When We Were Young
Disclaimer: I do not own anything or anyone from Big Time Rush.
A/N: The following one-shot was submitted by ashelyjordan.
"Hair is vitally personal to children. They weep vigorously when it is cut for the first time; no matter how it grows, bushy, straight or curly, they feel they are being shorn of a part of their personality." ~Charles Chaplin
Chapter Thirty Seven
Haircut
James pulled his hat lower on his head, attempting to cover his head the best he could. He had recently gotten a haircut over the weekend and felt ashamed by it. His long locks were gone and replaced by a shorter cut. His mother and father said he looked fine, but every time James looked in the mirror, he saw a loser.
James walked down the hall Mrs. Morgan's fourth grade class. He was the only one in the hall, as he made his mother drop him off earlier so he could figure out a way to convince Mrs. Morgan to let him wear his hat all day.
Next thing James knew, he was face first on the floor, his hat halfway down the hall. James scampered towards it, but his feet were grabbed and he was pulled backwards down the hall, away from his hat.
"What exactly are you hiding James?" Rodney said. James pulled his hood of his black jacket over his head, only to have it ripped away moments later by someone.
"Dude, what happened to your hair?" Rodney laughed. "Let me get a better look. Pull him up."
Two sets of arms pulled James off the ground and held him in place. James struggled against Trevor and Max's grips, only to find it tighten as Rodney approached.
"What do you do, put your head in a wood chipper?" Rodney teased. "You look like a dog." Rodney patted James on the head. "Knock it off Rodney!" James said. "Good boy, what a good boy you are." Rodney said, smirking,
Children's' voice began to travel down the hall, making Rodney smile even more. "Everybody is going to get a kick out of this." Rodney declared.
Children became to come down both ways of the hall, freezing as they saw Rodney, Trevor, Max, and James. Then the laughter began.
"Look at James's hair!"
"Guess he's not the most handsome kid in school anymore!"
"I think my grandma has a better haircut!"
James lowered his head at his fellow students' comments. He just wanted to disappear and hide in a janitor's closet for the rest of the day.
"Who exactly do you people think you are?" Carlos screamed. James lifted his head to see Carlos standing at in front of him. "We all have had bad haircuts. And we don't make fun of you. All of you should be ashamed of your actions. Who here doesn't like Rodney and his gang?" Almost everybody's hand went up. "And what about Sammy Marks?" All the hands remained in the air. "Well, the way you just acted makes you must like Sammy and Rodney. You all have become the person you hate. I hope you're proud of yourselves.
"Sorry James." One person at the back of the crowd called out. Then everybody was apologizing.
"Now get to class. Nothing more to see." Carlos said. "And that includes you Rodney."
Trevor and Max dropped James and ran off, followed by Rodney dropping James's hat and following in their pursuit. The crowd stayed.
"I said get to class!"
Kids immediately retreated and went off in the direction of their classrooms. Soon the crowd was gone, leaving James and Carlos as the two remaining people in the hall. Carlos handed James his hat.
"You okay?" Carlos questioned.
"Yeah, thanks for that."
"Just remember, it's about what's on the inside, not the outside." Carlos patted James on the shoulder. "I got to go to the main office. Holly and I are doing the announcements today since Kendall and Logan are home sick. See you later."
Carlos picked up his backpack and left James alone in the hall. James slung his backpack over his shoulder. He adjusted his hat on his head and looked down the hall to see a girl his age standing there. She had shoulder length black hair and piercing blue eyes.
"Didn't you hear Carlos?" James said, anger building inside of him. This girl probably remained behind to get the last laugh. "He said get to class."
"Sorry." The girl stammered out, her cheeks turning red.
"It's fine." James said.
"If it makes you feel any better, I like your haircut." The girl said, then picked up green notebook off the floor and walked away.
James smiled and left in direction of Mrs. Morgan's room. As he went to turn the knob, he saw the girl with the green notebook inside. The girl saw James through the window and smiled. Removing his hat, James walked inside with a smile.