'Whit-woo.' Zoe wolf-whistled as Tina came out of the bathroom, looking hot in her black playsuit with lace trim on the shoulders and the thighs. With her killer heels, which would probably kill her feet later, her legs looked longer than normal. Her hair was pinstraight and adorable, her lips bright red like mine and Zoe's. We were getting ready to go out as her birthday was the following day and she wanted to bring her birthday in with a bang. She was sure to do that.
'Guys I can't go out like this.' My confidence was not as much as Tina and Zoe's. Zoe looked cute, too, in a mini black dress and equally high heels, but I felt too sexy and I didn't like it. I just wanted to throw on my dungarees and converse. I looked in the mirror at my look for the evening; pin-straight hair, red lips and subtle winged-eyeliner, applied to perfection. Then there was the outfit; a cream silk dress with draping at the back, borrowed from Tina. Thankfully it had built-in padding, but the thought of not wearing a bra still made me nervous. I'd paired it with comfy high wedges, adding a bit of height to me.
'You look like a Hollywood babe.' Tina beamed. 'You can keep the dress, darling, it looks far better on you than on me.'
I ran a hand through my silky-smooth hair and looked at my reflection, twirling to see the back of the dress. It made my tanned skin glow more than normal. 'You really think I look old enough to be served drinks?'
Tina held up a fake ID and grinned. 'Well if not...'
My eyes widened. 'We can't use these!'
'Why?' She smiled. 'In England it's totally legal to drink at eighteen and nineteen. Why should it be any different here?'
I sighed. 'Why do I have this awful feeling that tonight is going to go wrong?'
We met the guys in the hotel's poolside Tiki-themed bar, which was filled with people sitting outside in the setting sunshine, drinking fancy-looking cocktails. We got past the bouncer without ID, but the guilt still rested in the pit of my stomach, reminding me that we were breaking the law. Tina grabbed mine and Zoe's hands, hauling us through the smokers and towards the outdoor bar, where the guys had saved us a table. They all stood, ever the gentlemen, as we reached the table, greeting us with smiles and hugs.
'You look lovely.' Luke said into my ear as he embraced me and he pulled back, smiling at me. I blushed.
'Thank you.'
Did he like me as more than a friend?
Yves' phone started ringing and he pulled it out, frowning at the number, before answering it. 'What?' He said, sounding irritated. He looked at us all apologetically. 'I'll be right back.'
'Well I'll get the drinks.' Luke said. 'What's everyone having?'
Two cocktails later and bossy Tina was back, ushering us to Downtown Disney. Being just after 10pm, the atmosphere was very different to the day. Hardly any kids were around and the strip was filled with adults and teenagers, moving around as they travelled to the cinema or the bowling alley. We passed a busy sports bar, where people were leaving after the end of a basketball game, and then we reached the House of Blues.
'I didn't think you were into Blues?' I said to Tina.
'I'm not.' She replied. 'But they have a clubbing nights from ten.' We reached a line of people, who were being ID-ed by the bouncer. 'Everyone got their IDs ready?'
My heart thudded in my chest and I felt sick, probably not helped by the two cocktails I'd drank a little too quickly. 'Tina-'
'IDs please.' The bouncer said in his southern twang. I flinched as my friends dished out their fake IDs. It was too late. We handed them all over and he looked at them quickly, looking at each of us afterwards, eyeballing us. I bit my lip, trying not to look as nervous as I felt. He handed each of us our IDs and opened the red velvet rope. 'In you go. Free entry tonight as you're with Mr Spearson.' Luke visibly flinched at the use of his name and probably because the guy recognised him, but he led us in nonetheless.
Walking into the House of Blues made me forget that we were at Disneyland. Bodies jumped around, dancing in time to the dance music that I didn't recognise. We walked across the balcony we were on, watching the DJ going crazy with the crowd below.
