Seeking Sky

by WorldsApartx

Everything has changed in Sky's life. As if finding out you have a long-lost grandfather isn't bad enough, she's sent to a top boarding school in England and then she finds out who her father is and it changes everything. Then there's Zed, the cute, school bad boy that seems to hate her guts. Will Sky's life ever be normal again?

2. If there's a soulmate for everyone

'Wait, let me get this straight, you're a princess?' Tina said in disbelief that Monday evening, when we were lounging in the room she shared with Zoe. We'd all decided to stop doing homework for the evening and watch The Vampire Diaries instead.

'Keep your voice down!' I hissed, signalling to the closed door that I knew wasn't soundproof.

'Sorry.' Tina apologised, glancing at the family tree I'd given her. 'Boy, this is crazy.'

'You're telling me.' I mumbled.

'So you have one half-brother.' Lucy said, glancing up from her laptop. I sat down beside her and realised she was googling my family. I looked at my brother, Phillip, with the deep blue eyes we shared with our father. 'He's twenty. Heir to the throne.'

'Rather him than me.'

'But that means you're second-in-line after him.' Zoe pointed out and I sighed.

'Can you see me leading a country?' I signalled to my black and green school skirt, white blouse and black jumper, which had the school crest on it.

'Sure, why not?' Lucy shrugged and I sighed, leaning my head against a wall. 'Oh wait, you did throw up when you found out.'

'I hope you don't do that at the press conference on Sunday.' Tina laughed and I threw a cushion across the room at her.

'Really? Thanks for the vote of confidence.'

The next few days seemed to merge together and I was thankful when it was Friday; it meant ending the week on a high- I had music. I crept into the music room, finding a seat at the back as a guy I didn't recognise played a cornet at the front of the room. He finished and bowed, everyone applauding him.

'Hey, Sky, right?' Yves had appeared next to me, a friendly smile on his face.

'Hey.' I smiled back, grateful to have a friendly face, other than Lucy, who'd headed up to the front armed with a guitar. She started to play and I nodded along to the music. She was good. Until Nathaniel walked in and she froze. I shot her a sympathetic look as a few of the girls I recognised to be the 'it' crowd booed at her. She blushed and took her seat, a sad look on her face.

'You.' The music teacher pointed at me and I stiffened. 'Miss Bright it says on your file that you're highly graded in piano and that you can play guitar and saxophone too.'

'Damn file.' I cursed under my breath and Yves chuckled from beside me, before turning to glare at his brother who had just strolled in, late.

'Come and show us what you've got. ' Mr Smith, our teacher, said with a friendly smile, signalling to the baby grand piano. I bit my lip, nervously. 'Come on, Sky Bright, not got all day.' A few people sniggered at my name and I sighed, getting to my feet.

I walked over to the piano, my black ankle boots noisy against the floor, and I sat down on the stool, trying to ignore the whispers. I closed my eyes, running my hands over the keys and after a while, my body relaxed. The piano sounded beautiful and I moved my fingers over the keys quicker until I came to a finish. I stopped playing and opened my eyes, to see my classmates looking at me, some in awe, some glaring. Lucy and Yves clapped first and then everyone else joined in, except for Zed who was busy scowling. Again.

'What a wonderful performance, Skye!' Mr Smith said, cheerfully. 'I'd love to have you in our orchestra.' I bit my lip and he shot me a reassuring smile. 'Auditions aren't for a few weeks so just think about it, okay?'

'You were amazing!' Lucy squealed as we walked out into the courtyard at the end of the lesson.

'Nice work.' Yves high-fived me and then disappeared off just as his brother barged past me.

'Do you mind?' I said, irritated as I rubbed my shoulder. He glanced over his shoulder and simply scowled. 'What a dick.'

'I know.' Lucy sighed, shaking her head. We watched as Savannah, a girl from our music class, skipped over to him, running a hand across his chest as she spoke to him, her eyelashes fluttering. 'Boys just aren't worth it.' She winced and I knew she was thinking back to messing up on the guitar in our lesson.

'No they are not.' I agreed.

'Miss Bright?' Clarence was stood there, in a lilac-coloured dress suit this time. My eyebrows furrowed together. What was she doing at my school? And she had her 'friendly' security guard with her. Again. A few passing students paused and looked at us, waiting for the gossip.

'I thought grandfather didn't want to see me until tomorrow.' I said, confused.

She gave me a cheery smile. 'He doesn't, but I'm under strict orders to take you shopping.'

Lucy's eyebrows shot up beside me and I glanced at her before back at Clarence again. 'Can my friend come?'

