Purple Preparations

Lily LoveBraids bounced around her purple house, her three long braids flying behind her. Party decorations covered every surface—streamers, balloons, and glittery confetti scattered across the floor.

"Oh my goodness, this is going to be the BEST party ever!" she squealed, adjusting a crooked banner for the fifth time.

Candy Cat sat on the windowsill, watching with tired orange eyes. The striped orange and white cat had been Lily's friend since she first moved to the purple house, but even he seemed overwhelmed by her energy today.

"Maybe you should calm down a little," Candy Cat suggested, his tail twitching nervously.

"Calm down? Are you kidding?" Lily spun around, her black overall skirt with its bright yellow star twirling. "Everyone's going to love this! We'll play games, eat cake, and—"

She paused, noticing how Candy Cat's ears had flattened against his head.

"What's wrong?" she asked, tilting her head.

Before he could answer, the doorbell rang.

The Unexpected Gathering

Lily LoveBraids rushed to the door, her purple braids bouncing. She flung it open with such force that it banged against the wall.

"Oh…my…goodness!" she squealed at the sight of a small group gathered on her doorstep.

There stood Mrs. Melody, the music teacher from down the street, holding a covered dish. Behind her were three children from the neighborhood, each carrying colorful wrapped gifts. A hummingbird zipped between them, its emerald feathers catching the afternoon sunlight.

"We heard about your party!" Mrs. Melody said with a warm smile.

Candy Cat padded over, his orange and white stripes visible as he weaved between Lily's legs. "I don't think they're here for the party, Lily," he whispered up to her.

"Well of course they are, Candy!" Lily bounced on her toes, making her mismatched socks visible beneath her overall skirt. "Why else would they make me be here? We're going to have, So…Much…Fun!!!!"

But as her voice rose to an excited shriek, the visitors took a small step backward. The hummingbird darted away in alarm.

Mrs. Melody's smile wavered slightly.