One Wish

7

"Hey mom," I say when I walk into the kitchen with my three shopping bags.

"Oh, you're home early." She says and looks at the clock. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Yeah, I'm great. Do you need help with dinner?" this comment makes her eyes get wide. She wipes her hands on a towel and walks over to me, placing her hands on my forehead.

"Are you sure you're alright?" she asks. "You never come home early, you never offer to help, are you in trouble?" she backs up and crosses her arms.

"Mom, no. Everything is fine." Except the fact that before I always came home early and always helped around the house. Was I this disrespectful now?

"Well, if you're really sure, and being honest, and you want to help with dinner, let me see what you bought first!" she laughs and I open my first bag.

"I got this black long sleeve shirt, and this white vest," I say and show her. I continue to show off my outfit- high waist denim shorts, knee high black stockings, and ankle boots. Alexa said it was cute, and it was still a little bit of the old me. It would take some time to get used to all of this.

I helped my mom finish making dinner and it was so much fun. I loved the smile on her face and how she seemed so interested in my life- even though I didn't know much to tell her- and I hoped that she forgave me for the way I had supposedly acted in the past.

"Is that your phone?" she asks and I hear the sound.

"I'll call them back," I say.

"No, you answer, I can get it from here. Thanks a lot Leah." I run out of the kitchen with my phone in my hand and answer.

"Hey Leah."

"Hi Jai, how are you?" did I answer the phone correctly?

"I'm fantastic, how are you?" he asks.

"Good, good." I say and glance into the living room where my dad was sitting watching tv. Same old dad.

"Alexandra said you had to go home early tonight," great, he talked to her. "You aren't in trouble are you?"

"No, I'm not." But Alexa would be when I talked to her. "Why are you worried?"

"Because I was wondering if we could hang out tonight. If you want of course." I look back into the living room, then into the kitchen.

"Actually I'm just staying home with my parents tonight; gotta get ready for my party and all."

"Oh, alright, well I guess I'll see you at school tomorrow. You'll love your present."

"Yeah, see you tomorrow." I say and hang up. Did not want to talk about the presents.

Of course I woke up late. I had very little time to get ready, and I forgot I was supposed to dress up. When I got into Alexa's car in my black tank top and denim jeans, she looked at me like I was insane.

"Not this again. Are you okay Leah?" she asks and I roll my eyes.

"I woke up late and this was the first thing I grabbed. Sorry, I don't look as great as you." I wasn't trying to be rude, but it just happened. Never had I been a morning person, especially not when I was rushed, and to add on Alexa wasn't being too kind either.

"Whatever, be weird. What are we doing after school?" she asks.

"Whatever you want. I have nothing planned."

School is always a drag. No magic could change my hate for that place.

"Please, someone stab me in the face." Cameron whispers during a global science debate. "Leah, do you think if we got in a fight they would send us home?"

"We could try," I say trying not to smile. He wasn't my best friend anymore, he was just expressing his hate for this class and I was next to him.

"You throw the first punch," he whispers and the teacher pauses and looks around the room. We wouldn't get in trouble though, everyone was talking.

The rest of the class I kept glancing at Cameron, and he kept glancing at me. Finally he slid a note on to my desk.

So I guess Alexandra told you I'd help decorate Thursday night?

Yeah, but if you don't want to you don't have to..

I'd love to help. I don't think we talk enough.

Because Alexa probably wouldn't like that. Neither would Jai.

Are you two official?

No, but he gave me one of those lame bath set deals. Smells like "wild berry" How cheesy

You don't like that?

I guess I'm over the big gifts. If he gave me a simple mix of my - or his- favorite songs, I'd love that

I see, Lexi only talks about what gifts he got you, and how she wants me to do the same. Funny that you don't want that but get it, and she wants it, but I can't afford it.

No one needs to buy my love

As soon as I hand him the last note the bell rings, and I feel like maybe Madi's wish didn't do so great.