'I'm not sure that's a good idea...'

'Please?'

She looked uncertain, but she nodded after a moment. 'Okay. But we must get going. I'm under orders to have you returned by dinner.'

Lucy wasn't very talkative. She just looked around the shop we were in, which had been closed just for us, awe on her face. I nudged her and she grinned at me, excitedly. 'This is awesome!'

I looked at the dress suits on the mannequins and frowned. 'Is it?' I said, weakly.

'Come on, let's head to the young lady collection at the bag of the door.' Clarence said, pulling out her phone and checking the time. 'We need to work and fast.'

After about twenty minutes, I'd been shoved into a dressing room with a rack of clothes deemed as 'suitable.' Some outfits were awful and made me look like Lady Penelope from Thunderbirds but others, looked sophisticated and pretty. There was a tweed skirt and cream cashmere jumper that looked lovely with the brown leather riding boots Clarence had picked out. Then there was a white knee-length tailored skirt that looked lovely with the teal silk blouse and the navy chiffon blouse that had been picked out. Clarence picked out a pair of court shoes with a reasonable heel, a pair of black tailored trousers and a black knee-length dress with a cream Chanel cardigan. She paid on card and we were out again within an hour.

'So tomorrow the car will pick you up at midday and will take you to Kensington for lunch with your father and grandfather.' She told me and I nearly choked on the bottle of water I was drinking from. 'Well you knew you were going to meet him, didn't you?'

'Eventually.' I said, my eyes wide. 'But tomorrow?'

'His Royal Highness needs to meet you before the press conference.' Clarence said, tutting as I attempted to wipe up the spilt water from my black school sweater. 'I really do hope you're not going to do that tomorrow.'

I blushed and Lucy surpressed a laugh from across me. 'I think you need to find another princess.'

'That might be a little difficult considering you are his highness' only daughter.'

I spent that evening picking out my clothes for the following day with my friends. We decided I'd wear my new tweed skirt and Cashmere sweater with tights and my riding boots; smart but sophisticated and approved by Clarence. Then we collapsed in front of the television in our pyjamas, watching The Vampire Diaries. Until there was a tap at the window. I jumped and looked at the girls, concerned, but they simply grinned. Tina walked over to the window, opening it, and in climbed Nelson, Nathaniel and a guy I recognised from my music class.

'Hey girls.' Nathaniel said and Lucy's cheeks turned crimson. She was putty in his hands.

'I thought you said guys weren't allowed in the girls' boarding houses?' I said, glancing over at Tina.

'I also said that rules are there to be broken.' She smiled, wickedly, before turning back to the boys who were in our room. Sally and Simon would have had a fit if this had happened at home.

'How on earth did you get up here?' I said, remembering our room was on the first floor.

'Just climbed the tree.' Nelson grinned at me, opening his bag. 'Now I brought movies, popcorn-'

'And Jack's got pizza.' Nathaniel interrupted, as Jack, who I recognised now as the lead singer from the band at Nelson's house, held up two Dominos pizza boxes.

'So what are we watching.' Zoe asked, getting rid of the Salvatore Brothers and returning the DVD to its case.

'Well I've brought choices.' Nelson pulled out the DVDs, spreading them across the floor. 'We have romance, drama, the latest Bond film my dad's been working on and some foreign film.'

Lucy crinkled up her nose. 'We are not watching another foreign film. Not after the weird shit that happened in the last one you made us watch.'

'Fair.' Nelson nodded. 'Sky, as the newest member of our crew, you can make the decision.'

I glanced at the DVDs as I felt everyone's eyes on me. 'Erm... latest Bond film?'

'Good choice.'

The guys left about eleven, sneaking out of the window as carefully as they had come in and then Zoe and Tina snuck back across the corridor. I couldn't help but smile when I saw other girls tiptoeing about in the corridor, some in evening wear, obviously having been down the pub or somewhere else for the night. I climbed into bed in my pyjamas, but I just found myself staring up at the ceiling in the dark.

'Sky, are you still awake?' Lucy whispered from her bed across from me.

'Yep.' I whispered back. 'Can't you sleep either?'

'No.' She said, sounding small and fragile. 'I miss my brother.'

'Your brother?'

'He's eighteen.' She said. 'We spent a lot of time together over the summer. It was nice, you know? He always looks out for me.' She paused for a moment. 'What do you think your brother's like?'

I bit my lip, thoughtfully. 'I don't know. I've never had a brother.'

'I'll bet he's great.' She said, reassuringly. 'He's always doing voluntary work.'

