5 Wishes

"Hmm" Zia sighed as she slumped over her desk. She had just returned to home to her tiny apartment, in Queens. What a crappy year this had been! She absolutely hated her job, her parents were not doing well, and she was stuck in ugly old New York. About two years ago she had moved from Jersey. Fresh out of college, she had been itching to get out of her parents home. She wanted adventure, a fast paced life in the big, bustling city. New York, that beautiful place crammed with taxis and neon lights, she had dreamt about living there for years. Glumly she looked out the window. There were no bright lights or glamor, just a dumpster in a dismal back alley. What a sharp contrast from her day dreams.

Stretching Zia got up from her desk. Her phone buzzed un the table. Seeing the name flash on the screen, she picked up. "Hey Jade, whats up?"

"Hey girl hey! So are you coming to the New Years party? I haven't heard from you all week."

"I don't know Jade."

"Oh come on! Don't be such a bore. You always back out of parties, but this time I'm not letting you get out of this that easily. Give me one valid reason for what you shouldn't come."

"Work?"

"Nah uh. You hate work. A party would be way more fun. Come on pleasseee!"

"You know I don't like those kinds of things. So many people, so much small talk, it makes my stomach turn. And I don't hate work that much. If they paid me more, I might like it."

"Come on Zia, I'm not giving up on you. New year new you right?"

"New year new me." Zia thought for a minute. Catching sight of a piece of paper on her desk, "let me think about it. Bye!" Quickly hanging up, Zia rushed back to her desk, grabbed the paper and a pen. New year new me huh, we'll see about that.

1: be more social

2: get a raise

I'm already out of ideas, dang I'm boring. If I could have anything in the world, hmm?

3: date boss

He's so hot, and mom would be so happy to find out I have a boyfriend.

4: make more friends

I really need to branch out, once Jade is too busy for me, I'll be pretty much be alone.

5: TRAVEL!!!

I've always wanted to see the world! Yeesh, I might as well ask for the moon while I'm at it. Ok, that's enough impossible things for one list. I'll be lucky if I even accomplish one.

*buzz* *buzz*

"Hello?"

"I can't believe you hung up on me! You never even gave me an answer."

"Relax Jade, I'll come."

"Really? Oh my gosh! Ok 9:00 pm don't be late. Oh and wear something nice

"What? Jade, wait!"

"Bye!"

Zia stared into the blank phone. What qualifies as something nice?

Darn this dress when did it get so small! *rip* Drat! She looked in dismay at the torn scarlet dress in her hands. Who are you kidding Zia, it ain't the dress that's the problem, its all that stress eating, you've been doing. Also the celebration eating, and the depression eating, can't forget the anxiety eating. The hips might not lie, but do they have to be so brutally honest? Whatever, who cares what I wear. I'll just stop by the party, say hi, and leave once Jade isn't looking.

___________At Jade's House

*ding dong* Cameo appearance, you can do this. It's just a cameo appearance.

"Zia! Hey how.. WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?"

"Pants and a shirt. Is their a problem?"

"I specifically told you to wear something nice. This will never do. Really Zia you are simply unbelievable"

"Wait what? Where are we going?"

"Upstairs. Their is no way I am letting my best friend show up to a party in that."

"How do you look? How do you look? Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!"

Zia looked at herself in the mirror, and tugged nervously at the hem of her dress. "Umm, its a little short." Jade threw open the door, wow! Zia looked amazing. The small black dress hugged her curves perfectly, and the sequence accentuated her already perfect figure.

"Dang girl, you thic!" Zia flushed crimson at the compliment. Before she could say anything Jade pulled her downstairs. What was supposed to just be a drop in turned longer and longer. Jade kept Zia glued to her side. Minutes dragged into hours and before she knew it... 3,2,1 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Beeb beeb beeb

Zia rolled over to snooze her alarm. Ugh this headache. I hate being hungover. Why does Jade torture me like this? I don't like parties, I don't like people, and I dont like alcohol. Ugh, my bladder feels like its going to explode. Zia rushed to the bathroom to relive herself. Why does my life suck? Jumping in the shower she continued her inner monologue. New year new me, fat chance. I'm still the same old girl, in the same old world. What good are resolutions, if you don't have the ability to complete them. The water helped clear her head. As the warm droplets rolled through her hair and down her shoulders, she began to relax. Sigh, another day gone another chance missed. Oh well, enough grumbling. Self pity never got anyone anywhere.

As she dried off, Zia's eyes fell on her wrist. Oh no! Don't tell me I got a tattoo last night. How drunk was I? Looking down she saw what appeared to be a tattooed list of numbers. 364:16:20 Hold on a sec, their moving! It's it's, counting down! She hurriedly liked her thumb and tried to wipe this mark off. It reminded intact, and her skin wasn't even sensitive. It was as if this mark had just appeared. She, Zia was somehow tattooed with a stopwatch.