Ada could barely contain her excitement. She wondered what outside was like. She fluttered up to Lila's shoulder and sat down.
Lila opened a door and walked out. Ada was amazed. This place was beautiful! She stood up and was about to fly off Lila's shoulder when Lila put her hand on Ada.
"Ada, you need to stay right here," Lila said firmly. "Outside is dangerous. A hawk could swoop down and eat you!"
Ada shrunk back, scared now.
"If you stay right here, you won't get eaten," Lila said. "Don't leave my shoulder unless I tell you to."
Ada nodded. She didn't want to be eaten. Ada was scared of dying, now that she had thought about it. It would definitely hurt, and then she would be gone. She shuddered and tried to think about something else.
Lila had reached a body of water contained in a plastic circle. Ada watched as Lila kicked off her shoes and stepped in!
"This is my pool," Lila explained. "Go on, fly down to the water and do what you want."
Ada flew off Lila's shoulder and stepped onto the warm surface of the water. She danced across it and smiled. "Lila, this is great!"
Next, Ada cautiously pushed a foot below the surface of the water. She found the bottom quickly. It was only up to her waist. She leaned forward and began to float onto her stomach, being very careful to keep her wings up high. She saw Lila sitting in the pool and watching her with amusement.
This was so relaxing, Ada thought. Forgetting her wings, she rolled onto her back. Her wings began to feel heavy, and Ada stood up with a start.
"It's alright," Lila said. "Here, try to make a bubble with air inside."
Ada scratched her head. Then she touched the surface of the water and made a bubble around the air at the surface. She smiled and held it up for Lila to see.
Lila grinned. "Great job, Ada! Now make some more."
Ada did so. Soon, her hands were full.
"Make it into a necklace," Lila instructed.
Ada attached each bubble into a long string. Then she put it around her neck.
"Now, you can go under the water, and when you need a breath, put one of the bubbles in your mouth," said Lila.
Ada smiled. She nodded and fell forwards into the water. Immediately, water surrounded her. Her wings pulled her down, but she moved around the bottom of the pool. She smiled and popped a bubble into her mouth. She was surprised, as she felt like she had just taken a breath of air. She swam under the water until her bubbles ran out. Then she stood up. She was now waist-deep, and she took breaths of fresh air happily. Her soaked wings were hanging into the water, and they were too heavy to lift.
"Ada, are you ready to go back inside?" Lila asked.
"Yes," Ada replied, nodding. Lila picked up the soaked fairy and set her in the palm of her hand. Ada's clothes, hair, and wings were dripping water, and Lila's hand got very wet. Once they were back inside, Lila went to the kitchen and got a washcloth. She gave it to Ada and said, "Wrap this around yourself until your wings and clothes are dry."
Ada did just that, and she was happy from the warmth it provided. Lila took her to her house and set her in a little chair. Then Lila said, "Stay here, I'll be back." Ada got comfortable as Lila walked out and shut the door.