As You Wish Read Online Free PDF

from me, Viola Cohen,” Lawrence says in a low voice. The scent of clay and old paint fills my throat as I inhale.
    â€œYou have no idea,” the jinn answers as he leans on the doorframe. Lawrence, of course, doesn’t hear him. I’d love to tell the jinn to get lost, but speaking to invisible people probably isn’t going to make Lawrence any less suspicious.
    â€œWhatever it is, Vi, you can tell me. It can’t be any worse than anything I’ve told you. You’re really going to keep secrets from your best friend?”
    I have to hand it to Lawrence. He can really lay on a guilt trip. I shoot the jinn a bitter look through the dim light before speaking.
    â€œIf you had…let’s just say, hypothetically, you had three wishes. What would you wish for?” I say.
    â€œWhat?” Lawrence asks.
    I collapse onto a stepladder with a loud sigh. Words begin to fall out of my mouth the way emotions usually fall from my paintbrush. I start with Shakespeare class, last night in my bedroom, this morning. Lawrence listens, expressionless, and the jinn shoots me doubtful looks.
    When I finish, I feel both stupid and relieved. Surely Lawrence won’t think I’m as insane as I feel. Though I guess I can’t blame him if he does.
    Lawrence kneels down beside me. “So…like a genie. You accidentally summoned a jinn?”
    â€œRight. But now Jinn won’t leave me alone till I wish.”
    â€œMy name isn’t Jinn, you know. That’s like me calling you Human ,” the jinn says.
    I don’t answer. Instead, I look past him, staring at Ollie’s tattoo through the open doorway to avoid looking at Jinn or Lawrence. Lawrence puts his fingers to my cheek and guides my gaze back to him. My throat tightens, like it does whenever Lawrence touches me like this. I pull away from his hand.
    â€œSo, why not just make some wishes so he leaves you alone?”Lawrence asks. He still doesn’t believe me—he’s talking to me like an adult talks to an imaginative toddler.
    â€œWow. This guy, I like,” Jinn says, moving away from the doorway and dropping down on my left, opposite Lawrence. “Listen to him, mas—er, Viola,” he corrects himself. I sigh and look back to Lawrence.
    â€œIt’s not that easy!” I snap.
    â€œSure it is. Just wish that Ollie was your best friend or something,” Jinn says, peering at Ollie through the closet door.
    â€œShut up,” I hiss.
    â€œI didn’t say anything!” Lawrence answers.
    I feel my cheeks turn red.
    â€œOh. Talking to Jinn. I see,” Lawrence says. I want to crumble—there’s doubt in his voice, and it makes me feel as alone and scared as I did when we broke up.
    â€œLawrence! I’m serious!” I cry out. Lawrence takes my hand apologetically.
    â€œNo, no, I’m sorry. It’s just…I mean, how can you be sixteen years old and have no idea what to wish for?” Lawrenceasks, running a thumb over my hand.
    â€œExactly!” Jinn shouts. I ignore him and am about to speak when Lawrence jumps up. He takes several shaky steps backward, staring over my head, his mouth hanging open. I look at Lawrence for a moment before realizing that he’s staring at Jinn, who is now slowly standing.
    â€œHe’s…real…” Lawrence chokes on his words.
    I exhale and nod. At least now Lawrence is crazy with me. Lawrence takes a half step forward and extends a hand to poke Jinn’s shoulder. When his fingers make contact with Jinn’s skin, Lawrence jumps. Jinn shrugs and gives yet another annoyed look—he has a lot of them, I’ve noticed.
    â€œWait, how come he can see you now?” I ask, rising from the stepladder.
    â€œI can be seen by anyone, if I want to. I’m just not supposed to. It breaks the second protocol. But I sort of thought showing myself to him would get you to wish faster, so I could return to Caliban