The Chocolate Rose Read online

  Cocoa wanted to tell Berry about how she couldn’t keep up with the steps and how she wasn’t sure of the beat, but she just looked away.

  “Let’s show you!” Dash exclaimed.

  Cocoa’s stomach did a flip-flop. “Maybe I should just sit this one out,” she said.

  Raina came over to her. “Really? You’ll get the steps, Cocoa,” she told her. “Come on. You just need to practice.”

  Waving her hand in front of her, Cocoa smiled. “No, really, I think you and Dash should be the Dancing Diva Duo.”

  “Are you sure?” Dash asked. “We wanted you to do this with us.”

  Cocoa was touched her friends seemed so surprised that she wouldn’t want to be in the dance with them.

  Did they forget how awful I am? she thought.

  “I am one hundred chocolate percent sure,” Cocoa told them.

  Berry moved over on the bench so Cocoa could sit next to her. Dash and Raina took their positions and Cocoa started the Sugar Pops song. Cocoa watched how her friends glided through the dance. They didn’t step on each other’s toes. They didn’t bump into each other. The dance looked fantastic.

  “Wow,” Berry cheered at the end of the song. “You did a great job with the choreography.”

  “Bravo!” Cocoa chimed in.

  “Now we just need some help with the costumes,” Dash said. She grinned at Berry with wide, pleading eyes.

  Berry laughed. “I can help you with that,” she said, taking the hint, “if Raina will give me some of her rainbow gummy jewels she was talking about last week. I would love to work with those. We could come up with extra-sweet costumes.”

  “I have the gummies here for you already,” Raina said. “I had a feeling you’d want to use them.” She flew over to a tree stump and pulled out a cloth bag.

  Berry clapped her hands. “Sweet strawberries, these are beautiful, Raina.” She held the tiny jewels in her hand. “Where did you find these?”

  “I was taking a walk with Bella the gummy bear cub, and we stopped for a rest at the edge of Gummy Forest,” she said. “These were growing along the shores of the Vanilla Sea.”

  Dash reached her hand out. “Can I taste one?”

  “Oh, Dash, these are much too pretty to eat!” Berry playfully scolded.

  Dash might be a small fairy, but her appetite for all candy was huge!

  “I have such a sweet idea for these,” Berry went on. “I’m excited to make you costumes for the dance.”

  “You’d make anything look sweet-tacular,” Cocoa said. She sometimes gave Berry a hard time for being so into fashion, but the truth was, Berry had the talent and flair to carry off any style.

  “Tell me some ideas you have for your costumes,” Berry said.

  As her friends discussed costume ideas, Cocoa walked to the lake. She bent down and admired the gummy flowers growing there.

  Berry came up behind her. “Cocoa, why don’t you sing with Lyra and me?” she asked. “I’d love for you to be in the act with us.”

  Cocoa looked over at Dash and Raina, who were grinning. They had all come over to the lake to talk to her.

  “That’s a great idea,” Raina said.

  “Then we can all be in the show,” Dash added.

  “Just a small chocolate change,” Berry giggled. “Please, Cocoa?”

  Cocoa bit her lip. “Um, I . . . well, er . . . ,” she stumbled.

  Berry put out her hand and pulled Cocoa up. “We’ll be great,” she said. “What do you say?”

  Once again Cocoa found she was unable to speak honestly. What was so bad about not wanting to be in a talent show? Why couldn’t her friends understand?

  “Come to our rehearsal later,” Berry said quickly.

  It was never easy to say no to the strong-flavored Fruit Fairy!

  “Lyra and I are meeting in Fruit Chew Meadow this afternoon,” Berry told her. She tilted her head. “Come and see how you feel,” she added.

  Thankful that Berry wasn’t pushing her to make a decision right then and there, Cocoa agreed to go to the rehearsal. At least she would have time to figure out how to break the news to Berry that she couldn’t sing. Had Berry never realized that Cocoa always mouthed the words to songs? She couldn’t carry a tune at all!

  “I have something else to show you fairies,” Berry stated proudly. She unfolded a piece of cloth that had been tucked in her basket. “I am making these for the stage lights,” she said. The brightly colored light covers were extremely delicate, and Berry handled them with great care.

