As I sat behind my desk in class at college, a girl walked past, then stopped dead.
I held my breath as I felt her hand lightly brush my shoulder.
‘See you later?’ she whispered. 
I felt my heart hammer in my chest. 
‘Yeah, sounds good,’ I smiled back.
Hollie and I had been friends for years after meeting at secondary school. 
Now both 16, we’d recently grown closer.
But I couldn’t help wondering if there was more to it.
I was used to experimenting with my sexuality and I knew I liked girls. 
But does Hollie feel the same? I wondered.
Later, sipping on a bottle of beer, I laughed with Hollie as we hung out. 
‘You guys should kiss,’ a pal grinned at us, seeing us so happy together.
Fuelled with alcohol, we both shrugged at each other. 
‘Why not?’ I chuckled. We leant in for a smooch.
When our lips touched, I felt a bolt of electricity run through me.
As we pulled away, I knew we wouldn’t go back to being just friends.
‘This is amazing, I’ve fallen in love with my best friend!’ Hollie grinned, a few months after getting together. I’d never been happier.

As Hollie’s birthday approached, I wanted to treat her. 
By now, we’d been together for well over a year and I couldn’t wait to show her how special she was to me. I decided that some quality time together – and some pampering – would be the perfect present. 
But as I scrolled through spas on my laptop, I gulped as I clocked the price tags.
The one I really wanted was £300 for both of us to go for the weekend. 
That would well and truly blow my budget.
Still a student, I wasn’t working. I’ll have to use my savings, 
I thought.
As I was getting us booked in, I knew Hollie was worth it.
‘She’s one lucky girl,’ my mum smiled when I showed her the spa hotel’s brochure.
Thankfully, Hollie felt the same. 
I handed her a card with the tickets tucked inside.
‘I don’t believe it!’ she gasped. ‘It’ll be the best birthday present ever.’
I was thrilled at her reaction.
The day before we were due to leave for the hotel, I decided to give myself a bit of pampering. Opening up a box of home 
hair dye, I carefully read the instructions on the back.
Then I applied the liquid to my long, blonde locks.
Smiling, I worked the solution into my scalp before rinsing my hair clean. 
I just fancied a bit of a change and couldn’t wait to see Hollie’s reaction.
After I dried and styled my new red hair, I popped over to her house.
I hadn’t told her about my mini makeover and, as she opened the door, I was beaming.
‘So, what do you think?’ I grinned.
Taking in my transformation, her face was a picture.
Only it was one of horror.
‘What have you done?’ she gasped at my auburn locks. 
‘Don’t you like it?’ I asked.
Hollie didn’t say a word. 
She didn’t need to, because the look on her face said it all.

It was clear she hated my new look and for the rest of the night, she was off with me. 
‘What’s wrong, Hollie?’ I asked. 
But she just shook her head and shrugged.
Why is she reacting this way? I thought, hurt.
I thought we would laugh it off, but Hollie obviously didn’t think it was a laughing matter.
By the end of the night, she was barely talking to me. In the end, I went home, upset.
I just couldn’t work it out. We hadn’t even had a big argument, but Hollie wouldn’t talk to me.
Next morning, things hadn’t changed. I had no messages from her. In fact, I couldn’t reach her at all.
Do you still want to go on your birthday spa weekend? I messaged. 
I kept refreshing my phone but there was no response.
And when Hollie ignored my calls, I had to face the fact I’d been stood up.
Tears pricked my eyes as I rang the hotel.
‘There’s been a change in circumstances and we’re no longer able to make it. Can I get a refund?’ I asked the receptionist, hopefully.
She was helpful but firm. 
The hotel operated a strict no-refund policy so close to the booking.
‘I can’t get my money back,’ I cried to Mum. 
‘I’ll come with you, love,’ she soothed. ‘It would be a shame for it to go to waste.’
It wasn’t the romantic getaway with my girlfriend that I’d had in mind but Mum was right. 
I’d paid for it so I didn’t want to miss out.
As we pulled into the gravel drive, Mum and I gasped. 
‘Blimey, it’s dead posh,’ I said. 
‘We’ll have to try not to lower the tone,’ Mum grinned back.
I appreciated her trying to lighten the mood. 
But when we checked into our suite and found rose petals scattered over the bed, I winced.
‘Let’s not make this more awkward than it already is,’ I told Mum, who was busy hanging up her things. 
It should have been funny, but in that moment, I only felt sad.
Hollie should be here with me, I thought.
Pulling out my mobile, I checked the screen. 
No messages… no missed calls…
Sighing, I decided to make the best of it. 
‘Right, I’ve paid for full use of the spa, a facial package and a three-course meal tonight, followed by breakfast in the morning,’ I announced to Mum.
‘Well, we’d better hurry up and get relaxing then,’ she said brightly.
We pulled on our robes and slippers and headed to the hot tub.
We spent a lovely weekend together and I almost forgot about the hairy situation with Hollie.

Then, on our way home, Hollie texted me.
I’ve done a bad thing. Can we meet? she typed.
What is it? Are you OK? I tapped back, relieved to hear from her. 
I’m fine, but let’s talk in person, she replied.
We arranged to meet at her place.
For the rest of the journey, my mind raced. 
Was she going to give me the snip? 
As soon as I got home, Hollie came to pick me up in her car.
I couldn’t help noticing something odd.
Months earlier, I’d decorated the sun visor in her car with stickers saying ‘Kate’s Seat’ and a polaroid picture of us.
But now they were gone.
‘I’ve done something terrible,’ Hollie blurted.
Then she told me something shocking.
‘I met this guy in a nightclub,’ she said. ‘And I brought him home…’
My first instinct was to laugh.
I waited for her to tell me that it was a silly joke. 
But she never did.

Instead, I listened in stunned horror as she confessed to betraying me.
While I’d been at the spa with Mum, she’d gone clubbing, met a guy and slept with him.
I felt sick. 
I had no idea she was even bisexual.
‘How could you?’ I said, choking back tears as I left. 
‘I’m so sorry, let me give you a lift,’ Hollie offered.
‘No, I’d rather walk,’ I snapped.
For two months, we tried to make it work.
But the trust was gone and, in the end, I didn’t have to ‘mullet’ over for long.
I gave Hollie the chop. 
Now, months on, we’re friends again. But I’d never go back there. 
I deserve better – I’m a cut above!

By Jack Falber

Hollie told us:
‘Yeah, that’s pretty much exact (the story as put to her). Yes, definitely, 
I wasn’t happy with Kate changing her hair colour.’