Sage and the Journey to Wishworld

by Ahmet Zappa

  “No!” shouted Sage, recalling Jenna’s thoughts.

  Jane and her mom gaped at her.

  “I mean, great idea, but that’s been done before,” Sage explained quickly. “Let’s be different. Unique!”

  “How about a magician?” asked Mrs. Newman. “Or a funny clown who makes balloon animals?”

  Sage stole a quick glance at Jane. The look of horror on Jane’s face told her all she needed to know.

  “Mooooom,” said Jane. “We’re not, like, three years old.” She leaned over and whispered to Sage, “Let’s go up to my room and plan in private.”

  Sage nodded with approval at Jane’s bedroom. It was very tidy; her bed was made and her stuffed animals were neatly arranged on it. Sage spotted a shelf full of actual paper books. She carefully removed one and held it in her hands. She ran her fingers over the smooth cover. It was stark—black and red and white—with a picture of two girls in fur caps and capes standing on a snowy hill, with three snarling wolves below them. After a moment she lifted the cover and flipped through the thin pages. “Wow,” she said.

  Jane laughed. “You act like you’ve never seen a book before!” she said. She looked over Sage’s shoulder. “The Wolves of Willoughby Chase,” Jane said. “It’s so good. A fancy English manor. Two cousins. An evil governess. A terrible orphanage.” She sighed. “It’s one of my favorite books of all time.”

  “It sounds really exciting,” said Sage.

  Jane smiled. “Keep it. I’ve got another copy.”

  Sage carefully placed the book in her backpack. When she turned back around, she spotted something colorful lying on top of Jane’s bookshelf. It was a pretty T-shirt, with a multicolored heart in vibrant pinks, purples, and blues. “What’s that?” she asked curiously.

  “Oh, it’s just a T-shirt I made,” said Jane offhandedly. But Sage was intrigued. She gazed at Jane’s creation, taking in the bright colors, the artful placement of glitter.

  “You made this?” Sage said. “It’s beautiful.”

  Jane laughed. “I’ve got a dozen of them.” At Sage’s look of surprise, she shrugged. “I’ve had a lot of free time on my hands since we moved here!”

  “Amazing,” said Sage.

  So Jane taught Sage how to make her very own gorgeous, glittery T-shirt. Sage tore different colors of crepe paper into small pieces, arranged them into a star shape (of course), and sprayed the pieces carefully with a water bottle filled with a pungent liquid called white vinegar. The wet paper left colorful shapes on the T-shirt. Jane then hit the shirt with a blast of glitter spray.

  “You did a great job,” said Jane when they were done and Sage’s T-shirt lay drying on the desk. “Just wait till it dries.”

  “Thanks,” said Sage. “You’re a good teacher!” She held out her multicolored hands and wiggled her fingers, just like her professor had shown them.

  “Jazz hands!” said Sage.

  Jane laughed. “Oops, I forgot to give you gloves!” said Jane.

  “Never mind,” said Sage. “They’re kind of pretty, in a weird way!”

  “That was fun,” said Jane. Then she sighed. “But we still don’t have a plan for my birthday. Can you please stay for dinner so we can keep working on it?”

  Sage touched the hem of her still-damp T-shirt and smiled. “Don’t worry,” she said to Jane. “I’ve got it all figured out. And I’d love to stay for dinner.”

  Jane’s father sat at the head of the dining room table and sniffed the air. “Are we having pineapple upside-down cake for dessert tonight?” he asked hopefully. “It smells so good!”

  “No,” said Mrs. Newman. “We’re having ice cream.” She wrinkled her brow. “That’s funny. I smell cake, too. But it smells like chocolate to me.”

  Sage stared at them. This was getting weird. “Please pass the…food,” she said.

  Mr. Newman chuckled. “You mean the spaghetti and marinara sauce? Sure!”

  Sage finished two bowls of spaghetti. It was awkward to eat, but it was delicious!

  For dessert they had something called strawberry ice cream. It was cold, sweet, and a lovely shade of pink.

  After draining her third glass of chocolate milk, Sage volunteered to help clean up. As soon as she and Mrs. Newman were alone in the kitchen, Sage turned to her. “I have an idea,” she said, looking deep into the woman’s hazel eyes. “Why don’t I sleep over at your house tonight?”

