Sky.

The goodbye between Jas and I and Sally and Simon and I wasn't so easy the following day. Each of us had cried, even though Sally and Simon had tried to comfort me by saying it was only six weeks until the Christmas holidays when I would see them again. Six weeks. I still felt low when they drove away, leaving me back at school with my suitcase of freshly laundered clothes. I looked up at the building in front of me and sighed. This was my life now, wasn't it? So why did I still feel so lonely and anxious?

'Welcome back Sky.' Miss Keane said as I walked into the boarding house with my suitcase. 'Need a hand?'

'I'm fine thank you.' I gave her a small smile and she nodded.

'How was your half-term?'

Oh goody, small talk. I wondered if she could tell I'd been crying. I wondered if she'd noticed I'd been stood outside for the last ten minutes, coaxing myself to walk into the building. 'It was nice.' I replied. 'Nice seeing my parents and best friend.' She nodded and gave me a sympathetic smile.

'Any idea when the other girls are back? You're the first one here.'

That wasn't exactly encouraging either. 'Tina and Zoe are back sometime tomorrow.' I told her.

'Well the dining hall isn't open for dinner yet so I can whip us up something if you'd like?' She offered.

'Thanks.' I smiled.

'I'll call you when dinner is ready.'

I felt like I was in another life as I moved up the stairs and down the corridor to my bedroom. I unlocked the door and saw it was completely untouched, everything how I'd left it some time ago. I sank onto my bed and pulled out the family photographs Clare had given me and attached them to my noticeboard, alongside the pictures of me with Sally and Simon. I sighed. There was still so much I didn't know and one thing bothered me more than the rest; where was my mother?

'So what's the big deal with this ball then?' I asked the girls the following day. Tina, Zoe and a few of the other girls (Violet, Amy and Liza) were back and we'd cooked spaghetti Bolognese together. We were now sat hanging around in the common room.

'It's epic.' Tina said, simply and the other girls nodded in agreement. 'Zed's house is huge.' I raised my eyebrows. 'Though yours is equally if not more impressive.'

'So it's just some Super Sweet Sixteen style party?'

'It's more than that.' Amy said. 'His parents must spend a fortune on it. It's always properly decorated right down to every detail, caterers come in and design food and drink especially and everyone's outfits are always amazing.'

'Plus Zed and a few of his mates always choreograph this big entrance dance number to make themselves known.' Violet said.

'Doesn't that defeat the object of the masks?' I asked.

'This is the first masquerade.' She said, simply. 'But it always kicks the party of with a bang.'

'I can't imagine Zed dancing.'

'It's street stuff.' Zoe replied. 'And he's actually pretty good.'

I grinned as an idea popped into my head and Tina eyeballed me suspiciously. 'Don't suppose you girls are any good at dancing?'

'What are you thinking?' Tina asked.

'That we play the game.' I folded my arms across my chest. 'Not as an entrance, that's too obvious. But what if we were to request a song at some point in the night and whatever we're doing, we find our way to each other and have a routine prepared.'

Tina smirked at me. 'Beat Zed at his own game.'

'Absolutely.' I turned to the other girls. 'I did some dance for a few years but I'm going to need some help. Are you girls in?'

'Absolutely.' Violet smiled.

I looked over at Zoe and Tina. 'Let's get to work. We're going to arrive in style and work in style. I'm just going to make a few phonecalls.'

Zed.

'Where would you like the lights, Mr Benedict?' A decorator for the party asked as he moved around our reception room, which had been cleared for the party. I glanced over at my mother for help. She was speaking to the caterer across the room. She was much better at things like this. Her eyes met mine and she smiled, excusing herself and walking over to me.

'Alright over here?' She asked and I glanced at the decorator. 'Shall I show you where to put those?' She smiled and led the way, letting me breathe a sigh of relief. 'Just there.' She signalled to the bannister and the decorator got to work straight away. 'Zed, you've been acting very peculiar this half-term.'

