by Ahmet Zappa
“Look what I found!” cried Helio, rolling out from underneath Cassie’s bed, holding a small bag of pellets. “These look like Green Globules!” Sage gawked. They did look remarkably similar to the food her brothers fed their pet glowfur. (It also loved to eat flowers late at night.)
Cassie’s eyes widened in alarm. “Oh, no!” she cried. “Um…that’s actually a special snack I brought from home.” And before everyone’s astonished eyes, she selected a pellet and popped it into her mouth. “Mmmm, delicious,” she mumbled. But her face told a different story.
Well, that was weird, Sage thought. Her family just stared at Cassie.
“That really did look like a Green Globule,” Archer said, shaking his head. “Disgusting.” He knew that quite well, Sage remembered, because he had once eaten one himself on a dare from his twin.
“Well, thanks for everything,” Sage said brightly to her family. “Bye!” She hated long, drawn-out farewells. When Sage had said good-bye to her friends back home, she had made it short and sweet, too. Sure, she was sad. But there was no sense in making something painful even harder than it needed to be.
Her father squeezed her tight. “I’m so proud of you, Toodles,” he whispered into her ear, using her embarrassing family nickname. He opened his mouth as if he was going to say something else, then just settled for another hug.
That gave Sage an uncomfortable lump in her throat. She squirmed out of his grasp. “Good-bye, Dad,” she said.
Gran hated good-byes, too. “See ya around, kid,” she said with a wink.
At their father’s urging, the twins each gave Sage a hug, as well, but each one was so brief that it was as if she had a contagious illness they were afraid of contracting. Still, Sage knew they would miss her, if only because she helped them with their homework and would, if asked nicely, eat all their garble greens for them so they could get dessert.
Sage’s mom put her hands on Sage’s shoulders and gave her a quick, firm embrace. She stepped back and looked deep into Sage’s violet eyes. “Make me proud, my dear,” she said. Then she leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “You’re startacular, and don’t you forget it.”
Sage snapped back her head to stare at her mother. “Th-thanks, Mom,” she stammered. Her mom’s compliments were rare, so when she gave one, you knew she meant it. When Sage was younger, she used to be jealous of kids whose mothers smothered them with accolades. “You’re the brightest star in the galaxy” or “You glimmer like a supernova.” But as she got older, she grew to appreciate her mother’s measured but heartfelt words of praise. It felt like Sage had earned them.
Studies had never been easy for her, and she sometimes felt like she was disappointing her mom. Sage had had to work hard for every I (which stood for Illuminated, the top grade a student could receive) she was awarded. So her mother’s words really meant a lot.
Indirra touched her daughter’s cheek, then joined the rest of the family in the hallway. After a moment, Sage slid the door closed behind them.
The two girls stared at each other for a moment.
Sage flopped down on the bed Gran had remade so neatly, and clutched her pillow to her chest. “So, tell me everything about you,” she said to Cassie. “Don’t leave anything out!”
Cassie looked around the room wildly, positively panicked. “Um…I…”
Just then their Star-Zaps beeped. They both looked down at their display screens: REPORT TO THE STAR QUAD IN TWENTY STARMINS FOR THE START OF THE WELCOME PROCESSION.
“Welcome procession?” said Sage.
Cassie gave her a look.
“It’s in the Student Manual?” Sage guessed.
“It’s in the Student Manual,” Cassie answered.
Sage considered that. “Want to fill me in?” she asked.
“Well, it’s a Starling Academy tradition going back hydrongs of staryears. New students parade around the campus as the faculty and upperclassmen welcome them. Everyone wears fancy clothes and it’s said to be really special. Supposedly, we’re about to receive the most amazing outfits we’ve ever seen,” said Cassie.
As if on command, there was a knock at the door. When they opened it, a Bot-Bot deliverer was hovering in the hallway, holding aloft two remarkable outfits—one lavender, one white.
“Wow,” said Sage, grabbing the dresses. “Star salutations.” She brought them inside and handed the white one to Cassie.
“It’s startacular,” said Cassie softly, touching the shiny material.
Sage nodded. “It’s like they took the best parts of all my favorite dresses and made one perfect outfit.”
