Ethan sat at his desk studying for an upcoming test. He shared an apartment with three other people but had his own private room. It was typical for a college guy, if not just a bit cleaner than what might be expected of a man his age -- mismatched furniture, posters on the walls, and piles of papers and books.
His phone rang. It was Chloe. They started dating after the fraternity fundraiser and recently became official.
"Hey Chloe, this is unexpected. What's up?"
"Hey Ethan! Sarah and I wanted to know if you wanted to come over Saturday night. We have a... er..." Chloe stumbled a bit "...a surprise for you."
Sarah was Chloe's best friend and roommate. She and Chloe had met freshman year and have been close ever since.
"A surprise? What kind of surprise?" He trusted Chloe, but knew she had a mischievous side.
"If we told you then it wouldn't be a surprise, silly!" she replied, "Don't worry, it'll be fun, I promise. Just plan to spend the night here."
"Right, of course. I'm free Saturday, count me in." Ethan could hear Sarah giggling in the background.
"Great, get here around 9!" she replied enthusiastically.
Ethan arrived at Chloe and Sarah's apartment right on time. He was wearing a blue button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a pair of khaki shorts. He had tried several times throughout the week to get some clues as to what they had planned but they were both tight lipped. He was a bit apprehensive as he reached up and knocked on the door.
He heard frantic movement and muffled voices on the other side of the door.
Chloe's voice cut through, "Coming, just give us a second!"
A moment later, the door swung open. Chloe and Sarah stood before him, both with strange grins on their faces. Chloe was wearing a teeshirt and shorts, her long red hair pulled up. Sarah, generally the more stylish of the two, had on a skirt, leggings, and a cute form fitting top. Sarah's hands were behind her back, obviously obscuring something from view. He stared at them for a moment, wondering what he had gotten himself into. Nothing was out of the ordinary in the small hallway at the front of their apartment but he couldn't see much past that.
"You trust us, right Ethan?" Chloe said, breaking the silence.
"Of course."
Sarah put her hands in front of her, revealing the black blindfold she had been hiding.
"Good, take off you shoes and then let us put this on you." Sarah said, her strange grin turning in to a full smile.
Ethan looked over at Chloe. She smiled and winked.
"Ok, fine. This better be worth it."
After he had his shoes off, Sarah stepped froward and pulled the mask down over Ethan's eyes, completely obscuring his vision. He felt what must have been Chloe grab his hand and gently lead him in to their apartment. He was familiar with the layout, so he knew they were heading for the living room.
They gently led him to the middle of the room. "Have a seat."
Ethan did as he was told, sitting down on a chair that he was led to.
"Now we're going to tie you up. Any objections?" Chloe asked, with a mischievous tone in her voice.
Ethan sighed, "No objections. What's this all about, anyway?
"Be patient, I'll explain everything when we're done tying you up." Chloe replied.
Ethan felt someone pull his hands behind the chair and cuff them together. He then felt rope being tied around his ankles attaching his legs to the chair. He tested his new restraints but they had done a good job securing him because he could barely move. A short time later he could hear someone drag a table of some sort nearby.
"Can't move? Good." Chloe said in a mocking tone. Sarah giggled in the background.
He felt a hand on the back of his head suddenly pulling off the blindfold. Once his eyes adjusted to the light, he took in his surroundings. Chloe and Sarah were both in front of him, obviously pleased with their handiwork so far. He glanced behind them and noticed a sheet obscuring a large pile of objects, as well as a small pool set up in the corner of the room with plastic tarps taped to the floor and walls. Next to him sat a small table with something on top, also obscured by a sheet. He suspected he knew where this might be heading.
Sarah broke the silence, "You're probably wondering why we've called you here. In a word: revenge. Chloe told me all about the gross little games you put her through at the fraternity house, so we came up with a little plan of our own."
"Hey, wait! Those all weren't even my ideas. Ok, maybe some of them were, but not all of them! And she volunteered! Besides, Chloe already got me back. She covered me with mess after everyone left!" Ethan replied, trying to make his case to the two beautiful women before him.
"The key words being after everyone left. You thoroughly humiliated me in front of a bunch of people and I plan to exact my revenge." Chloe said, grinning.
Ethan let out a dramatic sigh.
Chloe continued, "If you remember back to that night, I came to the party all dolled up with a nice outfit, my hair pulled up, and a face full of makeup."
Sarah stepped beside Ethan and pulled the sheet off the small table, revealing an assortment of makeup.
"So it would only be fair if you put in the same effort," Sarah finished.
Ethan winced, realizing what was about to happen.
"Have you ever been in makeup?" Sarah asked.
Ethan shook his head and let out another sigh, "No, but I guess there's a first time for everything."
Chloe let out a laugh, "That's the spirit. We picked out some great colors for you, you'll look so pretty!"
Both women descended on him and began applying the makeup.
"Close your eyes," Sarah commanded.
He did as he was told. He could feel them applying eye shadow and mascara.
"Ok, now these cheeks of yours. They could be a bit more rosy!" Chloe said in a teasing voice.
Sarah and Chloe both spent several more minutes brushing and painting all over his face with makeup of all kinds.
Chloe leaned in towards Ethan's chest and gave a dramatic sniff, "Hmm, you still smell too much like a guy. I've got just the thing!"
Ethan felt a cold spray of liquid hit his chest.
"A perfume just for you. Is that a hint of lavender I smell?" Chloe was clearly enjoying herself.
It took a second for the scent to his his nose. It was a pleasant but very feminine odor.
"And last but not least, some lipstick." Sarah said as she leaned down over Ethan, applying bright red lipstick to his lips.
They both stepped back and admired their work.
"Perfect!" Chloe said with a smile, "Take a look."
She stepped behind Ethan with a hand mirror, leaned over him, and held the mirror up for him to see himself. He was taken aback. He could feel himself blushing. It took him a second to adjust to the fact that this was real. They really had transformed his face. And I don't look half bad, he thought to himself.
"Smile!" Sarah said.
