The Wish Read Online Free PDF Page B

great I could have floated up to the ceiling. Then we all started naming stupid topics, like shoe sizes and eyeglass prescriptions and names of insects. After that finally ran out, we were all quiet, in a good way, a wonderful way.
    Finally Ardis said, “Turn out the lights, BeeBee. Show Wilma.”
    â€œWait till you see.” BeeBee walked to the hallway at the end of the loft.
    She turned off the lights, and the room went dark. And New York City came inside with us. To the east and south, the buildings zoomed up, darker than the night sky but pricked by thousands of lighted windows.
    â€œThe spire of the Empire State Building looks like a needle,” I said, “about to inject something into the sky.”
    â€œHow poetic,” Nina said.
    â€œNina!” Ardis scolded. “Cut it out.”
    â€œSorry. I need a tongue extraction sometimes.”
    The view to the north was quieter. The buildings were lower, so I saw more sky and even a star. The west windows overlooked Central Park. The sky was faintly pink at the horizon from the sunset. Above the pink was a clear and pure royal blue. The park itself was dark, except for streetlights and car headlights, which streamed like platelets through the park’s veins and arteries.
    â€œIt’s incredible,” I said.
    â€œWatch,” BeeBee called. She turned on a single row of lights.
    Now the skyline was inside with us. BeeBee’s father’s sculptures were like buildings, throwing long shadows across the floor.
    â€œI hate this part,” Ardis said. “I always think they’ll come to life.”
    â€œAnd hack our bodies to shreds,” Nina said in a sharp, rough voice. “And toss the pieces to the carrion birds hovering outside the windows—waiting, always waiting for their meal.”
    I grinned and leaned back against a sleeping bag. I had missed this so much—being with other kids, joking around, teasing. I hadn’t realized how much I missed it till now.

Chapter Eight
    â€œS top!” Ardis said with her hands over her ears. “BeeBee, turn on the lights.”
    â€œI can’t,” BeeBee said in a strangled voice. “Aagh. A statue got me.”
    â€œIt’s not funny.” Ardis stood up. “Turn the lights on.”
    â€œAaaa!” BeeBee shrieked. “My arms are gone. I’ll try to . . . turn . . . them . . . on . . . with . . . my . . . teeth. Aaaa!”
    â€œTurn on the lights! Come on, BeeBee!” Ardis ran toward her and knocked into a statue on the way. The statue swayed. BeeBee yelled, “Watch out! Catch it!” But Ardis kept running.
    The statue rocked like a bowling pin. BeeBee started to go to it, and so did I—it was halfway between us—but the statue’s swings got shorter, and it wobbled itself back into position. Ardis snapped on the light, and the shadows disappeared.
    Nina was laughing so hard, she could hardly talk. “Hack you to bits,” she gasped.
    â€œIf a statue went down,” BeeBee said, “it would fall apart. They’re delicate.”
    Ardis didn’t look at us or say anything. She collapsed on the floor and stared at her shoelaces.
    It reminded me of times with Freda and Tracy when two of us ganged up on one. I hated when I was the one. I used to do what Ardis was doing now—keep quiet. It only got worse if you showed how hurt you were.
    When I was one of the attackers, I used to feel extra safe, but afterward I’d feel terrible.
    Before tonight, I couldn’t have imagined anybody teasing Ardis. She had seemed untouchable. But not now, and I felt closer to her—she didn’t seem so different from me. But I didn’t know what to do to make her feel better.
    â€œI’m bored,” Nina said.
    Ardis put her paper plate and fork into the shopping bag from the restaurant. “Did Liam ask you to Grad Night yet?” Her voice was friendly,