'Let's get some shots!' Tina said and for some awful reason, I agreed. I needed to get into the groove and right now I wasn't feeling it. She pulled us to the bar, ordering each of us a beer and a shot of tequila. When we each had a shot glass, we clinked them together and downed them, the liquid burning my throat on its way down. I slammed the empty glass on the bar and Nelson whooped from behind me as I grabbed my beer, taking a swig and washing away the tequila flavour.
'Sky? Shall we go dance?' Zoe asked loudly and I nodded, letting her grab my hand. We walked down the stairs to the main dancefloor, finding a space. I took another swig of my beer as a hand touched the small of my back, making me tense.
'You alright?' Luke asked with a smile.
'Yeah,' I relaxed. 'I'm great actually.'
'Are you drunk?' He laughed. 'This music is shocking.'
'It is.' I agreed. 'But hey, we're at Disneyland!'
He swigged from his beer and shook his head. 'You're something else, you know.'
'Is that good or bad?'
'Good.' He smiled. 'We're going to be good friends, Sky.' Friends. There was that word again. Luke was definitely not interested in anymore. Part of me felt disappointed by that. He was cute and talented and kind and he looked out for me. He'd have been a great boyfriend. I took another swig from my beer. 'Woah, easy tiger!'
'It's really good.' I slurred and then I blinked. Maybe I was a little drunk. Just a little.
'Shots!' Tina appeared by my side and I didn't even know she'd gone anywhere. She handed out more shots and my eyes widened. 'Relax, Sky, it's just a little tequila.' Her voice sounded slurred too. We counted to three and downed another one.
Another drink later and somehow the girls had convinced me to joint them on the dancing platform just as a Fifth Harmony song came on. I smiled and quite happily climbed onto the platform; this was my workout jam and I actually quite liked the band. I moved my hips about, standing back-to-back with Tina as the music started up and a few guys near the platform cheered.
'Give it to me, I'm worth it
Baby, I'm worth it
Uh huh I'm worth it
Gimme gimme I'm worth it
Give it to me, I'm worth it
Baby, I'm worth it
Uh huh I'm worth it
Gimme gimme I'm worth it.'
I turned to face my friends and we danced together, moving our hips and shaking our hair, it flowing out like waterfalls in a mess of black, blonde and red behind us. I looked down and saw a blonde guy watching me with an intense expression in his eyes. He licked his lips and I blushed as I continued dancing.
'Blondie is totally watching you.' Tina commented as she grabbed my hand and we moved down to the floor and back up again together.
'No he's not.' I replied.
'He totally is.' Zoe nodded with a smile.
I glanced over at 'blondie' and sure enough, he was still watching me. His smile creeped me out a little though. It was almost a bit slimey. I looked up at the rest of the crowd as I danced and I froze as I saw a familiar face in the crowd; messy brunette hair, deep blue, intense eyes, five o'clock shadow. 'Zed?'
'Where?' Zoe spun around, eyeing the crowd.
'You're probably hallucinating from the tequila.' Tina teased and I rolled my eyes.
'You're right.' We continued dancing, but then I swore I saw him again. I moved down to the floor and back up, but this time my head disagreed. I felt light-headed. 'I need a break.' I said to my friends.
'Okay.' Zoe nodded. 'We'll be right here. I think the guys went to the bar.'
'Okay.' I smiled and I carefully got down, concentrating on every step so that I didn't fall over. I reached the sticky club floor safely and made my way towards the bar, stopping when a hand grabbed my wrist. I swung around to come face to face with 'blondie', as my friends called him.
'Hey sexy.' He said with that slimey smile. I shook my wrist, trying to get out of his grip, but he held it tighter. 'How about you do a dance just for me?'
'Gross, no!' I tried to push him back but he grabbed my other wrist, smiling and raising an eyebrow.
'Come on, we can go somewhere quiet and talk.'
'Get off of me!' I said and he pulled me closer, the smell of vodka wafting in the air as I tried to release his grip. My stomach churned. I felt sick. His head tilted and moved towards mine and...