I turned on my side and glanced at the file sat on my bedside table. 'I sure hope so.'

The car was exactly on time the following day and Wilfred was waiting for me when my friends all pulled me into a good-luck hug after leading me outside. He had a different car to usual, this one with blacked-out windows. He bowed his head and smiled with greeting and then he held open the door.

'You'll be great.' Lucy said, saying exactly the same thing that Sally and Simon had said on the phone to me that morning.

'They'll love you.' Tina said in response and I sucked in a deep breath, before walking over to the car. I glanced around at the eyes watching me, cautiously. It was only going to get worse.

'Not feeling unwell today are we miss?' Wilfred asked as we pulled out of the boarding school driveway and onto the main road.

I sighed, my stomach dancing in circles. 'I'm afraid I can't promise anything.'

We were meeting for lunch at the same place I'd met my grandfather the previous week, except this time, there was a sign on the gate saying it was 'Closed to the public.' This made me feel even more nervous, but then I was hardly surprised. They didn't want anyone to find out anything until tomorrow, when it would be announced to the public. I had another sleepless night ahead of me.

'Good afternoon, your highness.' Clarence greeted me, cheerily, wearing a yellow pant suit this time. I was starting to wonder if she had dress suits and pant suits in every shade of pastel in her wardrobe. 'Might I say a good outfit choice.'

I couldn't say the same for her. She looked like a daffodil. 'Thank you.'

'Follow me.' She turned on her heels and we walked into the building, escorted by the familiar security guard whose name I still did not know. We headed down the same corridor as before, except this time we turned off into a dining room with a long, grand table, vintage-looking chairs and chandeliers on the ceiling.

'Sky, my dear, you look wonderful!' My grandfather greeted me with a hug and a kiss on the cheek, catching me by surprise. Clearly wearing £235 boots, a £150 skirt and a £210 sweater were winners with the royal family. Sally would have a fit if she knew how much had been spent on clothes the day before.

'Thank you.' I said, my voice small as my heart hammered against my chest. Then I saw him. Dressed in formal trousers and light blue cashmere jumper which brought out his eyes. I'd seen him before, in newspapers and on the television on Christmas Day, but he somehow looked different in person.

'Hello, Sky.' He said, his voice smooth. He looked calm and collected, but when he shook my hand I noticed it was hot. He wasn't as calm as he looked. He gave me a friendly smile, one I'd seen many times before, and my heart raced, making me feel sick. I sucked in a breath, not wanting to be sick on my biological father. The King. 'How are you?'

'Fine thank you.' I replied, nervously.

'And how has your first week at school been?'

'It's been good.'

'Good.' He smiled. 'It really is a wonderful school. It's where I met my wife, actually.' The wife he'd cheated on with my mum which had let to me. I bit my lip. If this was medieval times, I'd be the bastard child. That much I was sure of. 'Please do sit down.'

I took a seat, feeling uncomfortably with the formality of it all. My grandfather, Albert, sat opposite me, giving me a reassuring smile. I suddenly wished I'd accepted the offer of Sally and Simon coming with me.

'So Sky, please tell me about yourself. I've got a whole sixteen years to catch up on.'

We had a light lunch and Edward, my father, quizzed me, trying to find out almost every detail of my life that he'd missed. He wanted to know about my mother, which I filled him in on, he asked about friends, about Sally and Simon, my interests, what I wanted to do as a career and so on. I started to relax a little as the afternoon went on and he hugged me goodbye as I left, following Clarence out to my car. When I got back to school, it was pretty quiet and I remembered that there was a football game on, so that was probably why. I walked over to the stables, wanting to clear my head.

There was no one inside, so I walked over to a horse with chestnut hair.

'Honey.' I read the name on the label aloud and smiled, stroking her muzzle. 'Aren't you beautiful?' I smiled, giving her some love.

'You can take her for a ride if you'd like.' I jumped startled by the voice as I saw Nelson stepping out of the shadows.

'Sorry, I shouldn't have just walked in.' I apologised, blushing.

'It's okay.' He smiled, putting down a bag of hay.

'Do you work in here?'

'Only on Saturdays. Just a bit of voluntary work.' He said in response. 'Do you ride?'

'I haven't in years.'

'Then no time like the present.' He grabbed a saddle. 'Come on, I'll saddle up Honey for you.' He walked over the horse and set her up carefully, with precision and gentleness. 'So you didn't go into town with the girls today?'

'I had a family lunch.' I replied, truthfully, and he nodded.

