Chapter 12

Minerva

After class, Mars and I bid goodbye to our new friend. Surprisingly we weren't even bullied, maybe it's because Venus was with us all the time. We rode the train to the next station and went inside to the rumored best salon in our city.

"What do you plan now Minerva?" Mars asked.

I grabbed his arm and led him inside. It was average looking, though my brother and some of our employees said that it's one of the best. I shouldn't judge it right away.

"Let's just get in, Mar. I already booked a haircut."

We went inside and proceeded to the reception, the girl asked for our names and what service we are going to get. I just told her that both of us want a haircut and nothing more. She then called for two people. One is a stylish man in his thirties and another is a plain dressed girl in her twenties. We were placed near each other.

"What do you want?" the girl in charge of me said.

" Uh a haircut." I said

Isn't it obvious??

"Hahah. What I mean is, what kind?" She said looking at me.

"Just a trim. You decide?" I replied.

I looked over Mars and saw that he has it covered in his side. He was now happily chatting with the guy.

"Welp. Let's fix this. You and your friend are actually good-looking. It's just that your bangs are too long and your hair well- quite messy. I'll fix it pronto." She said smiling widely.

After the haircut, Mars walked towards me which caused my jaw to drop. Without his long messy bangs he's actually fucking handsome.He's new hairstyle is shorter than before, his bang are now combed to the left with small strands falling near his eye. His forehead could be shown clearly too without any pimples.

I heard some noises outside and saw a bunch of girls ogling him. Watch out Vulcan, a handsome Mars will snatch all your admirers. I laughed.

"What's so funny? So-how'd I Look?" He said touching the tip of his bangs causing the ladies' eyes to form hearts.

"STOP IT WILL YA!!" I said loudly.

"You're gonna kill them Mars, with your handsomeness that is." I said, patting his shoulders.

"Overreacting much?" He said chuckling.

"You look fine yourself." Mars said.

We both looked at ourselves, Mars was quite satisfied.

"Haven't seen this face ever since I decided to cut my hair on my own."

I felt something missing from my hairstyle. Nothing changed pretty much. My eyes could be seen now compared to before. Maybe this would work- I tied my hair into a nice bun. With this, my hair won't be going in the way when I play basketball.

"That looks better." the girl in charge of me said.

Oh yeah, that reminds me- I don't know her name yet.

"Miss, may you tell me what's the name of a lovely lady such as yourself?" I asked with a smile.

"My such charmer, aren't we? That's what a simple hairstyle could do. Told you, you're both stunning. The name's Mai." she said chuckling.

Charmer? Me? No way. I couldn't charm anyone.

"I guess when you're attractive, everything that comes out from your mouth is charming huh?" Mars said.

The two hair stylists were confused about what Mars had said.

"She's just like that. When she did that before, she received a glare." Mars said chuckling.

We thanked the two and then paid for the haircut. We left right away and settled near the park close to Mars's home. While walking, we could feel the stares of the people around us. I've never received such attention from others for years now.

"I don't hate our new look." Mars said with a smile.

"Me too."

"So, any updates on your crushie?" Mars teasingly asked me.

I rolled my eyes. Obviously there's no progress-yet. I've decided to have a new look in hopes to match her. I'm still the same as before though. Mars arrived home first since his condo is near the station while I'm still three blocks away from my condo. It was nice for a change. I wonder what my parents would say. I happily went home. I got some after thirty minutes and surprisingly I'm nervous because I fear that my parents might speculate and bother me about the sudden change of mind.

"I'm home." I said.

It's already eight at night. My parents should be at home in about a minute.

"Welco-What happened to you? Are you the young miss?" Lila, our nanny said.

"Do I look okay?" I asked with a shy smile.

"You're really beautiful." she said as she hugged me.

I felt quite shy after being complimented like that. It's been a long time since I've felt this refreshed. I could be myself again. I felt free and nice. How long has it been since I've been this free? I'll practice at the park tomorrow. I'll even bring Venus-that's if she wants to.

