Wishful Thinking (Short Story)

It was a perfect Sunday afternoon - a light breeze carrying clouds across the blue sky - but a young girl stared out the window. Her hands caressed both puffed cheeks, clearly lost in thought. Her considerate hum was interrupted by the sound of chimes and skidding tires.

“Come on, Ally!” cheered a friend on her front lawn. Interest sparked in her eyes momentarily, but it flickered away as she noted the shiny, red bike her friend sat on - the one he wished for just yesterday when Jirachi awoke on the hill.

“Maybe later,” she replied flatly through the open window. “I have to keep thinking about what to wish for. Only got a week.” Though a frown tugged at her friend’s face, he understood with a nod. The boy rode off, and Ally was once again left to her thoughts as the day ed her by.

The next day marked the start of another school week.

On Monday, the grand opening of a new bakery drew in the townsfolk - a dream come true for the owner. Though Ally instinctively craved strawberry shortcake, it would only distract from her thought process. So, the bell signaled friends’ cheers and Ally's walk home.

Tuesday spawned a fair in the plaza, and every family was ecstatic to stuff their faces with street food and spin on every ride until their stomachs ached. Though kids were nearly trampling over Ally as the bell rang, it did not disturb her pondering, and she continued her stroll home.

Wednesday sprouted a majestic treehouse in her neighbor's backyard, one just like the owner’s child sketched years ago. Though Ally was asked to for a sleepover, it would only muddy her own ideas. Again, she denied, ed by, and made it home.

Nothing new came on Thursday, but another friend claimed to have wished for a day of pure luck to win every claw machine at the arcade. Ally was one of the few friends asked to , but her head shook side-to-side. Instead of spending a day out in good company, night fell upon Ally's quiet, lonely room.

Friday triggered Ally's sporadic sprint up the once bustling hill that now felt abandoned. Everyone was at the beach, splashing in the perfect waves that a classmate asked for that morning. Though tempted, Ally had no leisure time anymore. She had to think. Think, think, think… What was a good wish? What did she want more than anything?

“Jirachi! Help me!” Ally pleaded through her panting while desperately grasping a pen and paper. “Jirachi, please! Help me figure out what to wish for!” Her chest grew hotter and hotter with every lunge forward, but she couldn't stop - not until she finally met the wish Pokémon like everyone else had.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of harrowing heaving, she made it to the top. Finally, she could see Jirachi. Finally, she could make her wish…

But there lay Jirachi, wrapped in a blanket of crystal.

Another Saturday afternoon arrived - clear blue stretching across the sky - but Ally stared out the window. Her shoulders sunk, and her brow furrowed.

“Ally!” cheered a familiar voice.

It shocked the girl out of her funk. The shiny, red bike had gotten muddy and scratched from use. Before her friend could speak another word, Ally's excitement rang out with starry eyes, “I’ll be right there!”

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Hi again! Long time no write. I hope you enjoyed my entry for the #Fablemons contest. My prompt was, "Opportunity rarely knocks twice," so I decided to center the story around Jirachi. Since Jirachi grants wishes only every 1,000 years, it seemed only right to explore a literal once in a lifetime opportunity to wish for ANY desire.

I also took this as an opportunity to try out a kishotenketsu structure. A short story felt like the perfect way to try it out, and I think it went well

Thanks for the opportunity and taking the time to read my short story. Don't forget to enjoy the rest of your day in whatever little way you can :green_heart:

Edit: Thanks so much for the feature and 1st place win!!! :sparkles: I'm so glad y'all enjoyed my story so much🥹