'Nice car your family have.'

'Yeah.' I said, fiddling with the jeans I'd thrown on in when I'd got in.

'There you are, she's ready for you.' He led Honey out of the stable and into the paddock, grabbing a step ladder to help me up. 'I've got to lock up in thirty minutes, so don't be too long. There's a nice trail by the lake, just watch the time.'

I climbed onto the horse and gave Nelson a grateful nod, then I pulled at the reins and Honey galloped out of the paddock and onto the bridleway. It was somewhat calming riding along and I missed the sensation of my hair blowing in the breeze. We reached the lake and I relaxed a little as we moved alongside it, watching the lake glittering in the afternoon light. I didn't see the quad bike coming the other way. Honey neighed and swung back in panic, stood only on her hind legs. I squealed as I spotted Zed and he cut his engine, scowling at me.

'Hang on!'

He jumped off his quadbike, pulling at Honey's reigns and trying to soothe her, trying to calm her whilst I gripped on for dear life. Honey relaxed and soon she was back on four legs again, much to my relief. He looked up at me, his eyes troubled and irritated. 'You'd better go.'

Absolute arsehole. I glared back at him and knocked my ankles against Honey, sending her back up towards the stable.

'So how was your day?' Tina asked that evening after dinner. We were sat around in the room I shared with Lucy, in our pyjamas and watching Netflix. We'd even snuck some ice cream out of the kitchen and we were tucking into that quite happily.

I shrugged. 'Okay I guess. My dad seems alright, wanted to know lots about me. And then there was Zed-'

'Zed Benedict?' Zoe's eyebrows shot up in the air as she interrupted me.

'Spill.' Tina turned to me, her spoon pointing towards me like a weapon.

'He's such a jerk.' I groaned. 'Like seriously. I was riding and he spooked my horse and then he calmed her down but the way he looked at me... I must have looked like a monster or something.'

'Ah, his permanent sexy, frown.' Tina sighed.

'Has he always been like that?'

'For as long as I can remember, yes.' She replied, looking thoughtful. 'That boy is going to have some serious wrinkles.'

'Don't take it personally.' Lucy said with a small smile. 'He's like it with everyone.'

Perhaps, but his issues were really starting to bug me.

The car came early the next day. 8 o'clock on a Sunday. Every teenager's nightmare. No one was up when I showered and used the bathroom. I dressed in my new black dress and Chanel cardigan, as requested by Clarence the day before and I slipped on my black ballet pumps after applying subtle make-up. Wilfred was stood outside waiting for me, the blacked-out windowed car on the gravel driveway waiting for me again, but also with a security guard.

'Good morning your highness.' Wilfred greeted and I quickly glanced to check no one was around. Of course they weren't. It was early and breakfast wasn't served until 9.

'Good morning.' I said, not quite as enthusiastically as he. He opened the door to the car and I climbed inside carefully.

'Big day today.' He said cheerfully as he pulled out of the school driveway.

'Tell me about it.'

'Most girls would love to be a princess.'

I sighed, looking out of the window. 'I'm not most girls.'

We drove through Kingston-upon-Thames and then through Richmond, along the main road that was starting to become busy with weekend traffic. We passed over the River Thames and past Chiswick House in silence. My stomach was doing little somersaults again. Did I have to be a princess? Did they have to announce that I was a princess? I was just Sky Bright. That's all people needed to know right? Was I going to have to speak.

'Are you okay, your highness? Your breathing is awful fast.' Wilfred said from the front seat as security guy turned to glance at me from under his sunglasses.

'Sorry.' I apologised as he continued along the busy road. We passed a City Sightseeing Bus, full of tourists snapping away. They had no idea that I was going to be something to photograph in a few hours time.

By the time we reached the Palace, my hands were clammy and sweaty. I wiped them on my dress, thankful that it was black, I took deep breaths in an attempt to keep calm. I wasn't ready for this, but then was I ever going to be ready. My mobile phoned bleeped twice in my bag and I pulled it out.

Good luck! We love you! Tina, Zoe and Lucy xx

Thinking of you sweetheart. Call if you need to, S&S xx

I hadn't realised the car had stopped. We'd not gone in through the main entrance, but the back, and a gate was closing on the far side of the courtyard we had stopped in. Wilfred got out of the car and opened my door for me, a friendly smile on his face.

'Your highness!' Clarence called, rushing towards us. She curtsied at me and then turned to Wilfred. 'You're twenty minutes late.'

'Traffic was bad.' Wilfred replied, closing the car door.

