Round and Round Chapter 7 (Patreon)

Chapter 7.

"Jason," mom called out. "Go to Jenny's house."

"Why mom?"

"Jenny's mother needs you to watch her two-year-old and she can't find anyone else."

"But mom."

"You can watch the baby and play with Jenny. It's a win-win and you will be paid."

Jenny was one of your friends. She was four and in the same pre-K class as Maggie. She also had a two-year-old brother like you had. You would be technically watching both of them, despite Jenny being your friend who you have had play dates with. You walked to Jenny's house.

"Jason, you're here. Thank you. I won't be gone long," Jenny's mother told you.

Jenny and the Baby, Mark were in the living room. Jenny was watching a video and Mark was toddling about. You sat with Jenny and watched Mark. You pretended to like the show that Jenny was watching. You were doing a lot of pretending to like stuff lately. When it was time to change Mark's diaper, Jenny came with you to help. She asked you if she could change him. You didn't think she was old enough, but you wished she could help.

Soon, she was the girl in charge, and you were one of the pair who was being babysat. You had all the expectations and responsibilities of a four-year-old now despite still being a teenager. You also discovered that Jenny wasn't your friend anymore. She was your only babysitter. The second wish had worn off as soon as the new 'first' wish was granted.

When Jenny's mother returned home, she called your mommy. You couldn't be allowed to walk the two blocks home anymore. You weren't allowed to cross the street by yourself anymore.

Your mom fetched you and brought you home. Many things changed now that you were treated like a four-year-old. You were never left alone with Maggie anymore. A babysitter was needed. Mom drove you to school (still at high school) every morning. You were passed off to an attendant who would be with you all through the day. She would make sure that you got to all your classes and wait for mommy to pick you up. The attendant even watched you while you hung out with your friends at lunch. You were happy to have friends your own age who liked to do what you did. Although, having a minder was particularly embarrassing when pretty teens were around.

You could only see one way out. If Jenny babysat for yourself and Maggie, then you could wish to be the one in charge again. That would fix your life. Not only would you be treated like the teen you were before, but your wish to be Maggie's sister would wear off at the same time. You would be back to normal. But when another babysitter showed up and kept showing up time after time, you became depressed. Swapping with Jenny was the perfect solution.

Seeing you all mopey, "What's wrong," the babysitter asked.

"Oh, it's nothing."

"Don't you like when I babysit for you?"

"It's not that. I can't explain."

"It's not?"

"No, I wish you knew what is really happening but..."

You trailed off. You didn't mean to make a wish. You meant to say, 'I wish you knew what is really happening, but I can't tell you." Instead, you made a wish. The babysitter suddenly knew all about your wishes. She stood in front of you in shock at what had happened to you. You had forgotten all about any wish you had made.

It was then that your third wish wore off. The one that made you Maggie's sister. You returned to your old family with Jerry, Jesse, and Ariana. You still were treated and had the responsibilities of a four-year-old. You still had your wishing power. But you didn't know what had happened before or that a simple wish could swap your traits with the people around you.

"What was I doing?" you thought as you looked around your room. It wasn't too different than how it was before you made your first wish. Your mother entered your room.

"Jason, time for dinner. I made you some mac and cheese. Eat it while it's hot."

"In a minute, Mommy."

"Not in a minute, NOW!" mommy demanded.

Without any knowledge of your wishing power, you didn't know why you were being treated like a little kid by everyone. Among your siblings, Ariana (the eight-year-old) was treated like the oldest. You were treated like a four-year-old like Jesse. Jerry was still just a toddler.

Your mommy always drove you to your high school and she picked you up (or had someone pick you up) after. At school, someone met your mother's car and stayed with you all day, so you didn't get into trouble and made it to all your classes. None of your friends had someone do this for them though. It was very strange, but that is the way you always remembered it. It didn't take too long before you accepted your predicament.

"I know a secret," Ariana told you when you were at home.

"What is it?"

"I can't tell you. It's a secret."

"Is it about me?"

"Yeah, stop asking. I can't tell."

"OK."

Ariana went away. You wondered about the secret, but decided it didn't matter. Ariana, being 8, was drawn to you again. She wanted to tell you so much. But she couldn't. Instead, she reminded you she had a secret. The cat-and-mouse game continued with you and Ariana until you couldn't take it any longer.

"I wish I knew what you knew," you told her. You immediately knew the secret. Your mommy and daddy were going to throw a surprise birthday party for you. You didn't really want that, but that is what they would do for their younger children; throw them birthday parties. The news wasn't very important. Ariana didn't know that anymore. You knew it. You knew everything that Ariana knew. (Ariana had swapped all her knowledge and education with yours.) But only what she knew. Your education and common knowledge became that of an eight-year-old. Not that you noticed. You didn't even know you had the wishing power. Nor did you expect you had it even when your previous wish to be treated like a four-year-old was reversed. You were back to being treated like a teenager. You could walk or take the bus to school if you wanted. There wasn't a minder at school making sure that you got to your classes anymore. But passing your classes with only the knowledge of an eight-year-old became impossible. You found yourself in remedial classes with the special needs children.

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