"How short?“

"5mm.“

"Are you sure?“

"Yes.“

"I would recommend you 9mm.” “I want you to cut it to 5mm.” “You´re not in the army anymore.” “I know. Cut it 5mm.”

I´m sitting on one of the chairs in the middle of the hair salon, I haven´t been for eight years. Clara rolls her eyes, while we discuss. I know her from school. She looks how I remember her. Pale skin, red dyed hair, extremely dark eyeliner. It suits her somehow, but I don´t know her any different.

She holds an electric shaver in her right hand and a comb in her left one.

"You haven´t changed at all”, she sighs. “You´re still the stubborn kid, you used to be in high school.” I shrug.

I don´t really care about her opinion, cause we´ve never been close friends.

"If you don´t cut it, I´ll do it myself. It´s not that hard, to buzz around my head”, I say and smile at her reflection in front of me.

"You´re such an – “ She stops talking, rolls her eyes dramatically, and switches the shaver on. The familiar buzzing sound fills the empty room.

When she puts the machine on my head and starts cutting off my hair, I see her lips form ass in the mirror. I grin. She´s such a sassy dork!

When she´s done with my hair, I pay her 15 Euro and take my jacket from the wardrobe.

"When did you come back.” “You mean from military service? About one year ago. Had many things to do. Just wanted to say hello to my family.” When I turn around, to look at her, she brushes a red strand behind her ear.

"And how long will you stay?” I see hope in her eyes. Hope, I can´t reciprocate.

"I´m gay”, I say in return.

"You´re – “ “Gay”, I say again and smile a little. I hope, she won´t take it badly – the smiling.

"Oh”, is the only thing she manages to reply.

For some seconds we just stare at each other before I clear my throat and make a few steps back.

"You see, I have to get going now. Business to do.” “Yeah, sure. Will you be around here for some time?” “Sorry. I´m leaving this evening.” “Where to?”

"Seoul.”