A gust of wind blows past him, making him shiver. He picks his head up, darting his eyes around the room. Where’d that wind come from? The door and windows aren’t open. He pushes himself up, moving his feet across the room to Jessica. I might as well try to talk to her again. The dude from before is gone now, so she’s all alone for now.

“Oh, Bryden!” Jessica exclaims when he approaches, pouring some juice into her cup. “Have you tried some of this yet? It’s really—”

“Hey, Jessica,” Bryden interrupts, grinning. “Would you like me to tell you some funny jokes?”

She blinks and frowns, taken aback. “Um, okay?”

He chuckles, ready to begin. “Why was the coach yelling at the vending machine? He wanted his quarter back.”

Jessica remains silent with her eyes widened.

“I told a bad chemistry joke once. It didn’t get much of a reaction.”

“I used to hate facial hair, but then it grew on me.”

“How do celebrities stay cool? They have many fans.”

“Did you hear the rumor about butter? Well, I’m not going to spread it.”

“I was going to tell you a joke about boxing, but I forgot the punchline.”

“Some people pick their nose, but I was born with mine.”

“I can always tell when someone is lying. I can tell when they’re standing too.”

“What did the mayonnaise say to the refrigerator? ‘Close the door, I’m dressing.’”

“Why did the Rolling Stones stop making music? Because they got to the bottom of the hill.”

“Why did the student eat his homework? Because his teacher told him it was a piece of—” Bryden finally stops himself, clamping his mouth shut. 

Jessica blinks, averting her gaze, and laughs nervously. “Ha, ha. That’s very funny…”

His face grows hot from embarrassment, and he turns and flees to the restroom. He turns on a faucet and splashes water on his face, heaving large breaths. “Wh-What the heck just happened?”

“Congratulations, Mr. Stalling.” The genie appears behind him, his reflection radiating in the mirror. “You have used your first wish. You now have only two wishes remaining.”

“What?!” Bryden splutters in disbelief. “So that’s why I was able to crack so many jokes without even thinking. B-But why? I didn’t wish for that! I didn’t wish to be…” He drifts off, realization dawning on him as he thinks back on his previous actions.

The genie clears his throat. “You did indeed. Back when you were sitting sullenly, you said, and I quote, ‘I wish I could be funny like that guy.’ So I granted your wish.”

“B-But… th-that wasn’t supposed to be…” Bryden stutters. “That’s so unfair!”

The genie crosses his arms. “How is it unfair? You clearly wished to be funny, even using the words ‘I wish.’ I only listened to your request. If you didn’t want to use your wish, then why say otherwise? You should be mindful of your language involving wishes now that you know there’s a genie around.”

“Ah, so that’s why you’ve been so quiet lately!” Bryden proclaims, pointing an accusing finger at him. “You’ve been trying to figure out a way to backstab me secretly, trying to come up with a plan for my wishes to backfire!”

The genie laughs. “What nonsense. Oh, Mr. Stalling, you’re hilarious. But I cannot take back your wish, unless you want to use your second wish to reverse the first one.”

“Like I’d waste a wish on that.” Bryden cocks his head, stroking his chin. “Hey, now that you’re finally giving me my wishes, can I wish to be rich now?”

“No,” the genie spurns immediately without batting an eye. 

“Oh, come on!” Bryden protests. “You gave me the ability to tell jokes when I didn’t even want it, and now you’re refusing to grant me the one thing that I want? And I’ve changed too, haven’t I?”

“Apparently not enough. You still haven’t learned the dark side of massive wealth. Money leads to greed and hunger for power. There are many other things that are more valuable in life than money.”

“How is money not the most important thing?” Bryden scoffs. “Come on, you have to grant me my wishes someday. You can’t keep—”

A man steps out of a bathroom stall, staring at Bryden in the mirror with wide eyes. Bryden blushes, attempting to come up with an explanation.

“Oh, uh, hi,” he says meekly. 

The man doesn’t respond and only sprints out of the restroom.

“Now that’s what happens when you yell at me in public,” the genie chuckles. “Remember that know one else can see me but—”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” Bryden dismisses, his face still red from embarrassment. He covers his eyes. “Ugh, I can’t believe I told Jessica all those corny jokes. Now what am I supposed to do?”

“Well, you certainly can’t stay in here forever,” the genie points out.

Bryden groans. “Ugh, this is so embarrassing.” He trudges out of the restroom and looks to find Jessica again. It doesn’t take too long to find her, for she shows up in front of him herself.

“Bryden,” she says to him in a monotone voice.

“Uh, h-hey again, J-Jessica,” he stammers, cheeks flushing. “Uh…” He purses his lips. “I… uh… about all the jokes from before… sorry about that. I don’t know what went over me.”

“Um, it’s okay, I guess,” she says, twirling a lock of her hair. “Were you trying to be funny on purpose?”

“Uh, well, I tried to,” he chuckles. “Just practicing my comedy skills, I guess. You never know when you need to utilize these skills to liven up a conversation.”

“Ha, ha,” Jessica chuckles. “Well, no offense, but the jokes were really corny.”

“Yep, I knew that. No offense taken.”

“But the look on your face when you were telling the jokes—the extreme awkwardness and silly smile—is pretty entertaining. You make such funny faces sometimes, Bryden. I’m sure you can bring a smile to people’s faces even when telling those corny jokes.”

“Uh, ha, ha…” Bryden’s cheeks burn harder. “S-So you liked the jokes in the end, right?”

Jessica shrugs. “Well, I don’t know about that. Maybe I’m just being nice and lenient about it because we’re friends.” She pauses for a moment before speaking again. “I’ve been meaning to tell you, I’m glad that we’re friends. I’ll admit, I was a bit hesitant about being around you because of your reputation, but I guess it’s true that you really have changed. Someone warned me that you may make a move on me, but you haven’t. Not on me or on anyone else, unless those corny jokes count. I appreciate that. I’m not looking for a relationship right now, but I’m always open to new friends.”

He doesn’t know what to say to this. “Uh, yeah, me too. I’m, uh, also glad that we’re, uh, friends.”

She beams, her smile wide. “Come on, now. Let’s enjoy the party before it’s over.”

“Okay!” Bryden follows her to the drink stand when a sudden thought appears in his head. Wait, did I just get friendzoned?