“It’s supposed to stick out the back,” said Linzy.
“Really?” asked Casey.
“Yes,” said Linzy. “You don’t know that, because you used to be a boy.”
“Thanks, Linzy. I’ll try to remember that,” said Casey.
“If you want to know anything else about being a girl, just ask me,” said Linzy. “I’ve been a girl my whole life.”
Marvin’s mother came out of her office. “Would you and your friend like a snack?” she asked. “I made chocolate-chip cookies.”
Marvin wanted to tell his mother that Casey wasn’t his friend, but he thought that might be rude.
“Sure,” he said with a shrug.
“Thank you, Mrs. Redpost,” Casey said politely.
Marvin started to follow his mother into the kitchen, but Casey grabbed his arm, stopping him. She had a gleam in her eye. She showed Marvin the magic crystal and whispered, “I wished for homemade cookies!”
Marvin felt very happy sitting next to Casey, eating homemade cookies. The cookies seemed to taste especially good because Casey had wished for them.
But then he thought about it. How did he know Casey really wished for cookies? When did she wish for the cookies? Hadn’t they agreed they’d make all their wishes together? And only one wish a day?
Either Casey lied when she said she wished for the cookies. Or she could have made a lot of secret wishes, and only told him about the ones that came true.
The cookies didn’t taste so great anymore.
“This is so cool, Marvin!” said Casey. “We can wish for anything in the whole world! What do you want to wish for?”
“I don’t care,” Marvin grumbled.
“What’s wrong?” asked Casey.
Marvin shrugged and said, “Nothing.”
“What’s the matter?” asked Casey.
“You promised not to make any wishes without me,” Marvin said.
“I didn’t,” said Casey.
“What about the cookies?” said Marvin.
“Oh, that doesn’t count,” said Casey. “It was just a little wish. It wasn’t a big wish.”
“How many other little wishes did you make?” asked Marvin.
“That’s the only one. I promise.” She crossed her heart.
Marvin didn’t know if he could believe her.
“You don’t believe me, do you?” she asked.
“It doesn’t matter,” said Marvin.
“Here,” said Casey. She handed Marvin the crystal. “You make a wish all by yourself. Wish for anything you want.”
Marvin took the rock, but he really didn’t feel like making his own wish. The fun part was making wishes together.