"Hnng" I winced, mumbling some to myself as my eyes fluttered open lazily. Another sleepless night, atleast that's what it felt like it was going to end up being. I tossed and turned in my bed, unable to get rid of this chilled feeling that still clung to my spine.
I sat up out of bed, frustrated and suddenly aware of the fact that I probably was not going to get anymore sleep tonight. My room was empty, it had a sort of hollow feeling to it, the girl that used to sleep in the bunk across from me ran off with another guardian a week ago and they hadn't seen fit to brandish me with a new roommate.
It only took moments for me to gather myself and head out of the dorms, I peered around the corners checking for guardians before slipping down the main hallway and out the doors.
The sun shined brightly, it was the middle of the night in my world due to the Moroi's sensitivity to UV rays, but for humans this was prime time. I casually strolled around the corner of the academy, not sure of where I was headed, but certainly anything was better than my previous entertainment.
My ears were the first to alert me of the two guardians about to round the opposite corner, quickly I managed to just barley duck into the bushes that aligned the base of the schools outer wall.
The two guardians, as if right on Que to my daring escape, strolled right past me. Their builds were different, one was more slender and around 6'1" with red hair, and the other a bit taller, with broad shoulders and a fairly long length of brown hair. They both wore traditional guardians uniforms, obviously they were patrolling the school grounds.
I sang internally in happiness as they started there walk away from me, but then as if everything in my life was meant to more difficult which I was convinced it was, the brown haired guardian stopped dead in his tracks.
"You coming Belikov?" asked the red haired guardian, turning to look his way.
"I'm just gonna look around here a bit, I'll meet you back in the office in a few." His tone was soft and deep, like the essence of warmth if it had a sound. Regardless of how dreamy he sounded, he was definitely not part of this 'lets break out of the dorm rooms and have some fun' plan and his presence was very much so ruining that fun, but i'd have to make due.
'What is he even doing' I thought to myself, eagerly awaiting for him to make a move, He stood there so still. Not a muscle on his well toned frame flinched, I began to let my eyes wander over his large and in charge self and I was so lost in thought I almost didn't hear that smokey voice of his.
"Are you going to come out?" He asked, it stunned me how he was managing to sound calm, cool and collected, when I knew I was moments away from bad news. That was guardians for you, we were trained our entire life to be aware of our surroundings so we could protect the Moroi, and apparently punish run away Dhampirs. I'd soon follow in those footsteps, that is if this didn't totally mess up everything and land me a suspension, with that I might just barley graduate the year. I suppose it goes without saying, but I'm not the most 'Honor Role' like student. Figuring he was just taking a guess, I ignored his words and stayed still and silent,. 'maybe he's just bluffing and doesn't really know i'm here? Certainly he wouldn't stay too long..'
My situation, and view, changed drastically ripping me from my thoughts as a pair of large hands reached into the bushes and latched onto my jacket, pulling me from the bushes
"HEY! Hands off!" I barked out, practically offended at his gentle grip, I was no weakling! If he wanted a fight I'd give it to him. He let go of me once I was on my feet and stepped back, eyeing me in all my leaf covered glory. I huffed softly and picked a few leaves off, tossing them to their cold crunchy fates.
"Any reason you're hiding in the bushes?" He asked as two dark orbs locked onto mine.
"Holy shit" I thought I had said that subconsciously but alas, that came fluttering from my lips.
"Excuse me?" He asked, his tone never changing, eyes searching me for something. Perhaps he was looking for weapons or drugs? Either way, his gaze made me feel warm and I wasn't quite sure how to take that.
"I'm not just here to hide in bushes, I was hiding from you, though clearly you ruined that." I scoffed, sarcasm was my default for nervous sitatuions and it'd never really helped me out of them.
"I noticed. Any reason why you're hiding from me?" He spoke curtly, his gaze still taking in my form.
"I can't sleep, needed some air" I said quietly, glancing down at the floor beside my feet.
"Well you best get back to your room, it's sleeping hours, and guardians change shifts soon. I can promise others will not be as nice as I am..."
I was shocked, this guy wasn't going to turn me in and totally ruin my chances at being a guardian? I was surprised, but I knew not to push my luck and nodded, quickly turning to walk away.
"What's your name?" Guardian Belikov called out after I'd moved a few feet away.
I stopped and turned to face him. "I'm Willow." I stated, avoiding a last name in fear he might still turn me in.
"Willow..' He spoke softly, as if my name was unfamiliar and familiar all at the same time. "I'm Dimitri" and with that, he turned and walked the opposite way.
I made quick work of the journey back to my room, not anymore eager to be awake, but pleased with lovely image I had to think about while I lay in silence.
"Dimitri..." His name slipped from my lips, I found myself imagining what he'd look like outside of the basic black that all guardians wore.
Before I knew it, sleep overcame me and I drifted off with a single name floating on my subconscious.