  Jane walked in, holding a handful of forks, knives, and spoons, which she dumped into the sink with a clatter.

  “I have an idea,” Mrs. Newman said to Sage. “Why don’t you sleep over at our house tonight?”

  Jane’s face lit up as she wiped her hands on a dish towel. “Really?” she said, giving her mom a quick hug around the middle. “That would be great.” She grabbed Sage’s arm and steered her out of the kitchen and up the stairs. “My mom must really like you,” she said. “She never lets me have sleepovers on a school night!”

  After deciding to wear their new T-shirts to school the next day, the two girls did their homework (which Sage finished with impossible speed) and got ready for bed. Sage headed to the bathroom to slip into a nightgown she had borrowed from Jane. She turned to the mirror and stared at her transformed Wishling-looking self. Then she recalled Lady Stella’s parting words to her: Don’t forget your Mirror Mantra! She could use a jolt of positivity. But what was it?

  Sage closed her eyes and searched her memory. Then she opened them, reached up, touched the mirror, and said: “I believe in you. Glow for it!”

  Sage gasped as her reflection suddenly transformed. Her hair was its usual bright lavender, her skin was sparkly, and her eyes were clear violet once more. She looked down and saw that her braids were still light brown, then looked up again to admire her true self. She felt both rejuvenated and at peace.

  There was a knock on the door. “Sage, are you almost done in there?” Jane called out. Sage jumped, grateful she had locked the door behind her. Imagine if Jane could see Sage’s true self. That would be so dangerous!

  “Just a star—I mean, a minute,” Sage called. She quickly got changed, then headed to the door and shut off the light, giving her reflection one final glance.

  She climbed into the low bed that pulled out from under Jane’s bigger one and drew the covers up to her chin.

  “Hey, Sage?” Jane whispered in the dark. “Do you really think people are going to come to my party?”

  “I do,” said Sage. “I really do.”

  Jane sighed. “I’m just not sure. Things were so much easier at home. I wish we’d never moved. I miss my old life.”

  “I know what you mean,” said Sage. Now that her brain wasn’t racing a moonium floozels a starmin, she realized she felt a tiny bit homesick. Sage could hear Jane shifting under the covers.

  “I guess I thought it was going to be easy,” Jane continued. “I had so many friends in my old school. I was really popular. Everyone always wanted to come to my birthday parties. I don’t know. I just expected that people were going to want to be my friend, so I didn’t even try. I’m kind of shy, you know.” She sighed. “Maybe I missed my chance. Maybe it’s too late.”

  “I don’t think it’s ever too late to make friends,” said Sage. “I think everything is going to turn out okay. Just be yourself tomorrow—friendly and kind.”

  “Okay,” said Jane. “I hope you’re right. Good night.”

  “Good night, Jane.” I hope I’m right, too, thought Sage before she drifted off to sleep. Because if I am, everyone is going to be so proud of me.

  She rolled over. Oh, and because I’ll be helping save Starland, too, of course!

  “Ohmigod! Where did you get that T-shirt?” Jenna squealed. “It’s supercute!”

  “Oh, this?” said Sage, holding back a grin. Things were going exactly as planned. She just wished she didn’t feel so tired. There must be something in Wishworld’s atmosphere that was sapping her strength. She was wearing her brand-new T-shirt over a turquoise lon
g-sleeved shirt, with a lavender skirt, lavender-and-turquoise-striped tights, and lace-up boots.

  It had taken a dozen tries with the outfit changer in the privacy of Jane’s bathroom to pull together the perfect look. But she looked great, no doubt about it. If Jane was surprised that Sage hadn’t asked to borrow clothes, she didn’t mention it. Maybe young Wishlings always packed extra outfits in the backpacks they carried. Sage would have to look into that.

  “Yes!” Jenna said. “It is fab-u-lous!”

  The rest of the girls left their lockers ajar and gathered around Sage, admiring her outfit.

  “Did you get it at the mall?” asked Maria.

  The what? thought Sage. “Believe it or not, you can make one yourself,” she said. “As a matter of fact, I’ll be giving lessons…”

  “Awesome!” said Hailey. “Just tell us when and where.”

