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  ‘I – I just do,’ said Twink. ‘It’s really important.’ She held her breath, half expecting Miss Sparkle to tell her off for wasting her time.

  Instead Miss Sparkle considered Twink for a long moment, and then nodded. ‘Come to see me after breakfast tomorrow,’ she said, standing up and shuffling the petals together. ‘You can ask me whatever you like then.’

  ‘Boring,’ said Sooze.

  Kiki looked exasperated. ‘Sooze, we’ve been over and over this. There’s going to be glimmery music playing, and different-coloured lights – we don’t need anything else.’

  Twink undressed for bed mechanically, barely listening to the argument. A knot twisted in her stomach at the thought of her meeting with Miss Sparkle the next morning. What if the Fairy Dust teacher couldn’t help her after all?

  ‘But lights and music are so ordinary,’ insisted Sooze, pulling on her thistle-down dressing gown. ‘We need something different. Like – like an explosion of fairy dust flares! Something to make everyone sit up and take notice!’

  ‘That’s what the dresses are supposed to do,’ groaned Kiki. ‘If you have fairy dust flares going off all over the place, nobody will even notice them.’

  ‘I think Kiki’s right,’ commented Zena, polishing her orange wings. ‘The dresses are glimmery enough – we don’t need lots of flash and sparkle.’

  ‘That’s what I think, too,’ said Bimi. Twink had noticed that she spoke up much more often these days, eager to put her opinion in. ‘We put Kiki in charge, Sooze, so let’s do what she says. She knows all about fashion shows.’

  A ripple of assent ran across the branch. ‘Besides, fairy dust flares might smudge the dresses,’ pointed out Mariella. ‘Especially if you’re in charge of them, Sooze.’

  Sooze huffed out an irritated breath. ‘Honestly, you’re all so boring! If you’d just let me try it, then you’d see –’

  ‘No, Sooze,’ laughed Pix. ‘The majority has spoken! Now come on, it’s time for lights out – Mrs Hover will be up in a minute.’

  The fairies chatted to each other as they climbed into their mossy beds. Twink pulled her petal duvet up around her pointed ears. No one paid any attention to her, or even appeared to notice her silence.

  Her other friends had had enough of her, too, it seemed. They were used to her being an outsider now – someone who kept to herself, and didn’t join in.

  But maybe that’s all going to change, thought Twink, screwing her eyes tightly shut. Maybe Miss Sparkle can give me a crystal spell that will put things right again. Oh, I hope she can!

  The next morning after breakfast, Twink knocked shyly on Miss Sparkle’s door. ‘Come in,’ the voice called again. This time Miss Sparkle sat waiting as Twink entered, her white wings folded neatly behind her back.

  ‘Take a mushroom,’ she said, motioning. ‘Now, what do you need to know?’

  Twink sat down, feeling very small suddenly. She took a deep breath. ‘Well – you see, I – I stayed with Bimi over the last holidays, and –’ Haltingly, her story came out: going to the crystal caverns, what Bimi’s father had said, and how she had sneaked back to look into the mysterious crystal.

  Miss Sparkle raised an eyebrow. ‘You shouldn’t trust crystal visions, Twink. They’re not very reliable.’

  Twink’s eyes widened. ‘But it was reliable!’ she cried. ‘It showed me awful things, and they’ve all come true.’ Choking over the words, she told her year head exactly what she had seen. Her cheeks burned as she described the images of Bimi and Kiki.

  Something almost like a smile crossed Miss Sparkle’s face. ‘That’s exactly what I mean. Those sorts of crystals are called trickster crystals, Twink. You see, it didn’t show you what had to be – it showed you what might be, but only because you were foolish enough to look into it in the first place.’

  Twink bit her lip in bewilderment. ‘I don’t –’

  .

  .

  Miss Sparkle shook her head. ‘My dear, it’s very simple. If you hadn’t looked into the crystal, what would have happened when Kiki came to school?’

  ‘I . . . I don’t know,’ said Twink. She tried to think. ‘I suppose I would have wanted to help her at first, the same as Bimi. But she’s awfully stuck up, even if the others can’t see it . . .’ she faltered under her year head’s keen stare.

  ‘Is she?’ Miss Sparkle demanded. ‘Or is that just what you think because you looked into the crystal, and felt jealous of her before you even met her?’

