Adora Finds a Friend

by Ahmet Zappa

  “You know,” Leona continued, a note of pride creeping into her voice, “I did grant a double wish. So the pendant could still have had some energy. But now we’ll never know.”

  “Why wouldn’t Lady Stella try to fix the Wish Pendant?” asked Scarlet, sounding like Cassie’s uncle’s fictional detective. She moved to stand next to Leona. Then she actually linked her arm through the other Starling’s. “Lady Stella wants the pendant to stay broken. She doesn’t want the energy. That would help the energy crisis. And she doesn’t want it to help because—”

  “She’s responsible for it!” Leona finished.

  Some girls gasped. Some nodded. No one spoke in Lady Stella’s defense.

  Slowly, Adora stood up to join Scarlet and Leona. She’d thought and she’d thought; she’d gone over the evidence again and again her last night on Wishworld. And now she’d drawn a conclusion.

  This was the final proof she needed. “I’m with you,” she told them.

  One by one, the other Star Darlings stood up to form a tight circle. Sage, the last to stand, looked grim. The Star Darlings linked arms, frowning, teary, determined.

  “We know what we have to do,” said Cassie. The girls all nodded.

  Adora thought about lies and truths, about right and wrong. In the end, the evidence was clear. There were no fuzzy half-truths. No little light lies. Lady Stella was guilty.

  And the Star Darlings had to turn her in.

  Astromuffin: A delicious baked breakfast treat.

  Azurica: Adora’s Power Crystal—rectangular blue pillars of various sizes dangling from a golden dome.

  Bad Wish Orbs: Orbs that are the result of bad or selfish wishes made on Wishworld. These grow dark and warped and are quickly sent to the Negative Energy Facility.

  Big Dipper Dormitory: Where third- and fourth-year students live.

  Bitbat: A small winged nocturnal creature.

  Bot-Bot: A Starland robot. There are Bot-Bot guards, waiters, deliverers, and guides on Starland.

  Bright-burner: A heating apparatus used in chemistry experiments.

  Bright Day: The date a Starling is born, celebrated each year like a Wishling birthday.

  Celestial Café: Starling Academy’s outstanding cafeteria.

  Chatterburst: An orange flower that turns to face whoever is near to capture attention.

  Cosmic Transporter: The moving sidewalk system that transports students through dorms and across the Starling Academy campus.

  Countdown Clock: A timing device on a Starling’s Star-Zap. It lets them know how much time is left on a Wish Mission, which coincides with when the Wish Orb will fade.

  Crystal Mountains: The most beautiful mountains on Starland. They are located across the lake from Starling Academy.

  Cycle of Life: A Starling’s life span. When Starlings die, they are said to have “completed their Cycle of Life.”

  Druderwomp: An edible barrel-like bush capable of pulling up its own roots and rolling like a tumbleweed, then planting itself again.

  Florafierce: A red flower with a ring of longer petals that surround a center mound of small, tightly packed leaves.

  Flutterfocus: A Starland creature similar to a Wishworld butterfly but with illuminated wings.

  Galliope: A sparkly Starland creature similar to a Wishworld horse.

  Glion: A gentle Starland creature similar in appearance to a Wishworld lion but with a multicolored glowing mane.

  Glitterbees: Blue-and-orange-striped bugs that pollinate Starland flowers and produce a sweet substance called delicata.

  Glorange: A glowing orange fruit. Its juice is often enjoyed at breakfast time.

  Glowzene: A chemical substance used in chemistry experiments.

  Goldenella: A tall slender tree with golden blossoms that pop off the branches.

  Good Wish Orbs: Orbs that are the result of positive wishes made on Wishworld. They are planted in Wish-Houses.

  Halo Hall: The building where Starling Academy classes are held.

  Holo-text: A message received on a Star-Zap and projected into the air. There are also holo-albums, holo-billboards, holo-books, holo-cards, holo-communications, holo-diaries, holo-flyers, holo-letters, holo-papers, holo-pictures, and holo–place cards. Anything that would be made of paper or contain writing or images on Wishworld is a hologram on Starland.

  Hydrong: The equivalent of a Wishworld hundred.

  Illumination Library: The impressive library at Starling Academy.

