Beginning note:

Hello, I hope you enjoy this chapter! I can't post images on , so I did my best to describe the haircuts. However, if you'd like to see the images, you can check them out on my AO3 account!

There will be fluffy moments and there is a slight trigger warning.

A side note:

I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep posting every Wednesday now that I'm back in school and my schedule is getting busier. Things might become a bit more random again, and I apologize in advance for any inconsistency.

Chapter 40: Haircuts and encountering Shawn

Faye POV

The car came to a stop, and I blinked in confusion. At first, I thought we'd hit traffic, but when Rose announced that we'd arrived, I was stunned. That was 30 minutes? It felt like no more than 5 or 10. I guess time really does fly when you're having fun.

I climbed out of the car, only to find a hand waiting for me. My eyes followed it up to Rose, who stood there with, her expression firm yet expectant. I tilted my head in confusion, unsure of what she wanted, her lips curved into a gentle smile.

"You're too small," she said tenderly, gesturing to the busy parking lot. "I don't want you getting hurt. Stay close and hold my hand, okay, little bear?"

Her words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, and I blinked up at her, startled by the simple affection in her tone. Before I could answer, Ivy's teasing voice broke in as she took over, taking the opportunity to stir the pot.

"What about Robyn? Don't you think she needs to hold your hand too?"

Rose blinked in surprise, her eyes flicking toward Robyn, as if considering the suggestion. I watched Robyn scowl at Ivy, arms crossed, her posture a mix of mock defiance and amusement.

"I was just joking!" Ivy said, laughing. She quickly switched back control.

Robyn rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips. "I don't need anyone to hold my hand," she grumbled, though her tone softened when she met Rose's gaze.

Could it be? Does she want to?

Rose raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a playful yet knowing smile. "We'll see about that, little bird," she said, her voice gentle but filled with an unspoken challenge.

Rose seemed to sense the subtle shift in Robyn, that quiet longing for something she wanted but wasn't sure how to ask. Rose turned back to me, her smile warm and reassuring. "Come on, little bear. Stay close."

Without hesitation, I slid my hand into hers, the simple gesture grounding me in a way that felt both natural and comforting. Ivy, noticing the connection, let out a contented purr, clearly pleased by our bond holding hands with us.

As we made our way toward the entrance of the mall, I noticed Rose and Emmett who seem to be sharing a silent conversation, their eyes locked in a brief exchange that ended with Emmett giving a subtle nod, as if confirming something unspoken.

Hmm? I wonder what that was about?

"I don't know… it might have something to do with Robyn. They keep glancing at her."

I glance over at Robyn and notice the distant look in her eyes, as if she's lost in her own thoughts. Her hands are stuffed deep into her pockets, giving her an air of quiet detachment.

It doesn't seem like she noticed… Should we warn her?

"Hmm, nah. I'm pretty sure they are not planning anything bad and it will be entertaining to see what happens."

I was about to respond, but then I tensed, realizing just how crowded the mall was. I'm not terrible with crowds, but it had been so long since I'd been surrounded by so many people. And there were a lot of them here right now. Thanks to my height, everyone else just seemed taller—and somehow, intimidating.

Suddenly, I felt a hand settle on my shoulder, making me jump slightly. Glancing up, I relaxed a bit when I saw it was just Emmett, looking down at me with a warm but worried smile. "Hey, baby bear. You okay?"

I hesitated, giving him a small, uncertain nod, but before I could say anything, I felt Ivy's disapproval, which made me lower my gaze in embarrassment.

Emmett's brow furrowed slightly as he noticed. "What's wrong?"

I paused, and with Ivy's gentle nudge, I finally spoke up. "Uh… there's so many people in here. It's… a lot. They're taller than I remember, and… kind of intimidating."

Emmett's expression softened in understanding, and he glanced at Rose, who met his eyes for a brief, silent conversation. After a moment, Emmett turned back to me, his voice gentle. "Well, how about you go on my shoulders? That way, people don't seem so intimidating, and you'll have more room to breathe."

