Wishful Thinking

Chapter 2

     When Leah arrived at her house (finally), she greeted her parents, falsely answered their questions about why she was home so late (school project), and went upstairs to do her homework in her bedroom.

     But all she could think about was the lamp.

     She gave up and helped her mom cook dinner.

     But all she could think about was what she should wish for.

     She ate dinner with her family.

     But all she could think about was Xavier the Green Genie.

     "Leah, are you okay?" her mother asked, "You look troubled about something."

     "I'm fine," she replied, "I'm just thinking about, you know, school and stuff." There were no more questions for Leah, so she put her dishes in the sink and retreated back to her bedroom. She finished her homework (mostly), and went to bed early.

     She tried to sleep, but sleep wouldn't come. Her mind was racing, replaying the events of her walk home, and wondering what she should wish for.

     Finally she got up and took the lamp out of her backpack. Through the dark, she stared at it.

     "What should I wish for with you?" She whispered to the lamp. Then she put it back in her bag, lay down on her bed, and counted numbers in her head until she fell asleep.

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     That morning, when Leah's mom woke her up, she sat up in her bed and thought about the crazy dream she had had that night. She had found a magic genie lamp, and she had already used two wishes.

     But then she remembered that she had found a genie lap and she had already used two wishes. She only had one left and she had absolutely no idea what to wish for.

     Leah got ready quickly, so she wouldn't have time to think about the lamp. Soon she was in her mom's car. Her mom drove her to school so she wouldn't have to walk. When her mom dropped her off, there were still a few minutes until school started, so Leah stood outside and waited, alone. Leah didn't really have any friends. Sure, she had people she sat with at lunch, but she never felt truly accepted.

     The bell rang and Leah followed the crowd of other children to the doors. She put her coat in her locker and headed to her seventh grade homeroom class.

     She sat down at her desk by the window and watched as her classmates filed into the classroom and took their seats.

     She saw all of the kids but one.

     One person wasn't there.

     The person Leah most anticipated seeing at school every day. That person was Jack Garrison. He was extremely nice to Leah, and he was the only person who would stick up for her she was teased by the "cool" girls, which happened a lot. He had sparkling green eyes and light brown hair, and his skin had a nice tan that many people envied, compared to Leah's dull blue eyes, dark hair, and skin as white as a sheet. He was definitely the cutest and nicest boy in the class, in Leah's opinion.

     I hope he comes, thought Leah. Then, just as the tardy bell rang, Jack burst into the room and sat in his desk, which was right next to Leah's.