Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE "Sophia and… Rainbow," announced Ms Primrose. The unicorn with the rainbow mane whinnied in delight. Sophia's heart leapt as he trotted over and stopped in front of her. She held out her hands. "Rainbow," she whispered. He nuzzled her hands. "Hello, Sophia. As soon as I saw you, I knew I wanted you to be my friend." "I felt the same." She felt a thrill of excitement as his lips tickled her fingers. Her very own unicorn! Oh, they were going to have so much fun together. But not as much fun as I

have with Clover, she thought quickly, pulling her hands back. Rainbow sent her a puzzled look as if he sensed her confusion. Ms Primrose continued pairing students and unicorns until only a floppy-haired blond boy with a big smile and a unicorn with an electric- blue mane and tail were left. "Billy and Lightning," she said. As Billy and Lightning completed the circle,

everyone started to chatter. "Quiet, please," said Ms Primrose, clapping her hands. "You can now spend the afternoon exploring the grounds. You may go riding with your unicorns if you wish." Sophia's excitement grew. She loved riding Clover but he was so slow these days. Rainbow looked full of energy, impatiently dancing on his hooves as he waited for Ms Primrose to finish. "After you've finished exploring, please take your unicorns back to the stable and settle them before you tidy yourselves up for dinner. You will find your travel case in your dormitory. There are six dorms with either six girls or six boys in." Ms Primrose told everyone who they were sharing with. Sophia was in Sapphire dormitory with Ava. How lucky! At last, Ms Primrose smiled and said, "Have fun exploring the grounds. Your lessons start

tomorrow." Sophia grinned at Ava. As she led Rainbow out of the hall she glanced at the other five girls in Sapphire. As well as Ava there was serious- looking Layla with dark hair long enough to sit on, smiley Scarlett, her blonde hair held back with a diamond hair slide, sporty-looking Isabel with the brown curls and red-headed Olivia with mischievous green eyes. Would they all be friends? Sophia hoped so. Layla made for a side door, saying, "Dancer wants me to see his stable first." Olivia and her unicorn, Snowflake, followed her. Scarlett and Isabel went off with their unicorns, Blaze and Cloud, daring each other to a race, leaving Ava and Sophia together. "Star said she wants to show me the lake," said Ava, who had already jumped on to Star's back. "Do you want to come with us?" "Yes, please." Sophia couldn't wait to dip her hands in the rainbow-coloured water. She'd

known about its importance since she was little. Sophia almost had to pinch herself to believe that she was now at school right next to it. "Aren't you going to get on?" asked Rainbow, nudging Sophia towards his back. Sophia desperately wanted to ride Rainbow but was hesitating because it made her feel disloyal to Clover. But she could hardly say no, could she? She grinned and vaulted on to his back. Before she even had chance to sit properly, Rainbow whinnied in delight and took off. "Whoa!" Sophia grabbed a handful of coloured mane. "Off we go!" shouted Rainbow. Pulling herself straight on his back, Sophia began to feel excitement swooping through her as Rainbow galloped around the gardens. "Faster!" she gasped as her dark curls blew out behind her. All thoughts disappeared from her head apart from the feeling of speed and

Rainbow's warm back beneath her. This was like flying! Rainbow raced across the grass towards the lake. Sophia caught her breath. Glittering in the January sunlight, the multicoloured water was even more beautiful close up. Rainbow didn't stop but plunged straight in, sending a spray of coloured droplets raining over Sophia. She squealed as the cold water hit her and then leaned down and hugged his neck, gasping and laughing. "That was amazing!" "It was! This is the happiest day of my life," declared Rainbow, reaching round and nuzzling her leg. "We're going to have lots of adventures