Read Online Sister Secrets by Titania Woods - Free Book Online Page B

‘I – I’ve got everything all wrong this term.’
    Miss Twilight listened quietly as Twink told her all that had happened. After a moment, Sooze stopped frowning at the ceiling and glared at Twink instead. Twink faltered, and soon found herself mumbling her story to the floor.
    â€˜You did what? ’ burst out Sooze when Twink described how she’d attempted to get Teena and Summer together. She leapt to her feet, wings trembling. ‘I can’t believe you tried to stop Zuzu and Teena from being friends!’
    Twink glanced at Miss Twilight, but their Star Magic teacher sat without speaking, watching them both carefully. Twink swallowed. ‘I know,’ she said. ‘I was wrong, Sooze. I – I thought Zuzu was just like you, and that Teena might get hurt –’
    She stopped in confusion. Sooze looked as if she had just been slapped. ‘Oh!’ she whispered. ‘You mean . . .’ Sudden tears sprang to her eyes, and she looked away, hiding her face with her wings.
    â€˜Oh, Sooze !’ gasped Twink, horrified. Sooze, who never cried!
    She jumped up, wanting to comfort Sooze in some way, but afraid she’d be rebuffed. ‘I – I’m really sorry –’ she stammered. ‘Sooze, you’re one of my best friends now, you know you are! It’s just that – you know, our first term together . . .’
    Sooze wiped her eyes, and tried to laugh. ‘Yeah, I know – I was a real wasp brain back then. Not as big a one as you’ve been this term, though,’ she added fiercely.
    Twink nodded. ‘I know,’ she murmured. ‘I was stupid, Sooze, I really was! But – I was only trying to protect Teena.’
    Sooze snorted. ‘Protect her! Why, Zuzu’s one of the nicest fairies I know. Your sister’s lucky to have her for a friend.’
    â€˜I know that now,’ said Twink. She put her hand on Sooze’s arm. ‘I’m really sorry,’ she said. ‘I’ll apologise to Zuzu again, too. Can we still be friends, Sooze? Please?’ She held her breath.
    Sooze scowled at the wall for a moment, and then sighed and rolled her eyes. ‘Oh, I suppose so,’ she said. ‘I’ve got used to having you around, Opposite, so we might as well keep on being friends – even if you do act like a total moss brain sometimes.’
    â€˜Thanks,’ said Twink softly, squeezing Sooze’s hand. All at once she felt she couldn’t have borne it if she and Sooze hadn’t been friends any more – she needed her Opposite, in a way that even Bimi couldn’t fulfil.
    .

    .
    â€˜Good,’ said Miss Twilight. Standing up from her desk, she stretched her wings. They glistened like pieces of evening sky.
    â€˜I do like it when students solve their own problems – it saves me so much work!’ she smiled. ‘Now get to bed, you two . . . before I remember that you weren’t supposed to be up on that platform outside lesson time.’
    As Twink and Sooze left Miss Twilight’s office, a hissing whisper pierced the air.
    â€˜Psst! Twink!’
    Twink spun about. ‘Teena!’ she said in surprise as her little sister emerged from the shadows.
    Sooze grinned. ‘I’ll see you up in Violet Branch, Twink. Looks like you’ve got some talking to do.’
    As Sooze flew away up the trunk, Twink quickly drew Teena over to one of the moonlit windows. ‘What are you doing here?’ she demanded. ‘You’re supposed to be in bed!’
    Teena lifted her chin. ‘Well, I’m already in so much trouble that I didn’t think it would matter much. And – and besides, I wanted to make sure you were all right.’
    Twink’s eyes widened. ‘Make sure I’m all right? But that’s what I’m supposed to do with you! I’m the big sister, remember?’
    â€˜I’m supposed to look out for you as well,’ said Teena