A/N: Well, I didn't get to 80 reviews, but since I love you guys, I'm posting this. You guys won't be so lucky next time, because when I tell you guys I want a certain amount of reviews, I will not update until I get them. Let this be a warning.

I really hope that you guys like this chapter, it took me FOREVER to finish. I wanted it to be positively perfect :)

Disclaimer: Les personnages et les livres de VA n'appartiennent pas a moi. Ils appartient a Richelle Mead.

The characters and books of VA do not belong to me. They belong to Richelle Mead.

Yeah, that's right. I made my disclaimer bilingual.

-Sarah

CHAPTER TEN

Two months later: GRADUATION!

The day I've been waiting for my whole life is finally here. The day I graduate and become Lissa's guardian!

It seems like the past two months have flown by . . .

Abe and I have grown very close, and if possible, Dimitri and I are even more in love than before.

One thing I'm not so happy about, is the fact that we still haven't found out how the bitemarks made it out of my dream. We try to research every day, but we come up with nothing. It's frustrating!

I guess now isn't the time to be thinking about it. I am currently being held hostage be Lissa who, I quote, is gonna "pretty me up for graduation. Not that you aren't beautiful already." so I'm stuck in a chair in her room as she curls my hair into perfect ringlets, does my makeup, my nails, and gets me into the dress that we bought on a recent shopping trip.

"Liss, is this really necessary?" I whined.

"Yes," she began, "it is. Don't you want to look absolutely gorgeous when you go up on stage and graduate top of your class?" yeah, forgot to mention that one. I easily flew through the trials, coming out as top of my class. My parents and Dimitri were overjoyed, and Dimitri gave me a 'special present' if you catch my drift.

"Yeah yeah whatever." I muttered.

"Lighten up, Rose! Today we graduate and you become my sanctioned guardian, and then you're off to Baia for two weeks!" okay, I was really excited. I just didn't like all the special attention. A few months ago, sure. But not now. Things like this are trivial, they don't really matter.

"Fine. You want me to lighten up?" I asked rhetorically. "Well, okay." then I switched to a bubbly voice. "Like, ohmigosh Lissa I'm just sooooo excited to like, totally graduate! It's gonna be like, super fun!"

Lissa just laughed at that. "Hold still unless you want a mascara wand in the eye."

"Yes ma'am." she applied the mascara, effectively making my eyes even more huge then they already were. She had done the smoky eye look on me, and I'll admit that it's beautiful. Earlier, Lissa had painted my nails a lovely deep purple to match my dress.

My dress was absolutely perfect. It was a deep purple dress with a sweetheart neckline, with a ribbon wrapping around my waist. There was beading on the little straps, and the dress stopped just above my knees. I also bought some awesome black heels to go with it.

Lissa looked beautiful too, in a soft pink dress that had beading all over the top of it. She had her hair intricately placed into a beautiful updo with pink flowers in the back. Her nails were painted pink, and she had black flats on. Her makeup was simple yet beautiful, with light pink eye shadow, some black eyeliner and mascara.

We were admiring ourselves in the mirror when someone knocked at the door. We made our way over and opened it, revealing Dimitri and Christian.

"Well don't you look beautiful." Christian said, obviously talking to Lissa.

"Aww thanks Sparky! You look pretty too!" I joked.

"Ha, funny. But you look pretty too, Rosie." he replied.

Dimitri spoke, his beautifully accented voice sending shivers down my spine. "I think she looks more than merely pretty. I think she looks gorgeous." he leaned down to kiss me.

Lissa cleared her throat. "Sorry to interrupt, but graduation starts in twenty minutes and we need to get our robes on and you need to grab your cue cards for your speech."

"Yes mom." I replied.

Lissa shook her head and threw me my white graduation robe. "Don't you dare mess your hair up because we don't have time to fix it."

I carefully slipped it on, avoiding my hair. "There. All ready!"

Lissa and Christian had slipped theirs on too. "Let's go." Christian said.

We walked out the door, quickly making our way to where the stage was set up.

Alberta and Kirova were trying to get everyone into alphabetical order, which was proving to be a difficult job.

"Rose!" Alberta called. "Get over here with the H's."

I ran over to where she pointed and sat down.

After they had everyone seated in the right spot, they walked up on stage.

