AN: Thank you for the views so far and thanks to those reviewing. Glad you're enjoying the story 'guest' and 'bluedreamer31'- yes Marcus is quite yummy, a perfect prince charming and I think Phil would be the ideal big brother! Enjoy!

The drive to Lucy's took about an hour and a half the following day, but I didn't mind. The route was scenic. We passed old, little villages and fields and hills sweeping across the landscape under the blue sky. Lucy lived on the outskirts of Peacehaven, a town on the East Sussex coastline not far from the city of Brighton. For safety reasons, Ciara had been sent to join us for the weekend, but she'd been assigned a guestroom so thankfully she'd be out of the way. She followed us in the car behind the SUV Lucy's father had sent and I buzzed with excitement as we reached the large iron gates. They opened and the driver pulled onto the driveway, outside a red-brick coloured building that looked pretty big.

We pulled out our own suitcases and Lucy glanced at the black sports car on the driveway. 'Mum and dad aren't in, dad's car isn't here.' She said and I glanced at the sports car. If that wasn't her dad's car, then whose was it? She walked over to the grand black doors and unlocked them carefully, leading us inside. We found ourselves in a hallway, decorated with shiny white tiled floors and painted white walls, which were decorated with pieces of art.

Lucy gave us a tour of the house. There was a large open-plan kitchen and dining area with the same polished white floors and white walls, large black island counters and a grand black dining table with leather dining chairs. There was a large conservatory behind, where party planners were setting up for the party that night. There were two reception rooms with sofas, comfy leather armchairs and flatscreen televisions; one also had a piano in it. All of the rooms had a white and black colour-scheme, very monochrome, but they were all decorated fashionably too. Lucy's room was up on the second floor and it was huge. Light pink carpeted floors, white walls (but one with pink patterned wallpaper on it) and a large double bed decorated with silver sheets and light pink cushions. There was a large white sofa, which doubled up as a sofa bed and a wall decorated with several mirrors. In the corner was a guitar and there was a dressing table. Then there was Lucy's favourite part; she opened the white wooden door which led to a walk-in wardrobe. I stared in awe at all of the clothes she owned. Not that I was surprised.

'Lucy!' A woman's voice called and our friend turned in surprise, walking out of the wardrobe. We followed her out and in walked a woman with a sleek brunette bob, closely followed by someone I recognised from music channels and magazines; Martin Collins, famous singer song-writer. Lucy hurried over to hug them both and I tried not to gawp.

'How are you, petal?' Martin Collins said, kissing Lucy's head. It all clicked into place; Lucy's dad was a grammy award-winner. This was why she very rarely mentionned her family. She didn't want to be treated differently for it.

'I'm fine thanks, dad.' She smiled. 'Of course you know Tina and Zoe already, but this is my roommate, Sky.'

'Your highness.' Martin Collins bowed as his wife curtsied.

'Please, just call me Sky.' I told them with a small smile. It seemed to be becoming my catchphrase.

'We picked up the flowers for you, darling.' Mrs Collins said to us all. 'They're setting up downstairs so you girls have plenty of time to finalise your dresses. I got you a private booking at Arabella's in town. Would you like me to drive you?'

'Arabella's?' Lucy squealed with excitement. 'Thanks mum!'

Arabella's was a designer dress shop specialising in Bridal wear, prom dresses and ballgowns. We stepped inside to be greeted by a woman called Arabella herself and she closed the curtains in the window of the shop to give us privacy. She handed us each a tiny glass of champagne and then we rummaged through the dresses, trying on huge puffy princess dresses and sexier numbers, giggling. Arabella soon brought out the masquerade masks she had ordered in for us, so that we could choose which one we wanted and then pick a dress from there. Lucy picked out a silver and white lace mask, Tina chose a simple black lace mask, Zoe a silver mask with blue feathers and I chose a beautiful golden mask with spiral patterns and the odd jewel. After two hours, we finally chose our dresses and we headed back to Lucy's house just in time for dinner. We ate our pasta and salad together before heading upstairs to get ready as the party was only two hours away.

'Well what do you think?' Lucy twirled in the lace and beaded cream vintage-style dress she'd bought with capped sleeves and a floaty skirt. Her hair was in an updo with loose strands framing her face.

