There was still no sign of the Benedict brothers the following day, but I returned to Oak Tree House and spoke to the residents. I also put most of my ballgowns onto eBay, with help from Nina, setting up an account that would pay directly into Oak Tree House's fund. With help from the teenage residents and Josie, we chose some paint colours and wallpaper designs for each of the room and we started cutting up magazines with furniture and decor we liked for the communal rooms, whilst I wondered why Zed seemed to have fallen off the face of the Earth, not even responding to the telepathic messages I'd sent him. I knew Nate and Zack would soon be panicking about this too; it was their album launch party on Friday and he was going to need to be there, seeing as he was a third of Seven Minutes in Heaven. I left Oak Tree House late that evening, grabbing a takeout on the way home and eating it in the car before I got back to school. I got back to my dorm just as another car pulled up and I glanced at it in surprise. It was Zed and Yves, being dropped off by someone I could only assume was another Benedict brother- he had the same colouring and hair colour, he just looked older.

'Anything else your highness?' Wilfred asked.

'No thank you.' I replied with a smile. 'Thanks for driving me.'

'Anytime.' His old smile was warm and kind. 'Perhaps we can have another driving lesson soon?'

'Definitely.' It was more relaxing driving with him than Marcus. 'I'd like that.'

'Have a good week.' He bowed and got back into the car as I watched three of the Benedict brothers having a conversation. Yves pushed his glasses up his nose as he listened to something the older brother was saying and Zed was frowning. The oldest brother patted them each on the back and got back into the car, speeding away behind Wilfred. Yves and Zed turned, spotting me and Yves excused himself, walking off towards their boarding house, as Zed walked over to me. In his black skinny jeans and tight black t-shirt, he looked damn good, but my smile faded when I saw his tired face.

'Zed? What happened?' I asked, my eyes meeting his bloodshot ones. He pinched his nose.

'I'm okay.' He gave me a lopsided smile, but it was fake.

'You're a liar.' I said. 'I know something happened. You didn't reply to me or you were ignoring me.' I folded my arms across my chest.

'Sorry.' He apologised, running his hand through his hair. 'We could go for a walk and talk about it?' He looked at my guards, who were watching him with caution.

I frowned at Martin. He knew Zed well enough to know he wouldn't cause trouble. 'I don't want to be able to see either of you, okay? Out of sight, out of mind.'

'Yes your highness.' Martin nodded and Zed and I started walking towards the lake, side-by-side. I wanted to reach out, to hold his hand, but people at school didn't know we were dating and if they did, it wasn't anything official.

I loved the long summer evenings in June and July. The sun was still in the sky, beaming down on us and it reflected off the lake, almost making it glitter. The air felt cooler as we reached the trees and I wrapped my arms around myself as we found a spot to sit by the lake. I sat down beside Zed in silence and he looked lost in his thoughts until he yawned and stretched.

'You look really tired.' I said, softly. 'I should've let you go to bed.'

'I wanted to see you.' He smiled at me, this time a real smile, and his hand reached for mine, our fingers intertwining as he pulled my hand onto his lap.

'Zed, what happened?' I asked, softly. 'You were gone two days and now you're exhausted.'

'There's some stuff about my family that I've never told you.' He said, before hesitating. He was nervous. 'And I'm not sure how you'll be about it.'

'You're not some crazy serial killers are you?' I joked and he frowned.

'Of course not.' He looked out at the lake. 'My brother, Victor, works for the Secret Service, but you know that already.' I nodded. I'd met him once before, after I'd been kidnapped. 'Well he and the rest of our family are part of something called the Savant Net.'

'Savant Net?' I raised an eyebrow.

'It's a worldwide organisation made up of savants, who work to keep the world at peace from savants using their powers for evil purposes.'

'So like superheroes against villains?'

'I suppose.' He gave a lopsided smile. 'We're the good guys.'

'And do you ever have to fight anyone?' I was curious now, but also worried. For his safety.

'Yeah.' He nodded. 'Sometimes we have to so that we can make arrests. There are special prisons for savants because of their powers and it's hard to arrest them. That's why, if there's a big case, Victor gets all of us involved. Nine Benedicts against a few bad guys is easy. Especially when you combine all of our abilities.'

'So that's where you've been.' I bit my lip. 'Are you hurt?'

'No, just tired.' He squeezed my hand. 'You don't need to worry about me. My family are pretty kick-ass.'

'Did you catch the bad guys?'

'One.' He frowned. 'There's a group of them calling themselves The Community. We think there's a ringleader but we've not seen him yet. Although we did catch a guy today who can suck years from people's lives so that was something. I think we would've caught another yesterday, but some girl slowed time down and they got away. But it's up to Victor and his team now, Yves and I can't miss loads of school and we're pretty worn out.'

'Zed?'

'Yeah?'

'What's Yves' ability?'

He smiled. 'Well he might be a brainiac but he's pretty dangerous too. He can manipulate fire.'

'What do you mean?' I wrinkled my nose.

'He can set things on fire, make fire just appear. Pretty crazy, huh?'

I blinked. 'Yeah. Can he control it?'

'Have you ever seen it?'

'Fair point.' I looked back at the lake as Zed's thumb gently caressed the back of my hand. 'I love these long days.'

'Me too.' He said in agreement. 'A week and a half until the summer really begins.'

'We have prom first.'

'We do.' He nodded. 'But our album launch is this week. I don't suppose you want to come? Lucy's coming and I've invited Nelson, Tina and Zoe too.'

'Sure.' I replied and he pulled me up to my feet, wrapping his arm gently around my waist.

