by Ahmet Zappa
As the class watched, the professor pointed to the classroom door, opening and closing it with ease. She stood up and, with a flick of her wrist, moved her chair across the room. She even lifted one student out of her seat and kept her floating in midair! Professor Dolores Raye was the most talented Wish Energy Manipulator Sage had ever seen. Even better than Gran. And Gran was really good.
“And now it’s your turn,” the teacher said. After that stunning display, no one was about to volunteer to go first. But finally, a girl with short-cropped violet hair was brave enough to try. Professor Raye placed a beautiful stone—a brilliant pink rodangular—on the desk and asked her to move it. The girl stared at the gem. Nothing. She frowned and her face began to turn red. Still nothing. She put her hands to her temples and concentrated fiercely. Then the gem began to tremble. It moved forward the tiniest bit. It was nearly imperceptible, but the girl looked happy. “Wonderful effort!” Professor Dolores Raye said. “Don’t worry, it will only get easier.”
Finally, it was last period. Sage spotted Cassie in the hallway and caught up, falling into step beside her. “So how was your day?” Sage asked.
Cassie sighed. “I read my holo-schedule wrong and accidentally went to Astral Accounting class twice. It couldn’t have been Aspirational Art or Lighterature, right? And now I am going to get in trouble for skipping Wish Identification class.”
“With Professor Lucretia Delphinus?” Sage asked.
“Yes,” replied Cassie.
Sage grimaced. Cassie probably was going to get in trouble.
“So how was your first day?” Cassie asked.
“It was intense,” Sage said. “I kind of felt like my brain was going to explode. But otherwise it was okay.”
“Where are you going, girls?” said someone behind them.
Oh, no, thought Sage. She recognized that voice and wished she didn’t.
Sure enough, it was Vivica. She pushed in between the two roommates and started walking with them. “Pretty lame manipulation attempt today, wouldn’t you say, Sage? Wait till it’s my turn. Then you’ll really see some skills.”
“Sounds good,” said Sage.
“So where are you two off to now?” Vivica asked, pushing her bangs out of her eyes. She smirked before adding, “Oh, that’s right, you’re part of the, um…” She searched her mind. “Superbly Dense group,” she concluded with a nasty grin.
Sage stopped suddenly in the hallway, her temperature rising. Students had to step around her. Cassie and Vivica stopped, too, Vivica’s expression mocking. Why won’t this girl leave me alone? Sage wondered. She clenched her hands.
Cassie gently put her hand on Sage’s arm. It had a sudden calming effect on her. She took a deep breath. “I can’t put anything past you,” Sage said to Vivica with forced cheerfulness. “Turns out I do need some extra help. She does, too,” she added, pointing to Cassie, much to the girl’s dismay. “Can’t be late! Don’t want to fall even more behind!” she said, taking off down the hallway, Cassie right behind her.
“Thanks a lot,” muttered Cassie. “You actually had to volunteer that information?”
“It was going to get out sooner or later,” said Sage.
“I guess you’re right,” said Cassie grudgingly. The two reached the classroom and stepped inside. They sat next to Vega, who was neat as a pin in her crisp blue outfit.
The girl with the fuchsia hair entered the classroom and sat in the corner by herself.
“That’s Scarlet,” Vega whispered to Sage. “And she’s just weird. She totally keeps to herself. Super unfriendly.”
The girl definitely had a look that was all her own. That day she wore a black T-shirt decorated with a star made out of silver studs, a pouffy black tutu, pink-and-black-striped tights, and big black boots. She didn’t look at anyone, just gazed down at her desk.
The classroom filled up. Gemma entered, chatting away to her sister. Leona was the last student to arrive, gesturing dramatically with her hands.
Lady Stella and another teacher walked into the room. “Welcome, Star Darlings,” the headmistress said. “For these special secret classes, we will have several guest lecturers, who will each present crucial information. Today we are lucky to have Professor Margaret Dumarre, who is here to teach you all we know about Wishling schools. Since we usually send older Starlings down to grant wishes, our knowledge of Wishling schools is limited. We will be relying on you to make Wishworld observations, which you can mentally record in your Cyber Journals as they happen and we will discuss in class upon your return. These will prove very beneficial to your fellow Star Darlings, as well as to the rest of Starling Academy.”
