Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN Dressed in pyjamas with a hoodie on top, Olivia crept downstairs and went outside. The rainbow-coloured lake glimmered in the moonlight and the frosty air pinched her cheeks. Olivia hopped from the shadow of the buildings, haring across the grass until she reached the stables. It was warm and welcoming with the soft snuffles of the sleeping unicorns. Olivia tiptoed along to Snowflake's stable. "Olivia, can't you sleep either?" Snowflake stumbled to her hooves. There was an awkward silence. "I'm sorry." Olivia and Snowflake spoke

together. "You first, Snowflake." "No, you." Olivia took a deep breath. "Look, I really am sorry. We should be able to trust each other and tell each other the truth. I don't want to have secrets between us." Snowflake hung her head, not meeting Olivia's eye. "I'm sorry too. I didn't mean to hurt you but I really want to graduate. My parents will be so disappointed if I have to stay here for another year. This last week it's felt like…" Snowflake shook her head. "Forget it. Can you forgive me, Olivia? I promise to tell you everything from now on." "It's felt like what?" A rosy flush spread up Snowflake's neck. "You'll think I'm being silly but sometimes it feels like you don't want me to find my magic. It's ridiculous, I know!" Now it was Olivia's turn to go red. "It's not!

I really want to help you to find your magic and for us to bond and everything. But…" She took a deep breath. Trust worked two ways. Snowflake had been honest with her and now she had to be honest back. "Sometimes, I can't help thinking that it might be easier to stay at the academy for another year. Then no one would find out about my parents. You know how much Isabel and Scarlett hate Valentina for her airs and graces." "But you're not Valentina– you don't have airs and graces," said Snowflake. "You have to trust your friends, Olivia." Olivia played with a strand of Snowflake's long mane. "You're right," she said at last. "If I'm honest with my friends and they don't like me then they're not really very good friends, I guess." "No more secrets then?" said Snowflake hopefully. "None!" Olivia flung herself at Snowflake

and hugged her tightly. "I promise to tell you and my friends everything from now on." Olivia was so happy she felt she might go pop as she and Snowflake cuddled up together in the straw and talked until they finally fell asleep. It didn't matter if she couldn't graduate. At least she could be honest with her friends. She just hoped they would still like her after she told them the truth.

"Olivia! What are you doing here?" Olivia woke to see Layla peering at her. Where was she? Realising she was next to Snowflake, she remembered. "I don't know. I guess I just fell asleep." "You'd better get up. We've got loads to do before the parents arrive this evening for the ball. Oh my goodness!" Layla's mouth hung open. "Look at your hair. When did you and Snowflake bond?" Olivia tipped her head forward and stared at the blue and gold streak brightening her red hair. "Look, Snowflake," she gasped as Snowflake sleepily opened her eyes. "We've finally bonded!" Hope flickered across Snowflake's face. "Hurrah! If only we could find my magic then maybe we can graduate, too." "There's still time today." Olivia hugged her. "You know, it might be easier now there are no secrets between us. That might have been

what was holding you back." "Secrets?" echoed Layla. "Yes, I've got to tell you something—" Olivia broke off as Valentina arrived, striding through the stable with Jacinta and Delia scurrying behind. "Get busy grooming Golden Briar, you two. I want him to look his best for my meeting with Mummy, Daddy and Ms Primrose. They're going to persuade Ms Primrose to let me graduate." Olivia rolled her eyes at Layla. She couldn't tell her now with Valentina there. Anyway, maybe it would be better to confess her secret to all her friends together. "Let's go and get breakfast," she said with a grin. Olivia waited until all her friends were sitting down at the breakfast table. "Listen up everyone. There's something I need to—"