As You Wish Read Online Free PDF Page A

white tattoo of an artist’s palette shines on her honey-colored skin. Ollie is trailed by Aaron Moor, who is sipping on cappuccino from the gas station. Theypause in the hallway to kiss; it doesn’t last long, but they press into each other and smile afterward in a way that makes me feel shaky. I was never one for PDA, even when I was with Lawrence, but right now I’d give anything to melt into someone like that.
    â€œShe looks almost like a female jinn,” the jinn says, frowning when Ollie and Aaron kiss again. He jumps down from the counter and comes to stand behind me.
    Of course she does—only Ollie Marquez could look like a supernatural creature. If girl jinn are as beautiful as the guys apparently are, Ollie is dead on.
    Ollie smiles at me as they enter the art room—I force a smile in return despite the swirling nerves in my stomach. She goes to her paintings, while Aaron drops down in a chair. He kicks his feet up onto a table, and his eyes fall on me and Lawrence.
    â€œHey, Viola. Wish I’d known you would be in here—I would’ve picked you up some coffee,” he says with a smile.
    â€œYou could wish he’d gotten you coffee!” the jinn adds. I try to both smile at Aaron and roll my eyes at the jinn—theresulting expression probably makes me look like I’ve lost my mind. Perfect.
    â€œDumott!” Aaron turns from me and calls out Lawrence’s last name. They’re friends—not like Lawrence and I are, but friendly enough because they’re both high-school royalty. “What’s with the extension cords?” Aaron asks.
    â€œLighting for the play. Aren’t you doing sets for it?”
    â€œYeah, I’m trying to. Not a lot of time, lately.”
    â€œToo many parties?” Lawrence asks with a half grin.
    Aaron laughs and Ollie nods. I try to look too busy sorting paints to answer, since my last “party” was my unicorn birthday bash when I turned eleven.
    â€œHe’s charming, really. You should wish for him,” the jinn says in a bored tone.
    I’ve got a choice: ignore him or look crazy in front of Aaron. I’ve got to ignore the jinn.
    â€œYour pieces look great, Viola,” Ollie calls out from across the room. “I thought I’d finally come in and touch up mine.”
    â€œThanks. I love yours, too,” I reply while Ollie kneels to sort her neon-orange and pink paints. Jealousy rips throughme, both for the paint colors and for the way her dress flutters around her like water.
    â€œYou don’t like her?” the jinn interrupts my thoughts.
    â€œI like her fine. She’s very nice,” I mutter.
    â€œYeah, but that’s why you don’t like her.” He grins, stepping closer to me. “You know, she knows who you are. The two guys know you. You’re not as invisible as you think. So why don’t you just ditch that particular wish and wish for a nice morning cappuccino instead?”
    â€œShut up,” I mutter. He can’t possibly be expected to understand that it’s not about people knowing me—it’s about not feeling like I belong with them. I shake my head at him in frustration as I turn away. “And you’re wrong about Ollie. I like her,” I whisper over my shoulder. I’m not sure if it’s a lie or not—after all, Ollie is nice. And perfect. Everyone loves Ollie.
    Breathe. Don’t let him get to you. I exhale and stand up, only to see Lawrence eyeing me.
    Awkward Moment Number Three. Lawrence raises an eyebrow, then starts toward me.
    â€œYou’re in trouble,” the jinn says, a hint of amusement inhis voice. It makes me want to punch him. Lawrence grabs my wrist as he passes me, dragging me along after him. Ollie and Aaron are too busy telling each other jokes between quick kisses to notice. The jinn ducks out of the way as Lawrence pulls me into the supply closet.
    â€œYou’re hiding something