“Hello, students,” said Professor Margaret Dumarre with a warm smile. Sage was immediately charmed by the pretty young teacher. Her pink-and-blue-striped hair was twisted into an elegant updo, and she was wearing a sleek high-collared bright pink dress, scattered with glowing stars. “I already know some of you from my third-year course Wishworld Relations.” Several of the older Star Darlings nodded.
Professor Margaret Dumarre began her lecture and reviewed for the Star Darlings that Wishling children weren’t born with knowledge of basic concepts, the way Starlings were. They had to go to school to learn simple skills such as counting, spelling, and reading. The upperclassmen were familiar with that information, but the younger students, who had learned it only that day, were even more surprised to learn that Wishling children didn’t absorb their lessons in their sleep.
Their mouths fell open in shock when they discovered that Wishling children actually read and studied books made of paper.
“Moons and stars!” Cassie exclaimed. “I would love to see one of those!”
When class was over, Professor Margaret Dumarre and Lady Stella stood at the door as the students filed out. “Excellent work today, girls,” Lady Stella said. “And who knows? A wish could be coming through as I speak. One of you may be on your way to Wishworld before you know it!”
Sage tapped her elbows together for luck. She hoped Lady Stella was right.
But it was not to be. Days turned into weeks and still there were no missions for the Star Darlings. Sage fell into a routine of classes, clubs, and regular calls home. She joined the holo-book club (at Cassie’s request) and the explorer’s club, which met every Reliquaday. She took her first hike to the Crystal Mountains, which were just as spectacular as she had imagined. And she finally read the Student Manual from start to finish, much to Cassie’s and Gran’s relief.
In her classes, Sage learned a lot about Wishlings and Star-Zaps and wish identification.
But Sage could never fully relax, knowing that she could be summoned for her mission to Wishworld at any moment. Some of the other Star Darlings seemed keyed up, as well. There was a wide range of emotions running through the group, as some of them just couldn’t wait to get going and others were a bit more reluctant. Some pretended to be blasé even though they were nervous. But Cassie made it no secret that she was in no rush to head for Wishworld any time soon.
Lady Stella put on a brave face. “Everything is going as planned,” she said often. “Your missions could start at any moment. Be ready.” But Sage had spotted the Wish-Watcher who was in charge of the Star Darlings’ Wish Orbs coming out of Lady Stella’s office the past week looking very worried indeed.
Sage enjoyed Wishful Thinking class most of all, although she had not yet had her turn to showcase her talents. It was fascinating to see the different skill levels of the students.
One day she arrived in class early to find that she and Vivica were the only ones there. Sage quickly sat down and started fiddling with her Star-Zap. The next thing she knew, Sage looked up to discover Vivica leaning on her desk. She jumped. “So, how’s everything going, Sage?” Vivica asked.
“Just fine,” replied Sage guardedly.
“Glad to hear it. I’d hate to hear that you were overwhelmed or anything.”
“I’m fine,” said Sage. “Thanks for asking.” Whe
n she had been in Wee Constellation School, there had been a boy in her class who picked on everyone smaller than him. When Sage had gone home crying because he had said she smelled like stinkberries, her mom had assured her she smelled lovely and then taught her how to deal with bullies—by simply ignoring them. It had worked with that boy, and Sage hoped it would work now. “Bullies want to get a reaction out of you,” Indirra had told her. “It makes them feel powerful. Don’t give him the satisfaction.”
Some other girls came into the classroom, and then Vivica had an audience. She smiled a mean smile. “So how is your study group going?” she asked in a loud voice for the other girls’ benefit. “Did you all know that Sage and her roommate are in an extra class?” The other girls didn’t say anything, but a couple looked intrigued. Sage shifted in her seat. “Makes you wonder why she would be accepted into such a prestigious academy,” Vivica continued. “Makes you wonder if she had some help getting in. Like maybe someone’s well-known scientist mother pulled some strings and got her daughter into school.”
“That’s not true!” shouted Sage. Starf! She hadn’t meant to let the mean girl get to her.
Professor Dolores Raye walked into the classroom at that very moment, of course. “Sage,” she scolded, “no shouting in the classroom, please!”
