#SVTRIGHTHERE

It’s so tempting. To hit snooze and curl back up into the warmth of your blankets that call your name. And to be honest, that’s exactly what you’re about to do before you hear a knock at your door. You let out another frustrated groan. 

“Love, it’s time to wake up,” Your mothers voice is soft as she calls out. You turn to lie on your back and stare up at the ceiling as if it holds the answers you’re looking for. You contemplate your life for a brief second before letting out a sigh. Reluctantly you get up, stretching out your arms before making your way towards the bathroom. 

One shower later and you feel just a little more awake, but only barely as you pick out some clothes. A faded band t-shirt, that you couldn’t even tell who the artist was anymore, and a pair of jeans make up a simple outfit. Add on a comfy jacket and your favorite combat boots and you’re as ready as you’ll ever be.

You shake out your messy hair in an attempt to tame the wild locks, but you give up after a few tries. The black nail polish on your fingertips is peeling but you can’t be bothered to redo them, instead waiting for it to completely fall off before you even consider painting them again. 

Downstairs your mother is making breakfast, mostly for herself as you typically didn’t eat too much in the morning, especially this early. Instead you slide over to open the fridge to make yourself a glass of some iced coffee to help you actually wake up, though the caffeine will only work for a few hours. You add probably too much creamer, but that’s just how you like it as you eagerly caffeinate yourself. A content sigh leaves your lips as you sip the cool beverage and you can hear the sweet chuckle of your mother. 

“Excited for classes?” She questions even though she already knows how you feel. Her smile to you is warm and you don’t have it in your heart to say something snarky, so you simply shrug. 

“Do I really have to go?” 

She gives you a knowing look, her kind smile never leaving her face. “No, you don’t. But I’d really like it if you tried. College is a lot different from High School, I’m sure it’ll be better” You’re silent as you sip the drink between your hands, unsure of what to say. You glance at the clock before grabbing your tote bag, downing the rest of your coffee. 

“Mm, well I’m off then. I’ll try to make you proud, ok?” 

You’re half way through the door before your mom is calling you back. You turn back around to face her and her hands move to cup your face. 

“Hey, I just want to let you know that I’m already so proud of you. I know how reluctant you are. I know you struggled fitting in, in high school. Let this be a new opportunity for you. You’ll barely know anyone there. You can start over,” Her smile is sweet and you can’t help but wrap your arms around her, pulling her in close to you. You take in her usual lavender scent that calms your nerves, letting it wrap around you softly. There’s another emotion that tugs at your heart that you don’t want to address, so you push it down and ignore it as you usually do. So instead you pull away and give her the best smile that you can. 

“I love you. I’ll see you after classes,” You say as you walk away, waving goodbye at the woman who’s standing in the doorway. She waves back fondly.

“Have fun!” And you know what? That’s exactly what you plan to do. 

Meanwhile in another household not too far away, was, to put it lightly, a hot mess. It was a rather typical morning however for the large pack. It certainly didn’t help that it was the first day of the college semester, and some of the boys were now becoming freshmen. This left a certain leader a lot more stressed out than his usual uptight demeanor. Mingyu was in the kitchen, preparing what would practically be a feast for the wolves he called brothers. They would leave nothing uneaten that was placed on the table. He was one of the very few that was already dressed and ready for classes that day.  

“Yah! Seungkwan, did you steal my shirt again?” A loud voice echoed throughout the house, vibrating against the walls. 

“Are you kidding me? You’re the one who stole my underwear Soonyoung hyung!” 

“I did not!! That was Chan,” “Do not pull me into one of your dumb fights hyung,” 

Seungcheol could feel a budding headache starting to form, pressing his fingers into his temple in a poor attempt to will it away. He watched as the two youngest ran into each other and the “problem” brothers (booseoksoon) were arguing over something stupid across the house. The eldest was desperately trying to help everyone else get ready and out of the house in what would hopefully be one piece. Despite everyone being in college now, none of them had their shit together. Maybe a few, but it didn’t make much of a difference in the chaotic household. 

