Chapter 1
Rose's POV
Standing alone waiting for Lissa. She was late. She was supposed to receive me 20 minutes ago.
"What's your name?" a voice said. I turned, about to give a witty comment when I saw a tall figure behind me. He was about 6'6 or 6'7. He had chin length hair with brown eyes. He was hot. Like the type of hot that makes you stop in the middle of the road and get hit by a car. He was a guardian, Dimitri who happens to be my best friend. I saw a look of complete shock on his face which then turned to confusion.
"Comrade, don't tell me you forgot my name."
"Roza? Roza, is that really you?"
"Whatcha' think comrade? My ghost?" A hint of smile played over his lips. He hugged me and spun me around. When he finally put me down, he said "Roza. I missed you. How come you're here?"
"I missed you too comrade. I just got transferred here. And I could ask the same question to you." He glanced away, and his dark eyes went unfocused . He was thinking about something far away from here. "After Ivan died, they needed some extra hands at the academy so I came here."
I could read his pain, though he clearly worked hard to hide it. "You still hurt. Everyday. Don't you? His death has left a permanent mark on you."
Dimitri smiled, surprised and amused that I'd guessed another secret about him. Most people think he's just some aloof, antisocial tough guy, but what they didn't know was he kept himself from other people so he wouldn't get hurt if he lost them.
"How do you always almost know everything about me?"
"Almost everything comrade? I think I know you better than you do about yourself."
"Guardian Belikov. Aren't you supposed to bring the new novice to the head mistress's room?"