As You Wish by Jackson Pearce Read Free Book Online

are a little self-obsessed and…uh…grabby. I haven’t dated in years.”
    â€œBut you’re so charming!” she replies. I raise an eyebrow, then catch the sarcastic glimmer in her grin.
    It’s hard not to laugh when her eyes are sparkling with amusement at her own joke. “Yeah, yeah. It’s different there, though. We aren’t chained to one another like everyone here is. You have yourself, your own identity. So long as you know who you are, you can be happy, so there’s really no need todate—unless you’re bored.”
    Viola chews on her pen cap through a wry grin. “Yeah. Or maybe you just can’t get a date.”
    I sigh, but smile. “Okay, fine. You could wish for flowers, you know.”
    â€œNot gonna happen.”
    â€œHow about flowers and chocolate?”
    â€œNope.”
    â€œWho doesn’t like chocolate? A heart-shaped box of candy would make anyone feel whole,” I say.
    â€œCome on,” she responds, “be reasonable. We aren’t talking about choosing between left and right. Choosing three wishes is a huge deal.”
    â€œFor you. Not for Keanu.”
    â€œWell, of course not. Everything is easy for Keanu. The guy can dodge bullets,” Viola says.
    A loud, grinding sound—the garage door opening—cuts her off. Her parents are noisy getting out of the car, like they’ve had a lot of wine at dinner. Viola looks at me as she rises from the couch.
    â€œI’m going to my room. They’re going to want to watch C-SPAN or something,” she says.
    I stand and shove my hands in my pockets. She doesn’t want me in her bedroom again just yet, I can tell, but at least her fear of me has melted away.
    â€œSo I need to leave?” I say, even though I already see her answer. She looks apologetic, but nods. “All right,” I say, and the room blurs as I begin to vanish. “Good night, Viola.”

five
Viola
    FIVE HOURS TILL the party.
    Four.
    Three. I should have spent the day painting—time always goes faster that way. I begin rooting through my closet, wondering what I’m supposed to wear tonight.
    â€œYou could wish for a new wardrobe.” Jinn’s voice comes from behind me. I don’t jump this time—I guess I’ve gotten used to him appearing and disappearing. I sigh and turn away from my scant collection of outfits, meeting his eyes as I fall into my computer chair.
    â€œRight, a new wardrobe. A worthy use of a wish. Whatdo girls wear to parties in Caliban, anyway?” I ask. “Do they dress up?”
    â€œI guess. Or dress down , rather. They don’t wear a lot to parties….” I raise both eyebrows. Jinn shrugs and continues. “All jinn girls sort of look the same, though, so there’s no real point.”
    â€œYou’re so romantic.” I smirk and then laugh when Jinn fakes a gentlemanly bow before collapsing onto my bed.
    â€œYeah, well, to be honest, you sort of stop noticing the difference between one jinn and another after a while. We don’t have names, and we all look pretty similar—it gets tricky to keep everyone straight, much less feel romantic about one in particular.”
    â€œThat’s so bizarre, to think of you not having a name. You’re Jinn ,” I say. Who else would he be without that title? It somehow blows my mind.
    Jinn laughs, then answers brightly, “I guess. Though that’s just a name you gave me. When I get back to Caliban, I’ll just be another jinn again—” He cuts himself off, and his eyebrows furrow in a puzzled expression that I don’t totally understand.
    I’m about to ask what he’s thinking when he speaks again. “Anyway, female jinn go to parties half naked. It’s not as appealing as you’d expect, but it’s what the Ancients want.” He begins picking at my quilt with a bored expression.
    â€œWhoa, back up,” I