POTION OF LOVE

64. 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬

—Two years ago

“I will be leaving now” Loren announces, sliding his bag over his shoulder.

I nod, half-distracted while stuffing my gear into my own bag. The exhaustion from practice is finally catching up to me, the adrenaline that kept me going during the match has been long gone leaving me with pain.

“It looks like it will rain soon. Try to get home before it starts” Loren calls out, giving me a wave before heading out of the locker room.

“Yeah, you too” I reply, zipping up my bag and throwing it over my shoulder. The halls are mostly empty now, the campus has fallen silent. The sky outside has become grey

As I step into the parking lot, I spot my family’s car parked a few steps away from mine. The driver was standing beside it, waiting patiently. Probably for Jasmine.

“Hello, Mister Williams” he greets me with a polite smile. “Evening” I reply, looking back at the building “She’s not back yet?” . He shakes his head “Miss Jasmine said she had some extra work today”

“It's been two hours since her classes ended, she is too late” I mutter, under my breath but he seemed to catch onto the words. I extend my bag towards him “Please take care of this, i will look for her” I say, watching him take the bag and keep it inside the car.

I turn around and start walking back to the campus, the buildings might start getting closed soon. This girl is just reckless.

I pull out my phone, trying to search for her number which she has never given me. Aunt Lia forwarded it to me a while ago when we were coming to university in the same car but due to different timings I decided to bring my own car instead of sitting with her on an awkward journey.

I wouldn't have even gotten a new car if she hadn't ruined my previous one with those unwashable lipstick stains.

Finally, I found her number. Before I could dial it, I heard a familiar voice calling my name. I pause, a sudden chill runs down my spine when I turn around to see my uncle walking over to me. A subtle frown on his face which he tries to hide with a fake smile

“Lucas! It's been a while” he says with a restrained tone. I force my lips to curve up, not hiding the fact that his presence annoys me, I quickly shove my phone inside my pocket which he seem to have noticed “you haven't been picking up my calls” he states

Why should I be?

He has barely been around. Even during holidays, he made it painfully obvious I wasn’t really one of them — always doting on Liam and Mia but never me. He knew I wasn’t their biological kid and he never missed a chance to remind me.

After Dad’s death, he didn’t even look my way. But now suddenly, for the past few weeks has been trying to contact me. It isn’t about family. I can feel it. Especially since he is here at the campus instead of at home.