  Impossible Wish Orbs: Orbs that are the result of wishes made on Wishworld that are beyond the power of Starlings to grant.

  Lightentific method: The scientific protocol that Adora follows when conducting experiments.

  Lightning Lounge: A place on the Starling Academy campus where students relax and socialize.

  Lightyard: A braided or woven length of material, like a Wishworld lanyard.

  Little Dipper Dormitory: Where first- and second-year students live.

  Lumin: A unit of liquid measurement used in chemistry.

  Luminous Lake: A serene and lovely lake next to the Starling Academy campus.

  Mirror Mantra: A saying specific to each Star Darling that when recited gives her (and her Wisher) reassurance and strength. When a Starling recites her Mirror Mantra while looking in a mirror, she will see her true appearance reflected.

  Moonberries: Sweet berries that grow on Starland. They are both Tessa’s and Lady Stella’s favorite snack.

  Moonium: An amount similar to a Wishworld million.

  Ozziefruit: Sweet plum-sized indigo fruit that grows on pink-leaved trees and is usually eaten raw or cooked in pies.

  Power Crystal: The powerful stone each Star Darling receives once she has granted her first wish.

  Pricklepine: A spine-covered animal similar to a Wishworld porcupine.

  Radiant Hills: An exclusive neighborhood in Starland City where Adora’s parents own a clothing store.

  Radiant Recreation Center: The building at Starling Academy where students take Physical Energy, health, and fitness classes. The rec center has a large gymnasium for exercising, a running track, areas for games, and a sparkling star-pool.

  Reliquaday: The first starday of the weekend. The days in order are Sweetday, Shineday, Dododay, Yumday, Lunaday, Bopday, Reliquaday, and Babsday. (Starlandians have a three-day weekend every starweek.)

  Shooting stars: Speeding stars that Starlings can latch on to and ride to Wishworld.

  Skywinkle: Adora’s Wish Blossom—a blue flower that sparkles as if dusted with diamonds.

  Sparkle shower: An energy shower Starlings take every day to get clean and refresh their sparkling glow.

  Star ball: An intramural sport that shares similarities with soccer on Wishworld, but star ball players use energy manipulation to control the ball.

  Starcar: The primary mode of transportation for most Starlings. These ultrasafe vehicles drive themselves on cushions of wish energy.

  Star Caves: The caverns underneath Starling Academy where the Star Darlings’ secret Wish-Cavern is located.

  Starf!: A Starling expression of dismay.

  Star flash: News bulletin, often used sarcastically.

  Starfuric acid: A potent chemical used in chemistry experiments.

  Star Kindness Day: A special Starland holiday that celebrates spreading kindness, compliments, and good cheer.

  Starkudos: An expression used to give credit to a Starling for a job well done.

  Starland City: The largest city on Starland, also its capital.

  Starlings: The glowing beings with sparkly skin who live on Starland.

  Star Quad: The center of the Starling Academy campus. The dancing fountain, band shell, and hedge maze are located here.

  Star salutations: The Starling way to say “thank you.”

  Staryear: A time period on Starland, the equivalent of a Wishworld year.

  Star-Zap: The ultimate smartphone that Starlings use for all communications. It has myriad features.
<
br />   Stellation: The point of a star. Halo Hall has five stellations, each housing a different department.

  Supernova: A stellar explosion. Also used colloquially, meaning “really angry,” as in “She went supernova when she found out the bad news.”

  Time of Letting Go: One of the four seasons on Starland. It falls between the warmest season and the coldest, similar to fall on Wishworld.

  Time of Lumiere: The warmest season on Starland, similar to summer on Wishworld.

  Time of New Beginnings: Similar to spring on Wishworld, this is the season that follows the coldest time of year; it’s when plants and trees come into bloom.

  Time of Shadows: The coldest season of the year on Starland, similar to winter on Wishworld.

  Toothlight: A high-tech gadget Starlings use to clean their teeth.

  Twinkle-oxide: A compound used in chemistry experiments.

  Wish Blossom: The bloom that appears from a Wish Orb after its wish is granted.

  Wish energy: The positive energy that is released when a wish is granted. Wish energy powers everything on Starland.

  Wisher: The Wishling who has made the wish that is being granted.

  Wish-Granters: Starlings whose job is to travel down to Wishworld to help make wishes come true and collect wish energy.

