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“So...you’re a witch?” Dahyun replied, with wide, slightly-afraid eyes.

Sana pressed her lips together and nodded. “Mina, Nayeon and Jihyo too. We’re a coven.”

“Do you like...worship satan?” Dahyun asked, looking paler than usual.

Sana nearly choked on her own laughter. “No, of course not! We just have magical abilities and we practice them. There’s a very strict set of rules though that governs all witches. Humans aren’t supposed to find out about us…”

“Oh, I hope I didn’t get you in trouble…”

Sana shook her head. “If I wanted to, I could’ve erased your memory so you didn’t see me change back to normal, but I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to keep hiding such a huge part of my life from you...and Chaeyoung and Tzuyu already know so….”

“Wait, they what?!?!” Dahyun nearly yelled. “How come they found out before I did?”

Sana smiled warmly at the younger girl, who looked slightly offended. “There was just an incident, kind of like this one...where Nayeon and I accidentally casted a spell that caused Chaeyoung and Mina to switch bodies…”

Dahyun looked like she was about to fall off her bed. “They’re...back to normal….right?”

“Of course!” Sana assured. “Do you remember that one time when you called Tzuyu and she was a bit more...enthusiastic than normal?” Sana asked. When Dahyun nodded, Sana continued. “Well, that was actually me you were talking to. I was in Tzuyu’s body.”

Dahyun looked like her head was about to explode. “I knew something was off!” Dahyun jumped up off her bed in excitement but immediately lowered herself back down on her bed, feeling her head spin. “Wow, I can’t believe I’ve been so oblivious this whole time…”

“We’ve kept it well hidden, don’t worry.”

“So are you just gonna erase my memory again now?” Dahyun asked, looking slightly disappointed.

Sana shook her head. “If Jihyo were here, she’d probably make me. But I’ve hated keeping it from you this whole time...it’s been hard for me, so Mina agreed we’d explain everything as long as you agree to not tell anyone else.”

Dahyun nodded, practically bouncing on her bed. “Of course not! Your secret is safe with me!”

“So why did you look like Momo? And why did you kiss me?” Dahyun asked.

Sana sighed, cheeks suddenly reddening (she’d hoped the younger girl would forget about that whole debacle in the midst of her new discovery).

“Dahyun,

(you oblivious, naive, beautiful girl)

I like you.”

Both girls in the room held their breath. Sana felt like she might faint. The confession weighed heavy on her tongue, not allowing her to say anything else.

“You like me?” Dahyun asked the question as if that fact was the most implausible thing in the world.

Sana laughed at Dahyun’s startled reaction. “Is it really that hard to believe?”

Dahyun looked away, dumbfounded. “But...what does that have to do with you looking like Momo…”

Sana turned away, unable to look at her friend any longer. “I casted a spell, because I wanted to be the person you loved, but it backfired, and the only way to break it was for me to kiss you. Now I’m back to normal…”

“Oh…Sana, I’m—“

“Don’t apologize,” Sana begged. “It was my fault. I was so stupid...I just really like you.”

“I feel stupid for not figuring it out on my own…”

“Yeah, I didn’t exactly make it subtle,” Sana replied. “But still, it’s okay. You like Momo anyway, and I understand why. You deserve to be happy.”

Dahyun got up from the bed and approached Sana cautiously, before pulling her into a hug. Sana returned it quickly, swimming in Dahyun’s embrace. “Thank you,” Dahyun muttered against Sana’s shoulder. “But so do you.”

Sana let Dahyun go and smiled sadly. “I’ll be okay, just give me some time.”

Dahyun shook her head and suddenly looked distraught. “Momo doesn’t even know...she barely even talks to me anymore. That’s why...when I saw you and I thought it was her...I was so happy, but it was all too good to be true.”

“She’s really missing out,” Sana assured. “Dahyun...you’re amazing. You have such a bright personality, and if she can’t see that then it’s her loss.”

“Thanks for saying that.”

“Maybe you should be up front with her...maybe things will change?”

Dahyun wrung her hands together nervously. “Oh, I don’t know…um, anyway, can you...show me any cool magic tricks?”

