I don't answer for a moment. I can hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears.

Cupid still stands too close to me in the school corridor. His eyes bore into mine.

"I...uh..." I begin.

"Go to the dance with me" he repeats.

He raises an eyebrow expectantly.

I sigh.

I want to say yes but...

"What about the Arrows?" I say "Is it really a good idea?"

Cupid takes a small step backwards and an odd look flashes across his face. Then he grins.

"We're in danger already Lila" he says "They tried to kill you, they turned Charlie into one of them, and now they've kidnapped Crystal. What more can they do?"

His blue green eyes twinkle mischievously and I feel a smile creep onto my face.

I roll my eyes.

"Fine" I say.

Cupid grins.

"Great, I'll pick you up at 7 from..."

I take a small step back.

"Wait" I say "I have a condition"

He furrows his eyebrows.

"Selena said if we were matched then the founder of the Matchmaking Service would come back" I say "I want to know why Cal, and the Arrows, are so set on that not happening."

Cupid doesn't say anything - merely looks at me.

"I'll go to the dance with you" I continue "But I want to know who the founder is"

Cupid's face becomes serious. His jawline tenses.

"If you know" he says "You might not want to go to the dance with me"

I frown.

"Isn't that a decision I have a right to make?" I say.

I notice a darkness flicker across his eyes as he nods slowly.

"I thought you said you didn't believe the founder would come back anyway?" I say.

He smiles weakly.

"Yeah...well...still...." he shrugs.

He looks at me again uncertainly. It's strange to see someone with his strong physique and usual arrogant air seem so lost.

Then he sighs heavily.

"Fine" he says "I'll tell you - but after the dance. Go to the dance with me, and afterwards I'll tell you anything you want to know."

He grins.

"Deal?"

He holds out a hand for me to shake. I look at it a moment then sigh.

I place my hand in his large one and his fingers enclose around mine.

"Deal" I agree.

***

The next two days go by smoothly with nothing dramatic happening.

I don't see too much of the brothers. Every time we come across each other Cal seems to steer the two of them away.

I wonder if he is still trying to stop the match from taking place by keeping us apart.

The thought makes me feel somewhat guilty that I have agreed to go to the dance with Cupid - I know Cal won't approve.

On Wednesday afternoon though, we all find ourselves in the school gym. Cal, Cupid and I offered to help the Charlie and the social committee set up the dance so that we could hide some weapons ready for tonight.

Charlie hasn't reverted back to her cupid ways, but I've noticed a few subtle changes.

For one thing - she now seems super strong.

I share a look with Cal as she picks up a large table by herself and moves it to the back of the gym to put drinks on. I notice Cupid watching her too from the other side of the room as he helps set up the sound system.

"When can we tell her the truth?" I ask "That she's a cupid?"

Cal looks at me sternly as he opens his large, black satchel.

"Not yet" he says "You'd struggle to get her to believe you anyway."

"Not if you showed her the weapons" I say "Like you showed me".

Cal shakes his head.

"She's our only chance of getting Crystal back" he says "It's too risky."

I sigh,

"I know - it's just..." I shrug "It's like watching Spiderman before he knew he was Spideman or something. She must be really confused"

Cal looks at me, his expression softening.

"When we get Crystal back" he says "We'll tell her everything then. I promise."

He goes back to rummaging through his bag. He doesn't speak for a few minutes, and I notice his expression hardening.

"You're going to the dance with Cupid" he states suddenly.

He looks up. His silvery eyes bare into mine and I frown.

"That's not a good decision" he says.

I sigh.

"I know that you think that" I say. "But it's my decision to make"

He says nothing for a moment - only looks at me blankly. Then he shrugs and swings the satchel over his shoulder.

"Whatever" he says "I'm going to hide some of these arrows behind the benches. Cupid already attached a bow under the drinks table. Make sure nobody notices what I'm doing"

I nod as he stalks off - a little taken aback by his mood swing. Then I survey the room.

There are a couple of girls from my class hanging up a banner, Charlie is instructing the guy doing the lighting, and Jane from the year below is plugging in the speakers. No-one is paying attention to Cal.

My eyes home in on Cupid across the room.

Helping out has obviously started to bore him, and he now leans casually against the wall playing on his phone. He's wearing jeans and a slightly crumpled white t-shirt and I find myself staring at his arm muscles.

He catches me looking and I feel my face flush.

I can't believe we're going to the dance together.

He smiles and I feel the now familiar jolt of nerves he approaches.

As he reaches me he thrusts a packet into my hand.

"Balloons" he says unenthusiastically. "Charlie says we have to blow up balloons"

He arches an eyebrow, then takes out a pink one and starts to blow.

A laugh escapes from my lips.

"What?" he says, raising an eyebrow.

I shrug.

"Cupid blowing up balloons" I say "That's just a sight I never thought I would see..."

***

Later that evening I stand nervously in front of the mirror in my bedroom.

I should be more worried about what the Arrows have planned for this evening - but instead all I can think about is Cupid.

I glance over at the clock - it's ten to seven - he should be round to pick me up any minute. Then I glance back at my reflection.

I'd decided to buy the black strapless dress Charlie had recommended, and I'm wearing it now. My dark hair falls down over my bare shoulders.

I don't normally dress like this and I feel oddly vulnerable without my usual jeans and converse. I pull at the bottom of my dress, trying to add length to cover more of my legs.

As I'm looking at myself the doorbell rings and makes me jump.

Cupid. He's here.

My stomach somersaults and I suddenly feel slightly nauseous.

I run my fingers quickly through my hair then rush down the stairs.

I take a deep breath and open the door.

Cupid stands in the frame.

My heart beat accelerates.

He looks totally different to how I've seen him before.

He dressed in a formal, dark blue suit - a light blue tie cuts across his crisp white shirt. The dim light from the porch brushes against the angles of his face and adds lighter shades to his dark blonde, ruffled hair.

When he looks at me I feel his eyes drink me in hungrily.

"Lila..." he says softly "You look...I mean...wow....you look great"

I shift uncomfortably.

"I...uh...thanks" I say weakly,

He grins.

"Nervous?" he asks.

I shake my head but we both know I'm lying.

I need to pull myself together.

"I got you this" he says.

He brings his arm from behind his back, and passes me a single rose.

I take it carefully from his fingers.

"It's beautiful" I say.

He grins and holds out his hand for me to take.

"Well" he says "Shall we go?"