Jihoon, on the other hand, didn't bother to help. He was currently sitting at the kitchen table, waiting for breakfast to be ready as he messed around with his phone. Even with all the glares Seungcheol gave the smaller, he didn’t budge at all. 

“Hey, Wonwoo. Where’s Jeonghan?” Seungcheol asked, watching said boy walk down the stairs as he fiddled with the zipper of his jacket. The latter shrugged. 

“I dunno. Probably should ask Joshua Hyung,” Wonwoo replied, joining Jihoon at the table. Another sigh left his lips. It felt like this morning might never end. 

“Joshua! Where is Jeonghan?” He calls out in what he hopes is a steady calm tone. 

“He’s still asleep. He won’t wake up,” The other replies from somewhere in the house. At this, Seungcheol wanted nothing more than to just go back to bed, curl up under the blankets and maybe cry at why his parents had left him alone with his twelve brothers. Once again, he’s looking over at Jihoon with pleading eyes but the other doesn’t even bother looking up. “Nope. Don’t look at me. I am NOT waking him up,”

“Hey, is it alright with you if I go check out the garden? I promise I won’t be long,” you ask, even though you’re already halfway out of your seat. Mingyu was about to stand up as well but Wonwoo was quicker than him, pulling the taller male back down into his chair. 

“Yeah, it’s no problem. We’ll just hang out here,” He said in his typical deep, even tone. Mingyu has a pout on his face but you don’t even notice, zooming away once you’ve gotten permission. Once you’re out of sight Wonwoo doesn’t waste another moment as he moves and starts to dig through your bag. 

“...Are you sure this is a good idea hyung?” Mingyu asks nervously, fiddling with his fingers as his eyes nervously dart around in case you suddenly popped up again out of nowhere. 

“It’ll be fine,” He says even though he’s not 100% sure about that. Before he can doubt himself any longer he opens your bag and is instantly confused. You’ve got a notebook and a little pencil case, typical for a college student. Yet, you’ve also got about 10 different bottles, all of various sizes, shapes and different colors. “What are these?” Wonwoo wonders, picking up one that’s a light shade of pink in a small vial. 

“I’ve seen her drink a few of these. Like that time when she was stressed about a pop-quiz, she downed one of these and looked energized. Maybe they’re like vitamins or something?”

“Here, drink it then,” The elder puts the pink drink into Mingyu’s hand.

“WHAT” 

“I’m sure it’s fine, like you said you’ve seen her drink one before,” Wonwoo shrugs, urging him to drink it.

“But why me…” He whines but Wonwoo doesn’t give in, continuing to push the strange concoction into his hands.

“To prove to you something is weird with her. Just drink it,” 

Mingyu sighs, looking down at the tiny bottle of an unnatural pink color. He grimaces before undoing the cork and sliding it down his throat. The two stand there for a minute, just staring at each other. 

“It didn’t really taste like anything, vaguely sweet” 

“Do you…feel different?”

“Not really,”

Before either of them can say anything else you come skipping back from the garden, quite happy. 

“WOW, it’s so pretty! You said there’s a gardening club? I should sign up,” You mention as you come back to the two boys who are suddenly frozen with your arrival. You blink, confused at why they’re just staring at you until you notice the bottle that’s clearly empty in Mingyu’s hand. Suddenly you’re pale as a sheet, eyes opening wide. You know the exact potion that was supposed to be inside the glass. 

“You didn’t drink that did you? Did you???” Your question is answered when Mingyu pushes Wonwoo aside, getting on his knees and taking your hands in his.

“YN! Have I ever told you that you’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen? Please, please let me take you on a date” He’s looking up at you with glassy eyes, a slight pink haze over them tells you he’s under the potions effect. You groan, trying to pry your fingers out of his grasp but he’s too strong as he continues to beg. 

“What the hell is going on” Wonwoo asks and as he listens to Mingyu compliment you non-stop, watching as you attempt to pry your fingers from his grasp; he realizes perhaps the drink DID do something to Mingyu. He marches up to you, slightly towering over you with a slight glare upon his face. You easily cower under the tall boy, knowing you were definitely not going to get out of this one. 

“Ok, fess up. What are you?”

Charmed! Part Fifteen: the problem with potions ✩ previous | next ✩