2 The Not-So-Lucky Charm

"It's here! Really here." My friend gasped and shook me back and forth.

I covered my ears and glanced around the game shop. All around us, girls were going crazy about this new game called 'Choose your Prince' I snorted at the stupidity of the title and the game. I mean seriously, what kind of fool would name their game as stupid as that? It's just a cheap Otome game.

The more that I see these girls rushing in the store in hopes to buy their copy, the more I got pissed. Shame on you all! I screamed in my mind. Why waste your parent's money for something so useless!

"Do you really have to go, Jen?" I asked. Really annoyed by her screams.

"Why yes, Rose. I do. If you're a normal teenage girl then you would do the same." she said.

I rolled my eyes and sighed "Yeah. And if you were a smart girl then you would keep that money of yours and buy yourself some cake instead." I said.

"No way. I have waited for this day to come! I need to get that game." Her eyes sparkled as she gazed dreamily at the poster where the banner of the game was posted. I rolled my eyes. "If you badly needed the game, then why did you drag me along?"

"Because you're my friend." I stared at her. Not believing that it was the only reason why she brought me here. She rolled her eyes when she saw my look. "Fine. You're supposed to be the sacrifice to those girls if I have some trouble getting a copy. I want you to tackle any girl that gets in my way."

"Jen!"

"What? That's what friends are for, right?" She gave me an innocent grin in which I countered with a glare. The nerve of this girl. She was willing to sacrifice her one and only friend for a game. But her purpose was clear. I'm doomed if I don't find a way out of here.

Knowing her, I can't convince her to change her mind on not buying the game.

And now I wish I had a few more friends instead of one. It's my fault anyways why I don't have that many friends. "Jen? Do you mind if I look around for a while?"

"Planning on ditching me again huh? Come on, Rose. Live a little." She said without looking at me. She knows how much I hate the crowd and she knows me too well to know that I don't have the patience for these kinds of stuff.

I sighed tiredly at her, looking at the crowd of teenage girls gathering around the shop. I wrinkled my nose at the idea of going in there. For all I know I might not be able to get back in one piece after I charge in there. "Seriously, Jen. You can't expect me to go there with you. You know how I feel about being crowded." I admitted. Just imagine yourself charging inside of the store full of rabid girls fighting for the chance to get their hands on the game.

Since when did dating simulation games become so popular?

She puckered her lips and begged me with her eyes. "Won't you do it for a friend?"

"No."

"I might need some backup."

"Not my problem."

She looked at me then sighed with resignation. "Fine. But if you ever beg me to lend you the game, expect a big NO to it. Some friend you are! Leaving your friend all alone...."

I stifled a laugh. "Sorry, Jen. I'll make it up to you - And don't give me that look or try to guilt me with our friendship. It's not working. And besides, mom and dad are going out on a date leaving Stella alone."

She let out a huff. "You're choosing a 7 year old kid over me?"

"A 7 years old kid who is my sister? Yes."

She stared at me for a few moments before it registered in her mind that I would - and never will - come with her on her foolish adventure to get her game. "Fine. You have my permission to leave." She waved me off with her hand. "But you must know that you owe me a drink from Barkbucks after this."

I patted her on the back. "Sorry, Jen. Maybe you should look for a boyfriend instead. That way you won't need a game and you'll have another companion." She reached out and attempted to slap me. I laughed and moved away from her attack.

"Yeah yeah get out. Just say hello to Stella for me." I nodded at her as I went out of the shop. I tried to be as casual as I could until I was pretty sure that I was far from that place as possible. Once I was a good distance away, I checked my right then my left.

"Yes!" I whoop and yelled, causing a lot of people to stare at me. I starred back at them. How dare they stare at me. Haven't they seen a happy person before?

In any case, I can finally go home and watch some movies, preferably scifi movies. I don't know why but for some reason I have become addicted to it. I have this whole bunch of collections in my room that I kept hidden from Jen. Knowing her, she'd throw them in the trash and replace them with a bunch of romance chick flicks.

