Jay leaned against a wooden bench outside the university's main hall, the late spring sun casting dappled shadows across the stone path. Students wandered past, some heading toward the library, others to the quad or the café, their weekend energy already taking hold. Jay had just wrapped up an easy jog, earbuds still around his neck, when two familiar figures made their way toward him.

"Jay, right?" a cheerful voice called.

He turned to see two women approaching - Kate and Charlotte, both in his psychology seminar. Charlotte gave a polite wave while Kate stepped forward with the unmistakable energy of someone on a mission.

"Hi girls. What's up?" Jay replied, wiping his brow with the sleeve of his hoodie.

Kate leaned in, conspiratorial. "Okay, this is going to sound weird, but just roll with us for a second."

Jay chuckled. "Now I'm intrigued."

Charlotte laughed. "We heard a rumour. About a gunge tank."

Jay blinked. "Wow, that rumour really gets around! What did you hear?"

"That you own one" Kate replied. "And it's for hire!" added Charlotte enthusisatically.

"Yeah, I have one. Bought it last year at a charity auction. It's fully functional, but waiting it's first real victim! Which one of you will it be?"

Kate grinned. "Perfect. Not for us though! We have a friend - Amy. You probably know her. Sexy, brunette, takes care of her appearance, looks amazing on nights outs, walks around like she owns the place."

"Yeah," Jay said quickly, trying not to sound too enthusiastic. "I've seen her."

"Well," Kate continued, "she's been going on about changing her hairstyle for weeks. Every time we hang out it's like, 'Should I go blonde?' or 'Maybe I need a fringe?' or 'Do you think I'd suit a bob?' We love her, we really do, but it's getting out of control."

Charlotte added, "So we thought she needs a little ... encouragement to make a decision. Or at least to stop talking about it."

Jay raised an eyebrow. "And that involves a gunge tank?"

"Hear us out," Kate said, holding up her hands. "We set up a surprise challenge. She shows up all dressed up for what she thinks is a fun video thing. Then we reveal the forfeit. Finally decide what to do with her hair ... or get in the tank for an immediate make-over"

Jay considered it. "So it's like a game show punishment for her being indecisive?"

Charlotte laughed. "Exactly. We'll make it fun. Nothing mean, just messy. And we thought, if you talk her into it ... well, she might actually go along."

Jay tried to hide a smile. "Because she doesn't know me?"

Kate shrugged playfully. "Yeah, and maybe because she thinks you're cute."

Jay nodded, amused. "Alright. I'm in."

*****

By Saturday evening, the plan was set. Jay had moved the gunge tank into the student event room, drawn the curtains, and prepped the yellow slime - Amy's favourite colour, according to Kate.

Amy arrived fashionably late, as expected. She looked stunning. Her black satin evening gown clung to her in all the right places, the spaghetti straps delicate on her bare shoulders, the thigh-high slit revealing long, toned legs. Her heels added elegance, and her long brown hair was styled in gentle waves that shimmered under the lights. Her nails were painted a bold, glossy red, matching her lipstick and the confident sway of her walk.

Jay stayed hidden while Kate and Charlotte met Amy at the door.

"What is this even for?" Amy asked, a laugh in her voice.

"Secret project," Kate replied. "Think TikTok meets Top Model."

"I feel very Top Model" Amy said happily "Although I wish I could have had my hairstyle re-done before appearing on video!"

"You've decided what you want done to your hair?" Charlotte asked, a hint of surprise in her voice.

"Well ..." Amy started. Kate and Charlotte both groaned out loud.

The girls led Amy to the center of the room. The curtain was still drawn over the tank. Jay stood just behind it, listening, waiting.

"Okay, so here's the deal," Kate announced. "You've been agonizing over your hair for weeks."

Amy rolled her eyes. "It's a big decision!"

"Totally," Charlotte agreed. "But we think it's time to decide. Or face the consequence."

"Consequences?" Amy asked, looking puzzled.

"Consequences" Kate confirmed confidently, yanking the curtain aside with a flourish as she did so.

Amy gasped.

"Is that ... "

"A gunge tank," Charlotte said proudly. "And someone who knows how it works"

Jay stepped forward. "Hi. I'm Jay. Kate and Charlotte thought you'd like to meet me!"

Amy took a step back. "Not exactly like this!" she squealed. Then, looking at the girls, asked "you're not serious?!"

"Very," Kate said.

"You're punishing me for talking about hair?"