“Once we’re dressed, we’ll head to the quad. Lady Stella will greet us and the procession will begin,” Cassie said.
Sage looked at her beautiful dress, her eyes shining. She grinned. Things were finally starting to happen. It was about time!
“How do I look?” Cassie asked shyly. Sage took one last look in the mirror and turned to face her roommate.
“Beautiful,” she told her. Cassie was wearing a sheer white dress embroidered with a sprinkling of silvery stardust. The waist was cinched with a wide silver sash tied in the back in a big bow. Underneath she wore a simple glimmering silver slip. On her head was a wide headband of glowing moons and stars. Glitter slippers completed the ensemble.
“You look lovely, too,” Cassie told Sage.
“Star salutations,” replied Sage. She felt magical. Although her usual style of dress was simple and comfortable, she absolutely loved the floor-length dress and its layers upon ruffled layers of the softest lavender fabric. She admired the sheer bell sleeves and smoothed her braids, threaded with the tiniest twinkling lights she had ever seen.
The two girls headed to the Star Quad. Before she knew it, Sage was separated from Cassie, swept away in a sea of students, all smiling and laughing. It seemed as if everyone, even the girls who had had the hardest time saying good-bye to their families, was delighted to be at Starling Academy and thrilled to be in her fancy best. There were girls in ball gowns and dresses with long trains, and others with huge ruffles that spilled down their fronts. They wore jeweled tiaras, fluffy boas, and hats of all shapes and sizes: a fascinator with flowers, a towering bright pink top hat with a face-obscuring net.
Sage felt like she was part of a big, happy, festive party as they all slowly made their way to the Star Quad. A girl with long, shiny hair the same shade of pink as cotton candy stumbled on her long train and momentarily clutched Sage’s arm for support. “Isn’t this exciting?” she cried, looping her pink skirt over her arm. Sage nodded. It was actually the very definition of exciting, in her opinion. Finally, everyone was gathered in the Star Quad. A tall, regal-looking woman stepped onto the stage. She had sparkling olive skin and bright red lips and wore a long, flowing midnight-blue gown with enormous sleeves that shimmered like the heavens at night. A single golden star sat in the middle of her forehead. But it was her headdress that really took Sage’s breath away—a galaxy of stars clustered around her head, neck, and shoulders, spinning and glittering. A hush fell over the crowd.
“I am Lady Stella,” she said, although she needed no introduction. She was so famous as headmistress of the most prestigious school in all of Starland that her name was often in the holo-papers and her face on the news. Some truly obsessed girls even dressed up like Lady Stella on Light Giving Day—the holiday celebrating the first starday of the Time of New Beginnings, when Starling children dressed up in costumes and went door-to-door distributing newly bloomed flowers.
Every student in the room had gone through the same rigorous process in the hope of attending Starling Academy: application forms, essays, testing, recommendations. Only a small percentage of those who applied were granted an interview with the headmistress. And an even smaller percentage of girls was accepted. Starling Academy had a 100 percent attendance rate: every student who was admitted chose to enroll. Every year.
Lady Stella continued. “Welcome to Starling Academy and the student pr
ocession. It is a time-honored tradition for our newest students to dress in their finest clothes and walk through the campus to be received by students and faculty. We welcome you to the Starling Academy community and congratulate you on your acceptance. We thank you for joining us in the pursuit of knowledge and positive wish energy.” She raised her arms. “Let the procession begin!”
A marching band began to play, and the girls started the procession. Teachers and the second-, third-, and fourth-year students, also dressed in their finest clothes, lined up along the walkways and leaned down from windows and balconies to cheer. Sage spotted a student, dressed almost entirely in black with accents of hot pink, standing apart from the others.
Iridescent bubbles filled the air, releasing the sweet scent of glimmerberries as they popped. There was something so special, so amazing about being a part of the experience. When the new students passed the Big Dipper Dorm, girls standing on the balcony cheered, showering them with flower petals that changed color as they floated down and disappeared when they hit the ground.
WELCOME NEW STUDENTS appeared in the sky in glittering script. Sage grinned as she took in the dizzying beauty of the scene. I will remember this forever, she thought.
