Bugs and butterflies

Chapter One

Flying her fastest, Lila glimpsed a flash of sky-blue wings from out of the corner of her eye. Bella had almost caught up with her.

“I must somersault!” Lila told herself. “One, two, three, now.” And over she went.

“Careful, Lila!” Bella cried. “You’re supposed to tap my shoulder with your wand, not dig me in the ribs.”

“Sorry,” said Lila. “I really didn’t mean to.”

Today, the Star Clan fairies were having an important training session in the Bugs and Butterflies ring. Every single one of them wanted to be picked to play in the Star Clan team. Bugs and Butterflies was the school game at Silverlake Fairy School and a trophy cup would be presented to the winning clan team at the end of the year.

However, there were many matches to be won or lost before the champions would be decided. The present trophy holders were the fairies of the Sun Clan. But the fairies in the other three clans – Star, Moon and Clouds, were eager to win the cup for themselves. Yet before any of this could happen, the Star Clan team had to be selected and Lila and Bella badly wanted to be chosen.

Bella, one of Lila’s two best friends in Charm One, her first year class, was already an expert at the game. She had played for the Star Clan last year and was hoping to keep her place in the team. The first clan matches of the new school year were in three days’ time, which was why they were practising so hard.

“I don’t think I’m ever going to get the timing right,” Lila despaired, checking she hadn’t bent the purple star at the tip of her wand.

“Yes, you are,” Bella told her firmly. She was teaching Lila a special defensive somersault. “You went over too soon. It’s an easy mistake to make when someone’s chasing you. Wait a fraction of a second longer. Try again.”