Leona''s Unlucky Mission by Ahmet Zappa, Shana Muldoon Zappa & Ahmet Zappa Page B

Wishworld creature and dashed around the arts building, to the edge of the school grounds.
    â€œWell, I’ll be starstruck!” she said. She was right. She was not alone!
    â€œVega!” She ran up to give her fellow Star Darling a hug. “What on Wishworld are you doing here?”
    â€œLeona! Star greetings!” Her eyes widened as she took in Leona’s sparkly self. “Wow are you sure no one else but us sees us sparkly?”
    Leona shrugged. “That’s what Sage and Libby said. Plus, no one’s mentioned it!”
    Vega grimaced. “And that outfit! Is that
plaid
? Oh, no! Did your Wishworld Outfit Selector break?”
    â€œOh, this.” Leona looked down. She’d almost gotten used to the whole jacket-tie-kilt thing. “It’s a ‘uniform.’ Everyone wears them at this school, I’m afraid.”
    â€œOh, dear…Star apologies,” said Vega. She took Leona’s hands in hers. “At least it’s just for a little while. Is that the wish you’re here to grant? To get rid of them?”
    â€œNo. I wondered that, too, at first.” Leona shook her head and shrugged. “But why are
you
here?” she asked Vega. “My mission’s almost done!”
    Vega’s nose scrunched and her mouth twisted. “Yes, about that…” she began. “Actually, the thing is…your wish…it actually appears to be a bit off track….Not that it’s your fault or anything!” she added quickly. “We all know this is one of the hardest jobs in the universe! What can you expect? We’re all new to wish granting, after all, and it’s happened every time.”
    â€œNot this time!” declared Leona. “Sorry to disappoint you, Vega, but my wish couldn’t be more sure of being granted. Everything’s going startacularly well! I’ve identified my Wisher and her wish, and in”—she checked her Star-Zap—“approximately nine starhours, her wish will be officially granted. I don’t know what kind of signals Lady Stella was receiving, but feel free to take your star home and tell her they were wrong. Or stay! That would be stellar!” She gave Vega’s hands a squeeze. “Then you can be here to see me not only rock this wish, but”—she shimmied excitedly—“sing!”
    Vega tilted her head. “This wish…are you sure about it?”
    â€œWhat do you mean? Of course I’m sure!”
    â€œI mean…are you sure the wish is truly your
Wisher’s
wish?”
    â€œLike I said, of course I’m sure. Who else’s would it be?”
    â€œI don’t know…” said Vega. “All I know is that the energy levels were indicating that something was amiss. That’s why I’m here. Maybe if I stay, I can help you figure it out.”
    Gently, Leona let Vega’s hands go. “Suit yourself. But you’ll have to change.” She nodded at Vega’s silk-smooth blue shift.
    â€œRight…” Vega looked down at her pretty new dress and made a face. “But how? I don’t think I have anything like your uniform in my Wishworld Outfit Selector.” She checked. “Not even close.”
    â€œI know,” said Leona. “We’ll just say you’re visiting. That you’re just thinking of going to this school. But let’s hurry!” She cheerfully linked her arm with Vega’s. “My Wisher’s waiting for me to rehearse!”
    Vega followed Leona to the music building. “Nice place, this school,” she remarked. “You know, it reminds me a little of Old Prism.”
    â€œReally?” Leona glanced around. “They have buildings there like this?” She had never been to Old Prism, one of the oldest settlements on Starland, although it was a popular place for tourists to go. She couldn’t imagine any architecture on Starland being so rectangular,