  Miss Sparkle’s words struck Twink like a lightning bolt. She thought of Kiki’s wide smile, and bright, friendly eyes. Suddenly she felt like an idiot.

  ‘I – I suppose she’s not really stuck-up,’ she mumbled. ‘But –’

  ‘But nothing!’ said Miss Sparkle briskly. ‘You see, if you hadn’t looked into the crystal in the first place, you’d probably have liked Kiki, and you all could have been friends – isn’t that right?’

  Twink gaped at Miss Sparkle, her mind spinning. It was true! Even Bimi’s new preoccupation with her looks might have seemed different, if Twink hadn’t been so convinced that Kiki was Bimi’s new best friend. Oh, how could she have been so stupid?

  The year head smiled wryly. ‘And what did Bimi’s father say? That the crystal would show you what would happen – if you looked into it? He knew as well, you see. Trickster crystals can be so convincing that you often make the event come about, just by believing in it. But Twink, nothing at all can happen unless you let it. You’re in charge of your destiny, not a crystal!’

  ‘Oh, but – but that means . . .’ Twink trailed off as a memory of how she’d been acting all term swept over her: keeping to herself, growling when the other fairies spoke to her, only taking part in their activities when she had to.

  No wonder everyone had been avoiding her! And Bimi – why, Twink couldn’t blame her for becoming so fed up. She’d been acting like a complete moss brain!

  ‘Is there anything else, Twink?’ asked Miss Sparkle gently.

  ‘No,’ murmured Twink. She got to her feet in a daze. ‘I mean – I mean, thank you!’ she burst out as relief rushed through her. ‘Oh, Miss Sparkle, thank you so much!’

  Unexpectedly, Miss Sparkle smiled. Escorting Twink to the door, she touched her shoulder. ‘Not at all, Twink. But next time, you might try listening when someone tells you not to do something!’

  .

  Chapter Seven

  Twink stood on the sidelines in the Great Branch, watching as the final rehearsal for the fashion show started. ‘Right, everyone, let’s go!’ called Kiki, hovering overhead.

  The Branch plunged into darkness. On the platform, the school’s cricket band started up a jazzy tune as Sooze and Lola appeared, lit by dramatic white spotlights. They swished through the air, hands on hips, as the lights changed to green and blue. Up above, Jax sat in the rafters working the glow-worms, looking like she was enjoying herself at last.

  Twink glanced down and adjusted her hemline, taking care not to touch the prickles. She was wearing the dandelion-leaf dress, and the spiky cap was set at a rakish angle on her head.

  ‘You look great!’ whispered Sili, bobbing in the air beside her. The silver-haired fairy tucked her arm through Twink’s with a friendly squeeze. ‘And Twink, I’m so glad you’re yourself again!’

  Twink grinned at her sheepishly. ‘Me, too,’ she whispered back.

  After her meeting with Miss Sparkle, Twink had apologised to Kiki that very morning after Dance class. Kiki’s eyes had widened as Twink stumblingly explained what she’d seen in the crystal.

  ‘Oh, you poor thing!’ she breathed, touching Twink’s arm. ‘No wonder you hated me when we first met. I’d have felt exactly the same!’

  ‘Then you forgive me?’ Twink held her breath. The two fairies were hovering near the circle of sp
otted mushrooms where Dance class was held, the rest of Peony Branch having gone on ahead.

  ‘Of course!’ said Kiki warmly. ‘I couldn’t understand what I’d done to upset you – I’m just glad there was a reason for it!’

  ‘Not much of one, I suppose.’ Twink grimaced. ‘I feel like such a moss brain, Kiki. I just hope Bimi will forgive me, too.’

  ‘She will,’ Kiki assured her. ‘She’s really missed you, Twink. She’ll be thrilled to have her best friend back!’

  The two fairies smiled at each other and started flying back to school in the cool autumn breeze. She’s so nice! thought Twink, darting sideways to avoid a flurry of falling leaves. Miss Sparkle was right – it was all in my head.

  Suddenly Kiki stopped. ‘Twink, there’s just one thing –’ she broke off uncertainly.

  ‘What?’ asked Twink, hovering beside her.

