I woke up to find my bare skin pressed against Zed's naked body. His dark eyes were watching me, a content smile on his lips, and his outline coloured gold.

'Good morning beautiful.' He whispered, kissing my forehead.

'Good morning.' I nestled up closer to him, feeling happy and relaxed. 'How are you feeling?'

'Like life couldn't get any more perfect.' He wrapped his arms around my bare waist. 'You?'

'The same.' I sighed, happily, closing the gap between our lips. 'What time is it?'

'Ten A.M. We were both pretty tired.'

'I'm hardly surprised.' I kissed him again. 'I guess we'd better get up soon.'

His arms tightened round my waist. 'Not yet.'

And then the night repeated itself.

That Wednesday, I met up with Tina and Zoe, as we didn't have school. Zoe had decided that we'd head into Downtown Denver to pick out some outfits for graduation; I'd been working twice a week and Simon and Sally's gallery, so I had some savings to spend. Despite passing my test six months ago, I still didn't have a car so Tina had decided to drive.

'So what have you guys been up to?' Tina asked as she parked the car.

'Hanging out with Zed.' I smiled.

'Hanging out with the family before I head off to University in New York.' Zoe shrugged. 'I can't believe I'm moving away from everything.'

'You're brave.' I replied.

'As if. Sky, you're the bravest person I know. You were kidnapped and brainwashed.'

I shuddered at the memory.

Sensing my awkwardness, Tina decided to change the subject. 'So I've had a great few days with Nelson!'

Zoe raised her eyebrows. 'Yeah, I bet!'

I looked out of the window, pleased that Zed and I had decided to keep things to ourselves. After all, it only involved the two of us.

I'm glad it's just between the two of us.

Zed's voice filled my head and I could tell he was smiling.

Me too.

My cheeks flushed red and I pretended it was down to the warm June weather.

Are you blushing?

Perhaps. Now let me get back to my girly day. I'll see you later.

I love you.

I love you too.

I really needed to remember to hide my thoughts. I had gotten a lot better at it in the past two years, but sometimes I slipped up.

'Sky?' Tina snapped me out of my daydream. 'We were thinking of heading to H&M first. Is that okay with you?'

'Sure. Sorry, I was miles away.' I apologised, fiddling with my ponytail.

'With Zed, I bet.' Zoe giggled.

'You have no idea.'

The day was full of laughter and, by the end, I could tell our arms and legs were worn out from all the shopping. Our graduation dresses were beautiful and we had spent our dinner time planning the party we were going to host at my parent's art gallery after the main event.

The morning before graduation, we headed over to the art gallery to decorate the venue for the party; our boyfriends, families and a few extra students came over to help us set up.

'So are we tying the balloon arch to the entrance or near the photobooth?' Tina asked, dragging a handful of blue and white (our school colours) balloons around the gallery.

'I think the photobooth would look cooler.' Zoe replied.

'Does it really matter?' Zed sighed. 'It's eight AM.'

'Of course it matters!' Zoe frowned. 'This is High School Graduation! Just you wait until you're wedding day- you'll be doing all of this.'

I won't mind when it's our wedding day.

I blushed. Just humour her.

'I'm sorry Zoe. Can I help with anything?' Zed smiled sweetly, making Zoe eyeball him with suspicion.

'You can actually. Follow me.'

I'll get you back for this later.

We'll see about that.

Whatever, Super Sky.

I laughed to myself and carried on setting up disco lights with help from Simon.

'So I was thinking...' My dad trailed off mid-sentence. 'You've been staying at Zed's a lot recently.'

I shuddered. 'We had this talk when I was thirteen. Do we really need to have it again?'

'No... no... that's not where I was going.' His face turned crimson. 'What I was going to say is maybe Zed can stay at ours sometimes... I'm hoping I won't regret saying it, it's just you're moving to University soon and we hardly see you anymore. Sally and I were talking and we think you're old enough to have a boy stay over. Just be... careful.'

'Thank you.' I smiled. 'That means a lot.'

Your dad is picturing the different ways he could kill me if you got pregnant.

Stop reading his mind!

Sorry. I needed something to take away the pain of arranging centerpieces.

'Does this mean Zed can stay tonight?' I asked, feeling hopeful.

'I guess so. I'll have words with him later.' Simon tested the disco lights, which worked perfectly. 'We'd better finish up quickly, so that we're ready for your big day.'

The school field was covered with black and blue ghosts when we arrived. We headed off into the building and were dressed in our gowns and caps we had preordered. I was glad the weather was still fairly warm, as my blue chiffon dress was knee-length and had short sleeves. It was a skater dress with silver sparkly embroidery around the waist and really brought out the colour of my eyes. My fair blonde hair fell down my back in loose ringlets, as it had on my prom night.