Clarence turned to me. 'Come on, we have no time to spare.' She muttered into her earpiece as we hurried along and I took bigger strides, trying to keep up with her. Two security guards stepped aside, allowing us into the building. I tried not to gawp, but I couldn't help it. There were winding marble staircases, grand chandeliers and large paintings on the wall. It was like a maze as we walked along, past hundreds of rooms. It was enough of a work out in itself. We stopped outside a guarded room and Clarence turned to me, checking my hair and straightening up my cardigan.

A guard knocked on the door and announced. 'Lady Clarence and Her Highness, Princess Sky Chloe Elizabeth Henderson.' I blushed at the use of my full name and followed Clarence inside, shyly.

I had breakfast in the library room with my father and grandfather and then a stylist touched up my hair and make-up ready for the conference. A lady I recognised to be my father's wife walked into the room twenty minutes before showtime, closely followed by the Prince. My brother.

'Darling, this is Sky.' My father introduced me to his wife first. 'Sky, this is my wife, Queen Roseanna.'

The Queen held out her hand for me and I shook it nervously. 'It's lovely to meet you, dear.' She gave me a small smile and I didn't blame her. I was the result of an affair. That must have made her somewhat uncomfortable. It certainly made me feel nervous.

'Phillip, meet your half-sister, Sky. Sky, this is Prince Phillip.' My father said next.

Phillip gave me a larger smile, his eyes twinkling, and he caught me off-guard by pulling me into a bear hug. 'I've always wanted a little sister to tease.'

I laughed at that. I had to. 'Thanks, I think?' He released me from his hug and shot me the cheeky smile that made him popular amongst Britain's females.

We had tea and sat around, listening to our instructions from the Royal advisor over the next twenty minutes. I was not to say anything, that was the main rule. I had to stand and smile, but keep my mouth shut. My father was to do most of the talking. The Queen, of course, was going to say something, to let everyone know there were no hard feelings but I was sure there were. The way she looked at me made me nervous. Phillip, on the other hand, was determined to find out everything about his 'Little sister.'

'Time to go.' The royal advisor announced too soon and my heart started to race again. We walked down the corridor to the room where the press conference was being held and I stood outside the door, nervously, beside Clarence, whilst The King stood up facing the world press, the Queen and Prince behind him.

'You're shaking.' Clarence pointed out and I avoided rolling my eyes. Of course I was shaking. The world was about to find out that miss invisible was actually a princess. And the thought was horrifying.

'You are all probably wondering why I have decided to gather you all here today.' The King said smoothly into the microphone. He paused before continuing. 'As you are aware, as members of the press, I had an affair seventeen years ago.' He squeezed his wife's hand and gave her an apologetic look. 'As I said back then, it was wrong of me to be unfaithful to my wife and it has never happened again, nor will it ever happen again. However, I will no longer say that it was in fact a mistake, because a few years ago I found out that I had a daughter. My father and investigators have spent years trying to find my daughter and I was beginning to lose hope until last month. She was found and I have recently had the pleasure of meeting her. I have already missed out on sixteen years of her life but I do not intend to miss out on any more years. I want to welcome my daughter to our Royal family, to our monarchy, and I only hope that you will join me in welcoming her too.' He nodded at me and I walked onto the stage, nervously, keeping my eyes down on the floor. 'Her Royal Highness, Princess Sky Chloe Elizabeth Henderson, Princess of Wales.' I looked up at the curious faces and the cameras, which snapped away. Hands shot into the air and my father placed a protective hand on my shoulder.

'His majesty will now answer a few questions.' The royal advisor announced.

'How does Her Majesty, Queen Roseanna feel about this?' The first member of the press asked.

'It is not going to be easy,' The Queen said into the microphone, 'but I want to welcome Princess Sky into our home like she was my own child.'

'What about the Princess' mother?'

'Sadly she passed away thirteen years ago.' The King answered, squeezing my shoulder.

'Prince Phillip, how do you feel about having a new sister?'

'Somewhat excited.' Phillip replied from behind me. 'I've always wanted a little sister to tease and look out for. Finally Santa has delivered.' A few members of the press chuckled and I gave him a smile as he winked at me.

I felt fairly positive about the whole thing as Wilfred drove me home, a police motorbike escorting us in front and a car full of security following us behind. It seemed somewhat silly; surely it was more obvious than if we had actually left the palace without any security. We arrived at the college after forty minutes, and I wasn't surprised to see the press waiting outside the gates. We drove straight in and I frowned when I saw groups of students stood outside, waiting for me, despite the fact that it was eight o'clock in the evening and we had school tomorrow.

