See Sky's winter formal outfit here (remove stars): **www.** /media/catalog/product**/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/o/m/**ombre_strapless**_with_beaded_center_front_prom_dresses_by_dave_and_johnny_1_2.**jpg

xx-xx-xx-xx

Posters and flyers for the Winter Formal completely covered campus. I had thought people had been excited for dances at school, but boy was I wrong- the excitement was insane. Jenni had tried to book us hair appointments the week before the formal, but everything was fully booked, which meant we had to try and sort ourselves. Jenni, of course, was going with George; they had been seeing each other 'discretely', or so they thought... we all knew, we weren't stupid. Ben was bringing a guy from back home, having finally 'come out' to our school friends.

And I was going with Zed, who was back to being my boyfriend. I was staying at the apartment two times a week (innocently) and seeing him most days. I'd spent ages trying to choose a dress he would like me in.

'I can't believe it's tonight!' Jenni squealed as we headed into the cafeteria. 'I am so excited! It's just a shame they went for Winter Wonderland... too predictable.'

'Christmas is predictable.' I laughed. I loved the cold air, the smell of bonfires and the fairy lights, but Christmas was the same every year; I helped Simon and Sally put up the decorations a week before Christmas. We had a roast dinner together on Christmas day and then we played a board game. Then on Boxing Day, they'd go back to work like the holiday hadn't even happened.

'Maybe it won't be this year.' Jenni smiled hopefully. 'I'm going to stay at the frat house with Ben.'

'Is that even allowed?'

'Nope.' She smiled, cunningly. 'But everyone else is going back to their families.'

'I'm not.'

'Nope, but you'll be with Simon and Sally and Zed.'

I hadn't thought about Christmas yet. It was a week and a half away, though she was right. Simon and Sally would call anyday with the invite for roast dinner. The same as always. I grabbed a red plastic tray and dished myself up some pasta; we were eating now so that we weren't bloated in our dresses later.

'Don't take all day.' My best friend from college rolled her eyes. 'We have things to do.'

Two hours later and we were sat back in our dorm room, face masks on and cucumber over our eyes. It felt weird and I was pretty sure we looked like aliens.

'I think my eyeballs are freezing.' Jenni complained, holding on the cucumber as she changed positions. 'When is your timer going to go off, English?'

'I don't know, I can't see it.'

There was a quiet pause. 'How are you and Zed?'

'Good.' I replied, carefully itching the side of my nose with my finger.

'Just good?'

'We're taking things slow.'

'Does that mean you haven't-'

'No we haven't. Like I said, taking things slow. Learning to trust him again.' I nudged her with my elbow. 'Why, have you and Ben... you know?'

'Maybe.' Her voice was small, so I took it as a yes. The alarm on my phone went off, interrupting the conversation. 'I'll wash mine off first!' And I knew she'd run off before I could ask her anything else.

After we were back to looking like humans again, we gave each other pedicures and manicures, adding a little sparkle to match the season. Then we moved into hair; I'd opted for wearing mine down and naturally curly, with a waterfall braid across the back. Jenni's hair was up in a loose updo, some curls falling down her neck. We had both gone for subtle make-up; I had subtle winged eyeliner with nude eyeshadow and a nude lipstick, with a bit of glitter dusted lightly over my skin.

'I feel a million dollars.' I smiled, looking in the mirror. My blue eyes were shining brightly today and I recognised the look in them; I was truly happy, something that had been gone for a while.

'Just wait til you have that dress on.' Jenni smiled, a bright smile that reminded me of the star on top of the tree in our dorm room.

I slipped on the dress, zipped up the side and then looked in the mirror. The dress I had fallen in love with showed off my slim figure perfectly; it was strapless with a sweetheart neckline, fading from a turquoise colour to a white in ombre-style. It hugged me down to my waist and then flowed out gently, without being too princessey. From the waist to the area between my breasts was a flower-like embellishment that added just enough sparkle. I slipped on my matching silver heels and smiled. Cinderella was ready to go to the ball.

'Honestly, Sky, you look amazing.' Jenni grinned, admiring my dress. 'That dress was made for you.'

'You look amazing too.' And she did. She wore a red mermaid-fitted dress with gems across the top of her sweetheart neckline.

