Falling for the Genie (Genie's Love, Book 1) (5 page)

Luckily it’s a Saturday or else I don’t know how I would manage to get up in the morning. When I open my eyes, I don’t find Sebastian beside me. Looking around, he doesn’t seem to be in the room. Is he back in his lamp?

My eyes are dry from crying last night. I didn’t think the tears would ever end, but they did and I managed to sleep a bit. All I saw before me was my mom’s hollow eyes.

A smell reaches my nose, and my eyes widen. I jump out of bed. Something’s burning. When I approach the kitchen, I see smoke coming from inside. My heart skips a beat. Did I forget to turn the stove off last night after dinner? Wait a second, I didn’t make dinner. I went straight to bed after seeing my mom.

I rush inside, where the smoke nearly chokes me. Sebastian is at the sink with a terrified expression on his face. The smoke and smell is coming from there. Thank god there’s no fire, only a burned pan.

I cough and Sebastian’s eyes flick to me. His cheeks redden. I step closer. “Are you okay?” I open the window and wave my hands around, coughing a bit more.

“Yeah, I think.” His eyes are still wide.

“What were you doing?”

He rubs the back of his neck. “Breakfast?”

I gape at him. His cheeks redden even more. He doesn’t eat, which means he wanted to cook for me. “Why?” I ask.

He shifts from one foot to the other and rubs the back of his neck some more.

“Is this a genie/master thing? Because…” I shut my mouth. I can’t say it. I can’t tell him I think of him more than just my genie. Maybe more than a friend, even.

He shakes his head. “You were upset and I wanted to do something nice for you. It looked simple, but clearly I can’t cook. I could have used magic, but I wanted it to be more real.” He shifts again. “I think the pan is gone.”

My eyes move to the sink, where the pan is still smoking. It was one of my favorites, but I don’t care. All I can think about is that this guy—this genie—wanted to cook for me. What does it mean?

“Thanks,” I say. “That was very sweet.”

He smiles shyly.

“Want to go out?” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I want to slap myself. He can’t eat. I know that. Why did I say it? “Never mind. Sorry.”

His face brightens. “We can go out to eat.”

“But you can’t—”

“That’s okay. I’ll accompany you.” His smile widens.

My body is frozen. I don’t think I can do this. Ever since Daisy died and my family was torn apart, I’ve never eaten out. It was a special thing the three of us shared when I was growing up. When Mom got a bonus or made extra cash working overtime, we celebrated. Considering what happened yesterday, the last thing I want to do is something that reminds me of what I no longer have.

Besides, it would be really awkward eating when Sebastian can’t. I feel like it’s rude to do something he’s not able to. “That’s okay. I’ll just grab some cereal.”

After I finish eating, get dressed, and clean the mess, I tell Sebastian I’m going to Macy’s apartment. She and I hardly spend time together outside of work, especially with my being busy with my genie and she with Andy. The special bond we’ve had since kindergarten has been slowly breaking ever since Daisy death, which is mostly my fault since I’ve shut her out. I don’t want to lose her completely.

I feel bad leaving Sebastian alone in the house, but he seems content with the game show he’s watching on TV. Something about them interests him. I think he likes learning everything he can and testing all the knowledge he’s gained over the years of being a genie. I can’t stop thinking about his attempt at making me breakfast. I wish I could talk to someone about it to help me figure out what it means. He’s not human, so I’m not sure if doing something like that means he’s interested. But how can he be if he doesn’t feel a need to have a relationship? He confuses me on so many levels.

I contemplate telling Macy about him, but decide not to. She has a lot going on right now, with Andy moving in. It’s a huge step for her and I know how stressed she is.

“Hey.” She invites me in and we sit in the living room. There are many boxes around and the place is a mess. Macy’s glowing, though. I see the excitement on her face, and a little part of me is jealous. The other part is very happy for her.

“Are you okay?” she asks. “I’ve been calling your name for, like, five minutes.”

