Sage and the Journey to Wishworld

by Ahmet Zappa

  “No, that’s awesome!” said Jane. “Pleased to meet you, Tessa. The more the merrier. Make yourself at home. We have tons of food and extra T-shirts you can make.” She pulled Sage aside. “I’m just freaking out a little,” she said softly. She pointed at her T-shirt. “I wish the shirts were fancier. Doesn’t it feel like something is missing?”

  “Oh, don’t be silly,” said Sage. “They’re perfect just the way they are.”

  “I guess you’re right,” Jane said with a sigh. “I just wish they were a little cooler-looking.”

  The doorbell rang. “The guests are here!” Jane squealed. She ran to the front door to let them in.

  Sage held up her Star-Zap. “Now watch,” she said. “The clock is going to stop. Her wish has been granted. The guests are here.”

  Tessa shook her head. “Something’s wrong,” she said.

  “Just wait,” said Sage.

  “Ella! Madison!” cried Jane. The two girls looked like special party editions of themselves. Madison wore a headband with a huge flower on it, and Ella had on a pair of glittery shoes. They hugged Jane hello and handed her their gifts. They waved to Sage as Jane ushered them through the house and into the backyard.

  Sage gulped as the numbers kept ticking by. She could not believe her eyes. The wish had been fulfilled—there were people at Jane’s party! But the Countdown Clock had not stopped.

  Tessa shook her head. “See? Something is wrong. But there’s still time to fix it. We just have to figure out what happened.”

  Sage sat down and buried her head in her hands. What was going on? She had done everything right!

  “I don’t get it,” she said. “My necklace lit up when I met Jane.”

  “Do you think that she had another wish?” Tessa asked.

  “No,” replied Sage. “She told me this was her heart’s desire.”

  Tessa wrinkled her brow. “Maybe your Wish Pendant malfunctioned?”

  Sage took a deep breath. Her mind began to race. The pendant had glowed when she met Jane, hadn’t it? She replayed the scene in her mind. She met Jane, stepped back to look at the glowing pendant—and bumped into Genevieve.

  Oh, starf. Genevieve, the girl whom she had sprayed with an entire container of chocolate milk, the girl who totally disliked her, the one girl who was not invited to the party, was her Wisher.

  Sage stood up and walked to the door.

  “Where are you going?” Tessa asked.

  Sage shook her head. “There’s not enough time to explain! But I think I know how to fix this. I’ll be right back!” She raced outside to find Jane, who was grinning, her cheeks flushed pink with excitement and happiness.

  Sage ran to the front gate, throwing it open and nearly knocking over one of Jane’s guests in the process.

  She had wasted all her wish energy on the wrong wish. She couldn’t even rely on her secret talent to help make this wish come true. She was all on her own. And she literally didn’t have a starmin—make that a second—to lose.

  Please be home, please be home, please be home, Sage thought as she rang the bell for the third time. To her great relief, the door swung open. There stood Genevieve. She did not look pleased at all to see Sage. She crossed her arms, her golden bracelets jangling.

  “What do you want?” Genevieve asked crossly.

  “I want you to come to Jane’s party,” Sage said. “And so does she.” She smiled. She suddenly felt much better just standing next to Genevieve.

  Genevieve’s eyes lit up for a brief moment, but then she frowned. “Well, I don’t,” she retorted, starting to close the door.

  Sage stuck out her foot to hold it open. Genevieve looked very annoyed. “It’s a little late, don’t you think?” she asked.

  “It was a mistake,” explained Sage.

  Genevieve laughed bitterly. “Don’t you get it? I’m never invited to anything. For some crazy reason, everyone thinks I’m mean. And here’s the funny part: I’m not even sure how that started.

  “I’m not mean at all,” she explained. “Maybe girls are jealous that I live in this big house or because I have fancy clothes. I don’t know. But somehow the rumor got started that I’m mean. And I’m not,” Genevieve repeated.

  Her shoulders sagged. “I’m actually really nice.”

  She pointed to the shirt Sage was wearing. “Like when I came over in the cafeteria to tell you I liked your tie-dyed shirts. And everyone assumed I was just being sarcastic. And then you ruined my dress.”

