Page 33 of Pills and Potions: Kase
“You… youspunthe cat, Kase.”
“Idefendedmyself,” I corrected. “That was a controlled rotation. I’m the victim.”
She wiped her face, cheeks red from laughin’. “That cat got beef with your aura.”
I sat back down, adjustin’ my hoodie like nothin’ happened. “Man, I’m tryna kiss and vibe. He tryna audition for WWE.”
“You good?”
I nodded, grabbin’ a fry. “I just need a drink, a nap, and maybe a taser.”
The rest of the night went smooth after the cat incident, if you count me cleanin’ milkshake off my hoodie while Blyss tried not to pass out from laughin’ as “smooth.” I paid the tab, threw a side-eye at Patrice on the way out, and nodded at Sir Meowington, who was perched on the counter like a mob boss. We had a silent agreement; next time, I’d be ready. I drove Blyss home with the windows cracked, the city hummin’ low in the background, and her legs curled up in my passenger seat like she owned it now. She talked about stars. Not metaphorically, like, actual constellations. And I listened. I didn’t know why, but Idid. When we pulled up outside her spot, I let the engine idle a second too long.
“This was fun,” she said, unbuckling her seatbelt, voice all soft like she didn’t just see me get violated by a house pet.
I nodded, lookin’ over at her. “Yeah… chaos and all.”
She giggled, opened the door, and stepped out. I followed, hands in my pockets like I wasn’t overthinkin’ everything. We reached her front steps. The porch light was on. Moon hangin’ up there real casual, like even the sky was eavesdroppin’. She turned to face me, arms crossed, puff leanin’ like it was in on the joke. “So… goodnight, Mr. Bottle Service.”
I smirked. “Goodnight, Professor Wordsmith.”
We just stood there for a second, and this weird-ass silence crept in. Not awkward, just heavy.
Why, I wanna ask her if she eats cereal at night? Or if she ever cried at a cartoon? Or what color her bedroom walls were in third grade?
Why do I care?
Me. Kase. Mr. Club Owner. Mr. Bottle Service. Mr.‘Bring two bad bitches and a hookah.’I was really out here standin’ on a damn porch tryna read her energy like a horoscope. What the hell was happenin’ to me?
“You good?” she asked, tiltin’ her head.
“Yeah.” I cleared my throat. “Just… thinkin’.”
She stepped up, real close, lips partin’ like she might kiss me again. I leaned in just a little, and then she hit me with a finger poke to the chest.
“Night, Kase.”
She turned, unlocked the door, and dipped inside, just like that. I stood there for a second like a whole simp with sauce on my hoodie and a cat scratched across my pride. Something was definitely off.
Chapter 10
Blyss Monroe
TheMirror Mepotion was actually working. Kase’s entire personality had been rewired, his whole damn vibe flipped like a glitchy video game. He was still fine, still walking like the sidewalk belonged to him, but now he was blurting out random facts and doing nerdy shit like asking if caffeine affected REM sleep. So, when Tuesday told me that Jace and I were still on for Topgolf, but that Kase decided to tag along, I couldn’t stop laughing. Not because he liked golf.Hell no.But because I knew exactly why he wanted to come, because of the potion. Honestly, I couldn’t wait to see what other corny, potion-soaked behavior was about to unfold. I mean, I still liked him, but that was beside the point. This was for science. I was documenting a case study called“When the Hood Turned Wholesome.”
I adjusted my fanny pack, pushed open the library door where they agreed to pick me up from work, and instantly had to bite my lip not to fall out laughing. Kase was leaning up against his car like he was posing for an off-brand cologne ad. He wore a black hoodie and charcoal joggers. It was weird seeing his pants not sagging. But it was theglassesthat had me grinning. Jace and Tuesday were standing nearby, but I was so distractedby the transformation that I forgot to hug them first. I gave everyone a quick greeting, but when I reached Kase, I made my hug last longer, just to see if he’d say something slick. He didn’t move away. In fact, he hugged me like a gentleman.
“You really showed up,” I said, raising an eyebrow. “I remember one time you told us you would never play this boring-ass crap.”
He nodded, dead serious. “I gave you my word. And being truthful is everything.”
Tuesday blinked like her contacts glitched. “I’m sorry, what now?”
Jace leaned in, squinting. “Man, please. You don’t even believe in callin’ women back after you smash. You okay, bruh?”
“So now we’re honest, on time, and emotionally aligned?” I teased. “What’s gotten into you?”
He scratched his head. “Shit, I don’t know. I just been off. But I’ll get back to my dog ways soon.”