'I've missed you and I've missed this.' He bent his head towards mine, kissing me softly as he cupped my cheek with his hand. The kiss only lasted for a moment and then he was resting his forehead against mine, looking into my eyes. 'Sky?'

'Yes?'

'Will you... will you go to prom with me? As my date?' He sounded nervous as he whispered it and his eyes and aura showed he was feeling hopeful.

I smiled, before whispering my response. 'Of course.' And then I closed the gap between our lips again.

The album launch party was being held at some swanky hotel in centre London on Friday and the girls, plus Nelson, headed to my Kensington apartment with me as soon as school was over, armed with our overnight bags and we tucked into the spaghetti bolognese that was waiting for us before Nelson disappeared to the guest room so that we could all change and get ready in my bedroom in privacy. The theme for the evening for us had ended up as festival fashion, as it was fairly warm out and leather-look leggings were going to be too toasty. Tina looked fabulous in floral print trousers and a white crop top, Zoe wore a floral maxi dress with cut-out sides and Lucy looked cute in her coral playsuit with kimono. I took a risk. My light pink, high-waisted floral skirt reached my knees and I'd paired it with an off-the-shoulder white top, showing a fraction of bare skin on my waist but hopefully not enough to get into trouble with my father. The outfit looked cute with the stiletto sandals on my feet and my matching clutchbag, and I was pleased with the waterfall braid in my hair.

'So how's things with you and Zed?' Tina asked as I applied a little lipstick, adding a bit of subtle colour to my lips.

'Okay.' I blushed, matching my lipstick.

'More than okay.' Lucy grinned from across the room. 'I'm surprised you two aren't official yet.'

'We're taking it slow.' And I didn't want anyone to think I was jumping from guy to guy. Plus, I wasn't sure how my father would be about the situation. I didn't want to care how he would feel. But I was afraid of him. He was powerful, more so because he was a savant.

'Did he ask you to prom?' Zoe asked.

Ah. I'd forgotten to mention that part. 'Yes.'

'Eeek! So exciting! Zed Benedict wants to take you to prom!' Zoe beamed as my cheeks continued to blush.

'Enough about that.' I said, dismissing them. 'We've got to go or we're going to be more than fashionably late.'

The Golden Leaf was a rooftop bar on top of one of the modern four-star hotels in London, over-looking the Thames near Waterloo. After posing for photos on the red carpet on the way in, we took the lift to the top floor and I felt like I'd stepped into some super hip bar or club, one that I was a year too young to be in. The bar, with its glass walls looking out at the London skyline, was made up of a large bar lit with lights of different shapes and sizes. There were high tables scattered around, with golden bar stools, and the screens were showing pictures of the boys as Seven Minutes in Heaven songs played out of the speakers. Through the large, glass doors there seemed to be a terrace and the Nelson practically dragged us outside, taking in the view; the wooden decking, the fire pit and heaters, an outdoor bar, comfy booths, fairylights and then the dramatic London Skyline, with Big Ben and Houses of Parliament visible, and the London Eye, the Shard and St Paul's in the distance.

'Holy crap.' Tina whispered from beside me.

'So freakin' cool.' Nelson said in agreement as She's Kinda Hot played through the outdoor speakers.

'Sky?!' I recognised the American voice, the twang of a Pennysylvanian accent. I turned in the direction of Taylor Swift, who looked glamorous as always in a co-ord crop top and shorts set, showing off her extremely long legs.

'Taylor, hey.' I said with a smile as she pulled me into a hug, bending down to do so. I felt tiny, even with my pink heels on.

'How are you?' She asked. 'It's been ages.'

'I'm fine.' I smiled. 'Doing alright. You?'

'I'm good.' She nodded. 'I heard about you and Sebastien. And I heard about your operation.'

'Yeah, but what's done is done.' I shrugged. 'I didn't think you'd be here.'

'Same label.' She smiled and I felt a little stupid for not knowing that. 'And you're here because of Zed, hmm?' She teased and I blushed.

'I go to school with the whole band.' I said and she raised her eyebrows.

'She's in denial.' Lucy said from beside me, winking. I elbowed her in the ribs. 'I'll get us a drink.'

The launch party was crawling with members of the press, who were interviewing guests and artists, as well as capturing the evening with photographs, a lot of which I was sure I was in. Celebrities mingled, talking to each other and listening to the music, and then there were the five fans that had won the experience, who stared longily at the boys as they moved their way around the guests. I sipped at my mocktail as I spotted the Benedict clan. All of them. Butterflies danced around my stomach as Karla waved at me. I'd been spotted too. I turned to my friends. 'I'll be right back.'

Nervously, I walked over to the other side of the outdoor terrace, where eight of the Benedict family stood, talking.

'Hello Sky.' Karla said in greeting, surprising me by hugging me and kissing me on the cheek.

'Hello.' I replied and Saul pulled me into a hug toom, also kissing my cheek.

'How are you?' He asked, cheerily.

'Fine thank you.' I said, formally. 'Yourselves?'

'We're well.' Karla smiled. 'It's good to see you.'

'Zed not scared you off yet, huh?' Xavier appeared behind his dad, his cheeky grin on his face. 'Surprising really after singing to you and then turning up unannounced at the palace. My brother has a death wish.'

'Xav.' Saul's tone was a warning and the other sons glanced my way, including the ones I'd never met before. 'I do apologise, Sky. This is the problem when you have so many sons. They all decide to wind each other up.

'Sky, this is Trace, Uriel and Will. And of course you already know Victor, Xavier and Yves.' Karla introduced me and I smiled as I shook the hands of the remaining brothers I'd never met.

'So you're Zed's latest love interest?' Uriel said, interesting and Saul frowned at him. I wondered if he knew that there was more to it than that.