“Hey, don’t change the subject here. You should seriously ask Momo about it! Who knows, she might be as oblivious about that kind of thing as you are,” Sana joked, but there was a bit of seriousness to her tone.

Dahyun sighed and nodded. “Okay, fine. You’re right. I’ll...ask her.”

“In person.”

“In person,” Dahyun agreed, practically squirming at the thought. She knew Sana was right though, it was better not to pine after someone who would never like her back.

“Alright, well...if you want to see a magic trick, prepare to be amazed!” Sana replied, posing like a mysterious magician and causing Dahyun to laugh.

“So what’s on your mind,” Jeongyeon asked, sitting lazily on the couch of her apartment next to Nayeon.

Nayeon ran a hand through her hair nervously and recounted what led her up to this moment. Let’s see...there was a bet...a magic spell gone horribly wrong...a short affair with a girl she never imagined herself getting involved with, and now this. Nayeon had been anxiously waiting to talk to her blonde haired friend for awhile now, hoping she could shed some light on the situation. Jeongyeon didn’t look it, but she was wise beyond her years.

“Back for some more hypothetical advice about a certain roommate of yours…”

Nayeon groaned. She hated how Jeongyeon could see right through her. “I just don’t know who else to talk to and all I know is talking to you makes me feel better,” the older girl admitted.

Jeongyeon sat up slightly and her lazy grin switched into something more serious and attentive. “You know you can talk to me about anything, right?” At Nayeon’s hesitant expression, she quickly continued. “Or not. Whatever you’re comfortable with. I just want to help.”

“Do you like me?” Nayeon blurted out, and Jeongyeon suddenly grew very still and cool like a marble statue. “I mean, do you enjoy being around me? I’m not too annoying or talkative or…”

“Of course I like you, you’re my friend. I wouldn’t have had you come over if I didn’t.”

That was a huge relief to Nayeon. She wasn’t quite sure why, but it was good to know that she was at least in good standing with Jeongyeon. She wasn’t sure where her and Chaeyoung stood, and she certainly wasn’t sure where her and Mina stood, but Jeongyeon would still be there. “Good.”

“Why would someone not like you?” Jeongyeon asked, tilting her head slightly.

Nayeon shook her head. “I...messed up. Big time. And I’ve just been thinking about things…”

“Things is such a vague word,” Jeongyeon observed. “But look, we all mess up. Big time. Momo could probably ramble on about all the things I’ve done poorly just in the last semester.” Jeongyeon reached out and gently placed her hand on Nayeon’s knee. It was a small, kind gesture but it jolted Nayeon’s whole body like she’d just been stung by something powerfully sweet.

“Not like this,” Nayeon assured, and she could feel tears beginning to stain the corners of her eyes thinking about Mina and what she did to her, so she clamped down on her tongue to try to focus on the pain instead of the look on Mina’s face when she broke free from the spell.

“Oh, come here,” Jeongyeon spread out her arms and slowly wrapped Nayeon into a hug. It felt nice, being pressed against the taller girl. Her presence was calming and clearing. Nayeon stopped biting her tongue and let a few tears fall. She hated letting herself cry in front of Jeongyeon, but she couldn’t help it.

“I’m just so confused. I thought I felt one way...and then another...and now here I am not knowing anything,” Nayeon choked out.

“Shhhh, you’ll figure things out,” Jeongyeon assured, lightly rubbing Nayeon’s back as the older girl’s body shook slightly. “I’m here for you, okay? Whatever you need.”

“Thank you,” Nayeon whispered as her body stilled and her tear-stained cheeks began to dry. “Seriously...thank you for seeing me on such short notice. And I know you don’t know me super well yet but—”

“Nayeon,” Jeongyeon pushed the older girl back a bit, holding her by the shoulders, so she could look the other in the eyes. “There’s no need to thank me. That’s what friends are for. I’ve been told I give sage advice, besides.”