'Have I?' I asked, casually. I watched as the party planner carried some spooky-looking fake trees into the house, walking into our main reception room with them.

'Yes.' She nodded. 'More so than normal.' She pointed a decorator in the right direction with the masquerade masks. 'You seem awfully worried that this party isn't going to go to plan. Usually you don't really want my input.' She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. 'Is there someone you're trying to impress?'

Only my soulfinder. 'No.' I lied and she raised her eyebrows.

'Zed, honey, you're still a terrible liar.' She tutted. She grabbed some deep red and black flowers from a florist and started tucking them into the lights on the stairwell, intertwining them. 'Who is she? Anyone I know?'

'A new girl.' I replied, simply. 'She really dislikes me though.'

My mum raised her eyebrows at that and then she smiled. 'Good.' I narrowed my eyes at her. 'It'll do you some good to have to work for it and to not have a girl falling at your feet for once.' She laughed softly to herself, clearly pleased by my suffering. I groaned. 'What's her name?'

'Sky.' I told her. 'She's a Taylor.'

My mother's eyebrows shot up again. 'I wasn't aware Albert had any grandchildren.'

'None of us were.' I shrugged.

She looked thoughtful. 'Now that you mention it, I do remember Albert's son having a child, a daughter even.' She paused for a moment and rubbed her temples. 'The wife took off one night with their daughter and then that night he died when he was out looking for them.' My heart ached for Sky. How awful. I wondered if she knew that part.

'Zed, my man!' Drake's voice interrupted the sensitive conversation as he walked into the room, suit bag draped over his shoulder. 'Almost good to go?'

'Getting there.' I replied. I gave my mum a small smile.

'Hello Drake, how are you?' She said, ever the polite host.

'Great Mrs Benedict. Psyched about tonight!' He beamed. 'You been rehearsing the routine, man?'

'Of course.' I muttered, irritated. I didn't need to remind him that I was the better dancer, did I? I'd been doing a routine at these parties for years. People always assumed because I wore leather jackets and rode around town that I couldn't dance but I loved street and hip-hop. And I was actually good at it. And, naturally, we'd picked a decent Justin Timberlake song.

'Sweet.' Drake nodded. 'Can do a run-through when Jake gets here.'

'Sure.' I mumbled, looking up at the stairs we'd make our grand entrance down. What if I tripped in front of Sky and made a bigger idiot of myself? Because, at the end of the day, that was the only opinion that mattered tonight. I'd even slipped some songs I hoped she'd like into the playlist. If Drake knew what was going on he'd give me a slap, try and knock some sense into me. But then, Drake wasn't a savant and he had no idea how important a soulfinder was. And I wasn't about to explain that to him either.

Sky.

'I'm so glad you came over.' Clare smiled as she let me into the manor. I'd brought my 'dance crew' with me as part of plan 'make an entrance.' Clare had called in some favours, getting hold of hairdressers and make-up artists to help us get ready last minute for the ball. All I'd done was call to ask if we could get ready at the manor, where there was more space, and suddenly had a whole prep team, including a photographer coming to help out with getting ready!

'Thank you for organising everything.' I said and she grinned even more.

'It's my pleasure.' She said. 'It's nice not having an empty house again.' She squeezed my hands. 'You girls go to the dining hall and I'll get you when the team arrive.'

We walked into the dining hall and my heart melted at the sight. Afternoon tea, including delicate cakes and sandwiches on cake stands, for six was laid out. Clare was brilliant. I'd said as much on the phone to Sally and Simon that morning when I'd had to confess visiting the house and I'd had to confess getting ready there. It hadn't been well-received at first; Sally and Simon were quiet a long time. But then I managed to persuade them to come and visit the following weekend and Clare had said they could stay in the property with me. Then they'd started to come round. A little.

'Your housekeeper is lovely.' Violet said as we tucked into some sandwiches. 'And she's a great cook.'