  Kiki hesitated. ‘Well, it’s just . . . would you mind wearing the dandelion-leaf dress in the show after all? It doesn’t look right on Jax, and she’s not having fun anyway. I made it with you in mind, Twink – I really think you’re the only one who can carry it off!’

  Twink had readily agreed, though secretly she still wasn’t sure what she thought of the dress. But to her surprise, the next time she tried it on it looked very different than she remembered – its prickles seemed sophisticated and exotic, with the bold splashes of paint perfectly bringing out the colour of her hair and wings.

  How could I have been so wrong? wondered Twink now, still waiting on the sidelines for her turn. Obviously, the grouchy mood she’d been in all term had made her see the dress differently, too. She shuddered. What a pain she must have been!

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Bimi waiting as well, looking beautiful in her long blue gown. She sighed. If only Bimi had been as easy to apologise to as Kiki! But Twink had somehow messed things up badly, so that the two friends were as distant as ever.

  The same day that she’d sorted things out with Kiki, Twink had got Bimi on her own in the second-year Common Branch. At first, Bimi had been as distressed as Kiki to learn about the crystal.

  ‘Oh, Twink!’ she cried. ‘Is that what was wrong? Why didn’t you tell me?’

  ‘I don’t know . . . I just couldn’t,’ mumbled Twink. Stupidly, fresh tears sprang to her eyes. ‘I just felt so awful about it. I hated the thought of you being best friends with someone else! And then later, when you seemed to change so much, I –’

  Bimi stared at her. ‘I seemed to change? You mean you did.’

  Twink nodded. ‘I know, I acted really stupidly . . . but Bimi, you changed too – you know, always going on about fashion and your looks.’

  Bimi stiffened. ‘Going on about it? What do you mean?’

  Twink groped for words. ‘Well – you’re always doing your hair now, and talking about different kinds of wing polish, and you seem to really like everyone watching you in the show . . .’ Twink trailed off. Bimi’s face was ablaze with anger.

  ‘So you think I’m acting stuck-up, is that it?’ she snapped.

  ‘No!’ cried Twink. ‘But – you know, you might just be getting carried away with it all a tiny bit –’

  She was talking to thin air. Bimi had flounced off to the other end of the Common Branch. Sitting at a mushroom desk, she banged open a petal pad and pointedly began her homework.

  That had been over two weeks ago. Nothing Twink had said since had made any difference. Bimi remained cold towards Twink, and redoubled her efforts in the fashion show. She spent hours practising her moves, and fussed over her hair and wings each night until they gleamed.

  Kiki, caught in the middle, was obviously torn. ‘What am I supposed to do?’ she said to Twink in exasperation. ‘I like you both!’

  At least the rest of Peony Branch was acting normally towards Twink again – now that she was acting normally herself! Hovering on the sidelines in the Great Branch, Twink watched the models sashay through the air, posing and pouting. They all looked like they were having a glimmery time. Bimi, preparing to go on, shook her dress out and touched her hair.

  ‘Get ready, Opposite,’ hissed a voice in Twink’s ear. Twink glanced at Sooze in surprise.

  ‘But it’s not my turn yet,’ she whispered back.

  The lavender-haired fairy grinned. ‘I mean, get ready for things to be livened up a bit!’ Before Twink could demand to know what she was talking about, Sooze had flitted off.

  Bimi, after a final check of her dress, took to the air. Its little stars shimmered in the spotlight as she turned this way and that with a confident smile. But no sooner had she started her series of pirouettes then a massive BANG burst through the Great Branch. And then another! And another!

  Bimi screamed as a series of pink and gold explosions went off all around her. Sparks spat and spun, screeching about the Branch like crazed birds. The second-year fairies squealed and dived for cover. Bimi, panic-stricken, tried to dart through the bursts – but then the largest explosion yet went off right beside her, swallowing her up in pink and gold sparks.

  ‘Bimi!’ shouted Twink. Leaving the mossy table she had taken refuge under, she swooped out to save her friend, doing a quick barrel roll to avoid a shower of hissing pink sparks.

  .

  .

  ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry!’ shrieked Sooze to the Branch at large, wringing her hands. ‘I didn’t mean – it wasn’t supposed to be like this –’

  The Great Branch’s doors slammed open. ‘What is going on?’ bellowed Miss Sparkle. ‘Girls! Who set off these fairy dust flares?’

