The Last Genie: A Novella

Chapter 16

The rest of the afternoon, Grace couldn't stop thinking about their dinner. Was it a date or not a date? Was it weird she wanted her genie? What should she wear? Where should they eat?

These thoughts just kept going around and around in her head that by the time she made it to her bus stop and saw Ithel again she was so frazzled she could hardly talk.

Ithel was actually almost excited about their dinner as Grace was. He had been planning to spend the afternoon thinking about how he could get Grace to make her last wish, but his mind kept drifting to Grace's gorgeous blue eyes and who they reminded him of.

Anyways, Ithel also was in no mood to talk, and when they made it to her apartment, Grace was ready to race to the shower and get ready. However, as soon as they walked in, Kari stepped out of her room and, "Hey, what are y'all planning on doing tonight?"

"We were planning to go eat to eat somewhere."

"Awesome, this new Indian place opened up just around the corner that I've been dying to go to. Y'all want to go there?"

Grace didn't want Kari coming along with her and Ithel, but she still wasn't sure if this was a date. And, she didn't want to hurt her friend, so she said, "Maybe," Then, she looked at Ithel and asked, "Do you like Indian food?

Ithel also didn't want to eat with Kari, but he also didn't want to seem rude to Grace's friend. So, he said, "Yeah. It's alright."

"Great," said Kari. "Y'all want to go in like forty-five minutes?"

"Sure," said Grace, and Ithel just nodded his head.

After showering and changing, with little enthusiasm Grace and Ithel followed Kari outside. When they made it to the bottom of the steps, Kari looked down the street and made sure Brandon was parked and ready.

They crossed the street, and after walking a little ways, Kari quickly turned around and waved stealthily to Brandon. Then, she turned back to Grace and Ithel and asked, "Have y'all seen the giraffe video?"

"What giraffe video?" asked Grace.

"The one with baby giraffe and lion cub."

"I don't think so."

"You have to see it," said Kari as she stepped in front of them and pulled out her phone.

While she opened the video, she quickly glanced down the street to make sure Brandon was heading their way. Once the video was loaded, she turned up the volume and handed it to Grace.

After watching it for a few seconds, Ithel noticed that Kari's eyes were focused on something behind him. He looked that way and saw Brandon's car coming up the street. At first, he didn't think anything of it because he didn't know it was Brandon's car or who Brandon was. But, then he realized the car was picking up speed, and the driver was staring right at him.

Ithel glanced back at Kari and saw that she too was staring at the car, but instead of with surprise, she appeared to be watching it with anticipation.

Kari reached for Ithel to pull him out of the way of Brandon's car, but Ithel moved quicker, leaping towards Grace to tackle her out of the way.

As Ithel knocked Grace off her feet, Brandon's car hopped onto the sidewalk. It flew over where Ithel was standing mere seconds before, whizzed mere inches from Kari's feet, then careened back into the street and collided head on with a car coming in the opposite direction.

Before Ithel could ask if she was ok, Grace shoved Ithel's arm off her and rushed towards Brandon's car. After staring after her in abject awe of her bravery, Ithel surged to his feet and chased after her.

When she got to his car, Grace pulled open his door and blurted out a surprised, "Brandon?"

Ithel who had caught up to her said, "You know this guy?" as Brandon groaned.

"I'm pretty sure he works with Kari?"

"I knew it."

"Knew what?" asked Grace as she leaned into the car to check on Brandon.

"Kari set this up."

"What are you talking about?"

"She tried to save my life!"

"What?"

"She told Brandon to try and run us over."

"Why would she do that?"

"To get wishes!"

Grace didn't want it to be true, but after a moment, she realized it could be true. So, she said angrily to Brandon, "Is it true?"

Brandon said nothing, so she shouted, "Did Kari tell you to try and run us over?"

After a moment, Brandon said softly, "Yes."

Grace got out of the car, and Ithel said angrily, "This is why I wanted you to make your last wish."

"What?"

"Whenever I stay in one place too long, shit like this happens."

"So, you're saying this is my fault?"

"Yes! All you had to do was make one fucking wish. A million dollars, a new car, a diamond ring, it's easy."

Grace was shocked and deeply hurt, so she said, "Fine, you want me to make my last wish. I wish you had a new RV, so you can get out of my life." And, poof a new RV appeared in front of them.

Ithel stared at her, but due to his anger, no words came to his head, so he stormed into the RV and sped away.

After Ithel left, Kari tried to talk to Grace, but she wasn't having it. She was too mad and disgusted that her friend would do something like that.

How could she be so irresponsible and selfish? She could've been killed, and Ithel could've been killed, and Brandon could've been killed, and anyone on the street could've been killed. And, for what? The possibility she could get three stupid wishes.

Grace did refrain from telling the police it was an intentional act, but that was more to protect Brandon and avoid discussing the whole genie thing than protecting Kari.

She needed some time away from Kari. So, she packed a few things and went to stay at her friend, Claire's, place.