As Jon walked to school, he began to realize the scope of what was happening. It wasn't just people Jon knew. Everyone he encountered seemed to have undergone the same changes. It seemed like everyone in town had a perfect tan, and perfect nails. Except for him.
A few blocks from school Jon ran into a guy with shaggy brown hair. It was Rob, another of his good friends. He had considered sharing the stone with him, but Rob was a little bit flighty (more so than Karyn). And with the current situation, he definitely wasn't going to be telling anybody else.
Rob was changed too, of course. Jon had hoped against it, but was beginning to realize that hope was useless.
"Hey man, how's it going?" he asked Jon.
"Fine," Jon said, trying to conceal his worry. It wasn't working.
"What's the matter? You look like you didn't sleep well."
"Yeah, I guess not."
"Rough," Rob replied. "That can give you wrinkles, you know."
"Uh okay," Jon said. "Nice tan, by the way." Jon was trying to be casual.
"Thanks. I went in yesterday. Do you have any idea how busy the tanning salons have been lately?" He looked at Jon for a moment, then continued, "No, I guess you wouldn't."
That look. Jon remembered that look, though not from Rob. He'd seen Sarah give the exact same look hundreds of times. It was the look she gave when she was judging people. Head down slightly, eyebrows raised. Even a slight sneer. And the way he said "I guess you wouldn't," with a hint of disdain. Rob was judging him. For his lack of a tan. Before Jon could stew on it for too long, the two of them ran into Karyn.
"Hey Jon, hey Rob," Karyn said, "Cute nails," she said to Rob.
"Thanks," Rob said, "It's Blue Lace from O.P.I."
"OMG, me too," Karyn said as she flashed her fingers.
Great, thought Jon, Another 'OMG'. As they walked, Karyn and Rob continued to chat, mostly about the stuff they usually talked about (movies, games), but occasionally the topic shifted to nail polish and related techniques, or to the benefits of various tanning products. Jon felt alien to most of the conversation, and sometimes they even seemed to be ignoring him.
Finally, they got to school, and Jon interrupted a conversation about who had the best tanning beds in town.
"Uh, Rob, can I talk to Karyn for a minute." Rob looked momentarily miffed at the interruption, but quickly smiled.
"Sure, I'll meet you guys at lunch, k?" Rob waved and went into school. But it wasn't an ordinary wave. Instead he limply raised his hand and wiggled his fingers. It was actually a rather girly sight, with the blue fingernails.
"That was kinda rude, Jon," Karyn said.
"Karyn, you know we've got more important things to worry about."
"What do you mean? Are you worried about Mr. James' history test or something?"
"No Karyn, we have to find Sarah, get the rock back."
"What rock? Sarah? Why would you waste time on her?" Karyn looked genuinely confused. And Jon knew. Sarah must have made another wish, this time to make Karyn forget the stone. Whatever she was doing, she wanted Jon to be alone in his struggle.
"Never mind. It's nothing. I'll see you at lunch, okay?" Jon said.
"Okay," Karyn smiled and walked into the school. Jon looked around, and immediately found what he was looking for. On a bench by the sidewalk, Sarah was sitting there, legs crossed, just staring at Jon. With a big grin on her face.
Jon began to shake with anger. He quickly steeled himself and walked over to where she was sitting.
