Twirling Tails #7 Read online

  “Really? Wow! Well, I’d better get back to practice now. Let’s go.” Kirsten put Storm down on the tiled floor and he trotted at her heels as she went to rejoin the others.

  Kirsten felt really tense. Even though Storm had told her that he was invisible, she couldn’t quite make herself believe it and kept expecting someone to notice him. But when no one did, Kirsten relaxed and took her place in line.

  As she began twirling her baton, Kirsten’s heart lifted at the thought of the magical little friend who was sitting watching and her worries about whether Helena was trying to get friendly with Tracy faded for the time being.

  Chapter THREE

  “What an absolutely gorgeous puppy!” Kirsten’s mom said. She bent down to stroke the tiny puppy’s low-set ears. “I think he’s a Border terrier. Imagine you just finding him wandering down the main road all by himself like that.”

  “Mmm. Weird, wasn’t it?” Kirsten said vaguely.

  “What did Tracy say? Didn’t she want to take Storm home with her?” her mom asked.

  “I didn’t walk home with Tracy. She rushed off the minute practice ended. I guess she had to meet her mom from work or something,” Kirsten told her.

  Mrs. Blake raised her eyebrows, but didn’t comment.

  “Anyway, Storm’s one lucky pup to have found us, isn’t he? He told me that he—” Kirsten stopped quickly as she realized that she would have to be a lot more careful about keeping Storm’s secret. “I . . . um . . . mean, he obviously needed a home. And I thought he could stay with us,” she finished quickly.

  “Well, we’re certainly used to looking after strays.” Her mom smiled and bent down to pick Storm up. The little puppy whined and began licking her all over her face.

  Mrs. Blake laughed. “Thanks, Storm, but I’ve already showered today! I like his name. It really suits him,” she said to her daughter. “I’ll call Paws and let them know that we’ve got a puppy that needs a permanent home. We’d better put a note by the newsstand, too, just in case an owner’s looking for him.”

  “Good idea,” Kirsten agreed, feeling confident that no one was going to be claiming this particular puppy. “And if no one comes for Storm, we could keep him forever, couldn’t we?” she said in her best pleading voice.

  Her mom frowned. “You know the rules, sweetie. We take care of animals until they can be adopted. If we kept every stray, we’d be overrun with cats and dogs.”

  “Okay,” Kirsten sighed, knowing that she’d have to be satisfied with that for now, but she secretly promised herself to work hard to change her mom’s mind. “I’ll take Storm into the kitchen and get him some food. I bet he’s really hungry.”

  “Food?” Storm barked eagerly, his ears twitching. He started squirming to be let down.

  Mrs. Blake smiled as she placed the wriggling little puppy back on the floor. “I could swear he understood every word you just said!”

  Kirsten bit back a grin as she went out with Storm ambling after her. “If only Mom knew how right she was!” she whispered to him.

  In the kitchen, Kirsten scooped canned dog food into a bowl and stood watching as Storm scarfed it down in about half a minute.

  “Thank you. That was delicious,” he woofed, licking his chops clean.

  After she’d washed his bowl, Kirsten let Storm out for a short run in the garden and then got herself a drink and some cookies.

  “Let’s go to my room and I’ll show you where you can sleep,” she said, heading toward the stairs. On the way, Kirsten popped her head around the living room door and spoke to her mom and dad. “I’m going to finish my art homework and then get ready for bed. See you later.”

  “All right, sweetheart,” her dad said.

  In her bedroom, Kirsten spread an old blanket on her duvet and then lifted Storm onto it. “There you are. A cozy bed, especially for you.”

  With an eager little whine, Storm began sniffing around and scrabbling the blanket into messy folds. Once he was satisfied, he plunked down and rested his button-like black nose on his front paws.

  “This is a good place. I feel safe here,” he yawned.

  “Glad you like it,” Kirsten said. She smiled at the sleepy puppy, feeling a surge of affection for him. She took a folder and pencil case from her school bag. “We’re studying Van Gogh in art. I’m making a copy of his painting of sunflowers with markers . . .”

  But Storm wasn’t listening. He sighed contentedly and moments later, tiny snores rose from his curled little form.

  The next morning, Kirsten was almost ready to leave for school. She felt a bit nervous about seeing Tracy. This new friendship with Helena was playing on her mind and she wondered whether she should talk to Tracy about it or not say anything.

  Kirsten sighed as she packed her folder and the finished sunflower picture into her shoulder bag. Storm sat on the frontdoormat watching her as she reached for her coat.

  “I hope you won’t be too bored while I’m away,” Kirsten said as she fastened the buttons. “I’ll take you for a great long walk as soon as I get back—promise!” she said, smiling at him.