Sage scowled and sunk in her seat till her head was barely at desk level. Great, now her favorite professor was mad at her. Sage was angry. And maybe—just maybe—the reason she was so angry was that she herself feared that there was some truth to what Vivica had said. She had been pleasantly surprised when she had been accepted to Starling Academy. Could that be the real reason she had been accepted? Was she an imposter?
After SD class that day, Sage was on her way back to her room when she spotted a dapper-looking gentleman chatting with a Bot-Bot guard on the Little Dipper Dormitory’s steps.
“This is Cassie’s roommate, Sage,” the Bot-Bot guard informed the man as she approached.
“Star salutations,” the man said to the guard. He turned to Sage and bowed. “Hello, Sage. I am Andreas. I’m here to see Cassie.”
“She stopped to drop off some holo-books at the library,” explained Sage. She looked up and noticed he had the same soft burgundy eyes as her roommate. She smiled. “You must be her father!” she cried. “It is so nice to finally meet you. Cassie is a great roommate! She even got me to join the holo-book club.” She looked around. “Hey, is her mom here? I can’t wait to meet her, too!”
Andreas looked confused. “No, I am Cassie’s uncle.” He frowned and leaned forward. “You do know that Cassie’s parents have completed their Cycle of Life, don’t you?” he said in a low voice. “Back when she was six years old. She has lived with me ever since. I am her guardian, her mother’s older brother.”
Sage stared. “You mean they have begun their afterglow?” she said. “But Cassie…” Suddenly, she realized that the holo-pictures displayed in their room were of a much younger Cassie and her parents. And she recalled how Cassie often stared into the heavens before bed. She had assumed her roommate had been on the lookout for shooting stars, but now she realized she must have been staring at her parents’ stars. She felt a sudden stab of sorrow. Poor Cassie!
“Oh, there she is!” her uncle said, a smile on his face. “Cassie!” He waved and began heading over to her. Cassie’s mouth opened into an O of surprise. She ran to her uncle, her arms outstretched.
Sage decided the kindest thing to do was slip away without Cassie seeing her. She headed in the other direction. She’d hang out in the Lightning Lounge until dinnertime to give her roommate some space.
Sage returned to the room as Cassie was drawing the curtains shut. “Sorry I didn’t make it to dinner tonight,” Cassie said. “My uncle Andreas came for a visit and he took me out to eat. My, um, parents were busy, so he came instead.”
“Cassie,” said Sage slowly, “I…um…met your uncle. He told me that your parents were…”
Cassie opened a drawer and was suddenly very busy picking out a pair of pajamas. “Oh,” she said. “Oh, I see. Okay.”
“If you want to talk about it, we can…”
Cassie quickly got changed and slid into bed. “No, it’s okay. Good night.” She slipped her headphones onto her ears and turned to face the wall.
Sage put on her own headphones and tried to fall asleep. But she couldn’t. She felt terribly sad for Cassie, and also awkward. She lay awake watching the shadows on the wall. She was sure Cassie was awake, too.
When Sage woke up the next morning, the room was empty. Cassie’s bed was perfectly made. Suddenly, Sage’s Star-Zap lit up. A holo-text appeared. DEAR SAGE, it read, I’M SORRY I LIED TO YOU ABOUT MY PARENTS. I’M ACTUALLY NOT EVEN SURE WHY I DID IT. I GUESS IT’S JUST THAT WHEN YOU ASSUMED THEY WERE AROUND, AND TALKED ABOUT THEM LIKE THEY WERE ALIVE, IT FELT REALLY GOOD TO GO ALONG WITH IT. IT WAS EASY TO PRETEND THAT WE WERE APART BECAUSE I WAS AT SCHOOL, AND NOT BECAUSE THEY HAD BEGUN THEIR AFTERGLOW. I LIKED PRETENDING THAT THEY WERE STILL AT HOME WAITING FOR ME. I’M SORRY FOR LYING TO YOU AND I’M REALLY EMBARRASSED TOO. YOUR ROOMMATE, CASSIE. PS: I’D APPRECIATE IT IF WE NEVER TALKED ABOUT THIS AGAIN.
