Calvin finally emerged from the weird magic shop. Maya sighed.
“It’s about time!” he said. “You’ve been in there for ages!”
“Well, getting spell and potion ingredients isn’t exactly something I can do quickly,” Calvin said. The two began to walk. “Especially because I have something big planned.” Maya eyed him suspiciously. Calvin was a witch who regularly practiced his spells and potions on her. For the most part, they worked out. But every now and then, Maya would have to call in sick to work because she’d been turned blue and Calvin was still trying to come up with a way to reverse it. Whenever he had “something big” planned, it usually meant Maya was about to be in the line of fire.
“What do you have planned?” she asked cautiously. Calvin handed her a flier. “Oh this? I’ve seen these around town. I think that it’s nice they’re holding a cooking competition for kids.”
“Did you see the prize money?” Calvin asked. Maya looked down at the flier. Her eyes widened.
“A thousand dollars? Wow. That’ll make some parent really happy.”
“No. It’ll make us really happy.”
“I hate to ask it, but why?”
“Because you’re going to win,” Calvin chirped. Maya frowned at him.
“Yeah, I’m a professional chef, but I’m also an adult.”
“Not after you drink the potion I’m going to whip up tonight.”
“Wh- Calvin, you can’t just turn me into a kid! Your failure rate at turning me back is way too high!”
“Relax,” Calvin said, waving a hand airily. “The regression potion is the one I’m best at. I’ve used it on myself plenty of times.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Trust me, you won’t be stuck as a kid,” Calvin said firmly. Maya was silent. “Think of the money, My!”
“Ugh, fine.” Maya stuffed the flier into her back pocket. “Fine.” Calvin clapped his hands in delight. “But you’re turning me back the second the competition is over. Got it?” Calvin nodded.
“Of course.”
“There are three age groups. What age are you going to make me?” Maya asked. Calvin’s eyes lit up mischievously.