Jon stared at the fresh nail polish on his finger and toenails. It was baby blue. It was also something he never thought he'd see on himself. He was still not sure why Karyn had asked him to do it, but if it gave him a chance to save their friendship, it was the least he could do.
Absentmindedly Jon blew on his fingers, helping his nails dry quicker. Karyn was lounging on her bed while he he enjoyed the plush armchair she had next to her closet. He leaned back, enjoying the soft pillows of the chair; he couldn't go anywhere until his toenails dried, so he might as well be comfortable.
He wondered if he would ever make up to his friend for hurting their relationship so badly. He hoped so. If not, he guessed he could use the stone to fix it; that was a possibility he hadn't considered before. Maybe when he got home he could...
"Enjoying yourself, Jon?" Karyn smirked at him from her position on the bed. She almost sounded playful, teasing. He hoped this was a sign that she was beginning to forgive him, although he wouldn't be surprised it if were a while before they were back to the way they were. For now he'd do his best to make her happy.
"Oh sure, Karyn," he replied, "I didn't do a very good job, but I tried my best." He smiled and showed the half-dried nails (feet and hands) to his friend. She examined them and shook her head.
"You're right, you didn't do a very good job," she sounded disappointed. "I think that you'll have to practice until you get it right. Get the nail polish remover from the vanity, take that lousy job off and do it over."
Immediately he obeyed, walking on his heels (to not mark up the carpet with the baby blue he wore on his toes) he retrieved the remover and began the process again. The smell was nasty, making him feel dizzy, but he soon got used to it. When the nails were perfectly clear he dried them off with a cotton ball and began the process again.
"Okay, I'm doing it," he went very slowly, making sure to get it right this time. By the time he was done he had done a markedly improved job, but his inexperience still showed.
"Jon, you're obviously not trying, and you obviously don't care about our friendship," Karyn shot at him.
"I do! Honestly!"
"Oh really? Well, if that's true you'd better improve a bit. I think that all this week you should do your nails at least once a day. Maybe that will help you get it right. And I don't want you using that wishing rock to make yourself better at it. In fact, don't use that rock at all unless you ask me permission first!"
Jon's slumped back into the chair. This was worse than he'd thought it would be. He'd be ridiculed for having painted nails. His parents would have questions. His friends would make fun. He couldn't even fix it with the rock! Well, he resolved, Karyn is worth it. I'd rather go through all that crap than lose her as a friend. Sitting forward once again he spoke up.
"No problem," he said with a smile.
