On to Being Primpt and Pampered

You pocket your phone without responding to Jamie, deciding his texts can wait. The screen pulses pink briefly as you slide it into your new handbag—a sleek emerald clutch that Clara insisted matched your wrap dress perfectly.

"Ready for the next stop?" Clara links her arm through yours, steering you toward the boutique exit where David waits with an impressive collection of shopping bags. "Gloss & Glam closes at seven, so we need to hustle if we want the full treatment."

David raises an eyebrow as you approach. "Everything okay? Jamie seemed pretty eager."

"It's fine," you say with a dismissive wave. "I'm not really in the mood to deal with him right now."

Something like relief flashes across David's face before he quickly masks it. "Smart choice. Jamie's not exactly known for his... staying power."

Clara snorts. "Unlike some people who shall remain unnamed?"

David's cheeks flush pink. "I was talking about his attention span, Clara."

"Sure you were," she teases, then turns to you. "You'll get the full scoop on David's romantic history someday, Mia. It's quite the rollercoaster."

The three of you exit Slink Boutique into the late afternoon sunlight. Your new dress catches the golden hour glow, the emerald fabric shimmering as you walk. You're acutely aware of how different it feels to move in this body—the sway of your hips, the bounce of your copper hair, the way the summer breeze catches the hem of your dress and teases it against your thighs.

https://imgur.com/a/aXgORwU

David catches you adjusting the wrap style around your waist and smiles. "It really does suit you perfectly."

Your phone buzzes again inside your clutch. When you glance down, you see the familiar pink glow through the fabric—Becky with a new task, not Jamie.

"Is that the infamous Jamie again?" Clara asks, peering toward your bag.

"No, just... an app notification," you reply carefully.

Clara nods sympathetically. "Dating apps are the worst. I was on Hinge for exactly three days before I deleted it. Nothing but dick pics and finance bros."

"Speaking as a finance bro, I'm wounded," David says, placing a hand over his heart in mock offense.

Gloss & Glam sits at the corner of a trendy side street, its facade gleaming with rose gold signage and floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase elegant styling stations. Through the glass, you can see stylists with pastel-colored hair attending to clients in plush leather chairs.

As you approach the entrance, your phone buzzes more insistently. You pause under the awning and pull it out. The screen is fully illuminated with Becky's animated figure waving frantically.

"Hey babe! Got a quickie for ya!" she chirps. "Time for your Touch task!"

A notification slides across the screen:

[TOUCH TIER TASK]

Task: Accept a full makeover at Gloss & Glam including hair styling and makeup

Difficulty: Easy

Reward: 2 Return Points

Time Limit: 3 hours

"Looks like someone's watching out for you," Becky winks. "This one's super easy—just get pampered and look pretty! The salon staff will take good care of you... maybe a little too good, if you know what I mean!" She giggles and blows a kiss before the screen returns to normal.

Clara looks at you expectantly. "Everything okay, hon?"

"Just checking the time," you lie smoothly, tucking the phone away. "Shall we go in?"

David holds the door open, the warm scent of expensive shampoo and styling products wafting out. "After you, ladies."

17:45 | Saturday 2 August 2025 | Gloss & Glam Salon, Putney

[TOUCH TIER TASK] | Easy | 20:45 | 3 hours remaining