"No," Charlotte said. "We're potentially punishing you for caring about your hair just a little too much! You can still escape. You just have to decide. Right now. Cut it, dye it, whatever. Or let Jay give you a memorable makeover."

Amy looked between them, incredulous. "You're actually doing this."

Jay stepped closer, his voice calm. "You really don't have to. But ... if you do, it'll be memorable. And the gunge is yellow. I heard that's your colour? I tell you what, why don't you step inside anyway and if you decide before I pull the lever, I give you my word I'll let you out clean, pretty, and glamorous!"

Amy eyed the tank, then Jay. "You won't trick me?"

Jay smiled. "You have my word"

Amy hesitated, gazing at her red-polished nails. She looked stunning, every part of her outfit tailored to impress. Her skin glowed, her makeup flawless. She wanted to impress Jay, but she didn't want to be gunged! Maybe if she just stepped inside then decided.

"If I get in and can't decide, you better not mess up my hair too badly!" she warned.

"No promises," Jay grinned.

She sighed dramatically. "Fine. But I swear, if it ruins my dress, you're buying me a new one."

"Deal" Jay grinned.

Amy slipped off her sexy black stiletto heels, revealing perfectly manicured red toenails. With a deep breath, she and approached the tank. Jay opened the door, gently took her hand, and helped her step inside.

Amy sat, feet and knees together, the slit of her dress to one side, revealing her legs all the way up to her silk underwear. With her manicured hands in her lap, she glanced up at the vat of gunge above her perfectly styled hair. "Oh God, this feels real now."

"Want to back out?" Jay offered.

"Too late now," she whispered, voice shaking. "My heart is pounding!"

"You'll be okay," he said gently. "What's the new style going to be?"

Amy gave a tight laugh. "I confirm I like my hair exactly the way it is!"

Jay paused - he had no idea what this response meant for her punishment.

Kate spoke out quickly, "No way, Amy. If you keep your hair the same, you'll just keep wondering what change to make - and we'll never her the end of it! If you don't decide on a change now, you can keep your hair the same, but Jay will be compelled to give you a really slimy re-style!"

"Oh God", Amy laughed. "It's such a big decision to make right now!"

Jay made eye-contact with Amy. "You know your hair looks amazing as it is right now, don't you?"

Amy blushed at the compliment. "Thank you" she smiled.

"Shall we delay the decision?" Jay asked. "Yes please" Amy whispered. "But ..." Amy's eyes looked pleadingly at Jay as he stepped over and took hold of the lever. "On three?" he asked

Amy squeezed her eyes shut. "No" she half squealed. Then, with a whisper, "do it before I scream."

"One... two... three!"

With a heavy "pop" followed by a thick squelching sound, a cascade of yellow gunge started pouring down onto Amy's perfectly-styled hair. The gunge hit Amy's head with a wet splat, spreading instantly through her soft curls. She gasped as it ran down her cheeks, over her cute nose, across her bare shoulders, and down onto her breasts. The satin dress quickly darkened under the slime, clinging tightly to her body. Her arms, legs, and feet were soon all covered in the thick slime, the yellow gunge pooling around her toes that she was wriggling uncontrollably.

"Oh my God!" Amy shrieked, laughing despite herself.

Kate and Charlotte burst out laughing.

Amy opened her eyes, blinking through the goo. Her red lipstick stood out through the gunge, her makeup holding up surprisingly well despite her sliming. She raised her hands and ran them through her slime-covered hair, her fingers squelching through the mess.

"This is disgusting," she said, but she was smiling now. "And kind of amazing" she said quietly, as if only to herself.

Jay stepped forward with a towel. "You took that amazingly."

She took the towel, wiping at her face. "I can't believe I let you talk me into this!"

"Hey, you looked great doing it."

Amy gave him a look, then laughed. "You're lucky I have a sense of humour!"

As she stepped out, the slime slid down her legs and bare feet. She glanced in a nearby mirror and smirked. "Honestly? This might be the push I needed. I think I will try a new look."

Jay raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yeah. Maybe just a trim. Nothing too dramatic."

Kate grinned. "Or maybe we need another challenge."

Amy gave her a warning glare. "Don't even think about it."

As the girls laughed and Amy wrung out her hair, Jay knew one thing for sure: this was only the beginning of whatever strange, messy friendship, or maybe something more, was starting.

And maybe, just maybe, next time it would be someone else sat under the gunge.