'Ignore him, Sky. Ignore them all.' Yves said with the familiar friendly smile I was used to.

'Oh god, why are you talking to Sky?' Zed's voice surprised me and I turned to see him. He smiled down at me, his eyes softening as he looked into mine, but he still looked nervous.

'We're just telling her mortifying stories from your childhood.' Xav replied and Zed winced.

'They weren't.' I told him and he relaxed a little, his eyes not leaving mine.

Hey beautiful.

Hey yourself. I blushed at the compliment and he smiled. Apparently I'm your new love interest.

He frowned. Who? I bit my lip, not responding. 'Who said that Sky is my latest love interest?' The air felt awkward and then Xav pointed to Uriel, who had the signature cheeky Benedict smile on his face. 'Uriel, really?'

'It was a joke, man.' Uriel shrugged. 'It's not my fault you have a lot of love interests.'

Zed was angry. I could feel the anger practically radiating off of him. 'This is different, idiot. Sky is my soulfinder.' The words were out and I fiddled with my fingers as it became clear just who knew this news and who didn't, from the surprised faces and the jealous auras. Jealous that they hadn't found their soulfinder, but their youngest brother had without even looking. Then, just like that, the jealousy was gone and the brothers were smiling at me. I blushed.

'Pretty unfortunate for you, Sky, having Zed here as a soulfinder.' Will commented and a guy from Zed's record label approached, introducing himself and returning the topic to one more suitable for human ears.

Sky are you still awake?

Zed's voice took me surprise as I laid in my double bed in my Kensington apartment, Lucy asleep beside me and Tina and Zoe on the sofa bed, snoring softly. I rolled over, facing away from my friend as if she could hear our conversation. Yes.

Can't sleep?

No. My brow furrowed. No idea why, though. My body is so tired.

Nervous?

A little. I was going to start painting and redecorating Oak Tree House the following day. We'd planned to get the communal areas sorted, as the new furniture was set to arrive on Monday, so we were going to paper and paint the walls with help from my girl friends, who were staying with me for the weekend; we had plans to go prom-dress shopping on Sunday.

Want me to come tomorrow? I thought for a moment. Sure, it would be great to have his company, but then I wasn't sure if the teenage girls would cope.

It's okay, I think we've got it covered but thank you.

He was quiet for a moment and I wondered what he was thinking, from his hotel room across the city. Sorry I told my family you were my soulfinder. I just wanted them to know.

It's okay, they would have found out sooner or later. I yawned, feeling a little tired, as I closed my eyes.

I really wanted to wrap my arms around you. To kiss you and tell you just how beautiful you are.

And at some point after that, I must have fallen asleep.

My alarm was an unwelcome sound that morning and my friends and I groaned in unison as I felt for my phone, turning off the piercing sound. It was a Saturday. I should have been having a lie-in. But we had more important things to do. We had breakfast, showered and dressed (and I threw on my short dungarees that would make Nina cringe) and we were out the door and off to Oak Tree House. It looked somewhat miserable in the July rainshower, but I reminded myself that today we were going to change that. Today we were going to start the make-over process, to make it feel more like home to the teenagers that lived there. We greeted Josie and got to work straight away, some of the residents coming to help us paint the living room walls and add the wallpaper to the 'statement' wall. But there was no Phoenix. We worked hard through the morning, before moving onto the dining room and then the games room that afternoon.

'Oh my god, the Seven Minutes in Heaven album is on spotify!' Lola squealed as she turned up the volume on her phone, Zed's voice blaring out of it. It was just as well I'd turned down Zed's offer of help. Lucy beamed at me from across the room.

'Look, they've posted the pictures from their album party last night!' Evee said from her mobile. I mouthed an 'uh oh' at my friends and they smiled as I moved the paint roller up and down the wall, covering the last of the white. Lola and Evee sat cross-legged on the floor together and then came the squeal.

'Sky!' Lola's voice was high-pitched. 'You all went to their party?!'

'Yeah we did.' I replied, stifling a giggle at their reaction.

'But how?! Are you guys like friends?!' They clearly didn't follow me on Instagram. They clearly hadn't seen the countless selfies over the past six or so months, which had the guys in them.

'Yeah we are.' Tina said on my behalf. 'We go to school with them.'

'No way!' I winced at Evee's squeal. Typical teenage girls.

'Girls, instead of squealing at our guests, you could help them paint.' Josie said, sternly, from the doorway.

'No need.' I turned around, wiping my hands on an old rag. 'It's all done.' Josie inspected the walls and smiled as she carefully walked onto the dustsheet.

'I like the colour.' She commented, admiring the light blue paint. 'It's lovely.'

'Josie, Sky knows Seven Minutes in Heaven!' Evee said excitedly.

'That's... nice.' Josie looked amused as she walked around the room, checking every corner was covered. 'Are you sure you girls haven't done this before?'

'Nope.' Lucy popped the 'p'. 'There's a first time for everything.'

That's when Phoenix appeared up the corridor, soaking wet and muddy, her jagged haircut hung over her face and her make-up smudged. She looked tired and her exhausted expression reminded me of Zed a few days previously. Without a word, she turned on her heels and ran up the stairs and out of sight.

I slept a lot better that night, probably from all of the decorating, and I felt fresh when I woke up on Sunday morning before my girl friends. I showered and got dressed, grabbing my phone and walking downstairs, turning on the small television as I grabbed bacon and eggs for breakfast. I was surprised to see Seven Minutes in Heaven on the Breakfast Show. Zed hadn't mentionned that. Lucy hadn't either.