THUD. He landed backwards on the floor, cupping his face. I blinked in disbelief. What had happened? I turned to my right and sure enough, Zed Benedict stood there, fists clenched. I blinked. Was I seeing things again? 'What are you doing here?'
'You're welcome.' He smiled his cocky smile and I narrowed my eyes.
'Why are you in Anaheim? Shouldn't you be in your fancy...' I paused as my stomach churned again. Oh god no. Bile was rising in my throat and then, before I could react, I puked. All over the floor.
'Ew nasty.' Zed said from beside me.
'What the hell?' The blonde guy said, moving away from the vomit.
'Oh my god.' I had to get out of there. I'd totally just embarassed myself. Before I could make things worse, I hurried towards the stairs, through the parting crowd and past security. I made my way up the stairs as quickly as I could, ignoring the bile feeling in my throat again. I managed to get outside and I sank to the floor in a side-alley, taking deep breaths.
'Are you okay?' Great. Zed Benedict, moviestar, had followed me out of the club I'd just puked in.
'Do I look like I'm okay?' I snapped, narrowing my eyes.
He frowned, holding out a bottle of water. 'A peace offering.'
I took it from him, not even thanking him, and took a few sips, my head still spinning. I groaned, resting my head against the wall and closing my eyes. 'I've just made a complete idiot of myself.'
'Not that many people saw.'
I opened one eye. 'Are you just saying that?'
He shrugged and sat down beside me, making me shuffle over a little so that our bodies weren't touching in any way. 'Maybe.'
'What are you doing here, Zed?'
'I came to see you.' I opened my eyes and realised he was staring at me, a small lopsided smile playing on his lips.
'Why? We're not even friends.' His smile faded and I instantly felt guilty for saying it. 'Sorry.'
'No you're right. We're not friends.' He rested his head against the wall. 'But I wish we were.' He looked over at me when I didn't say anything and he frowned as I held my stomach. 'You don't look so great.'
'Thanks.' I said, sarcastically.
'No, I mean, you do... in that dress and with your hair and make-up... just not the vomit part. You look kinda pale.' I sipped at my drink and choked, wincing. 'Maybe we should get you back to the hotel.' I raised my eyebrows. 'You need to sleep.' Zed got to his feet and he held out his hands for me, pulling me up. 'Come on, I'll text Yves and let him know where we are.'
We walked the 5 minutes walk back to the hotel in complete silence and we stayed silent as we took the elevator to the top floor, where my room was. I opened the door with my keycard and stepped inside, feeling tired and a little woozy. 'Thanks for walking me back.' I said to Zed as he slipped his hands into his pockets.
'No problem.' He nodded. 'Sleep well Sky.'
And I did.
When I woke up to the alarm the following morning, I was surprised that I didn't have a headache, but I wondered if that was because I'd already emptied out the contents of my stomach the night before. The thought made me shudder and I shuddered again when I remembered that Zed had come to my rescue, punching some sleazy guy and walking me back to the hotel, despite the fact that I'd puked everywhere. I groaned and buried my face in my pillow as the alarm was turned off.
'Good morning sunshine!' Tina said cheerily, appearing beside me. 'How are you feeling?'
'Fine, apart from all the embarassment.' I grumbled and she laughed.
'Fancy that, Zed Benedict turning up to see you and ending up being your knight in shining armour. What are the chances?'
'He just wants to get in my pants.' I replied, rolling over. 'You've read the tabloids.'
'Sure Zed's a bad boy, but the tabloids aren't always true.' Zoe reminded me. Somehow she was already dressed in her Minnie Mouse Disneybound and she looked good considering they'd come in way after I'd fallen asleep the night before. I slipped out of my covers, glad to have some cool air on them. I needed to shower. I felt disgusting.
'I'm going to shower.' I told my friends.
'Don't be long.' Tina said, fiddling with the hem of her pyjama top. 'I still need to shower before breakfast too.'
