"... I just wish I could see more of you like this," Mark said as he handed the stone over. He blinked at a bit as the stone did something, but kept talking. "I don't know what it is, but you just look nicer today, Jon." He got that faintly puzzled look in his eyes. "Or should I call you Jonni?"
I almost snatched the stone away as soon as he handed it to me. I could feel my fur bristle nervously as I looked around to see what the wish had changed. It had done something, but I wasn't sure what. "Uh, thanks Mark." My tail lashed as I failed to spot any obvious differences. I looked at myself -- was my skirt a little shorter, my clothes a little more revealing, or was that just my imagination? How had his wish been interpreted?
Mark blinked and rubbed his hand. "Hey, you nearly scratched me there!" he complained. "What's the matter, Jonni? You look nervous."
"Nothing, really!" I tried to calm down and made myself smile to Mark. "Just... the stone was a gift from my uncle, that's all. It what I've got left to remember him by. It's very important to me."
"Oh. I'm sorry." Mark fidgeted. "I know we're going to the movies on Friday, but do you want to get together someplace tonight? Just to help get your mind off things, I mean? Karyn can come too, and maybe you two can help me and Zach with our homework. I mean, you two always get better grades than us." He smiled a bit nervously and a bit hopefully.
"Oh, sure, Mark," I answered. Why the heck did I say that? "Well, I need to see what Karyn's doing, first, though," I added quickly. "I can call you later? I got to get to class!"
"Sure, Jonni!" Mark fidgeted and finally waved. "Bye!"
I waved back and scooted back down the hall to where Karyn was. "Geeze, that was close, I think."
"What's the matter, Jonni?" she asked, puzzled, as she handed over the box for the stone.
I blinked at her calling me Jonni and felt my ears perk nervously.