Her apartment is bigger than mine, and smells way better. Mine always has the lingering odor of cooking. Not that I mind it. I just wish I was as happy as Macy. I don’t think I can ever be, and that causes tears to form in my eyes.

“Hey.” Her eyes widen and she pulls me into her arms. “What’s wrong?”

I pull off and shake my head. “It’s nothing.”

“Lily, please. Tell me what’s going on. You look like you’ve walked through a tornado and your eyes…have you been crying all night?” She wraps her arm around my shoulder. “You can tell me anything, you know that.”

I nod. “It’s just that…” I take in a deep breath. “Something happened yesterday.” And once again, before I can stop them, tears spill down my cheeks and I find myself in Macy’s embrace.

She pats my back. “It’s okay. Take your time.”

I don’t like being like this. Weak and vulnerable, but I’m going to explode if I don’t talk to someone about it. Macy knows how much I’ve been trying to communicate with my mom ever since I moved out after graduation. She’d want an update, no matter how hard this is.

I take another deep breath and let it out slowly. “I went to see her. My mom. I spoke to her, but she—”

The door opens and Andy walks in. He’s holding two boxes in his arms. “Babe, can you help me with these?” When he sees me sitting there, he smiles. “Oh, hey, Lil.”

“Hey.”

Macy motions me that we’ll continue soon and takes a box from him and kisses him before setting it on the floor.

“Sorry for the mess,” Andy says. “We’re still trying to figure out how to squeeze all my junk in here with her junk.”

Macy slaps his scrawny chest. When we were in middle school, Macy promised herself to only date football players, but when she met Andy and saw his deep dimples, that promise went out the window. Now she thinks football players are way too muscular. “My stuff isn’t junk. Be nice or find another place to live.”

He makes a fist and stabs his chest. “Ouch. My heart. It’s crushed.”

She shoves him playfully. “Get out of here. Lily and I are having a woman to woman conversation. No boys allowed.”

His grey eyes move to me and his face falls. He must see the tears. “You okay?”

I nod. “Just some stupid girl stuff.”

“Which means get out.” Macy shoves him out the door, but not before planting a deep, passionate kiss on his mouth. He pulls her closer.

Once he’s gone and Macy is seated next to me on the couch, I say, “Am I in the way? Should I leave?”

“Don’t you dare. I haven’t forgotten about whatever it was you were about to tell me.”

I get to my feet. “That’s okay. I don’t want to impose on you and Andy.”

She pulls me back down. “Lily, stop running away. Don’t shut me out. Please. I’m your best friend and I care about you.”

I play with a loose thread on the hem of my T-shirt. “I know.”

“Do you have any idea what it’s been like for me? To have my best friend lose her sister and pull away from me? To not know what’s going on in your head. Not being able to help you. It’s killing me.”

“I’m sorry. I just…”

She places her hand on mine. “I know it’s hard to talk about it. But we’ve always told each other everything. Why do things have to change? I mean, I know I can’t imagine what you’re going through, but please help me understand. Talk to me.”

She’s right. I’ve pushed her away long enough. As much as this hurts, I need to get it out. Keeping my eyes on the carpet, I say, “I went to California to see my mom.”

“What? You went to California?”

I shift in my seat. “It was a…sudden thing.”

She nods slowly. “Okay. How did it go?”

I look at her, then away. My mouth opens and shuts. Macy holds my gaze, letting me take my time. She squeezes my arm, but it’s not making me feel better or this any easier. Tears burn my eyes and I find myself in her arms again. “What happened?”

“She…she threw me out.”

“What?”

I nod. “Wants nothing to do with me. That’s why she hasn’t been answering my texts or returning my calls.”

“I’m so sorry. We need to go back and—”

“It’s no use, Macy. She doesn’t want me in her life.”

Her eyes tear up. It looks like she doesn’t know what to say. She knew my mother well, like she was her second mom. That’s why she’s taking this so hard.

“It’s over,” I continue. “It’s like she doesn’t want to be my mother anymore.”

She rubs my back. “I doubt that’s true.”