My final outfit the girls had made me pack was my strapless lilac dress with my pink converses. I braided my hair into a side braid and added some flowers, giving me the perfect Rapunzel look. I realised Luke had been right on the way down; it suited me.
When we got down to the breakfast rooms, the boys were already sat at a table. With Zed, who looked irritatingly hot in light brown knee-length shorts, a white vest top and a sleeveless denim jacket, showing off his perfect biceps and has tattoo. I swallowed, feeling my face flush.
'How are you feeling?' Luke asked me as Zed opened his mouth and then closed it again. He looked like he was channeling Gaston with his outfit.
'I'm fine.' I replied, embarassed. I sank down into the only free seat left, which was next to Zed, and Luke's eyes moved to Zed's face, looking a little irritated as he did so. I still wondered what the bad blood between them was.
'You make a good Rapunzel.' Luke said, his eyes flicking back to me. He smiled but I knew he was tense. I'd seen that expression and false smile before. 'I told you that you would.'
Zed gripped the arm of his chair tightly, his knuckles whitening and I frowned. 'Right, I'm going to get my breakfast.'
After a tense breakfast, I was relieved to be back in the land of magic. We were returning to the Disneyland park for a few hours before we drove back to campus that evening, ready for classes the following day. The difference this time, however, was that Zed was with us and that meant people paused or turned their heads as we walked along Mainstreet USA towards the castle. Even with his sunglasses on, he was recognisable.
'Can you get a photo of us girls outside the castle?' Zoe asked, holding out her phone to Zed.
'Sure.' He said with a smile, taking it from her hand. His big hands made her pink iPhone look small and it made me wonder if he could crush it as easily as it looked. I mentally slapped myself for thinking of his muscles once again and I reminded myself that Zed Benedict was a jerk. But he hadn't been the previous night...
'Sky.' Zoe pulled me towards her and we posed together, sideways, laughing and smiling in the photo. 'We need an updated group shot.' We found a member of staff to take a picture and we posed together, making stupid faces for the first picture and then sensible faces in the next one.
'Zed Benedict! Can I have a picture with you?' A teenage girl asked, appearing in front of us. We all looked over at Zed who shrugged and smiled his cocky smile.
'Sure.' He posed for a selfie and then signed her arm, asked us. She squealed and hurried off towards her family as I raised my eyebrows. 'What?'
'Nothing.'
The rest of the day passed by far too quickly. We took lots of pictures, bought our souvenirs and we were just heading out when Zed stopped me, grabbing my hand. 'How about a song?' He suggested. I raised an eyebrow as I looked across at him.
'A song?'
'Sure, a Disney song.' He nodded towards the empty stage, empty apart from a few instruments, where some crew members were packing away just after a show. I looked up at the stage sat in front of the castle and shook my head.
'You, sing a Disney song?' I laughed. 'It would ruin your imagine. Besides, they're not going to let you sing a song.'
'Shall we try?' He beamed and pulled me over to the stage. 'Excuse me?'
One of the crew members looked down at him. 'Zed Benedict?' His eyes widened. 'I'm a big fan.'
'That's me.' He smiled, proudly, as my heart pounded in my chest. 'Would you let us sing on your stage?'
The guy looked uncertain as he looked around. He held out his finger in a 'wait' gesture and walked over to another guy as he spoke into his walky talky. Then he came back over to us. 'You have three minutes and you have to let us film it. How long do you need to set up? Four minutes okay?' He told us and he held out his hand, pulling me onto the stage. Zed climbed on beside me and my knees almost buckled as I stood up, walking over to the guitar. Nelson got out his tiny camcorder he'd brought with him for his vlog post about Disneyland and moved to the front of the stage, giving us the 'okay' sign as the stage crew set the microphones up.
'So you're completely insane.' I said to Zed and he shrugged. 'Why are we doing this? I can't sing. ' I looked out to see people stopping, looking to see what we are doing. Some took out their phones, snapping pictures of Zed when they recognised him.
'You can sing with lover-boy Luke but not with me?' He looked offended.