I looked around the mall, trying to find something to eat. Maybe I could just buy some popcorn or something. Better yet, cake or ice cream. Stella would definitely love ice cream. Now would be the perfect time since mom and dad wouldn't be home until tomorrow.

Seriously, after I reach the age of 17, they always have their weekly dates like teenagers. And yet they wouldn't allow me to even date.

Not that I really care.

I paused when I saw a woman tripping on her grocery bags. Judging from her silver hair and wrinkled fingers she was definitely old. A bunch of fruits and other stuff rolled out of her shopping bag and she struggled to pick them up. I couldn't help but notice that none of the people seemed to notice this or even cared. They could at least have help her out.

What is wrong with this world? Don't they feel pity for the woman? I mean, she's right in front of them and yet they acted as if they didn't see her.

What is she? Invisible?

I changed my direction and grabbed one of the fallen pieces of apple, which happened to roll in front of me. I gathered them in my arms as much as I could. Seeing as I couldn't carry no more, I made my way and handed the fruits to her.

She grabbed them from me with wrinkled hands and gave me a kind smile. "Oh thank you child" she said.

"No problem." I said and eyed her grocery bag. No wonder she tripped. "That's a lot of bags for you to carry, are you sure you're alright with that?"

"Yes I am. By the way, child. I saw you coming out of that game shop over there. Were you interested in that game?" She asked.

I looked behind me to the shop, which was currently crowded for sure. I'm pretty sure that one of them is Jen. Although I couldn't really see her right now.

She must be dead.

I cringed at the sight of the shop. "No way."

The old woman chuckled. Her silver hair falling from her bun. "Oh? And why so?"

I shrugged "It's strange. At least for me that is. I mean, sure it's kind of interesting? but what happens when you finish the game? Game over. That's it."

She nodded as if she were digesting my words. "Indeed it will." She said in wonder. "But wouldn't it all be worth it once you have played? Who knows? Things might get interesting."

I raised an eyebrow at her in confusion. "What do you mean by interesting, granny?"

"The game. Aren't you the least bit curious of what's in it?" Okay, is it me or is this old woman here the old version of Jen? Anyone? "Sure. But right now the only thing I'm curious about is how much that game will cost me my lunch." I said and glanced at my watch. It was already 1 in the afternoon. Once again, I looked at the old woman and offered her a smile. "As much as I love chatting with you. I believe that I should be heading home to my sister."

She chuckled "Well as a token of my gratitude, please take this." She handed me some sort of charm.

"Take it child. It is a token of my appreciation. It's a good luck charm." she said.

"Ma'am, you need luck more than I do. I can't take it." I said politely.

"Take it."

"...no"

"Come on child. I know you want to." She bribed. WTH!?

"Um, no. I don't want to..."

"Take.It." She said through gritted teeth.

"Uhhh....n-"

"TAKE IT!" She shouted angrily.

I quickly took it.

She smiled victoriously. "Good. Now just imagine that it has some sort of magic that can make your wish come true, dearie. Oh and don't give it away. I'll know if you do." She winked before walking off.

Weird.