  “Wow, that is so mint!” Dash exclaimed. “We can dance under a rainbow of colors!”

  “Fruli is doing a great job getting all the fairies to make cool candy decorations for the stage,” Berry said.

  Cocoa was happy to talk about decorations. Making chocolate decorations was something she could do! She told her friends about the chocolate flowers. “I don’t know if they will bloom in time for the show,” Cocoa added.

  Berry frowned. “Fruli wants all decorations tomorrow,” she said. “The dress rehearsal is tonight after Sun Dip. The stage needs to be ready by then.”

  Standing up, Cocoa fluttered her wings. “I’d better get back to the garden,” she told her friends.

  The other fairies all shared a concerned look.

  “You could make other chocolate candies for the stage, not just flowers,” Raina said.

  Cocoa shrugged. “I know, but I am hoping the chocolate rose will bloom.” Before her friends could say anything else, Cocoa said a quick good-bye and headed back to Chocolate Woods.

  Her singing may not be any better than her dancing . . . but at least she had a little time to figure out how to tell Berry. Right now she wanted to see if the chocolate buds had opened. To her, the flowers blooming would be better than any show opening.

  Mocha Surprise

  Cocoa happily spent the rest of the afternoon in her garden. The tiny buds on the stems were still sealed shut, but if she leaned close, she could see a hint of the chocolate rose petals. The tiny bud was slightly cracked at the top to show off the petals hidden underneath. Cocoa was so relieved. When a bud was showing a bit of the petals, a full bloom was likely to happen soon. The other flowers in the garden had petals peeking out of the buds as well. Soon her garden would be in full bloom! Cocoa wasn’t sure if she could wait another day!

  Taking out her sketch pad and pencils, Cocoa settled in and began to draw her garden. Drawing helped her relax and forget about the talent show. She loved the way the colors blended on the paper.

  Lost in her own world of coloring, Cocoa wasn’t aware that someone was watching her.

  “Hello, sugar love!” a voice boomed from above.

  Cocoa dropped her pencil and looked up in the chocolate oak tree behind her. Sitting on a branch was her cousin Mocha!

  “Mocha!” Cocoa squealed. “What are you doing here?” She was so happy to see her. She flew over and gave her a great big hug.

  “I thought I would surprise you,” Mocha said, smiling. “I had to bring some flower seeds to the Royal Palace Gardens.” Her brown eyes shone brightly. “I love an excuse to come to Candy Kingdom and see you! I am glad that I got to sneak over and take a peek at your garden.” She flew down off the branch and admired Cocoa’s work.

  “Look,” Cocoa said. She pointed to the opening bud. “I think the flowers are getting ready to burst out.”

  Mocha smiled. “I knew your seeds would grow,” she said. “You are a very fine gardener.”

  “I did everything you told me,” Cocoa said.

  “I brought you some cocoa bean shells for the soil,” Mocha said. She scooped out the hard, fragrant shells from her basket and sprinkled them around the flowers. “The shells will protect the ground and keep the moisture in,” she explained.

  Cocoa took a deep breath. “And the shells make my garden smell extra chocolaty! Thank you!”

  Mocha leaned over to examine the buds. “I bet these will bloom this week or next,” she told Coco
a. “Keep up your weeding and watering, and hope for good weather.” She grinned. “The three Ws of gardening.”

  Cocoa looked down at her feet. “Do you think the flowers will bloom before the talent show? King Crunch and Queen Sweetie are coming to Candy Kingdom, you know.”

  “I know all about their visit. But in two days?” Mocha asked. She raised her eyebrows high. “That would be unlikely.” She smiled at Cocoa. “But not impossible.”

  Cocoa knew she was asking a lot of her flowers. “All my friends are going to be in the talent show,” she said. “I don’t really have any talent, Mocha,” she added quietly.

  “I wouldn’t say that, Cocoa,” Mocha said. She walked over to the bench, saw Cocoa’s pad and pencils, and picked up the drawing. “These sketches are choc-o-rific,” she said. “You have been working hard.”

  Cocoa knew Mocha would think anything she did was choc-o-rific. She shrugged. “Thank you,” she said, “but I wish there were real flowers in my garden, not just buds.”

