Disclaimer: I don't own anything affiliated with "That's So Raven." I don't.

Chapter 4

Raven had decided to take the long way home from school, a route she hadn't taken in months. Maybe if she dilly-dallied long enough, she wouldn't have to explain to her parents why she was home from school so early.

As Raven turned the corner, she noticed the large wooden sign that read, "Curly's Magic Shop." The big black letters were carved and painted into the wood. It looked almost hand-made. Raven distinctly remembered an antique store being there. Then again, she hadn't been here for a while. Maybe the antique store had closed and a magic shop had opened.

Rolling her eyes, Raven pressed forward. Magic wasn't something she needed at the moment. As she passed by the front door, a young woman bumped into her. The collision was so strong that Raven spun around completely, and had to fight to keep her balance.

"Excuse me" the woman said quietly. Raven looked at her, shocked by the blow. The woman was dressed like a hippie. Her long, blonde, curly hair flowed down around her shoulders and back. Her white peasant blouse was neatly tucked into her long flowing flower print skirt. Brown boots seemed to clash a little with the outfit. Raven thought that sandals or flip-flops would have been better.

"Are you okay?" The lady asked when Raven didn't move.

Raven blinked a few times. "Uh. Yeah."

"Sorry about banging into you. I'm Samantha." Samantha extended her hand, smiling.

"Raven." Raven said, taking Samantha's hand.

Samantha jumped a little when Raven took her hand. "You're upset. What's wrong?"

Raven looked at Samantha questionably. "What?"

Samantha motioned to inside the magic shop. "Maybe there's something in here that can help you out."

Raven was about to protest, but Samantha hadn't let go of her hand, so she was practically dragged into the shop.

Inside was darker and smelled like mothballs and furniture polish. Raven looked around. Shelves covered three of the four walls. On the shelves were books, potions, and weird things in jars. Several small tables holding crystal balls, wands, more books and more potions, all nicely stacked to make small pyramids were scattered around the shop. There were racks of the hippie style clothing off to the side of the store, just next to the glass counter that held an old cash register and a very lazy orange cat.

"You own this place?" Raven asked. Samantha was clearly older than Raven, but she didn't seem old enough to own a small business.

Samantha shook her head. "No. My mother owns this shop. I just run it while she goes out to pick up supplies."

"Really? I remember an antique shop here. How long have you guys been here?"

"Oh, about two months or so. We came from New York."

"New York, like the city?"

Samantha nodded. "Yeah. We go all over. New York was just the latest in a string of big cities."

"That is so cool. Tell me what it's like."

"It's…New York City. What can I say? It's fast, it's loud, and it never, ever stops."

Raven nodded, smiling. Samantha made her feel comfortable for some strange reason. "So, who is Curly?"

"Oh, that's our cat." Samantha said, gently stroking the cat as it stretched out on the counter.

Raven went over to the glass counter and took a look at the contents it held. There was a monkey's paw, a "magic" lamp, wooden boxes filled with some cute charms and bracelets. There was a very old looking crystal ball, and a small brown box that had, "Birthday Candles" written on it in simple print.

"Birthday candles…" Raven muttered and Samantha smiled.

Samantha gently opened the door and took out the box of candles. There used to be twenty, but now it seemed as if it were down to around two.

"What's so magical about birthday candles?" Raven asked, not taking her eyes off the box.

"Well, when you make a wish with one of these babies, it actually comes true."

Raven thought about it for a moment and then scoffed. "Right. I wish."

"You could." Samantha said. "If it was your birthday."

"Actually," Raven muttered bitterly, "it is my birthday."

"Well then, Happy Birthday!" Samantha responded cheerily. When Raven frowned, Samantha asked, "What's the matter? I figured a girl would be happy on her birthday."

"Yeah well, I have a problem and it's kind of a big one. It's bringing me down. And I would tell you about it, but I can't. It could affect my future in a very bad way."

"Oh." Samantha whispered. Then, she took out a candle. It was thin and white. The wick coming out of it was small and limp. It was plain, but Raven seemed drawn to it.

"Well, then take this, free of charge. Whatever your problem, it's nothing a wish can't solve." Samantha placed the candle in Raven's hand.

Raven shook her head. "Oh, oh no. I couldn't take this. You only have like two left."

"This is an emergency. Take the candle. Consider it a birthday present. Just stick it in the middle of your cake and light it. Then, make a wish."

Raven rolled the candle between her thumb and forefinger, wondering if she should.

"I insist." Samantha said, and Raven sighed.

"Okay. Thanks, Samantha."

"You're welcome. Hey, don't be a stranger around here."

Raven nodded and began to leave, placing the candle in her coat pocket. As she opened the door, Samantha called out to her. "Raven."

Raven turned. "Yeah?"

"Just…be careful what you wish for."

Raven smiled, nodded and left.

On her way home, she thought about the whole experience. It's just a stupid birthday candle, Raven thought to herself. It probably cost like a quarter.

"Magic birthday candle…" Raven laughed, shaking her head.

Still, she kept the candle with her.