Hattie completes her vows, and as she nears the final words, the blood starts pumping through my body in double time. Are we going to do this? We’re actually going to do this. We shouldn’t do this. No, we definitely should not be doing this. At one point, I even contemplate leaving Hattie there and running away while I still can. This is officially the worst plan ever.

But then Hattie looks over at me and makes a subtle drinking motion, and my nerves ignite like flint. I can’t run away now. My sister is doing this for me. We’re doing this together, and it’s going to work, darn it! The line Sometimes you gotta burn your fingers to enjoy the s’more rings in my ears.

Hattie and I exchange one final look. One determined nod. And then I take a deep breath and count to three.

“Now, Riley!” Hattie calls out.

I rip the potion out of my pocket and throw back half the liquid before I can change my mind. It burns slightly as it makes its way down my throat. But there’s no turning back now. I have to commit.

Eomma and Appa stare in shock, frozen in their seats, as we start the incantations.

“Jega gajingeon, dangsinege jumnida,” Hattie chants. That which I have, I give to you.

I respond in earnest, my voice shaking like a leaf. “Dangsini gajingeon, jega gajyeogamnida.” That which you have, I take from you.

I start making my way to Hattie and the cauldron.

The motion brings Appa back to his senses, and he grabs my arm. “Riley, what are you doing? Sit back down!”

I give him a guilty look and hope my eyes are apology enough as I continue to chant. “Dangsini gajingeon, jega gajyeogamnida.” I break away from his grip and continue toward Hattie.

We’re doing the right thing, I tell myself. Everyone will come around, and they will eventually understand. Everything is going to be all right.

Eomma is up on her feet now, pleading with us to stop. “Girls, please. Don’t do this!”

It pains me to ignore her, but I keep walking. I focus my eyes on Hattie, and we both look at the cauldron. We’re so close now. All we need to do is pour the second half of our vials into the cauldron and the spell will be complete.

Sweat beads on my forehead as I finally reach Hattie and we both lift our potions over the cauldron’s mouth. This is our moment. I am finally going to become a witch, and the adrenaline is like a living thing pinballing inside me.

“Stop, girls, STOP!” Auntie Okja screams, running toward us. “You can’t!”

Something about the frenzy in her voice makes me halt dead in my tracks. I have never heard her sound like this before.