Sky.

'I still think Tom has the hots for you.' Jas, my best friend, said as we walked along the seafront.

'You're ridiculous.' I told her, shaking my head. 'Have you forgotten that I'm invisible?'

'Because you choose to be.' She tutted. 'If you just talked to people…'

'There's no point.' I sighed. 'I look like a twelve-year-old.'

And I did. Despite having turned sixteen four months ago, I still looked too young. I was small, only just five foot tall, and I had big blue eyes which made me look younger somehow. I had just taken my GCSEs and was awaiting results in the hope that I could attend the local college in Brighton with Jas.

'Guys like the look. Plus I'd kill for your hair.' She reached out and touched my blonde curls with light pink highlights, which were tied back in my ponytail.

We reached my terraced house and I looked up at it. It looked like the other houses in Brighton. Nothing special, splashed with colour and built into the hillside. It was great exercise walking to the shops or the pier. I opened the gate and walked in, Jas following me as she did whenever we were together. I'd told Sally and Simon that we might as well just give her a spare key but they'd not been happy about that.

'My hair is a frizzy mess.' I said to Jas as she followed me into the hallway. We both threw down our jumpers over the bannister, the August air not quite warm enough thanks to the sea breeze. 'Tea?'

'Sure.' She smiled. 'And then can we order pizza? I'm starved.'

She followed me into the kitchen where Sally and Simon were stood, looking awkward. I looked at my adoptive parents, who had adopted me aged 8, with curiosity. Sally looked stressed, her eyes rimmed with red like she'd been crying. Simon's forehead was filled with creases. Jas looked at me with a puzzle expression.

'Hi girls.' Sally said with a weak smile. 'Did you have a nice time at the beach?'

'Yes thank you.' Jas said awkwardly. 'I actually have to go.' She gave me a small smile and then ducked out of the house, the front door slamming behind her.

'What's going on?' I asked my parents. They glanced at each other with concern. 'Sally? Simon?'

'We received a letter today.' Simon paused. 'From a solicitor.'

'Oh?' I sat down at a stool by the tiny breakfast bar in our brightly-coloured kitchen.

Simon ran a hand through his hair, something he only did when he was really nervous. 'This came for you.' He passed over a sealed envelope and I carefully took it from his hand, looking at the postage mark. To me, the whole thing was very strange. A solicitor's stamp and address was in the corner, the letter one that was first class. I carefully opened it, aware that Sally and Simon were holding their breath as they watched me.

Dear Miss Bright,

I am writing to you on behalf of Albert Edward Taylor, your grandfather. Unfortunately your grandfather passed away on July 21st after an ongoing battle with lung cancer.

I blinked. My grandfather? My real grandfather?

We have been looking to locate you as Mr Taylor included you in his will as his only remaining relative. Please attend a meeting on August 18th to discuss the conditions of his will and what you are entitled to.

'Is this some kind of joke?' I asked Sally and Simon, my voice hoarse.

'No.' Sally said, her voice sad. 'We've received a letter too. Apparently your birth father's family have been trying to reach you for a while.'

I glanced down at the letter in my hand, feeling nauseous and dizzy. 'But it's too late.'

Simon gave me a sad nod and he moved to my side, squeezing my shoulder. 'I'm sorry sweetie.'

I looked at the date of the meeting, just two days away. 'So… what now?' My voice was quiet, child-like.

'I guess we attend the reading of the will.' Simon said. 'See what they've got to say.'

I kept to myself over the next few days, spending most of my time in my room, playing guitar and trying not to think too much about the loss of the grandfather I'd never known. Had he been warm and kind? Would we have had things in common? And what about my father? What had happened to him if I was the only living relative? And where was my mother in all of this? Was she still alive? I couldn't talk to Sally and Simon about it as they were my adoptive parents, the people who had spent the last eight years caring for me and raising me like I was their own flesh in blood so I'd spent the time talking to Jas, who had even picked out an outfit for me to wear to the reading of the will.

