Chapter 2:The Wish *
Tiffani couldn’t believe she actually made a fool of herself in front of him. Her best friend and her crush. Not that Tiffani wanted to fall for the guy. His arrogant character ticked her off at their first meeting in 4th grade but when they got close, she actually realized he was good on the inside. Then, unwanted feelings started to develop inside and the harder she fought them, the more she fell in love. Tiffani sighed quietly, feeling her hand in Sam’s again. They had returned to their walking and it had been a while.
“Are we there yet? You know, it’s been a while!” Tiffani complained. Sam didn’t answer and Tiffani was scared that maybe she annoyed him. She couldn’t stand being ignored by him. She was, however, proved wrong.
“We’re here,” said Sam, halting to a stop so suddenly.
“O-oh,” Tiffani said, nearly bumping into him. He took both her hands and led her to another position. Tiffani heard water flowing in her ears; she presumed they were nearby a river or a pond.
“I discovered this place two nights ago,” Sam said, breaking into her thoughts. “I guess we should try it to see if it’s real to its name.”
“What do you mean?” Tiffani asked.
“This fountain,” Sam replied “is called ‘the fountain of desire’. Let’s just say it lets your deepest wishes come true.”
Tiffani was silent at first then she fell into fits of laughter.
“H-hey! I know this might seem like crap,” Sam said “But I just wanna check it out okay?! You should be thankful I even thought of bringing you here.”
“No,” Tiffani said, “I didn’t mean to make fun of you but you, a basketball captain and a jock, telling a myth story like it was your passion made it seem funny.”
“J-just because jocks play sports doesn’t mean they have to be dumb!” Sam replied sounding annoyed. He took her hand and made her extend her hand, her palm outwards. He put a coin onto her palm.
“M-Make a wish.” Sam said.
“Are you serious?!” Tiffani cried out, closing her hand over the coin. She laughed again.
“Fine, if you don’t want to believe this crap then we’d better just go,” said Sam taking her hand again, starting to head back.
“Wait!” Tiffani said, taking her hand away from his. “I-I’m sorry.”
“Do you want to make a wish or not?” Sam asked, his tone with that of impatience.
“Well, what is there to risk by trying it out right?” she asked.
“Yeah…” Sam replied, his voice becoming gentle.
Tiffani took deep breaths and turned around. Sam gently pushed her forward so that she was near the edge of the fountain. She racked her brain with some wishes but she didn’t know what. Then she thought maybe it’s better off wishing for her vision back.
‘I wish-’ Tiffani opened her palm. ‘To have what my heart desires’
The coin fell from her palm and fell in the water, it’s drop gently sending ripples in the surface.
Tiffani stopped to think about what she said. Why did it feel right when what she said was wrong? The words just came out of her heart. She sighed.
“Okay, Ms. Klutz,” Sam said teasingly, taking her hand. “Let’s head back. If I don’t get you home by 7, your brother with skin me”
Tiffani laughed, losing her thought about her wish as she walked back. She felt bad for using her blindness as an advantage but the only feeling she like is when her only best friend is holding her hand.
Then it came again.
Another severe headache. Tiffani was wondering what had happened when she had a flash of an image in her mind. It was showing a guy, with brown hair and his back turned to her, leading her out of a forest like place and then it disappeared. Tiffani held Sam’s hand tighter and shook her head.
“Are you okay?” Sam asked, his voice filled with worry.
“Yeah,” Tiffani answered, releasing her grip on his hands. “I’m alright.”
***
Sam opened the door for her and she walked out of the car.
“Tiffani!” she heard her brother call and she turned around to where the voice came from.
“Tyler,” she said. “What are you doing outside?”
“I was… just watering the plants,” he replied. “Why are you late?”
Tyler glared at Sam, who glared back at him.
“Oh, well then,” Tiffani said, turning back around. “Thanks for the ride, Sam. Careful on your way home.”
“Yeah,” Sam said, sticking his tongue out at Tyler who clenched his jaw in rage. Sam had always gotten on Tyler’s nerve ever since Sam reduced his time spending with his sister.
“Wait a minute, Samuel.” Tiffani said, grinned as he walked towards the car. Sam looked up, inserting the key to start.
“Listen lady, I said it’s Sam!” Sam said. “Seriously!”
Tiffani felt for his face again and she moved closer. Sam stared in astonishment, his face turning crimson.
“Uh, Tiff?” he asked. Tiffani ran her hands on his face- and then smacked him on top of the head again.
“Ouch!” Sam exclaimed. “Not again! What was that for?!!”
“Oh, nothing,” smiled Tiffani. She turned around, walking away with Tyler, who was holding her cane and leading her back.
“Women!” muttered Sam, starting the engine and driving away back to his house but then out of oddness, he smiled again.
***
Tiffani smiled as she heard the engine grow fainter as Sam drove away. She went upstairs to her room to change and came back down to the dining room where Tyler was preparing the plates.
“Are mom and dad here yet?” she asked, sitting down. Tyler put down a plate in front of her.
“Nah, they are still in Egypt, excavating another mummy tomb they found.” replied Tyler.
Tiffani sighed. Since their parents were archeologists, they had spent most of their time away in excavations leaving Tyler to take care of Tiffani alone, which Tyler did very well. Tiffani sniffed and then smiled.
“Lamb chops with broccoli.” She said, her mouth starting to water.
“Good guess,” laughed Tyler, sitting beside her. “Oh, by the way, I have a new job.”
Tiffani picked up her spoon and frowned.
“You always have another job.” She mused, starting to eat. “Don’t you have a girlfriend?”
She heard Tyler drop his spoon and he flustered to pick it up.
“Of course not!” Tyler exclaimed. “I have my reasons, too. Besides, I want experience.”
Tiffani shrugged, smiling and starting to eat.
Then came another headache.
It came more frequently than the day before and because the headache was so severe, it caused her to drop her spoon. Tyler looked in surprised at Tiffani. Her eyes felt like they were being ripped open and she covered her eyes, screaming in pain. Tyler stood up, his chair falling in the process and he went beside her.
“Tiffani, what’s wrong?!” he asked.
Tiffani did not answer, the pain disappearing. She carefully took her hands away from her eyes and opened them. A blurry black and white image came to her vision. Tiffani couldn’t believe it. She could see!
Tiffani turned towards Tyler, who was looking at her with worry. Tyler had change so much when she last saw him. The lively, chubby boy who was then 10 years old had been replaced by a handsome guy with had spiky hair and was looking at her. Tiffani smiled proudly.
“Tyler,” Tiffani said, smiling despite her urge to sleep and reached out a hand to pat him. Tyler gasped in shock, meeting her eyes which suddenly filled with life.
“You…” continued Tiffani. “Sure lost weight…”
Then, as another headache came, Tiffani felt herself being overcome with darkness and she fainted.
