Flipped Star

Practice Makes Perfect part 2/5

Star dragged a giant book into the backyard of the Diaz house. Exhausted, she plopped the book on the grass, landing next to it.

The book was thick and enormous. Its brown cover adorned in an odd colourful symbol resembling a number eight. Two crystals were encased in the empty spaces inside the symbol. A lock kept the old pages closed. Which was an impressive task as countless papers were stuff between already numerous pages of the book.

"It's ok for that to lie on the grass?" Janna asked, peering at the tome.

"It will be fine," Star said, still panting. "This book is much sturdier than it might look."

"What even is it?" Jackie asked, sitting down on the grass. "And can I touch it?"

"Feel free," Star smiled, "It's my family's heirloom. Given from queen to next in line. The queens and princesses before my mother and I wrote their secrets and knowledge into its dusty old pages," Star explained with wistful pride.

"Oh, I see...." Jackie nodded.

"It's a book of spells. Star learns magic from it," Marco explained, sitting next to Star.

Star rolled her eyes. "That is technically correct."

"So you learn your magic from this book?" Janna asked, crouching next to the book and dragging her finger on the book's spine. The girl looked mesmerized by the ancient tome.

"It is one of the ways I learn magic." Star smiled brightly.

"What's the other?" Janna squinted.

"Do you have a private tutor or something?" Jackie speculated.

"Like the best private tutor ever," Marco said.

"Makes sense that you would have a teacher," Janna nodded, her hands resting on her knees. "Do you call them or something?"

"Of course, you would think she calls her teacher," Marco snickered, channelling his internal Pony Head.

"What?" Janna squinted, confused and miffed at the same time.

"It will be easier if I show you," Star explained.

Star pulled out her wand and tapped its head on the lock. The book swung open, its pages turning quickly. The book opened up in the middle. There was a picture—a very realistic picture of what looked like a bedroom. Clean and in pristine condition, the room had all the necessities. A queen-size bed, a drawing table, TV, a giant bean bag, A low table with a portable stove, a dresser, and a mirror. All of them in soft natural and pastel colours covered with rugs, blankets, and pillows. Next to the drawing table sat a hunched-over figure.

"Oh, that's a cute room," Jackie complimented.

"Thank you," The figure next to the drawing table said, lifting her head to reveal a blue face.

Jackie and Janna screeched, scurrying away for the book.

"Good afternoon, Gloss," Star greeted the moving drawing. "I'm sorry, but plans have changed. Is it ok if we practice some more magic today?"

Gloss squinted. "Sure we can." The blue creature flew out of the book into the real world.

Gloss was an odd lady, to say the least. The size of a small doll, she had dark blue skin. Her irises were diamond-shaped and magenta in colour. She had pointy ears, a big pointy nose, and a gem lodged into her forehead. Her clothing was a tunic with a simple cut and elaborate patterns. Her long white hair was tied into a set of three buns.

"Hey Gloss," Marco waved.

"Good morning, Marco. I hope you are having a fantastic day" Gloss nodded at the boy.