RPOV

"Hmmm... Heheheheheh..."

"Oooooo mmmmyyyyy!"

"The floor is swiiiiiivvvvveeeellllliiiiinnnnggggg and swingggggggiiiiiinnnngggg!"

"Or is it me swinging?"

"Am I swinging?"

"Heheheheheh!"

"I guess, nooooottttt meeeee!"

"Where areeeeee the ooottthhhers?"

"Wyheeeee issss ittttt soo quiiiiiet?"

"My shoes are sooooo comfy."

"I loooooove my shoes."

"I looooove ... ?"

"I looooove... Lissa."

"They are black, as is it dark."

"Lissa is white, as is an angel."

"Lissa is a kind mangel!"

"Mangel... What is a Maaaaannnnngggggel? Lissa,... a moroi... and an... aaaaangel,... a mangel."

"Yeeeeeeeeeaaaah!"

"I am a geeeenius!"

"a geeeeeenie!"

"No!!... ussss!"

"Aha... geeennniiiiussssssss."

"Heheheheheh!"

DPOV

'iiiiussssssss... Heheheheheh...' Said a low singsong voice.

'Who could be up this late?' I wondered, heading towards the voice.

On turning into a passage leading to the third floor, I noticed a small figure making its way down the stairwell.

"May I know what are you doing out of your dorm so late after curfew? "I asked out loud, strictly .

The person didn't reply.

Moving up the stairs, I realized that it was none other than Rose, in the poor disguise of a boy.

" Rose what are you doing out of your room, so late at night? "I enquired in a hushed tone.

" Shhhhhhhh... Shhhhh! "She replied, with a crooked, scrunched face, probably trying to express her annoyance.

It was then I noticed that she was drunk.

She could not be caught like this, otherwise headmistress Kirova, would have a cause to trouble and expell her from the academy.

"Rose, what are you up to, and why are you drunk? " I repeated .

" Can't... yo... you see that, I am trying to ge... ge... get down to juggling stairs? " She said, stepping on the first stair, heading down, tightly holding on to the bannister for support, for she was slightly swaying .

She tried to take the next step and missed, she was about to fall down, when I caught her, by her jacket, and pulled her towards me, as a result of which she easily fell into my embrace.

"Awwwwwww!... I so so love it! "She said sighed pleasantly, sniffing and smiling .

" What is it Roza?You are too incoherent to speak to, let's head to your dorm. " I said to her, tugging her with me, trying hard to hide, how flustered I felt with her this close to me.

" Your aftershave, eeee... It.. smells freshening and good,... I like it. "She replied with a goofy smile.

I failed to hold back my smile, at the confirmation of my doubts, my Roza indeed, did like the smell of my aftershave.

Having had the sniff of my aftershave, Rose, pushed herself away from me, and continued down the stairs, ignoring my help. Making to the second floor, tripping and slipping she continued to walk towards the hall.

I was walking a step behind her, and when I saw a shadow moving in the hall ahead , I put my hand across Roza's mouth an pulled her back, Rose attempted to break free from my hold but could not.

"Rose please be quiet, if you are caught now, you will end up losing your opportunity to guard Lissa. "I requested, warning her. Mentioning Lissa, I gained her attention and she stopped fighting back.

When I heard the footsteps approaching closer, I urged Rose to hide in the broom closet, she did but was having trouble closing the door, I moved to help her, and just on time, a voice said,"Who's there? "

The figure peeped into the passage to see me standing near the broom closet.

" It's me Guardian Smith "I replied, acting nonchalant.

" You were supposed to guard the dorms, weren't you Guardian Belicov? "He inquired.

" Yes, I was, but my shift ended five minutes ago and I was about to retire for the night after a complete sweep of the floor. "I replied sincerely, hoping that he would believe me.

" Sure thing, see you in the morning Belicov. " He replied leaving, to continue patrolling.

I watched him leave and when he left the hall, I went to the closet and knocked at the door.

" Roza, you can come out now. "I said,recieving no reply.

" Rose! "I knocked again, speaking in a hushed tone.

Receiving silence for a reply, I opened the door, only to find an unconscious Rose, leaning against the wall, with the racks supporting her upright posture.

" Rose! "

" Rose, please wake up "

" Rose! "

I spoke keeping my voice low, but Rose didn't stir. Panicking momentarily, then calming myself, I picked her up and carefully headed towards the washrooms, it was unlikely that someone would be there now.