DEAR CASSIE, Sage wrote back after much thought, NO NEED TO EVER APOLOGIZE TO ME. I’M THE ONE WHO IS SORRY. I PROMISE I’LL NEVER BRING IT UP AGAIN. LOVE, SAGE.
Now that the truth was out there, Sage learned a lot more about Cassie’s life. Her uncle was a best-selling author who sold mooniums of holo-books a year. Sage’s dad was a big fan of his mysteries. He traveled Starland extensively on book tours, and Cassie often accompanied him on his trips. If she didn’t feel like going, she stayed at home (in a large mansion) with their housekeeper, Marta, a sweet older woman who was as close to Cassie as if she were her grandmother.
“No wonder you love books so much!” Sage said. She was delighted to learn that Cassie was also a recurring character in the series, as a brilliant young sleuth who often assisted the main character on cases. Now that Cassie’s secret was out in the open, the two girls fell into an easy friendship.
Then one day everything changed. It was finally Sage’s turn in Wishful Thinking, and she was very excited. She stood in front of the class. This time there were a pitcher of glorange juice and an empty glass on Professor Dolores Raye’s desk.
The teacher called her name and Sage walked to the front of the room. “Okay, Sage, time to show us what you’ve got,” said Professor Dolores Raye.
“Here goes nothing,” said Vivica under her breath. The meaner girls in the class giggled.
Sage smiled. Now she would show everyone who was supposed to be at Starling Academy! She stared at the glass and it slid gracefully across the table.
“Well done, Sage,” said Professor Dolores Raye with a broad grin.
For her next trick, Sage decided she would levitate the pitcher and pour the teacher a glass of juice. Sage was an expert at wish energy manipulation. She had been practically since birth. As a baby she had shocked her parents by levitating a toy across the room and floating it into her chubby little hand. She had been crying for it and they hadn’t been able to understand what she wanted. So she simply concentrated on it, and there it was. This energy had also come in handy while she was learning how to glimmerskate. It had kept her from falling over.
But just as she was lifting the glass, her Star-Zap vibrated. Probably just a holo-text from Gran, she thought. She stole a glance at it.
SD WISH ORB IDENTIFIED, she read. PROCEED TO LADY STELLA’S OFFICE IMMEDIATELY.
CRASH! The pitcher fell to the floor and shattered. There were glass shards and glowing orange juice all over the floor. Then it was instantly gone.
“That was a good try, Sage,” said the professor sympathetically.
Several girls laughed, and Vivica shook her head. But Sage didn’t even notice. Her heart was fairly leaping out of her chest with excitement. She grabbed her Star-Zap and asked to be excused. Sage walked down the hall quickly, her heels clicking on the marble flo
or. A classroom door opened and Scarlet came out. She spoke to Sage for the first time ever. “It’s happening,” she said, her black eyes shining. “It is really happening. Right here, right now.”
The two girls grinned at each other and ran down the hall toward the headmistress’s office.
Once again, the girls sat around the table in Lady Stella’s office. Cassie looked even paler than usual. “I can’t believe this is actually happening so soon,” she whispered to Sage.
So soon? thought Sage. It felt like it had taken forever!
The door opened and Lady Stella strode inside. She looked energized and, Sage noted, slightly nervous. She stood in front of the girls and clasped her hands together. “This is it, Star Darlings: the moment we have all been waiting for. A Star Darling’s Wish Orb has been identified by our Wish-Watcher. It is time for us to head to the Star Darlings Wish-Cavern to find out who the wish belongs to. Let’s go underground.”
Underground? The girls looked at each other in confusion.
“Deep underneath Halo Hall is a labyrinth of underground caves,” Lady Stella explained. “They are secret—known only to a few members of the faculty. And now you. We decided to build your special Wish-Cavern there to keep its existence secret from prying eyes.”
Lady Stella walked to her desk and opened a drawer. She reached inside and a hidden door in the back wall slid open. Sage was one of the first through the doorway and found herself descending a circular stairway. There was a sudden change in temperature and the air grew musty and damp. Sage shivered. The girls walked in silence, the only sound the echoing clatter of their footsteps on the metal stairs. Suddenly, someone started to sing. She sang softly at first; then the song grew louder. It was a pretty tune about stars twinkling in the darkness, and the voice was clear and sweet. Sage thought it might be Leona.
