It was the middle of the night for us, or the middle of the day for humans, and it was the middle of winter here in Montana. I was assigned to guard damphir dorms at this time. Damphirs and Moroi are supposed to be asleep at this time, so when I rounded the corner I was caught a little off guard. There, standing in the middle of the hallway between the gym and the dorms was a young damphir. I silently walked closer and quickly realized it was my student, Rosemarie Hathaway. Figures she'd be the one to break the rules of the academy…again.
As I got nearer, I realized she was breathing hard and she looked totally focused on something that was obviously not out here with us. "Are you sleepwalking?" I asked her. She jumped slightly at the sound of my voice and spun around quickly. I kept watching her both curious about what she was doing out here and amused at the fact that she was in a robe, slippers, and that exotic hair I loved so much was looking a little untamed.
She ran her fingers through her long hair but I could tell she knew it was a little too late for that so she gave up on it. O how I wish I could run my fingers through those thick locks…focus, dammit!
"I was testing dorm security," she said. "It sucks." I tried to hide my smile from her comment and barely managed. The breeze suddenly picked up slightly and I remembered what she was wearing. I looked over at her and realized her eyes were staring down at my long coat. I told her, "You must be freezing. Do you want my coat?" She looked as if she were about to say yes but instead shook her head. I kind of expected her to put in her Rose Hathaway attitude. "I'm fine," she said. "What are you doing out here?" As if it's not obvious already. "Are you testing security too?"
"I am security. This is my watch." Come on is she really that oblivious? She looked thoughtful for a moment before responding, "Well, good work. I'm glad I was able to help test your awesome skills. I should be going now." That was probably the lamest excuse I have ever heard of when it came to breaking the rules. "Rose-" I reached out to grab her arm as she tried to turn away. However, the minute I made contact with her body I felt as though I was suddenly burned. I dropped her arm immediately and told her sternly, "What are you really doing out here?" I saw the wheels in her head spinning, trying to come up with some answer. She gave up though and told me, "I had a bad dream. I wanted some air."
I stared at her for a few heartbeats and was able to tell she had something she wasn't telling me. I knew she wasn't going to tell me anything about it so I just acted as though I saw nothing. "And so you just rushed out. Breaking the rules didn't even cross your mind –and neither did putting on a coat." Why couldn't she just think one thing through before actually doing something stupid…oh, wait, because she never thinks about it. How typical.
"Yeah, that pretty much sums it up," she said nonchalantly.
"Rose, Rose." I was starting to become tired. "You never change. Always jumping in without thinking."
She suddenly looked angry. "That's not true. I've changed a lot." I stood there staring into those brown eyes I loved so much. I felt I was able to see into her soul when I looked into those bottomless eyes. I saw a twinge of sadness and pain and that's when I remembered the Spokane incident when her and four friends got themselves captured by Strigoi. Seeing her trying to protect the lifeless Mason from any threats ripped my heart from my chest. I loved my Roza so much and to see her in that much pain was absolutely agonizing. I finally admitted, "You're right. You have changed."