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don’t have to apologize. My little brothers wake me up all the time,” she said with a laugh. “It’s fine, Piper. You had a bad dream.”
    â€œWell, that’s just it,” Piper explained quietly. “I don’t think it’s just a bad dream. I think it meant something. Something important.”
    Next to them, Leona muttered in her sleep and smiled like she was modeling for a holo-photo.
    â€œLet’s go outside,” Sage whispered, “so we can really talk.” She looked toward the door and it opened without a sound.
    Piper nodded, and the two crept quietly around the sleeping girls. They stepped onto the Cosmic Transporter and made their way outside, where the moon shone with a comforting yellow light and starlight illuminated the trees with a lovely brightness. The girls settled in a soft grassy spot and for a moment watched the flareflies buzz in looping circles.
    â€œSo can I tell you my dream?” Piper finally asked. “Sometimes it helps to talk.”
    â€œOf course,” said Sage.
    â€œIt starts on the Wishworld Surveillance Deck. I’m waiting for a shooting star to take me to Wishworld when a shadow falls over me. It’s a Starling, an evil one, but I can’t tell who, and this cold, clammy feeling comes over me—”
    Sage stifled a giggle.
    Piper stopped talking.
    Sage shook her head and said, “Go on, Piper. I’m really listening.”
    â€œOkay. So this Starling reaches out to me, but I run away, and I’m running faster and faster. I can’t tell where I am now; all I see is shadows.”
    Sage giggled again. She waved at Piper to continue, but with every word Piper said, Sage laughed louder and longer.
    Piper stood up to leave, brushing grass from her nightgown.
    â€œWait—” Sage choked out between giggles. But Piper had had enough. She turned on her heel. “Come on, Piper,” Sage pleaded.
    â€œWhy don’t you just laugh at me so hard and long you’ll never have the wish energy to move a glimmerfeather, much less anything else?” Piper said. No one had stronger energy manipulation skills than Sage, and Piper knew it was her secret pride.
    Sage sucked in her breath, finally silent.
    Without another word, Piper strode into the dorm and back to Libby and Gemma’s room. But outside their door, she realized she wouldn’t be able to get in. The scanner would refuse her entrance. Only Libby and Gemma were allowed automatic entry. Piper groaned. She didn’t want to disturb anyone. Just then she heard Sage’s giggles floating through the air.
    Well, at least Sage would be stuck outside, too.
    Piper sighed. She didn’t like having those negative thoughts. And she certainly hadn’t wanted to lash out the way she had at Sage. But sometimes she couldn’t help herself. Maybe that would change after her mission. Right then she felt like she was in limbo, just waiting to be chosen.
    Back in her own room, lying on her water bed, Piper felt doubly worse. Of course she had overreacted to Sage’s giggle fits. Sage was just trying to help. And she must have been overtired. If Piper had said anything, even good night, she would have collapsed with laughter. Piper understood. She was exhausted, too. She’d sleep late the next day, no matter what.

    Sure enough, Piper slept so late the next morning that when she walked into the café, the rest of the Star Darlings were finishing their meal. As soon as they saw Piper, they stopped talking.
    Quickly, Piper slid into the empty seat between Clover and Astra. “So what did I miss this morning?” She was trying for a cheerful tone, but the corners of her mouth turned down, and suddenly, she was afraid she might cry. Sage must have told all the Star Darlings how sarcastic Piper had been the night before. Clover hugged her, which made Piper feel better for a starsec—until Clover stood up and hugged a first year