I thought about it for a second. It seemed like a good idea, so I nodded hesitantly. Reluctantly, I let go of Rose's hand and lifted my arms toward Emmett, silently asking him to pick me up. His face brightened immediately, and before I knew it, he had effortlessly lifted me onto his shoulders. The change in perspective was immediate, and I let out a relieved sigh, as I felt the crowd's overwhelming presence fade.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the tail end of Rose and Robyn's conversation, which seemed to end with Robyn pausing for a moment before hesitantly, yet softly, reaching out to hold Rose's waiting hand.

I guess we know what they were planning.

"Yep, and you definitely gave them the perfect opportunity." She paused. "Not that Emmett's offer wasn't sincere—I'm sure they would've found another way, but that was pretty convenient."

I nodded, lowering my head slightly and inhaling Emmett's scent, which helped me feel more at ease. I felt him tap my leg gently. "Feeling better, baby bear?"

"Yeah, I am. Thank you," I replied, my voice softer, the weight of my nerves beginning to lift. Emmett smiled brightly, clearly pleased, and began walking through the mall with Rose and Robyn walking beside us.

After a few moments, we finally found the barbershop and walked inside. Thankfully, it wasn't nearly as busy as outside. A woman working behind the counter looked up as we entered. "Hello, how can I help you?"

Emmett carefully lifted me off his shoulders and cradled me in his arms. "Just getting these two their haircuts," he said, gesturing to Robyn and me. I instinctively curled into him, feeling a bit bashful under the woman's gaze.

The woman smiled warmly and nodded. "Of course! I'm the only one on duty right now, so I can only do one at a time. Who would like to go first?"

Robyn hesitated, glancing at me, unsure of who should go. I gave her a look that I hoped conveyed she should go first, as I needed a little more time for my nerves to settle. She returned the nod, understanding, and stepped forward.

The woman guided Robyn to the back and settled her into the chair. Rose followed closely behind, her watchful eyes never straying far as the woman began asking Robyn how she'd like her hair done. Emmett led us to one of the waiting chairs and sat down, settling me comfortably on his lap. He gave me a soft, reassuring smile. "So, baby bear, do you have a haircut in mind?"

I shook my head, biting my lip as I thought it over. "Not really," I replied, glancing up at him. "I'd like bangs, but not too long—just enough so they don't cover my eyes and maybe out of my face a bit. And I was thinking maybe a bit shorter than shoulder length, if that's possible." Emmett paused, his brow furrowing in thought before his face lit up and he snapped his fingers. "I've got it! I know a style that'll suit you perfectly and fits what you're looking for. What do you think—can we try my idea?"

I blinked at him, a little surprised by his enthusiasm, but then nodded. He didn't specify what the idea was exactly but I trust him. Besides, if it turned out bad, hair grows back—or it'd give me an excuse to finally practice making those potions I'd been meaning to try.

Suddenly someone cleared their throat making us look up. My eyes widen as I took in Robyn's new look. Her hair was a lot shorter than what she told us but it suited her so well. Ivy let out an approved whistle.

It was a slightly edgy, uneven pixie cut. One side was trimmed short, while the longer top and fringe were swept to the side, giving it a messy yet effortlessly cool look.

She looked at us nervously, rubbing the back of her neck. "Well? How do I look?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty. Behind her, Rose stood proudly, her arms crossed and a satisfied smile on her face.

Her question jolted me out of my thoughts, and I quickly nodded, perhaps a little too enthusiastically. "It looks great! It's not what I expected at all, but it suits you so well!" Ivy quickly agreed.

Emmett grinned, his eyes warm as he chimed in. "I agree, little bird. You look absolutely amazing!" Hearing our praise, Robyn smiled faintly, her confidence starting to shine through. Before she could respond, the stylist spoke up, her tone warm and cheerful. "I'm ready for this little sweetheart right here."

I hesitated for a moment before nodding and sliding off Emmett's lap, instinctively taking his hand for reassurance. He gave my hand a gentle squeeze before he helped me into the chair. The stylist draped a black salon cape around my neck, her eyes twinkling as she asked, "So, what are we doing today?"

