Jade, Zeth, and Everett had walked into one store after another at the local mall, the only mall in town in fact, without finding anything that could fit her style.
Over and over again, Zeth chose dresses, heels, jackets, pants, and various outfits without her feeling comfortable in them. It was more uncomfortable because a cameraman followed them everywhere.
Jade knew she'd never feel comfortable wearing clothes designed purely for shock-value, so she left Zeth to do it while she and Everett went around looking at different kinds of jewellery in a different store. At least the shopkeepers were kind enough not to ask her if she needed help, although there was a little old man who looked very smiling and appeared in each and every shot.
Finally, at the end of the last aisle, Jade found exactly what she was looking for. Her eyes widened at the sight of a gold bracelet in the shape of a Chinese dragon encrusted with diamonds sitting on top of a velvet pillow, its beauty so exquisite that Jade didn't think she could find it anywhere else in the world.
"Five thousand dollars?!" Jade exclaimed, covering her mouth, but Everett was already pulling out his white furry wallet. "No! Don't buy it!"
"But you liked it," Everett frowned at her. "And it's lovely piece."
"Yeah, but..." Jade shook her head. "I don't deserve this!"
"Okay." Then he put the wallet away.
Jade stared at him hopefully.
He stared at her in silence.
This hadn't worked.
"Okay, I want it." Jade said after a full minute.
"Sure," Everett said. "This bracelet suits you. You're cute, like Baby Yeti."
"Thanks?" Jade took a deep breath, trying to gather herself.
She liked Everett; he was simple and direct, something rare these days. He didn't talk much, and if he did, it was only what was necessary, and that gave a certain air of mystery that made her curious.
She liked his unassuming nature; it suited him. His ice-cold eyes looked at her with such tenderness and caring that Jade felt she needed to see them more often.
She had never paid much attention to him, but now she was beginning to realise how beautiful Everett's physical and emotional coldness was.
She'd never seen anyone as beautiful as him. He was like a giant teddy bear, colourful without being too flashy, always with a comforting aura.
It was just his nature to be quiet, reserved, and a little withdrawn, but somehow his presence still managed to calm Jade's nervous mind.
His deep voice always brought her comfort.
The boy was simply beautiful, even when he ate an ice cream cone in one bite a few minutes ago.
"Everett, can we talk?" Jade asked him, with a small paper bag hanging from her forearm and the bracelet inside. "That is, if you want to."
"Talk," Everett nodded but did not stop walking. She was already huffing and running out of air. She walked very quickly while he walked with wide strides as if it were a walk in the park. One of his slow steps was three quick steps for her. He gathered the attention of everyone in the mall, perhaps because of his height or his fame.
People turned their heads to look at him, curious, maybe even envious of Jade, taking pictures.
Maybe the world would now believe that she was Everett's girlfriend!
Jade was oh so ready for the interviews, the spotlights, the cameras and the house in Malibu! She would be the most important woman in the...
"She's not girlfriend, she's friend!" Everett shouted at the civilians and paparazzi filming.
Damn it.
"Now that you've made that clear, can we talk?" Jade asked. "Do you think someone is interested in me? Like, maybe Zeth?"
"No."
"Wow! So rude!"
"You think he likes you because you're cute?"
"Just cute?" she asked, smiling.
"Yeah, just cute," he replied, and her smile faded.
"Oh... Well, thank you for your honesty," Jade looked down.
"You could be beautiful, but for now you're just cute," he said, "That's what Zeth and I came here for, to make you beautiful physically."
"You mean I'm beautiful on the inside?" Jade smiled, and Everett shook his head. Damn it! "Oh... Thanks, I guess."
"You have potential to be beautiful inside and outside, but you are too attention-starving." he said and pointed at a salon. She followed his lead.
"What if I wasn't?" Jade asked, and Everett stopped to look her square in the eye.
"You would be perfect," Everett said, simple and without hesitating, direct and without much thought, and her eyes widened. "If you'd just relax, If you let your virtues and actions speak louder than your words, you'd be most beautiful."
Jade felt heat rushing to her cheeks. No matter how hard she tried to remember, she was sure no one ever spoke to her the same way. No one ever cared enough to be honest, and she appreciated that this boy told her what he thought without a filter. She always preferred a harsh truth more than a beautiful lie, and Everett gave her just that.
