Clara Marie:

I am still in shock. I cannot believe that Noelle's mom is my mother. My mother did not leave me. I almost don't believe what she told me, about how my father also time traveled and disappeared one day. She cried when she realized who I was, and I told her that my father did not leave her on purpose. Now, it is Christmas Eve, and Laleh is helping me get ready. We went dress shopping a few days ago, something which I found fun for the first time ever. I especially liked eating frozen yogurt. I let Laleh do my makeup and hair. Modern makeup looks completely different. Laleh attempts to explain what each product is.
"This is eyeshadow. Its sparkly, and um, you put it on your eyelid?" Laleh decided on a sparkly purple dress, with a short skirt and long sleeves. She has her hair up in a high ponytail and is wearing a lot of eyeliner (one of the many makeup products she showed me).
"Finished!" she exclaims, sliding one last bobby pin into my hair. I get up and look in the mirror. My breath catches. The dress I am wearing is a bright red, strapless, and ankle length. The color contrasts with my tanned skin and dark hair perfectly. I have golden eye shadow and red lipstick. My hair is up in a neat bun, with little braids here and there. I look outrageous. It's perfect.
"Emilio and Ali are here!" my mom yells. Laleh and I run downstairs.
"Have fun," my mom says, wiping a tear. "You look so grown up. I can't believe it. Going to the dance with a date!"
I smile self-consciously.
"Thank you. I'm a bit nervous." I admit.
"You'll have loads of fun. Now go! Your date is waiting!" she exclaims. Laleh opens the door. Emilio and Ali (Lalehs date) are waiting outside. Emilio is wearing a nice suit, with his hair as messy as ever. I smile at him. His face breaks into a wide smile.
"You look beautiful," he gasps.
"Thank you. You look very handsome. Are you ready to dance?" I ask.
"You bet I am."
The gym looks amazing. The school has decorated it with tinsel and loads of decorations. It's dark, with random colored lights flashing. The music is so loud I can feel it pounding through the floor. I love it. The four of us immediately begin dancing. Emilio is a terrible dancer, and Laleh a surprisingly good one.
"It's the Persian genes," she jokes. I try and copy everyone else's moves. They are very different from the ones I know. There is no waltzing or polka. I love it. I feel at ease, everyone else looks so silly that I am completely relaxed. After a while, a slower song begins to play. Everyone immediately stops their crazy moves. Couples form and begin a dance a bit like a waltz. Emilio smile, and offers his hand.
"May I have this dance?"
I take his hand and curtsy.
"You may."
I mimic the other couples, putting my arms around his neck. He puts his hands on my waist, and we begin to sway back and forth to the rhythm. I put my head on his shoulder and think about home. I love it here. But I miss home. I never realized how much I cared about the people there. Even Stepmother. I understand that she is as excited about her marriage as I am. I understand that we have a new life now. I appreciate Christabel, my only friend there, who I treated horribly. I regret that. I even miss Martha and her motherliness. Someone taps on my shoulder. I pull away from Emilio and turn to see who it is. It's the old wish-granting man.
"You have learned your lesson," he says. "You may go home," I
"But what about my mom?" I protest. "Can't I somehow have both? Be in both places? Please?"
"Is that your wish?"
"Yes."
"Don't worry. It has already been granted. I have some explaining to do."

                      The End