Hair is considered a woman's crown, at least, that's what Michelle's mother had preached to her since she could talk. It's been like that for centuries, with women doing insane things like wearing massive wigs as a way of showing off their wealth in France. MJ thought it'd be ridiculous to do that, but women didn't have the freedom they have today. In her culture, MJ's mother taught her how to braid her hair in intricate ways. How to manage and protect her curls, what products to use and stay away from, and rarely use heat treatments.

MJ didn't like braiding her hair all the time, but every once and while she would, sometimes adding fake strips of colored highlights. But most of the time she wore her hair in ponytails or half up half down. One of her best friends, Peter, had always been fascinated by MJ's curls. College life was kicking her butt, more specifically exams were kicking her butt. And when MJ is stressed her sarcasm levels go up ten fold.

She'd been studying all day, not taking breaks, not eating or sleeping. She had not picked up her phone to check calls or messages, that was until the clock struck midnight. MJ stopped writing her paper as her fingers were hurting, her phone began ringing, she picked it up to see the caller I.D as Peter's. She answered and spoke exasperated, "Hello?"

"Hey, come open your door." He said. She knew Peter's antics, he was the acts of service type. So she got up, walked to her dorm door and let Peter in. With two pizza boxes in one hand, and a bottle of soda in the other. Of course he got her favorite, margarita with pesto sauce, and just plain pepperoni. Peter made two plates, handing one to MJ and sitting next to her on the couch. He nudged her to eat, "You seriously didn't need to do this." She told him.

Peter shrugged, "I know, but I was worried about you, I've texted you thirty times in the last three days you've been cooped up here."

MJ sighed, "I've got to shower, but I don't feel like doing my hair."

Peter finished his food, "I can do your hair for you."

MJ looked at Peter quizzly, "You can?" She didn't know what to think, only she did her hair, no one else. But she trusted Peter, not only with her hair, but her life.

"Y.. Yeah, unless you're not okay with it. I've been watching YouTube videos on how to french braid curly hair. I just didn't want to bring it up, incase you thought it'd be stupid." He replied.

MJ understood what he meant, Peter was always respectful of her wishes, never wanting to overstep. She loved him for that, the fact he was able to respect her wants, needs, opinions. Even if they disagreed on things, she nodded her head, "You can, let's see your skills Peter. But if you screw up it'll never happen again. No pressure."

Peter rolled his eyes, "Right... no pressure." He took her plate and let her get ready and in the shower. It took about two hours, since MJ's hair was a little tangled. But eventually she came out, in warm pajamas, and hair products in tow. She told him which products are for what, and Peter absorbed that information, she was surprised he was so into this. He began his work, massaging leave in conditioner into MJ's scalp.

He heard her sigh in contentment a few times, doing her hair was almost therapeutic in a way. He also combed through her hair with a special brush, he split her hair down the middle, separating one side and securing it with a rubber band. Then working on the left part of her hair, he made his way down to the ends and wrapped the rubber band. He moved onto the right side, and soon finished MJ's hair. He was proud of the ending result, MJ got up and went to the bathroom to take a look in the mirror.

She came back to him with a thumbs up, he smiled and she thanked him. "Am I able to get some compensation for the stress of not screwing up?" He joked.

MJ picked up a pillow and threw it at him, but it didn't do much since Peter caught it while laughing. "In your dreams Parker." MJ went to her fridge, grabbing the chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream out of the fridge and two bowls with spoons. While Peter was putting on Mean Girls on Netflix, for them to relax, it was a nice friendly hangout. MJ thanked Peter for checking on her, that he was a great friend and owed him an 'I owe you' card.
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The End of Chapter 209