She felt vulnerable and weak sometimes, afraid that the people who told her that she was perfect the way she was were lying to her, meaning her mum and dad only, but Everett was not like that. He was sincere, and Jade liked it.
"Thank you, Everett. You are kind of sweet actually."
"I've been told I'm huge teddy bear," he said and blushed a little. Jade couldn't deny that. And then a doubt occurred to her, an important question to ask.
"Everett, have you ever had a girlfriend?" Jade asked and he growled, "Oh. Sorry for asking."
"I've never had girlfriend," he replied.
"Oh! It's weird meeting a man your age who's never been with a woman," Jade said and he stopped walking, growling, "What? Did I say something wrong?"
"No, but I never said I've never been with woman," he replied, "It's just never been anything formal."
"Oh! I thought you were, you know... Pure and chaste?"
"I'm pure, but not chaste," Everett seemed angry, but it was hard to tell because he was always growling, "Hurry up. We're behind schedule."
"Frostakov, wait!" Zeth was coming closer, rubbing his temples. The cameraman behind him already looked exhausted and sweaty. Eww. "I can't find anything that is worthy of my taste in fashion! But I think I found something in her size and style, practically a nun outfit. Could you lend me the girl to see if her majesty likes my choice?"
"She stays with me," Everett said. "First, we'll do Jade's hair, then you can take care of clothes."
"But this girl doesn't like anything!" Zeth yelled, and Jade shrugged.
"Pick whatever you want," Jade said, and Zeth's eyes widened. Everett put his hand on her shoulder and smiled at her, nodding. "It's time to stop being the old Jade. I want to be someone new, so I leave it in your hands. I trust you."
"What did you do to the real Jade, Frostakov?" Zeth crossed his arms and looked up. "When did you find the good twin?"
"It's same Jade. I just told her what I think," Everett replied.
"And I appreciate that. And he also admitted I am cute." Jade looked at Zeth with defiant eyes. "I need to change, Zeth. I'm tired of being attention-starving."
"Then I have just found the perfect outfit in a store on the second floor," Zeth was about to leave when Jade spoke again.
"Wait!" Zeth turned around, and she eyed Everett. "Can Zeth and I have a minute alone, Everett?"
"Of course!" Everett nodded and opened the door of the salon. "But hurry up, cameraman has already been waiting for half hour in there."
"It'll be quick," Jade nodded and then turned to see Zeth.
"What do you want to talk about?" The band leader crossed his arms.
"I have decided to be brave," Jade began, clinging to the sleeves of her jacket. "But I'm not sure what will happen next. I don't know how to act or what to say. I've been alone for years now. I am not used to having to work on myself, especially on things that really matter to society."
"Do it for yourself, not for society," Zeth put his hands on her shoulders and pushed them back. "Stand up straight, don't slouch."
Jade inhaled deeply his sexy cologne and squared her shoulders.
"I will try to do what's best for me and not worry about what others think. That's the first lesson I learned thanks to you guys."
"Well, you're doing a good job," Zeth said and smiled. "I can tell. You haven't forgotten who you are, but you still have an idea of who you want to become. You can do this."
"Thanks, Zeth," Jade smiled at him, and he winked. "But let me take things at my own pace. Don't buy miniskirts or revealing tops, okay? Clothes that fit my style a little. And if you see something Kardashark-ish, I'm toooootally okay with that."
"Okay," Zeth nodded.
"I know you will choose right," Jade put her hand on his cheek, and Zeth gasped low, his warm skin growing hot under her fingers. "After all, you've always had good taste."
"O-Obviously," Had Zeth just stammered? He quickly pushed her hand away from his face and nodded with flushed cheeks. "I... I mean, I've been dressing everyone in the band since day one. I've got this."
"Thanks for helping me," Jade smiled. "I wouldn't have stepped out of my comfort zone if it wasn't for you and the guys."
"I... I have to go now," Zeth cleared his throat. "There is a lot I have to do. Good luck at the salon. Everett has great taste. Let him give you some tips."
