They were in a funny no man's land. They still weren't sitting together or being publically affectionate, but the looks Rose and Dimitri were giving one another were becoming more and more tender as the week progressed. Lissa and Christian had both noticed the change in their best friends. For instance, Dimitri was much more talkative and happy. Even though the Coach had the guys from the team in the gym every day getting ready for Friday's basketball finals, Dimitri was in a great mood.

"Rose?" he asked on Wednesday afternoon in physics. "Coach Schoenberg wants the team to practice on Thursday after school. I know we have our project session then, but I was wondering if you'd mind postponing it? We could do two sessions the week after to stay on track if you wanted?"

It was completely unnecessary; each had wanted to prove to the other they were putting in a hundred percent to the project, the result being they were weeks ahead of schedule. Rose smiled at Dimitri. She'd suspected he was going to need to put in extra basketball practice this week, so was unsurprised by his request.

"It's fine. You can make it up to me on the weekend. You are still planning on taking me out, aren't you?"

Dimitri's heart pounded. "Of course I am," he said with a soft but very sexy smile.

Christian had told him about his conversation with Rose at Saturday's game – that she was going to give him a chance to explain what had happened while she away. All week he'd hoped she'd raise the topic, but he now appreciated she was waiting for the weekend to speak with him. After their kiss on Saturday, he was quietly confident that she was going to take him back, but he had to keep reminding himself nothing was guaranteed.

Now she had Thursday afternoon free, an idea occurred to Rose. That's how she and Lissa found themselves at the shops on Thursday after school, looking for outfits to wear to Lissa's party the following night.

"I'm looking for something sexy," Rose said. "I want Dimitri to be unable to keep his hands off me!" Lissa giggled. She thought Rose could pretty much wear anything and Dimitri would be in that situation. Anyone could see how much he'd missed her. "I was thinking maybe a dress or skirt and top? I always wear jeans, but he likes my legs."

Steering her best friend towards a rack of skirts, Lissa pulled out ten contenders, quickly pointing her in the direction of the change rooms. She'd tried on five when she found the one. It was black and plain, with overlapping panels at the front, but something about the way it hung emphasized her toned ass and made it look like her legs went on forever.

"Team it with some strappy black heels, and you're going to look amazing!" Lissa gasped, tempted to try it on in a different color herself.

"I don't know. It's pretty short… I can't see Tata letting me out in it, and I'll freeze at the game."

"Don't wear it to the match! I'll take it home with me today. After the game, we'll head home straight away and get changed. Eddie, Dimitri, Mason and the others can shower and change and follow afterward. You're staying at my place anyway."

"Good idea! I can wear those super high black heels I wore to prom last year. They'll look perfect with this!"

"Yep. And a blouse. But not tight – that might look a bit low-rent? Stay here – I'll go find something."

Rose was lucky to have a best friend who loved to shop and had a natural eye for fashion. Lissa was back in a minute with three shirts to try on, the second of which was perfect. Sheer, and ever so slightly transparent, it was pretty and feminine.

"Wear that with a lacy black bra and Dimitri will be eating out of your hand," Lissa laughed.

Checking the combination in the mirror, Rose decided Lissa was right. Buying the skirt and top Rose resigned herself to another two hours of shopping while Lissa bought three outfits. But she could afford to; her allowance was about four times bigger than Rose's!

Returning home, Rose did her homework then spent the rest of the evening in the bathroom. Since she'd be wearing a skirt, she wanted her legs silky smooth, so she took a bath in some moisturizing bath liquid she'd got for Christmas and then shaved her legs. After her bath, she did her nails before applying a liberal coat of moisturizer all over. Dimitri had once marveled at her soft, silky skin, so she'd made a point of moisturizing all over at least once a week ever since.

It was only 9.30 pm when she climbed into bed. Early, for her, but she'd already packed her school bag and everything she'd need for Lissa's; she just wanted for it to be tomorrow already! She was so nervous about the game. Even if he didn't get a sporting scholarship, being Captain of the District champions would help portray Dimitri as a well-rounded candidate for the academic scholarships. It was easy to forget just how much harder Dimitri needed to work to get the same opportunities the rest of them had, but it just made her respect him all the more.

Her eyes closed, Rose finally drifted off to sleep, praying for the Guardians to win tomorrow night, and then imagining the private celebration she might have with Dimitri when they did!

Scarfing down her food at breakfast, Janine looked at her only daughter in amusement.

"Keen to get to school are you, wee one?"

"Mom? How long are you going to call me that? I'll taller than you are, now, and I'll be starting college in six months!"

Not that it would be hard to be taller than Janine. She was all of five foot nothing. Rose had been taller than her since middle school!

"You'll always be my wee one, even when you're a mother yourself," Janine said with a fond smile. Rose smiled. She didn't mind the name – but only because her mother didn't use it in front of anyone.

"So what's the plan for today?" Janine asked.

"First school. I'm taking my pajamas and stuff to give to Lissa to take home with her after classes. I'll come back here this afternoon and get ready and then head back to the school. Then Lissa and I will catch an Uber to her place after the match."

