"Hershel!" Clark called from the other side of the university canteen.
"Good morning Clark," Hershel nodded, acknowledging his friends approach "What can I do for you this morning?"
Clark took a seat beside his best friend before speaking.
"Well, I have a favour to ask of you,"
Hershel leant forward slightly, a signal for him to continue.
"You know Brenda,"
Hershel nodded.
"To help pay for her student fees she wants to have a part-time job at her aunts hair salon,"
"Ok"
"The trouble is she needs to prove to her aunt that she has the right skill for the job,"
"Right, but how does this involve me?" Clark's eyes diverted to staring at Hershel's head. Hershel followed his eyes and immediately realised what he was implying.
"Oh no," Hershel said sheepishly subconsciously stroking his brown afro hair.
"Oh please Hershel…"
"No!"
"Why not?" Clark whined.
"Because!" Hershel replied in a supercilious tone.
"Oh come on, besides you look like you could do with a haircut anyways,"
"Still!"
"And, I have already told her you would!"
Instead of firing back with a reply Hershel shot him a look that immediately ceased Clark's petty whines.
He then turned his back to Clark, indicating that the conversation was over.
Clark frowned. They both sat in silence for a few moments before it was broken by an approaching voice.
"Hello you two, what are you up to?" the voice asked softly.
Hershel turned around to see Brenda and Claire staring in front of them.
"Oh, hello we were just…" Hershel began before being rudely interrupted by Clark.
"Hershel won't do it!" Hershel glanced at Clark disapprovingly, wishing he would cease his incessant complaining.
"Oh," Brenda sighed, clearly disappointed. She turned to Claire.
"I guess I am just going to have to ask someone else," Claire forced a smile, to try and appease her disheartened friend. Claire knew that this job would be the only way she could pay off her mounting student loan. She felt sorry for her; she hated the thought of her best friend being burdened with a huge debt even before she had reached employment. Brenda began to walk away, with Claire soon following behind.
Hershel could see how bad Claire felt for her friend and in turn made him feel rather guilty. After all, it was only hair and hair grows back right? He also hated the thought of Claire thinking bad of him, that he is untrustworthy of Brenda's intentions. He stood up.
"Brenda!" he called catching her, Claire's and Clark's attentions.
He knew that this was going against everything he wanted but if it made her happy that is all that mattered.
"I'll do it,"
A look of sheer delight spread across Brenda's face.