'She is.' I beamed, nodding. I looked up at the chandeliers and then at the mostly-empty table we were sat at. 'It's strange. I know there used to be more staff here but I just can't imagine it.'

'Really?' Amy sounded surprised. 'I feel like I'm sat on the set of Downtown Abbey.' I laughed at that and she smiled across at me.

'Do you think the dance will work later?'

'Absolutely.' Tina grinned. 'I have complete faith in us.' She fiddled with her wild, red hair. 'And I hope Zed is drinking when he realises it's a set up. I've always wanted to see someone spit out a drink like in the movies.'

'You should know better than trying to mess with a Benedict.' Clare said from the doorway, making us all jump. She had a smug grin on her face as she folded her arms across her chest.

'Do tell!' Zoe said to her and she laughed.

'Oh Taylors and Benedicts have always competed with each other.' She shook her head, the grin still there.

'I thought they were friends?' I asked.

'They were, but that didn't mean there weren't tiffs on the way.' She smiled. 'Is that why you're so determined to make an impression? Because of Zed Benedict?'

'No!' I scoffed. 'He dislikes me and I dislike him too.'

'Okay.' She said, tapping her nose. 'Now eat your food and drink your tea, your prep team are here.'

I felt like a moviestar. That was the only way I could put it. For two hours we were treated like stars from the Silver Screen. Facials were given until my blotchy skin looked perfect and felt super soft. My hands were given a relaxing manicure, my feet a pedicure. My hair was put in rollers. Powder was applied to my face. And then another layer. And then eyeshadow and perfectly-winged eyeliner and the best mascara I've ever worn, which made my eyelashes look twice the length. Deep red lippy was applied, the perfect shade for my skintone. My rollers were taken out and my curls were smoothed until they looked Hollywood like.

I stood in front of the full-length mirror in my favourite bedroom in the manor, staring at my reflection. How could I, Sky Bright, look this glamorous? Jas was going to die when I sent her a picture. My red fishtail shaped dress was off the shoulder with lace embroidery over the bust but nowhere else. It hugged my figure, adding curves I didn't know I had. I wore comfy heels under the dress, although you couldn't see them due to the length, an my hair was in a half-updo, a few bits pinned back to make my delicate and simple gold eyemask (which looked like intertwined metal flowers) easier to apply.

'Why do you look like you're about to cry?' Tina said, appearing in the doorway, looking every bit the Queen too with her classy updo and her pretty dress. 'It's not like you're a monster.'

'I didn't know I could ever look like this.' I said with a small smile.

'Well no crying!' She tutted. 'The party will be starting soon and we've got to get there yet. Photographer's downstairs. I said I'd come and nudge you along.'

I grabbed my clutchbag and followed her out of the room. She was already down the stairs by the time I reached them, concentrating on my footwork. Maybe dancing later wasn't such a good idea. I walked out onto the stairs and Clare and Fred, the groundskeeper, gasped.

'Oh Sky!' She sniffed. 'Every bit the perfect Taylor woman.'

'Thank you.' I smiled at her.

'If your father and grandfather could see you now.' She sighed and I know she was emotional. I swallowed the tears fighting in my eyes.

'Stay there, a perfect place for pictures!' The photographer commanded. 'Show everybody that the Taylors are still well and truly ruling the place.'

Zed.

We were running late. Drake had seemed to have forgotten how to tie a bow tie and, according to security, Sky hadn't arrived yet, neither had her friends. I couldn't do anything yet. I ran a hand through my hair and tutted as I tried to tie my bow tie again. There was me criticising Drake and my brain couldn't even concentrate enough to tie my own one. It was like my hands had forgotten.

'Need a hand?' My mother swept into the room in a black ball gown, looking glamorous and classy, as the magazines called her.

'Please.' I said, aware I was rigid.

'You're awfully panicky about seeing this Taylor girl, aren't you?'

