Chapter 3

Alex left the house quickly after breakfast. First the dream, then breakfast, he had looked so cute and like he was going through some kind of torment. She had just wanted to hug him and make it all better, but she knew with the love potion working on them, it just wasn't a good idea. So she went over to Harper's.

Her best friend was working on a new creation a dress made of unused coffee filters with licorice whip bows. She tuned out Harper's inane prattle and tried to think of a way to resolve the whole love potion thing. She was of two minds, on the one hand she liked her brother and it would be great if he felt the same way, on the other hand it would be wrong to take advantage of him like this, it would be better to find an antidote for the potion and win his affection honestly.

"Alex, earth to Alex."

"Sorry, Harper. I was just thinking."

"About what?"

"I don't know if I should be telling you this, but I have to talk to someone."

"Sure. I'm all ears, well not literally of course. You know what I mean."

"Well yesterday, I made this love potion and I was going to use it on Riley. I totally messed up that one time we went on a date and I thought this would give me a second chance. But the potion spilled on me and Justin and now...now we're going to fall in love with each other or something."

"Aw, Alex, that's terrible. Can't you guys do some magic and fix it though."

"Well, the book we need to find an antidote is one of the ones my parents keep locked up. We could have told them about this and had them get out the book and help us find a solution but they left. There's a sandwich convention and they're going to be gone all week."

"Can you break into wherever that book is and get it."

"I guess we could, but I don't think Justin would go for it. We'd be in a lot of trouble already if my parents find out and they're bound to find out if we break into the cabinet."

"How long does the potion last?"

"I don't know. I should look that up. If it's just a few days I'm sure we can wait it out."

"So are you feeling like you're in love with him or anything? I mean did it work?"

"I don't know. I had this intense dream about him last night and I did think he looked really cute over breakfast."

"Well, he is really cute. Although, he's not supposed to be cute to you. I mean he's your brother. Wow, you're really in a pickle."

"Don't I know it."

"I'm sure if you just wait it out, either you'll come up with something or it'll go away."

"Thanks for listening, Harper."

"Anytime. Now tell me honestly, do you think this dress needs more bows?"

"Uh, sure. Maybe a bunch of bows around the hem."

"That's perfect. I'll get more licorice."

Justin was pacing his room. The potion was really getting to him, he couldn't stop thinking about his sister, about her lips and kissing them. It was driving him nuts. He had had a couple of cold showers, nothing seemed to be working. Just wait it out, he thought, it will go away. How long? How long must he endure this? It was a good question. One that deserved an answer, but the book was locked up. He hoped that maybe there would be an answer online, maybe in one of the wizarding forums he had joined.

He did find an answer the spell would last a week or until the two affected parties consummated their love. There was no way in hell he was going to let that happen. He'd just have to wait it out.

Dinner was awkward. Alex seemed to be flirting with him. Why couldn't she control herself, just ignore the feelings, they'll go away.

Alex was deliberately trying to provoke him. She was loving this. Finally she could flirt with Justin openly because she had the perfect excuse. "Have you been working out? I swear your biceps look bigger everyday."

"Alex, don't objectify me! I'm trying to have a serious conversation here. I looked up the potion online in some wizarding forums."

"What did you find out? Wow, your eyes are so dreamy."

"Focus, Alex, focus! I found out that if we can wait it out a week and if you can stop complimenting me, the effects will wear off."

"If I compliment you the potion won't wear off?"

"No, I'm trying to make a point, moron. Try to control yourself. Watch what you say."

"Did your wizarding forum have anything else to say smarty pants?"

"No, that's it." He wasn't about to say anything about the whole sex thing, he didn't want to give her ideas. She seemed to be more susceptible to the effects of the potion than he was.

She was pouting at him, obviously upset at him for calling her a moron. He wasn't going to apologize, there was no point in encouraging her. He couldn't seem to stop staring at her lips, they were so full and...He had to stop himself there. He left the table abruptly. "I made dinner, you're washing up."

"Anything you say, handsome," she said batting her eyes at him.

Justin couldn't leave the room fast enough. This was going to be a long week.