Jon's fantasies didn't get much further than him being Superman by the time they made it to school. He could certainly give himself powers, but the idea that doing it the wrong way might make super villains made Jon a little leery.
But, that wasn’t important right now. The idea of taking the early bus to school, in addition to not having to get a ride from Mom, was so that he could hang with Karyn before school started. He could hear her approaching the student parking lot, because her car never did anything quietly. It's sputtered and coughed its way into the lot, somehow still being drivable despite the sound. When Jon had a brilliant idea for his second Good deed of the day.
He thought about doing it before Karyn had parked, but realized that part of his motivation wouldn't be met that way. Sure, it would be good for everybody if she had a little bit more efficient and quieter of a car. But making the wish out of your shot would mean that she wouldn't know what he had done for him. And there are some good deeds that you do because they are good. But then there's other good deeds that you do because you want to be seen doing them.
“Karyn, your car is a travesty.” Jon began, in the way he started their conversations most mornings.
Karyn rolled her eyes. “You're just jealous that I have a car and a driver's license. And you know Harry won't do anything beyond keeping the car running. Any improvements are something I have to pay for myself.”
It was true. Karyn stepdad was a bit strict. But Jon had a solution.
“Well, I have a solution.” Jon said, and reached into his pocket. “I wish Karyn's car got good gas mileage and the engine was in pretty good shape for a car that old.”
Nothing visually changed from what they could tell as they looked around. Karyn tossed her backpack to Jon and slid back into the driver's seat and started the engine. It didn't quite purr, it was a little rough on the start, but compared to what she had been driving around in, it was basically silent.
“I have to admit,” Karyn said, “your wish worked. And I can't even think of a way that this one could mess up and cause trouble.”
“I'm trying to be more conscious of the wishes.” said Jon. “But you were right yesterday, that I shouldn't just sit on this forever. As long as I'm careful, we can make small improvements to life, for us, and the people around us.”
Okay, maybe the thinking about Superman had more than just idle thoughts distracting him, making him feel a bit more noble. It would probably pass.
--
In the cafeteria, Irene carried her breakfast tray to an empty table. Revenge wasn't something that should be done on an empty stomach. Not that she hadn't been thinking about something like this the whole year, and all of middle school. Well, the magic of it wasn't part of it. But trying to come up with something to do some comeuppance on Doris have been a substantial part of Irene's daydreams since the first time that they had met and Doris had wiped paint on her.
As she munched on the fruit cup, Irene thought about her bully and about what would make her uncomfortable. Finally, she had her answer.
“I wish that all day at school today, Doris will be the first person called on to answer in every class that she's in.”
Irene nodded and sipped her milk. It was minor, petty revenge. But it was also something that Doris wouldn't be able to trace back to her, or blame her for.
Unknown to Irene, a wishing pyramid would soon be in Doris’s possession as she was added to Irene's direct Network. Unknown to Jon, his little pyramid statue that he's not even looked at yet now has an open eye.