"What time does the game start?"

"Early. 7 pm."

"Your father and I are going to dinner over that way tonight. We can drop you on the way," Janine suggested. "Dimitri is coming over to work on your project again on Saturday, isn't he? Would he like him to come to lunch again?"

"I'm not sure, Mom. I'll ask him and let you know."

"See how you feel Saturday morning. I thought I'd do Italian sandwiches, so it's no bother to do extra if he'd like to come."

At school, Rose was standing at her locker when she felt Dimitri's presence.

"Hey," she said softly, turning to look at him. "Nervous?"

"A bit," he admitted. "You're going to be there, right?"

"Wouldn't miss it," Rose said sweetly. "And you're coming to Lissa's party?"

"Wouldn't miss it," he said, repeating Rose's words back to her. "I was hoping we could maybe talk tonight?"

Rose nodded. "Sure thing, Comrade."

They stood looking at each other, each wanting to say more, but appreciating it wasn't the time.

"Until tonight then," he said, reaching out and lifting an errant lock of hair with his finger before tucking it behind her ear. She leaned into his hand and rubbed her face against his fingers for a second before he smiled and took his leave.

Even though the day seemed to drag on forever, eventually the final bell rang, and Rose was on her way home. She was dressed and waiting to go an hour before her parents were ready to leave. Finally, they were in her father's truck, and she was on her way to the game.

Lissa, Christian, Mia, Camille and her sister Angelique were already there waiting for Rose to arrive.

"About time! I was worried you weren't going to show up!" Lissa grumbled, shifting over to make room for Rose. "They're going to be starting soon!"

The gymnasium was absolutely packed. Any match between the Vampires and the Guardians was going to be a grudge match, but being the district finals, everyone wanted a look in.

The PA kicked in, and the two teams were introduced. Each team filed out of their change rooms, lining up and shaking hands with each other. There was a break for a few minutes while each team went over to their 'bench' that actually consisted of a row of chairs placed in front of the first row of bleachers. The Vampires on one side of the court, the Guardians on the other. Thanks to Christian getting there super early, their squad were seated right behind the Guardian's 'bench,' so Rose was able to catch Dimitri's eye as he came across.

Eddie was the first to step forward and claim his good luck kiss from Mia. Dimitri raised a questioning eyebrow to Rose, smiling at her small nod. Stepping forward confidently to where she stood, he lifted her up – bringing her lips to his level before kissing her firmly.

"Good luck, Comrade," she mumbled, pulling back slightly. He set her back on her feet, but she leaned up and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him back for a second kiss. She let him go with a scorching look that promised win, lose or draw, that wouldn't be the only kiss he'd be getting tonight!

She'd just sat down when she could feel someone staring at her. Straight ahead, behind the Vampire's bench, Tasha sat giving her a filthy look. Obviously, someone didn't like the idea of she and Dimitri being close again! Rose pointedly ignored her, looking away to speak with Lissa. She wasn't going to let that thot ruin her evening.

The game started, and it was furious. With the fouls, free throws and timeouts, the first quarter seemed to go for about half a millennia. The second quarter was no better, but at half time the teams were neck and neck. Rose could see the tension pouring off Dimitri as he listened to the Coach's halftime instructions. It was still anyone's game.

Just before he took the court for the second half, Dimitri looked across to Rose. His heart soared when he noticed his Roza watching him intently. She gave him a grin, and just like that his resolve and fight was back! He was determined to win this game for her!

The Vampires were leading at three-quarter time, much to the excitement of Lincoln High fans. It was only a couple of points, but it grated on Dimitri. He wanted to school those fuckers big time. Barking instructions to the team, Rose recognized the determined set of her man's jaw. Dimitri was going to win this or die trying!

The minutes were ticking down, and St Vlad's managed to even up the score. The Vampires were trying every dirty trick, but so were the Guardians. They were still tied when the whistle blew, so they went into overtime. Rose was sitting on the edge of her seat when Dimitri got the ball. From his position on the Court, he had about a seventy percent chance of sinking it and winning the game. But Eddie was wide open and better positioned to make the shot, so Dimitri passed, and Eddie dunked the winning shot with seconds to spare.

The Guardians, and the St Vladimir supporters went berserk. Not only was it a win, but it was a win against Lincoln High! Mia raced on to the Court, launching herself at Eddie. The man of the hour, Eddie was swinging her around victoriously. Lining the team up to do handshakes, Dimitri did all the obligatory end of match things, the whole time itching to claim a kiss from his Roza.

Waiting dutifully on the side, Rose was grinning from ear to ear.

"Congratulations, Comrade. Are you ready to come party at Lissa's?" she asked, looking at his hot sweaty body with undisguised desire when he made it across to her.

"I'm going to take a shower and talk with Coach, and then the guys and I will be there," he promised, leaning forward and brushing his lips across hers. Giving each other indulgent smiles they parted, Rose heading for an Uber with Lissa and Christian.