'Perhaps.' I looked straight ahead but I still knew she was watching me, staring.

'She was born around the same time as you, you know.' I met her eyes this time and I wondered if she knew, despite me not saying anything.

'Dude, I did it!' Drake appeared in my bedroom and I glanced away from my mother as she stepped back, having finished my tie. He raised an eyebrow. 'Guess I'm not the only one who couldn't tie his bow tie, huh? What's wrong with you? You've been acting super weird since that lacrosse match.'

My mother's eyes flicked between the two of us, watching the exchange.

'Are you still upset that Taylor girl saved your goal?' He pressed. 'Because that was so weird. It's like she knew exactly where you were aiming.'

My mother's eyebrows shot up at that.

'No I'm not upset, she got lucky.' I shrugged it off but I knew my mum wasn't buying it. I looked at her and she smiled at me, a warm smile, her eyes sparkling, as she disappeared out of the room, working on her own conclusions. The thing was though, she was often right about things and sometimes that scared me.

Sky.

'We're late!' Tina said as we pulled up outside the Benedict house in our limo.

'You sound like the white rabbit.' I said dryly and she rolled her eyes at me.

'Bookworm.'

I glanced through the window at the house in front of us, with its single turret. It looked old like Taylor Manor, and just as grand with its manicured lawns. The only difference was that it looked more lived in with cars on the driveway and water flowing from the fountains.

'Thanks driver!' Zoe said and I smiled in thank you as she practically leapt out.

'Isn't it cool to be late?' I asked. 'Like fashionably late?'

'Maybe twenty minutes but not forty five. Oh man, I hope we've not missed the entrance.'

'Masks!' Violet whispered, reminding us. We quickly secured our masks and she gave us a thumbs up as we walked in together. I shivered, feeling cold. None of us had opted for coats as it ruined the look. But the walk up the pathway to the front door might have been more comforting with one. We reached the security guard stood at the door and Zoe gave our names before we were allowed to slip into the room.

'Just in time!' Zoe said in my ear as the lights went down and a light at the top of the staircase, which swept in two different directions, came on as Suit and Tie by Justin Timberlake started up. Girls pushed against us, trying to get a good view and I steadied myself, sticking with my friends and folding my arms across my chest in an attempt to warm up.

I can't wait 'til I get you on the floor, good-looking.

Zed appeared with two friends, the Benedict obviously being the tip of the triangle. And then it was like watching Step Up or something else along those lines. They moved with perfect precision and amazing footwork that I'd only seen Justin Timberlake himself performing when he was on television. The crowd loved it, cheering and singing along. They didn't dance the whole song, just up to the end of the first chorus, but it was fast-paced and exciting and it was clear Zed just loved making an entrance. Of course he did. Everyone applauded and he tilted his hand, throwing it into the crowd and then heading down the stairs with his friends as people started to move into the other room, only some groupies staying behind to harass him like he was a celebrity.

'Let's go through.' Zoe said, grabbing my hand. She pulled me into the next room, but not before I could stop the man and woman, both maskless and stood on the landing, looking down at the partygoer. I realised that they were Zed's parents and I recognised them straight away. Karla and Saul Benedict. They'd been in the magazine I'd been reading at the solicitor's office. Sheesh, good looks definitely ran in their family.

My eyes snapped to look ahead and I felt like I'd stepped into some haunted forest. Giant skeletal trees spread around the outside of the room, fairylights intertwined around them, making them slightly less spooky. Mist blew across the floor and even the DJ booth was partially concealed by false woodland. Stars were projected onto the ceiling. The decoration was a marvel in itself.

'Not even Disneyland is this impressive.' I whispered and Violet and Amy laughed from behind me.

'Electricity bills are probably about the same.' Tina said as we reached a space. She scanned the room. 'Shall we get some drinks?'

My eyes widened at the bar set up with drinks in martini glasses. 'Is it alcohol?'