She looked at me expectantly, but I froze, unsure of what to say. Instead, I glanced up at Emmett, hoping he could share his idea to her. He caught on quickly, nodding with a smile as he began describing the style that he had in mind. She seemed to understand and asked gently, "Are you ready?" When I nodded and whispered a soft "yes," she smiled reassuringly and began the haircut.

I'll admit I spaced out during most of the process. The only reasons I even realized she was finished was because of the mirror she placed in front of me, the sensation of her removing the cape, and the fact that I could finally see clearly. When I looked at my reflection, my eyes widened in disbelief. Was that really me?

"Dang, we look good!" Ivy exclaimed excitedly, and for once, I couldn't argue with her.

It was a shoulder-length bob with bangs, parted ever so slightly in the middle. My blonde loose, wavy hair added texture and made it look soft, relaxed, and effortless.

I glanced at Emmett, who was watching me with a worried look. Without thinking, I threw myself into his arms. He caught me effortlessly, and I grinned up at him, "I love it! Thank you, thank you!"

He chuckled, his voice warm and teasing, "I'm glad you like it, little bear. Now, let's go show the others and pay, yeah?" I nodded eagerly, and as we stepped out, I couldn't wait to show Robyn and Rosalie my new haircut as I walked over to them. Their delighted coos about how adorable and cute I looked made me blush and lower my gaze, feeling a little shy under their attention.

The woman emerged from behind the counter as we stepped closer. Emmett leaned against it with an easy, casual air and asked, "What do we owe you?"

She began calculating, her pen moving quickly over the receipt. "Well, it's 9 dollars for the little one here and… 20 dollars for the teen."

I blinked in surprise. Twenty-nine dollars for two haircuts? It hit me how much cheaper things were back in 2005. Then her words registered, and I almost laughed aloud. She called Robyn a teen. I knew Robyn could pass for one, but the slight pout forming on her face told me she wasn't thrilled about the observation.

Rose caught on immediately, pulling Robyn into a gentle side hug. "Yep, our little teenager," she teased affectionately.

Robyn's cheeks flushed pink as she buried her face in Rose's shoulder, trying to hide the embarrassment.

That was all Ivy and I needed. A snicker escaped both of us, earning a playful glare from Robyn. Her narrowed eyes didn't hold much weight, though—it was clear she was fighting a grin. "Well, what about you, little one~?" she teased, her tone playful and light. My cheeks warmed at her words, but I quickly stuck my tongue out at her in mock defiance, earning an amused grin from her in return.

The woman behind the counter chuckled softly as she watched our playful exchange. Turning her attention to Emmett and Rose, she smiled warmly. "You have such lively daughters," she remarked. Hearing that, Robyn and I both blushed harder, our faces heating up in unison, while Rose and Emmett lit up with pride. Emmett puffed out his chest, his grin stretching ear to ear as he handed over the money. "I know, right? Aren't they adorable?"

Rose quickly nodded, her eyes sparkling with agreement. "Absolutely adorable," she chimed in, her voice filled with warmth.

The woman quickly agreed, and we made our way out of the barbershop. As soon as we stepped outside, Emmett effortlessly lifted me onto his shoulders again, drawing a relieved sigh from me as I settled into the familiar perch.

Rose kept her arm wrapped protectively around Robyn, who leaned into her. Emmett turned toward them with his signature grin. "How about we move on to the next part of this family day and hit up GameStop?"

I caught the way Robyn's eyes lit up, her excitement practically bubbling over as she nodded enthusiastically. Emmett chuckled at her response before giving my leg a gentle tap to get my attention. I glanced down at him, and he shot me a playful smile.

"There should be some board games for you to pick out too, little bear," he said, his tone warm and teasing. His words brought a small smile to my face, and I couldn't help but feel a little surprised that he still remembered. I nodded, feeling a surge of happiness, and Emmett's laugh followed.

"Alright then, let's move out!" he exclaimed, his excitement contagious.

With that, we made our way toward GameStop. As we arrived, I glanced up at the sign, a faint sense of nostalgia stirring within me. Huh, I had expected it to look different, but it was almost identical to how it had been in my past life.

