Flying High by Titania Woods Page A

Lightwing looked like her face would crack if she ever really smiled!
    Twink’s father untied the oak-leaf bag that held her belongings from Brownie’s back. ‘Here you are, Twinkster. Your mum and I will leave now, and let you explore.’
    Her mother kissed her cheek. ‘Send us a butterfly every week, darling. And remember that your father and I will be at the Fairy Medics’ Meeting at the end of term. We’ll send someone to pick you up and bring you home for the holidays.’
    â€˜I’ll remember.’ Twink’s eyes burned as their wings circled her warmly. Both of her parents were Fairy Medics, and Twink was hugely proud of them. She was going to miss them so much! But she wouldn’t cry. Crying was as babyish as riding mice.
    Then she felt guilty and gave Brownie a quick hug, wrapping her arms around his soft fur. It wasn’t his fault that only baby fairies rode mice!
    After a final squeeze, her parents flew away, waving over their shoulders. Brownie trotted along below them attached by a long cord.
    â€˜Tell Teena that I’ll write to her, too,’ Twink called after them. Teena, her little sister, was extremely impressed that Twink had gone to Glitterwings Academy to school. Twink smiled as she thought of Teena, and lifted her chin, determined to enjoy herself.
    â€˜Right, let’s get you sorted,’ said Mrs Lightwing. She steered Twink towards the ornate front door. Twink’s wings rubbed together as she gazed up at the spreading branches. What would Glitterwings be like inside? .

    â€˜Here’s another of our first-year fairies.’ Mrs Lightwing beckoned to a fairy with long lavender hair. ‘She’s in Daffodil Branch, too.’
    The fairy came running up, and Twink recognised the other mouse-rider she had seen earlier. The two girls smiled at each other as Mrs Lightwing introduced them. She was called Sooze, and Twink liked the look of her instantly. She had a bright, friendly face and sparkling eyes.
    â€˜I’ll leave you girls here,’ said Mrs Lightwing. ‘Go inside and take two of the birds up to Daffodil Branch. You can choose your beds there; Mrs Hover will take care of you.’ She flew off, consulting her clipboard.
    Sooze laughed. ‘We’re opposites!’ she said. And all at once Twink saw what she meant. Where Twink had pink hair and lavender wings, Sooze had lavender hair and pink wings. Both girls had pale rose-coloured skin, and violet eyes. They laughed delightedly, looking at each other.
    Sooze hooked her arm through Twink’s. ‘We’ll have to be friends, then. Opposites for ever!’
    Twink’s heart sang as they skipped towards the school. She had never dreamed that she’d find a friend so soon. And Sooze seemed just the sort of friend she would have wished for.
    The two fairies went through the grand double doors. Twink stopped short, staring upwards. Sooze laughed. ‘Haven’t you seen it before, then? My sister goes here, so it’s nothing new to me!’
    Twink couldn’t answer. She stood with her head back, drinking in Glitterwings.
    The inside of the oak was smooth and hollow, and seemed filled with a golden light. Up and up it went, like the highest of towers, with brightly lit corridors shooting off in every direction, as far up as Twink could see. Those were the tree’s branches, she realised. Fairies flittered everywhere, swooping and flying, darting in and out of the corridors like hummingbirds.
    â€˜It’s beautiful!’ Twink gasped.
    Sooze nodded. ‘It’s great, isn’t it? Come on, let’s get the birds and go and see our branch!’ She tugged at Twink’s hand. Near the door, a small squad of grey and yellow tits stood waiting, with jaunty red saddles perched on their backs.

    Sooze hopped on the nearest one, and Twink followed, settling her bag in front of her. Her bird cocked its head, regarding her with a shiny