'You look gorgeous.' I told her with a friendly smile as Tina and Zoe emerged from the walk-in wardrobe in their outfits for the evening. Tina wore a silver shimmery gown with a halterneck and a cinched waist, her hair in an updo with plaits over the top of their head and Zoe looked fabulous in a navy strapless dress with embellishment over the bust, her hair straight and worn down. 'As do you two.'

She all twirled in their dressed and then Lucy looked at me, in my jeans and tank top. 'I'm really hoping you're not going to the Ball dressed like that.'

I laughed. 'Nope. I'll go and get ready.' I walked into the walk-in wardrobe and unzipped my dress bag, admiring my dress. All of these parties were tiring, but I was building up a collection of lovely clothes, clothes I never would have worn previously. I'd always been a jeans girl, not a dress girl. I pulled on my dress, zipping it up carefully at the side and adjusting my hair in the mirror. I'd worn it down, in loose curls, pinned back slightly at the sides. My dress was gorgeous, which was just as well considering how much I'd paid for it on my 'princess' debit card. It was a burgundy off-the-shoulder dress, which was mermaid fitted; it hugged the little curves I had before falling out like a mermaid tail. The dress had burgundy lace detail around the bust, but was simple other than that. Simple but glamourous and possibly even Oscar-worthy. I fastened a simple pearl necklace around my neck and walked out to join my friends.

'Oh Sky!' Lucy gasped.

'You look lovely!' Zoe and Tina cooed.

I smiled at my friends as they pulled me in and we posed for photos together, with and without masks. Then our masks were fastened and secured, ready not to be revealed until midnight, when the party would end.

Lucy's conservatory had been decorated with cloths draped across the ceiling alongside fairy lights. Fairylights surrounded the room and there were flowers decorating the windowsill. There was a small stage on one side of the large room and the french doors to the dining room/kitchen were opened up, allowing guests to move between the two. The party was full when we made our entrance, following Lucy into the room, and for once I was thankful not to be the centre of attention. Nobody knew who I was hidden behind the mask and the thought was somewhat relieving. For the next half an hour, guests in their gladrags danced to the DJ whilst others munched on food from the buffet. Then Mr Collins walked out onto the stage and the room errupted into screams and applause. Lucy cringed beside the stage.

'I'd like to welcome my wonderful daughter to the stage.' Martin said, blowing Lucy's cover completing. She didn't seem to mind as we walked out onto the stage, mask still on. 'I cannot believe my little girl is already seventeen. Thank you for joining me to celebrate her birthday tonight.' He turned to Lucy now. 'I have a special surprise for you. I promised you a special guest and a special guest I have found.' We all gasped and some screamed as Ed Sheeran walked onto the stage. Lucy's hand came to her mouth as he pulled her into a hug.

'Holy crap.' Tina gasped from beside me.

'This is even better than last year's party.' Zoe added, shaking her head in disbelief.

'Are you going to be crazy fangirl all night again?' I asked Tina and she gave me a wicked grin. Ed started to strum his guitar, playing the opening chords of Lego House as Lucy came back to join us.

'I'm in heaven.' She sighed and we giggled. 'My dad is the best.'

'Yes he is.' Tina agreed, staring at the stage in front of us. 'Now come on, let's dance.'

We danced away, in the crowd of boys and girls from our school, all of their identities hidden (although it was clear who Savannah and her posse were). As Ed Sheeran sang his lyrics to Sing, a hand grabbed my arm. I turned around, looking at the guy with reddish brown hair stood in front of me, in his tuxedo and a Phantom of the Opera-style mask. I recognised the deep blue eyes straight away. 'Phillip?'

'Hello, sis.' He grinned, nodding at me. 'Looking fabulous once again.' I glanced around and realised that everyone was oblivious. No one had realised who he was. Ciara stood in the doorway, next to the security guard I recognised as one of my brother's. They watched us, warily. 'It's nice to be hidden, isn't it?' He commented, as if reading my thoughts. 'Nice to have eyes off of you for once.'

'I doubt you'd have been much competition for Ed Sheeran, though.' I laughed, signalling to the red-head singer-songwriter on the stage.