On the Friday, as expected, Sally and Simon took me up to London to the solicitor's office, the three of us dressed smartly and sat silently on the train, not knowing what to expect. We reached the Kensington office and I looked up at the expensive-looking building as Simon buzzed it. We were buzzed in and I followed my adoptive parents in silence, my stomach churning.

'Mr and Mrs Bright, welcome.' The receptionist said with a smile. 'And Miss Bright, hello.' Her eyes flicked to look at me and I just about gave her a small smile in response. 'Mr Jones will be with you shortly. Take a seat.' She signalled to the plush white sofas in the corner. I sat down beside Sally and Simon and picked up a magazine from the table, one titled Elite. In my black Primark dress, the smartest thing I owned, I suddenly felt somewhat out of place. I'd tried to make an effort, wearing my smartest black pumps and a cream cardigan, my hair plaited intricately in a French plait, but I still felt like the receptionist, in her well-fitting dress suit, was looking down at me and my outfit choice. I flicked open the magazine, finding myself looking at a picture of a good-looking couple in their mid-forties. The woman looked pristine and beautiful with deep blue eyes and a shiny, dark brunette bob, her skin slightly tanned and making her look as if she was from Latino origin. The man looked equally pristine, with mid-length black hair and deep brown eyes, his suit clearly designer. I squinted at the caption. Saul Benedict and his wife Karla Benedict attending the annual black and white ball in London last week.

'Miss Bright?' A man in a grey suit appeared, looking down at me. He smiled cheerfully and I wasn't sure if that was the right expression considering the circumstances. His eyes moved to see my parents and he smiled at them too. 'I'm Martin Jones, your grandfather's solicitor. Would you like to come in?'

I stood, my knees knocking together with nerves. Sally and Simon shot me reassuring smiles and followed myself and Mr Jones into his office. It was completely white; white walls, white floor and a view of the street below. The desk was white, as were the book shelves, which were filled with books about law. A few paintings and a degree were hung on the wall.

'Please, sit.' Martin Jones signalled to one of the comfy grey office chairs and I sat down in it, Simon and Sally seating themselves either side of me. 'You've not been easy to track down Miss Bright.'

'We're surprised you found her.' Simon replied. 'The adoption agency had no idea about parents when we asked, no knowledge of it at all.'

Mr Jones' mouth fell into a straight line. 'This must be very difficult for you, Sky.' I gave a small nod and he looked sympathetic. 'I understand from Mr Taylor's many meetings with me that you knew nothing of your family.' I shook my head and he sighed. 'This is possibly one of my most difficult cases.'

'Was he kind?' I found my small voice asking.

Mr Jones' smile tilted up at the corners at this. 'Very. One of my favourite clients. He had so many stories to tell.' I nodded and Sally reached for my hand, squeezing it as she often did when I was nervous. 'Shall we get down to business?' I nodded again and he picked up some paperwork, scanning it. 'As Mr Taylor's only living relative, he was very clear that you were to receive everything.' He cleared his throat. 'I hereby would like my only granddaughter to be found and for her to receive my money, possessions and property.' My eyes widened. Property? 'I do however have some conditions for her.'

'Conditions?' Simon looked as puzzled as I felt.

'My granddaughter is to be given a monthly allowance until her full inheritance is given to her for her twenty-first birthday.' He paused, pushing his glasses up his nose. 'This monthly allowance will be of one and a half thousand pounds.'

'One and a half thousand?' I spluttered and Sally and Simon gawped beside me.

Mr Jones nodded before continuing. 'She is not to sell my properties as I would like her to keep our family alive. She is welcome to rent them out or live there herself when she is old enough.' I blinked. 'And finally, she is to attend Buckland House School to complete her education.'

'Buckland House?' Simon looked confused again.

'It's a very prestige school and college, Mr Bright, in Devon. Beautiful grounds, outstanding reputation.'

I gawped, uncertain of what to say. It was clear that my grandfather, whoever he had been, was incredibly rich. And there was me, sat in a Primark dress and living in a small and cosy two-bedroom terraced house which Sally and Simon rented as Brighton was too expensive to buy a house in.

