Project Starfae

~ Chapter 5 ~

Third Person, Following Sophie

It was a relief to reach the safety of the Level Two wing, which was packed with prodigies running around, popping the prize-filled bubbles. She poked a bubble floating by her locker and a box of Prattles dropped into her hands.

"Good catch," Dex said, running up beside her. He jumped for a bubble but didn't quite reach it. Before he could try again, Stina shoved by, raised a bony arm, and popped it.

She waved the bottle of lushberry juice in Dex's face. "Must get frustrating being shorter than the average dwarf."

Sophie snorted. "This coming from someone who looks like a giant lollipop. If your head gets any bigger, you'll topple over."

Dex cracked up.

"Awfully brave words coming from a girl who's going to flunk out of here today," Stina growled.

Sophie opened her mouth but couldn't find a snappy comeback. Stina could be right, and Sophie was trying very hard not to think about that. Especially after Tiergan's comment.

"Says the one who's got nothing but air and a sense of self-righteousness in her head." A new but familiar voice scoffed from behind them.

They all whipped around to find Shaylie standing there with her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed at Stina.

"Some confident words coming from an abandoned little birdie." Stina shot back.

"Well unlike you, I don't need to work to gain approval." Shaylie retorted.

"Yeah, just go away Stina." Sophie put in a bit weakly, slightly intimidated by the rising tension.

Stina giggled. "Alright. Enjoy your last day at Foxfire, loser." She bumped Sophie into the wall and stalked away.

Sophie watched Stina leave before she turned to Shaylie. However, Shaylie had already disappeared along with her thinking cap that had been hanging on her locker, full of presents moments before.

Third Person, Following Elora

Shaylie walked to the group just as she heard Keefe say: "'Dear Sophie. I really enjoyed our dance, and I hope we can do it again sometime. Love, Valin.'"

"Who's Valin?" Dex asked just as she arrived with all her presents.

"Vice president of the Sophie Foster Fan Club. Don't worry, I'm president, so I'll take care of her." Keefe responded in a proud voice.

"Wrong!" Shaylie said, announcing her presence. "I'm the president of the Sophie Foster Fan Club, your vice president and Valin is the secretary." Her statement was met with laughter from the group. "I've come with gifts by the way!" She announced, to which everyone gathered eagerly.

Shaylie handed a small wrapped box to Marella first.

"Gee, Shaylie. I should've worked harder on your gift." Marella whined the moment she saw the hair charms.

"Nah, don't fuss about it." She retorted as she handed a larger, flat gift to Venera.

"Thanks, Shaylie!" Venera said, immediately knowing what it was.

"I had to, you gave me no choice." Shaylie pointed out with a grin.

For Dex, she gave him a new set of vials that came along with some rare alchemy ingredients; for Fitz, she gave him a small crystal charm shaped to the Vacker family crest; for Biana, Shaylie gave her a rose-quartz like, light-weight crystal barrette in the form of a rose.

"Here, Sophie." She said, handing Sophie a small box wrapped in a misty blue ribbon. "Go on, open it."

Shaylie watched as Sophie opened the box and her brown eyes became wide with awe.