"Should I be worried?" Samantha had an eyebrow raised and Jon honestly wasn't sure if the bespectacled girl was mad at him.
"About what?" Jon asked, wondering if she meant about the stone. He was thankful he hadn't blurted out anything about his wish like an idiot.
"I saw you talking to Angela. I couldn't make out what you two were saying, but from the way she was clenching her legs together and abandoned lunch to get out of here is it any wonder I'm skeptical?" Jon blushed at being caught. If she'd seen that Samantha must know he'd been staring at Angela's butt as she hurried away.
"She was just giving me a pep talk. She noticed I've been kind of off too, and wanted to help and talk if I needed it. I told her you beat her to the punch and we were going to talk. I made a joke and she said she had to be somewhere." Jon had learned enough about Samantha to know she had a sense for when he was lying, just like Karyn. The best way to get around it was to tell just enough of the truth to not hang himself. If Samantha asked Angela about it he was sure the former teacher would back him up.
"Please don't tell me you gave yourself some ability with the stone to turn women on easily or something." Samantha rolled her eyes, but her tone was a mix between playful and serious.
"No, I haven't done anything like that. If I do now you know who gave me the idea." Jon joked, and Samantha giggled as she could tell he meant it.
"But did you do something with the stone? You've been acting a little strange. I can't quite place it, but stuff like with the yearbook last night. We see everyone in it everyday, but you were looking at the pages so intently." Samantha had picked up on more than Jon had thought. Perhaps it was some remnant of her life as a secretary to notice small details like that.
"Like I said earlier, I've been thinking more about the stone. It's become clear to me that even just one vague wish could drastically change a person's life. I started thinking of people around school, and what they'd be like if I made them fat, or pregnant, or older. All kinds of things. They wouldn't know, and they may even be happier however I change them. I had to stop and realize that if I do there are still consequences. No matter what I would know who they used to be, and I'd have to live with myself for it." Jon was doing his best to avoid saying he'd made a wish, but he found himself honestly wanting Samantha's opinion and advice.
"Jon, I think your grandpa sent you the stone because he knew you could be trusted with it." Samantha said after a moment.
"You really think so?" Jon wasn't convinced.
"I mean he knew that you would think about when and how to use the stone. So many people would use it blindly and not care who they hurt. That kind of power could easily corrupt someone, and they could just play with everyone's lives. You actually feel remorse for whatever you wished for."
Jon's mouth hung open. He hadn't blabbed, but looking into Samantha's eyes he knew she knew he'd made a wish.
"Just tell me, does it have a time limit?" She questioned.
"Yeah, it'll run out in a few more days." Jon admitted.
"The fact you thought ahead while knowing wishes can be permanent, and you clearly feel so guilty means you aren't some monster. I'm mad you didn't include me, but I want you to know I'm here for you." Samantha was stern, but fair. She'd caught him, and still thought of him before screaming or telling him off. Jon felt lucky to have her by his side.
"I guess I should tell you about it then." Jon smiled awkwardly while scratching the back of his head.
"I won't force you."
"Hey guys, hope you don't mind us joining you." The couple turned to see Aisha had set a tray of food down next to them. Carly wasn't far behind her.
Jon and Samantha knew their conversation was done for now. They spent the lunch talking with Aisha and Carly, and eventually Angela even returned and joined them. Jon swore she was paying a lot of attention to him, and wondered if setting off her fetish was the best idea.
Lunch ended without Jon telling Samantha anymore about his wish. He felt closer to her, but he still wasn't sure if he should tell her everything. What if his next girlfriend remembered, but wasn't as nice as Samantha?
He'd looked back to where Karyn was scooping food occasionally through lunch. Once the line had thinned she'd taken to talking with the woman who looked like an older Gladys Brewer, and the Asian woman. He'd messed up trying to remind her of her old life. He had just felt something powerful when he'd seen her so close. Like just a push would somehow bring her back into his life and things would be better. She hadn't recognized him. Of course she wouldn't with the age gap and altered history. He could still see his friend in what she had become though. The more he thought about her the more he wanted her back in his life.
