The revelation that she still wasn't cheer captain had hit her hard. She had fussed about it silently, and blew up her journal with hateful thoughts. Surely the damned braces hadn't affected reality that much? Still, if it was to be any other girl, she was glad it was Montanna. The other bitches would have strutted around like peacocks and thrown it in her face. Cheering with the terribly scratchy things was the worst, and she was in an ill mood by the end of the game. More than once she'd tasted coppery blood in her mouth were that wire in her mouth had poked her. The stupid dentist had left it long, and now everytime she clossed her mouth. POKE Every time she chewed. JAB She was sick of it.
When she finally made it to the orthodontist Dr. Mithers even started to bring up that dork Agatha. For whatever reason the oaf seemed to love her. Sarah just tuned the man out while the wretched metal thing was pried from her mouth. When she smiled in the mirror, she was somewhat distraught to find her smile was no longer that perfect white smile she was used to, and what more her two front teeth seemed so large and goofy compared to before. If that weren't enough, the orthodontist insisted that she wear a retainer for the rest of her life. As if. As soon as she got the stone, she wouldn't have to worry about it anymore.
Her Monday morning started off significantly better as Mrs.Arden invited her out of her first period class.
The pair shared the empty hall as the PE teacher and cheer coach began. "Sarah, the school board chose you to be Homecoming Queen for this coming week, do you think you'll be able to get ready by then?"
Sarah beamed happily and graciously nodded as she was handed a slip of paper. She expected it, and the satisfaction ran deep, but something was off about the whole encounter. "Of course Mrs.Arden. I'd be delighted to." As she skimmed the paper she raised an eyebrow and questioned the coach. "I thought my classmates voted on home coming queen though. Why was I selected?"
The teacher nodded "You were the next closest runner up, so we picked you to be homecoming queen."
The satisfaction faltered and she pushed her teacher for more information. "Wait, then who actually won?"
"Montanna of course. I thought she would have already told you..." A somber look fell on Mrs. Arden's face and she opened her mouth to speak. Sarah spoke up first.
"Then why isn't Montanna doing it?" The irritation was plain in her voice. Why hadn't the wish worked? Or at least, why had it worked like this?
"Sarah..." The woman began cautiously. "Didn't you hear?"
A chill fell on the air, and the silent hall suddenly resounded with Sarah's own heartbeat. All she could do was shake her head.
"Sarah, Montanna was in a bad accident yesterday. They had to mediflight her to the regional hospital. I thought your mom had told you."
Sarah snapped. "My Mom doesn't tell me anything! Is..." Sarah began to choke up as tears blurred her vision. "...She ok?" The last words slipped out as a whisper.
Mrs.Arden paused. "It was... I... I don't know. I haven't heard the latest, but it was pretty serious. I was surprised you came to school today. I guess I know why now. Why don't you go ahead and take the day off... You know her parents numbers right? They can meet you at the hospital."
While the pair talked in the hallway, the morning announcements had been playing over the intercom. Prepare for homecoming... Spirit week events... Who had won the recent band competition. It was all boring stuff that Sarah had blocked out. And then she heard it.
"And now, I'm proud to announce this years homecoming royalty!" The voice echoed through the halls.
" Our duke and duchess are... Bryan Miller, and Madison Lowe!" A cheer rumbled through the halls from the rooms. "And now, Our 2017 homecoming King and Queen are... Jeff Callahan and Sarah McMillan!"
Sarah grasped at her heart as if she'd been poisoned. Had the wish done this? Had the stone attacked her best friend just to make her homecoming queen? ... No... No that wasn't right. Had SHE done this? Was she responsible for what happened to her friend.
Mrs. Arden began to rub her back. "Sarah... Hey Sarah, let's go sit down for a little while and when you're feeling better."
The words seemed distant and confusing. Cotton stuffed her ears and dried her throat. She felt sick as the world began to spin.... But one thing anchored her.
"Sarah! Hey, Sarah sweetheart. Come with me. You're looking really pale. I'm sure every things going to be..."
"JON!" Sarah practically shouted the name.
"What?"
"I-I need to find Jon... He takes... takes... English this class!" Before Mrs. Arden could respond Sarah had bolted down the hall towards the fine arts wing. She skidded as she ran, though she wasn't running for Jon so much as she was running from herself. "I did this... I did this..." The words pounded through her mind like a grim mantra.