I happily went to my room and grabbed my pajamas and went into the bathroom. After showering, I went to the living room then saw both my parents with shocked faces.

"Minerva? That's my girl!" My mom said happily as she hugged me tightly, I felt myself chowking and out of breath.

My dad just smiled and nodded in approval. It seemed that seeing me hiding my true self pained him.

"Why the sudden change of mind?" My brother asked leaving his room.

I felt my face hot and stayed silent.

Somehow, this is the first time I've found it hard to control my emotions. My parents and my brother had a big smile on their face right now. What surprised me the most is that, during and after dinner, no one uttered any single word about my sudden change of appearance ever again.

***

The next morning as I walked towards class, I could feel everyone's eyes on me. An arm suddenly found it's way on my neck. I turned my head and saw Mars smiling brightly. We exchanged greetings and removed his arm on me.

"Is it only me or are people staring at us?" Mars said.

"Leave them be." I said, uninterested.

I heard Mars chuckling softly.

"Of course, in your eyes there's only Venus." Mars said as he walked faster inside the class room. I followed after and saw everyone's eyes on us. My eyes found its way to a certain blonde haired girl who seems to may my heart beat faster and faster everytime we meet. I ignored everyone and went towards her.

"Morning, Venus." I said with a smile, my palms sweating.

Venus

I wonder what Venus would think of my sudden appearance change.

"Minerva?" she said as everyone gasped.

"That's right." Mars said now behind me.

"Morning to you too." Mars said as he waved and put his things on his desk.

The class then suddenly became quiet while some students from the other class were peeking outside the door. My mind was only focused on Venus. Her shocked face was also really cute. I found myself smiling at her.

"Minerva?" Venus asked which made my heart beat race up again.

Her soft voice lingered in my ears. I tried to calm myself and smiled at her.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Nothing." She smiled then continued with a chuckle.

"You were making a funny face." Venus said with her hand near her lips making her more elegant looking.

I was now sitting on my seat and luckily there's still ten minutes left before our first class begins. I decided that it's now or never.

"About our dance practice." I started.

"We haven't started it yet right? Want to practice later after school?"

"Sure. So how are you feeling?" I asked.

"After that incident, I've broken up with the others."

Others.

That means she's still dating Vulcan right?

I felt my heart twinge.

I shouldn't have my hopes up too high. So this is how it feels to be in love with someone. It feels as if the world's ending. My heart tightened as if I couldn't breathe. The mere thought that Venus is in the arms of someone else and the fact that she decided to be loyal-well, it's all my doing anyway- with the help from Tom. I could only smile at her. My mind and my heart fought for dominance. My heart wanted to ask Venus if she was still dating Vulcan or not while my mind told me not to since it'll break my heart more.

"Well that's a nice decision. No more lunatics?" I joked, forcing a smile on my face.

Venus made an uncomfortable face. I shouldn't have mentioned Tom. I'm sure she's still traumatized by what happened the other day.

"Hey, it's alright. I'll beat anyone who dares to do something to you again."

Venus smiled and now laughed softly which made my heart warm again. Even if she's not mine, as long as she's happy I'm fine with it. I'll take the chance when they break up, but right now, I'll be a friend that Venus needs.

"Thank you but how will you do that when we don't have each other's contact?"

"Uh-"

"Can I borrow your phone?" Venus said.

I gave her my phone and she started typing away.

"Here's my number. You've also followed my insta. I'll follow you later. Um-is that alright?" Venus asked.

"Yeah. It's totally cool. Um- I'll give you Mars's too since we're friends."

"Is that what you want us to be?" Venus said to herself which somehow I managed to hear it.

What did she mean by that? Does she want us to be more-more than friends? I shouldn't really jump to conclusions that fast.

"Pardon?" I asked.

Could I have misheard what she said?

"Nothing." Venus smiled brightly in response.

What she said lingered in my mind during all my classes. Does she also like me that way? I can't assume, but a part of me wanted to interpret the kiss as something much more. As always mathematics really isn't my turf. I prefer English class.

Author here!

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