“I like the green highlights on the tips of your hair, they give a gradient effect.” Kaelix says as he unties Zeal’s hair.
Black hair draped on his palms like satin, sleek to the vision, silky to the touch. Although being a chatter, Kaelix falls quiet when he focuses. And shameful for Zeal to admit, as much as he usually enjoys silence, it was weird not hearing the prep talk, and they’ve only known each other for a handful of hours, mind you. Zeal can’t help but open his eyes to take a peek, he was curious of what the prep was doing with him. He saw an enlarged face with bright blue eyes. Colors that reminded him of clear sunny skies and clear seas; aquamarines and blue glass marbles from childhood. And now, those blue eyes only had their gaze on him, and they’re frowning.
“Close your eyes! This was supposed to be a surprise.” Kaelix chided.
“Fine, fine. Then at least talk, it’s unsettling to be someone’s test subject in darkness and silence.”
Kaelix continued as Zeal’s eyes closed once more. He never understood why Zeal chose to cover his eyes with such strong makeup. They are beautiful, as if reflecting a sunset view. If he had those eyes, he’d be walking around and showing them off with every chance he gets.
“What a shame.” Kaelix muttered.
“What? What did you do?” Zeal asked, sounding a bit confrontational, and concerned.
“Nothing related. Has anyone ever mentioned that you look good in black?”
“No.”
“Well, now there is. Black suits you.” Kaelix chirped happily “I win.”
“Yes, yes you did, Mr. Prep.” A small giggle came from Kaelix as a response.
There was a short silence as Kaelix puts the finishing touches, then his voice appears once more.
“There! All done. Take a look.” The prep hands Zeal the mirror.
Zeal opened his eyes, he looked…different. Not in a bad way, but something he needed to get used to. Especially how much his eyes stood out upon first glance.
“Your face is pretty as it is. I tried to make your eyes and the beauty mark on your face show a bit more, they’re unique and deserve more attention. Especially the eyes, they’re beautiful, like sunsets or the northern lights. Your makeup used to cover them up, stealing the show. So I've only put on light makeup and brushed your hair to the side. ” Kaelix explained.
Sunsets and the northern lights, it was the first time Zeal has ever heard anyone describe his eyes like that. Usually the words he’d hear were “hypnotic” or “preying”, to the extent that he disliked these orbs as well. He would purposefully apply heavy makeup to draw the attention, of both his and the others, away from them. Kaelix pointing out the fact made him feel naked, exposed. But not something unexpected, considering Kaelix’s status as a prep student. Instead, his words were comforting in sense, as for the first time, Zeal could envision the sunset and aurora in those eyes.
“Do…do you like it?” Perhaps it was Zeal’s prolonged silence that made it unsettling, Kaelix asked the question.
“Mr. Model, you did great.”
“It was mostly how beautiful your face was to begin with. But thank you for the compliment and putting your trust in me.”
A bright smile showed on Kaelix’s face, one so radiant that it was blinding, even making the sun shine less in comparison. Zeal can’t help but admit: Kaelix was born to be a model.
“Oh! Let me get one other thing, wait right here.” Kaelix said as he dashed away, returning a few seconds later with a small wooden box in his arms.
“Maybe this is what’s missing.” Kaelix said as he fished through the box of accessories, found one and pinned it onto the delinquent’s left earlobe.
“There, now the look’s complete. If you’re worried about the sanitation of the earring, it’s brand new. Consider it a ‘thank you’ gift.” Kaelix said has he puts the other one in Zeal’s hand. It was silver with a rectangular silver pendant hanging at the end of it. He reached his hand for the newly pinned one, where the preps fingers once lingered felt warm to the touch.
“Thank you, they’re beautiful.” Zeal says as he puts the other lone earring away.
“Any thoughts on your masterpiece? Our dear designer?” Zeal leaned in close, looking at Kaelix with a smile and a hint of playfulness in his eyes.
Zeal’s gaze seem to deepen, more hypnotic even. Kaelix thought that he’d get caught in them, or maybe he already did, because he woke up to Zeal waving his hand in his vision.
“Kaelix? K-a-e-l-i-x? Struck by the beauty of your own creation, have you?” Zeal asks in a teasing tone.
“Y-yeah, you have a face fit for modeling as well.” Kaelix praised, every word coming from the bottom of his heart. Zeal was so beautiful that it hurts. He’s starting to regret even styling Zeal in the first place, even thinking of it.
“I’d say that modeling’s tailored for you.” Zeal ruffled the younger’s hair, perhaps in soothing, perhaps in praise.
Kaelix’s hair was soft to the touch, which reminds Zeal of a dog’s fur. The unexpected closeness brought temperature to Kaelix’s cheeks once more. He lowers his head, hoping that the delinquent wouldn't notice. In his defense, who wouldn’t be when being coaxed by a pretty face, soft expression, and gentle tone? A moment later, Zeal retracted his hand and stood up, Kaelix felt a sudden drop in his chest.
“I’ll be going now, thank you for the gift.” Zeal’s finger lightly tapping the metal piece at the mention.
The pendant swayed at the motion, as well as Kaelix’s heartstrings. He blames all of this on Zeal. Once again, this man’s beauty is maddening.
“Oh, one other thing. Give me your phone for a sec.” Confused, Kaelix hands it over. He watches as Zeal types for a bit then returning the phone, the screen on the contacts page. There was a new name, Zeal Ginkjoka.
“Here, I added my number. Call me if you run into trouble. I'll be off then.”
“Zeal!” Kaelix called for the delinquent just as he started walking towards the door.
“This…this was fun. I wished that it wouldn’t end.”
“Hmm?” Zeal stopped and turned, waiting for what the prep was about to say next.
“Can I text you, aside of asking for help? Like friends?”
“Sure. See ya’.”
“Bye.”
As the door closed, Kaelix let out a breath that he didn’t realize he had been holding, heart racing, hands tightly clutching the phone. Realization hits at that very moment: He’d just made a friend, with the most feared delinquent in school.
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