  “Ah,” Mocha said. She came over and gave Cocoa a squeeze. “Remember, Cocoa Bean, waiting for flowers to bloom is like watching candy ripen on the vine. It goes much faster when you are not watching!” She bent down and kissed Cocoa. “The flowers will come. These drawings are just delicious. You are a very talented artist.”

  Cocoa stopped and stared at Mocha. “Talented?” She had never heard anyone use that word about her! “I also have some paintings inside,” Cocoa told her. Mocha followed her inside.

  Mocha stood back and admired the paintings. “These are yummy to look at, Cocoa.”

  “Thanks, Mocha,” Cocoa said, smiling. Mocha always had a way of making a moment sweeter.

  Just then Cocoa glanced at the clock on her wall. “Oh no!” she moaned. She hadn’t realized the time. “I am so late!” she exclaimed. “I am supposed to be in Fruit Chew Meadow right now. I am sorry, Mocha, I really have to fly.”

  “I understand, sweetie,” the older fairy said. “Go ahead. I will see you soon.” She waved good-bye. “And keep those pictures coming!” she called to Cocoa. “I love getting sugar fly messages from you. Especially ones with drawings!”

  “I will!” Cocoa cried as she flew away. “Thank you for coming! And for the cocoa bean shells!”

  As she raced to Fruit Chew Meadow, Cocoa thought about what Mocha had said about her being a talented artist. She savored the words as if they were a rare and rich chocolate treat.

  When Cocoa got to Fruit Chew Meadow, she spotted Berry and Lyra in the far corner. They were already singing. She ducked behind a fruit-chew bush and listened to the beautiful harmonies Berry and Lyra made together. They were singing an old unicorn lullaby with a gentle melody. Cocoa twisted her long hair around one of her fingers. At that very moment, she knew there was no way she could be part of their act.

  Luckily, Berry and Lyra didn’t notice her, and Cocoa was able to slip away. She knew that if Berry spotted her, she would encourage Cocoa to stay and sing. Cocoa’s voice wouldn’t blend in nicely with theirs, and she didn’t want to ruin the lovely sound they were creating together.

  As she took flight, Cocoa sighed. She knew it was official. She was not going to be part of the talent show. She couldn’t dance. She couldn’t sing. Maybe she was just like the buds on her chocolate stems—afraid to open and be part of the show.

  Sweet Music

  As Cocoa flew over Chocolate River, she took a deep breath. The smell of fresh chocolate always helped clear her head. The milk chocolate in the river looked so delicious in the afternoon light. Cocoa couldn’t resist the urge to dip down for a quick drink.

  Happy that no other Chocolate Fairies were around, Cocoa sat on the bank and dipped her cup into the river. The cool milk chocolate made her relax, and she leaned back and thought about her problem.

  She didn’t want to be the bitter bits in the “Chocolate Touch” dance or hit all the sour notes in Berry and Lyra’s lullaby.

  Cocoa took another sip of chocolate. She felt bad that she had snuck away from the song rehearsal, but she didn’t know what to say to Berry or to any of her friends. Maybe at Sun Dip tonight she would tell them she’d had second thoughts about being in the show.

  It shouldn’t be a surprise, thought Cocoa. Berry, Dash, Raina, and Melli were so gifted, they would be relieved not to have her in the show. They all must have thought she was a salted log!

  Cocoa gazed up to the sky. Over to the north, she saw Caramel Hills. She wondered what Melli was doing now. Maybe they could make some candy together or play a game . . . anything that had nothing to do with the talent show!

  As Cocoa flew over to Caramel Hills, she noticed the chocolate stage on the riverbank. There were a bunch of fairies working.

  Is everyone in Sugar Valley involved in the talent show? she wondered.

  When Cocoa arrived at Melli’s house, she heard a familiar tune. Melli was playing the Candy Cotton song on her licorice-stick clarinet. It sounded just like the real recording! Cocoa was so impressed with her friend. When the song was over, she knocked on the door.

  “Cocoa!” Melli cried. She was very surprised to see the Chocolate Fairy and pushed the door open wider. “Come in,” she said. “I was just trying to figure out what to play for the show.”

  “That sounded super,” Cocoa told her.