'Quite true.' He smiled. 'If you'll excuse me, I'm going to find a drink.'

The song ended and the chords of one of my Ed Sheeran favourites, Give me love, started and I swayed gently, watching Lucy dancing with a masked guy I assumed was Nate whilst Tina and Zoe chatted to two guys. I smoothed down my dress, gently, and sighed. I was going to be dancing alone for this one. Then, I jumped as a hand touched the small of my back. I turned to see a guy in a tuxedo with messy hair, a simple black mask on. He held his hand out for me, inviting me to dance. Why the hell not? I took it and let him lead me to the dancefloor.

'Give me love like her,

'Cause lately I've been waking up alone,'

He placed his hand on the small of my back and one hand behind his back. The pieces fitted together and I glanced up at the deep green eyes. 'Marcus?'

'Paint splattered teardrops on my shirt.'

'Sky.' He said with the familiar nervous smile.

'Told you I'd let them go.'

He swayed from side to side gently in time to the music, our own well-rehearsed routine.

'And that I'll fight my corner,

Maybe tonight I'll call ya,

After my blood turns into alcohol,

No, I just wanna hold ya.'

Marcus' dancing changed and he spun me away from him, catching me by surprise, before pulling me back towards him. He took his hand in mine and pulled me closer than we had danced at the Ball the previous week, making my heart flutter slightly. A few people glanced our way as they danced with their partner and I wondered if our dance moves were giving us away. My brother had taken Tina's hand and pulled her onto the dancefloor and they passed us, a huge smile on Tina's face. The smile was contagious.

'You look more and more beautiful everytime I see you.' Marcus said as my eyes met his again. He twirled me in a circle before pulling me back into him, leading me in time to the music. I blushed and his smiled widened. 'So is this party more your thing?'

'Absolutely.' I stumbled and he caught me, and we recovered. My cheeks reddened, embarassed by my clumsiness.

'Don't worry.' He said, sensing my tension. 'You're a wonderful dancer.'

'Only thanks to you. I couldn't dance until you showed me.'

'You're a natural.'

I stumbled again and frowned. 'I'm a clutz.'

'A beautiful one at that.' He blushed a loose curl away from my face and his eyes looked into mine like he was looking into my soul. I wondered for a moment if he was going to kiss me. He leant towards me and I sucked in a deep breath and his face came towards mine. Then someone bumped into us and I groaned, inwardly as he caught me. 'I think some people have had a lot to drink.' Marcus said, his voice soft as the song ended. I glanced around the room and realised he was right. Some people were stumbling and swaying and a mosh pit had started where Ed was singing 'You need me but I don't need you.'

Marcus held out his hand for me. 'Fancy some air?'

I smiled, shyly. 'Sure.'

We walked out of the french doors onto a stone balcony over-looking the vast green garden below. Marcus locked his fingers around mine and carefully led me down the steps, past the fairylights and past the fountain, into the shrubbery. The air was cool and I shivered. 'Here.' He took off his jacket and draped it over my bare shoulders, keeping me warm.

'Thank you.' I said with a smile, turning to look up at the house. A couple stood on the balcony behind their masks embraced and then kissed and I glanced away, wanting to give them some privacy.

'So this is a pretty fancy party for a seventeen-year-old.' He commented, breaking the silence between us.

'It is.' I agreed. 'Back in Cornwall we'd just have gone out for pizza or bowling.'

'You bowl?' He looked at me in surprise.

'Not very well.' I laughed, holding the tuxedo jacket over my shoulders.

'I'd like to see that some time.' Did that mean he wanted to spend time with me?

'Trust me, you wouldn't.'

The wind whipped past and my hair blew, making me frown. I'd spent ages getting it perfect and now it was going to look like a bird's nest. Marcus stepped towards me and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, looking into my eyes again. His face moved towards mine as his hand caressed my cheek. Then he gently brushed his lips over mine, in a soft and delicate kiss.

'I apologise,' he said as he drew backwards. I should have asked your permission to do that, your highness.'

I winced at the formality of his voice. 'You really must stop calling me that.' I stood on tiptoes and pressed my lips against his again. He placed a hand on the small of my back, pressing my body against his as he kissed me gently and then moved away, leaning his forehead against mine.

