Secrets (BOOK 2)

COLD SHOULDER

Zia here! Gotta tell you guys, since I am co-writing this series, I am in charge of books 2, 4, 6, and part of 7. There is a total of seven books in the series. Since this is a fairy world, there are some terms that I make up... randomly...

The sun sat high in the sky. I sat down on the dock of the Woodland Harbor, where Water fairies created waves for the children, and the men giving others a boat ride. Pippi, Sarah, and Chase were all at the Jugglebean Garden. I wanted so badly to be there, but the Jugglebeans gave me the worst case of a cold.

Pippi had just turned 16, who was just a couple older than her best friend, Sarah, but in a couple months the princess would be 16 as well. I was 14 then, stuck 2 years behind my sister. 

I dipped my toes in the water. It was cool, like fresh snow, unlike Fraunce, where the water scalded any tourist not used to it’s temperature. Pippi couldn’t stand the Woodland Sea. 

Speaking of Pippi, she, Sarah and Chase emerged from the path and on to the harbor. They were finishing exchanging goodbyes with Chase. I stood up, shaking off the water collected on my feet. “Pippi,” I begin. 

“Save it for the flight.” She counters. “Relax, Pippi. We’ll fix you up in no time.” Sarah coos, steering her over to the flight pad. “Jugglebean?” I ask Sarah. If one gets to much sunlight, it bites the nearest fairy, and dies.

“Yeah.” She whispers. We walk to the flight pad, and wait for the signal. The pilot, an air fairy, raises a green leaf. I flutter my wings, and take to the sky.

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The instant we land back in Fairy Jewel, Pippi and Sarah rush off the medical tree. I stand for a moment, then decide to go find Lany, my best friend and Sarah’s younger sister.  I expected to find her in the Palace’s music room, being a music fairy and all.

Sure enough, Lany was playing the piano. Her tiny fingers moved delicately across the keys, creating beautiful music. She noticed me, and stopped. She turns around. 

“Hey Kate, have you been working on that piece I gave you?” she asks. I sighed. “Kind of, but I don’t have a piano.” Lany stands up. “Would you like to try?” she requested, pointing to the piano.

“No, thanks. I’m not really in the mood... I came to hang out, you know?” I say, sitting on another practicing bench. Lany sits back down on her piano seat. “Fine with me.” She says, smiling. 

“Sarah and Pippi are at the medical tree, Jugglebean incident.” I said, head down. Lany nods. “OK, cool. Hey, do you want to go get a Sparkle Pop or something?” she asks. I nod vigorously. “Please, I’ve been dying to do something all day!” I yelled, jumping up, pumping my fist in the air.

We walked back outside, taking in the evening breeze. I glanced around. Pippi and Sarah are walking down the sidewalk. They laugh, but when Pippi spots me, she stops and glares, then continues talking. Lany and I continued to the fountain, where I first met her.

Pippi’s been really cold to me since her birthday, when we were back in Fraunce. Sarah and Lany had come with us, but Parasela stayed in Fairy Jewel. I felt kinda bad for her, since we are kind of close, but she had secondary school. 

I had left Pip’s rather large party to meet up with some old friends. Pippi was livid when I got back, lecturing me on how important a 16th birthday was. 

Me and Lany finally reached the refreshment stand, and we each order a Sparkle Pop. We walk back around Entree Square, then part ways when Lany starts to get cold. I shiver a little, too. 

That’s funny, I thought, Fire fairies never get cold...

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I stand quietly at the foot of my bed. A picture of me and Lany sits on the weathered chest, one I got from Mother Nature. I pick it up, remembering the day we took the photo. It was the date of her birthday. She was dressed in a golden gown, hair pinned up, with prominent curls flowing behind. I was in my average white tank and red skirt, yellow belt tight around my waist. The only thing different that day, was the fact that I wore a necklace my mother gave me. A diamond, the color of snow, sparkling in the same way. That was the first time I ever wore it. 

My actual mother had to give me to Lavern, ruler of Fraunce. She didn’t have time to care for me, nor did my father, who was never at home. I was only 2, so I didn’t understand this until Lavern explained.

Suddenly Pippi barges in. I drop the picture in surprise, cracking the glass. 

“You, you-” Pippi screams, pointing a finger at me. I back away from her, but she pins me to the wall. I felt her hot breath in my face, like a dragon fighting a prince. “You... Monster!” she yells, breathing heavily between words. I notice she’s dripping wet. “Get off of me!” I demand, pushing her away. I start to steam in the points where she touched me.  “I filing a communication request, and it’s going straight to Mother!” she bellows, storming out. I slowly inch to my bed, clutching my boiling wounds. I attempt to figure out why Pip was go mad, and why she was wet. 

Of course.

The firework show.

I had signed up for a couple weeks ago, not writing it down so I could remember. Fire fairies set off fireworks on the longest daytime of the year. That day was today. A whole 16 hours of light, and in the first hour of dark, us fire fairies set off the fire works. I volunteered to get the water and set it out uncontrolled flames. Now since I missed the show, I guess Pippi had to get the water. 

We all know what happens when Pippi gets wet. 

I go outside, and see the Butterfly Garden’s gate lay on the sidewalk, red hot and burnt. Pippi must’ve had a fit, of course. Mother Nature has her face in her hands, shaking her head. Sarah is consulting Pippi, and my sister’s head looks around vigorously. When she sees me, she points and starts yelling.I can vaguely hear the words coming from her mouth. “It’s all her fault! That stupid girl can’t take anything seriously!” 

I frown, and turn back, running to the palace.

I guess it’s a good thing Mother Nature had gotten used to Pippi’s extremely short temper, or we’d be kicked out of Fairy Jewel. I look out the window of the music room, where I was lodged. Carpenter fairies fly in from Woodland, and the gate is back up in no time. The spectators leave, and the royal chariot carries Mother Nature back to the palace. 

I head to the music room to look for Lany. She wasn’t there. Without checking her room, I sit down at the grand piano, a white one, with sparkling keys, roses and vines etched on the legs. A small piece of music sits on the stand. It’s called “Forest Waltz”. The eighth notes are single, scattered slurs and triplets galore. I’ve never played the piano before, but I know the notes, and the keys.   I place my fingers on the graceful piano, and start.

Soon I find more music, more difficult and longer ones. Eventually, light shines through the stained glass windows. Lany walks in around 5:30 in the morning, not surprised to see me.

“I heard you playing last night. Put me right to sleep, it was so beautiful. I can barely make myself tired.

I smile. “You’re the one playing!” I say. Lany smiles. “I’ve done it before.” She says, laughing.

We walk down to the dining hall, where royal guards and scribes eat. I follow Lany to the buffet. “That’s a lot of food, should we bring some to Parasela? Pippi will probably come to Brunch with Sarah.” she says. I breathe a sigh of relief. “Good, I think Pippi wants to avoid me as much as possible.” Lany gives a small chuckle, and we grab our plates, heading for the large door.