'Welcome back. We're joined this morning by teen hearthrobs Seven Minutes in Heaven who have just released their album Don't Stop.' Phillipa Smith, the host, was saying from her space on the sofa. My eyes skimmed over Zed. He looked really hot in his black skinny jeans and a printed vest, his chest muscles and biceps on show. 'Welcome to the show guys.'

'Thanks for having us.' Nate replied in his polite, gentleman-like fashion.

'So your album was released yesterday and it's already Number 1 on iTunes. How do you feel about that?'

'It's awesome!' Zed said in his husky, velvety voice that made girls scream. The one that made my knees weak. I was as bad as the fans. 'Thank you to everyone who has already bought a copy.'

'It means a lot.' Nate added.

'Oh boy.' Lucy's voice sighed from behind me and I turned to face her. 'Our boys are looking cute this morning.'

'Agreed.' I told her as she came to stand beside me.

'Have I missed anything?'

No they've just come on.'

'Oh, it's great having an album out and our tour was amazing. We met so many cool people and it's awesome when everyone is dancing to yours songs, you know?' Zack was saying.

'Sounds like you really enjoy what you do.' Phillipa said with a smile. She crossed her legs and placed her hands in her lap. 'Who writes most of the songs?' Zack and Nate pointed at Zed.

'Yeah it's mainly me, but these guys do pitch in too.' Zed admitted with his lopsided smile.

'And are they based on real events? There's a lot of songs about girls.'

'There are.' He nodded. 'And some, in some ways, are linked to real stuff that's happened I guess.'

'So are there any special girls in your lives?'

'Zed's mum.' Zack said and everyone laughed. 'Mrs Benedict is awesome. She's like mum to us all.'

'What about Princess Sky?' Phillipa asked and I cursed under my breath, wanting the ground to swallow me whole. I dropped the egg I was holding and it fell onto the floor, cracking.

Zed, however, looked calm and collected. 'Sky is a good friend.'

'A friend you jumped in front of a bullet for.' Phillipa pushed and Zed absentmindedly rubbed the scar on his arm. 'And a friend that you serenaded. We've all seen that video.'

Now he looked a little shy and he ran his hand through his messy hair, showing that much. Cocky personna was gone and now the real Zed was onscreen. 'Sky's great.' He said, simply. 'But she's not easily impressed.'

'Even if you are a talented, good-looking singer-songwriter? I bet girls fall at your feet all of the time.'

'Maybe.' He shrugged. 'But it has to be the right girl.'

'We're going to break now.' Phillipa said. 'Thank you so much for joining me today Seven Minutes in Heaven and I hope to have you back soon. Coming up after the break...'

Lucy turned off the television and I bent down to clean up the egg mess on the floor. 'Well their manager isn't going to like that.' She said, bending down to help me.

'I can't believe he said I'm not easily impressed.'

'Well you're not.' We both stood back up, throwing the gooey towels and shells into the bin.

'I don't want to rush things and I'm scared after last time.'

'Completely understandable.' She nodded. 'But hey, at least you're the right girl, huh? There's at least a 90 percent chance he meant you.'

More like a 99.9 percent. She didn't know that we were soulfinders. That fate and genetics had planned for us to be together. That we shared powers, abilities, with each other. And that was something she and my other friends were never going to understand.

Our final four (and a half) days at school passed by quickly and evenings were mostly spent packing up belongings ready for moving out on the Monday afternoon. Even if you were returning to school in September, pupils would be moving rooms, so we spent our time preparing for whichever new room we would be given. All we knew was that it would be in the other boarding house and senior rooms were usually on the ground floor. I was thankful when lunchtime rolled around on Friday and we didn't hang about; the girls and I grabbed our dress bags containing our prom dresses, grabbed our shoes and other belongings, and we got into Sally's car, which was already waiting for us.

'Are you excited about tonight girls?' Sally asked as she drove along the quiet lane towards the centre of Kingston-Upon-Thames, where she and Simon lived.

'Yes!' Zoe and Tina chorused.

'What time is the limo coming?'

'The boys said about seven.' Lucy replied from the backseat. 'I think we'll have some time for photos.'

'Good.' Sally smiled. 'I want to take lots of photos and if it stays sunny we can take some pictures in the garden.'

'Sounds great!' Tina said.

'You're quiet, sweetheart.' Sally's voice was soft and I looked over at her. 'Are you not looking forward to tonight?'

'I am.' I smiled. 'I just want everything to go to plan.'

'Why wouldn't it?' She said, trying to sound reassuring, but all I could think of was what had happened at the last balls I'd been to at school; I'd gone to one with Seb and the other, Marcus had dumped me.

'What if Zed doesn't turn up? Or decides he doesn't want to be my date?'

'You're worrying for no reason.' Lucy said, squeezing my shoulder. 'Zed is completely crazy in love with you. You have nothing to worry about.'

We had lunch with Sally in the garden, sitting out in the sunlight, and then my hairdressers and beauticians from the palace turned up, much to my surprise. I was even more surprised to see that Queen Roseanna had turned up with them and I think Sally almost panicked, probably wondering if the house was clean or tidy enough for the Queen's visit.

'Your majesty, what are you doing here?' I asked in shock from where she stood beside my two guards and two of hers.

'I wanted to see you on your special day.' She replied with a friendly smile. 'I hope that's okay Sally. I know I should've called.'

'Don't be silly.' Sally replied. 'Of course it's okay. Come on in and I can make you some tea whilst the girls get ready?'

'That would be lovely?'

I was still in shock as the team pinned my hair into rollers and started on my nails and make-up, one member assigning themselves to each of my friends so that we would all look equally glamorous.

'It's nice of Roseanna to come and see you.' Lucy said from next to me in the conservatory. I squinted at the sunlight pouring in as a manicure was painted carefully onto my shaped nails.