Wilfred opened the door for me. 'Your highness.' And I stepped out, nervously. People whispered and looked at me in awe and I wanted the ground to swallow me whole.

'Your highness, we will have a security guard staying on sight at all times to keep you safe. We'll be on a rotation and we'll be here 24-hours a day.' I turned to see the security guard who'd been everywhere the last few days. 'I'm Dimitri. It'll either be myself or Ciara watching you.' He signalled to the red head, also dressed in black. 'It's an honor to serve you.'

'Sky!' Tina, Lucy and Zoe ran out of the crowd, pulling me into a smothering hug. 'You were great.' Tina said to me, a friendly smile on her face. 'Shall we go inside?'

'Please.' I followed my friends in, Dimitri close behind me as we moved through the crowd and into the Boarding House. He paused outside my door, leaning against the wall and I figured that was how it was going to be for now on.

'So your royal highness, how do you feel?' Tina asked me as I sank onto my bed, folding my legs under myself.

'Please don't call me that.' I groaned and my friends giggled.

'Your brother seems nice.' Zoe said with a friendly smile.

'You guys watched it?'

'Of course, otherwise we wouldn't be supportive friends. Enough about that royal malarkey though. How are you?' Lucy asked, handing me a few squares of chocolate.

I wolved them down quickly, relieved it wasn't another pretty-looking posh meal. 'Tired.' I said, pulling my pyjamas out from under my pillow. 'And I've only been a princess a few hours.'

My friends gave me a sympathetic look before Tina and Zoe stood up. 'We'll see you in the morning.'

I'd made the front page of every newspaper the next day and every television channel was talking about me too. But that was nothing compared to what was going on in the school. Ciara escorted me to breakfast, hanging behind me as I walked with my friends. She stood nearby as I ate breakfast, students burning holes into me with their glances.

'Hey Sky, want to hang out later?' I glanced up to see Marissa, the school 'it' girl looking at me, a friendly smile on her face. She'd been sniggering at my name just days before. Realisation hit in; I was worth being friends with now that I was princess.

'I have plans, but maybe some other time.' I replied and she nodded before walking off.

'You just turned down plans with Marissa.' Tina said in disbelief. 'So what are your plans later?'

'I was hoping maybe we could have a night of normality?'

'Sounds perfect.'

I'd forgotten we had P.E and the thought made me nervous. I changed into my shorts, polo shirt and long socks and tied up my hair as Lucy gave me a reassuring smile from across the changing room. Girls were whispering and watching us, giving me the familiar uneasy feeling. Ciara frowned at them and I wanted to smile. She looked like she wanted to kill them for gossiping about the princess.

'What's on the schedule today?' I asked Lucy, ignoring the stares.

'Football.'

I groaned. 'Really?'

'The only good thing about it is that we get to play with the boys.' Her eyes twinkled and she smiled, cheekily.

'Don't suppose one of those boys is Nate, huh?'

She blushed. 'Maybe.'

'Well then, let's go.'

The air was cold and I was almost thankful for having to run two laps around the football pitch to warm up. Almost. Once we'd warmed up, we were split into two dreams and I was somewhat thankful to be on one with Lucy and Nelson. As captain, Nelson gave me a thumbs up and then gave us our plan of action. We spread out and the game started. By half-time, we had drawn and that continued through most of the second half. Then our goalie was injured.

'Sky, you're in goal.' Our P.E teacher called out and I winced. I was rubbish in goal. We were about to lose. I did what I was told and I got in goal. The timer ticked away and our defenders were working over time. Then we scored and we were one point up. I stood about in goal bored, but then I realised the ball was coming our way. Zed kicked it towards me and I stood ready, desperately hoping luck was on my side.

'Move left.'

Was he helping me? He kicked the ball and I moved left, saving it just as the final whistle blew. My team cheered and ran over to me, lifting me up and cheering. I looked over at Zed and noticed he was scowling.

Thank you, I thought, deciding it was best not to say it. He was in a foul enough mood without me talking to him.

The papers the following day were less pleasant, I found, when I was in the school onsite newsagents. My face was almost on every paper, on every magazine, but this time they were critical. I picked up the Daily Star and scanned the page.

Should Princess Sky Chloe Elizabeth Henderson really be a princess considering how she was concieved? The King has no right to call her royalty after his disgraceful actions.

Tears burned in my eyes and I put the paper back, irritated. I stormed out of the shop, Dimitri on my tail. I turned around, cross. 'Dimitri, can you just give me some space please?'

