'And one, two, three, one, two, three,' Ms Jones called out in time to the music as we waltzed across the floor. Somehow it was already the third week of November and it wasn't long until December was going to be on us. I stepped on Zed's toe and he laughed, trying to guide me across the floor.

'Concentrate.' He whispered to me, his breath tickling my ear as his grip on my hand and waist tightened. I frowned at him and he sighed. 'You act like you're dancing with the devil.'

I raised my eyebrows. 'You're not far off.'

'It's called banter. I've been teasing you. Stop making me out to be such a creep.'

'Says the person who turns up at my window at silly times of the night.'

'Maybe I like you in your cute pyjamas, the ones with the polkadots.'

I frowned at him. 'Shut up and dance with me.'

'Sky, Zed, stop talking and you might realise that we have finished that waltz.' Ms Jones tutted, her hands on her hips as she looked across at us. I let go of Zed and stepped backwards, away from him as the partners around us started to line up ready for the school waltz, which we'd all be performing at the Ball.

I took my place opposite Zed and we held up our right hands to each other, before circling without our hands touching. The look on his face was intense and I glanced sideways, where Lucy was dancing happily with Nate. He was taking her on a date that evening and she was buzzing with excitement, although she was currently trying to keep her cool. We paused, opposite each other and circled the other way this time. Then we placed both hands up, almost touching, and circled again. We linked hands so that our arms were crossed in an infinity sign and we took three steps in unison with our classmates. We divided into two separate rows and then Zed twirled me, as rehearsed, before pulling me back towards him, his hand on my waist and his other hand in mine. I lost my footing and stumbled and he caught me, his face a little too close to mine. He froze there for a moment, his dark brown eyes looking right into my soul as his breath tickled my face.

'I think you need some more practise, Sky.' Ms Jones tutted and Zed pulled me upright as she stopped the music. Classmates looked our way and I felt my cheeks reddening. 'You really mustn't lose your footing, dear, it messes up the whole dance.'

I tried not to let her comment get to me. The lesson ended and, as I now did on a Thursday, I changed into my riding gear and headed out to the Riding Centre down the road for my voluntary work, dressed in a fleece and waterproof coat for the November weather.

'Hello, your highness.' Clara, the riding centre owner, greeted me with a hug as normal.

'Please, Clara, I've been coming here for three weeks now. I think calling me Sky is more than okay.'

'Okay, as you insist.' She laughed as I put my bag in the locker.

'What have you got planned for me today?'

'Well Liza is here and she always loves your company.' She said with a friendly smile. Liza was a nine-year-old girl with autism who visited the centre every Thursday after school. She was always bright-eyed and excited and she loved horses, especially her horse Snowdrop. I zipped up my jacket and headed to the indoor paddock, where Liza was riding Snowdrop around.

'Sky!' She called out in excitement when she saw me and I walked over to her as Snowdrop stopped.

'Hey, Liza, how are you?' I asked her as she clapped her hands together in excitement.

'I've had a bad day.' She frowned and her mother looked up from her book, giving her a sympathetic look.

'Oh no, what happened?' I asked her as I stroked Snowdrop's muzzle.

'We're doing our school Christmas play and I didn't get to be Mary and then they changed the songs we were singing and I knew them all and now I don't.' She spoke quickly, a frown etched into her forehead. 'And now I have to be an angel.'

'I bet you're a fabulous angel.' I told her.

'I'd rather be a princess like you.' She pouted.

'It isn't that great being a princess.' I laughed. 'You have to do lots of boring things.'

'But you get to wear nice dresses and dance, don't you?'

'I don't dance very well.' I chuckled. 'My dance teacher told me off today.'

'Stupid dance teacher.' She frowned. 'And my stupid teacher for making me an angel.'

I decided to change the subject. I looked at the jumps that had been laid out in the cold room. 'Have you been jumping today?'

She grinned at me. 'Wanna see?'

'Of course I do.'

She whispered quietly to Snowdrop and then rode off, jumping over the small jumps that had been laid out. I applauded as I watched and her mum came to stand next to me, joining me. 'You're the only person other than me that she'll have a proper conversation with.' Her mother said to me, her voice sad. 'Thank you for spending this time with her, your highness. You really don't have to.'