  Wish-House: The place where Wish Orbs are planted and cared for until they sparkle. Once the orb’s wish is granted, it becomes a Wish Blossom.

  Wishlings: The inhabitants of Wishworld.

  Wish Mission: The task a Starling undertakes when she travels to Wishworld to help grant a wish.

  Wish Orb: The form a wish takes on Wishworld before traveling to Starland. There it will grow and sparkle when it’s time to grant the wish.

  Wish Pendant: A gadget that absorbs and transports wish energy, helps Starlings locate their Wishers, and changes a Starling’s appearance. Each Wish Pendant holds a different special power for its Star Darling.

  Wishworld: The planet Starland relies on for wish energy. The beings on Wishworld know it by another name—Earth.

  Wishworld Outfit Selector: A program on each Star-Zap that accesses Wishworld fashions for Starlings to wear to blend in on their Wish Missions.

  Wishworld Surveillance Deck: A platform located high above the campus, where Starling Academy students go to observe Wishlings through high-powered telescopes.

  Zing: A traditional Starling breakfast drink. It can be enjoyed hot or iced.

  It is impossible to list all of our gratitude, but we will try.

  Our most precious gift and greatest teacher, Halo; we love you more than there are stars in the sky…punashaku. To the rest of our crazy, awesome, unique tribe—thank you for teaching us to go for our dreams. Integrity. Strength. Love. Foundation. Family. Grateful. Mimi Muldoon—from your star doodling to naming our Star Darlings, your artistry, unconditional love, and inspiration is infinite. Didi Muldoon—your belief and support in us is only matched by your fierce protection and massive-hearted guidance. Gail. Queen G. Your business sense and witchy wisdom are legendary. Frank—you are missed and we know you are watching over us all. Along with Tutu, Nana, and Deda, who are always present, gently guiding us in spirit. To our colorful, totally genius, and bananas siblings—Patrick, Moon, Diva, and Dweezil—there is more creativity and humor in those four names than most people experience in a lifetime. Blessed. To our magical nieces—Mathilda, Zola, Ceylon, and Mia—the Star Darlings adore you and so do we. Our witchy cuzzie fairy godmothers—Ane and Gina. Our fairy fashion godfather, Paris. Our sweet Panay. Teeta and Freddy—we love you all so much. And our four-legged fur babies—Sandwich, Luna, Figgy, and Pinky Star.

  The incredible Barry Waldo, our SD partner. Sent to us from above in perfect timing. Your expertise and friendship are beyond words. We love you and Gary to the moon and back. Long live the manifestation room!

  Catherine Daly—the stars shined brightly upon us the day we aligned with you. Your talent and inspiration are otherworldly; our appreciation cannot be expressed in words. Many heartfelt hugs for you and the adorable Oonagh.

  To our beloved Disney family. Thank you for believing in us. Wendy Lefkon, our master guide and friend through this entire journey. Stephanie Lurie, for being the first to believe in Star Darlings. Suzanne Murphy, who helped every step of the way. Jeanne Mosure, we fell in love with you the first time we met, and Star Darlings wouldn’t be what it is without you. Andrew Sugerman, thank you so much for all your support.

  Our team…Devon (pony pants) and our Monsterfoot crew—so grateful. Richard Scheltinga—our angel and protector. Chris Abramson—thank you! Special appreciation to Richard Thompson, John LaViolette, Swanna, Mario, and Sam.

  To our friends old and new—we are so grateful to be on this rad journey that is life with you all. Fay. Jorja. Chandra. Sananda. Sandy. Kathryn. Louise. What wisdom and strength you share. Ruth, Mike, and the rest of our magical Wagon Wheel bunch—how lucky we are. How inspiring you are. We love you.

  Last—we have immeasurable gratitude for every person we’ve met along our journey, for all the good and the bad; it is all a gift. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for touching our lives.

  Keep reading for a sneak peek at Star Darlings: Clover’s Parent Fix!

  An important announcement! The whole school had to be there! Would the assembly be about Lady Stella and her role in the energy shortage? About her sabotage?

  Clover flipped out of her hammock, landing perfectly on two feet with her arms high above her head. The somersault was really just a habit. But still she glanced at Astra to see if her roommate had noticed.

