Midnight Feast by Titania Woods

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    Chapter One
    â€˜Look!’ cried Teena. She stood up in her stirrups, pointing eagerly as Glitterwings Academy came into view. ‘There it is! I see it!’
    Flying up above with her parents, Twink Flutterby looked down at her little sister and smiled. That was me last term, she thought. Riding on a mouse because I couldn’t fly yet, and so excited to be seeing Glitterwings!
    Twink’s mother stopped and hovered, her eyes shining. ‘Oh, isn’t it lovely! When I was a student here, I always thought Glitterwinffffgfggs was at its very prettiest in the summer term.’
    â€˜You used to say that every term, if I recall!’ teased Twink’s father. His dark purple hair fell over his forehead as he grinned at his wife.
    Privately, Twink thought her mother was right. The great oak tree that housed Glitterwings Academy was in full leaf, its strong branches basking in the sun. The tiny windows that wound up its trunk sparkled like dewdrops, and the grand double doors at its base seemed to gleam.
    â€˜Come on,’ said Twink’s father, glancing at the sun. ‘We still have quite a way to go after we drop Twink off, if we’re to get to Mother’s before dinner.’
    Twink’s spirits plummeted at his words. She had been trying not to think about her family going to Gran’s without her, but now she couldn’t avoid it. She trailed along after her parents as they skimmed over the bright field of wildflowers that encircled the school.
    As they landed, Twink saw crowds of excited fairies flitting about Glitterwings like hummingbirds, shouting welcomes to each other. No one from Daffodil Branch seemed to be there yet, though, and for a moment Twink felt very alone.
    â€˜We’ll send you a butterfly when we get to Gran’s,’ Twink’s mother said. She gave Twink a tight hug, her wings folding warmly around her. ‘Have a wonderful birthday, darling. I’m sorry we can’t be with you on the day, but I’m sure you’ll have a good time with your friends.’
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    Twink forced a smile. ‘Oh, it’ll be glimmery! I can hardly wait.’
    â€˜That’s the spirit, Twinkster.’ Her father hugged her, too, and Twink knew that she hadn’t fooled him. He handed her her oak-leaf bag and ruffled her bright pink hair. ‘Have a good term, love. We’ll see you soon.’
    Twink waved as hard as she could as her family departed. Teena twisted about in Brownie’s stirrups, shouting goodbyes until they had all disappeared from view.
    Twink’s hand dropped to her side. Her bright lavender wings drooped. That was that, then. Her family was gone.
    â€˜Twink!’ cried a voice.
    Twink spun quickly about, and saw her best friend. ‘Bimi!’ The two girls embraced, lifting off the grass as their wings fluttered excitedly.
    â€˜Isn’t it great to be back?’ laughed Bimi. ‘I never thought I’d miss this place when I first came here, but I really did – everything at home just seemed boring!’
    Twink’s smile slipped away. She dropped back to the ground with a thump. ‘Yes, I – I suppose so,’ she said.
    Bimi landed beside her, staring. ‘You suppose so? Twink, what’s wrong?’
    â€˜Oh, nothing.’ All at once tears threatened. Twink made a face, trying desperately not to cry. She didn’t want to say what was wrong – she knew how stupid and babyish it would sound.
    Bimi’s eyes were full of concern. She drew Twink quickly away behind a cluster of bluebells. The fragrant blossoms cast soft shadows over the grass, shielding the two girls from prying eyes.
    â€˜Twink, you have to tell me!’ insisted Bimi. ‘What is it?’
    Twink wiped her eyes. ‘It’s – it’s my birthday on Friday.’
    Bimi looked confused. ‘What’s so bad about that?’
    Twink felt a lump in her throat. She took a deep breath.