'No.' Tina shook her head. 'Mr and Mrs Benedict are good parents. They'd never let us all drink underage!' She grabbed my hand and I pulled Zoe and the other girls along in a chain. We helped ourselves to the drinks, which were smoking thanks to the dry ice, and then we found a spot to linger in.

Zed.

She was here but where was she? And did she want to be found. I remembered the comment she'd made back in Torquay. If you can find me. There were flirty undertones to it but I wasn't sure if she'd meant them. I hope she had. She was my soulfinder. All I wanted to do was kiss her senseless and hold her close, never letting me go. And that scared me. I'd never felt that way about anyone before.

I looked around the room and spotted Larissa almost straight away. She waved flirtatiously at me, adjusting her dress to show the deep thigh slit up the side. As if that was enough to make me want her. Her hair was pin-straight, as normal, and her face was visible through her painted-on mask. It was clearly here.

'Why are you over here?' Drake asked, appearing at my side. 'Everyone else is dancing already.'

I took a sip of the non-alcoholic cocktail. It tasted good but it wasn't liquid courage and that's what I truly needed. My eyes continued scanning the room, trying to locate the pretty, petite blonde. 'I'm just checking out the crowd.'

'Larissa is over there.' Drake pointed and I was disappointed to see she was still looking my way with the smile I'd once found seductive. But not now. 'Dude, I'll cover for you if you sneak off to the dining room right now.'

'I don't want Larissa.'

He looked taken aback by my statement. 'Then what about Jenny? She's fit and she's had the hots for you for years.'

'No.' I shook my head and finished my drinking, putting it onto the tray of a passing waiter.

'You're after that Taylor girl, aren't you?'

'So what if I am?' I snapped and he hit his head against his palm.

'Have you not seen what's been going on? She hates you.'

'Well I want to change that.'

'To get in her panties once?' It's not worth it.'

But it was worth it because I didn't want to just get my 'leg over' once. Sky was my soulfinder and that meant a lifetime of love and happiness ahead of us. I just needed to find her.

Sky.

'I've requested the song.' Tina said. She gave a thumbs up across the room to Amy, Violet and Liza, who were hanging around the bar area. It was almost showtime. My palms felt sweaty but I didn't dare wipe them on my beautiful dress. I pressed them together and gave my friends a small smile.

'We're going to kick ass.' Zoe said, nudging me. 'Show-up Zed Benedict big time.'

'I've not rehearsed in this dress.' I said, my eyes wide. 'What if I fall in front of all these people?' The whole of Year 12 were here and most of Year 13. That was a lot of people to embarrass myself in front of.

'You won't.' Tina smiled. 'Keep positive.' She finished her drink and passed it to a waiter as Dangerous Woman by Ariana Grande poured out of the speakers. 'Showtime.'

I sucked in a deep breath and we started by dancing like everyone else, making our way to the middle of the dancefloor, meeting the other girls in the middle. As the lyrics started up, we met and faced each other, three against three as rehearsed, stepping in time, moving our hips and so on, the choreography Amy and I had put together for our group. The formation changed and I was the tip of the triangle as we reached the chorus. By now people were looking at us, watching us with curiosity. Some people were filming too and my stomach flipped with nervousness as I concentrated on what we were doing. Step and turn. Sideways move and down to the floor, which wasn't easy in our dresses, but we did it. Face away, pump and move our butts. Cross over ankles and stretch to the right. Step the other way and then sway, moving down. By the second verse, most of the attention was on us. Guys nodded and smiled, girls watched in surprise. And then Zed appeared, only obvious it was him because of his introduction. He moved through the crowd to the front row, watching us as we danced. I smirked his way and he looked almost surprised. I wondered if perhaps he'd figured out it was me.

Zed.

