Change of style by Vijay

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Ethan leaned back in the chair, the soft hum of the barbershop buzzing around him. The heavy, curling mustache he’d grown over the past few years sat like a crown on his face—a symbol of his bold, carefree personality. But lately, it felt like it was doing more talking than he was.

"You sure about this?" Marco, his best friend and a self-proclaimed grooming expert, asked. Marco stood behind him, holding a pair of shears in one hand and a comb in the other, his expression half amused, half serious.

"Yeah," Ethan said, his fingers brushing over the thick mustache one last time. "It’s time for a change. I’m keeping the mustache, but… you know, something sleeker. More understated. Less ‘guy who lives in the 1800s.’"

Marco laughed. "Pencil mustache, huh? You aiming for suave and mysterious?"

"Something like that," Ethan replied, grinning. "Think you can pull it off?"

Marco smirked and snapped the comb against the shears. "Oh, I can pull it off. The question is—are you ready for the new you?"

Ethan rolled his eyes but nodded. "Let’s do it."

Marco got to work, first trimming the bulk of the mustache with precision. The scissors snipped rhythmically, and with every lock of hair that fell, Ethan felt lighter, freer. Marco’s hands moved deftly, combing, trimming, and shaping as he worked.

"Okay, we’re past the point of no return," Marco said, stepping back for a moment to assess his work. "Now, let’s sharpen it up."

He pulled out the razor, lathering a thin layer of shaving cream around the edges of Ethan’s mustache. "Hold still," Marco instructed, tilting Ethan’s chin slightly. The razor glided smoothly as Marco shaped the mustache into a thin, precise line.

Ethan couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of nervousness and excitement. The pencil mustache was a bold choice, but it felt right—like stepping into a new version of himself.

After a few final strokes, Marco wiped away the excess cream and handed Ethan a mirror. "Alright, take a look. Your transformation is complete."

Ethan stared at his reflection. The thick, bushy mustache was gone, replaced by a sleek, perfectly sculpted pencil mustache. His face looked sharper, more refined. The mustache drew attention to his lips and cheekbones, giving him a sophisticated, almost cinematic quality.

"Whoa," Ethan said, leaning closer to the mirror. "That’s… actually kind of amazing."

Marco grinned, crossing his arms. "Told you. You’re basically a movie star now."

Ethan laughed, running a finger along the thin line of hair. "You know, I wasn’t sure about this, but… I think I could get used to it."

"You’ll have to," Marco said with a wink. "That look comes with responsibilities—like brooding in dimly lit rooms and making people swoon."

Ethan rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide his smile. He stood up, feeling a new sense of confidence as he glanced at his reflection one last time. "Thanks, man. You might have just changed my life."

"Anytime," Marco replied, clapping him on the shoulder. "Now go out there and make that mustache proud."

Ethan left the barbershop feeling like a new man. The pencil mustache wasn’t just a change in style—it was a statement, a way to redefine himself. And as he walked down the street, catching his reflection in every window, he couldn’t help but think that Marco was right. This was a look worth swooning over.

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