  “I’m sorry,” said Sage. “That was an accident.” Then she realized something. “Hey, you really like the shirts?”

  “Yeah,” Genevieve said. “They’re really pretty. They just need a little flash.”

  “That’s what Jane was saying!” cried Sage. “Come on, you’re the most fashionable girl in the class. What do you think the shirts need?”

  “I’m the most fashionable girl in the school,” Genevieve said with a smile. She studied the shirt. “I think it needs rhinestones.” She reached forward and touched one of Sage’s sleeves. “I also think you could decorate the sleeves. You know, gather them and tie them up with pretty satin ribbons.”

  Sage nodded excitedly. “Jane is going to love it,” she said.

  “I can lend you some ribbon and a rhinestone machine,” said Genevieve.

  Sage blinked in disbelief. Genevieve really was nice! “Actually,” said Sage, “I was hoping you could bring them to the party. To show everyone how to use them.” Genevieve paused for a moment. She bit her lip, sucked in her cheeks, and crossed her arms.

  “You wish people would realize that you really are a nice person,” guessed Sage. Oh, how she could’ve used her mind-reading skill just then! “Then you would be invited to birthday parties. Like Jane’s.” Genevieve looked embarrassed.

  Sage jumped as a zap of electric current raced down her spine. It was like Professor Lucretia Delphinus had described, only much more intense.

  “Are you okay?” asked Genevieve.

  Sage nodded briskly. She did her best to collect herself and said, “I can’t think of anything nicer than helping someone out at their birthday party.”

  Genevieve still didn’t look convinced.

  Sage grabbed her hand. “Humor me, Genevieve,” she said. “And repeat after me: I believe in you. Glow for it!”

  Genevieve rolled her eyes. “What? That’s crazy!”

  “Please?” said Sage. She grabbed Genevieve’s other hand, and together they repeated the words.

  And then it happened: Sage felt a warm glow course through her, going out her right hand. She saw Genevieve smile as the surge of energy flowed through her and back to Sage’s left hand. Genevieve had no idea what had just happened, but Sage had a wonderful feeling of peace and contentment. It was almost as if she was floating—though when she looked down she saw her feet firmly planted on the floor.

  “Okay,” said Genevieve. “Let’s do this.” She ran upstairs. Sage had a couple of nerve-racking moments as she watched the starmins tick by on her Countdown Clock.

  But before too long, Genevieve came back downstairs wearing a pretty blue party dress and her golden bangles, a tote bag slung over her shoulder. “I’ve got everything we need,” she said. “Let’s go!”

  They got back to Jane’s house quickly. Genevieve suddenly grew shy as they pushed open the gate and walked to the backyard. Sage couldn’t really blame her for feeling self-conscious as all eyes turned to her and the party grew quiet.

  “Maybe I should just go back…” started Genevieve.

  It didn’t help when Jenna broke the silence. “Well, look who’s here,” she said. “Ms. Meanie herself.”

  But then Jane pushed forward, looking a little worried. “Hi, Genevieve,” she said. “I’m glad you came to my party.”

  Genevieve bit her lip nervously. “Thanks for inviting me,” she said. “I’m sorry I don’t have a present. But I did bring these.” She pulled out the rhinestone machine, containers full of sparkling stones, an
d thin satiny ribbons in every color of the rainbow. She grabbed an almost-dry T-shirt, and with a few lengths of ribbon and some artfully placed rhinestones, she transformed it from cute to completely dazzling.

  “I want to do that!” Madison cried. Soon all the girls were clamoring for Genevieve’s help. Even Jenna wanted to try it.

  Jane smiled at Sage. “Wow, that’s exactly what I was hoping for!”

  Tessa walked over, a glass of lemonade in her hand. She had a funny grin on her face. “This stuff is goooooood,” she said. She hiccupped. “But the clock is still ticking. You are almost out of time.” She giggled. “Out of time!’ she repeated.

  Sage stared at Tessa. What was wrong with her? Then she looked at her Countdown Clock. Two starmins to go—and counting.

  Her heart sank. Tessa was right. Time had run out for her.

  Just then she heard Jenna’s voice. “Maybe I was wrong,” she said. “Genevieve, you’re actually pretty nice after all.”

  Genevieve grinned. “You’re not so bad yourself, Jenna.”

