16 Wishes

Abby Jensen has been counting down the days until her 16th birthday, eagerly awaiting the moment she can finally join the ranks of the "almost adults" she idolizes. For as long as she can remember, Abby has scribbled down wishes on a piece of paper, creating a secret list that she hopes to fulfill when she turns the magic age. Her room is plastered with posters of her favorite celebrities, and she has spent countless hours poring over Seventeen magazine, taking note of everything from the latest fashion trends to the most desirable hairstyles. But as the big day finally arrives, disaster strikes in the form of her pesky little brother, Jackson, who accidentally destroys the cake that her mom spent hours baking. Not only that, but Abby's dad gets stuck in a meeting at work and can't make it home for the celebration. To make matters worse, Abby's best friend, Rita, has to cancel plans at the last minute due to a family emergency. As Abby tries to muster the enthusiasm for her milestone birthday, she feels like her day is quickly spiraling out of control. But little does she know, something strange is about to happen. A mysterious box of magical birthday candles arrives at her doorstep, accompanied by a cryptic note that simply reads: "Light my candles, and your wishes will come true." Abby is skeptical at first, but after some prodding from her mom, she decides to give the candles a try. As she lights the first candle and makes a wish, she is shocked to see it come true instantly. Her favorite new designer dress appears out of nowhere, and her best friend, Rita, surprises her with a visit, bearing a beautiful gift. The day continues to unfold with an alarming rate of events unfolding in Abby's favor. She becomes the star of her school's annual talent show, her crush asks her to prom, and her best friend's family problem suddenly resolves itself. As each wish comes true, Abby finds herself getting more and more swept up in the whirlwind of luck and fortune that surrounds her. However, as the wishes start to pile up, Abby begins to realize that things are not quite as perfect as they seem. She starts to notice that her loved ones are being affected by her newfound success, with her best friend starting to act strangely, and her little brother becoming increasingly demanding. Additionally, Abby starts to feel the pressure of having all of her problems suddenly solved, and finds herself struggling to connect with the people who truly matter in her life. Just as Abby starts to feel overwhelmed by the consequences of her wishes, she makes one final mistake. In a moment of desperation, she wishes for everything to stay the same, for her life to return to normal. But, as the last candle burns out, she is shocked to discover that she has been transported to a parallel universe, one where she never made any of her wishes. In this alternate reality, Abby is still 16, but her life is anything but perfect. Her crush doesn't ask her to prom, her best friend is struggling to make ends meet, and her mom is dealing with a major health crisis. As Abby looks around at the imperfect world that surrounds her, she is forced to confront the consequences of her actions. She realizes that the things that truly matter in life – love, friendship, and family – cannot be reduced to simple wishes and magic candles. As Abby struggles to come to terms with the reality of her alternative world, she begins to see the error of her ways. She understands that the value of her 16th birthday lies not in the number of wishes she makes, but in the experiences, relationships, and lessons that she learns along the way. With a newfound appreciation for the complexities of life, Abby sets out to recreate the life she lost, but this time, on her own terms.