After the procession, the students were led into the auditorium, where Sage settled into a plush seat. Very comfy, she thought as she softly bounced up and down.
Just then she remembered something: Hey, where’s Cassie? Sage craned her neck and looked around the room. She spotted her roommate several rows behind her, wearing a serious expression, her arms folded tightly across her chest. Sage gave Cassie a huge wave and pointed to the empty seat next to her. But the seat was immediately filled by a girl with pale blue hair with bangs and a fringed dress of the same exact color.
“Sorry,” said Sage pleasantly, “but this seat is taken.”
“Yeah,” said the girl, an unpleasant smile on her face. “By me.”
Sage was fuming, but she decided to let it go. She turned back to Cassie and shrugged.
Everyone in the audience spoke in hushed voices and sat up very straight, well aware of the significance of that starday. Some of the girls were already whispering together as if they had been friends forever. Sage felt a stab of excitement. It was possible that somewhere in that room was her future best friend. But then she thought her future biggest enemy could be there, too.
The crowd burst into thunderous applause as Lady Stella stepped onto the stage. “Welcome to Starling Academy,” Lady Stella began. “I hope you enjoyed the welcome procession. You are an extremely exceptional group of students. Almost every girl on our star who has reached the Age of Fulfillment applies for a spot in Starling Academy. You’ve all worked very hard to get here and we are happy to have you.”
Sage felt a flush of pride. Simply sitting there in the auditorium was already an accomplishment. “And now, you are about to begin the most important work of your lives.” Lady Stella paused.
“As we all know, you are all here to begin your training to become Wish-Granters. Once your education is complete, you will be on your way to collecting the precious wish energy that keeps Starland operating.” She paused and nodded. “And as you also know, Wishlings make many wishes,” she continued. “As they are about to blow out their birthday candles.” Sage sniffed appreciatively as the smell of chocolate cake filled the room. “On a shooting star streaking across the sky,” Lady Stella added. The lights went out and the ceiling twinkled with starlight, a bright flash splitting the sky. She continued. “As they blow on a dandelion gone to seed.” Sage reached up to touch one of the small white tufts that appeared and danced around the room. “As they toss a coin into a fountain.” Students squealed as they were sprinkled with cool water droplets. “And I don’t need to tell you that the wishes of Wishling children, in particular, are the purest and produce the greatest amount of energy.”
The headmistress nodded and continued. “As everyone knows, when a wish is made, it turns into a glowing Wish Orb, invisible to the Wisher’s eyes. The wish rapidly flies through the heavens to Starland. When the Wish Orb arrives, it is collected by a Wish Catcher, who determines whether it is a good wish, a bad wish, or an impossible wish.
“The Good Wish Orbs sprout pretty sparkly stems and are brought to the Wish-House where they are tended to and observed by trained Wish-Watchers. It can take anywhere from a few starmins to a few staryears for a wish to be ready to be granted. That is when it emits the most wonderful, magical glow. It is the most amazing sight to see, even if a Starling has seen it a thousand times.
“Then the Wish Orb is presented to the appropriate Starling for wish fulfillment. Once a good wish is granted and the wish energy collected, the Wish Orb transforms into a unique and beautiful Wish Blossom.
“Bad Wish Orbs are another story. They sprout stems that don’t sparkle and are immediately transported to a special containment center, as they are very dangerous and must not be granted.
“Impossible Wish Orbs sprouts stems that sparkle with an unbearably bright light. They are taken to a special area of the Wish-House with tinted windows to cut down on the glare they produce. They are monitored in the hopes that one day they can be turned into good wishes that are within our powers to help grant. Here at Star Academy we have a state-of-the-art practice Wish-House where you will learn to do exactly that.”
Sage rolled her eyes. Every Starling toddler knew that stuff—boring! She sighed and turned around to look at Cassie. Surely she was feeling restless, too. But Cassie was completely focused on the headmistress, with the same very serious expression on her face. Unable to catch her roommate’s eye, Sage looked around the room. She spotted a girl whispering to her seatmate. Her orange hair was done in a beautiful upswept style. The girl must have sensed someone’s eyes on her, because she turned around, caught Sage staring, and stuck out her tongue at Sage. Sage didn’t know whether to laugh or be mad. She quickly looked away. What a saucy Starling! Sage turned her attention back to the headmistress, who was still talking.
