Chapter Three
I cut in before Adrian could finish.
"Christian was killed," I was so used to explaining it to people that it didn't hurt as much as it used to. It used to kill me each time I said it. "He just disappeared… And the guardians just told us that he was killed by something. They had an empty casket service for him since they didn't find the body."
Adrian inhaled; probably remember the period I went through when they were searching for him. It had been worse than the time when I kept finding the dead animals in my room, placed by Natalie, my late Stirgoi cousin. I looked at Rose, and she wasn't taking the news very well.
"C-Christian's dead?" Rose said shakily. I knew how much that they had bonded over the field experience and had worked together to kill the Strigoi that had attacked the Academy. That was a while ago.
"Yes. I just explained that… didn't I?" I said, not understanding her emotions. I wasn't sure if she could still get into my head or feel my emotions. Adrian and I had been working and figured out a way that we could shield each other's minds and feelings, but be able to share them to one another.
Rose glanced at me, trying to gauge my emotions. "I haven't been able to get in your mind… I have been trying to contact you." She glanced down at her hands.
"If you wanted to get a hold of me, Rose. You could have called sooner than you did. Was it really that hard for you to pick up a phone and call me?"
Rose opened her mouth as if she was about to speak, but then she closed it. She took a deep breath and walked off. I watched her walk away again, but this time I didn't care. I turned and walked back and sat on the edge of my bed. Adrian moved so he was sitting down next to me. Eddie remained leaning against the wall by the door.
"Guys… Could you excuse me, please? I have a huge exam tomorrow and need some sleep," I asked quietly. I looked up and saw Eddie nod. Tatiana had found a way to get Eddie's room right next to mine, and for that sometimes I was grateful. I glanced over at Adrian. He looked worried. He took my hands carefully in his. He placed his forehead against mine.
"Liss… Something is bothering you… Please talk to me… Remember you're the happy one… Smile for me?" Adrian said quietly, trying to lighten the moment. I closed my eyes, and he kissed my eyelids softly.
"Adrian… I'll talk to you tomorrow during free period, okay? I really need some sleep."
Adrian moved away. He got off the bed and walked out of my room. I slid off the bed and shut my door. I looked through my dresser and pulled out a pair of shorts and a tank. I went into the bathroom and changed quickly. I put my long, pale blonde hair back in a ponytail. I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I wasn't the same girl that Rose knew before. I was the last Dragomir princess. And I was dating an Ivashkov. It was what everyone wanted, and I was happy.
I squatted down and opened the cupboard under the sink. I pulled out a wooden box and opened it. I had kept it there to remind myself of what I used to do. Adrian seemed to keep away the darker side effects of using spirit, but I didn't always have it under control. I used to cut slits, further up on my arms away from any vital arteries. But I always kept Band-Aids and different supplies I needed if I ever decided to go back. I closed my eyes and shut the box. I put it back under the sink and shut the doors.
I turned off the bathroom light, walked out, and shut the door. I walked over to her bed and slumped down onto it. I closed my eyes, but as soon as I had, my phone started vibrating on my bedside table. Groaning, I picked the phone up and opened it. It was a text from Adrian. I smiled. This is another reason why I loved him. He seemed to find the weirdest times to surprise me, and I was always generally surprised.
"Surprised?" I read it, laughing. I hit reply.
"Of course I am. I am beginning to wonder how you do this… Is there a camera in my room or something," I finished the text with a smiley face and then hit send.
"Are you alright? I kind had one of those feelings like you were going to… You know… Please tell me that you didn't…" Adrian replied. I could now just imagine his worried face, but I could also see the adoration in his eyes. But I saw behind the adoration at the pain that would be shining in his eyes. If I ever hurt myself, I know Adrian would think it was because of something he did.
"I'm okay… Well I'm off to bed. See you tomorrow." I sent to him and quickly held down the END button, turning off my phone. I tossed it on my desk, trying not to make too much noise. I had tossed it a little too hard because it crashed into the books on my desk. I pulled the covers free from the sides of the bed where I crammed them, in an attempt to make my bed before hurrying off to class. I snuggled under the covers, fluffed my pillows, lay on my back, and looked at the ceiling, attempting to get some sleep.
After thinking through all the possibilities of me falling asleep, I fell into a beautiful dream.
"Vasilisa…"
