As we walk side by side into the clearing, I look up at what sits waiting for us at the end of our journey. The Wishing Tree. I look at my best friend beside me trying to read her face. She looks up at the tree and smiles. Then she turns to me.

“What are you gonna wish for?” she asks. I think about what I would want. It hadn’t occurred to me until right now that I haven’t actually wanted anything. I just came because my best friend Paige wanted to come.

“It might be bad luck if I tell you. Don’t want to risk not getting the wish you know?” she looks at me and says “Oh yeah true”

“Do you know what you want?” I ask. She looks up at the tree like there was light beaming out of her eyes. She simply replied “Yeah, I think so” This is what she had been waiting for. The thing she had been looking for all of her life.

Since we were young, we had always heard stories about the tree. People would travel from all over and go on quests to find the tree but not everyone was successful. Only people with pure intentions could find it. In their hearts they would know the way through the trees. It was almost like the forest was also magic and could sense if people were pure in their heart. If they deserved to have a wish granted.

Our journey wasn’t very long. Only a week. Shorter than most. As we made our way through Paige had begun to worry that she wasn’t a good enough person. I knew we would find the tree because Paige is the kindest person I know. If anyone deserved a wish it was her.

As she stepped up to the tree and put her hand on the trunk the tree started to glow. It pulsed a glowing yellow light. The sun shone its rays into the clearing and the flowers started to sway with the wind that came with the sun. Paige didn’t seem worried about what was going on around us. It was just her and the tree.

With her hand on the trunk, I saw her take a deep breath. She always did this before anything that gave her anxiety. It helps keep her calm and her mind clear. I could see the golden light from the tree start to make its way up her arm. I couldn’t help but wonder what it felt like. I wondered if it was warm. I wondered if she would feel different after. I wondered if it would do the same for me? What if I was rejected? What if I wasn’t good enough?

The light from the tree shone around her body like she was transforming into a god. The bright light engulfed her. She was golden. Then the light started to dim. As Paige took her hand off the tree she paused and looked up then stepped backwards.

She turned and faced my direction and started to walk towards me. She smiled and wrapped her arms around me. She was warm. She was warm before but this was a different type of warm. Soft. Like fresh blankets out of the dryer.

“Are you nervous?” she asks me. I look at her and smile. “No I’m not. How was it?” I reply. She looks back at the tree then back to me and says “It was good” I smile and start to walk towards the tree.

As I approach the tree I think about what I could possibly want. Do I really need anything? I mean I could wish for anything I wanted. I could get flight powers, money, a puppy, true love. As I walk to the tree I can’t think of anything I really want or need.

I turn and look back at Paige before I continue. She standing there smiling at me. I turn back and face the tree. I take a deep breath and look up at it. As I put my hand on the tree I know what I want. I close my eyes and I can feel the warmth come into my body. I think about Paige and all the things she’s gone through to get here.

As the warmth comes into my body, I realize I don’t want anything. So my wish? I wish for her to get everything she ever needs because all I need is her and I already have that.

I can feel the warmth leave my body as I take my hand off the tree. I look up at the tree and say a silent thank you. I turn to face my best friend and she’s standing there gleaming. “I hope you wished for something good. Are you ever gonna tell me what you wished for?” I laugh a little bit and say “No I won’t because I want it to come true” she smiles at me and says “Fine. Are you ready to go home now?” I nod.

As we start to walk out of the clearing I look back at the wishing tree. As I looked up and down its trunk. It pulses a yellow light one last time. I think it’s a promise. It felt like it was telling me it will do its part as long as I do mine. I turn back towards Paige and can’t help but smile. How could I wish for something when everything I’ve ever wanted is right in front of me?