'It was.' I said in agreement. 'I'm surprised though.'

'Why? She sees you as a daughter.'

'I suppose.'

It took two and a half hours in total, with dinner in between, to get completely ready for prom. We'd all had our nails, hair and make-up done and as it reached six-thirty I started to feel even more nervous. Before emerging from the bathroom, I checked my shoes were fastened and gave my outfit a onceover. I hoped Zed would like it. I wore a navy blue dress that fell above the knee (as only senior girls were allowed to wear full-length dresses for prom) in a tulle skirt. The top part was tight-fitting and a halterneck, with little sparkly beads sewn onto it and it fell at the back, leaving my back bare until the waist. It meant I'd not worn a bra, only the built-in padding, and that made me feel nervous in itself. I'd paired the look with some comfy silver strappy heels and some dangly silver diamond earrings. My hair was in a half-updo, clasped at the back with a clip I'd borrowed from my collection at the palace. It felt perfect and looked perfect, but would Zed like it?

The girls and I walked down the stairs, one after the other, and Sally gasped at the bottom, almost blubbering from her spot next to Simon and next to Roseanna. We reached the bottom and Sally hugged me.

'Sky, sweetheart, you look beautiful.' She sniffed. 'So grown-up.'

'Don't cry on me now, Sally.' I laughed and then I hugged Simon, who kissed me on the cheek.

'Very grown-up.' He agreed with a smile. 'We're so proud of you.'

I felt for Roseanna, who just stood there smiling proudly. I reached her and she hugged me too. 'A vision.' She said simply and I blushed at the compliment.

'Shall we take some photos in the garden?' Tina asked, interrupting the emotional hugging session.

Simon nodded. 'Sure.'

Simon had studied art and photography his whole life, so he treated the photo session more like a photoshoot. He directed us, telling us how to pose in a line and then he took individual shots of us by the flowers. I had some photos taken with just Lucy, arms linked and back-to-back, hands on hips and then hugging each other. We even had pictures of the four of us twirling, our skirts moving outwards. Then the doorbell rang and I knew it had to be seven. My heart flipped in my chest and Lucy squeezed my hand as Sally went to answer the door. She returned a moment later with the boys in tow; Yves, Nelson, Zack, Nate and then Zed. My breath caught in my throat as his mouth opened and his eyes met mine as the 'o' shape turned into a smile. He looked amazing in a navy suit and tie that matched my dress, a bouquet of pretty white and light blue flowers in his hand.

Wow Sky. He said in my head and I blushed as he walked towards me. 'You really are the most beautiful girl in the world.' He said, quietly, as he reached me and gently kissed my cheek. He passed me some flowers. 'These are for you.'

'Thank you, they're lovely.' I replied with a shy smile, aware that Sally and Simon, and probably Roseanna too, were watching. 'Nice suit.'

'Thanks.' He grinned at me. 'My spy told me you were wearing navy blue.'

'A brunette spy wearing pink, might I ask?' I looked over at Lucy, who was hugging Nate.

'Perhaps.'

'Okay, let's get some photos before you head off.' Simon called out, interrupting the greetings. We posed for some group shots and then he took some pictures of Nate and Lucy together, before turning to Zed and I. 'Your turn!' He said, cheerily and I blushed, feeling embarassed. 'Don't blush, sweetheart.'

'I'm blushing because you're like some crazy paparazzi.'

'I want to remember your first prom.' He said, simply, as Zed walked behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. 'Sky, sweetie, smile.'

If you don't smile, I might have to tickle you or tell you a really bad joke. Zed's voice filled my mind and I found myself smiling as I replied.

No tickling and no jokes, please!

'Lovely.' Simon said, happily. Let's try some more in some other poses. He then, thankfully, stopped and took some photos of the guys before Nelson and Yves moved out of the way, letting Seven Minutes in Heaven have a picture. They took off their jackets, hanging them over their shoulders as they posed and Lucy and I giggled as I snapped a photo of them, before uploading it to Instagram.

#heartthrobs zedbenedict heyitsnate drummerzack

Lucy read the caption and laughed beside me. 'You're responsible for the heartattacks of several thousand girls right now.'

'Less competition, huh?'

Prom wasn't at school like the other dances had been, because this was seen as a bigger deal. Instead, it was at a georgian country house a mile down the road from school, one with grand gates and a huge grand driveway. Our limo drove along the gravel, stopping in front of the stairs and we got out of the limo, standing together as the school photographer snapped pictures of us, smiling, linking arms with each other. We walked inside and it was hard not to gasp; there was a grand staircase, like something from Titanic and we walked past it into the main room, which over-looked a garden lit by fairylights, a gazebo in the middle like in A Cinderella Story and Twilight. The main room had been decorated with flowers and trees, giving it a summer garden theme and it seemed to sparkle, despite being dimly lit. Lanterns hung from vines attached to the ceiling and it made me think of Tangled.

'Would you like a drink?' Zed asked, breaking my tail of thought.

'Sure.' I smiled and he bowed, jokily, before heading off with the guys.

'See!' Lucy said from beside me. 'Everything's great. He likes your dress and he brought you flowers.'

'I suppose you're right.' I said, casually, still worried that something was going to ruin the night. Nights like this couldn't be perfect, could they? Even if you wanted them to.

The punch was non-alcoholic and, surprisingly, no one had spiked it like they did in American movies, but we still drank plenty of it as the girls and I twirled to the songs, dancing together amongst the crowds as the guys danced too.

'I ain't worried 'bout nothin'

I ain't wearin' na nada

I'm sittin' pretty, impatient, but I know you gotta

Put in them hours, I'mma make it hotter

I'm sending pic after picture, I'mma get you fired.'