'Sky, you look so grown up!' Sally smiled, eyes watering, when I walked out onto the field to meet them.

'We are so proud of you!' Simon added, pulling me into a rare hug.

Stop looking so damn beautiful.

I turned around and saw Zed heading towards me.

'Hey Sky.' He smiled. 'Hello Mr and Mrs Bright.'

'Hello Zed.' Simon replied. 'May I have a quick word with you?'

'SKY!' My two best friends squealed, rushing towards me in their heels. They embraced me.

'How great do we all look?!' Zoe grinned, twirling in a circle.

'Squeeze together so I can take some photos.' Sally smiled. 'This is going to be a memorable day!'

I couldn't help but cry a little during the ceremony. The reality of growing up and leaving school hit me like a bullet, especially when I remembered I would be moving away from home; though unlike Zoe, Simon and Sally were fairly close by if I needed them.

Right on cue, we all threw our hats in the air- just like I had seen in the movies. Sally was right; it was going to be a very memorable day for all of us.

'Sky! We've invited the Benedicts out for dinner before the party. I hope you don't mind.' Sally called, rushing through the crowds of black robes to find me.

'Not at all.' I replied with a smile.

'You look lovely Sky. Congratulations.' Saul said, shaking my hand. Karla pulled me into a hug.

'Thank you.'

Some hands wound around my waist and I turned to see Zed behind me, grinning. 'So, family dinner?'

'Where are we heading?' I asked as he took my hand in his.

'The little italian near the art gallery. Means we're closer to the party.'

'Sounds good to me.'

Dinner went well... almost too well. It was funny seeing how well Simon and Sally got on with Zed's parents, especially as they never used to trust them. Even Zed seemed surprised that everything went by without a hitch, and before we knew it we were heading off to the party.

The art gallery looked classy dressed in blue and white, with 'congratulations' banners, a photobooth, blue and white balloons and flowers and disco lights. It almost looked like it have been organised by a professional.

Our wedding is going to look pretty sweet.

I blushed, looking at the boy on my arm. Don't get too ahead of yourself.

Sorry, soulfinder.

'The place looks great Sky!' Rebecca, a girl from my science class, said as she walked past Zed and I.

'Thanks!' I replied with a smile. That was just one of the compliments Tina, Zoe and I had recieved that evening.

As beautiful as the art gallery looked, it was hot in there with its huge greenhouse-style windows.

'I need some air.' I told the girls when Zed had headed off to the toilets.

'Want me to come with?' Tina asked.

'I'm sure I can handle it.' I laughed. 'After all, Zoe said I'm brave!'

Zoe rolled her eyes. 'Sheesh, I won't compliment you next time.'

'If I'm not back in five, send out a search party.' I winked.

Despite the warm days, Colorado was still cool in the evenings, especially near the mountains. I wrapped my silver silk wrap around my shoulders as I headed outside, breathing in the fresh air. As I walked through the groups congregating on the terrace, I saw happiness glowing around them as their laughter filled the air. I headed towards the gallery gardens, where I found a bench next to the fountain.

It had been an overwhelming month, but I wouldn't change a minute of it; surviving my finals, celebrating at prom, graduating and throwing a successful graduation party. When we moved to America, this is what I was hoping for- to survive, to get through school. Sure, there had been a lot of hiccups on the way, but I'd got there in the end.

I heard the rustle of leaves coming from a bush on the other side of the fountain. It must be a bird, I decided. But then I heard the rustle of leaves again. Too big to be a bird. Someone was watching me. I stood up and that's when I heard the gunshot. Screams filled the air as the bullet crashed into the wall I had been sat in front of. It had missed me by five centimetres at the most.

I screamed and ran back towards the art gallery building. Who had been trying to shoot me? What was happening?

ZED!

What's wrong? Where are you?!

I didn't look back. Another gun shot ran out and I heard it crash into the wooden fence this time. I picked up speed and ran into the art gallery building, where the music had stopped and other guests were crying. A security guard locked the door behind me.

'Was there anyone else out there m'aam?'

'J-j-j-just m-m-e. I th-ink.' I stuttered in shock.

'Are you hurt? The police are on their way.'

'I don't t-h-h-i-nk so.'

'SKY!' Zed shouted, running over to me. He rubbed my damp cheeks with his hands and planted kisses across my forehead. 'What happened? Someone said they heard gunshots.'

'I think someone's after me.'