In a haste, I kept the charm hidden in my bag and hurried home. On my way, I couldn't help but get the feeling that I was being watched.

~~~

"Honey, I'm home!!" I screamed and burst into the front door. It's kind of a habit that I usually do when my parents aren't around.

"Amy!!" A little voice squeaked and ran to me. I bent over and messed up her hair. She giggled.

"Hey, squirt. What have you been up to?" Stella, my baby sister, pouted and crossed her arms over her chest. She was a little like mom with a rich white blonde hair and cerulean blue eyes, which I am sure is yet to change when she grows old. I, on the other hand, have ash-blonde hair that I got from both my mom and my dad and my silver-blue eyes. We don't exactly look alike.

Among the both of us, you could say that she's more girly than I am. Just looking at her skirts and pretty blouses versus my baggy shirts, shorts, and jeans. Mom probably regretted having me wear jeans since I was a kid, because now I wouldn't even wear skirts or dresses. Now, I think she's trying to make up for it through my sister. Her little Barbie girl, Stella Antoinette Stan.

But just between you and me, I'm having some hidden conversation with Stella regarding the comfort of wearing jeans. I think I'm winning seeing as Stella is now wearing jean shorts underneath her skirts. Which is probably uncomfortable.

"Stop calling me squirt!" She glared at me. "When I grow older, I'll be taller than you."

I chuckled. "Yeah, sure you are. But for the meantime, you're a squirt to me." I walked past her to hop down on the couch. A moment later and Stella sat and joined me. "What are you going to watch?" She looked up at me with her pretty blue eyes.

"I don't know. I think I'm going to watch a zombie movie. Care to join me?" I gave her a teasing grin knowing fully well how she hates scary movies and claiming to have nightmares about it. Sure enough, she gave me a glare and threatened me with her eyes.

"I'm going to tell mommy if you do."

I couldn't help but to laugh at how predictable she could be. Of course, what do you expect of a 7 years old?

"Fine. But can we at least watch zombies that aren't that scary?" I said. Stella pouted a little, but then nodded.

"Okay, but can I pick a movie after we watch it? Please?" She begged and made her eyes grow bigger. Her own version of the puppy dog eyes that is hard to resist.

I groaned. Not believing that she's actually using it on me when I taught her how to do it. "Fine." I grumbled and she let out a whoop in return. "But only if you'll stay quiet and stop asking me questions during the movie, deal?"

"Deal." She grinned.

~~~

Sure enough, after we watched a zombie movie, I handed her the remote as she chose one of her favorite Disney movies. Starting from Peter Pan, to Beauty and the Beast, and finally, The Little Mermaid. I should probably be bothered since she had picked three consecutive movies while I only have one, but for some strange reason, I seem to be fine with it. It was actually nice that I was able to reminisce about my childhood movies. I kind of forgot how great Disney movies are.

Science fiction movies are still the best!

After watching her Disney movies, we had a little break and ate dinner - which we just ordered since I was too lazy to cook for us. We then resumed to watch. This time, I had picked a scifi movie.

"Are vampires and werewolves real?" Stella asked as soon as I turned the tv off. It was already 10 PM. Mother would freak if she learned that Stella was way past her bedtime.

"Nope." I answered. "They're just a work of fiction."

"But if they are a work of fiction, then the writer must have picked it up somewhere, right? All stories come from a certain origin. The writer must have either seen a real vampire or werewolf or must have read something about them."

I stood there frozen. Despite how little Stella was, she's actually wise.

I saw Stella rubbing her eyes and yawning. "Well it really doesn't matter if they're real or not, right? What matters now is that it's time for you to go to bed. It's way past your bedtime." Stella let me lead her to her room. I made sure to have her brush her teeth and to make her change her clothes before tucking her in for bed.

"Now go to sleep, you little squirt."

"Stop calling me squirt." She yawned yet again. "Like I said, I'll outgrow you one day, Amy. And then you'll be the squirt." She grinned sleepily.

I rolled my eyes. "Like that's gonna happen." I snickered. "If you really want to outgrow me then you should sleep."

She nodded her head once before closing her eyes. "You know what, Amy? I really wish that I was in a different world. Somewhere where I could find adventure. Our world is too polluted." I looked at her sleeping form as I took in her words. She let out a yawn. "Good night, Amy." With that, Stella had finally drifted off to sleep.

"Me too, Stella. Me too." I whispered. "Good night, squirt."

In a daze, I went back to my room and changed out of my clothes and got ready for bed. Once I lay down on my bed, I felt my bag behind my back. I grunted as I picked it up. The charm that the old woman had gave me protruded from my small bag. I got it out and took a good look at it.

just imagine that it has some sort of magic that can make your wish come true, dearie.

I smirked. "A wish huh?" I sat up on my bed and twirled the cd in my hand. I don't really believe in wishes and luck. I only believe in hardwork and perseverance. Dramatic much? I know but it's the truth. Wishes don't exist. It's just something that keeps our hopes up. Whoever invented that wish must have been desperate.

But still.

"If you can really grant me a wish then I would really like it if I could be given a chance to do something different. Somewhere where I could do something that I really haven't done." I whispered. A moment later and the silence was really thickening.

