Jon decided to skip school the next day and attend Karyn's deportation hearing. She sat in a chair directly behind the Defendent's table, and waited as several other cases came before the judge. Judge Sanders seemed to be a tough judge, she did not allow any of the illegals to stay, despite claims of children in this country, steady jobs, school, or anything else. Finally, it was Karyn's turn.
"Your Honor, I'm not really Rosaria, or this Maria Perez person. You see, I was part of the Exchange Program."
"Yes, I see that in your file, but it's not an excuse. Your body is here illegally, and you are under all laws, rights, and regulations pertaining to your host body for this year. I order you to be deported to your family in Mexico. Mexico City just got it's first Exchange Platform, and you'll be able to switch back when your year is up. It is an international program, you know, and there was a chance you could have exchanged with someone from a foreign country... well, it turns out that's exactly what you did, she just happened to be living in the US illegally at the time. Next case!"
Karyn burst into tears, and reached over to hug Jon sitting behind her. "Please Jon, get the wishing stone, fix this," she pleaded.
"I still have no idea what you're talking about Karyn, but I'll have my dad work on your case when he returns from his business trip, he'll find a way to get you back here!"
Jon's continued ignorance of the stone sank Karyn's last hopes, and she knew that Bethany must have found the stone and begun making wishes. Maybe she was even behind getting her deported! Her father had not shown up to court, since he was illegal too... she had not seen him since the arrest. Her host body's memories of her life in Mexico were of poverty, hunger, and an overbearing grandmother who kept trying to arrange marriages for her. Could she get through a whole year in Mexico?
Back in Colorado, Bethany heard a knock at the door as he was eating breakfast. He opened it to find Rosaria, in the body of Karyn. She had really dressed up today, and Bethany had to admit she looked even better than he'd thought she could. Rosaria had a shy but hungry look in her eyes, and looked at Bethany through lashes thick with mascara. "Um, hi Bethany, you look really great today! I was, um, wondering if you'd like to bike to school with me?"
Bethany could see how much the girl wanted him, a result of the wish he'd made earlier. He grinned, "Sure Rosaria, I'm just finishing breakfast first, why don't you come in?"
Rosaria stepped inside, and followed Bethany to the dining room. When Bethany sat down though, the magic stone accidentally fell out of his pocket and bounced across the linoleum floor.
"I'll get it for you!" Rosaria said, trying to be helpful. But as she bent over to pick it up, she got a flash of Karyn's memories, and recalled what the stone could do. "Um, this is Jon's magic stone, right?" she asked, timidly.
"Yes, it is, but it's very powerful so give it here," he said.
"Ok, but can we use it to look at our old bodies? I want to make sure my papa is ok..." Rosaria replied.
"Sure, that's no problem, I've already done the same thing," Bethany said through a mouthful of cereal.
"Great, I wish to know what is happening to my former body," Rosaria intoned, speaking to the stone like it was a mic. It flared for a moment, then Rosaria cried out "Oh no, my body is being deported back to Mexico!"
"You were an illegal?" asked Bethany.
"Yes," Rosaria returned, embarrassed. But now I have a new life, here as an American citizen... here with you! I wish I never had to return to my old body!" Rosaria stated emphatically. The stone shined brightly once again.
