Free The Sugar Ball by Helen Perelman

Sweet Thoughts
    C ocoa smiled as she flew across Chocolate Woods. The sun was shining and the air was full of sweet, rich chocolate scents. The Chocolate Fairy spread her golden wings and glided down to Chocolate Falls.
Yum
, thought Cocoa as she licked her lips. There was nothing better than fresh milk chocolate.
    â€œCocoa!” Melli the Caramel Fairy called. “Over here!” Melli was sitting underneath a chocolate oak tree. She waved to get Cocoa’s attention.
    Waving back, Cocoa fluttered down to her friend’s side. Melli was always on time—or early. She was a shy fairy, but her sweet caramel nature was part of what kept their group of friends sticking together—no matter what.
    â€œWhat a
choc-o-rific
day!” Cocoa sang. She smiled at her friend.
    â€œOnly one more week until the Sugar Ball,” Melli burst out. “I can’t wait!” She took out a light caramel twist from her bag. “What do you think? I just had to show you right away.” She held up the long caramel rope candy for Cocoa to view.
    â€œIt looks delicious,” Cocoa commented.
    â€œWon’t this be perfect for the sash on my dress?” Melli asked. “I’ve been searching for just the right size trim.”
    Cocoa laughed. All any of her friends could think about was the Sugar Ball at Candy Castle and the dresses they’d wear to the party. The big ball was the grandest—and sweetest—of the season. The Sugar Ball was a celebration of the sugar harvest. Fairies from all over came to the Royal Gardens for the party. Princess Lolli, the ruling fairy princess, always made the party the most scrumptious of the year.
    â€œI think that will be the perfect addition to your outfit,” Cocoa said. She touched the golden caramel twist. “This is the exact right color for your dress.”
    Melli clapped her hands. “I knew you’d say that!” she said, grinning. “Cara wanted me to make her one just like this too.”
    Cara was Melli’s little sister and always wanted to be just like her big sister.
    â€œDid you help her?” Cocoa asked.
    â€œSure as sugar,” Melli said. “She’s so excited about her first ball.” She stopped and admired her dress. “Now I just need to find the right necklace.”
    â€œYou should ask Berry to make you one of her sparkly fruit-chew necklaces,” Cocoa said. She was used to her friend Berry the Fruit Fairy always talking about fashion, but this year all her friends were concerned about their Sugar Ball dresses and jewelry. Everyone wanted tomake her ball gown special and unique. Even Cocoa!
    â€œYou’re right,” Melli said. “I should ask Berry. I just hope she doesn’t say she’s too busy. Did you know that she is weaving the material for her dress herself? Her dress is going to be
sweet-tacular
!”
    â€œHmm,” Cocoa muttered. She was actually growing a little tired of all the talk about dresses. Even though she wanted to look her best, she had another idea of how to make her entrance at the ball special.
    â€œDo you think Char will remember me?” Melli asked, interrupting Cocoa’s thoughts. Her light brown eyes had a faraway gaze. Like most fairies in Sugar Valley, she loved the Sugar Pops. Theywere brothers who played in a band together and sang the sweetest songs. Char was the lead singer in the band and Melli’s supersweet crush.
    â€œHow could they forget you?” Cocoa asked. “You were the Candy Fairy who saved Caramel Moon!” In the fall, when the candy corn crop was in danger, Melli was the one who discovered the problem. Together with their fairy friends, they saved the Caramel Moon festival, where the Sugar Pops played. They even got to meet Carob, Chip, and Char! Seeing them again at the Sugar Ball would definitely sugarcoat the night.
    â€œI know it’s just a rumor that they’ll come,” Melli said, “but