I slowly move my eyes to her. “I’m sick of fighting it. Sick of all the rejection. If she doesn’t want us to be in each other’s lives then…then that’s how it has to be.”

“Lil—”

I hold up my hand. “
I
need to accept that.” I inhale, then exhale. “And move on with my life.” As difficult as it’s going to be.

“A mother doesn’t do that. She’s not the Lauren I know.”

I try to shrug, but my shoulders are stiff. “You’re making this harder than it already is. I’m coming to terms with that. I
need
to.”

She gathers me into another hug. “She’ll come around. I know it.”

That’s what Sebastian told me. Having a few people reassure me like that doesn’t make me feel any better. Because their words are just that—words. I’ll believe it when I see it. For now, I’m going to have to deal. Tears pool in my eyes again, and I let them. Eventually, I’m going to have to be strong. Daisy wouldn’t want me to break down like this.

“Stay the night if you have to,” Macy says against my cheek. “Just don’t be alone.”

I said similar words to my mother last night. I want to tell Macy that I’m not alone. That I have a sensitive, caring, sweet genie waiting at home for me. But I can’t. Instead, I say, “No way. I’m not going to impose.”

She waves her hand. “Andy will understand. He’ll sleep on the couch or something.” She takes my hands. “I want to hang out with you today and for you to spend the night, please. Someone needs to be here for you and that person is going to be me.”

“Macy—”

“No,” she says. “I’m going to be a better friend to you.”

I stand up. “I appreciate this. Really I do. But I kind of want to be alone tonight.” I know I’m behaving like my mother, but I can’t handle this.

By the look on Macy’s face, I know she’s not going to make this easy. But I can’t sleep over. What do I do about Sebastian? It’s not like he has a cellphone and we’re not connected telepathically. I don’t want him to worry.

“Please?” Macy asks.

I can’t stand the hurt look on her face. It makes me feel like the most terrible person in the world. I’ll stay, for her. “Okay. Let me just go grab a few things from my place.”

“Thanks, Lil.” She rubs her chin as she studies me. “If I let you leave, you’d better come back, because if you don’t I’m going to march over there and drag you out myself.” She flexes her arm. “I might look tiny, but Andy and I have been working out together. What do you think?” She nods toward her nonexistent muscles.

I roll my eyes. “See you soon.”

“You’d better.”

I grab a couch pillow and throw it at her. It slaps her across the face. She’s about to hurl it at me, but I open the door and vanish from sight.

When I enter my apartment, I find Sebastian sleeping on the couch. The TV is on to some game show that looks like it aired in the 70s. He’s sprawled there like my house is his, too. I’m glad he feels a home here and it makes my stomach flip because I don’t want him to leave. I know he’s going to have to eventually, once my third wish is fulfilled. But I don’t want to think about that.

His golden chest rises and falls softly. He has a smile on his face like he’s dreaming about something wonderful. Does he even dream?

I don’t want to wake him. Leaving a note is an option, but that feels too distant. I want to wish him good night properly. I think he’d want me to.

“Sebastian?” I rest my hand on his arm. I’m only touching him with the tips of my fingers, but he jumps up like he got shot with electricity. He looks around frantically. When he notices me standing before him, his body relaxes.

“Hi,” he says, patting the spot next to him. “I was flipping through the channels and found a few romance movies you might be interested in.”

I sit down near him. “I promised Macy I’d hang out with her today.”

“Oh.”

“And she asked me to spend the night, too.”

“Oh.” His gaze drops to the floor.

Quiet.

“I’ll just hang around here,” he says. “Watch some TV.”

“I’m sorry.”

He laughs lightly, his eyes on the TV. “For what? I’m a genie, you’re my master. You don’t owe me anything. It’s not like we’re…friends.”

I push my hair behind my ear. “I kind of think we are.”

He turns to me, surprised. “I’ve never had a friend before. Most masters…” He doesn’t finish because my phone buzzes. A text from Macy. She’s counting fifteen minutes before coming after me.

“Sebastian, I need to go before Macy tears the door down.”

He nods. “Of course. She’s your best friend.” He smiles. I’m not sure if it’s forced. “Have a good time.”