  “Tessa look!” Sage cried. Tessa grabbed Sage’s hand. Before Sage’s amazed eyes, positive wish energy began to pour out of Genevieve, who had no idea that anything was happening. It danced through the air in a beautiful rainbow-colored arc before being absorbed into Sage’s Wish Pendant.

  And that’s when the Countdown Clock stopped.

  WISH GRANTED: MISSION COMPLETE, the Star-Zap screen read.

  And then: COME HOME!

  Tessa jumped up and down and hugged Sage. “I can’t believe it! You did it!” she shouted. “This calls for some more lemonade.”

  Ella laughed. “Wow,” she said. “Sage’s friend really likes tie-dye.”

  Just then Mrs. Newman came up to Sage and placed a hand on her arm. “Thank you for making my daughter’s birthday wish come true,” she told her.

  “You’re very welcome,” replied Sage. If Mrs. Newman only knew the half of it!

  Tessa and Sage stayed until just after the birthday cake was unveiled. Because how could a Star Darling miss seeing a real live Wishling birthday cake? Everyone gasped when they saw the colorful confection—tie-dyed frosting on the outside and vibrant tie-dyed cake on the inside. Instead of candles, a profusion of sparklers rose from the center, shooting out a cascade of shimmering sparks. Everyone sang except for the Star Darlings; they didn’t know the words. “I don’t have to make a wish,” Jane said as the cake was placed in front of her. “I got just what I wanted.” She smiled at Sage. “Thank you, Sage.”

  “Oh, make one anyway,” suggested Sage. “You can never have enough wishes. Good wishes, that is,” she hastily added.

  “I’ll see you at home,” Tessa told Sage when she had finished her third glass of lemonade. “This stuff is sooooooo good!” she said. She gave Sage a big hug, then grabbed her shoulders and looked deeply into her eyes. “Now it’s time for you to say good-bye to Jane and Genevieve.”

  Sage gulped. How she hated good-byes! She had known this was coming, but it still was not going to be easy. Even though she hadn’t really been assigned to Jane, she was still going to miss her. And Genevieve—she would never forget her first Wisher. Ever.

  Sage found Jane and Genevieve together, chatting like old friends.

  “I need to talk to you two,” Sage told them. “In private.”

  The three girls walked to the front yard. Sage took a deep breath, anxiously poking at a balloon from the bunch tied to the fence. Jane’s cheeks were flushed with excitement. “I can’t believe it!” she gushed. “What a great party! Genevieve really made the shirts look awesome.” She added, “We’re going to go shopping together tomorrow; isn’t that great?”

  Genevieve smiled. “And we were both invited to Jenna’s sleepover next weekend.”

  Sage smiled. Genevieve’s wish was so powerful and so pure because it hadn’t just involved her—it had affected everyone else at the party.

  “By sharing yourself and your talents with everyone today, you made yourself happy, but you also brought joy to others, Genevieve,” Sage told her. “Now you have to remember to take that happiness and hold on to it. You can close your eyes whenever you want and visualize your wish coming true. And feel that same happiness all over again.”

  The two girls looked at each other and nodded. “Thank you, Sage. You made both our wishes come true today,” Genevieve said.

  “Yeah, everyone is saying that this is the most fun party ever…” Jane’s voice softened. “Sage, why do you look so sad?”

  “I’ve got to go,” Sage said, her voice thick. She was unable to meet Jane’s gaze. “It has been great getting to know you guys and…”

  Then her voice trailed off. But she had an idea. It went against everything she had been warned about. However, it just felt right. Summoning her energy, she held her Wish Pendant tightly in her hand and recited: “Star light, star bright, the first star I see tonight: I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.”

  Jane and Genevieve looked at her oddly, but their expressions quickly changed to ones of amazement.

  A warm glow came over her, and Sage could feel it coursing through her body, from the ends of her braids to the very tips of her toes. She glanced down at her now-lavender hair and admired her skin, which was glimmering once more. Jane and Genevieve just stared, their eyes wide, almost entranced. “Oh, Sage,” Jane breathed. “You’re so beautiful!”

  Jane reached over and touched Sage’s hair. “Your hair is lavender! And your skin is so sparkly!”