'I enjoy spending time with Liza.' I told her, a reassuring smile on my face. 'She's a really wonderful girl.'

'She is.' Her mother agreed. 'I just wish that other families were able to come here and see what a difference it makes. But funding is difficult.'

'I know.' I nodded. 'And that's why I'm here. I want to change that. It's going to take some time, but I want to open the centre up to as many children like Liza as I can.'

I jumped out of my skin as I walked back up the driveway after volunteering that evening, the November night drawing in quickly. I glanced up at the cocky Zed Benedict, who was smiling as he watched me in his tight skinny jeans and leather jacket. He looked like Danny from Grease, only hotter. I swatted myself for the thought. 'You shouldn't sneak up on people like that.' I told him. 'It's not very gentlemanly of you.'

'Of course, you're going out with a real gentleman, aren't you? One that buys you flowers and holds open doors and takes you on romantic picnics in the moonlight?' He was smirking, a facial expression that looked good on him and made many girls swoon. I was determined not to be that girl.

'Good girls like that, you know? The romance stuff. It's nice. Refreshing.'

'Good girls? I don't think you're that much of a good girl.' His stare was intense and his voice husky. It sent goosebumps across my skin.

I folded my arms across my chest. 'What do you want, Benedict?'

'I want to invite you to my show on Friday night.'

'Your show? This Friday?' I raised an eyebrow.

'Didn't you hear? Seven Minutes in Heaven have their first headline show at The Borderline.' He grinned, clearly pleased with himself. 'Lucy's coming and maybe even Tina and Zoe. I'll give you a backstage pass.'

'I don't know...'

'Oh come on, you owe me. For puking on me on Halloween.' His grin became wicked and I glared at him. 'Plus it'll be really good.'

'Never modest, are you?'

'Would you be if you were me?'

I rolled my eyes. 'I'll talk to the girls.'

'I'll talk later to find out your answer.' He reached out to touch me but then let his hand fall to his side, clearly change your mind. 'I just hope it's a yes.'

'Come on, it'll be fun!' Lucy whined when we were back in our room, Bash from 'Reign' looking yummy and half-naked on our screens. I glanced away from his bare chest and glanced at her as Tina paused Netflix, sadly not on my television crush.

'I'm away this weekend, remember? Family party.' Tina stretched out.

'And I'm Christmas shopping with my mum.' Zoe said, shaking her head. 'I'd cancel, but I've not seen her since half-term.'

Lucy turned to me, hope in her eyes. 'Please, Sky. Nate and I are taking it slow, but it's painfully slow. Maybe he'll give me my first kiss at the gig!'

'In front of screaming, clawing tween girls? I don't think so.' I laughed and she gave me her best puppy dog eyes. 'Would you stop that?'

'Not until you say yes.'

'Maybe I could bring Mark?' I suggested, flicking through my phonebook.

'But then I'll be third wheel until the show is over and you'll be looking at each other with cute, mushy eyes the whole time.' She sighed dramatically and I hit her with a pillow. 'Come on, you'll be the best friend in the whole wide world!'

Zoe and Tina were watching me, waiting for a reaction. Lucy was watching me, intently, hoping I would be the best friend in the whole wide world, whatever that meant. I sighed. I didn't really want to spend my evening watching girls throw themselves (and their panties) at Zed Benedict, but I wanted to be a good friend and I wanted Nate to make things official with Lucy. It had been long enough. 'Fine.' I told her, giving in to her Puss in Boots impression. 'But only if we check out of this place for the weekend and have a girly weekend in my apartment. I'm sick of curfews.'

She pulled me into a suffocating hug. 'A girly weekend and a gig! Eeek! I love you!'

'You're crushing my lungs!'

Well?

Zed's voice stopped my drowsiness and I glanced at the window. Well, what?

Well do I get to spend the whole evening on Friday looking into your gorgeous eyes?

Does that actually work? I rolled my eyes and rolled over in bed so that I wasn't facing Lucy. If she was still awake and caught me making random facial expressions she'd think I'd completely lost it. Although I did wonder sometimes if I still had it.

Apparently not with you. You're a hard girl to please, your highness.

