AN: Thank you all for the wonderful feed back, it's amazing! Never did I think I would get this kind of response, hell, I didn't even think you readers would like my story. Anywhoo, here's the next chapter of My New Life, and just for a warning, Dimitri is OOC in this chapter...much like he will be in future chapters. But everything happens for a reason.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Richelle Mead owns Vampire Academy.

It was seven in the morning. I'm aware that this is not the usual time I awaken in the morning, but I've been working on becoming an early riser. It's easier said than done believe me, I've already downed four cups of coffee this morning, and I've only been up for two hours. I figured I'd gradually slide into being a morning person. That thought makes me laugh. me? Rose Hathaway? happy in the morning? No way! The whole 'Good Morning!' saying annoys the hell out of me. The only time a morning is good, is when my fiance is lying in bed with me naked and brings chocolate donuts. Now that's a morning to look forward to.

The crisp, cool air whirled around me and bit at my skin, in a good way. Though the season was spring, the temperature was not. I could feel my eyes watering and my nose burned, I was unable to see myself, but I imagined I looked like Rudolph. I ignored the negative things in this freezing morning air and focused on the good. The birds chirped, the forest trees looked so much greener in the sun, I watched an adorably cute bunny sprint across the wet grass and into the dark depths of the forest. It truly was a beautiful morning.

I'd just finished my seventeenth lap on the tracks when I felt someones presence, it was a familiar one, and I had a pretty good idea who it was. I heard the sound of feet crunching against the gravel and the person quickly caught up beside me. I had to relax and keep my breathing at healthy level, my increased oxygen intake had absolutely nothing to do with exercising.

"Good morning Rose, you're up early." Dimitri said.

"Early bird catches the worm." I shrugged.

"Very true, Rose." he laughed.

"What are you doing out here, Guardian Belikov?" I asked sharply.

"Exercising, what does it appear like?" he replied. Smartass.

"No I mean what are you doing here, besides me. There's an entire empty track, why run next to me?" I panted.

"That would be entirely lonely, for both of us actually, so I'm doing us a favor and jogging with you instead." Dimitri answered smugly.

I peered over at him for the first time, which instantly made my insides turn to goo and my legs felt like jelly. Dimitri had a pair of track pants on and a tight black tang top. He was all sweat and ripply muscles. I watched his strong arms flex with every step he took, sweat dripped down his face and body, making a few strands of hair cling to his forehead. Dimitri's sweat mixed with his natural rich scent made my vision go hazy, I was practically putty in his hands. This man was a God.

"Aren't you cold? It's around thirty degrees out here." I gestured to the outside area around us. In reality, I was trying to distract myself from jumping in his arms and making sweet passionate love to him right on the field. That will teach the students a lesson or two.

"I'm from Siberia remember? We have a super high cold resistance, you said so yourself." He grinned at me, perfect white teeth and all.

I laughed and nodded. We finished the rest of our laps in silence, and once I hit the finish line, I took off towards the water fountain to get a drink. Surprisingly, Dimitri followed me. Gahh, I wish he'd just take the hint and leave me alone, but this is Dimitri we're talking about, he likes to push uncomfortable matters. He leaned against the brick wall and crossed his arms over his chest watching me.

"Did you have a nice birthday, Rose?" he asked.

"Yes I did, thank you." I answered once I was done sipping water. I retrieved the lip gloss out of my jacket pocket and held it up for him to see. "Thank you" I murmured applying some onto my lips.

"You have such beautiful lips." he stated watching me. I gave him a questioning look.

Dimitri cleared his throat and seemed to snap out of his haze. "Let me buy you breakfast."

"Huh? No. That's fine, I'll eat at home." I said.

"Just this one time Rose."

I sighed and nodded.

"Okay, wait here. I'll be right back." he gestured towards a bench in the middle of the commons. I remembered it was the same one I caught him and Tasha sucking face.

"Ugh, definitely no." I shook my head vigorously and eyed the bench as if it carried a disease. Dimitri chuckled taking in my disgusted expression.

"Alright. What about here? Is this fine with you?" he asked, leading me to a small grassy hill with a perfect view of the sun setting. I nodded.

Dimitri fanned his long duster onto the ground and motioned for me to sit down. I plopped down on my butt and lyed down onto his jacket. I closed my eyes and simply indulged in this perfect moment, Dimitri's coat was warm and smelled just like him. I tugged it closer to my body and sighed dreamily.

Dimitri returned a few moments later, carrying two large brown paper bags that smelled delicious.

"Here." he handed me of the bags and sat down directly in front of me. I snatched it up and the contents inside helped to warm my ice cold hands.

"Thanks Comrade." I smiled gratefully.

"You're welcome, Roza."

I didn't bother correcting him, in this moment I didn't care, I actually enjoyed Dimitri calling me by my old nickname.

I quickly opened the bag and dropped all it's belongings onto his leather duster. Dimitri had bought me a sausage muffin, two chocolate donuts, a bag of Fritos, a chocolate bar, and two bottles of orange juice. I smiled. I loved how he remembered such little details about me, such as my favorite breakfast.

"you really believe I'll be able to eat all of this?" I asked.

