Being at college felt weird. I hadn't yet decided if it was a good or bad kind of weird. Sometimes we had lectures all day, but other times it was in the morning or at a stupid time in the evening when my brain didn't function right. And even though I was studying music, we didn't get to play instruments much; only once a week. The rest of the time was stupid theory about the effects music has on people and the history of it- yes, that meant writing assignments using about twenty books from the library in each. I felt a little like I had been thrown in at the deep end.

In between college, I was also busy earning a living by working at Hollister. Zed had actually been offered a job there too, but he wanted to give me some space, so he'd opted to work in a jeweller's instead- it meant he had to wear a suit most of the time, which was seriously sexy.

Before we knew it, it was heading up to halloween and our first week off of college (even though we had papers to write). Jenni and I were busy shopping for outfits, unsure of who to dress up as this year for the big campus party.

'What about...catwoman?' Jenni asked, eyeing up what must have been the hundreth costume we had seen that day.

'Nope.' I shook my head. 'Way too obvious. Besides, the theme is Showbiz isn't it?'

'It kinda works...'

'Think outside the box, Jen.' I nudged her in the ribs, lightly.

'Maybe I should just be a box.' She muttered. 'Come on, I want something sexy and unique, but I'm totally running out of ideas. Maybe we should just make something.'

'Have you tried the sale?'

We went to the back of the fancy dress store and started to rummage through the sale rack.

'Nun...crayons...sailor...cheerleader... eugh why is there never anything good!' Jenni sighed, obviously feeling defeated.

'I know.' I replied. I wanted to give up and go with something obvious, but I wanted to stand out from the crowd.

'What about mermaids?' Jenni asked. 'Classy but sexy, and I haven't heard anyone is doing that this year.'

'What has that got to do with showbiz?'

'There's films about mermaids.' She shrugged.

I pulled out a red and black costume that made me think back to the night we had saved Phee and Yves in London. 'How risque do you want to be?'

'It depends.' She eyed up the costume in front of me. 'Is it bad that I love it?'

'Not at all.' I smiled.

'Well the boys will definitely be looking at us.'

Stood in front of Jenni's mirror a few days later, I wasn't sure I had made the right decision. It was revealing, yes, and definitely not like anything I would usually go for. I was sure Simon would have a heartattack.

'Look at us!' Jenni squealed, giving a twirl. Our Moulin Rouge outfits were definitely risque and we looked like we should be in Vegas. It was showbiz all right. Jenni wore a black and purple bustier top with an attached short, ruffled black and purple skirt. Her hair was down and she had a black headband with a large black feather tucked into it. Her lips were a deep read colour and she had on her usual winged eyeliner.

'Simon would die if he saw me in this.' I looked into the mirror. My outfit consisted of a black bustier top with red ribbon and a dip-hem black and red striped layered skirt. The front showed the black underskirt that I was glad was there. I wore a small red and black striped top hat to the side of my head and black court shoes on my feet. Like Jenni, I'd opted for red lipstick and a little winged eyeliner.

'Does he have Facebook?'

'No, thank goodness.' I adjusted my top, trying to cover up the cleavage, but it only sprung back down again. 'Can I really go out like this?'

'English, it was totally your idea.' Jenni winked. 'Besides, I think we look fabulous. We are definitely going to stand out.'

'For the right reasons?'

'Who cares! It's Halloween! It's about drinking and dancing and having fun!'

'Couldn't we just go to that retro club in town again?'

'No.' She shook her head and grabbed my hand. 'Now come on, let's open up that bottle of cheap wine we bought earlier.'

A bottle of cheap red wine and a load of selfies later, and we were in the Student Union bar. The place was heaving with students in fancy dress; some were zombies, film crew members, recognisable characters from films and TV, others I didn't recognise at all. I knew Zed and his friends were already there, but it was going to be a mission to find him in the crowd.

'Let's get a drink!' Jenni shouted, pulling me towards the bar. We each ordered a beer and then headed to the dancefloor. Being stuck in a crowd made me more comfortable; we were so squashed in that people could hardly see what we were wearing. After posing for some photos with some coursemates, we lost ourselves in the music. The best part was when Lady Marmalade came on.

'Hey babe.' Some blonde guy called out, checking me out and trying to grope my bum.

'Hey.' I replied, continuing to dance with my college best friend.

'Wanna dance?'

'Sorry, I'm engaged!'

'Where's your dude?'

'Around here somewhere.'