Stop. I paused. And to answer your question, yes I'm coming tomorrow. But not for you... for Lucy. Because I am the best friend ever.

Mhmmm. Whatever you say.

But I do expect VIP treatment and backstage passes.

Music was filled with an unexpected surprise that afternoon, an unexpected surprise that Nate and Zed had missed hearing because they had buggered off for soundcheck at The Borderline. Well technically it was still a music lesson...

Mr Smith clapped his hands together to get our attention, after the room had errupted into whispers and gossiping when he'd told us he had another big assignment for us. My classmates and I glanced up at him, curiosity etched across our faces, and he smiled. 'Okay, so this is another assignment you're going to be graded on. I've put you all into groups and with your group you have until the last day of term to create your own cover of the Christmas song given and then you'll perform it in a show for families and friends just like last time. There will also be a prize for the winning group.'

People around us started whispering again and Lucy practically shrunk into her chair. 'He's put us into groups? Yikes.' She sighed, chewing the end of her pencil.

'Now it's not up for discussion as some of you might like it to be.' He looked pointedly at Savannah who rolled her eyes. 'I will give each of you an envelope with the names of the peers in your group and the name of the song you will be covering.' He walked around the room, handing out the named envelopes. With my surname still under 'Bright', mine was second to be handed out after Yves Benedict. He moved around the room and Lucy looked at her envelope before giving in and opening it.

I opened mine carefully, trying not to tear the paper underneath.

Song: Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Group: Sky Bright, Yves Benedict, Zed Benedict, Lara Winkleman

I blinked and looked upwards. Yves gave me a thumbs up, but the thought of working alongside his brother annoyed me. Dance partners and now this? Was this a joke amongst staff? Had they worked out he really got under my skin?

'Who've you got?' Lucy asked, her eyes shining. 'I'm with Nate!'

I smiled at my friend, not wanting to kill her mood. 'That's good news.' I told her and she picked up her satchel.

'Shall we get ready to go? Didn't Phillip say he'd pick us up before his dinner meeting?'

I nodded. 'Let's go.'

My apartment smelled clean when we walked inside and I knew that housekeeping had been round that afternoon to ensure it looked its best for me. The floors were polished, the furniture dusted and the fridge was freshly stocked with milk and a few other essentials. Lucy walked around in awe as she often did in the apartment and she grinned and she threw down her bag. 'I still love this place, although I think you should have kept the Iron Throne. It was a nice feature.'

I laughed, putting down my weekend bag on my bedroom floor. I pulled my hair out of its ponytail as I glanced in the full-length mirror. 'So food and then we'll go?'

'I actually thought maybe we could grab some food nearby. There's a nice Mexican round there that my dad takes me to. What do you think?' She ran a brush through her perfectly pin-straight hair and brushed her side bangs across her forehead.

'Sounds good.' I pulled out a red midi dress and held it up. My friend crinkled her nose and shook her head. 'What? It's classy.'

'Sky, have you ever been to a gig?' She raised an eyebrow as she pulled out a pair of black ripped skinny jeans and heeled shoe boots. Then she pulled out a baggy grey t-shirt. 'There will be Savannah and her hussy crew in tiny tight dresses and mini skirts. Then there will be girls and guys in jeans and band t-shirts or plaid shirts, looking casual. Then there is going to be us. We're going to be cool-looking rock chicks.'

'That's your wardrobe, Luce, not mine.' I reminded her, looking at my wardrobe full of suitable Princess attire. I'd been the plaid shirt and jeans girl previously. I didn't dress like that much these days unless I was sure I wasn't going to be recognised anywhere.

'Where are those high-waisted Topshop jeans we bought a few weeks back?' I rummaged around in my wardrobe and pulled them out, holding them up to show success. 'Wear those.' She told me. She searched through the bag she'd brought that was far too big for just a weekend. It was as if she'd decided to move in. She threw over a lace bustier-shaped top. 'And this.'

I picked it up and squinted it. 'If I didn't know better, I'd say this is lingerie.'

'It's from Topshop's autumn collection and I can assure you it's not lingerie. Bralets are in fashion right now. You can wear it with those comfy black court shoes you've got. You'll look smoking hot.' She shrugged off her leather jacket. 'And this jacket too. I'll wear my black sequinned blazer for a bit of sparkle.'

