Jane E M Atkinson - ANNA & BELLAs Sticky Valentines

Hi, Im Anna.

If youve read my other books, then you can skip this part. But if you havent, Ill need to explain a few things.

Over a year and a half ago, I found a very special gem that whisked my sister, Bella, and me away to a magical land called Flower. In many ways, Flower is just like our world. There are people, schools, libraries, and stores.

But one thing Flower has that we dontis magic!

In Flower, there are mermaids, fairies, and even a magical family. Some of our best friends live there.

Tulip, Lily, Ivy, Rose, Daisy, Poppy and Iris These are some of our fairy friends. I just love being a fairy. You have no idea how amazing it is to fly!

Amelia, Julia, and Jack They live in the village and are regular kids like us.

Finn He lives with his magical family in Winter Woods. Bella, Jack, and I know his secret (that hes magical), and were hoping hell tell our other friends soon.

Kate and Maria Theyre our mermaid friends. We always have an amazing time exploring the ocean.

Keira Shes a real princess, but dresses and acts just like Bella and me. Keiras mom, Queen Katherine, is like a second mom.

And speaking of moms, I have a feeling that our mom might know something about Flower. I havent told Bella about my hunch, but if anything else happens thats suspicious, Im definitely going to tell her.

The last thing you need to know is the most important thing of all, especially if youre reading this book at bedtime. I promise that you will never, ever find any mean or scary characters in my book.

So, now that youre all caught up, just sit back, relax, and enjoy the story!

That one is my favourite, I say, admiring the pink valentine in Bellas hand.

My sister, Bella, and I are sitting at the kitchen table. Scattered in front of us are piles of paper, glue, ribbon, stickers, and markerslots and lots of markers! We have smelly markers, sparkly markers, and metallic markers. Everything we need to create the best valentines ever!

I select a piece of violet paper and cut out a heart. Then, using a silver marker, I write:

Roses are red,

Violets are blue.

Whos my best friend?

Of course, its you!

I show the valentine to Bella.

Thats perfect! she exclaims. Mackenzie is going to love it.

After drawing some yellow and pink hearts on the valentine, I glue a white ribbon around the edge.

Bella shows me a magenta heart. Im giving this valentine to Alanna. In gold letters shes written:

Roses are red,

Violets are blue.

You are kind,

And helpful too!

Thats a great poem, I tell Bella. Do you mind if I use it on Kashafs valentine?

Not at all, she says with a smile.

I grin back at her. Not only are Bella and I sisters, but were also the best of friends.

After Kashafs valentine, I still need to make two moreone for Nisha, and one for Geoff.

I glance at the wall clock. We better hurry, I inform Bella. In less than ten minutes, itll be time for stories.

Bella checks her list. Luckily, I only have Kaiyas valentine to make.

A few minutes later, Mom walks into the kitchen and stops to admire our work. Wow, these valentines look amazing, girls!

Thanks, Mom, I say, writing the last lines of Geoffs poem.

Roses are red,

Violets are blue.

Its only been a year,

Since I met you.

After adding a few stickers to his valentine, I declare, Phew, Im done!

Me too, Bella says.

We push our chairs away from the table and hurry towards the stairs.

Not so fast, you two, Mom calls after us. She points at the table. You need to clean up this mess. Otherwise, well have nowhere to eat breakfast.

Oops, I say, turning back around.

Sorry, Mom, Bella adds.

Ill clean up the supplies, Mom offers, while you two put your valentines in your backpacks.

That would be great. Thanks, Mom, I say.

I grab a couple of grocery bags from the pantry and hand one to Bella. For your valentines, I tell her.

After carefully stacking my valentines in the grocery bag, I glance over at Bella. Shes admiring Kaiyas valentine. The rest of her valentines are still scattered all over the table.

Mom picks up the last of the supplies, and as she leaves the kitchen she reminds Bella, Stories are in one minute. Make sure those valentines get in your backpack.

Sure, Mom, Bella says distractedly.

I grab my grocery bag of valentines and follow Mom out of the kitchen. After putting them carefully in my backpack, I head upstairs.

I hang up my robe, and then crawl into bed, snuggling under the covers.

From the hallway, Mom calls downstairs, Bella, its time for stories.

I hear the faint sound of a kitchen chair scraping across the floor, and then Bellas feet on the stairs. Seconds later, she skips into my room and gives me a goodnight hug.

Goodnight, Bella. See you in the morning, I tell her.

My eyes pop open, and I sit up in bed feeling wide awakeand hungry! I need to eat something!

I quietly pull on my robe and fluffy slippers. When I step into the hallway, I automatically reach for the light switchbut I stop myself just in time. The hallway light is really bright, and I dont want to wake up my parents or Bella.

I make my way through the darkness to the kitchen and head straight for the refrigerator. On the bottom shelf are the smoothies Dad made last night. I grab my blue smoothie cup and then close the refrigerator door.

Without the fridge light on, the kitchen is cast back into darkness. I feel around until I find the edge of the table, and then set my smoothie cup down in the middle. Almost immediately, I hear a loud BANG!

I jump in surprise. I have no idea what made that noise. I wait for a few seconds, but when I dont hear another bang, I walk over to the pantry and flick on the light.

After selecting a box of cereal, I leave the pantry light onso that I can seeand head over to the dish rack for a bowl and a spoon. Then I grab the milk carton from the refrigerator. With my arms full, I turn towards the kitchen tableand stop in my tracks.

Oh no! What did I do?

My smoothie cup is on its side, and the kitchen table is covered in sticky smoothie. But its not the table that Im worried about. Its all of Bellas valentines! She left them scattered across the table and now theyre covered in smoothie, too!

In the darkness, I must have set my smoothie cup on the edge of one of her valentines. The bang I heard was my cup tipping over and hitting the table.

I quickly put everything down on the counter and rush over to the table, hoping to save some of Bellas valentinesbut its too late. The smoothie has ruined every single one of the them.