Power Play Read Online Free Page A

best teams in the league.
    â€˜Isn’t that right, Twink?’ said Miss Moonbeam’s voice.
    Twink started, looking up in alarm. The Mood Magic teacher raised an eyebrow, waiting. ‘I – I’m sorry, Miss Moonbeam. I wasn’t paying attention,’ admitted Twink.
    Laughter rippled across the branch as Miss Moonbeam winked at her. ‘Yes, I know. I was just saying that daydreaming is one of the easiest moods to slip into. I take it you agree?’
    Twink’s pointed ears grew warm. ‘Er . . . yes, I suppose I do.’
    â€˜Good! But let’s try for an alert, interested mood instead,’ said Miss Moonbeam. ‘Now, please open your books to page . . .’
    Twink managed to keep her mind on the class for the rest of the lesson, but the moment the magpie’s call echoed through the school, she leapt up and grabbed her things. The team was meeting in the Fledge log soon, and she wanted to be there before the others arrived.
    â€˜See you later, Bimi,’ she said quickly.
    Bimi nodded, her eyes shining. ‘Good luck, Twink. You’ll be great!’
    The wind whistled through her lavender wings as Twink raced down the trunk and then shot out into the spring sunshine. The Fledge log was used for team meetings, and was located on the edge of the playing field beside the changing log. To Twink’s annoyance, Romi was already there when she entered it.
    â€˜Oh,’ she said, fluttering to a halt. ‘Hi, Romi.’
    â€˜Hi,’ said Romi briskly. She was setting up a large oak leaf on an easel made of twigs. ‘I thought we might need this to write on,’ she said. ‘You know, to demonstrate set plays and that sort of thing.’
    What do you mean, ‘ we ’ ? thought Twink indignantly. The fact that it was a good idea just made her feel even more irritated. ‘Thanks,’ she said, putting her petal bag down.
    â€˜No problem.’ Romi took a seat on one of the bark benches and folded her wings behind her back.
    At least she didn’t look as if she planned to lead the meeting herself – Twink supposed she should be grateful for that! Some of the other team members started coming in then, and she put on a welcoming smile. ‘Hi, Cassi. Hi, Summer.’
    The orange-haired fairy was starry-eyed as she took in the Fledge log. ‘So this is what it’s like inside!’ she breathed, sinking down on to a bench. ‘I’ve often wondered.’
    Twink laughed. ‘It’s only a room with a few benches in it, really,’ she said. ‘But I know what you mean. It’s glimmery seeing it for the first time!’
    Soon all the team was there, apart from Vera and Zayna. Twink glanced out of the window, wondering what was keeping them. She began to feel very self-conscious. The rest of the team was watching her expectantly, with Romi sitting right in the front row. From the look on her face, she wasn’t at all surprised that things weren’t going to plan!
    Twink’s cheeks heated at the thought. ‘Er . . . let’s just wait a few more minutes for Vera and Zayna,’ she said, fiddling with a bit of chalk that Romi had brought to write with. ‘I’m sure they won’t be much longer.’
    Romi jumped up. ‘Shall I go and find them?’
    â€˜No, that’s all right,’ said Twink. ‘They must be on their way.’
    But the minutes crept by with no sign of them. Twink shifted awkwardly at the front of the log. Where were they?
    Finally she cleared her throat. ‘Um, Romi . . . maybe you’d better . . .’
    Just then Vera and Zayna appeared, wafting in with lazy wing strokes. They were chattering away together, apparently not bothered by the time in the least. ‘Yes, and so then I said –’ Vera broke off as she caught sight of Twink’s expression. ‘Oh, hi. We’re not late, are we?’

    â€˜Just a bit,’ said Twink