Nayeon smiled at Jeongyeon and nodded. She wiped the corner of both of her eyes and took a breath. Being with Mina had filled the hole of the affection she was looking for, but she couldn’t deny the attraction she felt to Jeongyeon. The girl was caring in every sense of the word, while still remaining so cool and laid-back. And the girl was beautiful, with her small face and her legs for days (Nayeon couldn’t help but notice now, as Jeongyeon was wearing a pair of short athletic shorts).

“I know Mina can be hard to understand sometimes...she’s so quiet about things and keeps everything inside,” Jeongyeon said.

Nayeon didn’t bother denying that her unstable feelings were because of Mina this time. There was no point, after all. “I thought there was a chance I might like her, but it was only because of an accident that was never meant to happen,” Nayeon confessed. “And maybe a part of me still does like her...those feelings are hard to let go.”

Jeongyeon thought for a moment, studying Nayeon’s solemn expression. “You’re right, those feelings can be hard to let go. But it sounds like you will be able to let them go over time.”

“And she’s happy with Chaeyoung anyway,” Nayeon added, as if giving herself a pep talk. “It wouldn’t have worked out in the end.”

“I think it takes a very special kind of person to be able to handle you,” Jeongyeon joked, and Nayeon couldn’t help but laugh at the sudden snip of humor. She really always could count on Jeongyeon to make her smile, even if the girl’s jokes were at her own expense.

“Oh really?” Nayeon lightly punched Jeongyeon’s arm. “Do you really think I’m that high maintenance?”

“Oh, of course,” Jeongyeon laughed, causing Nayeon to stick out her tongue. “Nah, I’m just kidding. You’re really great. Oh...sorry that sounds super cheesy, but it’s true,” Jeongyeon scrunched her nose in disgust and embarrassment.

“You think?” Nayeon replied, trying and failing to hide her thousand-watt smile. She batted her eyelashes at Jeongyeon and the girl turned away. “Please continue with the compliments.”

“Ha ha. You really are awesome, okay? Don’t let this little...whatever it is...drag you down.”

Nayeon nodded enthusiastically. “Alright, I won’t. Thanks, sage one.” Nayeon winked at Jeongyeon (and WAIT….was that blush spreading over the blonde’s cheeks???).

Chaeyoung, Mina and Tzuyu awkwardly sat in the lounge of the dorm room inside the building as Sana and Dahyun finished up their one-on-one talk. As Dahyun had laid unconscious on her bed, Sana and Mina had discussed in hushed tones about what their next move should be. Mina agreed, only after Sana begged her and used her puppy-dog eyes, that Sana could tell Dahyun the truth if (and only if) Dahyun agreed not to tell anyone else about the existence of witches, just as Chaeyoung and Tzuyu had promised weeks ago.

To give them the privacy they deserved, the three other girls retreated to the lounge. Mina would’ve left by now if Sana hadn’t given her a ride there in the first place. She’d do anything to escape the judgmental glare Tzuyu was giving her now. Chaeyoung hadn’t had time to explain anything about the love spell to Tzuyu, and she didn’t know when the appropriate time to bring that up would be. She thought she'd wait until Sana and Mina left, leaving her alone with her roommates. They could finally all talk witch stuff together!

“So…” Chaeyoung began, breaking the silence but not coming up with anything to actually talk about.

“So...you guys are back together again?” Tzuyu replied, jutting her jaw out at the two older girls sitting at the table across from her. Chaeyoung and Mina shared a look, before Chaeyoung cleared .

“Yeah...I mean...officially this time, yes.”

“Mmmm,” Tzuyu hummed, but didn’t say anything more.

“Tzuyu…” Mina began, hating to be loathed by someone she knew was so important to Chaeyoung. “The reason I was with...Nayeon...was because of a love spell. She casted one on me by accident. I couldn’t think straight while I was under it. But finally Nayeon was able to lift it…”

Tzuyu looked on in interest but didn’t seem totally convinced. After all, it was a pretty crazy claim to make.

“It’s true,” Chaeyoung assured. Guess the time to tell Tzuyu was now. “Nayeon really messed up. But everything’s back to normal...as it should be.” For some reason that phrase kicked Mina in the gut. Everything about her time with Nayeon was not what was meant to be. It was if their timeline was altered, intermixed with the course of action from another timeline similar and yet different to their own. And yet...it really did happen. Sitting in front of Tzuyu, Mina couldn’t help but feel ashamed, even though she had little control over her actions.

