A New Beginning Read Free Page B

worked.
    â€œOut of the way, Lily. Let me do it,” Mr. Poke said irritably, reaching the cabinet—just as the doors sprang open.
    An explosion of papers, brushes, pens, and paints shot out. Mr. Poke flew backward as if he’d been blown by a wind machine and landed on the floor on his backside.
    Rustle! Papers floated down around him. Splat! A plastic jar of glue hit Mr. Poke on the chest, bursting and spreading all over his gray sweater. Thwack! Brushes, pens, and pencils fell on him, sticking firmly to the glue.

    The teacher sat there blinking in shock.
    The whole class erupted in laughter. Katy, Adjoa, and Freema were helpless.
    Lily tried hard to bite back the laughter bubbling up inside her.
    â€œWho packed the cabinet like that?” Mr. Poke roared, his face bright red as he scrambled to his feet. “I have to go and get cleaned up. Keep working, class. I’ll be right back.” He stomped off toward the bathroom, pens and pencils falling with a clatter as he walked away.
    â€œI am sorry, Lily. I think I used too much magic,” Storm woofed in dismay.
    Making sure that no one was looking, Lily quickly patted him. “You did just fine. It serves Mr. Poke right!”
    She began putting everything back into the cabinet. Katy, Freema, and Adjoa helped her. By the time Mr. Poke reappeared wearing a hideous orange, yellow, and brown striped T-shirt, the mess was all cleared up.
    The rest of the morning passed quickly, and at lunchtime Lily shared her cheese sandwiches and chips with Storm. When they finished, she took him for a run across the fields. The excited puppy ran around, chasing leaves in the wind and tiring himself out. He spent the rest of the afternoon napping under Lily’s chair.
    After school, with Storm back in her bag, Lily walked home with her friends.
    She paused at the end of her street. “Did you mean it about me coming over to see Pixie?” she asked Adjoa.
    Adjoa nodded. “Why don’t you come over after school on Friday? We can both ride Pixie.”
    â€œThat would be awesome!” Lily said. She jotted Adjoa’s address and phone number in her notebook before heading home. “Bye. See you all tomorrow!” she called.

    Katy, Freema, and Adjoa waved as they walked away.
    Just inside her front garden, Lily put her bag down so that Storm could jump out. “Adjoa’s nice, isn’t she?” she said to him. “I can’t wait to meet Pixie.”
    â€œMe too!” Storm nodded, his pink tongue hanging in a doggy grin.
    Lily felt a surge of affection for him. She picked Storm up and pet his soft sandy fur. “Having you at school today was awesome! You really taught old Poker Face a lesson. I hope that horrible Shadow never finds you and then you can live with me forever and come to school every day,” she said.
    â€œThat is not possible, Lily,” Storm told her, his small sandy face suddenly serious. “One day I must return to my own world to help heal my mother and fight Shadow.”
    Lily knew this was true, but she didn’t want to believe it. She pushed all thoughts of Storm having to leave out of her mind and thought instead of the fun they would have on Friday with Adjoa and Pixie.

Chapter FIVE
    â€œHere you are, girl.” Lily held a piece of carrot on the palm of her hand, so that Pixie could take it with her soft lips. Pixie was a chestnut pony with a white line down her nose and a friendly expression.
    Lily turned to Adjoa as the pony crunched the treat. “Pixie is gorgeous!”
    Adjoa smiled. “I know. I’m lucky to have her.”
    Pixie whinnied softly and swiveled her ears.
    â€œI think she agrees with you,” Lily said. They both laughed.
    Adjoa opened the field gate and Lily helped her saddle the pony and then both girls spent a couple of hours taking turns riding her. Lily thought with a sigh how wonderful it would be to have her own pony and ride her every