  “…with my friend Jane at her birthday party this Saturday,” Sage finished. “She taught me how to make it. Right, Jane?”

  Her eyes shyly downcast, Jane sidled across the hallway in her own colorful T-shirt. Hers was even more vibrant than Sage’s. “Right,” she said softly.

  There was an awkward silence. The girls’ eyes went back and forth as they glanced at one another.

  “I totally forgot to RSVP,” Jenna finally said. “Jane, can I still come?”

  “Yeah,” said Maria. “It’s not too late, is it?”

  Jane couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “No, not too late at all,” she said happily.

  Sage noticed that Jane sat up straighter and even raised her hand a few times in class that morning. Her confidence was growing. Ms. Daniels was delighted. “Great job today, Jane,” she said as the class filed out of the room. “Keep up the good work!”

  Sage must have looked as tired as she felt, because the gym teacher let her sit in the bleachers for gym. She had a front-row seat for class, where she noted that Ella chose Jane to be the first one on her team. It turned out that was a wise choice: Jane was very good at the game they were playing. It was called dodgeball, and it didn’t seem that fun at all to Sage. But Jane loved it: she got player after player out with her throws and caught the ball every time it was aimed at her.

  When it was down to Jane and a young male Wishling with a crew cut from the other team, she threw the last ball low at her adversary with deadly accuracy. It ricocheted off his foot, winning the game for her team. She looked positively thrilled as her teammates pounded her on the back in congratulations.

  At lunch, Sage and Jane grabbed trays and made their selections. Sage took two chocolate-milk boxes this time. They started to head to the other side of the lunchroom to Jane’s usual table. “Hey, Jane! Sage! Over here!” cried Jenna. “Sit with us!”

  Jane’s eyes were shining as they made their way to Jenna and her friends. Sage felt a swell of pride for how close she was to completing her mission, and she checked the Countdown Clock on her Star-Zap. Plenty of time, she thought confidently.

  “Sit next to me, Jane,” Jenna commanded. She didn’t even wait until Jane was seated before she exclaimed, “So, tell us more about your party! We can’t wait!”

  “I’ve been thinking about making a tie-dyed birthday cake!” said Jane. “What do you guys think?”

  “Awesome!” several voices chorused.

  Sage grinned. That was news to her. It was an awesome idea.

  My work here is done, thought Sage. Well, almost. But her victorious feeling did not last long. “Uh-oh, look who’s headed our way,” said Ella.

  Sage froze for a moment, then turned around. As she feared, it was Genevieve. Despite her apprehension, Sage couldn’t help admiring the fluffy white sweaterdress the girl was wearing. It was soft and cozy-looking, with a draped collar. Genevieve’s feet were clad in navy blue ankle boots; one tapped impatiently against the cafeteria floor once she came to an abrupt stop at the group’s cafeteria table.

  As Sage turned around to face her, she felt a sudden burst of energy. That’s odd, she thought.

  Genevieve looked from Sage to Jane and back again. “Oh, look, the two new girls are wearing matching shirts. How cute,” she said.

  Everyone gazed at Genevieve in silence.

  Sage smiled. “Star sal—I mean, thank you,” she said.

  But Jenna scowled. “My mother always says if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

  Genevieve looked pained. “But I”—she took a deep breath—“I have an idea….”

  Suddenly, Sage realized what was going on. Genevieve was being sarcastic again! She was making fun of Jane and messing up Sage’s plan.

  Sage felt her cheeks getting warm. She could hear Gran’s voice saying, Take a deep breath before you speak, Sage. You can choose a better response! But she didn’t listen. She stood up and faced the girl. “I have an idea, too,” she said. “Why don’t you leave us alone?”

  Genevieve’s face sort of crumpled. “Fine,” she said. But then she suddenly glanced down and shrieked. “Look what you’ve done!”

  Sage looked down…and realized she had been clenching her box of chocolate milk in her angry hands, squeezing its contents all over Genevieve’s sweaterdress. It was a complete and utter mess. To her dismay, the girls at the table—everyone except Jane—erupted into laughter.

  Mission 1, Wishworld Observation #8: Wishling clothing really does stain.