'I don't know. I've never dressed like this.' And leather reminded me too much of Zed.

'Then now is a good time to start. Come on, you'll look smokin'.'

In a way, I kinda did, I decided when I glanced in my mirror when we were ready. In the high-waisted jeans, my legs looked longer and my waist looked tiny. The top made me look like I had a little cleavage without too much and the jacket added more of an edge. My hair had been straightened and we'd both gone for smokey-eyes and winged eyeliner. We looked like we should have been in a cool girlband or at least a rockband. Lucy appeared beside me, taking a selfie of us before I had time to pose. She adjusted her grey t-shirt, which fell off one shoulder, and fiddled with her necklace. I could tell she was used to wearing edgy clothes. They suited her well. With a smile, we grabbed our bags and headed out into London.

We'd opted for catching the tube there, Dimitri hovering behind us in 'everyday' wear as not to give away who I was. We'd gone for subtlty and so far it was working. No one glanced our way. We were just two girls on the underground. Two sixteen year-old girls who looked about eighteen, maybe even a little older. We stayed on the Central Line from Queensway to Tottenham Court Road, where the station was buzzing with tourists and shoppers who had spent too much money on Oxford Street. Lucy led me to the restaurant, Wahaca, which was a Mexican chain restaurant that was only in London. It sold Mexican street food, so they put it, and it was quirky with upcycled furniture. The place was mainly filled in with students and we were seated near the back, everyone oblivious to us as Dimitri sat on a table for one nearby. I ordered myself a sweet potato and goats cheese quesadilla and we shared some sweet potato fries which were to die for.

'So are you looking forward to the gig?' I asked my friend after swallowing a mouthful. I was trying to eat ladylike, the way Lady Clarence had shown me, and so far it was working surprisingly well.

'I love seeing Nate play.' She told me with a smile. 'And Seven Minutes in Heaven are really good. They have a big fanbase, even more so now they've been signed.'

'So lots of crying and screaming girls then? And knicker-throwing?'

'That's why I've brought a spare pair.' My friend smiled and my eyes widened in horror. 'I'm joking!' She laughed. 'That's totally gross!'

'Thank god, for a minute there I thought you were some crazy fan girl... wait, you're worse.' I teased. 'Because you're the girlfriend of the bassist.'

'I don't know if I'd call it that yet.' She looked nervous. 'It's been a few dates and he still hasn't kissed me. Maybe I've scared him off?'

'You'd have scared him off years ago if that was the case.' I grinned at her. 'Seeing as you've know each other since primary school.'

'Hmm maybe you're right.' She replied through a mouthful of food.

'Hate to sound like lady Clarence but maybe you shouldn't eat with your mouth full and be more ladylike.'

The Borderline was a ten minute walk away and was tucked away down a side road. The building had large glass windows and already there were girls congregating outside, queuing to get in. We walked over to the security guard and gave our names and flashed our passports as a form of indentification and the security guard let us straight in, past the queuing girls with banners and squeals. They glared as we passed and I blinked as we were handed our AAA (access all areas) wristbands and Lucy pulled me through the door. Some fans were already inside, buying merchandise which made me giggle. Some t-shirts had Seven Minutes in Heaven logos on and there were a few with pictures of the band on too. I squinted, spotting a picture of Zed looking sexy in a tight grey v-neck with a 'Future Mrs Benedict' caption on the t-shirt.

'Okay this is totally weirding me out.' I said to Lucy as some girls squealed whilst they took selfies in their newly bought t-shirts. My friend had been right about the types of people at the gig; there were girls wearing low-cut tops and tiny skirts, guys wearing band t-shirts and leather jackets, girls wearing plaid and then girls wearing the merchandise on sale or their own designs.

'Yeah, it is a little weird.' She blinked as a girl wearing a homemade 'Nate's my future boyfriend' t-shirt walked past. 'Let's head into the venue.'

The Borderline main room consisted of a large wooden floor, a bar along the back with stools and then a smaller bar near the stage at the front. Onstage was a backdrop with the Seven Minutes in Heaven logo and the silhouettes of the guys. Girls and a few guys already crowded around the front of the stage, waiting as the support act set themselves up. I knew it was going to get a lot busier before they came onstage; the show was sold out, all 250 tickets had been bought. The thought was insane.

