New Girl Read Free Page A

is,’ she said, pointing to their year head – a serious-looking fairy with gauzy white wings you could almost see through. ‘Come on.’
    Picking up their bags, they flitted across to where Miss Sparkle stood on one of the tree roots. She ticked them off her clover-leaf pad without a smile.
    â€˜Miss Sparkle, do you know if Kiki Moonglow has arrived yet?’ Bimi’s pretty cheeks reddened slightly. ‘She’s a new second-year student . . . our mums are friends, and my mum told me to watch out for her.’
    â€˜I see.’ Miss Sparkle still didn’t smile, but her dour expression lightened slightly. She consulted her clover pad. ‘Yes, she’s here. She’s going to be in Peony Branch as well.’
    â€˜Oh, she’s in our branch! How funny!’ burst out Bimi.
    Twink couldn’t say anything. It felt as if she had turned to stone.
    â€˜She’s just over there saying goodbye to her mother, if you want to go over,’ continued Miss Sparkle. ‘I’m sure she’ll be glad to see some friendly faces.’
    Dreading what she might see, Twink looked over to where Miss Sparkle had pointed with her wing. A fairy with long, curly lilac hair and purple wings stood on the lawn nearby, talking to an older fairy who was clearly her mum.
    A chill swept over Twink. It was her! The fairy from the crystal.
    â€˜Ooh, yes, that’s Mirabel Moonglow!’ said Bimi. ‘Come on, Twink, let’s go and say hello.’
    Feeling like she was in a nightmare, Twink flitted slowly along behind Bimi. Her friend was too excited to notice the expression on her face – which was just as well, since Twink knew that her smile must look more like a sickly grimace.
    â€˜Hello, Mrs Moonglow!’ said Bimi as she landed. ‘Do you remember me? I’m –’
    â€˜Bimi!’ exclaimed the woman. ‘Of course I know you; you look just like your mum.’
    .

    .
    It was easy to see that Mrs Moonglow used to be a model, thought Twink, hovering uncertainly to one side. She was very tall, with wavy purple hair and shimmering violet wings. Her leafy green dress swirled gracefully about her.
    â€˜Bimi, this is Kiki, my daughter,’ went on Mrs Moonglow, putting her hand on the curly-haired fairy’s shoulder.
    â€˜Hi!’ said Kiki. Close up, Twink could see that the new girl had a sprinkling of freckles across her nose. She wore a stylish rose-petal dress, and had a bright, friendly smile.
    â€˜Hi, Kiki – welcome to Glitterwings!’ said Bimi, touching wings with her. ‘I’m sure you’ll like it much better here than at Emerald Leaf. I’ve heard that the fairies there are horrible. ’
    â€˜Don’t remind me!’ laughed Kiki. ‘But Mum said your mum is always saying how much you love it here at Glitterwings, so I thought I’d give it a try.’
    â€˜Oh, it’s the best school in the world!’ said Bimi earnestly. ‘Isn’t it, Twink? Oh, sorry – this is my friend Twink Flutterby,’ she added to Kiki and her mum. ‘We’re all going to be in Peony Branch together!’
    â€˜Hi,’ said Twink. Her smile felt like it might crumble away into dust. ‘Yeah, it’s . . . it’s really glimmery. You’ll love it here.’
    â€˜Well, I can see that you girls have it all under control,’ laughed Mrs Moonglow. ‘Goodbye, Kiki – have a good term!’
    After Mrs Moonglow had flown away, Bimi turned to Kiki. ‘Come on, we’ll show you where our branch is, and then we can give you a quick tour of the school!’
    â€˜Glimmery!’ Kiki picked up a bulging oak-leaf bag. ‘I’m so glad you go to this school too, Bimi. It’s great to have someone to show me around.’
    â€˜I’m happy to do it!’ said Bimi. ‘You can ask us anything you want – can’t she, Twink?’ Bimi’s bright smile faded