"Jackie!" my best friend, Louise, called.

"Jacqueline Pembrook, get over here!" I laughed and jogged over to the metal table she was sitting at, shaded by a large tree.

"What, Lou?"

"There's another party tonight, Jackie, and Warren really wants you to come." I sighed.

"That's the third one this week! Can't he go to one party without me?"

"He's your boyfriend! It's expected that you go with him." I rolled my eyes.

"Okay, okay. Where is he?" Louise pointed and I walked over to him. He turned and saw me,

"Hey, Babe!" I smiled, and sat with him and his friends for a while.

I looked around at my life. A best friend, a boyfriend. Average grades. Average face.

Boring, average life.

.....

I got home from school and plopped down on my bed. My walls were covered in posters of famous people and movie stars. Looking around, I once again thought about how boring my life was. I just wanted to be famous, to be known; for people to look at my life and want it. I knew that was kind of selfish, but I still couldn't help but want it.

"I wish for the life I want," I couldn't help but whisper into the air. Then, sighing, I got up and walked to my closet. I needed to pick an outfit for the party that night.

I rifled through my dresses. The black one, the red one, the blue one, another black one, a green one… I just wasn't feeling it. I reached to the side to pull the row of dresses towards me when my hand hit something.

I stepped into my closet, trying to get a better look at my closet wall.

There was a hook, on which hung a golden key.

"That was not there last time I checked," I laughed nervously. It seemed to twinkle, inviting me to grab it and look at it. After a moment's hesitation, I reached up and curled my fingers around the key, lifting it off its hook.

Immediately, I started to feel light-headed. Stumbling backwards but not letting go of the key, I fell onto my bed. My room turned into a whirlwind as my vision started spinning. I could hear a voice like an echo, saying, Where wishes are granted… where wishes are granted… where wishes are granted.

All of a sudden I was falling, falling, falling.

"Ahhhhhhh!" I screamed. I landed hard on what seemed to be a dirt road. Laying my head back, I groaned, trying to figure out if anything was broken.

"My lady! Are you alright?" I heard the voice as if from far away. When I zoned back in, there was a handsome prince in my face.

"Oh, hello. Yes, I think so," I stammered, trying to find my bearings. He helped me sit up. I looked down at the peasant dress I was now wearing.

"My dear lady, what is your name?" The prince said as he helped me to my feet, adjusting his crown with one hand.

"I'm- I'm Jacqueline. Where are we?" He looked at me with amazement.

"Why, my lady Jacqueline, we are in Ambalon, of course." I nodded my head,

"Okay, but where is Ambalon in relation to, like, the U.S?" The prince raised an eyebrow,

"The U.S? Never heard of it. Where is that?" My vision started to go wobbly as the realization dawned that I had no idea how to get back home.

"Do you need water, Darling?" He held a waterskin to my lips as he steadied me. Despite my misgivings, I grabbed onto his arm for support.

"What's your name?"

"Prince Florian of Ambalon, at your service." He turned me so he could look in my eyes. "Why don't you come back to the castle with me?"

"Oh, well, I don't want to… impose…" I said. Of course, I didn't know where else I could go if I didn't go with him.

"My parents love new people! They will love you." I smiled a little and said,

"Okay."

.....

At the castle, Florian told some maids to change me into new clothes. Then he went to talk to his parents.

They stuffed me into a pink silk dress that had a long train that flowed out behind me. Then, a guard walked me down to the entrance hall. Prince Florian met me there and offered me an arm. I raised an eyebrow but took it and let him lead me into the throne room.

The king and queen of Ambalon sat regally on their thrones. Florian bowed and so I curtsied, almost tripping over my own feet.

"Mother and Father!" Florian said. "I want you to meet Jacqueline. The girl I've fallen in love with." I immediately gasped. No one seemed to notice though. The king clapped his hands.