The girls and I sang and danced together to Fifth Harmony, moving our hips in time to the beat and I put my hands in the air as we danced. Lucy took my hand and we danced together and I caught Zed watching me with an intense expression as I flicked my hair over my shoulder. Nate grabbed her waist and she danced against him, making me break contact and I turned around, right into Zed's chest.

'Hey.' He smiled down at me from under his thick eyelashes. My breath caught in my throat. Damn, why was he so good-looking? His arms moved to my hips and I swallowed.

'Hey.' I managed to get out.

'Don't let me stop you dancing.'

I raised my eyebrows, moving my hands so that they were on his shoulders. 'Then shut up and dance with me.'

As it got later, the slower songs came on, and I hummed along to Buble from my place at the makeshift bar as Nate whisked Lucy away and Zoe and Nelson disappeared to the dancefloor.

'This prom is pretty good.' Tina said, looking out at the couples dancing. 'Where's Zed?'

'I don't know.' I shrugged. 'I've not seen him in half an hour. Maybe he went to get some air.'

Tina hummed the song as I drummed my fingers on the counter, sipping at the punch. Across the floor, Lucy kissed Nate and I sighed. They were cute together. They loved each other. Could Zed and I be like that? I wanted us to be. Did that mean I was ready for a relationship? The idea of being hurt still hung in the air like a prison sentence.

'Tina, wow you look great. I've hardly been able to take my eyes off of you.' A guy from our English class appeared in front of Tina, practically swooning. I smiled to myself as I watched her play with her updo.

'Thanks, Dean.'

'Would you like to dance?'

She glanced over at me, ever the good friend, worried about leaving me alone. I smiled and nodded and she looked back at Dean. 'Sure.'

I watched as he led her onto the dancefloor and I fiddled with the bracelet on my wrist, the one Zed had got me. 'Give me love, gimme love, yes sir, crazy love

Give me love, gimme, gimme, gimme, crazy love.'

'Hey.' Zed appeared beside me, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. Goosebumps spread across my body at his touch and I looked over at him, with a small smile. 'Sorry to abandon you. My mum called me. Are you having fun?'

'Yeah, are you?'

'Yes, but it could be better.'

'Oh?' He reached for my hand and our fingers intertwined. I looked back up at his eyes with my bright blue pools.

'I know you're worried I'm going to hurt you Sky, but I promise I'd never do anything so stupid again.' His eyes were sincere as they looked into mine. 'And every hurt, every wound your heart has suffered over the years... I want to heal them with my kisses and I'll continue to do that if you'll let me.' It was no wonder he was a songwriter. The words he created made your needs weak and I struggled to stand as he looked at me like he was looking deep into my soul. 'I want to be able to call you my girlfriend.'

'No more hiding?'

'No more hiding.' His mouth turned upwards at the corner. 'Sure, your dad will probably kill me, but I think it's worth it because you're mine and I don't ever want to let you go.'

I bit my lip. It was this risk-taking business again. It was live in fear of falling, although I was sure it was getting too late for that, or jump and risk it all. Risk the heartbreak. Risk losing another friend. But the way Zed Benedict looked at me like I was everything to him, his whole world, was enough to make me answer the unsaid question. 'I want to be your girlfriend.' I told him and I knew I'd never been more sure of anything in my life.

'You do?' He sounded surprised but looked overjoyed at the same time. He pressed his lips to my forehead. 'Now this night is even better.'

'We'll do it all

Everything

On our own.'

Zed squeezed my hand with his. 'Sky, would you dance with me?'

'Question or a statement?' I teased and he smiled, bring my hand to his lips and kissing it softly.

'A question.' His eyes softened and I nodded, letting him lead me to the dancefloor.

'We don't need

Anything

Or anyone.'

He wrapped his arms around my waist and I reached mine up to his neck, a different kind of dancing to any others we had done. This wasn't the waltz or some fancy routine. It was just Zed and I, being normal teenagers, nothing else mattering as we gently moved in time to the music.

'If I lay here

If I just lay here

Would you lie with me and just forget the world?'

Our closeness did not go unnoticed and my heart thudded against my ribcage as we moved together, our eyes locked on each other's, but without having our own private conversation. As the song came to an end, he softly sang the lyrics to me and I felt like a snowman, ready to melt. And then, without warning, he bent towards me and gently pressed his lips to mine. And for a moment, I forgot that we were in a room filled with our classmates.

'So I take it you two are official now?' Lucy said in the limo on the way back to school once prom had finished.

Zed squeezed my hand. 'Yes we are.'

My friends grinned at us both and I blushed, disliking being the centre of attention.

You're cute when you blush.

No I'm not. I'm not cute.

You totally are. His thumb caressed the back of my hand as the limo driver pulled into the school driveway, through the grand gates.

'Nelson, why couldn't you have an afterparty this time? It's way too early for bed.' Tina said and I was thankful for the change in subject.

'I'm hitting the music room.' Lucy shrugged. 'Completely forgot I've got to do a cover and it needs to be uploaded tomorrow.' She pulled a key out of her bag and waved it. 'Mr Smith trusts me, thankfully.'

'What are you covering?' I asked, surprised she'd not told me. I'd not even heard her rehearsing.

'22 by Taylor Swift.' She paused, looking at all of us. 'Oh my god, we should all do it.'

'What?' Nate looked surprised.

'Not me. I sound like a dying cat.' Tina wrinkled her nose.

'We could all go together and anyone that's up for it...' She looked over at me. 'Say you'll sing, Sky? Last time the subscribers loved it.'

'I don't know.'