I mentally slapped myself and groaned in frustration. "Argh! Who am I kidding? Why did I even say that? Forget everything!! I'm losing my mind." I threw my pillow at the wall. How embarrassing. Lucky for me that no one was here to hear it. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. In my frustration - and my embarrassment - I threw the charm across the room. "Screw it!! What was I even expecting? Some fairy godmother like Cinderella to appear in front of me? I knew I had too much Disney movie today. I knew it!"

"You mean those lame cartoon movies that children watch? Ha! That was funny. They only fill your heads with false information. They should be banned!"

"I know!!"

"But you have to admit, wouldn't it be nice to live in a magical castle?"

"Yeah." I nodded. "That would be great. Living in luxury sounds so.......dreamy."

"Exactly! Now what would you do if you would actually live in a real version of those castles? Just imagine the freedom you'll have if you live in a castle. Servants at your disposal, breakfast in bed, a closet full of dresses."

"Hmm....that does sound cool. Except for the dresses. No homework, no chores, no school, everyday is a holiday!!" I grinned at the thought.

"See? So why not come with me and I'll take you there?"

Come with who?

I laughed out loud. I'm definitely going crazy. I'm actually talking to myself as if there was a person beside me who's talking to me. "I think I'm going crazy. I need some sleep."

"Oh do you now? For all I know you're actually crazy to begin with, dearie."

This time, I pause. The hairs on the back of my neck stood. For the very first time, I was able to think and assess the situation and figured out that I was indeed talking to someone and not just myself. I gulped.

Slowly, I look behind me. There, I saw a woman with pretty blonde hair and blue eyes staring back at me. She was lying on my bed, flat on her stomach with her head perched on her open palms. She was probably in her thirties for all I know. She grinned at me. "So what shall it be, little one?"

I looked at her in disbelief. "T-there's a woman in my room.."

The woman only rolled her eyes. "Yes yes I know. So what will it be?" She asked again, which I have no clue on what she was asking.

"There's a woman in my room." I repeated.

"You already sa-"

"THERE'S A WOMAN IN MY ROOM!" I screamed. She covered her ears in annoyance.

"Sheesh! Girls in this world do love to scream." she said and changed into a sitting position. I immediately got up and ran to the far end of my room. She hid a smirk at my shaking form. Who wouldn't after you realized that there's a stranger in your room, right?

"Since you wouldn't answer my question, I guess I'll have to make the decision for you." She finally got up and made her way to me.

"Stay back! Don't get closer to me." That didn't stop her because she was still reaching out to me. That did it. I started to run away from her and jump on my bed, but my foot got caught on the sheets and I suddenly fell. I need a weapon. Anything.

"Wh-wha- ah!!" I yelled as she carried me onto her shoulder. Worse of all? I let out a girly scream that was too much for my liking. Help!

I watched in horror as she held out her hand to my wall and made a twirling motion. Nothing happened at first, which made me confirm that the lady is a psychopath. When she stopped, it now made me wonder if I was the one who was crazy since there was a sort of swirling bluish mist on the wall.

"Holly sh*t!!" I bit my tongue when I realized that I had just said a foul word and Stella might hear it. "What the heck is that!?"

"A portal. Duh!" She chuckled. "It'll take us to a world where your dreams could be a reality."

"Don't duh me! And dreams? What dreams!? I don't have any!! - Well except for marrying Alex Pettyfer!" I struggled out of her grip. What is she anyway? The female version of superman? "What do you know about my dreams? You're not my mother! Unhand me at once!!"

She laughed at my outburst. "Now you just sounded like a princess. That's good."

"What do you mean good? I'll punch you in the face when I get the chance!!"

"Sure. But for now, hold your breath. We're going in."

Going in where? I thought.

Just as I was about to voice out my question. She jumped to the portal with me still on her shoulder. Once we hit the portal, my head started to spin and make me lose consciousness.

The only thing I heard was the woman muttering, "Sh*t. I should have warned her about the side effects for a first timer. Oh well."