Violet Briggs looked on her bed. She flipped over pillows.

Violet opened a dresser drawer. Inside, a tiny fairy was curled up in a soft pair of socks. The fairy opened his eyes and yawned.

"Is it time to wake up?" asked Sprite, the fairy. "I'm so sleepy!"

"You have been sleeping all morning!" Violet said a little crossly.

Sprite stretched his rainbow-colored wings. He flew out of the drawer and sat on the dresser. His green legs dangled over the side.

"Sorry!" Sprite said. "I'm worn out from looking for escaped pixies yesterday. I wanted to get some rest before we started today."

Violet sighed. Her life had changed so much since the day she met Sprite. He had come through a magical door in the oak tree in her backyard.

Sprite had explained that fourteen pixies had escaped from his world. It was Sprite's job to trick them and send them back. He had asked Violet to help him

Violet had agreed. Since then, they had tricked five pixies together.

But today Violet needed a break.

"I'm not looking for pixies today," she told Sprite. "I'm going to Brittany's birthday party."

"That's right" Sprite said. "I forgot. When are you going?"

"I'm not sure," Violet said. "I can't find the invitation. I've been looking for it everywhere."

Just then, someone knocked on Violet's door.

"It's Dad," said Violet's father.

Quickly, Sprite hid behind a teddy bear. Violet opened the door.

Violet's dad had a mop of blond hair and green eyes. He was carrying a wrapped-up present.

"Brittany's mom left a message," explained Mr. Briggs. "She said the party starts at one."

"Great!" Violet said.

Mr. Briggs shook the present. "Your mom wrapped this before she went to work," he said. "What did you get Brittany?"

"It's really cool!" Violet said, excited. "It's a Dancing Dolphin Waterfall. When you turn the key, it lights up and the waterfall turns on. Then dolphins dance up and down."

Mr. Briggs handed Violet the box. Then he ruffled her brown hair.

"Let me know when you're ready to go to the party. I'll give you a ride," he said.

Violet kissed his cheek. "Thanks, Dad."

Mr. Briggs closed the door. Sprite flew out from behind the teddy bear.

"Birthdays are fun!" he said. "Can I come?"

Violet sat down on her bed. "I wish you could," she said. "But somebody might see you. You know I have to keep you a secret."

"I know," Sprite said with a sigh. He sounded disappointed.

Suddenly, a boy burst into the room. He had sandy-blond hair and wore jeans and a sweatshirt.

"Are we tricking any pixies today?" he asked.

"Leon, can't you knock?" Violet asked her cousin. Leon and his mom lived downstairs from Violet. He was always hanging around. He even knew about Sprite.

Leon had helped them trick some pixies. Of course, Leon thought he was the best Pixie Tricker ever.

Sprite flew up to Leon. "Violet is going to Brittany's birthday party. I have to stay here."

Leon flopped down on the floor. "I'm bored," he complained.

Sprite fluttered his wings, excited. "Maybe you and I could look for pixies," he said.

"Yeah," Leon said. "Why not?"

The idea of Leon and Sprite out on their own made Violet nervous. Even though Sprite was a Royal Pixie Tricker, he was new at his job. He made a lot of mistakes.

And Leon — well, Leon was just Leon.

"Why don't you wait until I get back from the party?" Violet asked. "I won't be long. Then we can look for Hinky Pinky."

Hinky Pinky was a fairy who could change the weather. Sprite and Violet had been trying to find him from the start. So far, they'd had no luck.

Sprite and Leon looked at each other.

"I guess we can wait for you," Sprite said finally. "Don't be long!"