'Go on.' Zed said from beside me, his breath tickling my ear. 'If you do it, I'm in too.'

'Okay, let's do it.' Nate nodded. 'Zack?'

'You'll need a drummer.' Zack replied.

'Sky?' Lucy looked at me, her eyes filled with hope.

'Fine.' I nodded.

Lucy beamed. 'This is going to be quite the collab.'

It took an hour to have the song ready to film. We dished out the lyrics, set up the electric guitars, drums and microphones, and rehearsed until we were happy with it. Then Nelson set up the camera and we were good to go. We didn't have an intro this time, we just counted in and then the guys started up the instruments (AN: Thinking it would be kinda similar to Alex Goot's version).

Nelson had the camera aimed at Lucy, zoomed in as he said, and then he was going to pan out as everyone else joined in. My friend held her microphone and started to sing. 'It feels like a perfect night to dress up like hipsters

And make fun of our exes, uh uh, uh uh.

It feels like a perfect night for breakfast at midnight

To fall in love with strangers, uh uh, uh uh.'

The camera zoomed out, showing all of us, and Nate started to sing. 'Yeah,

We're happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time

It's miserable and magical.

Oh, yeah.'

Their voices blended together in a harmony and I smiled. Their voices complimented each other perfect. 'Tonight's the night when we forget about the deadlines

It's time.'

Zed, Zack and I joined in for the chorus, singing our hearts out as Lucy and I danced from our microphone spaces. 'I don't know about you

But I'm feeling 22

Everything will be alright

If you keep me next to you

You don't know about me

But I'll bet you want to

Everything will be alright

If we just keep dancing like we're

22, ooh-ooh

22, ooh-ooh.'

It was my turn next and I held the microphone, swinging the stand to the side and praying it didn't fall as I did so. 'It seems like one of those nights,

This place is too crowded.

Too many cool kids, uh uh, uh uh

It seems like one of those nights,

We ditch the whole scene and end up dreaming

Instead of sleeping.'

Zed started singing from behind me with that rich, husky voice of his. 'Yeah,

We're happy, free, confused, and lonely in the best way

It's miserable and magical.

Oh, yeah

Tonight's the night when we forget about the heartbreaks

It's time.'

And then we were back to blending our voices together. I felt tired after that, especially as Yves, Nelson, Zoe and Tina had ran into the shot in the last chorus, armed with balloons and confetti, dancing around as we sang. As we finished the song, we all burst out laughing as we hugged each other. A perfect ending to a perfect year at the Royal Alexandra College.

'Sky?' Lucy appeared at my side as we walked back towards the boarding houses. I pulled Zed's jacket tighter around my shoulders, protecting myself from the cool air.

'You alright?' I asked my friend as she pulled the hairpins out of her hair, letting her curls fall over her shoulders.

'I'm thinking of going back to Nate's room.' She said, blushing. It was obvious why she was going back to Nate's room.

'What about Zed?' I asked.

'Well he might go to Yves' room and sleep on the floor... unless...'

'Unless...' She looked at me and I caught on. 'Unless he comes to our room.'

'Pretty please?' She pouted and did her puppy dog eyes, which made me roll mine. 'Just one night?'

'You owe me.' I told her and she beamed back at me. 'And if I get in trouble, it's totally your fault.'

'You're the best.' She hugged my shoulders and I stumbled on the gravel as we reached our boarding house. She ran over to Nate and Zed, talking to them, and came back to me. 'I've got to get some things first.'

I decided I was looking forward to having a room on the ground floor next year as it was going to be far easier to sneak out. Lucy threw her rucksack over her shoulder and blew me a kiss before climbing onto he ledge and out of the window, climbing onto the tree before making her way down. Between the two of us, that tree could tell a lot of stories from our past academic year at Royal Alexandra. It was lucky the poor thing hadn't been cut down. Just moments after Lucy's disappearance, Zed appeared at the window and I hushed him as he landed on my floor with a thud. He threw down his rucksack and his guitar and closed the window, locking it, before turning back to me, an almost-shy smile on his face.

'Late night song inspiration?' I teased, eyeing the guitar.

'I wanted to play you something.' He looked at the walls. 'Are your nextdoor neighbours in?'

'I don't think so.' Lots of people had gone home until Monday, when all rooms, except for seniors (which were tomorrow) were being cleaned out and others had headed off to hotels together or into the city.

'Good.' He smiled as I sank onto the bed, brushing down my prom dress that I really didn't want to take off. For now, in this moment, I felt like a fairytale princess. He unzipped his guitar case and pulled it out, pulling it across his lap. I'd always loved this guitar. It was the one his manager wanted to replace, because it wasn't shiny and gimmicky and perfect. Some parts of it were worn and there were old stickers on it. But many Seven Minutes in Heaven songs had been written on that guitar and that made it special. Zed's eyes met mine and he looked nervous. 'Promise you won't laugh?'

I raised my eyebrows. 'Is it that bad?' I teased and he frowned.

'Sky.'

'I'm joking. I won't laugh. Unless it's funny.'

He looked put out and I realised he really was nervous. But, he sat up, adjusting his posture, and started to play a tune. One that I wanted to hum and tap along to, but then he started to sing. 'Check yes, Juliet

Are you with me?

Rain is falling down on the sidewalk

I won't go until you come outside

Check yes, Juliet

Kill the limbo

I'll keep tossing rocks at your window

There's no turning back for us tonight.'

His eyes flicked up to meet mine and I felt like we were in a concert, just the two of us.

'Lace up your shoes

Ayo ayo

Here's how we do

Run, baby, run

Don't ever look back

They'll tear us apart if you give them the chance

Don't sell your heart, don't say we're not meant to be

Run, baby, run, forever we'll be

You and me.'

