I took the Grey Pill. The Grey Pill gives you the ability to make someone fall in love with you with a single touch. The effects cannot be turned off. However, if someone is truly in love with you, and you have not touched them, they can break the pills magic with a single kiss. Taking the Grey Pill seemed like such a good idea at first. In fact, it was amazing. 

One day in high school, the popular group of girls found out that I had a crush on the class hottie. They told everyone. Not only was I the laughing point of everyone, but the "leader" of their group immediately jumped into a relationship with him as a way to spite me. That night, alone in my room, I found it. My mom had hidden it from me when I was young and warned me what it would do. She told me to never use it. I needed it though. After I took the Grey Pill not only did I make the the class crush fall for me, but boys were falling for me left and right. Of course some people were suspicious. But it didn't matter. No one could prove anything and I was instantly the most popular girl. Life was good. Until reality hit me. 

That was years ago. I'm afraid to leave my room now. I'm afraid to touch people. Everyone knows me as the weird quiet girl that keeps to herself. But no one understands. Even slightly brushing my hand against someone would cause them to fall in love with me. I had lost friendships over this curse. My family wanted nothing to do with me. Especially mom. I smirked bitterly to myself, it all made since to me now why her life was ruined. She had taken the Grey Pill too and that's why she hid it from me. The day she found out I took it she disowned me. And now, I had lost my job. One friend has stood with me no matter what. I pulled out my cell phone and tried to steady my shaky voice.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Mark. It's Caitlin."

"Oh, hey. What's up Cait?"

"I....I really need to talk to you." My voice shook towards the end and he instantly became worried.

"What happened?"

"It's.. it's hard to explain I can't... can you come by?"

"Yeah, give me 10 minutes."

I hung up my cell phone and buried my face in my knees. If he only knew how grateful I was to have him. Had it not been for him I would have ended everything years ago. He's saved my life more times than he gives himself credit for. Years ago I would have made him fall under my spell with no remorse what so ever. But now that I'm older, and I understand how serious this is, I can't take any chances. He's all I have left. I often caught myself wondering what things would be like if I had never taken that pill. Would I have lots of friends? Would I have a relationship? Would my family be proud of me? Would things be different between Mark and I..? I heard a knock on the door that snapped me out of my thoughts. I wiped my eyes with my sleeve and tried to calm myself a bit before heading downstairs and opening the door.

"Hey you." He smiled warmly at me and I already felt a bit calmer. I could see the concern and sadness deep in his eyes though and it broke my heart. 

"Hi, come on in." He nodded to me and headed in. It always made me feel guilty that I  had to plaster myself against the wall when he walked past me. Avoid touching him. Avoid getting too close to him.

"I'll get some tea." He headed into the living room and sat down in his usual spot on the couch and I brought out the tea. I laid his cup on the table and sat in the chair across from him. 

"Oh. Here." He sat a colorful gift bag on my lap and I made sure his hands were away before I opened it.

"Mark. Why did you.. oh my gosh it's so cute, I love it!" Inside the bag, among colorful tissue paper, was a plump stuffed teddy bear. It was light brown and it's blue eyes twinkled at me. It's right paw held a little bag of candies. I hugged the teddy and it's plush fur felt soft against my cheek. For just an instant my cold heart warmed.

"Why did you bring this to me?"

"C'mon. You think I can't tell my own best friend sounds upset over the phone?" He was smiling at me but it looked empty. I hated myself for making him worry so much over me. 

"Mark, you didn't have to." 

"Yes I did. Why did you call me over here? Not that I don't love coming over. But I know something's up. Tell me." I bit my lip and looked down at my teddy's sweet face. It's features became blurry as I felt myself tearing up again. 

"I had to quit my job today. I bumped hands with my co-worker. So.." I was still looking down but I could feel his eyes burning on me. 

"Caitlin.."

"Stop. I don't want you to feel sorry for me. It was my fault."

"No." He said that rather harshly and it caused me to flinch. When I looked up he still looked stoic as always but his eyes were intense. 

"Stop saying this is your fault. You took the pill, but you were young. We all make mistakes. You can't keep blaming yourself for this. Any kid would have done the exact same thing if you gave them the chance." 

"Would they? Would they have done something that would ruin the rest of their life like I did? No, they wouldn't Mark. Because I'm such a screw up. Everything I do is a mistake. I can't do anything right-" 

Without saying anything he stood up and pulled me into a tight hug. God it's been so long since I've felt someone hug me. For a few moments I couldn't think of anything except the flood of emotions I felt. Anger, despair, coldness, and somewhere deep in my heart.. I felt warmth. My mind was blank as the tears slid quietly down my face. Without thinking I wrapped my arms around him. My expression instantly turned into horror when I pushed myself away from him. 

"Y-you can't touch me!"

But he didn't look alarmed. He looked content. He looked at me with his same tender smile and I looked at him bewildered. It looked like nothing happened to him.  I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them again. But he still looked unmoved. I shook my head in disbelief as I tried to wrap my head around this. Noticing how unnerved I was he simply pulled me into a hug once more. I kept my hands by my sides and a single tear slid quietly down my cheek. What was going on?

"S-stop. I told you can't touch me." He leaned back and peered into my face. Obviously worried but still unmoved just the same.

"Why can't I?" 

"Mark, you know why. You're all I have left. Why would you do this?" He cut me off as I felt his lips brush mine. It was soft, gentle. A few seconds later he leaned back again and stared deep into my eyes.

"It didn't affect me because... because you can't make someone love you if they've already fallen in love with you."

I stared at him in disbelief. Did I hear that right?

"It didn't affect me... because I'm already in love with you." He repeated. I couldn't quite wrap my head around this. In that moment I didn't care. All I knew is what my heart was telling me. 

"I've known how I feel about you for a long time. That time you called me over and you were crying because your family wanted nothing to do with you, do you know how hard it was for me not to grab you and hold you like I am now? I never told you because I didn't want to complicate things for you. But I can't let you suffer like this anymore. I will never ever let you cry ever again." His voice was so low I could barely hear it.

I leaned my head against his chest and held him as close to me as possible. I  swear I could almost feel the curses magic slowly dissolving out of my body. It's like I could feel my cold heart melting and the storm clouds in my mind lifting. He squeezed me tightly and rested his head on mine.

"I didn't need magic to help me understand how I feel about you. I will never ever stop loving you."

"I love you, too. I always have, Mark." I smiled against the tears. But they were tears of happiness now. We stood there holding each other, our heartbeats becoming one, as my body filled with joy and love for the first time. 

That day was one I would never forget. The day my best friend, and soul mate, confessed his love for me and I confessed mine for his. Ever since then the sunshine seems a little brighter, the air a little fresher, and life's little things have become joyful again. Now, 2 years later, I stand underneath the warm sunshine in a beautiful white dress. The breeze blows ever so gently. The sweet smell of flowers tickles my nose. Out friends, his family, and yes.. even my family surround us. His big warm hands are holding mine softly as we gaze lovingly into each others eyes. I glance down at the glittery ring on my left hand. I squeeze his hands gently and nearly whisper the words my heart had always wanted to tell him.

"I do."