Kirova grabbed the microphone. "Welcome everyone, to the St. Vladimir's Graduation 2010!" there were loud cheers from the students and their families in the crowd.

One by one, students were called up to the stage to recieve their diplomas, starting with the Moroi students. I tuned out Kirova's voice until I heard her call Lissa's name.

"Vasilisa Dragomir." I saw Lissa stand up and walk onto the stage. She looked regal and sophisticated, and I was so proud of her.

"Woo! Go Lissa!" Eddie, Christian and I cheered in unison. Lissa looked like she was trying not to laugh, Kirova glared at us and Alberta's face remained impassive. I tuned everything out again until I heard Christian get called up.

"Christian Ozera."

"Go Sparky!" I yelled. Christian smiled at me and shook his head while Kirova sent me a death stare. It pretty much carried on like that, me cheering when a friend was called up and Kirova glaring at me. It was quite funny.

I was starting to get jittery. I was really starting to freak out about my speech . . . what if people don't like it? What if they think it's stupid? I'm usually not this concerned but I really want it to be absolutely perfect. I didn't want to mess up in front of everyone.

"Rosemarie Hathaway." Alberta called.

This is it. I took a deep, calming breath and marched up to the stage, head held high. I walked over to the podium where Alberta handed me the microphone and my diploma. I looked out into the crowd and my eyes found Dimitri sitting with my parents. Their eyes shone with pride and happiness.

I calmly spoke into the mic. "Hello everyone. I'd like to thank all of you for coming today to support a family member. As you all probably know, I'm Rosemarie Hathaway, but a simple Rose works too. I've been here at St. Vlad's my whole life, and it's been good. I've made many great memories here, ones I hope to never forget.

"I'd like to thank my mother, because had she not sent me here, I wouldn't be the woman that I am today. I also like to thank Guardian Belikov, or as I like to call him, Comrade, because if he hadn't given up some of his time to train me when I came back to the academy, I wouldn't even be half as awesome as I am now." that earned a few snickers from the crowd. "He's taught me many things in the short time that I've known him, so I'm very thankful. I'd like to thank all of my friends for always being there for me, for helping to mold me into who I am.

"It may sound corny to say this, but I'm gonna say it anyway. This truly is the first day of the rest of our lives. It's a time of new beginnings, outside of these iron gates. It's time to make something of yourself. It's time to live and start anew.

"There's a lot of things I could say, some very sappy, but I think that a simple 'we rock' will suffice. Because it's true, every one of us here really do rock.

"I hope that all of you have enjoyed your time here at St. Vladimir's Academy as much as I have. My life has been great here, even with all the trouble that I've gotten myself into, mostly in Guardian Alto's classroom." lots of people laughed at that. "Thank you all, and I'll miss everyone here dearly. Espescially you, Kirova." I looked her in the eyes, and it looked like she was holding back tears. She was smiling at me too. Weird! "Thank you." loud cheers erupted from all around me as I handed the microphone back to Alberta and gave her and Kirova hugs and walked off the stage. I, as well as the other novices, would be recieving my promise mark in an hour. I continued to wait as the rest of the dhampirs were called up to get their diplomas.

Alberta spoke into the microphone. "We, here at St. Vladimir's Academy, wish you all luck as you begin your new lives." as soon as she finished, there was a sea of white and red as the students sent their graduation caps flying into the air.

I ran over to Lissa.

"Oh Rose, can you believe it? We're actually done! You were so amazing up there, it was awesome!" she babbled excitedly.

"Thanks, Liss. And I can't believe it either. Prom later tonight is gonna be so fun!"

"I know! Are you gonna wear the dress you're wearing now?"

I thought about that. I didn't really have anything else that would be suitable for the prom. "Yeah, I guess. I don't really have many dresses."

I could feel that Lissa was hiding something through the bond. "Well, good thing I got one for you!"

My mouth flew open with a pop. "You got me a prom dress?"

She nodded excitedly. "It's in my room. Come over after your promise mark ceremony and we'll get ready."

"Okay, let's go find my parents and our friends." In the past two months, mom has switched to guarding Abe so they've been around a lot, and they've become like parents to Lissa. We weaved through the crowd, trying to find them. I spotted Dimitri's tall frame, so we headed towards him.

He pulled me into a tight hug. "Oh Roza, I'm so proud of you! You did so good up there."