He gave me a lopsided smile as he quickly strummed his calloused fingers against the strings.

'Check yes, Juliet

I'll be waiting

Wishing, wanting yours for the taking

Just sneak out and don't tell a soul goodbye

Check yes, Juliet

Here's the countdown:

3, 2, 1, now fall in my arms now

They can change the locks, don't let them change your mind.'

When Zed finished the song, he looked across at me with hopeful eyes as a golden and a pink aura surrounded him; love? Passion?

'It's really good.' I said, my cheeks flushing as they often did when he gave me that intense stare of his. They were worse because I'd been fangirling in my head over Zed Benedict from Seven Minutes in Heaven, who had asked me that night to be his girlfriend.

'It's about you.' His words came out quiet and smooth, the huskiness of his singing still there. 'Because this time, Sky, I don't want anyone to break us apart. You're my Juliet and unlike Romeo, I'm not letting anyone stop us from being together and... well... alive.' I swallowed as I suddenly felt very warm in my prom dress. Zed put down his guitar and moved to kneel in front of me, his eyes looking into mine. 'I've told my label that I want this song to be the next one we release. I want your dad to get sick of hearing it on the radio and the television. I want the words to sink it that he's not stopping us this time. I want everyone to know that you're the only girl for me. You're mine and no one can change that.' My heart thudded in agreement against my chest as he cupped my face with his hands. 'Please say something.' His confidence seemed to shrink away, just like that.

'I don't want anyone to stop us being together either.' I whispered. 'But Zed, we're from two worlds, what if-'

He cut me off with a kiss. Only Zed Benedict would have the confidence to cut off his girlfriend with a kiss. That part, the cheeky, cocky part was still there every now and then and it had just made an appearance. But I didn't care. I returned the kiss as his mouth moved against mine, making my lips feel electric as he gently caressed them, leaving a tingle, a spark. He deepened the kiss, still cupping my face as I let my hands roam his hair. His tongue slid along my bottom lip in a teasing gesture that made my breathing hard to control. I felt fuzzy. It was lucky I was sat down. And then his tongue slipped into my mouth, doing all the right things as one of his hands slowly moved down my spine, his fingers leaving a trail of sparks as they made contact with my bare back before ending up on my waist. He pulled back, almost reluctantly, and rested his forehead against mine, his deep breaths still tickling my lips.

'We might be from two worlds,' he whispered, 'but fate put us together. You're my missing piece, my other half, my soulfinder.' He sat down on the bed beside me. Then, he unbuttoned his shirt and my eyes widened as he took it off, leaving me staring at his perfectly carved, tanned body. Those biceps... That six pack... I swallowed and bit my lip and his eyes watched my teeth grazing my bottom lip. Then he took my hand and placed it on his chest, under his heart. There was a mark on his skin, it was new, fresh. Still pink at the edges. A beautiful black compass, about half the size of my palm, tattooed onto his skin.

'A compass.' I said as realisation set in. On my bedside table there was a little jewellery box containing a compass on a chain. The one Zed had given me back in Morzine. He placed his hand over mine, holding it in place on his hot skin and I could feel the gentle thudding of his heart beneath my palm.

'For my soulfinder.' He whispered and this time I was the one to kiss him because the way he was looking at me, the emotion, his pretty, sparkly eyes, just got too much. I kissed with a sense of urgency and he released my hand as he held me at the waist. I moved my hand along the bare skin of his chest and he groaned into my mouth. His kisses became more passionate, setting my pulse racing and my temperature climbing. He pulled me onto his lap so that I was straddling him and, for once, I was a fraction taller than him as we kissed, one of his hands caressing my bare back and the other tangling in my hair, which was probably no longer as perfect as it had started out. 'Sky.' Even the way he whispered my name was like a song. A sexy song that made me weak and the knees. I felt breathless, but I didn't care. I continued kissing him, like my life depended on it, like the world was going to end at any moment. I bit his lip and he groaned, moving his face away from mine. 'We'd better stop.' He said in almost a growl, his voice low.

'What?' I felt taken aback. Had I done something wrong?

'You've not done anything wrong.' He said in a husky voice, reading my mind. 'But if we keep kissing and you do things like that I think I'm going to lose control.' His breathing was hard and fast, just like mine.

'Sorry.' I apologised. Maybe biting his lip wasn't the best idea. 'I got carried away.'

'You and me both.' He tucked a loose tendril of hair behind my ear and kissed my nose. 'Shall we try and get some sleep?'

I nodded. 'I've got to go and do some more painting tomorrow. Sucks that Zoe and Tina aren't around to help. Lucy and I are going to have our work cut out.'

'I could help? And I bet Lucy could persuade Nate too.' He wiggled his eyebrows and I swatted him, trying to get off of his lap, but he held me in place, grinning.

'That might not be a good idea.' I bit my lip as I thought of the fangirling over the Seven Minutes in Heaven's launch party photos. They'd get torn to shreds and they'd be fighting me for Zed.

'Fans? More a reason to come?'

'Stop stealing my thoughts!' I nudged him in the rock-hard, bare chest. 'Ow.'

He took my hand and kissed the palm, gently, sending electricity flowing through my body. 'Come in, we could come and help and then the fans will be happy. Might get them helping you too?' He suggested. 'And if we finish early, then I can take you on a date.'

'A date?' That sounded like a great idea. 'Where?'

'I have a few ideas.' He teased. 'But obviously, if you're going to be taking a while painting...'

'Fine, you can help, but text Zack. If we're doing decorating with Seven Minutes in Heaven then we need the triple whammy.'