Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
-Robert Frost
Rose P.O.V.
"Oh shit!" I sat up as soon as my eyes flew open. Frantically, I looked around for a clock, light in the windows, anything that would indicate what time it was. My apartment was simple with grey walls, minimal clutter and a door that leads to Lissa's room. The door is necessary because I am Lissa's main guardian and even though she needs multiple guardians seeing as she is the Moroi Queen, I need to be near her 24/7. Glancing at the sky through the window, I cursed myself and my need for sleep. I felt sore from sleeping in jeans but there was no time to really notice anything else. Leaping from my bed, I brushed my teeth, yanked my hair into a messy ponytail, threw on a sweatshirt and grabbed my guardian essentials (silver stake ect.) in a frenzy. Still kicking myself for falling asleep, I bolted for Lissa's room. On her door I knocked our knock so that she would know that it was me. Two knocks, two seconds silence, three knocks, three seconds silence and then one final knock. The door flew open. Lissa looked like she could be a schoolgirl in an anime with her golden hair curled to perfection, a lavender skirt, matching lavender blazer and white knee socks.
"What are those?" I asked drawing up a face of disgust.
"Penny Loafers," Lissa said defensively, but she couldn't keep her amusement at my reaction out of her voice.
"They're hideous," I declared, pointing an accusing finger at the monstrosity before me.
Lissa rolled her eyes and gave me a look. "They're classic. Besides, I want to make a good first impression."
"If you want to make a good impression, lose the shoes. Trust me."
"Fine, but are you really going looking like that?" Lissa asked, her arms crossed over her chest. I looked down at my jeans and sweatshirt.
"Yes?" I said as Lissa shook her delicate head.
"Well it's almost too late now, we're leaving in 4 minutes. Here," Lissa handed me a leather jacket I'd apparently left in her room, "Wear this instead of that sweatshirt, you look totally badass in it. And brush your hair and wear it down, your promise mark tattoo will make you stick out like a sore thumb." I did as Lissa had instructed while she changed her shoes and took a royal phone call. There was a knock at the door. I answered it to find one of the two other guardians accompanying Lissa today.
"Oh great, you're here. It's go time." The guardian, Talen said. He's three years older than me and totally serious about the job. I had been skeptical of him at first but I've known Talen for two months now and I have some healthy respect for the guy. Lissa came up from behind me and blaced a book bag on my back.
"Ready when you are," She said. I could tell that she was excited and nervous to start college but I couldn't read her thoughts, not like I used to. Missing the bond was an ever present throb of pain and I felt it with every heartbeat. I longed for the bond that had formed between Lissa and me when she brought me back to life with her rare form of Mori magic, spirit. I can't check up on her emotions or measure her moods without actually seeing or talking to her.
"Rose? Are you okay?" Lissa was looking at me with her eyebrows creased and eyes wide. She was worried.
"Yah, fine. I think I'm just nervous. It's a big day!" Lissa didn't look convinced but she let it go. A few minutes later we were headed to our first day at a human college. I reached over to grab Lissa's hand in the seat next to me. The train was crowded with morning commuters. I squeezed her hand tightly and she squeezed back. Looking around the train and surveying for possible threats, I braced myself for the day to come.