Bryden turns his head away as soon as the strange man utters words in a language he does not understand. “Yep, I’m definitely dreaming right now.”

The man before him, realizing he does not understand his words, snaps his fingers. “There we go. Now I can speak and understand your language. Greetings, Mr. Stalling.” 

Bryden, flummoxed at the sight before him, pinches his arm while mumbling to himself, “Okay, this is getting really weird and I’d like to wake up right now…” 

The man sighs. “Ah, right. We need to get through the introductions first. I am a centuries-old genie from ancient China and can grant you three wishes. Do you see that ring you threw earlier?” He motions to the amethyst ring lying on the floor. “You summoned me by rubbing it.”

Bryden blinks, slowly turning his head back to face the genie. What the heck, there’s no way this is possible. I’ve got to be dreaming right now.

Seeing how he still hasn’t responded, the genie groans and clasps his hands behind his back. “Ah, yes, that’s the common reaction to this.”

Bryden snaps out of it and stands up. “So… you’re really a genie and… can grant me three wishes?”

The genie nods. “Yes, that is what I just said.”

“Wait, you just called me ‘Mr. Stalling,’” Bryden points out. “How do you know my name?”

“Ah, yes. Us genies are given basic information about each person that rubs the object that they inhabit, such as name and age. Your name is Bryden Stalling, aged twenty-two.”

“Cool.” Bryden’s face reddens as a sudden thought comes to him. “Wait, does that mean you know everything about me?”

“No, no,” the genie assures, waving his hand. “I only receive basic information. Nothing personal, I promise.”

“Oh, thank god.” Bryden sighs in relief. “Wow, I can’t believe it. The supernatural really does exist. What luck.” He grins and stretches his arms above his head. “I’m handsome, popular, with soon-to-become girlfriend Jessica Lin, and now a genie that can grant me whatever I want? Oh, how amazing my life is.” He drops his arms back to his sides and clasps his hands. “Alright, genie, I’m ready for my first wish. I wish for infinite wishes, please!” He holds his arms out, but when nothing happens, he frowns. “Uh, did you already grant me my wish?”

The genie sighs and he floats over to Bryden. “I’m sorry, I’ve completely forgotten. Let me be clear about some ground rules, Mr. Stalling. First, I am not allowed to grant anyone infinite wishes, even if they wish to—”

“Okay, then I wish for a trillion wishes,” Bryden interrupts. “That’s not infinite wishes.”

The genie grumbles at the interruption but attempts to patiently continue. “Let me make myself even clearer: I am not allowed to grant anyone more than three wishes, even if they use a wish. In addition, I cannot bring the deceased back to life, I cannot make you immortal, de-age you, or grant you permanent powers, nor can I travel back in time or into the future. I also cannot make someone fall in love with you or someone else.”

“What?” Bryden protests. “But that’s so stupid! Who set these kinds of rules?”

The genie shrugs. “I didn’t set these rules, and I don’t know who did. But it’s fair, isn’t it? If people do not have limitations to their wishes, they would grow too powerful and greedy. And please do not complain—these mere rules are nothing compared to the endless number of other possible wishes you can make. You are lucky to have even found a genie that can grant you almost anything you want.”

Bryden groans. “Ugh, whatever. Then I wish for… a trillion dollars!” He beckons the genie over. “Where’s the trillion dollars? Come on, get to wish-granting.”

The genie sizes him up. “Mr. Stalling, if I may, may I ask you to tell me a little about yourself?”

Bryden’s eyes gleam and he shoots the genie a cheeky grin. “Well, I don’t mind if I do. I’m a 22-year-old boy doing my undergrad at Maystone University. I don’t mean to brag, but I am the most popular guy on campus. Girls love me, guys envy me. And they should. For one, I’m super handsome. My hair and eyes are dazzling, my smile is charming—”

“More like someone with a huge ego,” the genie scoffs. “Aren’t you so narcissistic?”

“What do you mean ‘with a huge ego’? I’m just telling the truth. Now give me my trillion bucks.”

“Ha, you truly believe what you’re saying is the truth?” the genie asks with skepticism. “How would you know how your fellow schoolmates feel about you? Have you ever asked them?”

Bryden scoffs. “Ask them? Why would I need to do that? Then I would really sound like a narcissist. So are you going to give me the money or what? Come on, chop chop. I want to sleep soon. I need to give my beautiful face some rest.”

The genie’s face tenses and he grits his teeth, but he merely sneers and turns his back to Bryden. “No.”

“No?” Bryden sputters in disbelief. “Did I hear you correctly?”

“Yes, you did,” the genie confirms, his smile firmly remaining on his face.

Bryden scoffs. “Aren’t genies supposed to grant their masters whatever they wish for?”

“Pardon me, but you are not my master.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Bryden dismisses. “Why won’t you grant me my wish? Don’t tell me wishing to be rich is against another one of those stupid rules.”

“No, it isn’t against any rules,” the genie denies. “I just simply believe you are undeserving of such a wish.”

Bryden’s jaw drops. “E-Excuse me? How… How dare you! How am I ‘undeserving’? I should be the most deserving person in the world! You’re a genie—you’re supposed to listen to my every request and grant it! Are you even allowed to refuse my wish?”

The genie snickers, his hand flying over his lips. “How dare I? Prior to becoming a genie, I was the crown prince of Imperial China. How dare you speak to royalty that way.”

“So what? You ain’t royalty now. Are you just trying to act all high and mighty?”

The genie fumes with anger. “You’re the one acting high and mighty, acting so full of yourself. So conceited and self-centered… until you learn to better yourself, I will not grant you any wishes.”

“W-What?” Bryden stammers. “B-But… no! You’re not allowed to do that! How are you allowed to…”

The genie smirks. “Am I allowed to refuse someone’s wishes? Probably not. But I am more concerned with you learning your lesson.”

“You—” Bryden clenches his fists. “Fuck you!” He attempts to attack and strangle the genie, but the genie has already gone back into the ring, and with him vanished, Bryden falls to the floor with no one serving as his living cushion.   

“Bryden?” Rory’s voice is muffled from outside of the bathroom. “What the hell is going on in there?”

“Ugh.” Bryden groans as he struggles to get back up to his feet. He presses his arm against a wall for support. “Stupid genie.”

On the other side of the door, Rory simply sighs and shakes his head. I need to ask for a new roommate—Bryden’s gone insane!