Emmett set me down from his shoulders and took my hand, leading me inside. Rose and Robyn followed closely behind. I noticed Robyn's wide eyes as she took in the sight of the store, particularly the older games lining the shelves. Emmett let go of my hand and Rose grabbed it instead.

As we began browsing, Ivy and I started to grow a bit restless. Then, my gaze landed on the board game section, and my excitement sparked instantly. I tugged gently on Rose's hand that was holding mine, drawing her attention.

"Can I go to the board game aisle by myself? I promise I won't leave the store!" I asked, my voice full of anticipation.

Rose hesitated, her brow furrowing as she considered my request. "I don't know, little bear," she said slowly. "It's not that I'm worried about you leaving… it's just, I'm more concerned about someone trying to kidnap you. How about you wait for us to finish, and we can look together?"

I pouted, shaking my head lightly. "They're still looking at games, and it could take a while. Ivy and I are feeling a bit restless. Besides, I want to surprise you with the game I pick."

She wasn't convinced, her expression still cautious. I pressed on, my voice soft but earnest. "I promise I'll come straight to you if any adult tries to talk to me. Please?"

I widened my eyes, giving her my best puppy dog look. For a long moment, it seemed like she was battling something inside, her lips pressed tight. Then, she exhaled a small, unnecessary sigh, her resistance slipping away.

She knelt down to my level, her hands cupping my face as she rested her forehead against mine. "Okay, fine. But promise me, if any adult tries to talk to you or even looks at you funny, you'll come straight to me."

"I promise," I said, nodding eagerly. "And I won't be alone—I have Ivy with me." Ivy quickly agreed with my answer. She released a soft sigh, then nodded gently and pressed a tender kiss to my forehead.

With a blush and a grin, I dashed toward the game section, my excitement getting the best of me. But before I could get too far, Rose's voice rang out, sharp yet playful. "No running!"

I slowed down, begrudgingly easing into a walk, but my excitement still buzzed beneath the surface. It was a bit far from where they were but not too far for them to feel nervous.

As I wandered down the aisle, I was captivated by the wide variety of board games. There were so many I'd never heard of before, like Blokus and Zoofari, but also some familiar favorites like Clue, Twister, and Candy Land . I was examining a game called Topple when I suddenly I saw a shadow fall over me.

I glanced up, my heart skipping a beat as dread curled in my chest, only to be caught off guard by the sight of a boy around my age (well my body's age) standing behind me. He was a bit bigger than me, his sudden presence both startling and unexpected. He was also bit taller than me, with messy fluffy short brown hair that curled slightly at the ends and green eyes that was staring at me intensely.

"Hi."

I stared at him, a little confused, wondering if I should say something back. Well, Rose did tell me not to talk to adults, but this kid clearly wasn't one, so…

I mumbled a quiet "hey" before turning my attention back to the game in my hands, unsure if it was the right choice. I figured that would be the end of it, but when I peeked, I noticed he was still standing there, not moving.

I wonder if I was blocking something he needed.

"Do you need something?" I asked, trying to sound polite despite the awkwardness.

He didn't answer my question. Instead, he introduced himself. "I'm Shawn. What's your name?"

I blinked, momentarily thrown off by his lack of response to my question. Rude. If he was going to be rude, might as well be a little rude back.

I gave him a blank stare before answering with a brief and flat, "Faye."

I could hear Ivy stifle a snort, clearly amused by the interaction.

Shawn didn't seem to get the hint that I was done talking, as he continued standing there, staring at me with an intensity that made me a little uncomfortable. I was about to ask him again what he needed when he suddenly spoke up.

"You're cute! Do you want to be my girlfriend?"

What?

I froze, shocked, almost dropping the game in my hands. My mind scrambled, trying to make sense of this random question. What is wrong with this kid? Ivy immediately burst out laughing.

"I knew this would happen once I saw how cute we looked after getting our haircut," she said, still chuckling, "but I didn't think it'd be this soon!"

I mentally sighed, my thoughts racing. How was I supposed to know he was hitting on me? I've never been hit on before in my entire life! What do I do now? How do you kindly reject someone? I'm not interested in dating him, that's like weird, but I don't want to be rude to a little kid either.

