I wasn't really a social person not because I didn't want to be around people but because my family moved a lot and there was no point in making friends when you would most likely know them for a year max.
Which was why I wasn't interested when Miss Freisman introduced a new kid joining us in front of the class. There was much sniggering from the other kids because her face was covered with what was the worst case of acne I'd ever seen.
Not that it was my concern, but our eyes locked for a few seconds as she scanned the class and what I saw was resignation. This looked like a kid used to constant bullying and she wasn't expecting anything different here. In that moment, I knew I wanted to be her friend.
I don't know who was more surprised between Sarah and my classmates when I approached her during lunch break and introduced myself.
From the odd looks everyone was giving us and the smile she had on her face, I knew I'd made the right decision. We misfits definitely had to band together.
It'd been a few weeks since I became friends with Sarah and in those few weeks she visited a number of times.
The problem was that Sarah seemed reluctant to invite me to her place. She only told me my house is kinda weird, after I'd asked her like a million times.
IT WAS TIME TO DO THINGS THE HARD WAY
After school I followed Sarah until I saw her enter a gate with very high fence. Confirming the location at last, I walked back to my own house. Someone was going to get a surprise visit over the weekend.
On saturday i arrived at Sarah's house and as I prepared to knock on the gate, it eased open. They must've forgotten to lock up I thought.
As I walked up to the front door, I understood what she had meant by her house was weird.
The building looked like a modern building, but it somehow had an old feeling to it.
I knocked on the front door and getting no reply I couldn't turn back at that point, so I opened the door and entered.
My shouts of Anybody home was met with no reply.
I heard something fall with a loud thud and fearing the worst I ran towards the sound and almost tripped as my leg hit something on the ground.
I stopped and saw it was a jar. Picking it up, I noticed it was covered in what looked like pictures of people having a drink. I opened it and went still.
The air seemed to go still as something slithered out of the jar and I was soon in front of the weirdest man I'd ever seen. He didn't have any legs, his skin was coloured like a 馃寛 rainbow and he was actually floating.
Weird didn't cover what I was seeing at the moment.
Haaa at last, someone had the courage to open the jar the half weird man said
Whoo... I mean what are you? I managed to say as my eyes darted to where his legs should have been
I'm a genie of course and here to grant one of your wish he said peering at my still terrified and confused face. But it seems you're not from around here
Errrr I'm actually visiting a friend and kinda found you by accident I said, my voice sounding like a squeak
Ahhh figures, people from this family are not usually as dumb as you look he said. Apparently oblivious to the insult he continued But no worries, you found me and opened the jar so you've got one wish
I'm sorry Mister errrm no legs, did you say any wish I want
Pretending to mumble to himself while standing right in front of me It seems everytime I get someone to open the jar, they come dumber than the previous ones.
Hey, you know I can hear you. It looks to me like you tricked me into opening the jar I replied angrily and wasn't even sure where the courage was coming from.
Tricked you maybe, but forced you? Goodluck proving your case in court. Oh! I forgot, you can't take me to court he replied grinning
I'd had enough of this genie.
I wish you had to shut your mouth for all eternity I screamed
There was a moment of silence and then he winked at me. Nice try, but it doesn't work that way. You have to first agree to do something for me
That doesn't sound like something a genie would say I replied giving him a dubious look
And how many genies have you met young lady? he asked
Sighing I asked What exactly do you want from me
Oh it's nothing big, you just have to agree to drink coffee all the days of your life and whatever you're asking for has to include coffee in it
Mumbling under my breath Looks like I'm stuck with a coffee freak for a genie
I heard that he glowered
Makes two of us I replied giving him my best smile
Thinking long and hard, I finally remembered the reason why I was here in the first place and knew what I wanted.
As I made my wish, everything went dark and I found myself outside the gate.
I was about contemplating knocking this time when Sarah opened up and was standing in front of me.
Eyes wide in surprise, she asked What are you doing here?, How did you find my house.
I work in mysterious ways I replied as I walked past her into the compound.
Neatly folded in my hand was a coffee recipe which contained an antidote for acne. Drinking coffee everyday seemed a small price to pay and I just couldn't wait to share a coffee drink with Sarah.