Chapter 131: The Weekend Trip [2]The moment they stepped into the mall. Kyle knew he had made a mistake.

    It was loud. Crowded. Way too many people for his liking.

    Children ran past with ice cream in their hands, leaving sticky trails behind.

    Music thumped from the nearby stores. The smell of perfume, fried food, and sugary drinks mixed into the air like a confusing fog.

    Bright lights flashed from window displays. And every few seconds. Someone’s laughter would cut through the noise.

    Kyle walked behind Aurelia and Seraphina like a lost puppy.

    Both girls didn’t seem to care about the crowd. They looked completely at home.

    Aurelia walked like a queen, chin high, every step calm and confident.

    Seraphina was the opposite. Bouncy and full of energy. Like she was born to be in a place like this.

    Her bright pink hair swayed with every step. Drawing attention from half the people they passed.

    And they were getting attention.

    People stared. Whispers followed them. A group of girls near a makeup stall even giggled when Kyle walked by. One of them waved.

    Kyle blinked and quickly looked away. He shoved his hands into his pockets. Trying to act like he didn’t notice.

    Aurelia glanced back with a smirk. "Enjoying the attention?"

    "No," Kyle said. His voice flat.

    Seraphina laughed. "You are such a bad liar."

    "Haircut first," Aurelia said, already turning toward the escalators. "You seriously look like you’ve been sleeping in a tree."

    Kyle sighed but followed without arguing.

    The salon was shiny and clean. With big mirrors and chairs that looked more expensive than necessary.

    Everything smelled like shampoo and hairspray.

    A woman at the front desk looked up when they walked in.

    She had stylish dark hair, sharp eyeliner, and a name tag that read Lina.

    The second her eyes landed on Kyle. Her smile grew way too wide.

    "Oh my," she said, stepping around the desk. "What do we have here?"

    Kyle frowned. "Uh..."

    "He needs a haircut," Aurelia said. "Something that doesn’t make him look homeless."

    Lina’s eyes sparkled. "Oh, I love a challenge."

    Kyle gave her a look. "You know I can hear you, right?"

    But no one listened. Lina had already started running her fingers through his hair. Mumbling things like "such volume" and "so much potential."

    Kyle was shoved into a chair and covered with a black cape before he could say anything else.

    Aurelia and Seraphina took the seats nearby. Looking like two judges on a fashion panel. sea??h thё N?vel(F)ire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    "Not too short," Aurelia said.

    "Keep it messy. But in a good way," Seraphina added.

    "Maybe layered?" Aurelia mused.

    "Ooh, and undercut on the sides," Seraphina nodded.

    Lina nodded along like they were giving orders from the heavens. "Yes, yes. I see it."

    Kyle tried again. "Can I—"

    "No," all three women said at the same time.

    Kyle leaned back in the chair and gave up.

    Lina got to work. Scissors moving with expert speed.

    Kyle sat in silence. Occasionally flinching when she tilted his head too suddenly.

    The haircut took forever. Lina moved with scary focus. Snipping slowly. Muttering compliments about his face like he wasn’t even a person.

    "You have got great bone structure" she whispered at one point.

    Kyle stayed still and tried not to die from embarrassment.

    Finally. Lina spun the chair around. "Done!"

    Kyle looked at his reflection.

    It was... him. But not the messy, half-asleep version.

    His hair was still long. Just trimmed and shaped better. The sides were cleaner. The top was layered, and it actually framed his face.

    He looked. Dare he think it. Decent.

    Aurelia stood and nodded. "Better. Now you don’t look homeless."

    Seraphina leaned in. "Honestly? It’s kinda hot."

    Kyle choked. "What?"

    Lina smiled proudly and patted his shoulder. "You’re welcome, handsome."

    Kyle jumped up so fast he nearly tripped on the cape. "I’m done. I’m out."

    Aurelia paid while he made a break for the door.

    Next came the part Kyle was truly dreading. Clothes shopping.

    They walked into a big clothing store. Full of racks, mirrors, and bright lights.

    A cheerful girl with short black hair bounced over to them. Her name tag read Mia.

    "Hi! Need help finding anything today?" she asked, eyes landing on Kyle.

    Before he could say no. Seraphina jumped in.

    "Yes," she said.

    "Lots," Aurelia added.

    Mia clapped her hands. "Perfect!"

    Kyle didn’t even get to argue before clothes started flying his way.

    Shirts, jackets, pants, even shoes. He lost count.

    They shoved him into the dressing room and stood outside like judges at a fashion show.

    First Outfit: A black shirt and dark jeans.

    Seraphina tilted her head. "Meh. Too plain."

    Aurelia frowned. "He looks like a waiter."

    Second Outfit: A navy blue sweater and gray pants.

    Aurelia crossed her arms. "Hmm. Better."

    Seraphina smiled. "Brings out his eyes."

    Kyle groaned again. "Are we done yet?"

    Third Outfit: White T-shirt, black leather jacket, black pants.

    There was silence outside the door.

    Then Seraphina said, "Okay that’s not fair."

    Aurelia pointed. "We’re buying that one."

    Even Mia. Who had been quietly watching, nodded with approval. "You look amazing."

    Kyle tugged at the jacket. "It’s tight."

    "That’s why it works," they all said.

    In the end. He tried on at least thirty outfits. They picked ten.

    At the checkout. Mia scribbled something on a small piece of paper and handed it to Kyle with a shy smile.

    "In case you, um... need help with clothes. Or... anything."

    It was her number.

    Kyle blinked. "Oh. Uh. Thanks?"

    Mia giggled and waved as they walked away.

    Seraphina watched with narrowed eyes as he tucked the paper into his pocket.

    Once they were outside. She leaned closer and smiled too sweetly. "Getting numbers now, huh?"

    Kyle blinked. "It’s not like I asked—"

    Aurelia rolled her eyes. "Let’s just go before you start a fan club."

    Kyle followed silently, heart thudding.

    But... as they walked away from the store. He noticed something.

    Seraphina, usually all smiles and jokes, was a little quieter. Her tone had changed.

    Was she... jealous?

    He shook the thought away.

    No.

    ...Right?

    ———