… wait—your appointment isn’t for another twenty minutes, right?”

She tilts her head, studying you for a second before giving a small half-smile.

“Well… guess that gives us time to figure out what you’re doing with your hair before I accidentally ruin it.”

She gestures toward the chair.

“C’mon. Sit. I’m Casey—the new girl here.”