  Astra, a star athlete, had recently returned from a Wishworld mission where she’d helped grant the wish of a young gymnast and had gone to a competition. Now Astra was projecting a holo-sign with the score 999,999.5.

  “Starf!” said Clover. “Half a point more and I’d have a perfect moonium.”

  “Better luck next time,” Astra said. “And I’m sure there will be a next time.”

  “And I’m sure you’ll be there to judge me,” Clover shot back with a grin.

  Acrobatic tricks, kidding around—it all came naturally to Clover. Growing up as part of the Flying Molensa family, Clover had been surrounded by generations of aunts, uncles, and cousins—not to mention her own parents and siblings—all of whom could walk a tightrope while juggling a glowzen ozziefruits and cracking jokes. Living with Astra had always been a breeze. But living in a dorm at Starling Academy was another story.

  Before school, Clover had never stayed anywhere for more than a starweek. She and her family traveled year-round across Starland, living out of suitcases on the circus swift train.

  Clover had shared a sleeping car with her sisters and she’d always had an upper berth. That was why she loved her hammock bed. It reminded her of the gentle motion of the moving swift train.

  “So,” said Astra, slipping into her sneakers, “I wonder who will be making this big announcement. Surely not Lady Stella.”

  Wouldn’t it be starmazing, though, if Lady Stella called the assembly and everything is back to normal? Clover thought with a sigh. She imagined the school day proceeding just as it always had, with no energy blips, no upheaval, and Lady Stella just where she should be.

  “Starland to Clover! Starland to Clover!” Astra snapped her fingers star inches from Clover’s face. “Come on. We’d better hurry. If the entire school is going to the Astral Auditorium, it will be crowded.”

  Clover nodded, picking up her hat and placing it on her head. She tucked her short purple hair into her trademark purple fedora, making sure it curved just right.

  The hat had been handed down to her by her great-grandma Sunny, and Clover planned to pass it down to her own grandchild one starday. It set off her sparkly eyes and short bouncy hair, matching their deep purple shade almost perfectly. And she rarely went out without it.

  “Ready,” she told Astra.

  The two Starlings headed outside and jumped onto th
e already crowded Cosmic Transporter. All around them, girls chatted excitedly, making guesses about the important announcement.

  “Hey, Clover!” a third-year student named Aurora called out. “Maybe Lady Stella is canceling classes because your family is performing.”

  Last staryear, Clover’s family had visited, and Lady Stella had announced a holiday so the students could watch their show. Everyone had agreed the best part was when Professor Dolores Raye was invited into the star-ring.

  Professor Dolores Raye was short—in size and temperament—and wore serious large-framed glasses. She was no one’s favorite teacher. So when Clover’s dad offered her his arm and led her to a cosmic cannon, the students watched with interest. Clearly, the humorless teacher hadn’t wanted to become a Starling cannonball. But at that point, there was no turning back. Clover’s dad lit the fuse with a wish-energy snap of his fingers, and she’d flown through the air.

  “There’s no landing pad!” Lady Cordial had screeched in panic.

  Everyone had gasped. But Clover’s dad slowed the flight with a wave of his arm and Professor Dolores Raye had landed safely on her feet.

  It had been fun. But today’s announcement had nothing to do with her family, Clover felt sure.

  “No, no,” she quickly said. “The circus isn’t coming!”

  “Well, maybe Lady Stella will hand out the Triple S award today,” someone else guessed.

  The Silver Shining Star was the highest honor in all of Starling Academy, given to a student who received star-perlative assessments in the classroom, in the school community, and in her hometown.

  “Maybe,” Clover said pleasantly. She’d be starprised if this announcement brought any good news. But she couldn’t exactly explain her thoughts to anyone but a Star Darling.

  Once they were outside, three Star Darlings came up behind Clover and Astra: first year Libby and sisters Tessa and Gemma. They all looked worried.

  “Star greetings,” Gemma said in a quiet voice—at least, quiet for Gemma. As the Cosmic Transporter moved along, she kept up a steady stream of chatter, touching on everything but Lady Stella and the announcement. And who can blame her? Clover thought, only half listening. They couldn’t discuss anything there in public. Only sweet-tempered, pink-haired Libby paid attention to Gemma, nodding at every statement.