I stared up at my model. How in Alyncia was I going to get it down? Jake, AKA the worst brother in the whole world, had somehow gotten his hands on my model and thrown it up into the tall tree at the back of our house. Luckily I had gotten Drayson to tell me what he had done just in time. The annual modelling competition was being held tomorrow in the town square. This contest was hosted every year and I knew that I had a good chance of winning, if only I could get it down.
Cautiously, I placed one foot in a crack in the bark and hoisted myself up the tree. Then I grabbed a small branch with my left hand and pulled myself higher still. I managed to get about halfway up the tree in this way before my left foot suddenly slipped. I grabbed frantically for a small twig beside me but it snapped in my hand. I fell and landed hard on the ground below. I groaned as I jumped up and glared at the tree. "You stupid tree," I muttered as I reached up for a handhold and started climbing again, however this time I only made it a few feet into the air before a particular hard gust of wind made me lose my balance and fall again. I stood up and furiously dusted myself off. I gritted my teeth and turned to the tree. "You damn tree!!!" I shouted and kicked it hard. Then I reeled back, clutching my foot.
"Are you ok?" I spun around to see a girl standing a few metres away. Her wavy light brown hair was blowing in the wind and she was wearing a long black dress that showed off her pale skin. "Why are you so angry at that tree?" she asked. I could tell she was trying to hide a smile. I grinned sheepishly. "Well, my brother threw the model I was working on for the competition tomorrow up into that tree," I pointed to the shiny object perched on one of the high branches, "and I guess I got sort of angry about it." The girl turned and inspected the model, before nodding. "I could fetch that for you, if you wanted." I blinked. "Well, I'm not sure. After all, it's pretty high and ..." The girl looked indignant. "What, you think because I'm a girl I can't climb a little tree like this?" "No, of course not-'" but the girl just hitched up her long skirt and walked confidently up to the tree. I watched her skillfully scale the tree, and I was very impressed. Soon she was back at ground level and she handed over the model as soon as her feet touched the ground. I inspected it thoroughly, looking for any scratches or cracks. It had to be perfect for the contest. After not finding anything I turned back to the girl. "Thank you so much, and you climbed that tree so fast and nimbly! I could never do that!" She smiled. "I was happy to help. My name is Felice." She reached out and shook my hand. "Daryl," I told her.