"Lets forget about magic spells and curses and just get back to the office" Nicola suggested tetchily.
"Maybe we should just leave it for today" James replied as he looked at his friend with concern and curiosity. He felt sure he couldn't really have cursed her but something just felt off enough about Nicola since leaving the shop that returning to work might not be the best idea.
"Fine. You can hang out at mine for a bit if you stop acting weird" Nicola offered whilst casually scratching her armpit. James had definitely never seen her do that before.
"Uh ok"
"What's wrong now? Why are you looking at me like that...ook!" Nicola wanted to know.
"Are you messing with me?" James asked cautiously.
"Ook! What do you mean?"
"Why are you making that noise" James was bold enough to ask.
"I've obviously just got the - oook - hiccups. Was that part of your curse I suppose? Ook! Ook!"
"That's not what the hiccups sound like. You're acting like...it's kind of like you're becoming a.."
"What?!!!" Nicola was definitely pissed now.
"Never mind" James sighed.
As the pair made their way to the bus stop James noticed that Nicola seemed to be walking in a slightly odd way, a little hunched over and at a quicker pace than usual, almost like she was scampering. For the first time he began to fear he really had cursed her.
As James sat down at the bus stop Nicola literally jumped onto the seat next to him and landed in a squatting position, her hands resting on the seat.
"You're - ook - looking at me weird again!" Nicola complained.
"Why are you sitting like that?" James asked as calmly as he could.
"Just feels confortable" Nicola shrugged as she began scratching her head again. James' eyes grew wide in shock all of a sudden.
"Nicola...your hands!" he was unable to stop himself from blurting out.
Nicola looked to see the back of her hands now partially covered in thick, black hair and, for the first time that day a look of genuine surprise spread across her pretty features.