'Yes your highness.'

'Please stop calling me that. I'll meet you back at the boarding house.'

'Princess I-'

'Please.' I pleaded as a tear escaped down my cheek. Dimitri nodded and walked off in the direction of the boarding house. I, on the other hand, walked the other way. I needed sometime to think. I buttoned my coat and walked off towards the lake, feeling fed up. How had this happened?

'Hey, wait up!' I turned in surprise to see Zed following me.

I frowned. 'What do you want?'

'I wanted to see if you were okay.' His eyes had softened and I realised that, for once, he wasn't scowling.

'Why do you care?' The words came out bitterly and I cursed, inwardly. I didn't want to stoop to his level.

'I'm not a bad guy, despite what you might think.' I decided not to comment, instead I kept on walking. 'Sky, wait up.'

I turned to face him, feeling irritated now. 'You're just like everyone else, you only want to talk to me because I'm Royalty, right?'

He looked hurt and then he frowned again. 'It's not like that?'

'Isn't it? The press hate me, think that I have no right to be princess. And here... everyone either wants to be my best friend or is gossiping and spreading rumours about me. I didn't ask for this. I was happy being invisible.' I turned on my heels and stormed off towards the lake.

'Hey.'

I glanced up in surprise at the sound of Prince Phillip's voice. 'What are you doing here?' I was sat on the dock, my legs crossed under me as I watched the water ripple.

'I saw the papers.' He sighed and I glanced behind him to see his security watching from a safe distance. 'I thought you could do with a friendly face and I guess it's my role as big brother to look after you, right?' He gave me a cheeky smile and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me in for a hug. 'I'm guessing you're not alright.'

'Everything's a mess.' I sighed, picking up a pebble and throwing it into the pond.

'A lot has changed for you over the past few weeks. A new family, taking on a title you probably didn't want, moving and then starting a new school. It's a lot to cope with.' He gave my shoulder a squeeze and then took his arm from around my shoulder. 'But if you want to talk, I'm here.'

'I just don't know if I want to be a princess. If I want everyone to be looking at me.' I bit my lip.

'I know that feeling. Sometimes I throw on a disguise and walk out into London, just being a normal person for a few hours. It feels wonderful.' He sighed. 'Being in the public eye is a lot to cope with, especially when you know you're so important to the country. You constantly have to keep up appearances and that can be so damn hard. Then there's the pressure about getting married and to whom and trying to work out who are your real friends. It's not going to be easy, Sky, but I've been there and I'm here to help if you'll let me.' He turned to face me. 'Why don't you get changed and we'll go and grab dinner somewhere?'

'What if the press see us?'

'Then they'll see they have nothing to worry about when it comes to you, dear sister.' He ruffled my hair and I groaned. He stood to his feet and held out his hand for me. 'What do you say?'

'I'm in.'

'Holy shit.' Lucy said when she answered the door to see Phillip stood beside me. Tina and Zoe appeared behind her, gawping.

'Well I've had worse greetings.' Phillip shrugged.

'Sorry your... your highness.' Tina stumbled and they all curtsied.

'None of that please.' Phillip tutted as a few heads appeared around doors in the corridor. The whispers started and the camera phones came out. 'May I come in?'

'Of course.' Lucy stepped aside and let my brother in, closing the door behind us.

'Girls, this is my brother Phillip, Phillip, this is Lucy, my roommate, and our friends Zoe and Tina.' I said, introducing them quickly before heading over to my wardrobe.

'It's an honor to meet you.' Phillip smiled, shaking each of their hands formally.

'I wish you'd said your brother was coming, Sky. I would have tidied up a little.' Lucy said, nervously as I pulled out my teal-coloured blouse, my smartest pair of jeans (which would be fine as Phillip was wearing them) and my riding boots.

I snuck out of the bedroom, quickly getting changed in the bathroom and redoing my hair before returning. By now, the hallway was filling up with gawping girls and I squeezed past them, passing Dimitri and Phillip's two security guards; Jace and Freddie. Back in my bedroom, Phillip was charming my friends and I was hardly surprised.

'This place looks exactly the same as it did when I left two years ago.' He was saying as I walked through the door. 'Were you girls here then?'

'We were.' Tina and Zoe chorused with a smile whilst Lucy shook her head.

'We must not have met. I would have remembered you if we had.' He said, smoothly and I cleared my throat. 'Are you ready, dear sister?'

I nodded, grabbing my black wool peacoat from the back of the door. 'I'm starving. I'll see you girls later.'

