Next chapter! I had a couple of other reviews that made me happy. Keep them coming. I like to here your opinions. Special thanks again to the band Paramore which I was listening to while posting this chapter and typing it. Also thanks to all the people that have posted reviews. They keep me motivated. Knowing there are people that like my work helps me write. You guys push me so hard. Well, enjoy the chapter!

When I woke up, I was back safely at St Vladimir's Academy. I was still wearing the clothes I had been for almost a week and I desperate need of a steaming hot shower. I had slept dreamless which I definitely didn't mind since I needed a night of pure sleep.

I sat up slowly and let my legs hand lazily over the edge of the bed, running the palms of my hands over my eyes, I felt like crap. I had a huge headache, I was hungry, I smelled really bad, and, to top it all off, I had a stomachache. I groaned. This was no good, but it was a hell of a lot better than being held captive by Strigoi, I had to admit. I didn't even want to think about that now. There was no need to. We were safe.

I glanced out the tinted window instead of my digital alarm clock because it had been reset and wasn't set to the right time. It was nearing sunset which meant my practice sessions with Dimitri would start in about an hour.

In that instant, I was utterly confused. What day was it? Was there school today? Was winter break even over? I frowned. I had no idea, and I didn't even know how long I had been sleeping.

I slid off of the bed and pulled a pair of sweat pants and a black tank top out of my closet. Before making my way to the bathroom for my shower, I looked into my full length mirror and my jaw dropped.

My hair was a greasy, tangled mess around my face and down my back. My face looked oily, and my clothes were torn in some places. I grimaced for I looked like a train wreck.

I averted my gaze from the mirror, not wanting to see my reflection for another second, and looked to the window again. Man, the sun would feel nice right now, I thought.

I clutched the fresh clothes to my chest and made my way to the showers.

***

The scalding water of my shower removed the tension from my muscles, and I noticed that afterwards, I felt much better.

My headache was bearable, and I now smelled fresh and clean—thank God because I felt like I was going to throw up if I smelled like that for much longer. I now felt semi-ready to take on the day.

I quickly towel-dried my hair after throwing on the clothes I had picked out and hurried back to my dorm room for an attempt to make my hair look somewhat decent. Before going in, I asked the matron what the date and time was and learned that winter break was indeed over and that classes were back in session. It was also fifteen minutes before my practice with Dimitri, and I was going to be late if I didn't rush.

I hurriedly went to my room and yanked a brush through my hair, not even bothering to look in the mirror. I pulled on a pair of worn sneakers, tied the laces, and practically ran out of the dorm building. Once outside, I did run, and after turning a corner to get to the gym, I ran into something.

I took me less than a second to realize that something was actually a someone, and it was Mason.

"Hey, watch it," Mason exclaimed looking angry until he saw it was me. "Oh, hey Rose," he greeted me with a sad smile. Tears were building in my eyes, but I blinked them back, hoping he didn't notice. "What's up?"

"Oh, Mase," I whispered and embraced him. His body went rigid, but he soon relaxed returning the hug warmly. "How are you?" I asked softly.

He pulled back to look at me, and only then did I realize the tears streaming down my cheeks. Crap. What was up with all of the crying?

He wiped the moisture away with calloused fingers. "I'm fine," he replied in a soothing tone. I gave him a small, forced smile. "We're all fine," he added, practically reading my mind. I had been wondering about the others.

Fresh tears escaped my eyes, and I wiped them away quickly yet gently. I looked away from him. "Look," I said in a rush, "I've got to meet Dimitri. I'll see you later."

I was running for the gym before he could even respond.

Thank you for reading! Please review and tell me what you think. Also give me ideas because I have yet to know where this story is going and how it will end. Ha ha. Sorry for the shortness of this chapter by the way. I didn't realize how short I actually made it.