As Alexandra's disdainful words hung in the air, a thought struck me. I turned back to her, curiosity piqued. "If you don't mind me asking," I began, "is that man you were kissing your boyfriend?"
Alexandra glanced at the dark-haired man who was now watching us with a bemused expression. She shook her head. "No, he's not. I just felt like kissing him because he looked handsome. Why do you ask?"
A glimmer of hope sparked within me. "So, if Cratos were more handsome, would you consider going out with him?"
She tilted her head, considering the question. "Well, if he cleaned up his act and looked halfway decent, I might give him a chance. But he'd have to do more than just look good. He needs to show some effort."
Seraphina and I exchanged glances. This was the opening we needed. "Thank you, Alexandra," I said, nodding gratefully. "We'll see what we can do."
We hurried back to the library, where we found Cratos lounging on a couch, lazily flipping through a book. He looked up as we approached, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
"Well, did you talk to her?" he asked, trying to sound nonchalant but failing to hide his eagerness.
"Yes, we did," Seraphina replied, her tone serious. "And she said she might consider a date with you if you put in some effort and cleaned up your appearance."
Cratos frowned. "What do you mean by 'cleaned up'?"
I sighed, knowing this might be a hard sell. "It means we need to give you a makeover, Cratos. A new look, new clothes, and maybe a bit of grooming."
His expression turned wary. "I don't know about this..."
"Come on," I urged, trying to sound encouraging. "It's worth a shot, right? If you want a chance with Alexandra, you have to show her that you're willing to change."
Cratos hesitated, clearly torn. Finally, he nodded. "Alright, fine. Let's get this over with."
We led Cratos out of the library and into the bustling streets of the university town. The town was alive with activity; students hurried to their next classes, street vendors peddled their wares, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air. The vibrant energy seemed to invigorate us as we made our way to the clothing store.
I sighed, realizing this was going to be a tougher battle than I anticipated. "Cratos, if you want Alexandra to notice you, you have to go all the way. Trust us on this."
He looked from me to Seraphina and back again, his resolve wavering. Finally, he threw up his hands in defeat. "Fine, but just a trim. Nothing drastic."
We led Cratos to a nearby salon, where the scent of citrus and lavender filled the air, creating a calming atmosphere. The salon was sleek and modern, with large mirrors and comfortable chairs. The stylist, a young woman named Clara with vibrant red hair and a confident demeanor, greeted us warmly.
"What can I do for you today?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with enthusiasm.
"We need a trim and a bit of styling for our friend here," Seraphina explained, gesturing to Cratos.
Clara nodded, motioning for Cratos to sit in the chair. "No problem. Let's see what we can do."
As Clara began to work her magic, her hands moved deftly through Cratos's hair. She trimmed the ends, shaping it to frame his face more effectively, and added subtle layers to give it volume and movement. She worked with precision, her scissors snipping away with a rhythmic cadence. Bit by bit, Cratos began to relax, the tension in his shoulders easing as he watched his transformation in the mirror.
Clara finished by styling his hair into a modern, yet classic look. She brushed it back slightly, adding a bit of texture to keep it from looking too formal. The result was a sophisticated style that highlighted his strong jawline and brought out the depth of his eyes.
"There," Clara said with a satisfied smile, stepping back to admire her work. "What do you think?"
Cratos studied his reflection, a look of amazement on his face. His hair, once wild and unruly, was now neatly styled, giving him a polished and refined appearance. "I look... different," he said, almost in disbelief.
"Different in a good way," I said, grinning. "Alexandra won't know what hit her."
Seraphina nodded in agreement. "You look fantastic, Cratos."
He continued to gaze at his reflection, a small smile forming on his lips. "Thanks," he said quietly, the weight of his transformation settling in. It was as if he was seeing himself for the first time, realizing the potential that had always been there but was now brought to the surface.
" Now, let's get you back to Alexandra and see what she thinks."