Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7 Lily and Feather were silent as they rode back to school. Lily felt awful. Why hadn't she defended Feather to Skye? Because you're a coward, a voice whispered in her head. If you can't even stand up for your own unicorn, you'll never be brave enough to be a guardian! When they got back to the stables, Lily fluffed up the fresh straw in Feather's stall and brought her an extra-large helping of sky berries, the magical fruit that helped bring back a unicorn's magic. She acted as though everything was fine, hoping that if she pretended things were normal between her and Feather, they would be. "Lots of yummy sky berries. You'll feel stronger after eating these," said Lily, tipping the berries into Feather's manger. "Thanks," Feather muttered. Lily went to the door and then hesitated. Part of her just wanted to leave the stable, to say goodnight

and hurry inside. But she couldn't keep pretending that everything was okay when she knew that it wasn't. Gathering her courage, she forced herself to speak. "Feather, I'm so sorry," she said. "I should have stood up to Skye. I wanted to. I really did. But I couldn't get my words out." Feather nodded stiffly. "Okay… Well, thanks for apologizing but I think I'll rest now. I am tired," she said, turning her back to Lily. "See you tomorrow," Lily whispered unhappily as she left the stable. She was walking slowly back to the academy when someone ran up behind her. "Lily, wait," said Aisha, slipping her arm through Lily's. "I couldn't help overhearing some of the stuff back there in the stable with Feather. Are you all right?" "Not really. I think I've messed things up between Feather and me," said Lily sadly. "Don't worry, I'm sure it can be fixed," Aisha said. She thought for a moment. "I know! Why don't you go to the stables early tomorrow and offer to help Feather practice her magic? I practice playing my flute every day. I bet Feather will get really good at using her moving magic once she's

practiced a bit more, and she'll be happy if you offer to help her." That makes sense. It's like my paper folding, thought Lily. She hadn't been good at it at first, but with lots of practice, her paper models were now pretty good. "That's a great idea. Thanks, Aisha. I'll go see Feather first thing and ask if she wants my help." "I bet she'll say yes!" said Aisha. "And everything will be okay again!" The two girls shared a hopeful smile. Lily woke up early the following morning, before the sun started to rise. Quietly, she dressed in the dark room. She took a flashlight from her drawer, picked up the paper unicorn she had made before she went to bed, and slipped outside to the stables. The icy January air stung her cheeks as she ran along the path. When she got to the stables, she found Feather asleep, curled up in the straw, her nostrils quivering and her long eyelashes fluttering on her face. Lily stood for a moment, her heart swelling with love.

I won't let you down again, Feather. I'll be braver from now on. I'll stand up for you, no matter how scared I am, Lily silently promised. Feather woke suddenly, her eyes snapping open. She jumped up. "Lily! What are you doing here so early?" "I wanted to say sorry again. I'm going to stand up for you in the future and not let anyone put you down— ever!" Lily said in a rush. "Look, I made you this and I came to help you practice your magic— if you want my help…." She stopped, suddenly shy. Timidly, she placed the paper

unicorn on Feather's manger. "Did you really make this?" Feather asked, gently touching the delicate unicorn with her nose. "That's amazing, Lily." "It was nothing," said Lily, and then stopped herself. "Actually, it wasn't nothing. It was really hard, and I had to practice for ages before I got it right. But I did it and now I want you to have it." Feather studied her for a moment. "Thank you. Yesterday was awful. I felt really sad when you didn't stand up for me. But I thought about it last night and I realized how hard it must have been for you when Skye was being mean. I felt glad you'd said sorry afterward, and I wish I'd said something nicer back." She pushed her head against Lily. "I couldn't go to sleep. I just wanted us to make up. I don't want anything to come between us ever again." "Me neither," said Lily. "I really am sorry, and I promise I will always be there for you from now on." "And I'll be there for you," Feather said. Lily hugged Feather tightly. "So do you want to practice some magic?" Lily asked.

Feather nodded eagerly. She started by moving small things, a hoof pick, a grooming brush, then a comb, lifting them up and bringing them to Lily. After a while, she tried bigger things like a bucket, empty at first and then filled with water. She was soon very good at it. Then Feather started to have some fun. "Is that Skye's hoodie?" Lily giggled as Feather hung the forgotten hoodie near the roof. "Feather, that's Dynamo's rug! Put it back!" she added as Feather draped a striped orange rug across an empty stall to make a tent. Feather was decorating the clock hands with ribbons she'd moved from the storeroom, when Aisha came in, making Lily and her both jump. "Eek! You scared me! I usually hear you humming before you arrive," said Lily, giggling. "I can hum if you want. I just didn't want to wake anyone up," said Aisha with a grin. "I saw you'd gone from the dorm and thought I'd find you here. Are you coming in for breakfast?" "I could use my magic and you could both have breakfast here," said Feather, her eyes shining. "We could get Silver and have a picnic in the barn next to the stables. What would you like to eat?"