Forbidden Love

Chapter 1

I set off to my early morning training session with Dimitri. I used to resent these training sessions, but now I was actually starting to enjoy them. Whether that was because I had a ripped Russian God to stare at, or I was actually getting better was another matter.

Things were getting better with me and Dimitri too. When I first started off with these sessions he was just my VERY strict trainer, but now our relationship was developing into a friendship, and he had started returning my banter. I think he quite enjoyed it, however much he tried to state otherwise.

As I walked in, and put my gym bag to the side, I noticed there was no Dimitri. 'Have I forgotten something?' I thought to myself. All of a sudden I noticed a hunky Russian coming my way. This wasn't going to go well. In less than 20 seconds I was pinned to the floor by the hunky Russian, who was smirking at me as I glared back.

'Why do you always have to win' I moaned as he helped me up. 'NICE teachers would let you win sometimes to boost your self-esteem. For all you know I could have some serious self-doubt issues about the quality of my fighting going on.'

I could see him try to keep a straight face, but eventually he gave in and smiled at me. 'You will win when you are good enough' he said. I walked over to the sparring mats where he was waiting for m, and got into a fighting stance. We circled a few times before I jabbed for his stomach. He reflected my blow easily. I tried again, this time for his chest, and again, it got me no-where. This was my usual tactic, and he normally let me tire myself out, and then wiped the floor with me. 'Not this time' I thought to myself.

I quickly dodged one of his blows, and returned it with lightning speed of his side. The look of surprise on his face was enough to make me want to do a dance for victory there and then, but I resisted the urge. I waited again for his punch to come, dodged it, and caught him in the stomach then. I watched him carefully and anticipated his blow, and used this small amount of time to get three big blows on him, and pull his foot from under him. He fell back onto the mat, with me following, pinning him down.

My hair was falling out of the messy ponytail I had hurriedly pushed it into, and onto his shoulders. 'I said you would win on your own' he whispered caught in the moment. 'I'm very proud of you, you are an excellent student.' I didn't reply, just reached my hand to his face, and softly brushed his hair away. He grabbed my hand and held it before pulling me down into a deep and passionate kiss, brushing all thoughts away from my head. I was only focussed on him. I ran my fingers through his silky soft hair, and he put his hands on my shoulders before flipping me over so he was on top. We kissed until he pulled away to look at the time. 'Shit Roza' he said, and hurriedly got up, helping me up too. 'Its 10 minutes into first period!'

I ran to the showers, making a new Rose Hathaway record of 5 minutes, and ran to class. Unfortunately I had math, which was on the opposite side of the school. I sprinted down the corridor, and made it only 17 minutes late.

'Rosemary Hathaway' the math teaches voice boomed as I slid into the seat next to Lissa, breathing heavily. 'Why are you late' Mr Martin asked me. 'I was kept late in training sir' I said with my normal don't care attitude. He turned away; obviously annoyed he wouldn't be able to punish me this time, which I swear was his favourite past-time.

'Why were you so late in training' Lissa asked me. 'We, err, got carried away' I answered, knowing that she would see through my lies. I wasn't disappointed. 'But guardian Belikov never gets carried away?' she questioned me. 'He actually praised me' I said, trying to change the subject.

'So he praised you and got 'carried away'. Oh no I thought. Here it comes. She looked at me, like really deep, so much that it was really unnerving. 'I think there something you're not telling me' she said slowly, and paused waiting for my answer.

'Well... I quite like him, but I don't know if he likes me, and well, when I beat him, he kissed me, and the training turned into a make out session' I said, nervous for her reaction. 'Oh dear Rose' she said sighing. 'Why can't you just like normal guys instead of your TEACHERS?' She emphasised the last word, then laughed, remembering when I'd said something similar whilst we were away from the academy.

We walked on towards the hall, ready to have breakfast. I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder, and spun round ready to give the offender a black eye, only to realise it was in fact one of my best friends, Mason.

'Hey Mase' I said. 'What's up?'

'Nothing' he replied. 'Can I speak with you for a sec?' he asked, and I followed him to a quiet corner, promising Lissa I would meet up with her at lunch. He turned so he was facing me.

'So Rose I am going to say something, but only if you promise not to interrupt me until I have finished' he said, a deadly serious look on his face, one that even I would not cross.

'Sure' I replied.

'Well, I've always wanted our friendship to be a little more than a friendship. I've loved you since you called our teacher a fantasist bastard on our first day of school, but I've never had the nerve to tell you. I love you Rose Hathaway and I always have, so I was wondering if you would consider dating me.'

I was speechless. Rose Hathaway, who always had some witty remark under her sleeve, was actually speechless. I had always known he had liked me, that much was obvious, but I never imagined it was this bad. I suddenly found a tear rolling down my cheek, and realised Mason was staring directly at me, waiting for my answer.

'I...I can't Mase. As much as I love you, it is only friendship.' I said amazed at how pathetic my excuse sounded.

'There isn't somebody else on the scene is there?' he asked, sounding wary.

'No... Well not exactly', and just at that moment Dimitri walked round the corner. He looked directly into my eyes, and I held the gaze for a few moments before breaking it, both of us remembering our earlier practice session.

'It's him isn't it' Mason asked me.

I didn't answer and just looked down at the ground.

'I understand' he said, his words surprising me a little.

'I understand what it is like to love someone you can't have, and I can only imagine what it must be like for them to love you back, so I understand Rose, and I swear I won't tell.'

I hugged him, lingering for a few more seconds that I normally would, then we both turned around and headed towards the hall to have lunch and find our friends.

So I have decided not to continue that little one-shot i wrote as I felt the ending couldn't be carried on, so I have started this instead, and this won't be a one-shot. I hope you all enjoy it, and as always please review with any comments. It makes my day!

Molly

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