Rose's P.O.V
I woke up the next day, feeling refreshed. I looked out my window, and the moon was shining, typical Moroi day. I was in a good mood. I got dressed into a red camisole, and denim shorts.
I slipped on my sneakers, and walked out the door.
I arrived at the gym a moment later. I walked in the locker room, and changed into gym clothes, then walked out. I saw Dimitri standing on a mat, with his arms crossed, and had an unreadable expression on his face.
I stepped on the mat across from him. "So what are we going to—" I started, but he didn't give me a chance to finish because he started to attack me.
I just barely dodged his blow. Apparently this was what we were doing today. His arm shot out again, and I took the blow hard. I landed on my stomach on the mat.
I groaned a little bit, but I quickly rose, and tried to knock his legs from underneath him, but he was fast.
He landed another blow on me, and this time, I ended up on my back, glaring at him. My good mood instantly vanished.
I stood up shakily, and I stumbled over my feet, and I would have fallen to the ground if he hadn't shot out his arms to catch me.
I was breathing heavily, and I glanced up at him, and I saw the shock in his eyes. The shock melted into some emotion I couldn't exactly decipher.
I felt my face heat up like it was on fire, and I stepped out of his embrace.
I cleared my throat, and said, "I, um, should get going. Training's probably over by now…" I averted my gaze to the clock on the wall. I was right. Training was over.
"Bye," I waved goodbye and started to leave the room, but I felt Dimitri's hand on my arm. I swallowed hard.
"Rose, wait,"
"What?" I asked, confused. His hand on my arm sent electricity through me. He dropped his hand to his side.
"I'm sorry," He said sincerely. I pivoted so I could see his face.
"What're you sorry for? It's not your fault I stumbled! It's not your fault I'm in love with you! But still! It's not your fault that you're twenty-four! It's not your fault I'm feeling this way! It's not your freaking fault for anything! So, explain to me why you're so sorry. Because I don't get it."
He sighed. "I'm sorry we can't be together." He then left abruptly, walking away, leaving me confused yet again. But the confusion soon melted into understanding.
He loved me. He was sorry that we couldn't be together.
What I didn't understand was why he loved me. I felt my face blush. I walked out of the gym and ran to Lissa's dorm. I sensed through the bond that she was in her room.
When I arrived at her room, I knocked on her door, and when she answered, she didn't look surprised to see me. She smiled and ushered me in.
"I suppose you have a reason for coming here, other than just to hang out?" She asked. I nodded.
"I…I think Dimitri…loves me. He said, I'm sorry we can't be together, those were his exact words. I think the meaning behind that is that he…he cares about me. I can't believe it. But obviously, we can't be together." I sighed, and sat on the edge of Lissa's bed.
"Why not? I mean, aside from the age difference." She said.
"Well, we're both going to be your guardians someday. That's a big reason." I said. She suddenly felt immensely guilty. I stood up, and wrapped my arm around her shoulders.
"Liss, it's not your fault. I'm willing to give up being with him to protect you. Besides, you're my best friend. And they come first, remember?" I smiled reassuringly.
She nodded. "Yeah, I guess. But I feel so bad…"
"Don't. It's okay. I'm glad I'm going to be your guardian someday." I said.
"Me too," She smiled.
"Well, I gotta go. Bye, Liss." I said.
"Bye, Rose."
I left her room shortly thereafter. I headed to the cafeteria. But before I entered, I felt Lissa's emotions slam through me. Her emotions were upset, depressed, and they were so strong, I was sucked into her head before I could stop it.
Lissa was crying, and she reread a letter she held in her hand.
It said, Lissa, I'm sorry, but I can't be with you anymore. I'm sorry, I will always love you. I'm so sorry. Please don't take it personally. It just isn't working out, considering our fight yesterday. (Fight?) I will always love you, Lissa. I am so sorry.
But you're never going to be happy with me. I'm just going to drag you down, since you're the last Dragomir, and I'm the crazy Ozera.
I will never forget you.
Sincerely yours, Christian.
Lissa cried even harder, and she grabbed her pocket knife and started to cut herself…like she used to do. But she never went so far to commit suicide.
When she was done, she bandaged her wounds, and took off her shirt and put on a long sleeved one, to hide her bandages. Then spirit's darkness started to take over her. I took it out of her immediately, every last inch of darkness.
I didn't want to see spirit's darkness take over her. I hated that. I hated seeing her so upset, thanks to Christian.
I didn't blame her for being upset. But Christian wouldn't leave her without a reason.
I was back in my own body now, and I saw Dimitri staring at me with concern. I flinched, startled.
"Is Lissa okay?" He asked.
I thought about whether I should tell him about the cutting…
"Yeah, she's fine." I lied.
"Good. Well, see you tomorrow, for training."
"See you."
He walked away, and my heart filled with longing. But I shook it off—as best as I could—and focused on Lissa again. She was fine, aside from the cuts she'd given herself, and she thought, well, at least I have Rose…
And I knew she'd be truly alone if I weren't around. Now that Christian was gone—Well, I don't think he truly left the Academy, just left Lissa herself, but I wasn't sure—Lissa only had me.
It wasn't right for her to be alone, it wasn't right for Christian to leave her, leave her emotionally broken. But I knew as long as I was around, she was safe.
And that's all that mattered.
Moroi came first, after all. So Lissa should be first in my heart and her needs should come before my own.
But as much as I tried to shake off the longing inside of me, I just couldn't. It was no use.
I couldn't help but feel love for Dimitri. I had to face the truth. I had to.
Dimitri was just out of my league…and there was no way on earth that I could be with him, as much as I wanted to.
And as much as I hated to admit it, as much as I hated to even think it…Dimitri was only my mentor. He was a guardian with standards to uphold. He was a man that I could never be with, despite what I might be feeling.
The truth was, I loved him.
And there was no getting around it.
Lissa's P.O.V
I wished he was here.
Christian left me for the most stupidest, irrelevant reason. He claimed that he was dragging me around—his exact words, by the way—and I missed him.
I missed him so much it hurt both physically and emotionally.
I felt like an arm or leg was amputated. I couldn't believe he left me.
I loved Christian, still, and if I could just find him, I could talk it over with him.
Maybe he'd let me if I tried.
Then again, I couldn't find him. I'd tried earlier. But I hadn't searched the whole campus either…
I prayed silently that he was safe.
That was all I could ask for.
Dimitri's P.O.V
As I focused on my shift, an image suddenly popped into my head—an image of Rose.
I blinked several times, trying to focus on my shift around campus, but it was no use.
I couldn't stop thinking of her. I couldn't be around her without certain thoughts popping into my head.
I just couldn't help feeling this way.
She was amazing, though I had yet to see her in battle. The time would come eventually. She was beautiful, she was gorgeous.
She was fierce and protective of those she cared about. And that's why I loved her. That's why I felt this way.
But she was out of my league. I had to move on with my life and try to forget her.
But the truth was, I couldn't forget her. Even if I tried to, I still couldn't.
Unbeknownst to her, she was the greatest challenge I had ever faced.
A/N
I hope you all liked it! :) Please review and tell me what you think! Thank you! =)
~vampireangelxx~