“Well, I’m glad things have been sorted out,” Tzuyu replied. There was still a bitterness in her tone though, Mina couldn’t help but notice. Mina couldn’t blame the girl—Mina had unintentionally hurt Chaeyoung so much and felt terribly guilty about it.

“How did you accidentally ingest a love spell meant for Jeongyeon anyway?” Chaeyoung asked Mina, trying to lighten the mood.

“It was a muffin,” Mina admitted, shyly looking down at the wooden table in front of her.

Chaeyoung’s brow furrowed in a bit of disbelief. “A...muffin? What kind of muffin…?”

“Chocolate chip,” Mina answered. “Nayeon never bakes anything, so when she showed up at the library with a home-baked muffin...well...I was curious.”

Chaeyoung nodded. “Makes sense. And how was it?”

“Pretty good...but I’m not sure if that was the spell altering my brain or if Nayeon isn’t really a total disaster at baking after all.”

Chaeyoung couldn’t help but smile, and even Tzuyu’s stone cold face softened a bit at the thought of Nayeon slaving over a muffin tray with messy hair and an apron on.

“Guys!” Dahyun’s sudden voice called out from the doorway to the lounge, and the three girls turned to see the red-headed girl with color in her face once again, looking at them rather cheerily. Behind her, stood Sana, looking happy but partially fractured, like she was barely holding onto her smile.

Dahyun stomped into the room and threw up her arms. “They’re witches!” she whispered loudly and pointed at Mina and Sana with a look of excitement and awe. Everyone else couldn’t help but laugh.

“Sana told you, no telling anyone else who doesn’t already know, right?” Mina asked.

Dahyun nodded. She saluted at Mina. “You can count on me. No loose lips will be sinking this ship anytime soon.”

“You’re so extra,” Tzuyu groaned, rolling her eyes at Dahyun, but continuing to smile. The three girls stood up and began to follow Sana and Dahyun back in the direction of their room. Once in front of the door, the five girls stood awkwardly, knowing that Sana and Mina had to part ways now.

“Well, we’ll be heading back home now,” Sana chirped. “Remember, be brave!” Sana urged Dahyun, who simply nodded and tried to put on a tough face.

“I’ll see you soon,” Chaeyoung told Mina, smiling at the older girl shyly.

“See you soon,” Mina nodded. She would’ve given Chaeyoung a hug but she felt she couldn’t do so with Tzuyu standing there. Once the two girls parted ways, Dahyun collapsed on her bed and nearly screamed into her pillow, kicking her legs into the air like a crazy person.

“This is so crazy and exciting! Our friends are witches!”

Chaeyoung and Tzuyu looked at each other. “The excitement will wear off soon enough.”

When Sana and Mina returned back home to their apartment, they came back to find the place was totally dark. As they stepped into the foyer, a single lamp was in their living room. There, sitting next to it on a recliner, was Park Jihyo, who crossed her arms and looked at the two other girls with an expression of suspicion and disappointment.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” she stated, and both Mina and Sana were tempted to run out of the apartment in terror. “I was hoping you could both shed some light on the current situation.”

“Have you been sitting in the dark all this time, waiting for us to come home, just so you could do that?” Mina observed.

Jihyo suddenly looked embarrassed. “...maybe. Don’t try to change the subject, though. Sana, what did you and Nayeon do this time?” Sana opened to protest but Jihyo put up a hand, silencing her. “And before you try to make up some excuse, Irene gave me a call.”

. Sana looked to Mina with a face of despair. Mina simply shrugged. To be fair, Mina had wanted to go to Jihyo from the start, as soon as she was woken up from the spell Nayeon put her under.

Sana knew Nayeon went to Irene for help...but Nayeon didn’t know about Sana’s little hiccup at the time...so Irene couldn’t have possibly told Jihyo about it...right? “So you know...about Nayeon’s mistake then,” Sana offered. Yeah, Sana was not above throwing Nayeon under the bus if it meant she could escape Jihyo’s wrath.

