Twirling Tails #7 (4 page)

Storm nodded happily. “There are many wonderful smells in here.”

Miss Strong's voice rang out again, almost making Kirsten jump.

“Okay, class. Can you get your art folders out, please?”

Kirsten fished her folder out of her bag. As she spread the contents onto her desk, Storm leaped up to sit beside her. His light brown fur was trailing tiny glimmering sparks.

Storm leaned forward curiously to see what Kirsten was doing. After quickly checking that no one was looking, she reached out to pet him. “I'm so glad that you're my friend,” she whispered.

“Me too,” Storm woofed softly.

As Kirsten sat back in her chair, something stung her below one eye. “Ow!” she cried in surprise as a tightly rolled paper pellet bounced down onto her desk.

Helena waved her ruler in the air, grinning triumphantly.

“That really hurt. It almost hit me in the eye!” Kirsten fumed.

Helena rolled her eyes. “
Some
people can't take a joke,” she said under her breath.

Miss Strong looked up at them over the top of her glasses. “Kirsten? Helena? What's going on?” she demanded.

“Nothing, Miss,” Kirsten said quickly, but the teacher had already noticed the ruler in Helena's hand. “Are you flicking things around, Helena? Do I have to ask you to come and sit at the front so I can keep an eye on you?”

“No way, Miss,” Helena said, slapping the ruler onto her desk.

Miss Strong gave her a stern look. “I'm very glad to hear it. Now, get started on your work, please.”

Helena banged around, setting out brushes and paints. She then rose and swept to the back of the class to fill a jam jar at the sink.

“Thanks for nothing!” she hissed as she passed Kirsten.

“What? I didn't do anything!”

“You deliberately yelled out, so Miss Strong saw me flicking pellets! I bet you just loved getting me into trouble,” Helena accused.

Kirsten didn't reply. She was too upset to notice Storm's furry brow dipping in a frown.

Helena turned the tap and filled the jam jar to the brim. As she sauntered back past Kirsten's desk, Helena pretended to trip. Her arm shot out as she “accidentally” chucked water all over Kirsten's sunflower picture.

“Oops. Clumsy me!”

Kirsten gasped. “Oh no! My painting. It's ruined!”

Helena smirked. “Aw! How sad!”

“You did that on purpose!” Kirsten cried, jumping to her feet.

Suddenly, she felt a strange prickling sensation flow down her spine as huge golden sparks ignited in Storm's shaggy, light brown fur and his low-set ears crackled and fizzed with magical power.

Something very strange was about to happen.

Storm's bright midnight blue eyes glowed as he lifted a tiny light brown front paw and aimed a big
whoosh
of swirling glitter at Kirsten's flooded desk.

Kirsten watched in complete astonishment as the magical glitter flashed around, vacuuming up the spilled water. Water droplets began rising upward from her picture, like rain falling in reverse. In seconds, her picture was as good as new.

All the water now formed a giant, shining teardrop. Storm waved his paw again and, just as if someone had pressed fast forward, the water shot sideways and whizzed toward Helena, who had now turned her back.

But Storm's aim was slightly off. The giant teardrop missed Helena by an inch.
Splosh!
It smacked straight into Tracy and burst, drenching the front of her school sweater.

Tracy screeched in shock and leaped to her feet. “What did you do that for?”

“It wasn't me . . . I mean . . . er
. . .
it was an accident,” Kirsten stammered. She could hardly explain that her invisible puppy friend was the culprit. Even if she had, Tracy wouldn't have believed her. “Um . . . Sorry,” she finished lamely.

Helena grabbed a handful of paper towels and started dabbing at Tracy's sweater. “Kirsten just did that on purpose. She's jealous because you want to be friends with me and not only with her!”

“I am not!” Kirsten fumed. Even if she did feel a bit hurt, she certainly wouldn't have taken it out on Tracy. “Tracy can be friends with whoever she likes!”

“Tracy knows that. It's not like she needs
your
permission!” Helena shot back at her.

“That's enough!” Miss Strong stood there with her hands on her hips. “What's gotten into you three today? You're like wild animals! Tracy, go into the coatroom and get changed. Helena, go back to your seat. And Kirsten, get back to your work.”

“But, Miss . . .” Helena began.

“Now, if you please,” Miss Strong said firmly.

Helena slunk off and sat down, while Tracy went toward the coatroom.

