When the girls got home from school that day, they finished their homework and called each other to figure out where they’d meet to practice. After some discussion, it was decided that Virginia would fly to the park and Mrs. Sparkglow would drop off Charlotte. When they finished, Virginia would bring Charlotte home. Virginia arrived first to the park, then Charlotte. They walked to an area free of trees, and Virginia began to practice. She would perform a trick, then Charlotte would criticize or compliment it. They continued on like this for about an hour until Virginia landed after a loop-de-loop and collapsed.
“Soo....dizzy...,”she said, dazed.
“Why don’t we rest and then finish up?” suggested Charlotte. “Your flips and spirals are looking fabulous.” The girls had some water, and when Virginia could walk without going in circles, went home. Wednesday after school they followed the same routine, only instead of flips, Virginia worked on broom games. Virginia would play against Charlotte and Georgia, who had agreed to come along. Charlotte and georgia both were hopeless at broom related activities, so Virginia easily beat them every time. They practiced BucketBall, similar to human basketball, and Squort Tag, where the competitors had to chase a small enchanted ball called a Squort and trap it in a magical bubble. Everyone was exhausted after the last game. Virginia slept well that night, with dreams filled with BucketBall, Squort Tag, and aerial acrobatics.
It seemed as though just after Virginia fell asleep Wednesday night, Thursday came. Grudgingly, she got out of bed and got ready for school. After eating breakfast and getting dressed, her mom flew her to school. As Virginia was getting her binders and books out of her locker, she spotted Charlotte. “Hey!” she called, brightening at the sight of her best friend. Charlotte smiled and waved back, but her thoughts seemed elsewhere. Virginia was puzzled for a moment, but then forgot about it. Unknown to her, Charlotte was in the midst of a tricky situation.
Charlotte had arrived at school before the bell to ask her teacher a question. As she walked towards her classroom, she had come across Melanie and Jasmine in the hall. The two girls were whispering to each other. Having a feeling her presence would not have been appreciated, Charlotte shrunk into the wall, just close enough to catch the conversation.
“So you remember the plan?” said Melanie in a hushed tone to Jasmine.
“I think I got it. When you take off at the start of the race, I jinx Virginia’s broom. When she lands-or falls- I stop, and try to sound as concerned as possible.”
“Exactly. And just jinx her during the race- that’s the event I’m most worried about. Don’t forget- no one can hear about it or see a thing. Make sure of that. Got it?”
“Got it.”
At that point, Charlotte had hurried away to her classroom, debating what to do. When Virginia had waved to her by the lockers, Charlotte had decided on her plan. She wouldn’t tell Virginia, because it might make her very nervous before the competition. She would, however, block Jasmine’s jinx, keeping Virginia safe from whatever harm Melanie wanted to fall on her. Satisfied with her plan, Melanie went through the day without giving it a second thought.
Later that day during lunch, another decision was made. After hearing Melanie and Jasmine muttering about their plan to each other, Penelope decided to help Virginia instead of going along with Melanie and Jasmine’s plan. Virginia’s odds were looking good.