Our little song

Phoebe

When I first saw him, I thought I saw an angel.

His brown fluffy hair flopped around in the air as he climbed the old Ash tree.

His brown coat was ripped and dirty but couldn’t be worn better.

His turtle neck t-shirt was now no longer white but a muddy brown, and his trousers were covered in brambles and small holes, but he couldn’t care less.

At first I thought he was just another annoying pixie boy here to steal our samaras, so I called him down annoyinged, my wings twitching in frustration.

‘’Pixie! Come down here!’’ I yell up at him, placing my hands on my hips, looking up at him.

He looks down at me, the leaves of the Ash tree brushing across his face.

He then jumps back, falling at least fifteen feet down.

I gasp and squeeze my eyes shut as I wait to hear his yelps, but instead I hear him land loudly in front of me.

I open my eyes and prepare to shout at him when my heart drops.

I’m looking into blue wishing wells, deep and icy blue.

They stare right into my heart, and my wings flutter slightly. He is very close to me, and I can see his nose and cheeks are dustiest with little stars, and his ears poke out from his hair cutely.

I clear my throat and he jumps back like I burnt him.

He rubs the back of his neck, smiling at me shyly.

‘’Sorry, the views just really nice up there.’’ He says, his voice like honey, and a faint sottish accent following his words.

I brush my hands down my dress nervously.

‘’Its, its ok, I thought you were one of the pixie boys coming to steal our samaras again, the little pests they are, stealing all the berries so we don’t have a thing left.’’ I ramble madly, my accent becoming stronger like it always does when I’m mad.

The pixie smiles at me, and I blush. His smile is like the first drizzle of rain after a hot day.

‘’Well, I best be off now, see ya twinkle toes!’’ He shouts as he sprints off.

I stare at him as he runs away, his coat flying behind him.

Even after he’s gone I stare at the corner where he disappeared, trying to figure out what just happened, my wings twitching.

‘’Phoebe! Did you get the fruit basket like I asked?!’’ My mom shouts from the kitchen window.

I turn around quickly.

‘’Yes mummy!’’

I sprint over to our gate and grab the basket and run inside.

My mom smiles at me as I run inside, her beautiful white hair gleaming in her fancy plait.

I place the basket on the table and go up to her.

‘’What you making mummy?’’ I ask her, looking at the batter she’s mixing.

My mom laughs heartly.

‘’Just some yummy blueberry shortcake for Mrs. Riverlily, a doll she is for stitching your dress yesterday. Honey please pass me the blueberries, they’re in the basket.’’ My mom says waving to the basket.

I go and grab the blueberries from the basket and wash them in the basin.

I walk over and add them to the cake batter.

‘’Thanks lovey, oh and I need you to go get some of Mr. Pawcuts carrots today pumpkin, we need them for tonight’s stew.’’ My mum tells me.

I nod and smile.

‘’Sure mum.’’

I grab an empty basket and walk outside and onto the sand road to Mr. Pawcuts farm.

As I walk I flutter my wings happily.

The weather is warm but not hot, and there’s a gentle breeze that whisks away dandelions, and birds are chirping happily.

Sorry, I haven’t introduced myself yet.

My name is Phoebe Scatterfly, I’m 16 years old, and I’m a light fairy.

There are six types of fairies, Light, Mind, Water, Fire, and Earth.

My mum is a light fairy, and my dad was a water fairy.

My dad died before I was born, and I’ve never met him. My mum says I’m a lot like him, but I think she’s staring to forget what he was like.

I don’t mind though, I’m happy with me and my mom.

I skip down the road into Mr. Pawcuts farm.

I see him sitting outside on his old rocking chair in the sun, his bony figure looking like it will snap at any minute, but Mr. Pawcuts a strong pixie, and even though he’s 234, he’s still working hard. ‘’Morning Mr. Pawcuts!’’ I wave at him.

He smiles and waves back, a twinkle in his eyes.

‘’Morning Phoebe! How’s your mother?!’’ He asks in his husky voice.

I smile.

‘’She’s great Mr. Pawcuts!’’

I skip along the path to the carrots and start digging some up.

By the time I’m done its already late afternoon and covered in dirt as I start skipping my way back home.

Mr. Pawcuts waves at me as I leave.

‘’I still don’t know how you’re so sunny all the time Phoebe, it truly is a gift!’’ He says and I smile at him.

I turn the corner to our house and run inside.

‘’Mum I got the carrots!’’ I yell as I barge inside, only to find a man sitting at the table.

He looks up at me with brown eyes and a black, grey beard. His hair is long and black, and his strongly built, dresses in farmers clothes.