After a few moments, Ivy finally stopped chuckling and gave me some advice, her voice light but thoughtful. "Relax. I'm sure he doesn't even know what a girlfriend is. Just ask if he means a friend—like, a girl friend, you know?"

I nodded, relieved by her advice. At least I could approach this without being mean. It could be a possibility that Shawn might be… a little confused.

"Do you mean friends? Like a friend that is a girl?"

Shawn shakes his head. "No, my girlfriend! A girl who I can hug, kiss, go out, and lay in bed with."

Okay, maybe he does know what a girlfriend is… kinda.

Trying to be polite I replied, "No, I don't want to. Sorry…"

It didn't seem to faze Shawn, who was persistent as ever. "Why not? You're cute, I'm cute. My momma says any girl would be lucky to be with me."

Hearing that, Ivy let out a snort, and I sighed, realizing that being nice wasn't going to cut it.

So much for trying to be nice.

I was feeling a bit frustrated so I turned to the boy, a touch of sarcasm slipping into my voice as I said dryly, "Then go find a new lucky girl."

Shawn's face turns red with anger. "No! I want you! You are going to be my girlfriend because I says so! Don't make me get my big brother! He will make you become my girlfriend!"

Hearing that, Ivy's amusement quickly evaporated, replaced by a low growl that made the tension in the air thicker. I felt the unease settle in my stomach.

"Faye, why don't we head back to the others?" Ivy suggested, her voice tinged with anger and a bit of concern. I silently agreed, slowly placing the game down and rising to my feet.

"Um, I have to go," I murmured, stepping back.

Shawn didn't take kindly to that. He grabbed my arm roughly, his grip tight and almost semi-painful, enough that I were human, it would have left a bruise automatically.

Hey, why does it kinda hurt? Could it be my witch side coming through? Or maybe… maybe I'm just more vulnerable to humans than I am to vampires or shapeshifters?

"It's possible. But he might also have a trace of shifter DNA—just enough to give him strength, but not enough to actually shift."

"Hey, let go!" I yanked at my arm, trying to break free without hurting him. But instead of releasing me, he only tightened his grip. I could feel his fingernails digging painfully into my skin as I pulled. I felt tears welling in my eyes.

"No! You have to agree to be my girlfriend!" he demanded, his tone almost desperate.

Trapped and panicking, I pushed him away with as much force as I could muster without hurting him, breaking free from his grasp before turning on my heel and running in the direction of Rose, my heart pounding in my chest. I used my telekinesis to drop some board games in the way, making-him tumble. I could hear him stand up and start following after me from a distance trying to catch up.

And I could think was: I should have waited for the others to come with me.

Rose POV

I bit my lip, glancing over at the broad game section with a small frown. My instincts were in overdrive, my mind restless without both of them in my line of sight. I told myself I wouldn't use my vampire hearing to keep tabs on her, but it was so tempting. Maybe I could just—No! She wanted to go by herself. She was fine. She'd be back soon, and then I could scoop her up into my arms, watch her excitement as she showed me whatever game she'd found. The thought of it made my undead heart flutter, a soft smile tugging at my lips.

I glanced at Robyn and Emmett who were gushing over video games. Robyn was caught in the middle of a dilemma, torn between choosing Halo 2 or a game we could all play—Kirby and the Amazing Mirror. I could see the uncertainty in her eyes, the way she hesitated, even with Emmett practically encouraging her to get both.

Emmett, ever the optimist, was doing his best to convince her that we could easily get both, his voice warm with that reassuring tone he had when he knew something would make her happy.

But Robyn seemed hesitant, her brow furrowing slightly as she chewed on her bottom lip, clearly torn. It made me realize how deeply her past shaped the way she approached things now—how hard it was for her to trust that people would take care of her needs, even something as simple as picking a game for us to buy. The usual spark of excitement in her fading just a bit. It hurt to see that self-doubt still holding her back.

Watching them, I felt an overwhelming surge of affection for her. I wanted to sweep her up in my arms and banish that uncertainty, to show her she didn't have to carry everything by herself. I just wanted to spoil both of my girls, to give them the confidence they deserved, but I knew it wasn't that simple. They'd been hurt too many times, built too many walls to protect themselves. But Emmett and I—we were ready to climb over them, to help them tear down the walls that had kept them from trusting for so long.

