Wishful Thinking

Chapter 5

     That morning Leah broke the record for the fastest time in getting ready for school. When her mom dropped her off at school, she jumped out of the car before it stopped completely and shouted "Bye!" to her mom. She was so excited that she couldn't keep still until the bell rang. When it finally did ring, Leah rushed into the school, shoved her things into her locker, and raced into the classroom. Then she waited for Jack for arrive.

     When he finally did arrive, he did the same exact thing as the day before. He sat down next to Leah and said "Hey, Leah," with a grin. But instead of making her giddy inside, it made her angry.

     He should like me, Leah thought, but he's acting the same way he did yesterday!

     The thought that maybe Jack was acting in this specific manner for a reason never occurred to Leah.

     Leah pondered Jack's un-change in behavior until lunch. Jack sat with her so she wouldn't be teased by Ashley, Samantha, and Melissa again.

     Leah was still thinking about her wish that didn't come true when she started walking home from school (after Jack said "Bye, Leah," of course). Then Leah remembered that she still had the lamp. She took it out and rubbed it.

     "Hey," said Xavier the Green Genie as the green mist cleared, "Need someone to talk to?"

     "How come my wish didn't come true?" Leah demanded.

     "Did it?" Xavier asked.

     "No, it didn't!" Leah answered. "I wished that Jack liked me, but he was acting the same way as he was yesterday..." Leah stopped as the realization hit her.

     "You see, kid, you wished for something that was already there," Xavier patted Leah's shoulder.

     "Does that mean I get another wish?" Leah asked hopefully.

     "Sorry, but you got three wishes, and that one counted. If I could give you another wish, I would," Xavier apologized, but he didn't sound too apologetic. Xavier glanced at the watch on his wrist that didn't exist, and said, "Well, kid, it was nice knowing you, but duty calls, I've got wishes to grant. Good luck with life." Then Xavier the Green Genie and his lamp disappeared in a puff of green mist.