'He's not my lover-boy.' I narrowed my eyes. 'The point is that this is completely insane. We're not rehearsed anything.'
'So? Nothing wrong with some improv.' He smiled, picking up the guitar and hooking it over him. His eyes flicked over my outfit and then back up to my face. 'I hope you know all the words to I see the light, Punzie.'
'Of course I do.' I folded my arms across my chest as the microphone stands were adjusted to the right height for us and the soundcheck guys tested them out. A large, expensive-looking camera was brought over and I tensed. 'Why are they filming this?'
'It's good publicity having me here and singing too, I guess.' He shrugged.
'I feel sick.'
'Don't be sick again.' His fingers caressed my arms, sending shocks and goosebumps across by body. Why did his touch make me feel like that? His lips turned up into a smile and I narrowed my eyes.
Get out of my head.
You need to learn to keep me out, love.
'Mr Benedict? Are you ready?' A stage crew member asked as he appeared beside us. I tensed.
'We're ready.' He smiled.
'Speak for yourself.' I said, rubbing my hands on my chiffon dress.
'Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.' The crew member said into the microphone to the growing crowd. 'We have a special guest here at Disneyland today. Award-winning actor Zed Benedict.' Cue hysterical screams and cue me trying not to roll my eyes. He nodded to Zed and walked off of the stage as Zed adjusted his microphone.
'Hi everyone.' Zed said, causing more screams. 'I've taken a break from my studying at UCLA this weekend to come and visit Disneyland and I thought my friend, Sky, and I would treat you to a little sing-song. I hope you enjoy it.' He started to strum the into, smiling his lopsided smile at me and I had no choice but to join in or make an idiot of us whilst being filmed.
'All those days watching from the windows
All those years outside looking in
All that time never even knowing
Just how blind I've been
Now I'm here blinking in the starlight
Now I'm here suddenly I see
Standing here it's all so clear
I'm where I'm meant to be.'
The crowd cheered as Zed plucked the strings, a cocky smile on his face as if to say 'I told you so.' I ignored him and continued with the song.
'And at last I see the light
And it's like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light
And it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once everything looks different
Now that I see you.'
I glanced over at Zed and he smiled an almost contagious smile. I smiled a little back, blushing when I realised I probably looked like some crazy fangirl, and I looked down as he strummed the instrumental before singing his part.
'All those days chasing down a daydream
All those years living in a blur
All that time never truly seeing
Things, the way they were.'
His eyes locked on mine and I couldn't look away.
'Now she's here shining in the starlight
Now she's here suddenly I know
If she's here it's crystal clear
I'm where I'm meant to go.'
I joined him in the harmony Mandy Moore rocked so well in the Tangled soundtrack. 'And at last I see the light.'
Zed gave me his best smoulder. 'And it's like the fog has lifted.'
'And at last I see the light.'
I sucked in a breath. 'And it's like the sky is new.'
'And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once everything is different
Now that I see you
Now that I see you.'
Our voices harmonised perfectly for the last note and I realised Zed and I were singing together, our faces attracted like magnets. I finished the note and looked away as the crowd, which had really grown since I'd last looked out at it, cheered and applauded. It was hard to hear them though, because, as Zed made me bow with him, all I could think about was how he'd looked at me and how perfect our voices had sounded blended together. We walked off of the stage, into the crazy crowd and together, with our friends, we made a break for it, heading out of the park before too much excitement was caused. After all, everyone knew who Zed was.
'Well that was crazy.' Tina said as we exited the park, walking back towards the hotel.
'Completely.' I agreed, my stomach doing somersaults from the adrenaline and the nerves.
'Crazy awesome!' Zed beamed from my side and I wiped my clammy hands on my dress. It was humid, but now I felt even stickier than I had done before. 'You were great, Sky.'
'Thanks.' I mumbled. 'Just don't ever do that to me again.'
'Why?' His grin was cocky. 'It worked out great, didn't it?'
'Thankfully.' Luke mumbled, an irritated look on his face.