  “Thanks,” Melli said, blushing. “It’s between that song and this one.” She held up another piece of sheet music. “Can I play this one for you?”

  “Sure,” Cocoa said. If all she had to do was sit and listen, she could handle that. She sat down on a butterscotch-colored beanbag chair and settled in for a musical treat.

  Melli placed the music on her stand and took a deep breath. Cocoa watched how Melli seemed to be a different fairy as she played. She was really talented. Cocoa was amazed. Melli had the confidence of a professional musician.

  When the song was over, Cocoa applauded. “I vote for that one,” she said. “Is that a Candy Cotton song too?”

  “Yes,” Melli said. “‘My Sugar Pie’ was one of her early hits.”

  “King Crunch and Queen Sweetie will love to hear you play. And Princess Lolli will be so pleased,” Cocoa assured her. “You are choc-o-rific, Melli.”

  Melli put her clarinet back in the case. “Thank you,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to the show.” She looked at Cocoa for a moment. “What happened at the song rehearsal?”

  Cocoa shook her head. “I didn’t go,” she said. “I mean, I did go, but I didn’t sing.” She saw Melli’s confused look and tried to explain. “I got there late, and I heard Berry and Lyra singing together. They had such beautiful harmony, I didn’t want to ruin their song.”

  “You wouldn’t have ruined the song,” Melli said.

  “Yes, I would have!” Cocoa said, laughing.

  Melli came over and sat on the beanbag chair next to Cocoa’s. “Well, you’ll find another act.” She tapped her finger on her chin. “Let’s find out what Cara is going to do.”

  Rolling her eyes, Cocoa pleaded with Melli. “Sure as sugar, your sister will play her flute,” she said.

  “Oh, Cocoa,” Melli said with a heavy sigh.

  Cocoa stood up. “I’m tired of talking about the show. Can’t I just be in the audience and enjoy it that way? Let’s do something else. How about if we design some new chocolate-caramel candy?”

  “Or let’s make some candy for the stage decorations,” Melli said. “I saw Fruli today at the Royal Gardens. She wants all the Candy Fairies to make candy decorations for the scenery.”

  “I saw some fairies working there today,” Cocoa said. “What did you have in mind?”

  “I was thinking we could make some chocolate-caramel-colored stars to pop up around the edge of the stage,” Melli said. “What do you think?”

  Cocoa shrugged. “Okay,” she replied.

  “They can be used as party treats after the show,” Melli said, giggling.

  Cocoa agreed. Although making the candy was still
about the talent show, at least she didn’t have to perform!

  The two fairies headed outside to gather some caramel for the stage stars.

  “How is your garden?” Melli asked as they worked. “Will the flowers be ready for the show?”

  Cocoa thought about the timing. “Maybe,” she said. “I’m still waiting for the buds to open. My cousin Mocha came by for a visit today. She thought it was possible, but she couldn’t be sure.”

  “Wow, wouldn’t that be something if you gave the flowers to Queen Sweetie?” Melli asked.

  “It would be something,” Cocoa said. “But the buds haven’t opened on any of the stems. I don’t think the flowers are going to bloom in time.”

  “Too bad,” Melli replied.

  “Mocha keeps telling me to be patient,” Cocoa said. “But it’s so hard.”

  Suddenly Melli blurted out, “It just won’t be the same if you aren’t in the show with us! Please think again about being in an act.”

  Cocoa blushed pink. She thought about sitting in the audience alone while her friends were all backstage. She fluttered her wings. Maybe Melli was right. She would feel left out.

  “Okay,” she said. “I’ll talk to Berry again at Sun Dip,” she said sadly.

  “Cheer up,” Melli said. “This is going to be great fun. You’ll see.” She waved some glitter over their candies. “The magic of the theater,” she said.

  Cocoa gave Melli a smile, but she wasn’t feeling any magic at all.

  “Why don’t you drop these candies off at the stage on your way home,” Melli said. “Maybe you’ll be inspired. The stage is choco-rific!”

  Cocoa sighed. She didn’t think seeing the chocolate stage was going to help her be good at any act. “Sure,” she said anyway. She packed up the candy in a box.

  At least she knew that along with her fairy friends, her chocolate-caramel candies would be stars onstage.