  “You ruined my cashmere dress!” Genevieve yelled. She looked as if she was going to cry. Sage sat down, defeated and embarrassed. Her red-hot anger had disappeared as quickly as it had surfaced, replaced by an overwhelming feeling of sorrow. Genevieve spun on her heel and stormed off, her golden bracelets jangling.

  “Don’t worry about her,” said Jenna. “She deserves it. She’s so mean. Besides, her parents can just buy her a whole closetful of new dresses.”

  But Sage felt terrible anyway. And she felt dreadfully tired—so tired she could hardly force herself to stand when the end-of-lunch bell rang. Oh well, at least my mission is under control, she thought.

  Jane was visiting her grandmother that night, so the two girls said good-bye after school. “Come to my house early tomorrow!” Jane called, and Sage promised she would. Sage headed back to the park where she had landed. She was excited to use the special tent that Lady Stella had told her about. When she got to the park, she reached into her backpack and pulled out her Star-Zap to project her special tent. Before her unbelieving eyes appeared a large, luxurious sleeping quarters. It was invisible to Wishlings and once inside, Sage herself was undetectable. She was pleased to realize that it contained anything she would need—food, light, holo-books, and her favorite blanket. It was warm, comfortable, and extremely cozy.

  Later that night, tired as she was, Sage couldn’t fall asleep. She just couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something wasn’t quite right. Sage opened the tent flap and gazed up at the heavens.

  Suddenly, a falling star illuminated the night sky with a flash of brilliant light. A feeling of peace swept over Sage, and she smiled. Comforted, she closed her eyes and fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.

  It had been a very busy morning, but everything was almost ready, and the backyard looked perfect. The tables were covered with brightly patterned tablecloths and jars full of eye-popping displays of wildflowers. The tree branches were twinkling with fairy lights, and paper lanterns hung between the trees.

  A colorful banner, with a letter on each triangular flag, spelled out HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JANE! A fun photo booth was set up in a corner with a polka-dotted backdrop and silly paper props like hats and fake eyeglasses. Jane’s mother was heating up the grill, and her father was practicing playing DJ—and he was actually pretty good. Jane bustled about, setting up the “make your own tie-dyed T-shirt” table. She looked up at Sage. “Hey, the guests are going to be here in fifteen minutes! Go get dressed!”

  Sage looked down at her dusty T-shirt. “Good idea!” she said with a laugh. She headed upstairs, glancing
down at her Star-Zap. Seventy-five starmins to go on the Countdown Clock. Talk about cutting things close!

  Sage took a last look around Jane’s bedroom as she packed up her backpack. These Wishling artifacts—her notebook and pencils from school, her math book, and the paperback that Jane had given her—would be of real interest to her Wishers 101 teacher, Professor Elara Ursa.

  Sage put on her tie-dyed shirt. She used her outfit changer to select a pretty lavender skirt, turquoise leggings, and lavender flats with big flowers on them. Just as she finished brushing and braiding her hair, the doorbell rang. She bounded downstairs and opened the door with a smile.

  “Welcome to Jane’s…” She blinked in surprise. “OMS, what are you doing here?”

  In front of her was a familiar face—Tessa! Sage blinked at her in surprise. “How…what…but you’re sparkly! And your hair is still green!” Sage managed to get out. Tessa was as shimmery and vibrant as she was at home. Tessa grinned. “You look sparkly, too,” she told Sage. “I think we can see each other as we actually are.”

  “Aren’t you going to invite me in?” asked Tessa.

  “Why are you here?” Sage said huffily. “Everything’s fine. The party is about to start. I’m just going to collect my wish energy and come back home.”

  Tessa smiled. “Sage, relax. I’m sure it’s no big deal, but Lady Stella thinks that something might be a little off with your mission. Your wish energy levels were getting low so she sent me down to check things out,” she said. “Your vital signs were worrying her. It was pretty clear that your strength levels were falling. And that is the classic sign of a mission gone wrong.”

  Sage shook her head. “So I’m a little tired. So what? Look, as soon as the first guest arrives, the wish will come true. The Countdown Clock will stop. You’ll see.”

  Just then Jane came in.

  “Hey, Sage, tell me if I’m just being crazy…” Her voice trailed off. “Hello!” she said. “Sage, I didn’t know you invited a friend!”

  “Yes,” Sage said quickly. “I hope that’s okay. This is my friend Tessa.”