Blagh! Hair in her mouth!
Fern spat out her porridge and tried to fish the strand from her mouth. She knew she should have tied her hair back that morning, or at least put a few clips in, but it had looked so voluminous and perfect. More perfect than normal, that is.
She had finally pulled the hair out when the owl arrived. Large and grey, it skidded to a stop before her and presented the letter in its beak with a flourish.
Fern squealed, taking the letter and ripping it open before she remembered that with a message of this importance, she should have used a letter opener. But she could worry about that mistake later, because HERE AT LAST WAS HER REPLY! It would explain everything! Why he hadn't been able to make it. How he was sorry and wanted her to come with them on the road this summer to make up for it. The 12-year-old mouthed out the words as she read:
Quote:
Dear FERN QUIMBLEY,
Thank you FERN for your letter. We appreciate your support of our band. Fans like you make our music meaningful. We look forward to seeing you at a future concert.
xoxo,
The Hexy Boyz
p.s. enclosed is a signed picture!
...
Fern didn't understand.
Then she looked at the picture.
Then she understood.
With a wail, the Hufflepuff crumpled up the envelope, letter, and picture. She wanted her cousin. She
needed her cousin. She needed Tallulah to hug her and tell her everything was okay. Crumpled parchment and picture still in hand, Fern scrambled out of her seat, tripped, and went running out of the great hall.