June Keller took pride in being the quirkiest person in her small town of Jonesville.Somehow though being quirky made her popular among the Jonesville people. Probably because June added a little spice to people’s predictable lives. June ran up the steps to her house, her twin brother, Charlie, right behind her. “Hey June, what are you going to do today?” The twin’s neighbor, an old woman named Elsa, called from beside her mailbox across the street. “I’m going to search the attic, there’s all kinds of stuff up there,” June called back, a little grin on her face. Charlie pushed her inside the house, “C’mon J,” Charlie urged her, Charlie for reasons unknown to June had a rivalry with Elsa. June sighed dramatically and smiled at her brother. June and Charlie had been inseparable since they were born. It was always June and Charlie. Charlie and June. June tossed her backpack against the wall and dragged Charlie upstairs to the attic. “Aw c’mon J, what do you think we’ll find up here?” Charlie asked, a whine in his voice. Charlie often pretends to be cautious of June’s plans, but he secretly loves them. Like June he loved adventure – and anything his sister could cook up. June lifted her chin seriously. “I don’t know, Charlie, that’s the point. It’s a mystery,” Then June grinned and took off to the nearest corner. Charlie sighed and followed her, used to June’s outrages plans by now. Half an hour later June and Charlie’s mother got home. “Charlie! Come on, you have practice!” Their mom called. Charlie stood up. “Gotta go, J, I’ll help you when I get back,” Charlie said, moving to the door. Along with being adventurous Charlie was incredibly athletic, playing football, baseball, and basketball. June nodded, still sifted through the dozens of boxes. Right after Charlie left, June found something. A computer. June frowned, she’d never seen it before. She flipped it open and the screen lit on. Her frown deepened when she realized it didn’t need a password. Some kind of messaging app had been pulled off, and June couldn’t click off it or go to another website.
Write Something. I dare you.
June never backed down from a dare. Not even from a rusty old computer. June hesitated, was this a joke? Has someone written this note just to get a good laugh? One way to find out. She placed her fingers on the keys and typed.
Hi. I’m June Keller.
To June’s shock, another message appeared below the word’s she’d just typed.
Hello June. I’ve been waiting.
Unable to control her curiosity, June continued typing.
Waiting for what?
The computer replied again.
For you, June. So that you can know me and my… powers. Go ahead, write something you wish would happen.
June froze. Should she? After all there was no telling who was communicating with her. But June wasn’t one to hesitate, or question things that she should probably be questioning, so she placed her fingers back on the computer.
I wish that school would be canceled tomorrow. School is overrated anyway.
Ha! You’re funny June Keller, but I agree. You will find soon that your wish was granted.
June hesitated. Nothing as strange had ever happened to her, so she asked the computer one final thing.
Why? Why are you granting my wishes?
Because I want you to trust me.
Why would you want that?
That my dear, June Keller is none of your concern at the moment. I will inform you of everything you need to know all in good time.
June pursed her lips, ready to demand that the computer tell her his intentions when Charlie burst through the attic door. “June! June! Did you hear?” Charlie’s face was white. June frowned.
“What happened?”
“Our school caught fire- and Mrs. Bradley was in it,” Charlie whispered. Her heart stopped. No. It couldn’t be. “Is she…” Charlie nodded before June could finish. She squeezed her eyes shut. No it couldn’t be connected. They would just transfer them to a new school, but they’d still go tomorrow. This couldn’t be because of her wish. “I’ll miss Mrs. Bradley,” Charlie mumbled. Mrs. Bradley had been a sweet lady of around 50. She loved all of the kids and was always trying to do something to make them smile. She had been the school secretary and had definitely not deserved to die. “We’re off school tomorrow. But just tomorrow. After that we’re being transferred,” Charlie added in a low voice. All the air whooshed from June’s lungs. It was her wish. What else could it be? There were too many coincidences. June shuddered, a raging anger swelling up inside her at the computer. It had set her up! She gritted her teeth. June needed answers, and now. Charlie left to talk with his friend from school who’d been close to Mrs. Bradley, and June pulled the computer towards me.
You tricked me! Someone died because of your so-called “wish”
June, June, you have much to learn. First my dear, you didn’t specify how I was to get you out of school, and let’s remember this isn’t my wish. It was yours.
Well I wish for you to undo it! Bring her back!
So young, so ignorant. Once you wish for something, anything that took place during the wish cannot be undone. But that’s in the past. You have a whole future of wishes ahead of you. Go on, tell me what else you want.
I- I can’t. What if it turns out like last time?
And what if it doesn’t? Think of what you could create, June! Be selfish for once! Make another wish.
The words echoed in June’s mind over and over. It was so convincing. So, so convincing. Just a few words and she could have whatever she wanted. June placed her hands back on the computer, ready to ask for another wish. But Charlie came back through the door. He let out a strangled gasp when he saw the computer. “June, no!” He yelped, snatching the computer away. June blinked. “Charlie…” She trailed off and Charlie began to talk.
“I should have known it wasn’t safe up here,” He mumbled.
“Should have known you were going to find it,” He added, beginning to pace. June grabbed his arm. “Charlie, what are you talking about?” She asked. Charlie let out a shaky breath.
“I found this computer, just like you. It beckoned me to type and I did,” Charlie ran a hand down his face. “I-I wished for you, June. You showed up the day after I made the wish. Mom and dad remembered you and you acted like you’d always been there but I knew…,” Charlie swallowed. June sank onto the floor. Her mind raced a mile a minute. How? How could this be? She was nothing but a wish? Charlie’s wish. Charlie put his arms around June, pulling her into a hug. “I’m sorry, June. I really am. I never intended for you to find out…” Tears ran down his face as he choked out the words. “I was so lonely as an only child. I just wanted someone to play with,” Charlie ran a hand down his face. June didn’t know what to say. What could she say? “I love you Charlie,” June whispered. The tears running down his face came faster.
“God, June I love you too,” He hugged her again. June glanced down at the computer and Charlie nodded. Bending down she typed:
I wish that no one will find you ever again.
Damn it girl-
The website clicked off, and refused to reopen. She stood, feeling satisfied. Charlie put his arm around her again. “So what am I? A lie?” June asked after a while. Charlie shook his head, pulling her close. “No, you’re my sister. My twin. No matter what,” He answered. June closed her eyes. Maybe she wasn’t real. But she has Charlie, and that’s good enough for her.