Read Online Friends Forever by Titania Woods - Free Book Online Page A

in the Common Branch, clamouring to know everything. Twink told the story as best she could, with Bimi adding bits here and there. When she had finished, there was silence.
    â€˜That’s . . . the most amazing story I’ve ever heard,’ said Sooze finally.
    Pix nodded earnestly. ‘Twink, I never thought anyone could trust a wasp. But you two were really friends, weren’t you? We all saw how he saved you.’
    â€˜Well, I’m just glad you didn’t listen to us!’ exclaimed Sili, fluttering her wings. ‘The poor thing – he might have died if you hadn’t helped him.’
    Twink smiled with relief. Her friends understood; they didn’t hate her after all.
    But then her smile faded. She still had no idea what Miss Shimmery would decide. And what on earth would her parents say? They had always taught her that rules were meant to be respected.
    Oh, please don’t let me be expelled from Glitterwings, she thought fervently, clenching her fists. Please!

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    Chapter Nine
    The next day Glitterwings Academy was abuzz with excitement. First there had been the drama of Twink and the wasp, and now their projects were due! The Great Branch was filled with items of every shape and description – beautiful paintings, petal sheets of music, cunning new inventions. The fairies ran from one to the other, exclaiming with delight.
    â€˜Oh, Bimi!’ cried Twink when she saw her friend’s completed project. ‘It’s wonderful!’ The tapestry seemed alive, sparkling with images that told the history of the fairies in bright, dancing colours.
    â€˜It’s really OK, isn’t it?’ said Bimi with a grin.
    â€˜Better than OK – it’s completely glimmery!’ Twink ran a finger over Queen Mab’s wings, admiring the delicate stitching. ‘I wish I’d had time to do a project, too,’ she said wistfully. ‘I’m the only fairy in the whole school who didn’t.’
    Bimi laughed. ‘At least you didn’t try to scrape something together at the last minute, like Mariella! She looks as sick as a fly now.’
    Twink bit back a smile. Mariella was standing beside a hastily scribbled drawing with a sour expression on her face. Sooze high-kicked her way past her, showing off her dance. ‘What’s wrong, Mosquito Nose? Doesn’t anyone love your project?’
    â€˜Oh, flap off,’ snapped Mariella. ‘At least I’m not going to get expelled, like some fairies!’ She and Lola collapsed into giggles as Twink winced.
    â€˜Ignore them,’ whispered Bimi.
    Twink tried to smile. ‘She’s probably right, though, isn’t she?’
    â€˜Your attention!’ called Miss Shimmery from the front of the Great Branch. ‘Everyone be seated, please!’
    The HeadFairy stood on a large blue mushroom that Miss Petal had grown for her. Her injured wing, though well on the mend, still looked slightly crumpled in the light of the glow-worms.
    â€˜Now then,’ smiled Miss Shimmery once everyone was seated. ‘I think we can all agree that the projects are an amazing success. Please give yourselves a big round of flutters!’
    The fairies cheered, clapping their wings together. The flowers over each table danced in the sudden breeze, and Twink felt her breath catch. It was so beautiful here! How could she bear it if she had to leave Glitterwings for ever?
    â€˜It’s been a difficult choice, but we’ve decided on the winners from each year,’ continued Miss Shimmery. ‘Mrs Lightwing, would you announce the first-year winners?’
    Mrs Lightwing shot up into the air, hovering above the platform. Trying to hide her smile, she said, ‘The third-place winner for the first year is . . . Jani Sunbeam, who made a beautiful water fountain for the Common Branch! Come and get your sparkle mark, Jani.’
    A small green-haired fairy from Snowdrop Branch flitted to the platform