The Happiest Morning of the Year

Anna woke up with a gasp.

"It's Haircut Day!" she squealed, shooting straight out of bed. Her long blonde pigtails swung wildly behind her — so long they nearly caught on the bedpost.

Down the hall, her friends were already awake. Sabrina was bouncing. Mandy was humming. Juliana had found a hand mirror somewhere. Michelle was already dressed.

"Best day," Juliana announced, "of the entire year."

Anna smoothed her purple dress and touched her little moon pendant for luck. Through the window, she could see the barber's white van pulling through the orphanage gate.

Something loud banged from the boys' side of Moon Shining Orphanage.

Then — nothing.

The Locked Side

Anna and her friends pressed their ears against the boys' dorm door.

Nothing.

"Hello?" Mandy knocked. "We know you're in there."

A shuffling sound. Then silence again.

"Blaze! Jack! Michael!" Juliana called out.

A small voice squeaked from inside. "Go away!"

That was Ollie — the boy who was scared of everything, including his own shadow.

Anna stepped back and bumped right into someone.

"Move it, Pigtails."

She turned. It was Hana — older, perfectly groomed, arms crossed — looking at the locked door like it was personally insulting her.

"The barber," Hana said coolly, "is already setting up downstairs."