Anne sat on the edge of Mira's bed, nervously twisting the hem of her sleeve.
"I can't do it," she muttered. "He'll think I'm weird. Or desperate. Or both."
Mira rolled her eyes and flopped down beside her, her indigo eyes sparkling with mischief. "Anne Waters, you faced down Brittany Lawson last week with nothing but a spine and a stare. Asking Daniel Carter to go to the country fair is nothing compared to that."
Anne groaned. "That was different. That was survival. This is… hope."
Mira leaned in, her voice softening. "You like him. He likes you. You've got magic in your corner—literally. What's the worst that could happen?"
Anne hesitated. "He could say no."
"Or," Mira said, nudging her shoulder, "he could say yes."
Anne looked at her friend, the girl who had walked into her life like a comet and refused to leave. Mira believed in her. That was new. That was terrifying. That was… empowering.
"Okay," Anne whispered. "I'll ask him."
Later that afternoon, Anne stood in the school courtyard, her heart thudding like a drum. Zahir hovered nearby, invisible to everyone but her, arms crossed and expression unreadable.
"You're really going through with this?" he asked, voice low and laced with something Anne couldn't quite name.
"Yes," she said, scanning the crowd for Daniel.
Zahir floated closer. "You don't need him, Anne. You've already changed everything. Why chase something so… ordinary?"
Anne turned to him. "Because I want to. Because it's mine to chase."
Zahir's jaw tightened, but he said nothing more.
They waited.
Daniel was supposed to meet her by the fountain. Mira had texted him, casually suggesting Anne wanted to talk. Anne had rehearsed her lines a dozen times. She was ready.
But instead of Daniel, Brittany arrived.
She strutted across the courtyard like she owned it, her glossy hair bouncing with every step, her smile sharp and smug.
"Well, well," she drawled, stopping in front of Anne. "Waiting for your prince charming? How quaint."
Anne stiffened. "Go away, Brittany."
Brittany tilted her head. "Oh, come on. I just wanted to say how predictable this is. You finally get a little attention, and suddenly you think you're Cinderella. Newsflash: Daniel's not into charity cases."
Mira stepped forward, eyes blazing. "Back off."
Brittany ignored her. "I saw your little plan. The texts. The waiting. The desperation. Honestly, it's kind of sad."
Anne's hands clenched into fists. "You don't know anything."
"Oh, but I do," Brittany said, her voice syrupy and cruel. "I know you're just a girl with a genie and a fantasy. And I know Daniel's not coming."
Anne's breath caught. "What?"
Brittany smirked. "He's with his team. Practice ran late. Didn't Mira tell you?"
Anne turned to Mira, who looked genuinely confused. "I didn't know," she said. "I swear."
But the damage was done. Anne felt the sting of embarrassment crawl up her spine. The whispers. The waiting. The hope.
She turned and walked away. And rushes home
Anne slammed the door behind her, her cheeks flushed with humiliation. Her room was dim, the golden glow of sunset casting long shadows across the walls.
Zahir was already there, lounging on her bed with his shirt unbuttoned, his chest gleaming faintly in the fading light. His hair was tousled, his eyes dark and unreadable.
"You're back early," he said, voice low and smooth.
Anne didn't answer. She dropped her bag and sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the floor.
Zahir stood and walked over, his presence magnetic. "What happened?"
Anne looked up, her eyes burning. "Brittany. She ruined everything."
Zahir's jaw tightened. "Say the word."
Anne blinked. "What?"
"You have a wish left," he said, stepping closer. "Use it."
Anne hesitated. "I just… I don't want her to go to the fair. I want her to miss it. I want her to feel what it's like to be left out."
Zahir's eyes gleamed. "Done."
He snapped his fingers.
now the next morning...
Anne met Mira by the lockers, her heart still heavy.
"Did you hear?" Mira said, eyes wide. "Brittany's out sick. Flu. Like, bad."
Anne blinked. "Really?"
Mira nodded. "She's not coming to the fair. She's resting. Her mom posted about it."
Anne felt a strange mix of satisfaction and guilt. "That's… convenient."
Mira raised an eyebrow. "You didn't—?"
Anne shook her head. "I didn't wish anything bad. Just… that she wouldn't go."
Mira studied her. "Anne, be careful. Magic doesn't always play fair."
Anne nodded, but inside, she felt victorious.
She'd won.
To be continued…