There was a knock on the door, interrupting our compliments to each other. Jenni jumped to answer it before I could get there. She opened the door and I stood in awe at the sight. Zed was stood in a black tuxedo with a turquoise tie. He looked like a walking advert for Hugo Boss. He wore a white rose in his pocket and had a matching corsage in his hand. His eyes lit up when he looked at me and his smile brightened.

Sky, you look like a beautiful angel.

Thank you, looking pretty good yourself.

He walked into the room and slipped the corsage on my wrist before gently kissing me. I hadn't noticed that George had slipped in behind him and was passionately kissing Jenni. Nice.

'Right, photos!' My friend said, breathlessly, shutting the door behind her.

What felt like a million photographs and selfies later, we arrived at the Student Union. The room had been transformed into a tasteful grotto; there were fairy lights everywhere, snowflakes hung to fall from the ceiling and the floor had been coated with fake snow, which was bound to be an issue after a few drinks. By the bar stood a large white tree, which had a silver message reading 'Leave a note.' There were already lots of tags tied to the tree.

Ed Sheeran's 'Tenerife Sea' filled the room and Zed smiled at me, squeezing my hand.

Would you like to dance?

You don't need to ask me twice.

He whisked me off to the space cleared for the dancefloor and then placed one hand on my waist and then took my right hand with his left. I placed my free hand on his shoulder and he pulled me closer to him.

'You look so wonderful in your dress, I love your hair like that. The way it falls on the side of your neck, down your shoulders and back.' Zed sung softly into my ear, sending goosebumps across my body. 'We are surrounded by all of these lies and people who talk too much. You got the kind of look in your eyes as if no one knows anything but us. Should this be the last thing I see? I want you to know it's enough for me cause all that you are is all that I'll ever need... I'm so in love, so in love'

I interrupted Zed's singing with a kiss and then I reached into his mind; I love you too.

It felt right when Zed held my hand as he whisked me around the room, greeting friends and introducing me to people I had to met before.

They all think you look beautiful. He said into my head.

Why do you think that?

Because they're looking at you the same way I do. He gently pulled his hand up to my mouth and kissed it. Come on, there's something I want to show you.

He led me in the direction of the white tree and I wondered when he had snuck off to write a message. He had been with me all night, apart from when he had disappeared off to the bathroom. The pieces joined together in my mind and smiled. Zed led my hand to a silver tag.

Turn it over.

I flipped over the piece of silver and read the message scrawled in Zed's handwriting: Please move back home, Sky. You're my whole world and it's not home without you.

I looked up at him and his hope-filled eyes, which watered slightly as if he was worried I would reject him. He took my hands in his and gently rubbed circles into the back of my hands with his thumbs.

'I'll move back home.' I replied.

And two days later, I did. I moved back home and unpacked ready for Christmas. We decorated our apartment with a large tree, tinsel, fairylights and anything else classy we could find, managing to put up our decorations ahead of Sally and Simon. Then, just over a week later, it was Christmas Eve.

'I can't believe it hasn't snowed yet.' I sighed as Zed handed me a cup of hot chocolate that morning.

'It will.' He kissed my forehead and then climbed back under the covers with me. 'I've got you a present.'

'It's not Christmas until tomorrow.' I laughed. 'You're like an excited kid.'

'I want you to open it today.' He shrugged with a smile on his face. He passed me a small gold envelope and I wondered what could possibly fit inside. 'Go on, open it.'

I carefully opened the envelope and pulled out a piece of white notepaper.

Pack your bags with lots of warm clothes.

'Zed, what's going on?'

He grinned at me. 'Just do as I've asked. Make sure you have enough for just over a week.'

'Where are we going?'

'You'll see.'

Six hours later and we were in the heart of the snow-covered Canadian Rockies. I was surprised my little car had got through the snow, though I did wonder if it would ever get back out again. I was glad I had wrapped up warm, because I was hit by a blast of cold air as soon as we got out of the car.

'Where are we?' I looked around and all I could see were mountains and trees.

Zed pulled out the suitcase, locked the car and then grabbed my hand. 'Shall we?'

We trudged through the snow until we reached a cleared stone path. Once we had climbed over the hill, I saw a small collection of traditional log cabins. At the front was a slightly larger one and a sign saying 'Castle Mountain Lodges.'