'It was a pleasure to meet you all.' Phillip nodded to my friends and we fought through the crowds to his car. I looked at the black Bentley sports car parked outside and I raised my eyebrows.

'A Bentley, really?'

'I'm sure dad will buy you one if you ask nicely.' He smiled. 'This was a birthday present.'

'You got a Bentley for a birthday present?' I said in disbelief.

'There are perks of being royalty.' He grinned and I realised a few girls had followed us outside. Good grief. 'Shall we?'

He opened the door for me and I climbed inside as Dimitri, Jace and Freddie climbed into their black car behind us. I fastened my seatbelt and we were off, speeding up the driveway towards the exit. 'Smile for the cameras, sis.' He said, winding down the windows as we reached the gates. The few members of the press outside snapped away wildly and then he sped off up the road, closing the windows as we headed towards Richmond. We ended up in a nice little Italian that I knew was way out of my price range, thanks to the valet parking service. The excited man took my brother's keys and we headed inside.

'Your highnesses, welcome.' The man at the podium said, his eyes wide. 'How delightful to see you again Prince Phillip and how wonderful to meet you Princess Sky. Come, I'll give you a seat round the back.'

We followed him to the back of the restaurant, where there was a booth tucked away from prying eyes. We sat down and Phillip ordered us both soft drinks.

'So this place looks expensive.' I said, warily.

'The food is delicious.' Phillip said with a friendly smile. 'Your friends seem nice.'

'They're totally off limits.' I said to him in an almost-glare. 'There's a code for siblings. You don't date your sibling's best friends.'

'I'd better not introduce you to Walter and Marcus then. They'd love you and then you would be breaking the code.' His smile turned wicked and I rolled my eyes.

'Don't worry, I don't want a boyfriend.' I wrinkled my nose. 'No offensive, but guys are totally weird.'

'What about that tall guy I saw you with earlier? Looked like he pissed you off. Do I need to kick his ass?'

'I can kick asses myself, thank you very much.'

'I'm sure you can.' He laughed. 'But seriously, he didn't upset you did he?'

'No.' I shook my head. 'He won't bother me again though, I'm sure.'

I was wrong. I was woken up just after midnight by tapping on my window. I groaned and opened it carefully, surprised to see Zed was there. It made me jump. 'What the hell?' I hissed and Lucy stirred in her sleep.

'We need to talk.' He whispered back and I frowned. Was I really going to have to climb out the window? Apparently so. I climbed out carefully and Zed grabbed me to make sure I ended up on the tree. His touch felt warm but I shrugged him off me as soon as I knew I was safe.

'What's wrong with you? It's the middle of the night.' I hissed as I looked at him.

'I wanted to apologise for upsetting you.' He said, his eyes softening.

'Are you feeling okay? Because usually you don't apologise for things.'

'God damn you're stubborn, would you just listen for a moment?' His brow furrowed again. 'I'm not trying to be friends with you because of your new title. I'm not like that and to be honest, I couldn't care less that you're a princess.'

I flinched. 'You have a way with words.'

He sighed. 'I didn't mean it like that. I mean sure, it's great that you're a princess and maybe slightly stressful. Your dad doesn't still behead people and stick their heads on the gates at the Tower does he?'

'I'm sure I can get him to consider it.'

He didn't flinch. He just continued talking. 'There's something between us. It's hard to explain but you're my... soulfinder.'

'Your what?' I raised an eyebrow.

'Sheesh, I hoped you knew...' He looked thoughtful for a minute. 'You're a savant. Savants aren't like normal humans. They have abilities.'

'You've been watching too much Marvel.'

'Like my ability... I can see the future.'

'You're crazy.'

'It's true. I saw myself talking to you in this tree right now and I know you're going to be on the front page of the paper tomorrow.'

'That's hardly seeing the future. I've been on the front of the paper every day since Sunday.'

He rolled his eyes. 'Savants they have soulfinders... a soulfinder is a savant's partner for life, someone committed to them. They were concieved at the same time and destined to be together. You're my soulfinder, Sky. You have half of the gifts and I have the other.'

'Is this your weird way of trying to get into my pants or something? Because it's not working. How many other girls have you used this soulfinder line on?'

'None.' He looked hurt but I frowned. 'You are my soulfinder Sky, princess or not.'

'And you are completely insane. Please do not talk to me again.' I crawled back over to my window.

'Sky, wait.'

'Just go or I'll call my security.'

I climbed back into the bed, locking the window securely behind me and I pulled the covers over my eyes, trying to get to sleep, but it just couldn't come. What the hell was going on?