A straw hat sits on his frizzy hair, and he smiles at me warmly.

‘’Hello girly! You must be Phoebe, your mum talks about you all the time!’’ He says loudly.

My smile has disappeared completely, and I grip the basket tighter.

My mum looks up at me, her eyes happy but nervous.

‘’Honey, this is Pete, he’s been helping me with the sink as the old thing always seems to be buggered up, anyways he’s staying for supper tonight lovey.’’ My mum says nervously.

I force a smile.

‘’Nice to meet you, Pete. I’m just going to go clean up before dinner.’’ I say dropping the basket and rushing upstairs.

No wonder she’s making stew, mum never makes stew.

I change into an old blue dress that has stains and holes, leaving my hair unbrushed and my wings dirty.

I’m not sure why I’m doing this, but I just don’t want, Pete, here.

I go back downstairs and sit at the dinner table, making a loud clutter as I do.

My mum rushes in to see what’s happening.

When she sees me her eyes widen.

‘’Phoebe! What in-‘’

‘’Dinners ready!’’ Pete says loudly, walking in with plates and bowls in his hands.

My mum glares at me but goes back to the kitchen.

Pete doesn’t notice my appearance and just smiles at me.

We eat dinner in silence, well my mum and Pete talk but I’m quiet.

I pick at my food, not because I don’t like it but because I’ve lost my appetite.

My mom keeps glancing at me with concern, but never says anything.

After a bit Pete turns to me.

‘’So, Phoebe, how’s school?’’ He asks.

I don’t meet his gaze.

‘’Its okay, lots of fairies and pixies.’’ I tell him half heartly.

He nods.

‘’And how’s your friends at school? Do you miss them in the holidays?’’ He asks.

I sigh.

‘’Yea, I miss them.’’

My mom gives me a warning look.

Pete smiles.

‘’And how’s your wing trai-‘’ I stand up and slam my hands on the table.

‘’I would prefer to not talk about such things!’’ I say madly, glaring at Pete.

My mum gasps at my behaver.

Pete looks at me worriedly.

‘’Listen, Phoebe, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked, I know I’m not your father but-‘’

‘’Don’t talk about my father!’’ I bark, making my mom stand up.

‘’Phoebe!’’

I look at my feet.

‘’Go to your room.’’ My mom says sternly.

I rush upstairs, only to hear my mum speak.

‘’I’m so sorry Pete, Phoebes very sensitive about her wings, and her father.’’

I rush into my room and walk over to my window.

I know what I’m doing is wrong, but I can’t bear the fact that my mom wants him to replace my dad. I open the window and climb out into the cool night.

I look up and see theirs a full moon.

I carefully scramble down the house and land neatly on the flowerbed.

I then run.

I run down our lane and down a narrow path which leads to a waterfall.

Once I reach it I’m out of breath, and I plonk down against a tree facing the waterfall.

I breathe heavily, resting against the tree.

My wings twitch, and I smooth them out.

They’re irritated by the dirt.

I scramble over to the waterfall and scoop up some water.

I gently clean my wings, humming an old song that I wrote down a while ago.

The coolness of the water chills my wings, but it’s a nice feeling.

I gaze into the water, watching my reflexion.

It’s a magical moment, and I should be happy, but I just can’t shake the feeling that my mum actually wants to replace my dad.

Isn’t she happy enough with me?

I sit by the water for a while, deep in thought with myself.

I don’t know why I’m so upset about this, I should be happy for my mom, and I’ve never even met my dad, so how can I be so mad that he’s been replaced?

I shake my head, what is wrong with me?

I guess, I just never thought of my mom moving on, I guess I thought it would always be us.

A single tear runs down my cheek.

It lands in the water, making ripples in the calm water.

My mom is probably worried sick by now, I should head back.

I pick up my shoes and carry myself back home, my feet sore from going barefoot, but I can’t be bothered to put on my shoes.

When I get to my house I see my mum in the kitchen window, she’s sitting at the table with her head in her hands.

I don’t want to make her unhappy, I really don’t.

But there’s a small part of me that’s happy that she’s upset, happy that I made her like this, because she should never have even thought of replacing my dad.

I open the door slowly, making my mum jump and rush over to me. She doesn’t say a word, but just looks at me, and closes the door.

I feel horrible, my gut turning in guilt.

‘’I’m sorry mum.’’ I say softly.

My mum just sighs.

‘’We’ll talk about it tomorrow, ok. I’m off to bed.’’ She says, going upstairs.

I want to make her feel better, I hate seeing her like this.

Why am I so ungrateful?!

I’ll make it up to her, I promise.