You here? Zed's voice took me by surprise and I tried to keep my cool as Lucy ordered us each a lemonade. Part of me wanted something stronger.

Yep, just got here. There's lots of girls here that seem to be competing to be the future Mrs Benedict.

Are they hot? I resisted rolling my eyes.

You're disgusting.

I'm kidding. Now if it was you wearing one of those t-shirts, things would be different.

'Sky! Darling!' Savannah appeared in a tiny red dress which made her look at least eighteen. She pulled me into a hug and kissed both cheeks, as if we were actually friends.

'Hey, Savannah.' I replied, casually. 'You look nice.' I lied, a smile plastered on my face. She actually looked like a classy hooker. In my opinion anyway.

'So do you... very rock and roll.' She gave my outfit a once-over and smiled as Annie and Maria, her two best friends, stuck their hands on their hips in unison, drawing attention to their sequinned mini skirts.

'Here you go, Sky.' Lucy returrned and passed me my drink. She gave Savannah a false smile.

'You should have said you were both coming.' Savannah said to us, flicking her long human hair extensions off of her shoulder. 'You could have shared the limo.' She spotted the wristbands on our wrists and her expression faltered, although it was so quick that I wasn't sure Lucy had spotted it. 'Girls, let's get us some wine. I've brought my fake ID for a reason.' And then they were gone. Clearly, she'd been upset that Zed hadn't given her an AAA wristband and I was pretty surprised, too. They seemed to have an on-off relationship if that's what you could call it. Making out was definitely involved and possibly more. The support act introduced themselves onstage and Lucy pulled me over to a gap as close to the front as we could get. Then the music started.

The support act, Wonderland, were pretty hip and pretty cool. People danced to their music and Lucy and I even ended up joining them, whilst avoiding the ridiculous moshpit that had started in the middle of the room for some reason. Then they were off and the instruments were switched. A sound guy tested Zed's blue electric guitar whilst another checked Nate's bass and Zack's new drumkit, which had the band's logo on it.

'Do I look okay?' Lucy paled beside me as the lights dimmed and the crowd screamed with excitement. She was clearly nervous about seeing Nate and I felt for her. I got nervous when I was going on a date with Marcus.

'You look gorgeous.' I told her and she gave me a small smile as the music started up. The band appeared onstage and the audience went wild as they started to sing She Looks so Perfect.

The song ended and Zed's cocky personna returned as he ran a hand through his dark hair and the girls next to us swooned. 'Hello London!' He called out. Cue screams. He adjusted his guitar, his white t-shirt tight against his muscular chest and arms. He met my eyes and he smiled that familiar, cocky smile. I folded my arms across my chest in response. 'We are thrilled to be here tonight with you all and you're all looking hot!' Cue more screams. 'If you know this one, please sing along.' He went into She's Kinda Hot and girls danced around us, screaming. I spotted Savannah grinding to the music (if that was even possible) a few rows behind and she gave Zed a flirtacious look which made me roll my eyes. I glanced over at my best friend to make a comment to her, but her eyes were too busy being fixated on Nate, who gave her a shy smile. They were sickeningly cute, that was for sure.

The concert sped by and I was thankful the air conditioning kept the room cool as I wasn't feeling brave enough to strip off my leather jacket. I noticed Dimitri hovering by the bar, watching me carefully but not giving away my identity. I was thankful for that.

'So I wrote this new song last night when I couldn't sleep because a girl was on my mind.' Zed said into the microphone when it was time for the second-to-last song. Cue hysterical screaming and girls wondering if it was them. 'I really want to play it so please just give me a shot. I know it's a little raw but I hope... I hope she likes it.' His cocky personna slipped for a moment and his eyes met mine as Savannah waved at him from the corner of my eye. Nate came in with the bass, glancing at the sheet music down on the floor, and then the drums and guitar came in as Zed started to sing. '"Oh don't you dare look back.

Just keep your eyes on me."

I said, "You're holding back, "

She said, "Shut up and dance with me!"

