Zoe's slight grin didn't last for long. I am a cheerleader, she thought, the kind of girl Mrs. Madison wants for her son, and yet ... Zoe couldn't bring herself to think that she could possibly have anything in common with Zelda Black. But she consciously did -- until 3:47 PM on Tuesday, less than twenty-five hours ago. Her dark core so far had been impervious to the changes; it shone through -- if "shone" was the proper word -- when she was an obese poet venting her rage onto paper until 3:47 PM today. Now it was subdued, hidden beneath a cheerleader's uniform. But it remained nonetheless. Would it help or hinder her quest to snare Jon by tomorrow?
The object of her infatuation was trying to do something he had never succeeded at in any reality. Namely, persuade Sarah.
"I will not drop this," declared Sarah. "Not in the long run." She was becoming conscious of the students who had stopped at their lockers to watch her argue with Jon.
Among them was Linda. Maybe Zoe will succeed after all, she thought. Though why'd she'd bother with him I don't know. His mother's right. He's no Biff. Now if only I could find a way to snag him away from Karyn.
Jon couldn't stop thinking about his former best friend. With Biff. Barf. If only I could tell her ... tell someone ... He considered spilling the beans to Jennifer. She seemed nice, at least in the original reality and in this one so far. But nice didn't necessarily mean willing to believe in the seemingly impossible. Still, he had to talk to someone. Other than his ... mother.
"We have to go," said Sarah. "Mikey can't wait forever, you know. It's not fair to have him stay at the school all by himself for long. Or safe."
Was that a note of concern Jon heard for his brother, someone Sarah probably didn't even now existed until now? His relationship with Mikey was one constant he could count on for the duration of the wish. Maybe he could confide in Mikey. But was Mikey old enough to understand what he had done?
Age wouldn't be an issue for his father. Sarah's husband. Assuming they were still married. He could see them divorcing. Who'd want to stay with Sarah? Other than Biff? Who was nothing like his father. Yet somehow the couple must have been together long enough to have three children: Jon, Jennifer, and Mikey. Were they still together? One way to find out. "Mom ..."
"What?" Sarah had expected Jon to dutifully follow her in silence like Jennifer, her mini-me. Not talk.
"I know this is going to sound weird ..."
"You are weird, Jon. I mean, getting involved with ... Zelda of all the girls on campus? Just say it, whatever it is."
Jennifer looked at her older brother, thinking, You sure you want to say it?
"Are you ... and Dad ..." Come on, Jon thought to himself. You can do it. "... still married?"