"Zeth, before you go, I'm going to be honest with you," Jade said, taking the boy by the hands, looking him square in the eye. "I... I would... I would like to tell you a lot, but... I don't know how!"
"You know? I heard everything you said when I was fighting the Children of the Sphinx," Zeth raised a flirty eyebrow.
"Who?"
"When I was unconscious," Zeth clarified and Jade blushed, too red for her own good.
Enough with the blushing!
She looked like the protagonist of a teenage novel!
"Oh, did you hear me?"
"Every word," Zeth told her and moved a little closer. "But you have to understand something. We're here as friends, so don't get any silly ideas, okay?"
"I understand, but..."
"Shhhh," Zeth put a finger to her lips, and Jade blinked too fast. "Let me finish. There's something you need to know about me before we go on with this."
"You have a red room full of whips and stuff?" Jade gasped. "Oh no! You are not going to whip and spank my flat ass! I barely have buttocks!"
"Do I look like a mysterious millionaire from an erotic book?" Zeth lowered his eyebrows, and Jade shook her head. "Okay. There's something you need to know. I am a businessman, not a man of feelings, so I can be way too controlling. We are here to do business and I will pay you to be our model, but..."
"But?"
"I'd like to pay you for other kinds of services too, you know? And I hope this stays between you and me because I don't want..."
SLAP!
The people around gasped in unison.
Jade's eyes widened and she looked at her hand as if she had grown an extra finger.
Oh shit! Had she just...
Did she really dare slap Zeth?! Zeth Rahman?!
"Ouch," Zeth was rubbing his cheek and jaw, looking at her with seductive eyes and a slight smile on his face, "Well, I like a little pain, I'm not going to deny it but... What was that?"
"Sorry," Jade covered her mouth with one hand, "I'm really sorry and... No! I'm not sorry! Do you think I'm some kind of S word?!"
"What?! The hell are you talking about, woman?!" Zeth yelled, rubbing his cheek. "Don't you see that I live off my audience?!"
"But you implied that you want to pay me for, you know... You're a disgusting person!"
"You think I want to pay you for... Oh God! Are you crazy?! No!" Zeth's mouth moved until his jaw cracked. "As I was saying... The Solar where the boys and I live is left alone a lot, and I need someone to watch it. Mrs. Wilkes will move out to live with a famous writer she fell in love with next week, so I thought I'd pay you just to stay at our place. You would have a part-time job as part of the team of guards that watches over Lyonfort, but it should stay between you and me because our home's location is a secret for obvious reasons!"
"So you didn't want to pay me for... You know?" Jade was bright red, "This is embarrassing. But wait. You mean I'm not pretty enough for that?!"
"What?!" Zeth raised an eyebrow, "Are you high?!"
"Hi," Everett said, and Jade jumped back away from Zeth. "Stylist is waiting."
"Since when are you there?" Jade asked, covering her face with a curtain of her hair.
"Since you said you wanted to be honest with Zeth," Everett replied, pointing back. "Come on, cameraman is almost ready to shoot makeover for video."
"Why were you being nosy, Frostakov?" Zeth frowned.
"No. You are making drama in public place. I learned not to be nosy in Nepal," said Everett, "Mama Yeti told me story of how Prince Spike Frostakov of White Chain was beheaded for seeing something he shouldn't have and his body and head were found in Phauna's Footprints years later. Mama told me that it was popular story in Zagarrta, that had been passed down from generation to generation."
"But that happened about two decades before King Zeth's Conquest!" Zeth widened his eyes, "It's impressive that Yetis still talk about it thousands and thousands of years later!"
"You were already alive then, Zeth?" Everett asked, but Zeth shook his head.
"Not really. Draco and I were born, give or take, about one hundred years after the conquest."
"Was Zagarrta a kingdom of Evalon?" Jade asked and Everett laughed.
"They were two conglomerates of different small kingdoms."
"They were two different countries," Zeth corrected, "Everett doesn't know how to explain himself well."
"Zagarrta and Evalon, as far as I know, lived armed peace until Queen Zafira Rahman united them both into single mega empire." Everett continued, "She actually married Frostakov with same name as me, but my ancestry comes from Neva Frostakov, not Zafira's bloodline. In fact, Alexander Great ordered locals to bring him Neva after conquering Indus Valley."
