Beauty Guru

"This one sounds pretty funny. Beauty Guru."

With a tap on the screen, the other two options disappeared and Beauty Guru became highlighted with a pink glow. The tiny devil lady congratulated Alex for his punishment, followed by both her and the punishment disappearing in a digital pink poof.

He felt his face grow hot, but didn't think any of it and instead chocked it up to the weather.

With that, the second level was unlocked and he gained the option to go back to his previous level to beat it if he desired to. He checked the time and decided it to try the second level later.

As he headed home, he noticed the people he passed giving him stares, mainly the guys. As he made eye contact, he could only his eyes as the men checked him out. He was used to it, until he noticed that almost every guy was checking him out. Usually it was just one or two, but so far its been twice that.

He almost made to street when he was blocked by two large, buff men. He sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Hey baby. Looking kinda lonely, wanna grab a few drinks with us maybe?"

"It'll be our treat."

Annoyed already by the walk home, Alex spoke up.

"No I don't want to grab a few drinks, and by the way, I'm a man if you couldn't tell."

The two men looked at each other and laughed.

"With a face like yours and the makeup?! That's a good one babe. I've never seen a dude wear that much makeup."

"True. Hell, I don't even think my ex did her routine that good."

Perplexed, Alex stammered.

"Wh-what are you talking about? I'm not wearing makeup. I've never worn makeup my whole life. I'm 100% MAN."

Both of the thugs scoffed.

"Oh please. Your makeup is applied flawlessly. Only someone who's dedicated to beauty would have perfectly applied makeup like yours."

"Besides, it's 2021, men and women can equally wear makeup without having to conform to the gender roles set in early history. It should be accept as a form of self expression and artistic ability; not seen as a gender locked stereotype...or something."

"You should have a open mind about these things babe."

Alex shook his head in disbelief and attempted to sidestep the duo, but was blocked.

"Anyway, about that drink..."

"Can't you just leave me alone? I'll call the cops."

The duo was about to speak when a third party interrupted.

"Hey you two!"

Alex and the duo turned to see who was speaking and Alex lit up. A handsome face with a beefy body walked up to the three.

"Oh thank god Ethan, can you tell these two to leave me alone?"

Ethan, Alex's oldest friend and roommate, stepped up to duo. Standing a whole head taller then the two, Ethan spoke with a smooth, and authoritative voice.

"Despite how he looks, Alex here is actually a dude. Believe me, I was shocked when I found out too."

Hopping over to Ethans side, Alex chimed in.

"Yeah! So run along."

The duo scoffed, and turned around before trudging off.

"Damn, looks like she's got a boyfriend anyway. Now who'll be our designated driver when we get hammered?"

"Maybe we should change our tactic of cornering girls who're walking alone and just ask our buds..."

The duo grumbled away and Alex breathed a sigh of relief. He rubbed his temples and leaned against Ethan, something he usually does when he's stressed out and looked up to Ethan.

"I can't believe this happened. Sorry about that."

"No problems dude, just glad you're..."

Alex watched as Ethans face twisted into confusion and frowned.

"What?"

"...you're wearing makeup?"

Alex sighed.

"You too? You know i don't wear makeup, I try to stay away from anything that makes me feminine."

Ethan studied Alex face, leaning in closer.

"Hmm, nope that's definitely makeup. Did you fall asleep anywhere near Mary?"

Alex, getting frustrated, walked the rest of way to the apartment with Ethan in tow.

"No, I was awake all day, I didnt even see Mary today."

"You sure? Did you look in a mirror recently?"

Reaching their apartment, Alex opened the door and felt the cool rush of the AC escape past him. He flung his shoulder bag to the side and sighed

"Fine, I'll look in the mirror."

"You definitely have makeup on Alex. Don't know what to tell you aside from it makes you look even more cute than usual."

Alexs cheeks redden with mixture of anger and embarrassment, before shouting.

"Shut up! Don't call me cute!"

Checking the mirror in the bathroom, Alex saw...

Nothing.

Nothing but his regular, unfortunately cutesy face.

He sighed and went back to the living room where Ethan was watching a football game.

Alex sat down next to him and the two watch the game, cheering, booing and teasing each other as the hours passed. They ordered a vegetarian pizza, since both are watching their health, just as the game ended.

Ethan cleaned up the messed as Alex started his homework.

"Still got that make up on? Seems uncomfortable. You should wash it off before going to sleep.

"Whatever Ethan. I got work to do."

"Suit yourself, Alex. I'm turning in for the day."

The two said their goodnight's and after hearing Ethans snores, Alex decided to take a break. He pulled up his phone and found himself opening up Gem Ladies.

Try as he might, he ended up losing badly this level, with a score lower than his previous one.

The lady devil appeared along with her mocking text appeared. He knew what was next, three random punishments.

Right on cue, they appeared.

Tight fit: Wear only tight fitting clothes; if no clothes are available, current clothing shrinks to fit.

Rapunzel, Rapunzel: Hair gradually grows 5 inches a day (stops at 50 ft) and hair color turns more blonde each day

Walk the Catwalk: Strut as if your on a runway, posing every time you stop.

Alex rubbed his smooth chin, and furrowed his brows.

"Which one, which one. This punishment gimmick is neat though, never seen anything like it on a mobile game."

As he was about to pick an option, his phone shut down.

"Damn, guess I forgot to charge it. Oh well, looks like I don't get a punishment, boo hoo."

Alex went to his room, plugged in his phone and went to bed, relaxing and trying to forget the stress from today.

The next day arrives and Alex wakes up, but he notices that something feels off.