'Your brother is going to kill me.' Marcus whispered, his eyes nervous.

'Hmm you might be right.' I replied as he planted a gentle kiss on my forehead. I shivered as the cool breeze whipped past.

'Come on, let's head back inside.'

The party ended at midnight, as expected, and guests revealed their masks. Thankfully, my brother and Marcus had headed off just before midnight, avoiding the gawping and fangirling over them. Guests left and the party planners started to clean and tidy, leaving us to retire to Lucy's room. We changed into our pyjamas and chilled in Lucy's bedroom with ice cream for a midnight snack.

'Did you enjoy your party?' I asked Lucy after swallowing a spoon of Ben and Jerry's Cookie Dough. My favourite.

'It was perfect.' She sighed, happily, licking her spoon.

'Right up to kissing Nate?' Tina wiggled her eyebrows and I looked at my roommate in surprise.

'What?!'

'Hey!' Lucy blushed and hide behind her long, brunette hair, which was curly from being in a bun. 'It was only a kiss on the cheek.'

'He still kissed you.' Tina replied with a smile, before turning to me. 'And where did you sneak off to with Marcus?' My cheeks blushed and her eyebrows shot up. 'Did you... kiss?' I bit my lip and felt the blush rising up my cheeks.

'Oh my god!' Zoe and Lucy squealed at the same time.

'Details. Now.' Tina said, pointing her spoon at me. It was something I wasn't going to get out of.

'I stare at my reflection in the mirror:

"Why am I doing this to myself?"

Losing my mind on a tiny error,

I nearly left the real me on the shelf.

No, no, no, no, no...

Don't lose who you are in the blur of the stars

Seeing is deceiving, dreaming is believing,

It's okay not to be okay.

Sometimes it's hard to follow your heart.

Tears don't mean you're losing, everybody's bruising,

Just be true to who you are.'

'Nice.' I stopped playing the piano keys on the baby grand piano in the room I'd reserved to compose the song for my assignment. Zed was stood in the doorway, looking cocky with his arms folded across his chest as he leaned against the doorframe.

'Can I help you?' I raised an eyebrow, closing my songbook so that he couldn't read what I'd been writing.

'You've gone over your scheduled time.' He replied, casually, adjusting the tie he wore with his school uniform.

I glanced at the clock on the wall; 5:10. I had gone over. 'Sorry.' I stood up, grabbing my coat and my school satchel.

'And are you true to who you are?'

'What?' I looked at him, puzzled.

'Your song.'

I walked over to the door and he moved out of the way. 'That's none of your business.'

When I got back to my bedroom, there was a wonderful bouquet of blue flowers sat on the windowsill in a glass vase of water. 'Who are those from?' I asked Lucy as she picked up her guitar and slid it carefully back into its case.

'I don't know, they're for you.' She gave me a sly smile and I figured she already knew the answer.

I was sure I did too. I walked over to the flowers and picked up the small envelope in them. I opened it carefully and read the message;

Sky,

Thank you for two wonderful dances in two weeks. I hope I can see you soon.

Yours,

Mark

I smiled. Of course they were from Marcus. Who else could they have been from? I pulled my phone out of my bag and sent him a message.

Thank you so much for the flowers! They're beautiful. S xx

The reply almost came straight away.

They reminded me of your beautiful eyes. Can I see you tomorrow evening? M x

I smiled and Lucy looked at me in curiousity.

Sounds perfect. I'll see you then. S xx

I had an unwelcome visitor at my window that night, knocking constantly and I knew he wasn't going to go away. I pulled my hoodie over my pyjama top and climbed out of the window, where Zed was waiting for me as he had been a few weeks ago. I didn't want to talk to him but the noise he was making would wake up Lucy and possibly the girls in the room next to us, perhaps even the staff. I pulled the window closed behind me and glanced across at him, where he was sat leaning against the trunk of the tree on the branch I was on. 'What do you want?' I muttered.

'To talk.' He said, grabbing my arm as I wobbled on the branch. 'Come on, I'll help you down.'

'I can get down myself.' I moved my feet onto the best branch down and carefully made my way down to the ground, closely followed by Zed. He landed with a thump beside me and I folded my arms across his chest. 'Well?'

