Quick author's note.

Thank you so much for following and reviewing this story! I nearly died with happiness when I saw them this morning (incredibly sad I know).This is my first story, so I apologise for the faults in it, I'm quite new to fanfiction and am getting used to the layout etc.

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I also wanted to apologize for the layout of the previous chapter. I had it all spaced out in paragraphs, then as I uploaded it, it all merged together.

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I'm so sorry, because I'm aware it looks sloppy and is difficult to read!I've tried editing it and everytime I go to update the improved version, it merged the whole thing, not just the flashback paragraph.I am incredibly sorry, especially if this next one turns out the same.

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Any tips would be very welcome, and loving the reviews, definitely makes me want to continue writing.

Thankyou,

E XXX

Chapter 2: AloneI stood in the middle of my room trying to think what the next course of action should be. I knew that if I exited out of my dorm via the door, I would no doubt be spotted. Therefore, I looked around my room cursing myself.

A voice at the back of my mind, suspiciously thick with a Russian accent, gloated at me, 'Typical Rose, lashes out before thinking, faced with the consequences afterwards. When will you learn that the key to…..' I shook my head to clear his voice; despite that voice being an incredible turn on, now was not the time for one of his crappy zen lessons.

As I scanned the room panicking I caught sight of something...the window!

I opened it and surveyed the view. Shit! I quickly ducked and waited for a few minutes, two guardians passed, they must've been doing their rounds of the campus. That meant I had some time before the next groups of guardians passed. I glanced down and sighed, the bloody drainpipe. Come on Hathaway, I mentally scolded myself, you used to always love a challenge. With that I clumsily clambered out of the window, hooked both my legs around the pipe, and began to shimmy my way down.

Holy shit and fuck! I forgot to put my top on and the cold wind was freezing my ass up here. I couldn't help the snerario that unfolded in my head...the great, adventurous Hathaway, with two kills before graduation, frozen to death, half naked, on a goddamn drainpipe. I suppose there was one encouraging thought, I would die looking hot and badass.

I wonder what Dimitri would do, would he cry for me? I imagined those dark eyes filled with tears, and stupidly felt my own welling up. Think happy thoughts Rose, happy thoughts. So instead I imagined him naked, muscles rippling, hard and ready for me, leaning in to kiss my li…

"AAARGGHHH" I screamed as I fell from the drainpipe, having lost my concentration and grip, luckily landing in the bushes below with an "oomph".

God what was wrong with me? I was like a lovesick teenager….okay so maybe I was, but more so than usual. I thought back to his cold face, and those harsh words, that was why I was acting so desperate over him, because I was. I was desperate for him to forgive and understand me, to kiss me and reassure me that he'd sort it out.

I didn't like relying on other people, but let's face it, the Hathaway attitude and sass would not help me in this game.

As soon as I hit the ground I continued running. I stopped everyone as a guardian passed, ducking in the bushes for cover, holding my breath until the coast was clear. This was surprisingly easy, I thought to myself with a smug expression. I made my way over to the building where the guardians took residence. Dimitri's room was on the first floor luckily, so I figured I'd climb through the window.

I crawled my way through the undergrowth, cursing myself again for forgetting a top, as the branches and thorns stabbed and pricked at my sides. I managed to avoid all detection this way, and avoided the security cameras too. I stopped when I thought I found his room. He would no doubt be in there, he was not one to socialise much. I nearly turned away after studying my view through the window for over 5 minutes without seeing anything, wondering if I got the wrong room, when all of a sudden I saw something that I wish I had never seen.

Bile rose from my stomach, the nausea was not the same sensation I get with the presence of strigoi, no. It was much worse.

I saw Tasha follow him into the bedroom, I didn't even know what the robbing bitch was doing here. He asked her to come over, a sadistic voice snarled in my head, ridiculing me.

No, he loved me. I knew it. He...he had to.

He collapsed on the bed, head in his hands, he looked upset over something, distressed. She sat next to him, putting a comforting slim arm around his shoulders.

I studied her and felt a pang of jealously run through me. She was beautiful, striking even. With her raven black hair cascading over her back, her piercing ice blue Ozera eyes, and tall elegant frame, she was the picture of stunning.

I knew I was pretty, with my dark brown eyes, and wavy, thick long hair, my tanned smooth skin, and curvaceous body, I was exotic. But somehow, staring at the two of them together like that made me feel like I was the ugliest person alive. They made such a stunning and mesmerising couple.

He then did something I never expected….he kissed her. It was a slow kiss at first, but slowly built into something more animalistic. I felt more jealousy course through my veins, it should be me kissing him. Me feeling those sparks and searing heat as our lips caressed each others, I should be tasting him, feeling his tongue stroking and teasing my own.

I thought about all of our moments together, the training sessions, filled with sexual tension and lust, the moment I nearly gave my virginity to him, under Victor's spell, the way he held me after Mason's death.

I thought about our last moment alone.

xXx_

"Hey Comrade"

He turned around at me, a breathtakingly beautiful smile graced his lips.

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Although we had agreed to keep our relationship professional until graduation, we were both struggling to keep our anticipation and love for each other at bay.

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"So, what torture have you decided to put me through today? 16 laps around the field? Intense weight training session? Because I have another way we can build my stamina and endurance…" I winked at him, and much to my surprise, instead of chastising me, he chuckled. A small laugh escaped his lips, and I swear I nearly melted on the spot right then. It sounded so light, so soft, so magical to my ears.

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"My dear Roza, perhaps I should use this session to reach you the art of subtlety? You certainly seem to lack severely in that area".Despite the slight dig at me, I barely heard what he said past the word "Roza". He only called me that when he was feeling particularly affection towards me. That meant he was in a good mood today, and although he was sexy as hell when he went all silent and demanding, these moments between us happened so far and few between that I couldn't hide my happiness.

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I studied him for a moment, he was wearing his combat pants and a very tight fitting thermal black top, which showcased his huge and perfectly shaped muscles. He caught me checking him out, and said something to me that made me gasp in surprise: "See something you like?".

It was something I had said to him before, yet why did it sound so much more sexy when he said it in that deep, gravelly voice of his?

He outright laughed at me, his eyes sparkling with humour and delight, "What is this?! Have I made THE Rose Hathaway speechless?" He continued smiling at me, that sexy mischievous glint in his eye that I see so seldom. I wanted to answer back with a smart comeback, but his laughter and pure sexiness inundated me. He jabbed my arm lightly and told me to follow him to start the session…

xXx_

I hated him at that moment, and felt the tears and vomit begin to rise. The heartbreak I felt for him took over me as I collapsed to the ground. I felt like my heart had been ripped out. As I started to wretch I knew I couldn't watch anymore. I started shaking, tears threatening to spill over.

And then it stopped.

I would not let that man ruin me. If he didn't love me, which clearly he didn't by snogging Tasha's face off, I would show him that he has not got to me.

I am Rose Hathaway for god's sake. Two strigoi kills already, strong, sexy and determined. I would make it on my own. Hell, I fought for myself without anyone for so long.

I swallowed hard and closed my eyes. At that moment something inside me changed. I made up my mind, I knew what I had to do. I took a few deep breaths as I let the gravity of the situation sink in. I opened my eyes, hardened and determined. I ran off, feet pounding against the concrete ground. I fought the urge to look back, today was a new start, fresh beginning. And to start afresh, I had to leave everyone I loved, the dear and precious memories, my old life behind.