Read Online Three Wishes by Deborah Kreiser - Free Book Online

classes: PE, French, a double period of AP Biology, then lunch, followed by AP European history. So many guys come up and talk to me during lunch that I have almost no chance to re-review my timeline. Just before the bell rings for the end of lunch, I realize it reads like a college-level textbook, not at all like something I would have written. Too late now. I pass it in to Mr. Valdez as I walk in the classroom and hope for the best.
    It doesn’t get any better during AP English, my next class, where we have a quiz scheduled. I am oblivious now to any attention I might be getting, growing increasingly nervous and feeling underprepared. Even though the material is stuff we’ve covered in class, usually I do a thorough review the night before. I had figured my wish last night would take care of it, but I am realizing wishes won’t always come true the way I would expect.
    I fumble through the questions, not confident in my answers, and realizing I can’t wish to have particular knowledge. Being a genie has a learning curve, I guess. Maybe this is what my grandmother meant when she said, “Be careful what you wish for.” I make it through the rest of the class, hoping for the best from my quiz, but thinking I’ll need to rework my Crime and Punishment paper.
    It is a relief when school ends and Leia and I head over to swim practice. Joel catches us in the parking lot and reminds me of our meeting with Coach Terri. Leia gives me a twisted smile that almost looks like a scowl, and says she’ll get a ride home from someone else. I’m trying to get used to the sight of my body when I get into my suit; still, I keep my towel wrapped around me until the last minute.
    One of the things I like best about swimming, and any solitary exercise, is I can let my mind go while I’m enjoying the physical movement. It’s the closest I’ve ever come to real meditation, and, despite the hard work, I find it relaxing. So, after practice, we shower and Leia takes off with Luke and his buddy Eric. I think I see Eric checking Leia out, and make a mental note to tell Leia when we talk later.
    I feel a tap on my shoulder and spin around to find Joel waiting. “Come on,” he says, “Coach Terri’s in her office.” We head down the hall and into a tiny chlorinated room with a huge window, which overlooks the pool. Coach glances up from her computer and waves us into the room.
    â€œSo, team captains, what’s the meeting about?” she asks, the chair creaking as she leans back. She gestures to the other chairs squeezed into the corner.
    We seat ourselves, and I wave a hand at Joel. “Hmm?”
    â€œUh, I was thinking we needed to strategize about how to inspire the team this year,” he says, glancing at me. “Since it’s my last year — and Genie’s — I wanted to go out on a high note. I think it would help if we got more of the school to come to our meets. Maybe we could persuade the cheerleaders to come to our tougher competitions? I thought it would, you know, motivate people if they felt there was a lot of school support for us.”
    Coach Terri had been nodding her head as Joel spoke, and after a moment she says, “You know, that’s not a bad idea. Usually it’s only the swim team parents who come. It could work to have more folks here. Why don’t I talk to Ms. Jacinta about getting the cheer squad here, at least for our season opener?”
    â€œDon’t you think the cheerleaders might be a bit of a… distraction… for the boys’ team, Coach?” I point out. “I mean, well…”
    â€œNot any more than our new distraction,” she interrupts, glancing my way. Then a horrified expression spreads across her face.
    I blush crimson and stare down at the floor, knowing what she means.
    There is an embarrassed silence, and then Joel clears his throat. “So, let’s, uh, move forward with these