Jinxed: A College Curse?! | Idia Shroud X Reader

Prologue | Part One: The Swap

Walking down the boulevard, they felt at peace with the world. The warm sun paired with a cool breeze, tiny flower petals floating in the air, the soft scent of baked goods from nearby shops. All of it was just perfect. They felt a sense of euphoria from it, just looking around at the surroundings they saw everyday but this time really taking it in. They haven't done that in a while. It was nice. Incredibly nice.

*Bump*
They were pulled out of their trance by a small thump to their shoulder. Looking over, they met the heterochromatic eyes of their friend, one dark one light. Both were staring questionably at the spaced out individual.

"Uh, I'm fine. Just taking in the scenery, you know?" An eyebrow was raised. "Come on Sephi, can't I take in the beauty of the world for once?" The friend in question simply rolled their eyes and continued to stroll beside them quietly, ever so slightly shifting towards the other.

They gazed over at Sephi, his dark red and lavender hair messily tied up in a ponytail of your doing. They've grown accustomed to his strange appearance. His paled tan skin paired with a chest scar just barely peeking out from the collar of his hoodie. His thin eyebrows and perpetually bored, lidded eyes. It was all very familiar to them, having spent so much time with him. Yet, they never really observed all the little details of his person like they did at that moment.

"Am I so interesting that you need to keep staring at me?" Sephi spoke, his monotone voice pulling the other out of their trance. "No. Well, maybe? Look man, I don't know!" They exclaimed, huffing as they turned away from him. Sephi just sighed like he always does and gestured towards a nearby cafe. "We're here. Ven and the others should be coming soon since their classes end later than ours," he said, already steering himself in the direction of a nearby media store, "you know what to get me. bye." "Ah- Hey, wait!" They called out after him, but to no avail. He just waved lazily as he walked away, leaving them alone in front of the small coffee shop. They settled for going inside, mumbling under their breath after being reminded of how much of a pain their best friend could be.

Stepping inside, they were immediately hit with the mouth-watering aroma of brewing coffee and fresh baked goods. Making their way to the counter, they had a small internal debate of whether they should order their usual go-to or try something new. With such a vast menu, it would be a waste to not try at least one new thing! "Welcome to L'ora del tè, can I get you started with anything?" They froze in shock at the sudden appearance of the cashier, eyes slightly wide before getting themself together and ordering their usual.

Perhaps next time they'll be able to work up the nerve to try something new. Remembering what Sephi said, they ordered for them too. "Right, and can I get a name for your order?" "Oh, right.. It's uh- [Name]." "Great, I'll call you up when it's ready, [Name]!" [Name] thanked the cashier before choosing a booth beside a window, looking out to the quaint and cozy street outside.

Their gaze softened as they watched the people come and go, a couple browses the flower shop nearby, a lone person reading a pamphlet and looking around before their eyes settle on a shop and they walk briskly towards it, a group of school-age kids giggling and and running after each other. It makes [Name] think of their own friends and they wonder when they'll arrive. Their own friend group isn't the most... 'consistent' of characters, but their differing personalities is probably what makes them all fit together so well. Some old friends of [Name], like Sephi and Venice, and some newer people they've come to know over the years, like Yaxi, Moonie, and-

"BOO!"

"WAAUAGH?!?!??"

"AHAHA! Oh, I'm sorry dear- It's just way too easy to spook you, especially when you were completely tuning us out when we were calling out to you!" Feeling a pair of hands on their shoulders, [Name] whipped their head around and looked into the hazel eyes of the person who nearly sent their soul to the afterlife. The hazel eyes only looked back at them gleefully, before leaning in, albeit a little too close for comfort.