  Genevieve shook her head. “How in the world?”

  Without thinking, Sage leaned forward and gave first Jane and then Genevieve a tight squeeze. When she stepped back, she had returned to her dull Wishling appearance. The two girls stared at her blankly.

  “Are you two okay?” Sage asked them.

  The girls both had curious but distant looks on their faces. “Excuse me,” Jane said, “but do I know you?” She smiled politely, waiting for an answer.

  “Yeah,” said Genevieve. “Have we met before?”

  Sage blinked. It looked like her good-bye hug had completely wiped the girls’ memories!

  “No,” she managed to say. “You don’t know me at all.” She took a deep breath.

  “I just wanted to wish you a very happy birthday, Jane.”

  Moments after Sage had arrived back on Starland, her Star-Zap buzzed. REPORT TO WISH-HOUSE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY.

  Sage knew she had come so close to failing her Wish Mission. Was she going to get into trouble? Would she be kicked off the Star Darlings team? Was it proof that Vivica was right, that she was never supposed to be at Starling Academy in the first place? Her stomach was in knots with worry, even though everything had turned out okay at the end.

  Still, despite her nervousness, a feeling of peace came over Sage as she walked down the hallways of Starling Academy. Sage hadn’t realized just how much she had missed Starland. She felt safe and welcome, waving to classmates who had no idea who she was. Or that she’d been gone at all. It didn’t matter. She was just happy to be back, no matter what the consequences.

  “Miss Sage!” said a funny voice.

  Sage looked around the empty hallway. Was she hearing things?

  “Up here!” said the voice.

  Sage looked up. A small Bot-Bot guide hovered near the ceiling.

  “It’s me! MO-J4!”

  “Oh, hey,” said Sage, trying to remember if they had met before.

  “I gave you a tour of the campus!” said MO-J4 a little peevishly. “So where have you been?”

  “Oh, around,” said Sage vaguely. She reached Lady Stella’s door and knocked.

  “Come in,” said Lady Stella.

  Sage concentrated and the door slid open silently.

  “Nicely done,” said MO-J4 admiringly. “I’ll see you around, Miss Sage.”

  “See you,” said Sage.

  Pushing open the door, Sage spotted the other eleven Star Darlings seated around the tab
le, all studying her curiously—except for Cassie, who gave her a wave and a huge grin.

  “Welcome home, Sage,” said the headmistress. “Congratulations on a successful mission.”

  And then all her fellow Star Darlings gave Sage a standing ovation.

  “Really?” said Sage incredulously. “But I almost totally messed up!”

  Lady Stella shook her head. “Sage, what you did was incredibly brave. You went on a mission to an unfamiliar world. Of course there were going to be glitches!” She smiled.

  Sage breathed a sigh of relief. “Star salutations,” she said. “But I want to thank Tessa for coming down to help me out.”

  “You fixed it all by yourself,” said Tessa.

  The headmistress held the Wish Orb and beckoned Sage to come closer, then solemnly placed it in her hands.

  Sage held the Wish Orb in her hands. Its glow became more and more intense. “Look!” said Vega. “Something is happening!” To Sage’s delight, the orb began to transform into a lavender boheminella, a luminous flower whose head hung like a lantern from its stem. It glowed with a soft light, and stardust drifted down from the blossom in a delicate cascade. “It’s beautiful!” Sage breathed. “It is,” agreed Lady Stella. “And from now on, this will be your personal Wish Blossom.” Suddenly, the petals of the flower began to tremble. What was going on? Sage gasped as the flower opened to reveal a glossy dark purple stone with deep veins of shimmering starlight. It looked like a mini galaxy was locked inside its gleaming surface. Sage felt a deep sense of peace and well-being.

  “Well, that is most extraordinary!” said Lady Stella, shaking her head.

  “What is it?” Sage asked as the Star Darlings pressed closer to see the shimmering stone.

  “All in due time,” said Lady Stella. Sage thought the headmistress looked surprised—pleasantly so. “Until then, please guard this precious stone with your very life.”

  Sage took a deep breath and looked around the room at her fellow Star Darlings, enjoying her moment in the spotlight.

  And she wondered which one of them would be next.

  Sage lingered in Lady Stella’s office after the room had cleared.