  Storm jumped up and wagged his sturdy little tail. “We can go for a walk right now. I will come with you,” he woofed eagerly.

  “I really wish you could, but we’re not allowed to bring pets to school,” Kirsten explained regretfully.

  “But I am not a pet!” Storm yapped. “And no one will know that I am there.”

  Kirsten remembered that Storm could make himself invisible, but she was still unsure about having a lively puppy in the classroom. It could lead to all kinds of trouble.

  “Well . . . okay, then. But you’ll have to be extra careful to stay out of everyone’s way,” she decided. “Our teacher, Miss Strong, is really nice, but she’s really strict.”

  Storm’s eyes sparkled with triumph. He turned and began pawing the front door impatiently.

  Kirsten laughed at his mischievousness. “Hey! Hang on, you! I think you should get in my shoulder bag. We have to cross some busy roads.”

  “Okay,” Storm yapped. As soon as Kirsten opened her bag, he scrambled inside.

  Kirsten said good-bye to her mom before they set off for Chaucer Crescent, where Tracy lived.

  “Tracy’s house is number thirty-seven,” Kirsten told Storm as they walked along the sidewalk. “There she is now.”

  Tracy was just coming out of her house. A tall girl with long blond hair and a thin face was with her.

  Kirsten recognized Helena Simpson. She stopped in dismay as her suspicions seemed to be confirmed. “Why is she picking up Tracy? Everyone knows that Tracy’s my best friend!”

  Chapter FOUR

  Kirsten and Storm waited for the two girls to reach them. “Hi, Tracy. Hi, Helena,” Kirsten said, trying to sound a lot more cheerful than she felt.

  “Hi, Kirsten,” Helena replied.

  “Helena just got here. She thought we could all walk to school together,” Tracy said.

  Kirsten shrugged. “Okay.”

  “How did it go at majorettes’ practice last night? Did you do tons of prancing on tippy-toes?” Helena asked, smirking.

  Kirsten was taken aback and took a moment to reply. “That’s ballet. We do marching routines with twirling batons and stuff. It’s more like cheerleading.”

  “Sounds okay. If you’re about six years old!” Helena said, rolling her eyes as if she’d just made a clever joke.

  Kirsten didn’t laugh. “You can be any age over five. Some of the seniors are eighteen. I like being a majorette. It’s fun.”

  “You like showing off, you mean!” Helena crowed.

  “No, I don’t!” Kirsten felt her jaw drop.

  “Kirsten’s not like that,” Tracy defended her.

  “Whatever,” Helena drawled. “Anyway, last night I thought you said that baton twirling and marching were pathetic.”

  Tracy looked uncomfortable. “You said that. I only agreed with you because I thought you were joking!”

  “You wer
e with Helena last night?” Kirsten said to Tracy, trying to sound casual.

  Her friend nodded. “I went to help Helena with her homework. I was going to tell you. But after Molly yelled at me for being late for practice, I didn’t get around to it. You don’t mind, do you?”

  Kirsten did mind, but she didn’t want to show it. She made herself shrug. “ ’Course not. Why should I?”

  Tracy looked relieved. She smiled at Helena. “I told you Kirsten would be fine about it.”

  “Oh good,” Helena said, smiling sweetly. “Then we can all be best friends, can’t we?”

  No we can’t, Kirsten wanted to shout. She and Tracy had been best friends since forever. They didn’t need anyone else.

  As they all made their way to school, Kirsten slipped her hand into her shoulder bag and gently petted Storm’s fuzzy little head, trying to ignore the horrible sinking feeling in her tummy. She was really glad that her new little friend would be with her all day.

  Kirsten sat staring into space, gloomily twiddling her thumbs. She was at her usual desk behind Tracy, near the back of the class. Helena sat a couple of desks away from them both, closer to the front.

  Storm was off somewhere, sniffling around and exploring the classroom, invisible to everyone except Kirsten.

  Miss Strong took attendance. She was small and very pretty, with stylish hair. She had lots of pairs of designer glasses. Today she wore narrow, purple ones.

  “Here, Miss,” Kirsten answered when her name was called out.

  As Miss Strong put the class list away in her desk drawer, Kirsten caught sight of Storm.

  The tiny puppy was just backing out of an open cabinet that he’d been investigating. Storm saw Kirsten looking at him. He gave an excited little woof and almost fell over his own paws as he came trotting toward her.

  Storm plunked himself down at her feet, his pink tongue lolling out. Despite herself, Kirsten couldn’t help smiling. “Having fun?” she whispered.

  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.

  Chapter FIVE

  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.