"Teacher, don't you ever leave your hair down?"
"Because it's so hot in here during the day that it get all sweaty on my neck."
"Can I take it down?"
"Sure."
Little fingers pull the hairtie, then run through my hair. More fingers join in the tugging, and the talking behind my head increases.
"I like teacher's hair." "Yeah, your hair is so pretty!" "And it's sooo soft. Why is your hair so soft teacher?"
"It's soft because I use conditioner. Your hair soft too."
A small nose is pushed into my hair.
"Teacher's hair smells really good! Smell teacher's hair!"
Instantly, 5 noses belonging to sweaty-faced children are buried in my hair.
"You're right, it does smell good!" "Teacher, your hair smells so nice!" "Mmmmm, I want to EAT teacher's hair!!"
I laugh. "It's just because of the conditioner. You can spend a dollar and have hair that smells just like mine if you want.
The fingers continue their styling. Braids, ponytails. One person gets shoved aside by someone confident their hairstyling abilities are better than those being currently displayed. By the end, I have a braid matching that of one of my students, and hair that has been touched by hands that have been unknown places without seeing soap for some time.
I might get lice. The worry has crossed my mind.
But.....if I do, maybe it would have been a little bit worth it.