"Um, Rose? Christian's going to stay tonight, so I've put all your stuff in the spare room just down from my room," Lissa said with a blush. Rose nodded. She'd figured Christian would be staying and that's what Lissa would do.

Arriving at the house, Lissa let them in and Rose quickly got to work getting dressed. Lissa popped in to help her with her hair and makeup while Christian let the first guests in downstairs. Lissa had intended to keep it smallish; the basketball team and maybe twenty-five other friends from St. Vlad's, however, that was blown out of the water when Andre rocked up with a couple of carloads of mates – including Jesse Zeklos!

"Jesse's here?" Rose moaned when Lissa told her. "I haven't told Dimitri we double dated… He'll be furious!"

"It will be fine," Lissa promised, although she was feeling a little dubious. Jesse was such an ass! Still, hopefully Andre would keep him in check. "Let's finish your hair and get down there. Dimitri and the guys will be here any minute."

As if her words made them appear, the Guardians arrived. Rose knew it was them because downstairs cheers erupted. Taking a deep breath, she flicked her long dark hair back over her shoulder and started her descent down the stairs.

Shit! Shit shit shit! There, at the foot of the stairs, talking to Dimitri, was Jesse! They both looked up as she came downstairs; Jesse looking at her the way a dog looks at a bone. Dimitri gazing at her with love, hope and yeah – a fair bit of lust, too!

"God she's even more beautiful than I remember," Jesse hissed, his eyes running up and down Rose's body, mentally calculating how long it would take him to get her back upstairs and out of that outfit.

"You know Rose?" Dimitri asked in surprise.

"Yeah. We're dating," Jesse said smugly. "And we're both sleeping over here tonight if you know what I mean?!" he boasted, an unambiguously sexual connotation to his voice.

Dimitri's heart stopped in his chest. A lie. It had all been a lie! The kisses, the tender looks, the promise that maybe, just maybe, she'd forgive him? All a horrible lie, and here was the proof. Some college guy she was dating, and maybe more if his words were to be believed.

He'd thought it was all going too well. That she'd forgiven him too readily! His heart had wanted to believe it was because they were meant to be together, but now he knew she'd being playing with him. Taunting him for what he'd done. Instead of bringing him here tonight to reconcile with him, she'd planned to humiliate him. Punish him again for his stupidity at Christmas.

Dimitri looked at the guy beside him with revulsion. A guy like that didn't deserve Rose. But apparently, that's who she'd chosen. Dimitri gave Rose a final longing look before mumbling to the jerk beside him, "Well good luck with that," before turning and walking out the front door, trying to get as far away from Rose and the party as possible.

Rose saw Jesse's lips moving and Dimitri's face contorting. Whatever that ass was saying, it was shattering her love's heart. She was trying to get down the stairs as quickly as possible, cursing the four-inch heels that were slowing her down. She would have kicked them off and run after Dimitri had they not been strapped on. As it was, she made it down the stairs as fast as she could, trying to follow Dimitri out the front door.

"Well hello, gorgeous!" Jesse said, leaning in to give her a kiss. Even from half a foot away Rose could smell the acrid scent of bourbon, and quite a lot of it.

"Piss off, Jesse," she said, shoving him away from her.

"Oh – someone's feeling feisty?!" Jesse joked, trying to grab her arm.

"I mean it. Fuck off. I'm not interested in you," she growled, wrenching her arm from him and walking out the still open front door.

It was dark out, but the long driveway was well lit, and she couldn't see Dimitri anywhere. If he'd headed for the road she should have been able to see him, so on a hunch, she headed around the house to see if he'd headed for the privacy of the backyard.

She'd made it as far as the area surrounding the pool when strong arms grabbed her. Spinning awkwardly in her heels she tripped; half falling, half pushed onto a sun lounge. Looking up in alarm, in the darkness, she could just make out Jesse Zeklos' face morphed into a mask of anger and fury.

"You're a tease, you know that?" he snarled, forcing Rose further onto the sun lounge, and pushing himself on top of her. "You don't dress like that if you don't want a man's attention. You knew I was coming tonight. You know why I'm here. What I want," he growled, before forcing his lips against hers.

Rose was panicking. While he was no Dimitri, Jesse was still a lot stronger than her – and he was a lot drunker than she'd realized. He was furious, and there'd be no way she could fight him off or run in these stupid heels. She opened her mouth to try and talk her way out of it when he ripped her blouse, roughly digging around trying to expose her breasts.

"See? This is what you want, too! This is what all girls like you want," he continued.

"Get off me!" she shouted. "I don't want this, and no other girl does either!"

Rose felt Jesse try to run a hand up her leg, reaching up under her skirt. Freaky fucking pervert! No one touched her unless she wanted to be touched! Remembering the self-defense classes she'd taken at St Vlad's, she freed a hand, raking it down Jesse's face aiming for the eyes. He roared in pain and anger, trying to force her back onto the sun lounge, but Rose was having none of it. Pushing him off her, she followed up with a punch to his jaw.

"Get your fucking hands off me!" she bellowed.