You sit on the couch in your cozy apartment. The blue bottle on the table catches your eye—it’s the same one you’d poured that strange, disgusting drink from. You set the glass down, disgusted, and grab your phone.

You: What was that drink on the table? It tastes like sh-.

The phone buzzes almost immediately, Theodore’s name flashing on the screen.

Theodore: Which one? Please don’t tell me it was the one in the blue bottle.

You glance at the bottle again, your stomach turning just from looking at it—but something else is growing inside you. A strange fluttering.

You: Yes, why?

A brief pause before his reply comes in, sharp and urgent.

Theodore: Don’t look at anyone. I am coming home right now.

You blink, confused. What’s going on? Before you can type back, there’s a knock on the door. You freeze. It’s too early for Theodore to be home, but you peek through the peephole and feel your heart skip a beat. It’s Mattheo.

You swallow hard, feeling a strange pull, an unexpected warmth blooming in your chest. You open the door, and Mattheo steps inside like he owns the place.

"Hey," he says casually, "thought I’d come by and hang out."

You manage a smile, but your thoughts feel disjointed. Your heart is beating faster than it should. You glance down at your phone and quickly text Theodore, trying to shake the feelings building in you.

You: Mattheo’s just come to visit us... you know... he is kinda cute.

You laugh nervously after sending it, but before you can think it through, the door opens again, and Theodore steps in. "What’s going on here?"

Mattheo just shrugs nonchalantly, sitting on the couch like he’s always belonged there. You glance at him, and the fluttering in your chest intensifies.

You’re not sure what’s happening, but all you know is that right now, in this moment, Mattheo is the only thing that feels real. "I think I’m falling for him, Theodore."

Theodore's voice shakes with frustration as he says, "I told you not to look at anyone. That was a love potion!"