Friendship Dance Read Free Page B

bright green hair and purple wings. Maximus fussed around the two of them, moving them this way and that.
    â€˜Hmm,’ he said, squinting his eyes in thought.
    Twink and the boy exchanged a bewildered glance. Master Greenbranch looked as if he were trying not to laugh, and Twink bit her lip to hold back her own giggle.
    â€˜No, that won’t do at all,’ said Maximus suddenly. He motioned the green-haired boy back with the others. ‘Master Sparkworth, please.’
    A boy about Twink’s height came forward, with bright crimson hair and white wings. He stood with his nose in the air, not looking at her.
    â€˜Perfect!’ exclaimed Maximus, clasping his hands together. ‘You two will be partners in the Friendship Dance. Now, who’s next?’ he continued. ‘Miss Wintersong, please step forward . . .’
    Twink stood uncertainly in place while Maximus decided on the other partners. Snow ended up with the first boy, and gave a little skip of delight. Twink rolled her eyes. She supposed he had been the ‘swoony’ one!
    While Maximus dithered over the final two pairs, Twink glanced at her own partner. She supposed she might as well be friendly, if they were going to be stuck together for the next two weeks.
    â€˜Hi, I’m Twink,’ she whispered. ‘What’s your name?’
    Slowly, the boy turned to face her. His lip curled as though he smelled something bad. ‘Why do you want to know?’ he drawled.
    â€˜Why?’ Twink gaped at him. ‘Well – we can’t call each other “Miss” and “Master” for two whole weeks, can we?’
    The boy sniffed. Why ever not? his expression seemed to say. ‘I’m Chauncey-Oberon,’ he said finally. ‘And I’m actually Master Sparkworth the Third , if you must know.’
    Chauncey-Oberon? What a funny, stuck-up name! ‘But your friends don’t call you that, do they?’ ventured Twink. ‘Don’t you have a nickname?’
    The boy glared at her. His school uniform included a long purple cape, and he swept it importantly over one arm. ‘As I said , I’m called Chauncey-Oberon. What’s wrong with that?’
    â€˜Nothing,’ said Twink, taken aback. ‘It’s just – well, it’s such a long name, so I thought –’
    â€˜What of it?’ demanded the boy. ‘Is Twink all you’re called? How common!’ He turned away, spreading his wings wide to block Twink out.

    Twink’s fists clenched as hot anger swept over her. What an awful boy! And she actually had to dance a friendship dance with him?
    She was still seething as Maximus formed the four partners into a square. ‘We shall learn the first steps today,’ he announced. ‘Everyone hold hands.’
    Gritting her teeth, Twink held Chauncey-Oberon’s hand as lightly as possible. At least he looked as revolted as she did.
    The portly fairy was surprisingly graceful as he demonstrated a series of moves. ‘Girls to the left . . . boys to the right . . . now turn!’ The footwork was tricky, and Twink had to concentrate to master it – a task made all the more difficult by Chauncey-Oberon’s sneers.
    â€˜ Do be careful,’ he hissed when she trod on his toes by mistake. Twink scowled. Next time, she’d stomp as hard as she could!
    An hour later, Twink’s head was whirling with new steps. She was relieved when Maximus finally clapped his hands, signalling for them to stop.
    â€˜We’ll begin again tomorrow morning, nine o’clock sharp,’ he said. ‘Now, follow the butterflies to your rooms – you have half an hour to freshen up before dinner. Make sure you all look presentable!’
    He gazed sternly at them, and then flitted away under a leafy arch. A pair of butterflies appeared – one bright blue, the other red. They bobbed in front of the young fairies.
    Jena laughed. ‘I suppose blue is for