It was Sky, I was sure of it. The smirk was almost as if to say 'take that' for all the times I'd glared at her or snapped at her or said something out of order. The guilt swam in my stomach as I realised I'd been unkind to my soulfinder. And now, here she was in front of me. She looked incredible in her off-shoulder red dress, which hugged her figure and outlined her curves perfectly. Her curly hair swished about when she danced and those hips… I groaned inwardly, trying not to give too much away as Drake moved to stand next to me. He grinned, nudging me, but I blanked him. I was too busy watching Sky and her friends dancing. If it had been anyone else I'd have been mad, annoyed I'd been shown up at my own party, but with her I couldn't be.

The dance finished and everyone applauded before Sky and her friends dispersed, disappearing back into the crowd, grins on their faces.

'She totally just showed you up.' Drake said as a few partygoers looked at me, their faces wary and unsure of my reaction.

'Whatever.' I mumbled and I stalked off through the crowd to try and find Sky.

Sky.

'We did it!' I beamed at my friends and we all high-fived, laughing as Somebody's Watching Me came pouring through the speakers.

'Good effort, team.' Violet grinned. 'Catch you later.' And she disappeared back into the crowd with Liza and Amy.

'Think Zed realised it was us?'

'I think so.' Tina nodded. 'He'll be looking for you soon, no doubt.'

Hands grabbed my waist and I turned around, jumping. From the cheeky grin and shaved head, I knew it was Nelson, Seb at his side. 'Jeesh, you scared the hell outta me.' I said to Nelson and he grinned.

'Always the perfect lady, Miss Bright.' He smirked and I rolled my eyes. 'Nice performance, ladies.' He nodded to my friends and I and lifted his glass in a toast-like fashion.

'I'd say it was better than nice.' Tina said, folding her arms across her chest.

'Tina, let's dance.' Nelson said, catching us all by surprise. He said it so relaxed, so casually that I wondered if he was saying it quickly before he wimped out.

'What?' Her voice sound choked and Zoe and I watched her with encouraging smiles. 'Erm… okay.' He took her hand and they danced together, quick-paced and not slow at all, but it was something.

'Finally.' Seb said and Zoe and I laughed at that. 'I guess I've got you two ladies to entertain with my moves then.' We laughed, dancing with him like nobody was watching as the night went on.

The song tempo changed to a slow one, a classic jazz number, and I was surprised to see that Zed had appeared, as if from nowhere. He smiled down at me. It wasn't a smirk or a cocky grin, but a warm and genuine smile. 'Care to dance?'

'With you?' I blinked as the vocals of I put a spell on you came through the speakers. It was a good song, a classic. And well-suited to the Halloween theme.

'Is that a yes?'

I glanced at my friends and they were nodding. I sighed and let him take my hand, pulling me towards him. He kept one hand in mine, our palms pressed together as the other hand moved to the small of my back. I moved a hand to his shoulder and we stepped in time to the music as I wondered why on earth he was dancing with me. Didn't he have something going on with Larissa? We passed her and she glared at me in response.

'Ignore her.' Zed mumbled, his eyes meeting mine.

'She's not your girlfriend?'

'Oh definitely not.' He spun me around and pulled me back in, my head feeling dizzy and not just because of the spin. The touch of his hands on mine send electricity shooting through my body and I felt like a magnet was holding us together, pressed to each other. I felt giddy and I wondered if this was why girls fell for Zed Benedict. Because, despite his attitude problem, he was actually pretty irresistible. Irritatingly enough. His eyes locked on mine as the instrumental part of the song played and I found I was losing myself in his intense stare. But this time his stare wasn't filled with hate or anger. It almost looked pleased… or happy. He was giving my emotional whiplash.

'I put a spell on you
Because you're mine.'

The song ended and another slow one started up, Earned it by the Weeknd, but Zed didn't realise me. He kept me held against him. 'Can we go somewhere to talk?' He asked and I narrowed my eyes. 'I do mean talk. My parents can come with us if you don't believe me.' I shifted my gaze to his parents, who were watching us from the side of the room.