  Her words hung in the sudden silence as the final spark sizzled and died. The only other sound was that of sobbing. Bimi lay huddled on the floor of the Branch, covering her head. Twink knelt by her side, trying in vain to comfort her.

  All of Bimi’s beautiful blue hair had been singed off.

  ‘Yes, we know you didn’t mean to hurt anyone, Sooze,’ sighed Pix that night in Peony Branch. ‘But that doesn’t help Bimi, does it? The poor thing’s still down in the infirmary, trying to see if Mrs Hover can grow her hair back in time for the exhibition!’

  Sooze scowled guiltily. ‘Oh, it’ll grow back in a few weeks anyway – I don’t see why she’s making that much of a fuss. And come on, everyone, wasn’t it really sort of glimmery when the flares went off . . . ?’

  There was a stony silence from the rest of the branch. ‘All right, all right!’ burst out Sooze. ‘It wasn’t glimmery at all; it was stupid of me. Anyway, I’ve been punished enough, so you can all stop having a go!’

  Glowering, Sooze flopped on to her mossy bed. Watching her, Twink felt a twinge of sympathy. Miss Sparkle had written to Sooze’s parents . . . but worse than that, she’d forbidden Sooze to use fairy dust for the rest of the school year. This would seriously affect her Seedling Exams the following term. With her Fairy Dust class as an ‘incomplete’, Sooze would have to work very hard for the rest of her marks to be high enough to pass.

  Everyone looked up as Bimi flew into the branch. Her eyes were red from crying, and she wore a clover-leaf bonnet, covering her baldness. Without a word, she rushed to her bed and threw herself face downwards.

  Twink crouched beside her, touching her shoulder. ‘Bimi? What did Mrs Hover say?’

  ‘She can’t do anything,’ came Bimi’s muffled voice. ‘It has to grow back on its own. Oh, what am I going to do? I can’t model in the show like this! I look awful!’

  Twink and Kiki exchanged a worried glance. As Sooze had said, it was true that fairy hair grew quickly – Bimi would have her long locks back in just a month or so. But meanwhile, the exhibition was only a few days away.

  ‘Well, I think you should model the dress anyway,’ said Kiki staunchly. ‘Your hair will look really cute by then – sort of short and spiky.’

  Bimi sat up. ‘I don
’t want short, spiky hair!’ she wailed. ‘I want my old hair back!’ Bursting into loud sobs, she flung herself face down again, covering her head with her cotton-bud pillow.

  Sooze looked stricken. ‘Bimi, I’m really sorry,’ she said in a small voice. ‘It . . . it was just supposed to liven things up, that’s all. I could try to get you a wig or something –’

  ‘I don’t want a wig! Just leave me alone!’ sobbed Bimi.

  Kiki hovered on her other side. ‘Bimi, please say you’ll still wear the dress,’ she implored. ‘You’ll look beautiful, I promise.’

  The rest of the branch echoed agreement. ‘Look at Jax!’ added Sili brightly. ‘She wears her hair that way on purpose.’

  But nothing anybody said made any difference, and Bimi lay crying until after the glow-worms were turned out. Twink, lying in her mossy bed beside her, felt her heart ache for Bimi. If only there was something she could do!

  The day of the exhibition dawned bright and clear. Glitterwings Academy seemed to sparkle in the autumn sunshine. Each of its leaves had been polished, and long garlands of red and yellow flowers hung from its branches. A greeting spelled out in fairy dust – Welcome Parents! – hung shimmering over the tree.

  The parents started arriving after lunch. Twink peeked out from behind the curtain of the changing area and saw crowds of them streaming into the Great Branch, sitting on the rows of mushroom seats that awaited them.

  Excitement trembled through Twink as she spotted her own parents swooping in, looking proud and expectant. Oh, she could hardly wait for them to see the fashion show! They’d be so impressed at all the hard work everyone had put in.

  Twink’s eagerness faded as she caught sight of Bimi, sitting at a mushroom dressing table and staring glumly at herself. As Kiki had predicted, her hair had grown to a short, spiky length, framing her face like a blue explosion.

  Making her way through the crowds of buzzing students, Twink perched on the edge of Bimi’s dressing table. ‘You look really pretty,’ she offered.