As she walked into the cafeteria for lunch, Zoey was feeling relieved but in dire need of faces she knew. There weren’t many here. It was surreal to look at a room she had been in many times as Jon and recognize few people.
“Zoey!” she heard a voice call from a few tables over. When she found it, she realized it was the other girl that was in her lock screen photo: Vanessa Kim, who she now recognized her girlfriend.
“Oh hey, I didn’t see you! Let me go grab something to eat.” As she went to the cafeteria ordering window, she thought that it might be best to order a salad, since she knew that something different might make the others ask if she was okay. She returned and sat next between Vanessa and Bryanna, with several other cheerleaders—Jasmine Duncan, Cherry Martinez (who was a year below the others) and Amber Levine, who was practically unchanged in appearance from before the wish.
“Mount Valley tonight! The gym should be packed,” Vanessa began excitedly. “I’ll have to get a front row seat just for you!” She put her arm around Zoey’s shoulder.
“Ooooh.” Zoey reacted not only to what Vanessa had to say but to her touch.
“Have you seen Kyle Leeson? He’s ripped,” Jasmine gushed. Kyla? Boy now, huh? Zoey thought.
“Mike Matthews is too, but he’s such a jerk. Even when it’s basketball season,” Cherry added. “I couldn’t imagine being that much of a jerk.”
“These football players think they’re the kings of basketball when they’re not. I bet if Tamara Brant played for the boys’ team, she’d be better than Mike,” Jasmine chimed in.
“Nick Forsyth is a star and some of these boys think they’re better than him. They’re bringing football field-sized egos onto the court,” Amber replied. “And he’s a star who’s willing to give a BJ from time to time!” she giggled.
“We could do what they do, but they couldn’t dress up in a Panther cheerleader uniform for nothing,” Bryanna stated. The others nodded.
“I almost wish—” Vanessa began.
“Don’t go wishing,” Zoey warned, thinking about the stone that Vanessa didn’t yet know existed. “Next thing you know they’ll hear you and laugh. I don’t wanna be bullied by Biff again.”
“Alright,” Vanessa sighed. Zoey could see Bryanna—who knew about the stone—exhale. “Love you, girly.” Zoey instinctively scooted closer to her girlfriend. “You alright?” Vanessa whispered into Zoey’s ear.
“Yeah,” Zoey whispered. “Just nervous.”
I dunno if I buy that, Vanessa thought to herself, but she’ll tell me when she’s ready. “Okay, sweetie.”