'No parents and only talking.' I said, poking him in the chest. He smiled and took my hand in his, leading me into the room next door. It was a library and somehow the smell of the burning fire and the old books was relaxing to me. I ran my fingers along a shelf, looking at the classic titles I recognised and the ones I did not.

'You like books, huh?' He said with a smile. He reached for his mask and took it off, confirming his identity. I noticed he looked different to how he had back at school. More relaxed, happier even. His smile met his eyes and the greeny-blue pools sparkled along with his smile. I sucked in a deep breath, reminding myself that we were talking and only talking.

I nodded. 'It's like escaping reality and finding you're somewhere else better.'

'Is life really that bad?'

I broke eye contact with him, looking at the fire. 'It has been at times.' I wrapped my arms around my waist. 'Well this conversation has already taken a depressing turn.'

He laughed softly and moved to my side. 'Nice dance moves out there by the way.'

That caught my attention. I looked up at him and realised he was incredibly close to me. Close enough to reach out and touch me. Close enough to kiss me. 'Did we outshine you?'

'Probably.' He chuckled, a melodious sound from his mouth that drew my attention to his smooth lips. I noticed he'd shaved, that slight stubble gone from its usual place on his chin. 'I don't mind though.' His voice whispered and he reached up to my mask, untying the ribbon at the back of my head before moving it away. His fingers gently brushed against my skin as he moved it and I shivered due to the tingling sensation he left as his hands dropped to his side. 'That's better.'

'I don't know, I think I looked better with the mask on.'

'No, love, you don't.' He whispered. 'Without it you can see your beautiful face much clearer.' I blushed. Damn I was in trouble. Was it too late to escape? 'Sky?'

'Hmm?'

'When were you going to tell me you're a savant?'

My body cooled as I gave him a puzzled look. That was a conversation stopper. 'A what?'

'You must realise how amazing it is.' He smiled, his eyes burning into mine.

'How amazing is what?' I frowned. What on earth was he talking about? Had he been drinking? Or more to the point, had I? Had my drink been spiked?

He laughed again. 'You're punishing me and I totally get it. I was a jackass, a complete ass.'

'Yes, you were.' I turned, wondering if now was a good time to escape. A savant? What had he been babbling on about?

'Sky, you're my soulfinder, my partner… you can't just walk away.'

'I can't?'

He reached out, gently brushing his finger tips against my cheek and I tensed. I wanted to enjoy it and part of me did. It just felt right when he touched me, but he was talking complete nonsense. 'Do you know what the odds of us finding each other are?' He pulled me towards him. No half-life existence for us.'

He had to be joking or he had to have taken something. I pushed him back and he looked slightly startled by my move, startled that his charm and weird chat-up line hadn't worked. 'I have no idea what you are talking about, Zed.' I said, simply. 'I don't know what you expect from me but it's not going to happen. We both hate each other. Get over it.'

'Get over it?' He looked baffled now. 'Savants wait their whole lives to find their other half and you think I can just get over it?'

'I don't even know what a savant is!' I threw my hands up in the air and pushed past him, but he grabbed my wrist, stopping me from escaping.

'I'm one, you're one. Your gifts, Sky… they make you a savant.'

'I'm out of here.' I shook my hand out of his grasp.

'Sky, you can't ignore this!' He called out as I reached the door. 'You're mine- you have to be.'

I slammed the door closed.

Zed.

I looked at the door in disbelief and I filled with hope when it opened again but that hope quickly vanished when I saw it was only my parents. They both looked concerned.

'How much did you hear?' I asked, running my hands through my hair and looking at Sky's mask, which laid on the floor in front of me.

'How much did you want us to hear?' My dad asked and I knew then they'd heard everything.

I scooped down and picked up the mask, running my fingers over the swirly golden details which had framed her beautiful blue eyes perfectly.

'She'll come round.' My mother said with a small smile.

I sighed as I looked at my parents, two soulfinders who had fallen in love as soon as they met. 'But what if she doesn't?'