“I’m well aware of what you and Nayeon have been up to recently,” Jihyo replied. Sana muttered under her breath and Mina took a step away from Sana. “Did anyone think it might be...I don’t know...a good idea to tell me?”

“I wanted to tell you right away,” Mina assured. “But Nayeon wanted to see if we could figure it out ourselves.”

“We didn’t want to worry you,” Sana added, trying to look as innocent as possible.

“Uh-huh,” Jihyo hummed. “Well once again, you guys hurt Mina and Chaeyoung, and this time, Sana, you managed to drag Dahyun into things as well!”

“How did you know about Dahyun and I?” Sana asked, really confused.

“After I heard what happened with Nayeon it wasn’t too hard for me to guess that your recent weird behavior was a result of a spell gone wrong too.”

Sana sighed. “Well, you have no need to worry. I took care of it and things are back to normal!” Sana assured, suddenly moving forward, trying to slip upstairs to her room. Jihyo got up and moved to block Sana’s path like a ninja.

“Does Dahyun know about us now?” Jihyo asked.

“Yes,” Mina replied from behind Sana.

Sana looked back at the girl and narrowed her eyes. “Traitor,” she mouthed.

“Sana…” Jihyo began.

“Dahyun’s fine...she’s not going to tell anyone else, okay? I’ve hated keeping this from her! And it’s not fair that Chaeyoung and Tzuyu already know! What difference does it make if one more person we trust knows, anyway?”

Jihyo pressed her lips together. “Fine...I guess you’re right. But you and Nayeon have to be careful! Irene is not happy with our coven and we don’t want to be stripped of our ranks!”

Sana hung her head, feeling genuinely sorry. “I know, you’re right. I really am sorry. I made a huge mistake.”

Jihyo looked at Mina, who remained looking a bit solemn. “Are you okay?” Jihyo asked. She’d thought it was strange that Mina had suddenly developed feelings for Nayeon but now, knowing her roommate was under the influence of a love spell, it made perfect sense.

Mina wordlessly stepped around Sana and gave Jihyo a hug. It felt nice to hold the older girl tightly, it always eased her strife. Jihyo squeezed back and ran her hands through Mina’s hair. “Are things with Chaeyoung okay?”

“Yeah they are,” Mina whispered. “I’m lucky she’s so understanding.”

Poor Mina had really been through a lot at the expense of Sana and Nayeon’s tricks, but this misstep really took the cake.

“When I see Nayeon…” Jihyo muttered, feeling a bit of anger course through her.

Mina let go of Jihyo and shook her head. “Don’t do that. She feels really bad about everything.”

Jihyo looked into Mina’s eyes and nodded. “Alright, well that’s all I have to say to you both, I guess. If you ever get into trouble don’t be scared to come to me for help,” Jihyo replied, looking at Mina and Sana both. “I’m your friend, remember? I just try to keep you guys in order because if I don’t god knows the trouble you’d get into.”

“Someone’s gotta look out for us,” Sana offered. She knew her and Nayeon really were a handful. “So thanks for that.”

Jihyo simply shook her head and smiled slightly.

Just then, the front door opened, revealing Nayeon, who took one look at the situation before her and began backing out back into the hallway slowly. “Oh no you don’t!” Jihyo snapped, sending a look that stopped Nayeon in her tracks. “Come here, let’s talk.”

Sana and Mina took that as a cue to run upstairs, leaving Nayeon to face Jihyo alone. Nayeon watched wistfully as they disappeared, but only shrugged when Jihyo motioned for her to take a seat on the couch. She knew she deserved to hear this lecture from Jihyo.

After Sana and Mina left, Dahyun sent Momo a text asking if she wanted to go out for food later. Momo, of course, was quick to respond, agreeing. They met at an all-you-can-eat sushi place...a kind of hole in the wall restaurant that no one knew about but was actually amazing. “So how are things with you?” Momo asked, tapping her fingers against the table as she waited for the salmon roll she ordered to come.