'So I was thinking, we should all go to the LA Haunted Hayride together in study week.' Tina changed the subject and I was thankful for that.
'A haunted hayride?' Nelson sounded concerned and I held back a smile. Was he scared? Did Tina know her boyfriend wasn't particularly manly?
'It's pretty good. I go most years.' Luke shrugged. 'Part of being in LA around Halloween time.'
'I was more thinking that we could go to the Delta Phi's Halloween Masquerade ball.' Nelson said. 'Masks are pretty cool.'
'Oh we're definitely going to that!' Zoe said. 'I have the perfect outfit.' She turned to me. 'You're coming to the ball, right Sky?'
'And the haunted hayride?' Luke looked at me, his eyes meeting mine and a hint of a smile on his face.
'Sure and sure. We don't really go all-out in England so it'd be cool to actually do something especially as we have a few days off of college.' I shrugged. We reached the carpark and my eyes widened at the sight of a blue Ferrari spider. Simon had been drooling over that car when the pictures of it had been released. 'Check out the Ferrari! How cool is that?!'
Zed smiled cockily. 'Thanks, it's mine.'
My jaw dropped and I gawped at it. 'Of course it's yours.'
He pulled out a key. 'Seriously.' He pressed the button and the lights flashed as the car unlocked. 'Ta-da.'
'Are you trying to make up for something?' I asked and Yves and Luke sniggered from behind me.
'Baby, I don't need to make up for anything.' He drawled and he winked at me, making me roll my eyes. 'How about I drive you back to campus?'
'Sky is coming with me.' Luke's hand reached out and was clamped protectively over my shoulder.
'Yves and I could come with you?' Zoe suggested and I widened my eyes. Were they going to make me go with Zed.
'Great, then Sky can ride with me.' Zed's lips crept up into a smile and I looked over at Tina with pleading eyes.
'Sorry, Nelson and I are grabbing dinner together on the way home.' Tina said as Nelson wrapped his hand around hers.
'Sky, we can make room for you.' Luke replied. 'I can move the luggage around.'
'But you know how many souvenirs I bought.' Zoe replied. 'It'll take up loads of room.' I narrowed my eyes at her and she smiled.
'Well that's settled then.' Zed looked pleased with himself as he shot me a cocky, but sexy, smile. His deep blue eyes glinted and I sucked in a deep breath at the intense look he gave me. 'Sky, shall we go?'
I felt like a grumpy teenager. I walked over to the two-seater ferrari, irritated, and got into the passenger side as Zed put our bags in the trunk. The seats were leather and the black dashboard was clean and shiny. The car smelt like a nice aftershave and I let out a sigh, before realising that Zed was watching me. I frowned, slipping on my sunglasses as the roof went down, opening the car into a convertible. He slid into the car beside me and turned the ignition, flashing me a toothy grin. The car roared to life, making that expensive sports car sound, and it was smooth as he pulled out of the parking lot and back onto the tree-lined roads that made up the area surrounding the Disney parks.
Zed adjusted his sunglasses as my hair blew backwards in the warm breeze. 'Did you have a nice weekend?'
'Minus the spontaneous singing and the puking last night? Yeah I did.'
He chuckled, softly. 'The singing was great... the puking not so much.' I winced and turned my head, looking out at the Disney signs as we pulled away from Disneyland and onto the highway. It was time to get back to reality.
The following morning, I woke up earlier so that I could fit a running session in before classes. I tied back my blonde curls and fastened my trainers before heading out into the early morning sunshine. The air was cooler than it had been over the weekend in Anaheim, and I was thankful for that. I took my usual route, jogging past the sport fields and looping around past the canteen, before turning around and heading back towards the dorm. I froze when I returned. News reporters were parked outside the dorm, cameras set up as they stood around, clearly waiting for someone. I weaved my way through them, aware I looked a sweaty state, and onto the plaza.
'That's her!' Someone called and I looked around for any signs of the celebrity they were looking for. I couldn't see anybody.
