After knocking over a jug of nectar in Potion class, spilled ink all over her spells in Spell Casting and Writing, and accidentally crushing a model of Fairy Cove, home to some of the most magical water in the world, it was finally time to go home. After copying down her homework, Virginia twirled open the lock on her locker and grabbed her bag and coat. She walked through the front doors and headed to her broom, only to find Melanie and her sidekicks, Jasmine and Penelope, standing in front of it.
“Excuse me,” said Virginia as she tried to step around the threesome.
“Not so fast,” said Jasmine, blocking her way.
“I hear that you entered the flying competition,” questioned Melanie suspiciously. “Is that true?”
Virginia looked nervously around. Other kids were too busy chatting with friends or mounting brooms to notice. She wished Charlotte was there! Unfortunately, Charlotte had a dentist appointment, and had left early. “Yes,” replied Virginia.
“As you know, I entered too, and I plan on winning this year like I do every other year. I don’t want to take any chances, so if you know what’s good for you, you’ll drop out of the competition right now.” Melanie said threateningly.
It’ll be easier just to quit, thought Virginia. “Oh- “ Virginia almost gave in, but then she remembered that the whole point of entering the competition was to show Melanie that she couldn’t always be the best.
“Why would I drop out?” said Virginia.
Melanie leaned close to Virginia.“Because I said so,” she snarled.
“Too bad. I wouldn’t drop out in a million years!” Virginia bolted through them, flung her leg over her broom, and raced off.
“She is a good flyer,” said Penelope, watching her fly off.
“I am not going to be beat by a girl who can’t even take two steps without tripping over herself.” Melanie said firmly. “And because she won’t quit, when the events start, Jasmine will jinx her broom.”
“I will?” said a slightly shocked Jasmine.
“Isn’t that against the rules?” Penelope asked nervously.
“They’ll never find out! Virginia won’t know what hit her, and the field will be so packed no one would ever see Jasmine jinxing her broom.”
“But she could get hurt!” Penelope said, obviously against the plan.
“She’ll be fine,” said Melanie who had started to walk towards her broom with Jasmine by her side.
“This won’t turn out well,” muttered Penelope under her breath as she raced after them.
The next day, nobody was as friendly and as happy as the week before. The broom competition was a huge deal, and competitors wouldn’t say anything-or anything nice - to the competition, lest they jinx themselves. Even students who had never flown a broom in their life had taken sides, rooting for their best friends or their favorite competitor.
At one thirty-five, Virginia and Charlotte were making their way through the halls to Fairy Speak class, taught by Ms. Flutterly. They had to learn how to communicate with fairies and other similar creatures in case they were put in a situation on the job. As they wound their way through the halls, a tall, dark haired girl a few years older than Virginia bumped into her, nearly knocking her over.
“Oops,” she said, sarcastically. Then, without another word she walked away. Virginia stared at her, confused.
“What was that about?” she asked Charlotte, slightly shocked.
“She’s your competition. Well, some of it, anyway. Her name is Vicki Sparks. Her parents make broomsticks. She’s in my level. I don’t know much about her, except for that she’s a crazy good flyer.”
Virginia paled. Charlotte hurried to assure her.
“But don’t worry. You just have to beat Melanie.”
Virginia’s face regained some of its color.
“Do you know any other of the contestants? I think I need to have some info on my opponents.”
“Okay, hold on, I’ll grab some paper and write down what I know. It’ll be easier for you to remember than if I just told you a bunch of names.” She fished a piece of paper out of her backpack and a pen, and began to scribble down information.
Sitting in the back of the language classroom, Charlotte, who was supposed to be translating sentences into fairy speak, scribbled the last few words down on the sheet of paper and, sneakily and silently, slid it across the table. Making sure Ms. Flutterly couldn’t see, Virginia stopped translating sentences and looked down at the paper. She began to read.
Vicki Sparks-Parents make brooms. Obsessed with flying. Not very nice. Extremely fast.
Susan Sprinkle-Takes private flying lessons every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. But, she only started flying two years ago. Very happy and bubbly.
“I can beat her,” thought Virginia. “I was put on a broom as soon as I could walk!” She returned to reading.
Sabrina Zapat- Whole family has broomsticks. Even her dog! Nice, but very competitive. Great at games.
Wendy Breezly- Mom was on the Maglimpic flying team. Fabulous at stunts.
Monica Shimmer - Last year, was on the championship winning Aerial Stunts team. Has mastered the triple corkscrew flip.
Charlotte had stopped writing there. In her mind, Virginia went over the information she had just read. “I can beat them,” she thought. “I just need a little more practice.” Virginia leaned over and whispered in Charlotte’s ear.
“Are you free this afternoon? We need to work on my flips.” In return, Charlotte gave her a thumbs up.