“…and so I am happy to report that this year’s class is our most talented yet. Be prepared to study hard, learn a lot, and accomplish great things, and soon you will be on your way to graduating and becoming Wish-Granters,” Lady Stella concluded. “Are there any questions?”
Sage raised her hand. The headmistress shaded her eyes. “Yes?” she said.
“When do we get started?” Sage asked.
Heads swiveled around and there were a couple of giggles. Sage barely noticed.
“And what is your name, my dear?” Lady Stella asked.
“Sage,” she replied.
The headmistress smiled and nodded as if she had known that all along. “Before you know it, Sage,” she said. “Before you know it.”
Lady Stella clapped her hands together. “So, now, everyone take out your Star-Zaps. You will be meeting in small groups for your formal orientation. You will receive a message telling you where you need to go.”
Sage placed her communicator on her lap and stared at the blank screen expectantly.
“I’m group one!” shouted a girl.
“Me too!” said another.
Sage looked over the shoulder of the girl sitting in front of her. The girl’s screen lit up. GROUP 3, it said. Then: REPORT TO CONSTELLATION CLASSROOM 313.
Sage watched in dismay as girl after girl received her assignment and headed to her classroom, some joining up with fellow classmates and chattering excitedly. Still, her screen remained maddeningly blank.
Finally, it lit up: SD. She stared at the letters, her brow furrowed. That made no sense.
What does that mean? she wondered. The next message read REPORT TO HEADMISTRESS’S OFFICE.
Sage nodded. Headmistress’s office? Now things were getting interesting!
The girl sitting next to Sage peered down at Sage’s communicator from beneath her long, pale blue bangs. “‘SD’?” she said. “What does that stand for?” She turned to the girl next to her and elbowe
d her in the side before adding snidely, “I know—Super Dorky!”
Sage thought fast. “Actually, it means…Superbly Delightful,” she countered.
The girl paused for a moment. “So Doubtful,” she finally crowed, obviously pleased with herself.
Well, you are most definitely not going to be my new best friend, thought Sage as she stood, pushed her way past the girl, and headed down the aisle.
Sage jumped as a cold hand reached out and grabbed her elbow. She spun around, ready for another confrontation. But it was Cassie, biting her lip and looking worried. “Sage?” she said. “I just got a weird message, and I’m not sure what to think.”
“SD?” asked Sage.
Cassie’s face brightened. “Yes, you too?” she asked.
“Me too,” replied Sage with a nod.
“Superstar!” Cassie said, looking very relieved.
“I think it must be something good,” mused Sage.
Cassie blinked. “I…I hope so,” she said. “But I’m a little worried. What if we’re in trouble or something?”
Sage laughed. How funny. That had never even crossed her mind. “Only time will tell!” she said. She leaned down slightly to link arms with her roommate, and the two walked to the headmistress’s office together. It was nice to face the unknown with someone familiar by your side. Even if you had just met her for the first time a short while earlier. Even if she ate strange snacks. And had weird closet issues. Even then.
Sage counted again. Twelve. Including herself, there were twelve girls seated at the round silver table in the headmistress’s enormous office. Each seat had a holo–place card in front of it. Sage was sitting between Tessa, a girl with bright green curls who seemed really kind, and Adora, whose eyes were an amazing shade of light blue. Everyone was dressed in their finery, and it looked like they were all sitting down to a fancy dinner party—minus the place settings and the food, of course. Sage was across from a girl in a black mask with pink sequins. Sage frowned as she took in the girl’s magenta eyes and fuchsia hair. She wore a puffy layered skirt and a short-sleeved rhinestone-trimmed jacket with an enormous ruffled collar over a hot-pink-and-black-striped blouse. She also had on black lace gloves. She was very striking. Wasn’t she the same girl Sage had spotted standing on the balcony during the procession? And didn’t that mean she was an upperclassman? What was she doing at new student orientation? It was all very confusing.