As guessed, the washroom was empty, plopping Rose on the bench, I bought some water, from the nearby tap, sprinkling some of it on her face.

After a few seconds, her eyes opened, peering into mine.Something like a wave swept over me, her eyes were enough to affect me, her groan breaking me out of my reverie.

"Why is it raining? "Rose asked.

She was still high.

" It is not. It was me Rose. "I replied.

" Let's go back to your dorm. "I suggested.

" Hmmm. "She replied, failing at her attempt at standing up . Helping her get up, I trailed behind her, in order to provide required assistance .

After some time, I pulled her back, and asked," Rose what are you doing? "

" Returning to my dorm. "She replied simply.

" Roza we cannot be caught now, if you take this direct route, you will have to cross the matron's desk and she will definitely report you to Headmistress Kirova... "I reasoned.

She stared at me blankly.

Sighing I ordered ," Follow me. "

I could not believe myself, here I was again, showing Roza, one of the secret passages to her dorm, despite having decided against it, since I had made the same mistake twice earlier.

All my resolves were forgotten when Roza was concerned.

'Does that make me whipped? 'I smiled, thinking.

The passage opened three doors away from Roza' s room, I lead her to it and decided to leave her there, but could not.

Opening the door, I let both of us in.

"Sit down on the bed. "I instructed .

But Rose being Rose, plopped down on the bed, and her breathing calmed. She looked so peaceful and beautiful while asleep, but I was having none of it, if she did not take the medicine, she would suffer from a bad headache, tomorrow .

But shaking, did nothing to wake her,and I decided to take the lead.

I removed her wig, opened her shoes and the socks , removed the bag from her shoulders, eased her out of her jacket, placing it on her chair.

I was already conflicted about my emotions, when the night of the luster charm started replaying in my mind, and a sense of deja vu occurred.

I picked her up and placed her properly on her bed, covering her with the sheets.

So much had been done, but not once had Roza been distured.

I looked around her room, but could not find it, thus I went to bring a few tablets from my room, and on returning, I found Rose wide awake, sitting on her bed.

"Rose how are you feeling? "I asked.

" Heheheheheh! You are back! "She giggled.

I had never seen her giggle like this before, but I liked the sound of it.

It let me to the conclusion that she was not yet completely normal but it appeared that some effects of alcohol had faded away.

" Take this, here. "I said handing her a tablet and a glass of water." It'll help you feel better, in the morning. "

And luckily she oblidged.

" Why did you wake up all of a sudden? "I asked.

" I felt you leave, by the time I woke up, you were gone. "She answered sadly.

" So, you don't want me to leave? "I inquired, dreading her the answer.

" You can, if you want to, I won't stop you. "Was her reply, the look she gave me pleaded me to stay while her words spoke otherwise.

" But what makes you think that I would not like to stay? "The words slipped out of my mouth all on their own.

Pulling her feet towards her, she wrapped her hands around her knees and said," Because, that is what everyone chooses to do,... however much I like them to stay.

Every one goes away, leaving me behind..."

My heart broke at her words, such a lively person on the outside, my Roza was hurting so very much on the inside, her mask of bravery and her carefree attitude hid this vulnerable side of her too well.

"Thus I don't expect anyone to wait for me any more " She continued with a sad smile gracing her features as a tear made its way out of her eye.

" Rose please don't. You are not alone, everyone loves you, Mason, Vasilissa, Eddie, Alberta, we all love you, you are valuable to us, your well-being matters to us. "I tried to assure her, sitting down beside her on the bed.

" What about you? "She asked.

" You very well know it Rose. "I said.

" No I don't, show me. "She said.

I couldn't bear her hurting so much, if that's what it took, I would show that I cared for her.

" Comrade... "She said but my lips stopped her.

Warm, soft, succulent, she tasted like strawberries and a tinge of alcohol was evident, despite which she was as intoxicating as ever, her lips molded against mine and I was about to lose control, but all too soon I pulled away and settled a kiss on her forehead.

I sighed.

"God, Rose! "

" I know there is only one. "She said.

And I swear I heard her continue saying, 'he's a Russian. '

" Huh!? "I asked, but she only giggled in response.

Truly, even when drunk, Roza was a delight to be around.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

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