For the next few days, Anne felt like she was living in someone else's life.
At school, everything was different. People who used to pass by without a second glance were suddenly smiling at her in the hallways, asking her about classes, inviting her to sit with them at lunch. Brittany, who had tormented her for years, barely even looked in her direction. And Daniel—Daniel—was texting her.
It started small. A simple Hey, did you get the homework? after class. Then it became Want to study together? And before Anne knew it, they were sitting together in the library, laughing over inside jokes and sharing stories about their lives.
For the first time, Anne felt like she was finally in the story, not just watching from the sidelines.
But it didn't take long for the cracks to show.
It was Friday, the night of the big football game. Anne stood in front of her mirror, trying to decide what to wear. She wanted to look good, but not like she was trying too hard. Something casual, something confident.
She finally settled on a simple jeans-and-jacket combo, with her favorite sneakers. Nothing flashy. She didn't need to be flashy anymore. She was Anne Waters, and people finally knew it.
When she got to the game, the stands were already packed. The lights from the field cast a warm glow over the crowd, and the roar of cheering students filled the air. Anne found a spot near the front, her heart racing as she scanned the field for Daniel.
There he was, in his jersey, looking every bit like the star athlete she'd always admired from afar. But now, he was more than that. He was her friend. Maybe even more than that soon.
After the game—Eastbridge won, of course—Anne made her way down to the field where students were gathering to congratulate the team. Daniel spotted her almost immediately, his face lighting up.
"Anne!" he called, jogging over. His hair was damp with sweat, but he still looked perfect.
"You came," he said, slightly out of breath but smiling wide.
"Of course," Anne replied, feeling that familiar flutter in her chest.
Before she could say anything else, Daniel pulled her into a hug. It wasn't just a quick, friendly hug—it lingered, his arms warm around her shoulders, and for a moment, everything felt right.
But then, something strange happened.
As Anne pulled back, she noticed a flicker in Daniel's eyes. Just for a second, his bright, easy smile faltered. His gaze became distant, like he was trying to remember something he'd forgotten.
"You okay?" Anne asked, her voice light but tinged with concern.
Daniel blinked, and the smile snapped back into place. "Yeah, yeah. Just tired, I guess."
But Anne couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.
Later that night, back in her room, Anne replayed the moment over and over in her mind. Zahir, as usual, was floating lazily near her ceiling, his golden robes glowing faintly in the dim light.
"You've got that look again," he said, glancing down at her. "What's bothering you, birthday girl?"
Anne hesitated, then finally asked, "Zahir… are these people really seeing me? Or is this just the magic?"
Zahir's smile didn't waver, but his eyes darkened slightly. "Does it matter? You're happy, aren't you?"
Anne frowned, sinking onto her bed. "It does matter. I wanted people to see me for who I am—not some version of me they're being tricked into liking."
Zahir floated down to sit beside her, his expression unreadable. "Magic doesn't change who you are, Anne. It just… enhances things. You wanted to be confident, to be seen. Now you are. What's wrong with that?"
Anne didn't have an answer.
She lay awake long after Zahir disappeared for the night, staring at the ceiling, her mind spinning. Everything she'd wanted was finally happening. She had friends. She had Daniel.
But deep down, a tiny voice whispered the truth she was trying to ignore.
If this is all because of magic… is any of it real?
The next morning, Anne woke up with a sense of unease she couldn't shake. She knew she had two wishes left, but for the first time, she wasn't sure she wanted to use them.
But fate had other plans.
As she headed downstairs, she found a letter sitting on the kitchen table. Her mom's handwriting was scrawled across the front.
Anne,
Had to pick up an extra shift. Rent's overdue again. I'm sorry I won't be home for your weekend. Love you.
Anne stared at the letter, her chest tightening. The magic had made her life at school better, but at home? Nothing had changed. The bills were still piling up. Her mom was still working herself to the bone.
And suddenly, Anne knew exactly what her next wish was going to be.
She didn't just want to be seen. She wanted to change everything.
That night, as the sun dipped below the horizon and her room was bathed in the soft glow of twilight, Anne stood in front of the mirror, gripping the edges of her desk to steady herself.
"Zahir," she whispered, her voice steady.
The genie appeared in a swirl of golden light, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Back so soon?" he teased. "Ready for wish number two?"
Anne nodded, her heart pounding. "I want my life to be perfect. No more struggles. No more worrying about money or fitting in. I want everything to be perfect."
Zahir's grin widened, but there was something sharp in his eyes. "Perfect, huh? That's a big one. You sure about this?"
Anne hesitated for only a moment. Then she nodded.
"Yes."
With a snap of his fingers, the world shifted around her. The air hummed with energy, and Anne felt the floor tremble beneath her feet.
When the light faded, Anne looked around—and her breath caught in her throat.
Her room was different. The peeling wallpaper was gone, replaced with sleek, modern decor. Her old, scratched desk had been replaced with something that looked like it belonged in a designer catalog. Even her clothes were different—stylish, expensive.
And when she checked her phone, the notifications flooding in were from people she'd only dreamed of knowing. Party invites, compliments, messages from Daniel that weren't just casual—they were romantic.
Anne's heart swelled.
It was everything she'd ever wanted.
But as she stared at the reflection in the mirror, that tiny voice in the back of her mind whispered again.
Be careful what you wish for.