“You know,” Jeff says after a while, “you kind of look creepy with that green skin, pointy ears, yellow slitted eyes… so, I wish you’d appear more human, and since my little brother Colin hates me: I’d like for you to be my second little brother, Colin is 10, so… I’d like for you to be 12”.
The genie grins, “a human, eh,” he says, “the thought of being a human kid does sound interesting”.
“Would you still be bound to the lamp,” Jeff asks, “because a human kid has to go to school”.
“Well, you haven’t included setting me free, I’ll only take on the appearance of a human boy,” the genie says, “so, yeah, I’d still be bound to the lamp, which means that, when you don’t need me, I’ll return to the lamp and stay there until you call me, so I’d not have to go to school, nor do I have to alter the reality to have everyone think I am your second little brother”.
Jeff smiles, “that is a relief,” he says, “so, yeah, that would be my wish!”
The genie nods, “one 12-year-old “brother” coming right up,” he says.
Jeff watches in amazement as the green skinned, pointy eared and yellow slitted eyed “teen” slowly changes: first, the green skin is replaced by a light brown color, just like Jeff’s, since Jeff is part Spanish, the genie’s pointy ears shrink, taking on a more human appearance, his yellow eyes turn into a nice dark brown and black hairs grow from his head, styled in an undercut. The “teen” then shrinks until a grinning 12-year-old boy is standing in the spot where a few moments ago a green, pointy eared, bald headed and yellow slitted eyed teen had stood. The “boy” now wearing a blue jeans, shite socks, blue slippers and a white t-shirt with a black skull.
“Satisfied,” the “boy” asks, his voice sounding soft and innocent.
Jeff smiles and nods, “ya! You look amazing,” he says happily, “though… I’m honestly waiting for some… “prank” or hidden “joke”. After all… you’re mischievous,” he adds, narrowing his eyes.
The 12-year-old giggles, “true, usually I’d add something for laughs to a wish,” he says, “buuuut… hehe… I kind of decided to… well… wait with that… after all: you still have 5 wishes left, so I have enough wishes to… hehe… “manipulate” a little”.
Jeff snorts, “in other words: you’re holding back?”
The boy giggles, “sorta,” he says, “more like, I’d rather save my “pranks” for YOU or someone else. Why would I want to “prank” myself? Naaaah… hehe… it’s more fun to “prank” either when a wish includes changing you or someone else. If you get what I mean”.
“Soooo, you’re just waiting for a wish that either would cause me or someone else to transform or change into something,” Jeff asks.
The boy nods, grinning, “yea-up,” he says.
“He… then I’ll be careful HOW I pronounce future wishes,” Jeff says.
The 12-year-old grins, “oh, trying to be smart, eh,” he asks, “hehe… no matter how careful you are: I’ll find a way to be able to have some fun at your or someone else’s expense!”
Jeff grins, “challenge accepted,” he says.
The genie giggles, “so, Jeff,“ he asks, “what now? Anymore wishes, or is it time for me to go back in my lamp?”
“Well, first, I’d rather give you a name,” Jeff says, “calling you “genie” is kind of… well… weird”.
The genie tilts his head, “oh? What kind of name do you have in mind?”
“How about “Asher”, I think that sounds cool”.
The 12-year-old thinks for a while, “Asher, eh,” he asks, then smiles, “it does have a nice mischievous ring to it. I like it!”
Jeff smiles, “I’m glad,” he says.
“Anything else,” the genie, now “Asher”, asks.