'Shall we go find him?' Jenni asked, giving me a knowing look. I grabbed her hand and she pulled me through the crowd. 'That guy was stoned!'

'He was?'

'Couldn't you smell it? Ick it was gross!' She wrinkled up her nose in disgust. 'Oooh I think I see Zed!'

My arm was pulled before I could take another swig of my drink. I willingly followed Jenni, until she stopped in front of me. I peered over her shoulder to see why she had stopped. Rose was stood in front of Zed, dressed as a mermaid; she wore a fishtail turquoise skirt with a purple push-up sequinned bikini top. She had a headband made of shells in her hair.

'I am so glad we didn't come as mermaids.' Jenni said, as if trying to make me worry less about the situation in front of me.

Zoe reached up to Zed's cheek to kiss it, but he pushed her away in disgust, making me smile. She glared at him, whispered something, and then walked off back towards her sorority girls, who were also dressed as mermaids (just less revealing ones). I grabbed Jenni and pulled her forwards, so that I wasn't leaving her in the crazy dancing crowd. Zed turned to face us and his jaw dropped, making me smile.

Oh my god.

Like it?

Are you serious? Why have I never seen this before.

I leant forwards and gave him a peck on the lips, making his friends wolf-whistle.

'Zed, why have we not met these lovely ladies before?' A blonde guy with dark brown eyes asked, looking at me and then at Jenni.

'Because this beauty is mine.' He wrapped his arm around me protectively. 'This is Rob.' He nodded to the guy who had spoken to us. 'And this is Bleu.' He nodded at a guy with black hair and olive skin. 'And George.' A guy with strawberry blonde hair. 'Guys this is my fiancee Sky and her friend Jenni.'

'I can see why you put the ring on her finger, dude.' Rob grinned. 'Got to grab her before someone else can.'

'Something like that.' Zed laughed.

I reverted my attention back to Jenni, to make sure she wasn't a gooseberry. However, she was already chatting away to George, wrapping a curl around her finger. I felt kind of bad for Ben, who had gone home for the week.

Zed pulled me in for another kiss. 'Want a drink?'

'Sure.'

He slipped off, leaving me stood with Rob and Bleu.

'You're pretty good taking him back after the other week.' Bleu said, breaking the silence. 'My ex didn't take me back after that.'

'He wasn't himself.' I replied.

'You could do better than someone who treats you like that.'

'Leave her alone.' Rob punched Bleu in the arm. 'He wasn't himself.'

Trust me, I know.

Rob's voice in my head made me jump.

You're a savant?

Yes but only you and Zed know that, so keep that to yourself.

Are Bleu and George?

They wish! Ha!

He smiled at me. 'So Sky, is your friend single?'

'Yes,' I replied, 'though she might not be for long.'

George and Jenni were engrossed in each other's company, playfully touching one another's arms/waists in a playful manner. I had a feeling she would be leaving with his number later.

'Got any other friends?' Bleu asked, hopefully.

'Not right now, sorry.'

So what are we going to do about Rose? Rob was subtly looking around the room whilst speaking in my head.

What do you mean?

Well she can control anyone she wants to. How are you going to stop her from taking Zed away from you for good?

I don't know. It's hopeless. I'm not that powerful.

You could be. Don't doubt yourself. I suggest you think of something and quickly. If you need any help, let me know.

I'll hold you to that. After all, I was going to need as much help as I could get.

'Sky, can we please go to the ladies?' Jenni grabbed my arm, smiling sweetly.

'Uhm, sure.' I smiled at the boys before letting her drag me off to the toilets.

After the door had closed, she turned to face me with a big grin on her face. 'How cute is George?!'

'Yeah he's not bad.' I replied. 'What about Ben?'

'What about him?'

'He obviously has feelings for you.'

Her eyes widened in what looked like horror. 'Oh, Sky, do you really not know?'

'Know what?'

Her voice turned to a whisper. 'Ben's gay. I'm the only one he's told. Maybe he's keeping me close because he's afraid I will out him before he is ready.'

'Oh.' I suddenly felt very stupid. 'Are you sure?'

She laughed. 'Of course I am! He told me not long after I'd met him. I think that's why he went back; to talk to his family. They're quite old-fashionned.'

'Oh!' I smiled. 'Well in which case, go for it with George. He seems nice.'

'I think I just might.'

The door opened, bringing some music into the bathroom. I checked my make-up and hair in the mirror before freezing. Rose was stood behind Jenni and I, a smile playing on her lips.

'Hello Sky.'