“I can’t complain,” Dahyun replied, smiling. “I’m so excited to graduate though! This semester has been a bit of a breeze.”

“I can't believe you'll be graduating high school soon! Our little Dahyun is all grown up! This semester has been kind of tough for me...especially juggling a social life and all my other work. I know sometimes it takes me awhile to get back to you, so I apologize for that.”

“It’s okay,” Dahyun assured. “I’m glad you’re here now.”

“Me too,” Momo smiled, crinkling her eyes as she did.

Dahyun looked around to make sure there was no one nearby before she leaned forward a bit and said: “I really like you, Momo. I like spending time with you.”

“Same here,” Momo replied, also leaning forward...forward...closer...closer...Dahyun closed her eyes. Suddenly Dahyun’s hair was being ruffled. She opened one eye and saw Momo was the culprit, and she was giggling. “You’re adorable.”

Dahyun opened her other eye and smiled, but on the inside, her heart was breaking slightly. Was this friend behavior or something more? She couldn’t be sure. She reached up and quickly fixed her hair, sitting up straighter.

A couple walked into the restaurant and was seated at a table nearby Dahyun and Momo’s. Momo couldn’t help but smile dreamily as she watched the couple interact, clearly very in love. “Man, I wish I could have something like that.”

Dahyun followed her gaze and smiled too. “Me too. You can have something like that, you know.”

“I just don’t even have the time to think about romance right now,” Momo sighed. “I’ve been practicing so much for the dance team…”

“And you’re incredible, Momo. You work so hard. You’ll have time soon for a little bit of romance.”

“Thanks, I really hope so.”

The waiter arrived with some wonton soup and a salad for both of them. The two girls began chowing down eagerly. “I just need to find someone first...you know, the right one.”

Dahyun stopped slurping her soup and nodded. “You don’t have a crush on anyone?”

Momo shook her head. “Not yet, but I know I’ll find someone someday!”

“Of course you will, you’re beautiful...and passionate and kind…” Dahyun assured, heart being torn apart with each word.

“Aw, thanks Dahyun,” Momo gushed, reaching across the table and pinching the younger girl’s cheeks. “You always boost my self esteem. I’m sure someone will scoop you up soon. I know Sana…”

“Sana?” Dahyun echoed, eyes widening.

“She seems to like you a lot.” Momo was beaming at Dahyun like a kid on Christmas.

“Oh...yeah,” Dahyun murmured. “She does.”

“You’d be super cute together,” Momo whispered, and then giggled. Dahyun looked down at her wonton soup.

They finished up their dinner and Momo drove Dahyun back to her apartment. As Dahyun waved goodbye to Momo, she began walking toward her dorm but then stopped. She took out her phone and pulled up Sana’s contact, thumb hovering over the call button for a few seconds before she decided to press it.

“Sana?”

“Hey, Dahyun,” the older girl chirped on the other line. “What’s up?”

“I talked to Momo…”

“And…?”

“She doesn’t like me...not like that.”

There was a heavy silence on the other line. “Dahyun, I’m so, so sorry,” Sana replied.

“Thanks,” Dahyun said.

“I know it’s...not fun,” Sana continued. “But you’ll get over it soon. Each day it’ll get a little easier.”

Dahyun sighed into the phone. “Momo thinks we’d be cute together...you and I.”

More silence on the other side of the line. “I know you’ll need time and space. Just know that I’m here for you, whatever you need, as your friend.”

“Thank you Sana, that means a lot.”

“Now, you rest up and get ready for the start of a new week, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Talk to you soon! Bye.” Click.

Dahyun let her hand drop and continued to stand outside, taking in the chilly night air. Maybe this was karma for her being so oblivious to Sana’s crush. But maybe, since she’d been so focused on Momo, she’d learn that her and Sana could be good together. It’d take her heart some time to mend, but she knew Sana’d be there in the meantime. She’d let things happen naturally, wherever they took her.

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Hey guys, sorry this update took so long, but I hope you like it! I'm planning on doing one more short chapter with a time jump, so please look forward to that! Hope you had a wonderful holiday and enjoy the new year! xx