Samantha wasn’t sick—she just had allergies. But between the runny nose, red eyes, and relentless sneezing, she looked like the poster child for the flu.
She walked into the pharmacy, grabbed a box of allergy pills, and headed for the counter. The pharmacist, a kind older man with thick glasses, glanced up and said, “Feeling under the weather?”
She nodded. “Yeah, just allergies though.”
As he scanned the box, she sniffled dramatically. “I swear, I’m not contagious.”
The man smiled. “Oh, I believe you. The sneezing concerto convinced me.”
Just then, her phone buzzed. It was a text from her mom: “Don’t buy those pills again! Last time, you hallucinated your potted plant was giving TED Talks!”
Samantha panicked and quickly tried to put the box back. The pharmacist raised an eyebrow. “Changed your mind?”
She fumbled for an excuse. “Uh… I remembered I have… extra… at home. Like, a whole season’s worth.”
“Good,” he said, ringing up the next customer.
On her way out, she sneezed so hard her bag hit a shelf of vitamins—sending bottles rolling in every direction.
A kid nearby whispered, “Mom, I think that lady has superpowers.”
Without missing a beat, Samantha whispered back, “Only when severely medicated.”