Is That Me?

You step into Gloss & Glam, immediately enveloped by the warm scent of expensive products and the gentle hum of hairdryers. The salon gleams with polished surfaces, rose gold accents, and Instagram-worthy lighting that makes everyone look flawless.

"Welcome to Gloss & Glam!" A petite blonde with a geometric bob and impeccable winged eyeliner approaches. "I'm Zoe, the stylist who'll be transforming you today." She leads you to a plush chair before a well-lit mirror, her critical gaze assessing your copper waves. "Virgin hair, lovely color... we have so much potential here."

Clara settles into a nearby chair, flipping through a style magazine while David awkwardly positions himself in the waiting area, suddenly fascinated by his phone.

"Tea before we begin?" Zoe offers, already signaling a salon assistant who approaches with an elegant porcelain cup. "Our special house blend—it helps clients relax during longer appointments."

You accept the steaming cup, taking small sips as Zoe discusses possibilities for your hair. The tea has a pleasant floral taste with an unusual undertone you can't quite place. As she drapes a silky cape around your shoulders, you pull out your phone, eager to investigate your mysterious online presence.

Navigating to Instagram, you find @mia_osullivan's profile filled with photos dating back months—all unmistakably you, but in settings you've never visited, wearing clothes you've never owned. In one, you're laughing on a beach in a tiny white bikini. In another, you're pouting at the camera in a nightclub bathroom, wearing the same blue dress you just tried on.

The captions are equally disorienting: "Missing my Irish sunshine ☘" and "When he says he's 'not looking for anything serious' but keeps texting #MenAreTrash #ButIStillAnswerLOL"

Zoe begins washing your hair as you scroll deeper. A disturbing pattern emerges—the account shows a steady progression from wholesome travel photos to increasingly provocative content. The earliest posts show scenic Irish landscapes, but by last month, they're predominantly selfies featuring plunging necklines and suggestive poses.

What's most unsettling are the comments. Dozens of men you've never met writing things like "Looking fire " and "When am I getting that private dance you promised? " Each interaction feels invasively familiar, as if these strangers know an entirely different version of you.

Your eyelids grow unexpectedly heavy. The gentle massage of Zoe's fingers against your scalp, combined with the tea's warmth spreading through your body, makes it difficult to focus. The phone slips slightly in your grip.

"Just relax," Zoe murmurs, her voice seeming to come from further away than it should. "The VIP treatment takes time, but you'll love the results."

You try to ask what the "VIP treatment" entails, but your tongue feels oddly thick. The last thing you register is Clara's voice floating over: "Make sure you give her something more... bombshell, you know? Less girl-next-door, more night-out-wow."

The world fades into comfortable darkness.

When awareness returns, you're sitting upright in the styling chair, a makeup artist putting final touches on your lips. You blink slowly, disoriented. How long were you out?

"There she is!" Clara exclaims, appearing at your side. "I thought you'd sleep through the whole thing! What do you think?"

The mirror reveals a stunning transformation. Your copper hair now falls in voluminous waves past your shoulders, expertly styled with subtle layers that frame your face. Your makeup is flawlessly applied—smoky eyes that make the green of your irises pop dramatically, sculpted cheekbones dusted with highlighter, and plush lips painted a sultry mauve.

"We went with the bombshell blowout," Zoe explains, fluffing your hair. "Extensions for length and volume, plus some face-framing layers. The makeup is our 'Night Out' package—sexy but not trying too hard."

https://imgur.com/a/zeDxXdk

You stare at your reflection, barely recognizing yourself. You look like the Instagram version of Mia—polished, seductive, ready for a night of turning heads.

"David's going to lose his mind," Clara whispers, squeezing your shoulder.

20:15 | Saturday 2 August 2025 | Gloss & Glam Salon, Putney

[TOUCH TIER TASK] | Complete | Pending reward: +2 Return Points