Reference Photo

The nail tech receptionist finished with the lady standing at the desk, and both Alice and Claudia stood up to let them know they were present for the appointment.

Alice loved to see how Jayla's hair color changed every single time Alice came inside the shop since it portrayed a good look into Jayla's life considering what events were happening around her.

Today, Jayla's hair was a wonderful dark navy color that was so close to black, but underneath the lights, it shined wonderfully. Alice was sure that the hair color would also look lovely with the natural lighting outside.

Jayla smiled when Alice and Claudia made it to the desk, and Jayla pressed some buttons on the computer screen to bring up their information before she leaned over the desk.

"I haven't seen you ladies in a while," Jayla said.

Alice smiled. "Sorry about that. We're not quite nail girlies."

Jayla sneaked a glance at Alice's hands after her comment, and Alice put them out for her to see since she didn't have anything to hide on her end. Jayla nodded. "I don't think they are too bad. Cuticle care is a must ladies. Why don't you two go pick out your colors?"

Alice inclined her head in thanks before they both walked over to the nail color selection wall with pieces of paper that coordinated with the specific nail polish. "What color are you thinking?"

Claudia hummed before lifting a few shades of lavender out. "I want to do some French tips but with a pop of color."

"That will be pretty. With a nude background?"

"Yes," Claudia answered. "Maybe some pastel flowers too?"

"You should do it," Alice immediately said. "It will be nice for the spring season."

"How about you? Maybe lavender too?"

"Very close," Alice said as she pulled out a periwinkle shade along with some other pale blues.

"That is very you," Claudia sang before Jayla came to get them. "Nayeli is ready for you, Alice. And Elianna will be a five-minute wait, Claudia."

Claudia nodded while Alice wiggled her fingers at Claudia to signal that they would see each other in a little bit. Hopefully with the designs that they were doing, maybe less than two hours since it was any longer, Alice would break a back. It was a dumb reason, but Alice didn't like to small talk which most people wouldn't assume since she would normally approach a conversation first.

However, she found it to be a tedious process since it was very draining even if she adored the person. It would only work if one person was speaking while Alice was listening. But people rarely understood that besides Claudia being the odd one out, who wouldn't mind talking Alice's ear off for hours.

She walked beside some other girls doing some huge nails which she would have to give them some credit for since she would never be able to live life with that length of nails. To be honest, Alice wasn't much for nails at all, but she found it something to bond over with Claudia, and as Claudia had put it, an excuse for them to get out.

Alice did like having nails since they made her long fingers look dainty, but the process was a long chunk of her time. The first time she got her nails done with Claudia, she got a longer coffin length or rather just a regular length nails that most girls got, but it was still too long for her since it gave her anxiety when she couldn't do her school work.

Nayeli was waiting at the station in the back corner still cleaning some products when Alice got her nail tech's attention which brought a smile to her face. Alice sat down in the seat before her, and Alice tilted her head to inspect Nayeli's new hair. The last time Alice saw her was a few months ago, and it was a blue shade, now it was a gentle lavender shade.

"I love the new hair," Alice said as she brought her purse into her lap.

"Thank you," Nayeli grinned before spinning on her chair to put her hands on the table. "How have you been?"

"Doing well," Alice answered.

"You graduate soon, correct?"

Alice nodded. "It is approaching faster than I'm anticipating."

"I know that university life will suit you just as well though," Nayeli said before putting on her black square-framed glasses. "What design and color are you doing today?"

Alice pulled up the photo on her phone which was a jelly-style nail that had baby blue accent marks to it with silver glitter and stars as well as blue heart charms that were clear to match the style of the nails. Nayeli studied the picture before putting it up on her iPad nearby for a reference photo.