'People will see us here.'

'It's the middle of the night.'

'Is that a risk you want to take, your highness?'

I wiggled my toes in the boots I'd slipped on over my pyjama bottoms. 'No.'

'Then come with me.'

I followed him in the darkness off of the gravel driveway and across the grass, down to the lake. In the dark I felt nervous and I wondered if I could trust him. He was known around the campus for sleeping around, smoking and drinking. He was a bad boy through and through. Bad but very sexy. I internally slapped myself for the latter thought. For mid-October the air was cold and I could see my breath when we stopped by the lake, hidden behind the trees. I turned to face him and I could have sworn he almost looked nervous. 'Well?'

'I shouldn't have tried to kiss you at the Harvest Ball. I'm sorry.' He apologised.

'You were drunk.' I replied, casually. 'Maybe next time you should try being sober. It might work out for you.'

'Who says it didn't work out for me?' He smiled a cocky smile. 'You don't talk to Savannah much, do you?'

'Ew gross.' I shuddered at the thought of a steamy make-out session or worse with perfect Savannah with her sun-kissed skin, blow-dried hair, long legs and big breasts. She was the perfect girl, surely.

'But you... you've been avoiding me.'

'I've been busy.' I replied casually and he nodded.

'So the news has told me.' His gaze became more intense and I looked away, towards the lake, the reflection of the moon in it. 'You can ignore me and hide as much as you want, Sky, but I'm your soulfinder.' And one day you might believe me.

I looked back at him. How had he just done that without even moving his lips? I shivered, feeling cold and feeling creeped out. 'I stand by what I said before. You're crazy and I want nothing to do with you.'

'Sky.' He reached out for me and I snapped my hand away.

'You call me out here to share your lies with me? Don't you think I have been through enough over the last few weeks? My whole life has changed and now you're trying to freak me out with your weirdness. Really?'

'Why would I make this up, Sky, really? I have an ability, you must do too. Hasn't anything unusual started to happen?'

'My whole life has been unusual lately.' I frowned and then I ran back to the boarding house, leaving Zed Benedict stood in the cold.

I sighed in frustration as I rummaged through my wardrobe after school had finished the following day. My friends looked over at me, their eyes no longer fixed on Damon Salvatore and they all watched as I emptied the contents of my wardrobe on the floor. 'That's it, I'm wearing my school uniform on the date.'

'Well some guys would probably like that but I think our skirts are two inches too long for that and you'd need to wear long socks instead of tights.' Tina said, cheekily. I launched a cushion across the room at her. 'Okay, you're not in the mood for jokes. I get it.'

'Here, let me help.' Lucy came over and joined me. 'What does Marcus have planned for you?'

'I don't know.' I sighed. 'But I've got nothing to wear.'

My friend flicked through my wardrobe, pulling out a cap sleeve deep blue dress covered with white daises. She held it up. 'Wear this with your cream tights, cream cardigan and brown riding boots.' She said to me with a reassuring smile. 'Cute but not dressy. You'll look great.'

I changed into the outfit and walked back into the room to show my friends. 'Well?'

'Perfect.' They all chorused before giggling at their use of the same word.

A knock came at the door and I pulled my hairband out of my hair, quickly letting my blonde curls fall freely around my shoulders. I opened the door. 'Hello Dimitri.'

'Lord Marcus is outside waiting for you, your highness.' He said with a small smile. 'You will not need security where you are going this evening, unless of course you would like us to join you.'

I raised my eyebrows in surprise and I felt relieved; a night without being stalked by security? Hurrah! 'No that is fine, thank you Dimitri.' I turned to my friends who were grinning behind me. 'Right losers, I'll see you later.' I grabbed my bag and headed along the corridor and down the stairs to the Boarding House entrance. I made my way outside and found a black Audi R8 and Marcus stood beside it, looking nervous as a few of my fellow students gawped at the car and at my new male friend.

'Hey.' He said with a shy smile as I walked over to him. He opened the passenger door for me and I climbed inside, securing my seatbelt as he walked back around and climbed into the driver's side. 'How are you, beautiful?'

