Melissa stood in line and patiently awaited her turn. So far, those ahead of her had been awarded the basic white. Would that be her status too? After all her work and her…yes, her daring-do? Plain, boring, solid, white. But better white than nothing.

“Melissa?” the dean called her name.

She stepped forward.

“Well done, Melissa. The only flier from this year’s entry to reach the sun.” The dean pinned the orange-tipped wings on her collar.

Of course, it wasn’t really the sun. That would have been an impossibility.