'Sky Bright!'
My eyes widened and my heart hammered against my chest. They were looking for me?
'Why did Zed Benedict choose you to sing with him?'
'Are you two dating?'
Oh hell no. I didn't give them the satisfaction. I picked up my pace and headed inside as quickly as I could. When I slammed the bedroom door behind me, my roomies were already awake.
'Sky, hey.' Zoe said from behind her laptop.
'There are reporters outside... for me.' I winced, aware that any footage that they'd just got involved me with greasy hair and a sweaty back. Ew. 'Why are there reporters here for me?'
'Uhmm...' Zoe turned her laptop around. On the screen was the video of Zed and I at Disneyland. 'It's gone viral.' She told me. 'One million views.'
'One million?' I swayed, feeling dizzy. This couldn't be right. I grabbed the dresser, holding myself up.
'Everyone is talking about it on Twitter and it's been on the entertainment news.' Tina added. 'How cool is that?'
'Not cool at all.' I groaned. 'It was totally unrehearsed.'
'But it was awesome!'
'And now reporters are outside to see you!' Zoe beamed.
'They've already seen me. Like this.' I groaned, signalling to my sports gear.
'Go and shower and we'll grab some breakfast. Then they'll see you looking fabulous.'
'But I don't want them to see me at all.'
'You can't hide here all day. You've got class. Come on, get dressed and put on a brave face.' Tina said. 'Time to get back to normal.'
'I don't even know what normal is any more.'
I showered quickly and washed my hair, blowdrying it and then adding my usual every day make-up. I dressed in some jeans, a white off-shoulder lace blouse and flip-flops for comfort. Then, when my friends had given me the thumbs up, we grabbed our bags and got ready to face the reporters. Sure enough, they were ready for us when we stepped outside into the sunshine, but now there were more students around, milling about and putting a barrier between us and the paparazzi.
'Sky!'
'Sky, can we ask you some questions?'
I winced and my friends tightened their grips on me, weaving us through the curious crowds of students, some of which were waving at the press and talking to them, until we got to the canteen, away from the news reporters. I sighed with relief as we entered the building in one piece.
'Yeah that's kinda insane.' Tina said. 'It's made me even hungrier than normal.'
'Really?' I raised an eyebrow. 'Because my appetite has gone.'
'Sky!' I tensed but relaxed when I saw it was Luke coming towards us. He pulled me into a hug. 'You're all over the news.'
'I know.' I frowned. 'I've seen the reporters parked on campus.'
He frowned now, looking irritated. 'This is all Zed's fault.' His voice almost came out as a growl and it caught me off guard. 'Are you okay?' His eyes softened as he looked down at me. I nodded, mutely. 'Come on, let's have breakfast and then I'll walk you to class.'
Walking to class wasn't as easy as it should have been. Reporters walked the paths, throwing questions my way, but Luke wrapped his arm around my shoulders, keeping close as we made our way to the music building. We walked inside together and Zed came towards us. He spotted Luke's arm around my shoulders and, surprisingly, his eyes narrowed.
'Spearson.' Zed said, his voice dripping with venom.
'Benedict.' Luke replied in a growl. He tightened his grip on me. 'I hope you're happy. Sky's been harassed plenty this morning and it's not even ten.'
Zed's expression softened and he almost looked concerned. 'I'm sorry, Sky. I've called my security team and my publicist. They're going to deal with the reporters.'
'Thanks, I guess.' I replied, uncertain of what else to say. The school bells chimed and Luke's arm relaxed on my shoulders.
'I'd better get to class.' My friend said to me. 'But if you need anything, just call me.'
'Thanks Luke.' I gave him a small smile and he placed a gentle kiss to my forehead, catching me off guard, before he headed off to class. I turned back to Zed, whose expression had soured again. 'What are you so pissed off about?' I asked, folding my arms across my chest. 'It's your fault I'm in this mess.'
For once, Zed Benedict had nothing to say to me.