"I have no doubt that you'll be able to." he confirmed, pulling out his own breakfast: two protein bars, a fruit bowl, and a bottle of water. Oh Lord.

"Do you realize how unhealthy you make me look by eating that?"

Dimitri laughed and shrugged. "I have a desire to be healthy Rose."

"Hey!" I shouted to which he smiled widely.

I really liked this Dimitri. He was so care free and unguarded. The two of us ate in a comfortable silence until I decided to brake it.

"So...How long have you, you know, been dating Tasha?" I asked casually.

Dimitri's lips turned into a tight line. "About three months." he said, voice tight.

"Oh, and how'd that happen?" I asked like it was no big deal.

Dimitri cleared his throat loudly. "Well, um...about a year ago Tasha transferred here to fill the position of fire instructor for the OMP. She was unaware that I worked here, one day I ran into her and we began talking...one thing lead to another, and I suppose we just started dating." he shrugged. I noticed when he spoke of Tasha, it was in monotone, as if he was talking about the weather, there was nothing there, no fond smile...nothing.

I must have imagined it.

"That's nice." I commented. Dimitri's deep brown eyes stared right into mine, I was captivated by his beauty, and unable to look away.

"Rose?" that pronounced German accent rang through my ears, snapping me out of the little trance I was in.

I looked back to Dominic, who was climbing up the hill towards us with a confused expression etched on his face.

"What are you doing out here?" he questioned, eying Dimitri accusingly.

"Uh, nothing. Just catching up here with my old mentor." I said standing up, and brushing the crumbs off my pants.

I wasn't technically cheating on my fiance, but I did share a few 'friendlier than they should have been' moments with Dimitri.

"Let's go." I grabbed Dominic's hand and tugged.

"Goodbye, Dimitri. And thanks again for the food." I nodded. Dominic and Dimitri were having an intense stare down.

I jerked Dominic's hand roughly. "Come on."

Finally, he complied and together we walked down the hill, leaving Dimitri behind.

"Hi Babe." I greeted handing him a cup of hot cocoa with mini marshmallows; his all time favorite.

Dominic smiled a little and took the treat I offered him."Mind if I sit down with you?" I asked hesitantly.

"Of course not, come here meine liebe."

I gently sat down and into his awaiting arms. I felt safe, so at home when I'm wrapped in his embrace. I layed my head on his chest and listened to the sound of his soothing heartbeat. Dominic quickly covered us with the quilt while we swung back and forth on the swing, and watched the star filled sky.

"How are you handling things?" I asked concerned.

Dominic peered down at me for a moment thinking hard, I stroked his cheek with my palm and he leaned into my touch, savoring the moment. Dominic took a deep breath and exhaled. "I'm handling the news as best I possibly can, but it's still hard. You have no idea how bad I want to go to Germany and visit her."

Dominic's father, Abel, had informed us by phone earlier this afternoon that Dominic's mother Michelle had been emitted to the hospital with heart failure. Apparently, she'd been in pretty bad condition when she arrived. Dominic had told me along time ago that his mother liked hospitals about as much as I did, and she'd wait to the last possible minute to go in. She was in stable condition but the doctors still kept her in the intensive care unit. Michelle had a scheduled heart transplant in one week time, and I knew Dominic was extremely worried about his mother. Especially since he's a die hard mama's boy and loves her dearly, he hadn't seen Michelle in years and I knew he was drowning in guilt.

"Let's go." I whispered.

"What?" His eyes snapped open and he looked at me incredulously.

"I said let's go to Germany and visit her. Do you need your ears checked?" I stuck my fore finger in my mouth and then shoved it lightly into Domincs ear twisting it around, shouting "WET WILLY!" I think that brought my maturity level down even further.

"Do you mean it?" he asked with the widest smile.

"Yes."

Dominic jumped off the swing and scooped me up hugging tightly and spinning me around in the air. I giggled and gripped his neck for dear life. Dominic placed me on the floor and leaned his head back.

"I LOVE THIS WOMAN!" he shouted to the sky, which echoed off the academy buildings and made it even louder.

"Dominic shh. People are looking at you." A few students had just scurried by in order to get to their dorms by curfew, they stared at Dominic like he needed to be put into a mental facility.

"I don't give a damn, I love you." he whispered burying his face into my neck and kissing there. I smiled.

"I love you too. When do you want to leave for Germany?" I asked.

"Within the next couple days before her surgery. You're unbelievable Rose, you know that? you blow my mind sometimes." he murmured kissing my bare shoulder blade. I giggled.

"Lets go to our room. Come on." I said running to the sliding glass door.

Dominic stayed where he was standing. "Why? it's beautiful out here tonight, let us enjoy the view Angel."

"Because Lissa's pregnancy hormones are really starting to get to me. Christian and her are at it like rabbits and I have a lot of pent up sexual frustration, that I plan to take out on you in some angry sex. Would you like that?"

Dominic's eyes widened slightly and he quickly scooped me up in his arms and ran up the stairs as fast he could, I laughed and giggled at his speed and eagerness. Needless to say, I got rid of allot of that frustration and slept like a baby, I don't even think a tornado could have wakened me.