This woman is my destiny

She said, "Ooh-ooh-hoo,

Shut up and dance with me."' He winked at me and Lucy prodded me in the side.

'Didn't you tell Zed to shut up when we were dancing yesterday?' She gave me a suspicious look and I didn't reply. Instead, I simply blushed and looked down as Zed continued to sing.

'We were victims of the night,

The chemical, physical, kryptonite

Helpless to the bass and the fading light

Oh, we were bound to get together,

Bound to get together.'

Nate moved back towards his mic and took over for the bridge, a few girls in front of him cheering as he did so. 'She took my arm,

I don't know how it happened.

We took the floor and she said,'

The band sang together and I glanced back up, glad Zed's attention had slipped from me for a moment.

"Oh, don't you dare look back.

Just keep your eyes on me."

I said, "You're holding back, "

She said, "Shut up and dance with me!"

This woman is my destiny

She said, "Ooh-ooh-hoo,

Shut up and dance with me."

I felt nervous as my heart thudded against my chest and then I almost felt relieved when the song was over. At least I was until Lucy prodded me in the side as the band went into their final song. 'So that song was clearly about you. Am I missing something?'

'Not at all.' I replied casually, although I had this funny feeling she didn't believe me.

When the gig was over, it was almost time for the venue's curfew. Not that that stopped Savannah from trying to get backstage. She argued with security over and over, saying she was Zed's girlfriend. Only, security simply laughed at her, replying that they'd already heard that phrase many times that night and then they asked her to leave.

'Sky?' She looked over at me, helplessly, but Lucy pulled me backstage with a flash of our wristbands before I could respond, Dimitri waiting by the door for us.

Backstage wasn't flashy. It was hardly backstage at the O2 arena. The green room was a reasonable sized room with two leather sofas, a coffee table, a games console and a television, mirrors across one wall and an attached bathroom. We hesitated in the doorway as a middle-aged gentleman spoke to them and then he glanced up at us. 'Come on in, ladies. I'm just leaving.' He gave us a friendly smile and then disappeared out, giving me a double-take. I wondered if he'd realised who I was.

'Our manager.' Nate said, answering the question that I hadn't asked. He smiled up at us, his eyes softening as he looked at my best friend. 'Thanks for coming.' He said it mainly to her, but I didn't mind. He stood up first, hugging me quickly and then hugging Lucy, planting a kiss on her cheek. She blushed. Zed came over next, hugging both of us, the smell of freshly sprayed Lynx on his skin. Then Zack gave us a nod. He wasn't one for human contact if he could help it, which was weird considering he was in a boyband with a mainly hormonal female fanbase.

'Drink?' Zed held up a beer and Nate frowned at him.

'Mate, what if Dave sees us with a beer? He said we weren't to be drinking underage, remember?' Nate folded his arms and gave his bandmate a disapproving look.

'Well what else are we supposed to do? You cancelled the afterparty.' Zed replied, looking at the beer and then back at his friend, uncertain of what to do.

'Because my parents came home a day early. I know it blows, but they're not going to let us have a party.' He turned to Lucy. 'Sorry, I know you were looking forward to it.'

I glanced at my friend, who had not mentionned a party. She'd not said anything at all. I shrugged it off instead. Maybe it meant we could get back before it was too late? I was feeling pretty tired.

'Can't we go somewhere else?' Lucy suggested.

'Not unless you've got fake ID.' Zed replied.

'And no offense, Sky, but you might blow our cover a bit.' Zack piped up from the sofa he was still sat on.

'Yeah I'm a bit of a party pooper.' I replied. 'Sorry.'

'I have an idea.' Lucy's eyes lit up and I gave her a curious look. 'If it's alright with Sky of course.' Oh no. I knew what she was thinking. 'Sky, we could go back to yours for a few drinks and a late night jamming session?'

'I'm going to bed, but you guys go ahead.' Zack shrugged.

'Sky?' Lucy was looking at me with hopeful eyes. I knew why. She wanted to kiss Nate. And if we headed back our separate ways now, it was going to blow everything. But then that meant spending time with Zed whilst the two of them acted all mushy.

I sighed. I was too good of a friend. 'Okay, fine, just for a bit.'