Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN After that lesson, Valentina really had it in for Sophia. She made lots of nasty remarks when the teachers weren't around, and giggled and whispered with her two friends, pointing at Sophia when they were in the dining hall or riding. Sophia ignored her. She didn't have time for Valentina's silly games. There was so much to do and learn, and there was the thing that the whole school was talking about– what was it that was affecting the unicorns' powers? "Did you hear what happened in the gardens?" Ava said to Sophia after they'd been to the stables to see Star. "One of the unicorns

in second year was trying to help the gardeners by making it rain in the vegetable patch but she lost control of her rain powers and caused an enormous flood!" "That's awful!" said Sophia. "I know," said Ava, shaking her head gloomily. Later that day, Ms Primrose put up a notice to say that the play park was out of bounds. "One of the students was getting his unicorn to make a daisy grow when she accidentally caused an earthquake," Sophia told Ava, having heard it from Rainbow. "Apparently the earth just exploded!" "What's going on?" said Ava. "Star says the unicorns' magic has never gone wrong like this before." She went to the dorm window. "Do you think there's something wrong with the lake? It isn't looking as bright as usual, and remember Star said it smelled a bit strange." Sophia joined her at the window and looked

out across the lake. "You're right, it isn't glittering much," she said. "And it looks a bit yellow." Sophia turned to Ava anxiously. "What if something bad is going on? Maybe someone is trying to harm the unicorns." Ava shook her head. "That can't be right. No one would do that." However, the next day in assembly Ms Primrose made a dreadful announcement. "I am very sorry to have to break this news, but it's come to my attention that someone has been tampering with the lake." A hum of chatter rose. "Do you think it's the boys playing a prank?" Ava whispered to Sophia. "No, the boys are annoying but they wouldn't harm the unicorns," Sophia said. "Quiet, please!" said Ms Primrose sharply. "The person responsible for this should know that their actions are irresponsible and very dangerous. By contaminating the water, this

person is putting our unicorns' well-being at risk. I really hope no student is responsible. If it is a student, and they are caught, they will be expelled from the school. If the situation continues then the school will be forced to close. Pupils and unicorns will be sent home for their own safety." There was a collective gasp. Ava looked at Sophia in dismay. "What are we going to do? I don't want to go home and I'm definitely not leaving without Star." Sophia hesitated. She couldn't help thinking that if they got sent home she could see her family and Clover again. But it would mean leaving Rainbow, she reminded herself. She felt torn in half. Part of her desperately wanted to be with Clover but she couldn't imagine life without Rainbow now. "Quiet, please," called Ms Primrose. "I'm hoping we shall resolve this issue before we have to take such drastic action. If anyone has

any information about what's happening then I hope you will come and tell me. Off you go to your lessons." As the pupils turned to leave, Sophia saw Valentina whispering to the boy next to her, then nodding in Sophia's direction. The boy seemed surprised and he turned to stare at Sophia. He then whispered something to the boy standing beside him. Sophia sighed. "What's Valentina saying about me now?" "Just ignore it," murmured Ava. "You know what she's like." Sophia turned away, determined not to let Valentina's nastiness upset her. But it wasn't that easy. Valentina was clearly spreading mean gossip about her. Sophia could tell from the way people stopped talking whenever she approached them. Things came to a head at the start of a lesson on the magical properties of unicorns. Sophia was setting out

her pens when Scarlett and Isabel stopped in front of her desk. "Is it true?" demanded Scarlett. "Have you been messing about with the lake?" "Pardon?" Sophia wasn't sure she'd heard right. "Did you put something in the lake?" asked Isabel. "Valentina's been telling everyone you have. She said you did it as a joke." "And that you were smiling when Ms