I blushed at the compliment. 'I'm fine thanks.' Although I was tired from my annoying midnight visitor. 'You?'

'Very well thank you.' He smiled and he turned his key in the ignition.

'I think you have some fans.' I glanced over at the girls watching us, excitedly. Or more likely watching Marcus and his handsome British good-looks.

He sighed and put his car into gear, speeding up the driveway. 'Let's get out of here.'

We were in the car for around twenty minutes when Marcus turned up a country lane. 'Where are we going?' I asked, stretching my short legs out in front of me.

'You'll see.' He gave me a small smile and stopped outside of a gate. He typed in a code and the large gate opened, revealing a beautiful country house.

'Is this your house?' I asked, in awe. It was huge and old-fashionned and it seemed to have a lot of hand.

'It's my family's house.' He replied, pulling into the driveway. I froze and he must have sensed my tension. 'Mother and father are out at dinner. Plus we're not going in the house.' He parked his car and turned of the engine. I opened the door but he rushed around, taking it from me.

'I can open a door.' I laughed as he helped me out of the car.

'But that wouldn't be the gentlemanly thing to do.' He replied, closing the door behind me. 'Shall we?' He led me behind the giant house and through the beautifully landscaped garden with its fountain and flowers and crop plots. He led us to a stone house at the bottom of the garden, one which had probably once been wear the housekeeper had lived. He unlocked the door and led me in, turning on the light. Inside was a reception room with sofas, a television, a pool table and a small skittle alley. On the coffee table laid a picnic basket and two wine glasses, a fluffy white rug laid out on the floor in front of a stove. 'I hope this is okay. I know it's not a ball or anything but-'

'It's perfect.' I told him, genuinely. I looked up to meet his eyes and he smiled. I sat down on the rug as he lit the fire to keep the old cottage warm and then he moved to sit by me.

He picked up a wine glass and poured a glass of posh-looking favourite water. 'Here you are.'

'Thank you.' I smiled, carefully taking it from him. I was thankful it wasn't wine when I had school the following day. I sipped at it and we sat in silence for a few moments as the fire started to warm my face.

'So how is your week going so far?' Marcus asked as he pulled the food out of the basket; warm and cold buffet food, salad, quiche, sandwiches and some delicious cakes. Yummy.

'It's been okay.' I replied, honestly. 'I've been busy studying but the princess-y stuff has calmed down for the time-being. What about your week?'

'Pretty tough cases,' he replied, referring to his Law University Course he was studying at Westminster University. 'But my week is much better now I've seen you.' His green eyes sparkled as he said it and it made my heart flutter in my chest. I blushed and bit my lip in response and he reached out to gently caress my cheek. I wondered if he was going to kiss me, but he looked nervous and moved to pass me a plate of food. 'Are you hungry?'

I wanted to say no because part of me longed for another kiss, but my stomach said otherwise. It growled and he chuckled, letting me tuck into the food. Dinner was relaxed and we spoke like old friends as we ate, sat by the fire on the warm rug. We moved to the sofa after we had eaten and Marcus switched on a film that we both agreed on; Pirates of the Carribean.

'Let me guess, you fancy Johnny Depp?' Marcus teased as Captain Jack Sparrow appeared on the screen.

I laughed. 'Actually, he's more Sally's type then mine.' I wrinkled my nose. 'He's a bit old and actually, guys in eyeliner with dreadlocks really don't do anything for me.'

He grinned and draped his arm over my shoulder and pulled me towards him so that my head rested against his shoulder. 'What about Lords with brown hair and green eyes?'

Sky?

I stiffened and glanced around at the sound of Zed Benedict's voice. Are you following me?

Of course not. There it was again.

I can't see you. I squinted at the window. How was I hearing him when he wasn't here, in Marcus' grounds, was he?

'Did I say something wrong?' Marcus looked concerned and his eyes looked sad.

You can't see me because I'm in London about to do a gig. I told you, Sky, we can use telepathy.

My stomach sank. Was this a joke? Was this real? I glanced up at Marcus, who still looked worried. 'Sky? Did I mess up?'

'Of course not.' I told him, hating the concern on his face. I pressed my lips against his, trying to rid both of our worries and concerns away.