'Zed, this must have cost a fortune!'

He shrugged. 'I've been working a lot of overtime at the restaurant lately and I've had loads of tips. I wanted to do something nice for you.'

'You didn't have to.'

'I think you deserve it.' He kissed my forehead with his cool lips. 'Come on, let's get inside.'

The hotel lobby was modern, despite being a log cabin. There were large glass wall panels giving a view of the mountains and the surrounding woodland. Inside, the ceiling was as high as it looked and it was covered with wooden beams. There was a large stone fireplace with a roaring log fire and fake-fur rugs were laid out between leather sofas in front of it. There were bookcases, computers and chess sets spread around the room, with a large reception desk at the back.

Zed wheeled the suitcase across the wooden flooring to the Welcome Desk and I followed him, still in awe. There was a large Christmas tree perfectly decorated with a red and gold colour scheme and fairy lights decorated the edge of the glass panels.

'Hey, we're here to check in. The cabin is booked under Benedict.' Zed smiled sweetly, a smile that made women, including me, melt.

The blonde receptionist, who had a fake fur headband on, took a deep breath and then returned the smile, her teeth shining as bright as the Christmas decorations. 'No problem, Mr Benedict.' She tapped into her keyboard. 'You're in Cabin Number 5. It has a hot tub and is quite close to our leisure facilities and restaurant. Would you like a hand with your luggage?'

Of course not, I thought. Have you seen my boyfriend?

'Yes please.' He smiled sheepishly, before turning to face me. 'There's a few more things I need to get from the trunk of the car.'

I raised an eyebrow. 'When did you put things in the trunk?'

'Earlier.' He turned back to the receptionist to retrieve the key. 'Thank you.'

'You're being awfully sneaky.' I eyed him with suspicion as we walked away from the desk.

'Sorry.' He apologised. 'But it's a good kind of sneaky, I promise. Come on, let's find our cabin and then I'll head back to the car.'

We headed back into the snow, hand in hand, despite the cold air. It was getting dark outside now, but the mountains still looked just as breathtaking. We followed the path and the small wooden signs until we reached Cabin 5, which was surrounded by trees. It was traditional looking with wooden beams and a small wooden porch, on which was a small wooden hot tub.

'Wow.' I gasped. 'Do I want to know how much this cost?'

'Probably not.' He grinned. 'Come on, let's head inside.'

Zed turned the key in the lock and we headed inside, wiping our feet on the doormat. The cabin was a fair size. There was a large stone fireplace with an already burning log fire, with a bookcase and two leather armchairs around it. The bed was a kingsize wooden frame, covered with a red plaid duvet cover and a variety of different cushions, and I noticed a gold and red decorated Christmas tree next to it. There was a fake fur rug on the floor, a wardrobe and then a small kitchen area with benches and a table. The bathroom was small, with a shower, toilet and wash basin. It was perfect.

'Well it's not bad.' Zed smiled, taking in the emotions plastered across my face.

'It's wonderful.' I replied, snuggling into his chest. 'Thank you.'

'I'm glad you like it.' He kissed my forehead before pulling away. 'I'm just going to grab the rest of the things before it gets dark. I'm sure our suitcase will be over in a minute.'

'Okay.' I replied. I made my way into an armchair by the fire and sighed. What was Zed up to now?

When he returned twenty minutes later, our suitcase had already been dropped off by an exhausted-looking bellboy. I opened the door to Zed to find him carrying two large black sacks.

'Oooh, it's Santa!' I squealed, teasingly.

'Sounds about right.' He chuckled as I closed the door behind him. He placed the bags by the tree and, sure enough, started to unload the presents.

'Are these all of the ones from home?'

'Yes, plus a few extras I've been hiding from your family.' He replied, piling them up. 'I'm just glad your car was big enough.

'Only just.' I gasped. The poor tree looked a little silly with so many presents under it. 'We should have left some at the apartment.'

'But it's Christmas tomorrow!' He tutted.

Zed stood up and I walked over to join him, wrapping my arms around his waist. He did the same, planting a kiss on the top of my head. 'Thank you.' He whispered.

'You're welcome. I'd do anything to see your eyes shining this brightly.'