Wishing Stone

Kathy sat in a stall in the girl’s bathroom, crying. Ever since elementary school, she had been a victim of bullying. Because everyone treated her like crap, Kathy didn’t have a high self-esteem or many friends. She didn’t want to go to school because of the bullying. Her mother didn’t know how to help her.

In fact, today she was going to kill herself.

Kathy looked at the numerous sleeping pills in her trembling hands. This way seemed so easy. Just swallow and everything would be over. But why was she so scared to do it? Kathy closed her eyes and opened her mouth.

Don’t it!

Kathy froze and opened her eyes. She couldn’t see anyone in the stall with her. The poor girl laughed at herself. Am I going crazy now?

Please don’t die! I can make you happy!

Kathy all but laughed. “You? How can you possibly make me happy?” She looked up and saw a small white feather floating down to the pills in her hands. In a ball of glowing light, a small white stone appeared. Kathy’s eyes widened as the glow faded away.

“What is this?” she asked.

Carry this around with you all day and your wishes will come true.

“Wait, what do you mean?” the girl asked. Kathy found herself sitting alone in the stall surrounded by silence. She looked down at the white stone in her hands. What just happened? Could this thing really grant her wishes? The girl tilted her head at the shiny surface. But how? Her thoughts were interrupted when the bell rang. Kathy’s stomach turned as she knew what was coming next.

“I wish I had somebody to help me through today,” she mumbled to herself. She looked up when she heard a knock on the stall door.

“Yes?” Kathy asked.

“Excuse me, are you finished in there?” a small voice asked.

“Uh… yeah, hang on,” Kathy said. She packed up her bag and opened the door. A girl about her age stood out of the stall. Something about her deep blue eyes put Kathy’s heart at ease.

“I’m sorry…” Kathy said. “But have I seen you from somewhere before?” The other girl’s long brown hair swayed as she shook her head.

“No, I’m new today,” she said. “And I’m really nervous.” Kathy glanced at the stone in her hand. Did she come here because of me? She clutched the stone in her hand as she shuffled her feet.

“What is your name?” she asked.

“Melody,” the other girl said. “And you are?”

“Kathy,” she said.

“Say, could you help me get to Mrs. O’Connor’s class?” Melody asked. Kathy’s eyes widened.

“That’s my homeroom!” she said. “Of course I can!”

“Yay!” the other girl said. The girls hurried out of the bathroom.

---------

As they walked to class, Kathy wondered about this strange girl. Something about her voice sounded so familiar. Where have I heard it before?

“Hey Melody,” she spoke up.

“Hm?” the shorter girl asked. Kathy opened her mouth to speak.

“Eww, look! It’s garbage!” someone shouted behind them. Kathy and Melody turned to see a group of girls dressed like rich princesses snickering at them. Their leader smirked as Kathy hid behind Melody.

“Who are they?” the shorter girl asked. “Friends of yours?” Kathy quickly shook her head. The four girls looked hungry for blood. Their intended victim could already see what was coming next. For years, their leader named Amanda had been the bane of her school life. She seemed to invent new ways to make her life heal. Their first year of junior high was no different. The teachers never seemed to do anything about it because Amanda looked like a saint. Kathy clutched the stone in her hand.

Why can’t she ever just leave me alone for a change?

Amanda began to run over to her target with her arm out, but then she tripped and fell on her face. Kathy came out from behind Melody with a puzzled look on her face.

“What just happened?” she asked. Amanda’s posse ran over to her.

“What happened?” one of the girls asked. She tried to help the main bully up, but Amanda pushed her away.

“What do you think happened, stupid?” she asked. “I tripped!” Amanda looked at Kathy, red-faced.

“You!” she shouted. “You!” The main bully jumped to her feet and took off after her target again. This time, a classroom and she ran straight into it. Amanda landed on her butt howling.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” another student said. Kathy grabbed Melody by the hand and ran with her to class. What was that just now? The stone began to shrink little by little and grow warm. Meanwhile, Melody’s hand felt just as warm as the stone. When they reached the classroom, the shorter girl looked Kathy in the eye.

“Let’s be friends,” she said. The other girl looked at her with big eyes.

“Huh?” she asked. Melody’s eyes appeared to glow just like the stone in Kathy’s hand.

“I just want you to be happy,” the shorter girl said. “I’ve watched you for a long time and you seem so lonely. So, please. Let’s be friends.” Kathy narrowed her eyes.

“I don’t understand,” she said. “Who are you?” Melody broke into a cute little smile.

“Just somebody that wants you to live and be happy,” she said. Kathy stared at her wide-eyed as the “new girl” walked past her into the classroom.

“Are you coming?” Melody asked in the doorway. Kathy jumped at the sound of her voice.

“Oh! Sure!” she said. The girl raced into the classroom with the stone in her hand.

When You Wish Upon a Stone