As Anna sat in the cramped, poorly lit store, her fingers adorned with chipped purple nail polish hovered over the multicolored dyes she had brought for her hair. The young woman bit her lip nervously as she eyed herself in one of the makeshift mirrors made from an old wooden board propped up against the wall. Her normally raven-black hair was now dyed a bleak shade of brown, which only emphasized how washed out her face looked. It was time for a change, and she knew that deep down inside. She just wished that she'd picked a better spot to do it.
The air in the store was thick with the stench of cheap cigarette smoke and expired perfume, making Anna's nose twitch uncomfortably. She could feel a silent company of eager customers watching her every move from the corners of her eyes. Every time she shifted in her seat, which was little more than a crate covered in threadbare fabric, the creaking noise filled the small space, making her wince. She took a deep breath, trying to ignore the overwhelming feeling of claustrophobia that was starting to creep up on her, and focused on the task at hand.
The young woman wasn't known for her patience, but today it seemed as if she had none. After washing her hair and sectioning it into small, manageable chunks, she applied the first layer of red dye. With each brushstroke, Anna's anxiety grew. The clock on the wall ticked away mercilessly as if mocking her. She had forgotten how long it'd been since she'd felt this nervous and uncomfortable. Taking a sip from the lukewarm tea that was sitting by her side, she winced as the bitter taste hit the back of her throat. She hadn't paid much attention to the ingredients, but now she was starting to regret it.
Thirty minutes passed in what felt like an eternity, and still, Anna hadn't finished applying the color to her hair. Each time she picked up the brush, she could feel the warm liquid making its way down her throat. The fumes were starting to make her lightheaded, and the intense pressure in her chest was growing by the minute. She took another sip of the tea, hoping that it would help, but all it did was make her even more aware of the burning sensation in her stomach.
As she leaned over to apply the last few strokes of color to her hair, Anna let out a sigh of relief. She was finally done. She looked at her watch; it had been over an hour since she had started. The young woman stood up and stretched, feeling every inch of her cramped muscles. Gingerly, she made her way towards the only exit, avoiding the looks of the customers who were inspecting her new look. As soon as she stepped outside, she gasped for air, taking in huge gulps of fresh air. Her stomach clenched again, and she couldn't help but wonder how much damage that tea had done to her already.
