Ken and Omair had been best friends since the beginning of freshman year of high school, when Ken's family moved to the United States. They were in the same homeroom that year, Ken having been promoted a year due to his accelerated studies in Japan, and Omair, being able to speak a little Japanese, was eager to welcome Ken, and learn about his culture. Ken was shy at first, but meeting someone who actually spoke Japanese helped him blossom, and the two quickly became inseparable.
Having been an excellent swimmer in Japan, Ken joined the swim team at his high school right away. Omair would always come to his meets, not only to support his friend, but, secretly, because he liked seeing Ken in his speedo. He had a great body: skinny, with muscles in all the right places. Ken never questioned Omair's secret motives, and Omair was too nervous to make any advances, even after two years.
One day, during the fall of their Junior year, Omair came over to Ken's house after a meet, as he often did. Omair would help Ken on his english homework, the only subject where Ken wasn't getting straight A's. Afterwards, they would often play video games. They were both very good at Dance Dance Revolution, and they would often compete viciously against each other in this, but all in good fun, of course.
But this day, Omair was interested in doing something else. "Why don't we explore your house?" he suggested.
"What's there to explore?" Ken asked.
"I dunno," Omair said. "Don't you have an attic or basement or something? Those are always fun."
"Well," Ken thought for a moment. "We don't have a basement in this house. I guess there's an attic, but I don't think we've ever been up there."
"Great!" Omair said. "All the more reason for us to explore!"
They ventured upstairs and found the place in the ceiling that had the ladder to the attic. Ken blew the dust and pulled down the ladder. As there was no lights on in the attic, Ken had to find a flashlight, and shown it into the dark as they climbed up.
"Oooh," Omair said, half-mockingly. "This is scary! You'll protect me from the monster in here, right, Ken?"
"Monster?" Ken asked, not realizing that Omair was joking.
"Oh, never mind," Omair said. "Just keep moving."
There were a lot of boxes in the attic. Ken shown his light on them, reading the labels: Magazines, books, candles, etc.
"These boxes must have been left here by the last owners of the house," Ken said.
"Well, it's all junk," Omair said. "Keep going, there's got to be something interesting in here."
Then Ken's light fell upon what looked to be a very old chest. "Oooh!" Omair said. "Look at that!"
They approached it. The chest was very ornate; each corner of it had very detailed decorations that appeared to be hand-carved into the wood. Ken opened up the chest. Inside was empty, except for one thing; a pendant attached to a chain.
"Well, that's kind of disappointing," Omair said. "I kind of thought we would find some treasure, or a dead body, or something."
Ken picked up the chain. "It's very pretty, though," he said.
"Yeah," Omair said. "Put it on!" Ken did so. The chain fit perfectly. "Wow," Omair said, "it looks good on you."
Ken nodded. He liked having it on; something inside him even started to feel good with it.
"Hey, look!" Omair pointed to the chest. "There's a piece of paper in there!" He picked it up. On the paper, a message was scribbled across. Omair read it aloud: "Whoever finds this pendant, please be responsible! For with it, you have the power to grant any dream you may have. Signed, M. Worthington." Omair looked up from the paper, with a puzzled look.
"What do you think that means?" Ken asked.
"I dunno. Maybe, you can, like, wish for things, or something."
Ken laughed. "I think you've been watching too many movies, Omair."
"Well, try it out! Wish for something absurd! It couldn't hurt."
"Fine," Ken said, "but only to humor you." Ken took a deep breath, mockingly dramatic, and made his wish: