"I snuck it out of your bag," she said.
"I think you'd better start from the beginning."
Sarah sighed, leaning against the wall.
Jon was a bit shocked. He didn't know Sarah that well, despite having been in school with her for years...but he knew enough to know that she wasn't acting like herself, and changing your body language, voice tone, word choice, and...pretty much everything about you wasn't exactly easy to pull off. So either Sarah was the world's greatest actress, or she was telling the truth.
"You texted me after I got back on Saturday, saying you needed to see me. So, after I unpacked, I came straight over..."
"Wait...Saturday...I waited till today to tell anyone..." Jon said.
"I rang your doorbell and stood there on your stoop until your sister opened the door. Her eyes were kinda red, like she'd been crying, and as soon as she saw me, she gave me a hug."
Jon interrupted. "My sister....gave you a hug?"
"Well, I've spent a lot of time at your house. Your mom is always joking how she might as well adopt me. And after my parents got divorced..."
Jon paused. Sarah's parents weren't divorced as far as he knew. But he wasn't exactly an expert on Sarah's personal life. He wasn't sure he should mention it.
"So, your sister gave me a hug, and told me that your grandpa had died," Sarah said, suddenly gazing down at her stomach. "How did I get so thin? I mean...I'm not fat, but...seriously...I've got to see what size I'm wearing."
"The story," Jon reminded her.
"Sorry, I was just thinking about how different I look. I'm wondering if I would look this size if I dieted and exercised a bit more. Anyway, I went up to your room, and you showed me the stone, and the letter. But you didn't want to use it. You were convinced it was trouble. I should have listened to you."
"What do you mean?"
"On Sunday, we met outside of the house to try it. You wanted to wait, but I kind of pushed you on it. We changed something minor and went to see if anyone noticed. No one did. I wanted to try something, but you said no. We argued about it, and you left...but not before I distracted you and got the stone out of your bag. I just...I don't know...You should have just buried that thing when you wanted to."
"Sarah..." Jon said, very slowly. "What did you wish for?"
"I...my parents were always arguing about money, and...I wished that money wasn't a problem for us, and that they were back together...and that..." Sarah blushed. "boys would notice me."
"What? Why?"
"Because I probably have more guy friends than girl..." Sarah said. "And I'm sixteen years old, and haven't been asked out once..unlike you. Not that you've noticed."
"Wait...who asked me out?"
"You asked her out, but...I guess I've been feeling like the third wheel. I mean, you're still my friend, but..."
Jon suddenly noticed Biff walking in their direction, clearly looking for Sarah. "We have a problem...your boyfriend is coming."
Sarah whirled around. "Biff? I'm dating Biff...?"
"Well, you broke up before spring break, but you broke up four times since September, and none of them lasted more than a week," Jon commented. "So, I'm guessing you're back on again." He paused. "You're really my friend?"
"Since fourth grade," Sarah said. "I really fucked things up here, Jon....I should have listened to you."
Jon was about to respond when Biff reached them, and wrapped his arm around Sarah. "I was waiting for you by the car...and your friends said you left...and I see who you are talking to? I mean, do you think I'm going to be jealous?"