Emmett glanced at me, a small shrug paired with that easy grin that never seemed to fade, but his eyes were soft with understanding. He was always good at knowing when to push and when to step back.

Robyn glanced up at me, uncertainty flickering in her eyes, and I gave her a reassuring nod, hoping she'd see that it was okay. She hesitated but nodded back before shyly telling Emmett that she wanted both of them and then they excitedly started talking about the other games in the vicinity. I chuckled while shaking my head before looking back at where Faye went.

What I saw made me freeze in place, my breath catching in my throat.

Faye was sprinting toward me, clutching her arm tightly, her face etched with a mix of a small bit of pain, panic and desperation, tears streaming down her cheeks. Before I could fully process, she leaped into my arms, and I instinctively caught her. Her legs wrapped around my waist as I held her close, her trembling body pressing against mine while I pulled her securely to me.

This is not the way I imagined her in my arms.

"Hey, baby bear, what's happening? What's wrong?" I asked gently, my voice soft but full of concern. She didn't answer—just buried herself deeper into my chest, clinging tightly as though she could hide from whatever she was running from. I realized she was breathing in my scent, seeking comfort in it.

My poor little baby—what happened to her?

Robyn and Emmett hurried over, their faces etched with worry, having seen Faye leap into my arms.

"Faye? Little sis? Can you look at me?" Robyn called gently, her tone soft and soothing. Faye paused, her trembling subsiding for just a moment before it started again. Slowly, she lifted her head from my shoulder, her red tear-filled eyes meeting Robyn's.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt?" Robyn's voice was gentle, coaxing.

Faye sniffled, hesitating, before giving a small nod. She extended her arm, revealing what she had been clutching, and my stomach twisted violently. Finger-shaped bruises marred her skin—deep, angry imprints of what seemed to be fingernails that spoke of someone's cruel and unrelenting grip. My undead blood simmered with rage as I took in the evidence of harm done to her, the marks so severe they could have caused real damage even to her. The only small consolation was that the bruises and imprints looked like they were already beginning to heal, but that did little to calm the storm brewing inside me.

Even though she is part supernatural I wasn't sure if she could be harmed but seeing this… seeing that someone had dared to harm her…

I felt my jaw tighten as fury surged through me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Emmett's expression darken, his easygoing demeanor replaced with a quiet, simmering anger that matched my own.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to stay calm for her sake, though the fire inside me burned relentlessly. "Baby bear," I said gently, coaxing her to look at me. "Can you tell us what happened?"

Her lip trembled, fresh tears spilling from her eyes as she looked up at me, her broken expression cutting straight through my heart. But then her eyes changed to blue.

Ivy.

I hoped that she will be able to shed some light on what happened, however Ivy seemed like she was focusing on something else. Suddenly, Robyn became tense, drawing Emmett's and my attention. Confusion flickered between us, but then I remembered—Ivy could show memories. She was showing her what happened.

I wish that we shared the mind link too but I had bigger things to worry about right now.

"Little pup, what happened?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

Ivy's head snapped toward me, her expression tense. "I can't explain everything right now in too much detail because we don't have much time," she said quickly.

Much time?

Before I could ask, she continued, her words coming in a rushed stream. "I'll give you the quickest version I can. We were looking at games when this boy came up and asked Faye to be his girlfriend. She refused and told him to find another 'lucky girl' because his mom said something about any girl being lucky to have him." Ivy rolled her eyes but didn't slow down. "He got mad and told her she had to be his girlfriend, and if she didn't, he'd get his big brother to 'make her.'"

I felt my jaw clenched as she went on.

"I told her we should leave, and she agreed. But when she told him she needed to go, he grabbed her arm hard and wouldn't let go. She pushed him and ran over here." Ivy glanced toward the aisle, her voice lowering. "But I think he was following us… and he should be here soon."

A low growl rumbled in my chest as Emmett's expression darkened beside me. Whoever this boy was, he had no idea the storm he was about to walk into.