"Wait, who's Zafira Rahman?" Jade asked.
"Queen Zafira was hero and died tragically," Everett replied, "Some say her own brother killed her."
"Queen Zafira," Zeth whispered, lowering his gaze, and Jade knew he was hiding something, "A tragic death, but I'm sure her brother loved her too much to have done something so cruel."
"Did you know her?" Jade asked, but Zeth shook his head.
"No. And I don't want to talk about my life in Evalon so go get your makeover already. And, Frostakov!" Zeth snapped his fingers at the Big Guy, "Be careful with your words, the girl has a powerful slap."
"I'm a slap-proof Yeti... But I'm not bulletproof, I learned that hard way," Everett said without blinking.
"Oookay... Oh! Wait, I still have a question," Jade said. Zeth seemed a little worried about what Everett had just said, though, "If you're a real Yeti... Why do you look human and not like a huge... You know..."
"Everett has a full-body suit with a hoodie back home, and it makes him look like a huge white ape," Zeth explained, and he was circling Everett, checking every millimetre of exposed skin.
"I wear it as pyjamas now, sometimes," Everett said.
"And it's still weird to see him dressed like that when he sleeps from time to time." Zeth replied, lifting Everett's arm, looking for any scars.
"My grandfather once lost his suit," Everett said, "And I recently learned that some man found it and returned from expedition thinking it was Yeti fur."
"I remember hearing about that in the sixties," said Zeth, now checking Everett's left hand, "It was a scandal because it was discovered that it was from a Tibetan blue bear."
"That kind of suit is archaic now," Everett growled, "Tibetan monks taught us wonders of faux fur. Now all of us Yeti have passion for fashion."
"Umm, Frostakov? I can't find any bullet scars anywhere on your body," Zeth said with a finger on his chin, "And I've seen you naked like a thousand times and I have never..."
"Scar is on sole of my left foot," Everett said, "That's where I got shot."
"And how the hell... I better not ask," Zeth sighed, "Anyway, hurry up you two, we'll talk later."
"Okay. I don't look dishevelled, do I?" Jade asked Everett.
"No."
"And do I look pretty?"
"You don't look dishevelled," Everett replied.
Entering the beauty salon, Jade was amazed by the beautiful winter-themed decorations. There were crystal snowflakes on the ceiling, or were they made of ice? And the walls? They had a thin layer of plastic (or very thin ice) that made everything shine beautifully in shades of blue.
"Your hair is gold for any stylist! There are so many possibilities!" exclaimed the pink-and-white-haired stylist. She was tall, wearing very high heels that were made of ice, and a crystalline white dress. The woman was so beautiful that it almost hurt to look at her.
"Sis, do you have something rebellious but demure in mind for her hair?" Everett asked as the cameraman set up his equipment.
"Wait, are you Everett's sister?" Jade asked. To tell the truth, the athletic woman's body, which surely had an abdomen of steel under her dress, made it a bit obvious that she was.
As if the two tusks protruding from her blue-lipsticked mouth and snow-white skin weren't enough.
"That's right, Laska Frostakov at your service. You must be the girl Everett mentioned on the phone, the one he likes," the girl said, apparently as honest as Everett, "You're the girl who saved my little brother from an ambush in Ohio, right?"
"No! No! This is Jade!" Everett covered his blushing face with his huge hands, "She is Erich's daughter."
"Jade? Oh! Erich always talks about you every time he comes in for a haircut! But Everett, this whole thing about having two girlfriends? Wow! I mean, it's your life. Just, don't be like Aspem."
"Wait. Where's Aspem?" Everett looked around.
"Oh! You know our little brother," Laska said, rolling her eyes, "He's hungover, he said the party was intense and I had to open the salon by myself again. It's not like I need him much. He is always never here."
"I'm going to kick his ass when I go back to Lyonfort," Everett said, snorting, "He's irresponsible! You and I built this out of ashes so he could have something. I should never have left."
"Clients always ask when you'll be back to dying and cutting hair. I've also been asked if I'm the one who does your and your friends' hair but I always say no. This is my home and my business and I love it here. I've travelled enough for one lifetime." Laska said, looking at her brother in the reflection of the mirror.
