Something in French and Health Class

Just when Sadie Roberts thought is was over--she was going to a good school, she had, well, okay, she didn't have any friends, but she had just started to settle into a new life--the Genie reappears.

"What do you expect me to say?" I groan, stopping in the middle of the hall. Not the smartest move. People bump and jostle me until I fall into the Genie. 

"Just make another wish. How hard could that have been?" I give him a look, crossing my arms over my chest. 

"Hard enough to send me into an endless pit of misery." 

"You don't look that miserable to me--" 

"And besides. I have a life now. One that you are not going to ruin." It's his turn to give me a look. 

"Love, I may not've been around for a while." He hesitates. "Well, okay, I have. But it's pretty obvious that you're still miserable, whatever the situation. Please, make it easier on yourself. Make a wish and get yourself out of this." 

"Out of the frying pan and into the fire," I mutter under my breath. 

"And see that? You've had time to read. How utterly delightful!" 

"Shut up would you?" I storm down the hall. I don't know what my next class is. I don't really care. Throwing a glance behind my shoulder to tell that he won't see, I slip into the nearest class. Health.

I don't recognize the teacher. She's short. I mean, shorter than me short. Two small legs come to an elegant point at the end, wobbling under the weight of a body that is much too round. She's wearing clunky jewelry that I always associate with mean teachers, so I brace myself when she points a chubby finger my way. 

"You're not in my class." She's drawn something on the board that burns into my eyes and goes right through my skull. 

"Um...yes I am. I am in your class." She skitters over to her desk and opens a drawer, flipping through the files. I swallow and reach under the desk as discreetly as I can. I find a notebook and bring it out. 

Karina Chen. 

I'm not Asian. No good. Though I do have dark hair. Maybe if my mom was american and my dad was--

"Excuse me," an agonizingly smooth voice chirps from the back of the room. I tense. "I'm looking for a Sadie Roberts." The teacher's eyes pin on me. 

"Sorry." I shrug. "I'm Karina Chen." Her eyes float back to Genie. 

"And you are?" He walks to the front of the classroom. 

"Madam? Do you by any chance speak French?" She sniffs spitefully. 

"I might be." Though it's obvious she doesn't. Genie clears his throat, putting his hand on her arm, and I brace myself. 

"Mademoiselle, vous avez la complection d'un cochon, et vous sentir comme un morceau de fromage pourri." 

I rack my brain for what that means but come out empty handed. Apparently, several kids in the class actually do take French. There are muffled snickers. 

"I suppose we could let Ms. Chen slip away," she says. 

Reviews

[Storm K.]

Great chapter! I love the addition of the Hobbit quote, nice touch. Even though I'm assuming he's some what of a 'bad guy', I have really begun to enjoy the Genie and am looking forward to see how this develops. Oh, and by the way, I'd noticed this before but probably not said it - I like the chapter titles, they somehow fit really well with Sadie's character. :)

[Pawprints]

Oh, thanks :)