'I will need you all to sign some paperwork and fill out some details.' Mr Jones said. 'To say that you confirm to follow the conditions of Mr Taylor's will.'

'And if we don't?' Simon asked.

'Simon, this is Sky's decision.' Sally scolded. 'This is not up to her.'

'But this changes everything.'

'It does.' Sally agreed. 'But perhaps for the better.' She looked at Mr Jones. 'Can we have some time to discuss this?'

'Of course.' The solicitor nodded. 'I'll give you my card and you can take as long as you need.'

The silence was unnerving as we rode the train back to Brighton. It was uncomfortable as we ate dinner too. I sat, poking my food with a fork as figures swum around my head. One thousand, five hundred pounds allowance every month. That was sixteen thousand, five hundred pounds a year. Enough to buy a car. Enough to get myself through university on an excellent degree programme.

Sally placed some print-outs on the table in front of me and I blinked as I read the formal gold font. Buckland House School. The grounds looked beautiful in the pictures; Edwardian buildings with ivy covering parts of them, stone buildings resembling churches. There were rolling green hills in the background and trees spread across fields. Pupils wore school uniforms consisting of navy tartan skirts and cardigans with a crest for girls, over white shirts and crest-decorated blazers, navy trousers and patterned ties for boys. I scanned through the text and my eyes widened. A prestige boarding school for pupils aged 11-18 years old.

'It's a boarding school.' I told them and Sally nodded.

'I do not want Sky attending a boarding school.' Simon replied. 'What's the point when she can attend college nearby?'

'It does have an excellent reputation.' Sally said. 'Most pupils go on to attend the top universities in the country and even royalty have attended there in the past.'

I was sat on the fence. It would be wonderful to go to a top university, but a boarding school?

'We have time to think about this.' Simon said.

'Not long if Sky is going to start in September.' Sally replied. She looked across at me. 'Honey, I think you should go.'

'Are you trying to get rid of me?' My heart sank and I put down my fork.

'Of course not!' She sighed. 'I'll miss you so much but this is such a big opportunity. Going to a prestige school, getting yourself an excellent education.'

She was right, irritatingly. And part of me wanted to know about my birth parents if I could find out anything about them. But what about Jas and the friends I would leave behind? What about Brighton and the happy memories I had there? What about Sally and Simon?

'I'd miss you a lot.' I whispered and Sally gave me a small smile.

'And we'll miss you a lot too.'

Zed.

'Hey baby.' I smiled at Larissa as she walked towards me in her new dress. It fell halfway down her thighs and hugged her curves. She looked incredible. She flicked her long, brunette hair over her shoulders as her intense brown eyes met mine.

'Hey.' She smiled a sexy, seductive smile. 'You're early.'

'For you, always.' I purred and I'm sure she swooned as she sat down at the table across from me. It was my third date this week, the third girl I'd taken out, and I was feeling pretty good about it. Larissa was by far the prettiest girl at school and together we were meant to be the perfect couple. We'd been Prom King and Queen back in June, meant to be. My parents disliked her but that somehow made it more satisfying. 'I love that dress on you.' I told her. My smile turned lopsided, cheeky. 'But it would look even better on my bedroom floor.'

Her sexy smile widened and I wondered if there was a possibility of us skipping dinner altogether. My parents and brother were out of town so I had the house to myself. It would make the evening far more interesting if we could just forget dinner and head back to the house to make-out and whatever else.

'I spent hours getting ready.' She said, fiddling with her sleek and shiny hair. 'I'm not letting that all go to waste within two minutes.' My face fell and she smiled. 'But that doesn't mean it's out of the question.'

We ordered our over-priced starters and I didn't bat an eyelid when the waitress flirted with me. It came with being a Benedict. Everyone knew of our family. My dad owned a successful business and my mother had been a model once. My seven brothers and I had grown up surrounded by fast cars, private schooling and expensive dinners in golf clubs. It was nothing new to me and I loved it, whereas some of my other brothers preferred to keep on the downlow. My parents had met aged seventeen, had fallen in love and were married by eighteen. It sounded like a disaster of a teen movie, but they were still married twenty-eight years later and they were still ridiculously happy. They'd had my oldest brother, Trace shortly after that. Now aged twenty-seven, he was working in London in law enforcement, ironic considering he had once been the bad boy of our family. Then there was Uriel, who worked in forensics and then Victor, who worked for the MI5, almost looking like James Bond. Xavier came next and was currently at medical school and then Yves, who was known as a complete techo-geek at our school. And then me, Zed Benedict, the most popular guy at school.