"Did Everett work here?" Jade asked, and Laska laughed out loud.
"He and I used to do miracles!" Laska ruffled Jade's hair. "My baby brother used to sing while he worked here, and in the shower, whether at home or at the gym."
Jade couldn't believe her ears.
It was hard for her to imagine such a tall but stoic-looking young man singing in a salon.
Surely many women came to hear him sing. Jade would have done that. She would have dyed her hair rainbow to spend hours here listening to Everett sing!
But it wasn't just the voice; there was something about him. Something magnetic.
Jade couldn't understand the meaning behind it all.
"In fact," Laska spoke and startled Jade, "Erich told him that Monster Mash, the duet not the band, were looking for more members. Erich told him that he had to audition, so thanks to your dad my little brother is a superstar today!"
"Oh! That's interesting, I guess... Sorry for asking, I mean, if you know Erich you know I don't have a lot of money so... How much will it cost?" Jade finally asked Laska, who cocked her head. "I mean the haircut?" she tried again.
"I'll do it for free if Everett shows my salon logo on the video," Laska said.
"Haircut?" Everett asked, "I didn't bring you here for haircut."
"We're going to cut it," Laska ruffled Jade's hair again. "Change your hair colour, do your makeup, do your nails, give you a foot massage, pedicure, whatever it takes to make you look absolutely stunning and relaxed!"
"And you won't charge me anything?" Jade asked. "Don't be ridiculous! People pay tons of money for this kind of job!"
"So what?" Everett crossed his arms. "You're going to appear in music video and we'll pay you for it, consider it part of job."
"Fine," she sighed.
But it was uncomfortable, like going in a car down a hill with no brakes and no steering wheel, blindfolded.
Why did he want Jade to change her hair colour?
And why would Laska do that for a perfect stranger?
Was she doing it for her brother?
Was she using Everett to promote herself?
"Do you know anything about Spike and Ike?" Everett asked.
"Our little brothers don't send letters anymore," Laska replied, "I guess they already found out why we were exiled."
"I miss our family," Everett whispered, looking down, "At least now we have something to call home here."
"Do you remember when we first opened this place in 2015?" Laska asked, preparing her materials to start the extreme makeover. "Brother! We were so young!"
"You guys opened this place?" Jade asked.
"Everett was eighteen and I was twenty, Aspem was sixteen," Laska said, picking up a comb and scissors. "We had just arrived to the mountains of Franken's Town when we heard that there were Monsters in these lands so we took the risk. We didn't speak English, we didn't know anyone, we didn't have money, and we didn't even know what that was."
"And how did you open this place?"
"Everett was already a giant," Laska shrugged, turning to face the cameraman who was already giving her a thumbs up to begin, "Let's just say muscles speak louder than words, so the owner of the mall gave us a chance."
"Oh, wow... That sounds scary," Jade couldn't help but feel impressed. These siblings did not have it easy. Being foreigners in a country, a world, so unknown must have been terrifying.
"The owner's wife was nice, actually," Laska smiled, "She thought we were cute. In fact, she was the one who taught us how to speak English, although Everett still speaks caveman if he's not singing as you may have noticed."
"Well you two are strangely cute!" Jade laughed, "Everett is like a polar bear that you want to hug and squeeze! And you look like a supermodel."
"Thanks," Laska blushed a bit, "Now let's get started!"
"Before we start, I want to know," Jade looked at Everett in the mirror, "Do you really believe I can go from just cute to beautiful?"
"You will go from Baby Yeti to Baby Mountain Goat," Everett nodded and Jade lost her smile.
"That's a compliment," Laska explained, "We once stayed on a mountain a long way from home, there were baby goats that we adopted and raised until they were strong enough to carry on. Everett loves goats. He literally told you that you will go from cute to majestic."
"I have idea, but I need to know what clothes Zeth will buy for her." Everett reached over and took a lock of Jade's hair in his hand. "She cares lot about her hair, so we can leave it black as it is but add some coloured streaks."
"I like your plan, little brother. Go with Zeth and check out the clothes he will choose," Laska said, handing her brother a notebook, "And ask him for an autograph, I'm a huge fan. He is just so perfect!"
"You've never asked me for autograph," Everett pouted.