A genie vacation - Part 5

The next Monday, Martha accompanied Carrie to her high school. Before the school's doors, they ran into Max, Grace and Annie. Also, a blond girl in a cheerleader uniform greeted Martha. “Hey Martha, how are you doing?”

“Amy, is that you?” Martha asked back.

“Yeah! It’s a year since we last met.” Amy replied. “Are you still working at the hotel?”

Martha nodded. “And you? How is your brother and your parents?”

“Max is as annoying as always. And the parents… I’m sorry, but I have to rush to my lessons soon. How about you visit us this afternoon?” Amy proposed.

“I’d love to.” Martha said. “See you then”. Amy bid her goodbye and rushed to her lessons.

“How do you know Amy Costner?” Annie asked.

“I met her last year when Carrie came to Switzerland. Back then, she was still a teacher, but after some wishes granted for Max Costner, she became a high school student." Martha explained.

"You serious, Martha?" asked Max.
"You must be pulling my leg, Martha" said Carrie.
"Max Costner, that creep's older sister was a teacher?" asked Annie.
"That explains it.” Grace said.

"You mean you remember it, Grace?" asks Max.

Martha gave Grace a questioning look.

"No, I've felt some kind of aura around Amy Costner, not sure what it was but this explains it." said Grace.

Martha nodded. "Sami explained to me that our kind can trace if a person or object has been transformed. But after a year, I guess Amy's mind has pretty much adapted to her new form?"

"I'll say, she's trying out for head cheerleader, same as Franny" said Carrie.

"Now I'm really impressed. Amy was a very caring person when I met her." Martha said. "Being a Cheerleader would be the last thing I would expect from her. It doesn't fit to her old self at all."

“How about Bella and Alex?“ Carrie asked. “Will their minds change, too?“

“What’s wrong with my mind?” suddenly Bella asked, who had sneaked up to the group without being noticed.

“I explained that your mind will adapt to your new body.” Martha told. “Your behavior and the way you see yourself is influenced by your current form. If you stay the nerd you are now, you will act this way and honestly, that way you fit in well to Carrie and Max. I'm sure you and Max could work together on some scientific research, while your old habits will disappear.”

“Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad at all. Actually, I was looking for you, Carrie. I'm sorry I blew the whole sandwich thing out of proportion." Bella apologized.

"And I'm sorry I threw it at you, I wasn't thinking about your allergy at all" said Carrie.

Now Martha was confused. "What sandwich thing?“

"Bella and I used to be great friends but in 4th grade, there was a food fight caused by older students and well, I threw a peanut butter jelly sandwich at Bella" says Carrie.
"And I yelled at Carrie and said that she tried to kill me since I had a peanut allergy and that was the end of our friendship, until now that is" said Bella.

"Wow! I'm glad you are friends again. If you wish, I can turn you back the way you were, Bella!" Martha said.

“Naaa…“ Bella shook her head. “I’m good in class now, Carrie and I are friends again, and you guys accept me in your group. I think I’ll stay this way.”

“But what about Franny? She really freaked out when you were transformed.” Max pointed out.
“And what about Richard, your boyfriend? How did he react?” Annie asked.

“Franny is kinda avoiding me since it happened. And Richard doesn’t know at all yet. Mhhh… Maybe I should go and talk to him right now. See ya!“ Bella waved goodbye and left the group behind.

“Alright, it’s time for classes!” Carrie said. “Martha, maybe you can have a look around the school. Unless you want to come to classes with us. We should meet for lunch later.”

“That’s ok. See ya!” Martha waved goodbye.


A few hours later, school was over and Martha ran into the group again. This time, Alex was with them. Annie was carrying Alex’ lamp. "Man, glad to be out of there. The math test was pure torture.” said Carrie as Annie, Alex and Grace nodded.

"I don't see the problem, I thought it was easy" Max replied.

“Of course you do, Mr. Advanced Calculus." Alex teased him.

"I thought it was easy too" added Bella.

Alex shook her head. “A week ago, math was your least favorite class. And now… Maybe I should have wished to be smart too?”

“Too late, Alex!” Martha chipped in. “Genies can’t grant wishes for other genies. It’s one of our rules.”

“I see. Anyway, I’d like to ask you a few things in private. Can we go inside my lamp?”

“Sure! See you later!” Martha waved to the rest of the group and followed Alex into her lamp.

Inside the lamp, Alex changed back into her normal clothes. “Martha, I still have some questions. How about changing the furniture? Can I have my personal belonging in here too?”

“Just imagine what you want to appear and it will happen!” Martha replied.

Alex concentrated and the furniture changed into a bed and a desk. Alex was quite out of breath. “I didn’t know doing magic is so exhausting. It’s like I have to break a barrier.”

“You are at the limit of your powers.” Martha explains.

“Limits?” Alex gives her a questioning look.

“If you want to use your powers for yourself, you will find out, that they are quite limited. Changing your clothes is fine, changing the furniture inside your lamp works too. But that’s already about it. And outside, you will have to grant wishes if you want to use the full potential of your powers. "You are not forced to grant wishes, but I advise you do use your powers as often as possible. Only this way you will gain experience." Martha explains.

Alex nodded. “Let’s see if I can bring my belongings in here.” Alex blinked several times and a book shelf, a CD player and a CD rack, a laptop and a plasma TV appeared in the lamp.

“Don’t you think it’s a stuffed in here?” Martha asked. "Inside my lamp, I have a trunk for my belongings, a small table and some silk cushions to sleep on." Martha explains. "The itty-bitty living space is a real downside of being a genie."

“I guess you are right!” Alex blinked again. The TV was replaces it with a small battery powered radio. She turned it on. “Wow. Really good reception in here!” Next, Alex tried out the laptop. “The LAN worked too. “I guess I can get used to being a genie.” Suddenly, the walls started to glow again. “Geez, can’t a genie get some time for her own?” Alex complained as she hovered towards the exit of the lamp, being followed by Martha.

Outside the lamp, Martha was greeted not only by her friends, but also by Amy Costner. “Ah, there you are!” said the cheerleader. “Martha are you ready to meet my family?”

“Sure! Is it already that late?” Martha asked.

Amy nodded. “Let’s go then.”

“See you later, guys!” Martha bid her friends goodbye, following Amy to her home.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Part 1: [link]
Part 2: [link]
Part 3: [link]
Part 4: [link]

Part 6: [link]
Part 7: [link]
Part 8: [link]

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