Chapter One
The salon exuded a soothing, welcoming atmosphere.
Sophia found herself stepping into a realm of pampering that was foreign yet intriguing. The soft chime of the door announced her arrival, and the friendly receptionist greeted her with a warm smile. She'd never been one to fuss over her appearance. Looking good was important but in a modest, professional way. She'd always preferred her nails short and bare.
Her 25th birthday just passed, and her coworkers had given her several gifts: some books, a coffee mug, a fuzzy pair of slippers, and a few gift cards.
Sophia hadn't expected Jake, the awkward IT guy, to get her anything, let alone a deluxe package to Enchanted Nails, a trendy new salon. After all, they'd only spoken a handful of times, usually only when something was wrong with her computer.
Initially, Sophia thought about giving the voucher away to a friend, it just wasn't her thing. She wasn't a tomboy, but she was a far cry from a girly girl, preferring a reserved and conservative look above all else.
Sophia took great pride in
not being like other girls
.
She could count on the glitter-free fingers of one hand the times she'd worn nail polish in the past five years. Nail polish was only for special occasions. Never had she even considered getting her nails done professionally. It seemed like such a waste of time and money.
The package also included both a manicure and a pedicure, neither of which Sophia had ever tried, though she'd always been curious what they were like.
Now she had the chance to find out herself, and without spending a dime. She hated wasting money on unnecessary things, sticking to her carefully planned budget each month. Every aspect of her life was deliberate and measured. Her boyfriend, Matt, convinced her to give it a try. He often reminded her the importance of letting her hair down and having a bit of fun, advice she usually ignored.
The receptionist's eyes gleamed with excitement as she guided Sophia to a private room in the back. She took a seat in the big plush chair with soft velvet cushions, stretching and yawning. The cozy room was saturated with the intoxicating aroma of scented oils. Sophia inspected a small, metallic device on the table. It emanated a soft, bright blue, otherworldly glow.
Lily, the charming nail technician, entered the room, pleasantly greeting Sophia.
"I want something short and professional, nothing flashy or crazy," Sophia explained.
Lily just smiled and nodded. Sophia glanced down at the metallic device. She'd been staring at it while she waited, wondering what it was.
"What's that?" Sophia finally inquired.
"Ah, that, dear, is the Nail Oracle. It helps them dry and harden and keeps them strong and healthy. It's part of what makes our process truly
unique
."
The technician started with a gentle massage of Sophia's hands and feet, covering them in a warm oil. An unexpected wave of relaxation washed over her.
"Oh wow, that feels...good...really good," Sophia mumbled, her words becoming slurred. It felt nice to be pampered for once. As the Nail Oracle cast its bright blue light over her hands and feet, now glistening in oil, she noticed a strange tingling sensation. Her entire body was buzzing with relaxation. The gentle touch of Lily's fingers, the whirring of the strange machine, and the distinctive aroma of nail polish created an overwhelming sense of calm throughout Sophia's body and mind.
Lily worked meticulously as the blue light intensified, causing Sophia to feel lightheaded. Her heavy eyelids drooped as the soothing light of the Oracle caressed her tranquil body. The pulsing blue hue filled the room, and Sophia basked in its warmth, feeling completely satisfied, as she drifted to sleep.
After a while, Sophia slowly opened her eyes and glanced down at her hands, expecting a subtle and professional look. She blinked several times, wondering if her blurry vision was playing a trick on her. To her surprise, the nails adorning her fingers were anything but subtle. Long, curved, and decorated with a complex swirl of red and pink, they exuded a playful feminine charm. Her toes had the same intricate design. Sophia was astonished at her gaudy new nails.
"This isn't... what I asked for..." she softy slurred. Her mind was still sluggish.
Sophia knew she should be upset, ask to speak to the manager and demand they fix them, but she hesitated. She should be annoyed, her fingers looked ridiculous, but instead, felt strangely content. She found it difficult to object.
"You like them?" the technician asked, in a way that sounded both like a question and a statement.
Sophia examined her flamboyant new nails. She couldn't deny, they were certainly eye-catching. The shiny coating seemed to reflect the lights surrounding her. She found herself mesmerized by the swirl of colors and the elegant curves, tracing the intricate patterns with her glassy eyes.
"It's not... what I expected," she weakly muttered.
Sophia held her fingers up to her face, closely inspecting the detailed design. They had a unique quality to them. Despite her initial disdain, she found herself growing fond of their undeniable beauty.
She'd always thought girls with long acrylic nails looked ridiculous. It wasn't an appropriate look for a professional businesswoman. But now, on her own hands and feet, they didn't seem so bad. As she struggled to form coherent thoughts, the bright blue light of the Oracle radiated warmth. A sense of acceptance grew deep inside her.
"They look so nice, don't they?" asked Lily.
Sophia absentmindedly agreed, "they do look nice." Lily watched closely as the dazed brunette stared into them.
"Just try them, you might find they were what you always wanted," Lily carefully suggested.
Sophia nodded. All her objections had completely dissolved. She found herself captivated by her new nails. Lily helped her satisfied client into the lobby.
Her boyfriend, Matt, stared in disbelief at his stumbling girlfriend. He never imagined she would have chosen such a bold style.
Observing her unsteady movement, he wrapped his arm around her, helping her stay upright. He was skilled at helping drunk people walk after years of practice from his time in a college fraternity. Sophia tightly gripped onto him for support as he led her back to their car. She was so dizzy. It was hard for her to see straight, let alone walk. Her legs felt like jello.
"Whoopsie," Sophia said, nearly falling over. She cackled loudly at her clumsiness.
"Are you alright?" Matt asked.
"I mus' be dizzier than I guessed," Sophia laughed. Thankfully her boyfriend had been prepared to catch her. In that moment, she was glad she had such a big, strong man to help her.
She decided she would have to think of a way to thank him later.
Sophia settled into the passenger's seat. Her gaze was fixated on her long nails. The lively swirl of red and pink captured the glow of passing streetlights, creating a mesmerizing display of colors. She sighed happily. As they glided through the streets, her slender fingers began unconsciously tapping against the hard plastic of the door. The patter of her nails echoed in the confined space.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
"You think they're too much? They weren't what I expected..." Sophia softly muttered, feeling conflicted. Her boyfriend glanced over. The swirl of colors on her nails appeared to pulsate.
"I like 'em. They're unique. Just like you."
They both laughed, though Sophia's laugh came out as more of a giggle. It was a sound he'd never heard from her before. Matt carefully examined the dopey grin on his girlfriend's face. The streets outside blurred as the tapping continued. Each sound unconsciously resonated with the couples' thoughts.
Matt helped her up to their bedroom. Sophia stumbled into bed and immediately fell asleep.
