Addicted to Pretty (1/7)

It was just another Friday at Ember’s place. Dustin had known her practically his whole life. They grew up on the same street, rode the same bus, spent summers gaming and sneaking snacks from her mom’s pantry. Hanging out with her was second nature by now, and tonight was no different. They’d just finished setting up for game night and were settling into their usual spots on the couch.

Ember flashed him a grin as she grabbed a controller. “How about we make a bet? If I win, I want to do your makeup.”

Dustin raised a brow, amused. “Alright, and if I win... you have to sit through all three Alien Cowboy movies. No complaining.”

Ember groaned, rolling her eyes. “Ugh, fine. You’re on.”

It was close, like, stupidly close. But in the end, Ember edged out the win with a cheeky grin and a celebratory hair flip.

“Nooo,” Dustin groaned, tossing the controller onto the couch.

“Ohhh yes,” she purred, already standing. “C’mon, princess.”

He rolled his eyes but followed her down the hall to her bedroom. She sat him down in the chair at her vanity and started pulling makeup from the drawers, palettes, brushes, tubes of things he didn’t recognize, laying everything out in front of him.

Then she stepped behind him and gave the chair a gentle turn, angling him away from the mirror with a mischievous smile.

“No peeking,” she said. “I want to keep it a surprise.”

Ember started with contour, her brush sweeping deep bronze under his cheekbones, up along his temples, and under his jaw. She blended quickly, confidently, pulling his face into shape with sharp, angular shadows. Then came highlighter, just enough to catch the light, dabbed down the bridge of his nose, along the tops of his cheeks, and right at the inner corners of his eyes. Dustin didn’t say a word, but his skin prickled under every stroke.

She moved on to his eyes next. A warm, smoky brown was packed into the crease and outer corners, blended until it gave his lids a soft, sultry lift. A shimmery copper was pressed across the center, catching the light every time he blinked. Ember lined his eyes with black gel and pulled it into a sharp wing, then carefully pressed false lashes into place, one side then the other. He blinked again, slower this time, feeling the fluttery weight settle in.

She tugged his chin up again, holding a sleek tube of lip gloss in one hand. “Pout for me, babe.”

“What?”

She giggled. “Like this, mmwah.” She demonstrated, and he rolled his eyes before awkwardly imitating her.

Then the wand slid across his lips.

Warm. Wet. Thick. It glided over his lips with syrupy slowness, coating them in a glossy sheen that felt way too good. The wand traced carefully along the curve of his cupid’s bow, then dragged over his lower lip with a teasing pressure. Ember went back in, adding another coat, even slower this time, then one more, just to make sure it was perfect.

Lastly, her fingers moved through his hair, brushing out the soft waves in slow, even strokes. “Alright, sweetie,” she finally whispered. “Time for the big reveal,” as she spun the chair around.

His jaw dropped.

Staring back was a girl. A hot girl, honestly. Those sultry bedroom eyes, the glossy lips, the sharp liner winged out like something from a magazine. The way his cheekbones popped, the gentle shimmer on the tip of his nose, the glow. His lips, wet, full, kissable.

He just stared, too stunned to speak. His thoughts tangled into knots, shock, curiosity, something else he couldn’t name. That reflection didn’t make sense, and yet... he couldn’t look away.

They went back to gaming, eventually. Ember didn’t mention the makeover again, but Dustin caught himself glancing at the mirror every few minutes. Watching the way his lips glistened when he talked. The way his lashes fluttered when he blinked.

When the day finally ended, Ember wiped it all away, slowly, gently. He didn’t fight it, but as the girl in the mirror faded, something inside him already missed her.