I decided to make one the writing prompts, this one is

BEFORE

thats all, before, however you decide to decide to interpret that, I’ll be on a trip for a couple days, but I’ll read all of your stories when I get back (except for the ones with swearing) and even add my own, can’t wait to see your ideas

"You sure you can't tell me what it is?" Clay's voice crackled as it came through the speaker of Joan's phone.

"Nope! Sorry hon' your just gonna have to see for yourself," Joan couldn't stop the smile from overtaking her face as she admired her hair in the full sized mirror.

After a lot of contemplating, praying, and speaking to her friends and specialists, Joan decided to finally get a haircut. And honestly? Joan couldn't have been happier. She even got her hair dyed. Which, okay sure it's just a lighter shade of brown then it was before. But still. It looked waaaaay better then before if Joan could say so herself. And with that being said, what better way to celebrate then to show her boyfriend her new do?

"Well, good thing I'm right here then," Clay entered the room.

"Ack!" with lightning speed Joan dove behind the curtains before her boyfriend could see.

"Jo? You good?" Joan could hear the laughter in his voice.

"Who let you in?"

"Your mom. But what's with all the... curtain?"

"Well excuse me for wanting to keep it a surprise mister." this was totally not how she wanted to show him. Not ideal.

No wait. Dramatic entrance! This was totally ideal!

"Then next time don't leave the door open," Joan glared. That was not the point.

He must have felt the heat of her glare through the curtains cause she could make out Clay's form putting his hands up in surrender, "But okay, sorry for the jumpscare. Next time I'll give you more of a warning."

"You better. Now sit down. I know your dying to see," she waited a second barely keeping her excitement at bay she asked, "You ready?"

"Let me sit down first will you?"

"Come oooon, hurry up!" Joan felt like she was about to burst.

"Just wait. Okay, I'm ready."

"Great! Now without further ado, ta da!" Joan shoved aside the curtain with a flourish and stepped out with a flick of her hair for good measure expecting Clay to say something along the lines of "Wow Jo! Your hair look great! So much better then before." or even just something along the lines of "Nice haircut." But what he said was worse.

Nothing.

Just looking her over as if Joan was a Where's Waldo puzzle.

"Well?" Joan brought her arms up as she twirled, waiting for a response.

"Uhh... Nice shirt?"

A record scratched in the background.

"Um, I'm sorry?" Joan's smile began to fade at Clay's blank expression.

"Your shirt's new right? Cause I think I recall you saying something about shopping..." Clay rubbed the back of his neck at Joan's lack of response.

Here's the thing. As much as Joan's disappointed about the way this turned out she couldn't be too mad. Joan was wearing a new shirt and the fact that Clay noticed made Joan feel seen (kind of). But was that it?

"No, I mean yes, the shirt's new. But don't you notice anything else?" Joan fingered a strand of her hair, "like maybe something with my hair?"

"Your hair?" Clay looked at her with an uneasy expression.

Now Joan was feeling uneasy.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Clay stood up and went over to Joan taking her hands in his, "Jo, you know I love you right?"

What kind of question was this?

"Of course I know that!" she said as she gazed into his eye looking for some kind of clue to what he meant.

"Then can I be honest with you?" he returned her gaze, uncertainty and concern swimming in his eyes.

"Of course! You can tell me anything!"

"You know your hair?"

Joan nodded.

"I think it looks the same as before."

It took a moment for what he said to register to Joan.

"I think it looks the same as before."

But when it clicked, Joan saw red.