"That's wonderful, Son!" Florian's smile reached from ear to ear. My protests quieted. I couldn't shut that smile down. He grabbed my hand,

"Do you want to go on a horse ride, Jacqueline?" I sighed,

"Call me Jackie. And yes. I would love that."

.....

We rode through a beautiful meadow. Florian chattered away while I tried to keep my balance on the side saddle.

"Oh, Jackie. Isn't true love wonderful?" I almost said, 'I wouldn't know,' but then I realized that he was talking about us. Oh, brother. Did he really think I was in love with him?

That was how it always worked in fairy tales. Did I have to play that part?

He swept on without letting me answer.

"Let's have a ball, Darling! To celebrate us! Next weekend!" I opened my mouth, but nothing came out except,

"Of course, Florian."

I had wanted a fast paced life, but maybe this was a little too fast paced.

.....

"Ow!" I said as the seamstress tightened the bodice again. "Do you want me to be able to breathe?" She tutted and started to pin up the fabrics without answering.

My dress for the ball was light blue and soft as a cloud. It was made so I could dance (as if I know how to). I had to admit, it was beautiful, but definitely not my speed. I was really missing leggings and Warren's old sweatshirts.

Florian walked in,

"Jackie, do you like diamonds or some other jewel better?"

"Ummmm, I like- ow! I like- emeralds- ow!" I said as I tried not to get stabbed with pins. Florian nodded and walked out. He wasn't ordering more chandeliers for my room, was he? I had enough (eleven) already. There wasn't any ceiling left.

Finally, we finished the dress fitting, and I walked over to the throne room. The king and queen were talking with Florian in hushed tones. The queen noticed me,

"Oh! Lady Jacqueline!" I chuckled.

"I'm pretty sure I'm a peasant, Your Majesty. No offense." She waved me away.

"I'm so excited for the ball. It's going to be just wonderful!" I nodded.

"Of course, Your Majesty." She beamed.

"You two will have lovely children." I gaped.

"Woah! How did we get to children? I've known him for a day!" She smiled patronizingly,

"When you know, you know, Darling." I sighed. Why did everyone think this way? Why couldn't I take my time?

.....

It was the night of the ball. I glided down the main staircase to Florian’s waiting arm, entering the ballroom to gasps and sighs. My dress was light as a feather, but all of my problems with Ambalon stopped me from appreciating it.

We danced and danced, the time flying like crazy. Finally, Florian stopped the musicians and led me up to the stage.

“May I have your attention, please?” he said, the noblemen and ladies turning towards his voice. A herald handed Florian a box. As everyone watched, he got down on one knee in front of me. An emerald ring sparkled in the box.

“Jacqueline, I love you. Will you marry me?” I gasped. No, no, no! This couldn’t be happening. My mind went back to all the signs I didn’t see: Florian and his parents whispering, the questions about jewels. It was like all of my life decisions were flying by me. It was like my life was going so fast!

I looked at everyone looking at me. They all wanted to be up here, where I was, but I didn’t want this.

“I want my old life back!” I cried.

The lightheadedness came back. I started swaying on my feet. I fell down…

… and woke up on my floor. I opened my eyes. I was back home! Joyful tears pricked my eyes. As I sat up, I heard, Be careful what you wish for…
I smiled and laughed.

“Whoever you are, thanks for a lesson learned.” A knock sounded on my door, and Louise and Warren walked in.

“Jackie! We need to leave!” I just smiled at them, soaking in their faces. Louise walked up to me.

“Jackie! Is something wrong?” I shook my head,

“No, I’ve just… realized how lucky I am.”

“What do you mean?” Warren asked.

“Well, I was trying to take life too fast. I wanted life to be more interesting. I didn’t realize how lucky I was to have the life I had.” Louise raised an eyebrow,

“What changed your mind?” I laughed,

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. But let’s just say, I know that this is my kingdom.”

“O-kay…” I laughed,

“Let’s go, peeps!” We walked out the door. Into my kingdom.

THE END