Jon’s mouth moved before his brain caught up.
“God, I really wish that… that I was not here. That I was not the boy Grandpa decided to leave behind and start a new and better life. Not this failure of a boy who can barely get through classes…”
“Done!” the boy said brightly, cutting him off before Jon even realized what he’d said. “And I’ll make sure I come with you!”
Jon blinked. His heart plummeted into his stomach without even meaning to make a wish then. Wait—no—
But it was too late. The boy’s smile lit up the room like a lantern as the air shimmered. For a split second, Jon thought the whole world was exploding. White light filled his eyes, hot and buzzing, as if someone had taken a spotlight and shoved it down his throat.
Then—darkness.
Then—somewhere else.
Jon staggered, nearly tripping over his own feet. He wasn’t in his bedroom anymore. No familiar posters, no desk, no pile of laundry in the corner. Instead, he was standing in a new room: colorful, messy, alive. Toys littered the floor. Trophies glimmered on a crowded shelf. A pile of clothes leaned against the wall like a miniature mountain. A flat-screen TV blinked silently above a low table stacked with video game cases.
Jon gasped. And then he caught sight of himself in the mirror across the room.
It wasn’t himself.
He froze, breath caught in his throat. Staring back at him was a boy. A boy no taller than the wish-stone kid. Blond hair, bright eyes, a grin he didn’t recognize. A boy who looked… exactly like the stone-boy.
“No. No, no, no. What the hell just happened? in his now diffrent sounding childs voice”
The boy—clapped his hands together, beaming. “You look actually cool now! I guess we’re brothers! Same age, same size! I’ve never heard of a boy being a dad when he’s the same age as his son, right bro?”
Jon staggered closer to the mirror, heart racing. His hands—smaller. His reflection—different. Cute, even. Too cute. “What the—what the hell—”
“No more wishes for now,” the boy chirped, bouncing onto the bed and grabbing a game controller. “You said you didn’t want to be a failure, didn’t want to be Jon, didn’t want to be the boy Grandpa left behind. Boom! Now you’re not! You’re Tom. Or Tommy. Much better name, if you ask me.”
Jon whipped around. “Tommy?!”
“Yep! We’re in Canada now. Nice place. Lots of maple syrup. Hockey. Moose. You’ll love it. And don’t worry—Tommy doesn’t have all the problems Jon had. Tommy’s clever, sporty, popular, got tons of friends. Oh, and a sweet gaming setup!” He gestured at the TV with pride.
Jon’s legs gave out, and he slumped onto the floor. “Oh my god. You didn’t. You actually—” He clutched his face in his hands. “I’m a different person. I’m… I’m not me anymore.”
The boy tilted his head. “Well, you are you, just a better version. Grandpa would be proud. Tommy’s a way better boy than Jon ever was. And hey, bonus—you’ve got me as your brother now! Win-win!”
Jon—or Tommy, apparently—let out a strangled scream and launched himself at the boy. “You ass! I didn’t want this!”
The boy squeaked, controller flying out of his hand, as Jon tackled him onto the bed. They rolled, arms flailing, Jon trying to pin him down.
“Stop fighting!” the boy protested, laughing breathlessly. “I just gave you what you wished for!”
“You twisted it!” Jon shouted, trying to get him in a headlock. “I didn’t want to be some random Canadian kid! I didn’t want to be your brother!”
The boy wriggled free and shoved him back with surprising strength. “Hey, don’t be so grumpy! You wanted out, you got out. Simple as that. Why don’t you just wish to be happy instead, if you’re so miserable?”
Jon froze mid-swing, panting.
The boy sat up, brushing imaginary dust off his tank top. “Seriously. You’re making this way harder than it needs to be. You don’t like the change? Then wish again. That’s what I’m here for! You know how good it feels when you wish. Come on, bro. Just say the words. Anything! Rich, taller, younger, girls, chocolate fountain in the living room—whatever! Just wish.”
Jon clenched his fists, breathing hard. His head buzzed. His chest ached. His reflection in the mirror taunted him—smiling, blond, everything he wasn’t supposed to be.
Finally, he shouted, voice cracking: “FINE! I wish that...?”