“Thanks. Are you going to be okay here by yourself?”

“Yes.”

I stuff my pajamas and toothbrush and other important things into a bag and wave to Sebastian before leaving the house. I feel bad abandoning him like that. I know he’s been alone most of his life, but I can tell he enjoys my company.

As I walk toward Macy’s apartment, a chill washes over me. It’s like I feel a little empty. Sebastian has been with me for a short while, but he’s become a big part of my life right now. Is it weird to admit I already miss him?

***

Macy and I sit on her bed with our backs leaning against the headboard. We had a Girls’ Day which consisted of shopping for about two hours, getting our hair and makeup done—something I haven’t done in a while—and eating at one of the best Mexican restaurants in Brooklyn.

“This movie sucks,” Macy grumbles. “Horror movies are the worst.”

“Yeah. Why do you even have this DVD?”

“It’s Andy’s. We had a bet on whoever could finish their chores first, and whoever won got to choose the movie.”

I laugh. “So he won, then?”             

She groans. “Yes, and this movie has three sequels.
Three
.” She buries her head in her pillow. “I can hardly stand one.”

“Did you tell him that?”

She lowers the pillow. “No. I lost the bet, I need to pay the price. From all the chick movies I forced him to watch over the years, I think it’s fair I watch what he wants to watch.”

I crawl off the bed and rummage through her movie collection. “Doesn’t mean
we
have to. How about this?” I hold out a romance movie. “Hey, I’ve never seen this one.” I skim the back. Two people on a quest to find true love.

Macy buries her face. “That’s worse than the horror one.”

“Let’s watch it.”

“No…”

“C’mon. I’m the guest, right? And the guest gets to choose.” I load the disc.

Macy sits straighter and folds her feet beneath her. She gives me a look.

“What?” I ask.

She hesitates before saying, “Are you okay? I mean really okay.”

“Yeah, why?” I lie. It’s not a complete lie, though. Our Girls’ Day is the perfect way to distract myself with everything that happened. I know I can’t hide from it forever, but it’s easier than dealing with it. I don’t think my heart can take any more pain.

“Just talk to me, Lil.”

I hug her. “Thanks for today. I had a lot of fun.”

Her worried eyes search mine. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

I force a smile. “No, but I’m getting there. It’s going to take time.”

She tightens the hug. “I know. And I’m always going to be here for you.” She draws back. “Hey, did you hear they’re looking for a new sous chef at Inferno?”

“Yeah, I applied, but I don’t think I’m going to get it. They want someone with experience.”

“Hey, you never know.”

I shrug and focus on the movie. The guy and girl have been separated and now they’re searching for each other in the cold, snowy mountains. He’s determined not to give up until she’s in his arms again.

“You know what you need?” Macy says. “A boyfriend.”

“What?”

“You’re obsessed with romance movies and books. Don’t you think it’s about time you found your special guy?”

Sebastian pops into my head, but I quickly shove him out. He’s not human. He doesn’t exist. Besides, we’re just friends.

“Lil?”

“Hmm? Oh, no, no. Please. No boyfriend. I’m not ready.”

She moves closer to me and rests her hand on my shoulder. “But a guy would be good for you now.”

I shake my head and am about to say something, when we hear a thud from the living room. We exchange a glance before jumping to our feet. Macy has a baseball bat in her hand and I grab an umbrella from her closet. She nods to me, and we step into the living room. A guy is lying on the floor.

Macy opens the light. “Andy?”

He’s wrapped in a thin blanket. “Sorry, didn’t mean to spoil your night. I must have fallen off the couch.”

Macy helps him back on. “Are you okay?”

He rubs his head. “Just hit my head. I’ll be fine.”

“Poor baby. I’ll get you some ice.”

I stand in the doorway, watching Macy care for her man. A feeling enters my body. I’m not sure what. Maybe loneliness. Maybe jealousy. Those two are so happy together. They love each other very deeply.

I’ll never have that. I’m not sure I can open my heart to anyone.