'I'm so glad you asked me out.' Larissa purred, bringing me back to reality. She caressed my hand across the table. 'I thought you'd never ask.'

'It makes perfect sense.' I replied, flirtatiously. 'I'm the best looking guy in the school and you're the hottest school. A perfect match I'd say.' She swooned and I knew I'd successfully told her exactly what she wanted to hear. It was a gift of mine, but a kind of different gift to the ones I actually had.

My family were savants, people with special abilities. My mother, for example, could see the future sometimes and Xavier could heal, which was why he wanted to be a doctor so bad. I could see the future like my mother but I wasn't as powerful and my glimpses came randomly. I could also lift objects with my mind, which was pretty cool when I was fighting or arguing with my brothers. No trying to impress Larissa with that one though, so I stuck to my charm and good looks.

'I can't believe you've not invited me here in ages.' Larissa said as we stepped into my house in the Dartmoor countryside. It was close to the national parks, just how my dad liked it, close enough to rivers and walking and cycling routes. Our house was pretty big but then it had to be to house seven boys. There were ten bedrooms in total. The house was old, with stone walls that made it almost like a castle. In fact, most locals even referred to it as Castle Benedict because of the towers at each end of the building. Inside, however, it was more modern with plush leather sofas, plasma televisions and all kinds of interesting gadgets spread across the three reception rooms, one of which was a cinema.

'I've been busy.' I shrugged. Busy with other girls. She slipped off her shoes and coat, hanging it on the coat stand and looking up at the grand staircase. I grabbed her hand and pulled her into the living room. 'Want a drink?' I signalled to the liquor cabinet and she giggled, nodding. I poured us each some whiskey, returning to sit on the sofa beside her, opposite the old fireplace that was tempting to light as the house was pretty cool for August.

'Are you going to ask me to be your girlfriend?' Larissa asked, her long eyelashes fluttering.

'Baby, you know I don't do girlfriends.' I didn't want commitment. It was more fun to play the field than to settle and have expectations.

She pouted but I knew she wasn't too bothered. I placed both of our drinks on the glass coffee table and leant towards her, crashing my lips against hers. She responded to the kiss, weaving her arms around my neck as I kissed her hard. There weren't any fireworks but it would satisfy for now. I moved on top of her, kissing her more deeply and she moaned against my lips.

'Zed!' My mother's scolding voice caught me by surprise. They were home early. Larissa pushed me off, clearly embarrassed but I just smirked.

'Hello mother.'

'What are you doing?'

'I'm sorry Mrs Benedict.' Larissa apologised, looking mortified that we were caught. 'I must get going.' She hurried out of the room, her brunette hair swishing behind her as she ducked out of the room.

'You're home early.' I pointed out as my gaze met my mother's. She looked pretty pissed.

'Stopping you from making a terrible mistake it would seem.'

I glanced across at her. 'You saw it before it happened.'

'Of course I saw it.' She looked frustrated. 'Why do you think I'm home?'

'I wish you'd stop spying on me.' It was my turn to be annoyed. I narrowed my eyes and folded my arms across my chest.

'I wish you'd stop ruining your life.' She sighed. 'I didn't raise you to treat girls like dirt. Nor did I raise you to slack off from school work. These next two years are important Zed, especially if you want to go to university. I can't buy your way into university.'

I shrugged. 'I'll pass.'

She looked tired as she ran a hand through her smooth, newly-styled hair. Lines were starting to appear on her forehead and I knew her hair was silvery grey under the dye. 'Don't ruin your life, Zed. You can achieve so much.'

And with that she ducked out of the room, leaving me annoyed and by myself.