Kirsten stood there for a moment longer, still amazed by how quickly the argument had broken out. She was tempted to tell the teacher that Helena had started it. But she'd never been a tattletale and she wasn't about to start being one now, however infuriating Helena was.

As Kirsten slowly sank onto her chair, Storm climbed into her lap. “I am sorry. I seem to have made things worse for you,” he whined softly.

“That's all right. You were just trying to help,” Kirsten whispered.

She was dying to give Storm a big cuddle to show that she wasn't angry with him, but she didn't dare risk it with Helena still glaring at her across the room. She had to settle for just patting him.

 

“I'm going to the tennis club. Do you want a ride to the gym?” Mr. Blake asked, after Kirsten had helped clear the dishes after dinner that night.

“That would be great,” Kirsten said.

She thought about calling Tracy and asking if she wanted to be picked up. But Tracy hadn't spoken to her since the soaking incident in art class. Kirsten decided that it might be better to wait and try to talk to her during practice. Clearing the air between them might be easier without Helena around.

Kirsten sat in the back of the car with Storm on her lap as her dad drove to the gym. “You won't have to be invisible at the gym,” Kirsten whispered. “I'm sure Molly won't mind me bringing you, as long as she sees that you're really well behaved.”

Storm nodded.

As the car pulled up, Kirsten got out with Storm in her arms. “Thanks for the ride. See you later, Dad,” she said, waving as he drove off.

Kirsten and Storm went inside with some other girls who had just arrived. They all crowded around and wanted to know about Storm. Molly was getting changed into some tracksuit bottoms. She looked up as Kirsten, Storm, and the other girls came into the changing room.

“What's all the commotion? Oh, what an adorable puppy,” Molly said as a big smile spread across her face. “What's his name?”

“Storm,” Kirsten told her. “I haven't had him long, but I love him to pieces.”

“Who wouldn't love him?” said one of the girls stroking Storm. “He's so cute!”

“Enough of the fussing already! Go get changed,” Molly said. She looked thoughtful. “It's about time the Limelight Majorettes had a mascot. A puppy like Storm would be perfect. But he'd have to be well-trained. I suppose Storm is too young, Kirsten?”

“No, no! Storm could do it,” Kirsten exclaimed. “I've . . . er . . . been encouraging him to march with me when I practice baton twirling at home.”

“Well, if that's so, I'd love to see him doing it. Do you think you can show us before practice starts? We're still waiting for a few girls to arrive,” Molly said.

“Um . . . Right now?” Kirsten said.

She hadn't banked on an instant demonstration and started to regret her impulsive outburst. “I'll just ask St—I mean, I'll just get Storm ready. He . . . er . . . has to get into the mood.”

“Fine,” Molly said. “Come on, everyone. Let's leave Kirsten and Storm to it.” She ushered the other girls out of the changing room.

The moment they were alone, Kirsten sank onto a bench. “Oh heck. Now what am I going to do? I'm sorry, Storm. I should have asked if you wanted to be our mascot. We can forget the whole idea. I'll think up some excuse to tell Molly.”

“Wait, Kirsten,” Storm yapped, his large, midnight blue eyes glinting. “What would I have to do?”

“Well, you'd have to wear a little uniform in the group's colors and walk beside me as I march in the parade. Mascots are supposed to bring good luck,” Kirsten explained.

Storm showed his sharp little teeth in a grin. “That sounds good. I would like to try!”

“You would? That's amazing!” Kirsten said delightedly. She quickly pulled on her T-shirt and short pleated skirt. “Now we have to convince Molly that you're the right puppy for the job. I'll talk you through the routine as I do it. Okay?”

As Kirsten returned to the gym with Storm, she could feel her palms sweating. Despite the little puppy's eagerness, she was really nervous about messing up in front of everyone.

The door opened as more girls arrived for practice. Kirsten saw Tracy come in. Helena was just behind her.

Kirsten groaned inwardly. That's all she needed.

“Quiet, please, everyone,” Molly called out. “Ready, Kirsten?” she said, placing a CD into the player.

Kirsten felt her face growing hot, but she forced herself to concentrate. She struck a pose and smiled encouragingly at Storm. He was looking up at her with his ears pricked, awaiting instructions.

As the intro music rang out, Kirsten began the routine. “Okay, forward, left wheel. Follow me . . .” she instructed Storm.

Storm lifted his chin, picked up his paws and marched confidently beside her.

Kirsten's baton flashed as she twirled it expertly, while high-stepping in time to the music. Storm followed her every word and wheeled back and forth as she did the complicated routine.