"Thanks Comrade!" then I was handed off to my mom and Abe. Mom was crying, and Abe had the biggest smile I've ever seen plastered on his face.

"Kiz, you did good. Your mother and I are so very proud of you!"

"Thanks dad!"

"We love you very much, Rose." my mother said through the tears.

"Aww don't cry, I love you guys too. Now come on, I've gotta get changed and go to the promise mark ceremony. I can't wait to find out if I'm gonna be guarding Lissa!" I squealed. I texted Lissa who was off trying to find our friends.

hey. im going 2 get changed 4 the ceremony. c u later and tell the guys im proud of them.

will do. c ya rose.

c ya liss.

I headed back to my room, Dimitri walking beside me. He was going to help me pick something sensible to wear to get my mark in.

As soon as I closed my door behind me, Dimitri's lips were on mine. It was warm, smoldering . . . wonderful.

We pulled away. "So Comrade, you gonna be my prom date?"

"Of course, my Roza. I couldn't let you go alone, could I?" he raised an eyebrow.

I swore. "Damn."

He looked puzzled. "What is it?"

"It seems like everyone in the world can raise one eyebrow but me!"

He burst into laughter.

I smacked him on the head. "It's soo not funny, Mr. Belikov."

"Yes it is, Ms. Hathaway. I can teach you sometime if you want me to."

"Would you really?"

"I'd do anything for you, Roza."

"Thanks Dimi!"

"No problem Rosie!"

"I'm gonna forget you even called me that. Now I really need to get changed."

"Wear something that won't cover your neck, and a nice pair of jeans. Oh and put your hair in a bun."

I walked into my bathroom with the clothes I picked. I found a black strapless top that looked really good on me, some dark wash jeans, some black flats and then I put my hair in a bun, securing any pieces that didn't go up with a hairpin.

I walked out. "How do I look?"

"Beautiful. Let's go, you don't want to be late."

I nodded and we walked to the Guardian's building, where the ceremony would take place.

I got in line with the other novices, in alphabetical order of course. They would announce our scores from the trials while we got our marks, then right after they would announce our new charge.

I waited patiently. Eddie was called up, and they read his scores. He did amazing! Maybe even as good as me.

Alberta spoke. "Edison Castile's new charge will be . . . Vasilisa Dragomir." This is amazing! Eddie was going to be my guarding partner!

I waited again for them to call my name. "Rose Hathaway."

I walked up and sat in the chair, tilting my head forward to give the tattoo artist good access to my neck. They read my scores, and I had the best out of everyone. Eddie came pretty close though.

The needle hurt, but I was getting used to it. I'd probably be getting lots more tattoos in the future, so I can't go whining about it.

Alberta spoke again. "Rose Hathaway's new charge will be . . . Vasilisa Dragomir." I started jumping up and down, not caring that I was probably embarassing myself in front of everyone. I was Lissa's guardian. That was all that mattered.

As they rest of the ceremony went by, no one was assigned to Christian. But when Alberta spoke again, I was really surprised.

"Christian Ozera was the only Moroi who didn't recieve a guardian that graduated today, and that is because his new guardian is Guardian Belikov."

I swear that my jaw hit the floor. Lissa and Christian were just as surprised as I was.

As soon as the ceremony was over, I ran straight to Lissa, Christian and Dimitri.

I grabbed Lissa's hands and we started jumping up and down like two year olds. When we stopped, I turned to Dimitri.

"I can't believe it Comrade! How did you manage this?"

"Well, I put in a request to be his guardian because then everything would work out fine. I've known for a while, probably a month."

I grabbed his head and pulled his lips to mine. "You are amazing." I said when we broke away from eachother.

Then I heard another voice. "Christian! I'm so proud of you!" it was his aunt, Tasha Ozera. I really liked Tasha, even though at one point I didn't because she wanted Dimitri to be her guardian. But that was way past us now.

"Aunt Tasha! Did you hear that Dimitri is my new guardian?"

"Yes, I came in time to hear that." she turned to Dimitri and I. Dimitri had his arms wrapped around me.

"Hello Rose, Dimitri." she greeted us.

"Hey Tasha." we said in unison, which made me laugh. Mom and Abe found us in the crowd then.

"Tasha," I began, "I'd like you to meet my father."

She extended her hand. "Hello, I'm Christian's Aunt Tasha."

Dad shook her hand. "I'm Abe Mazur."

"It's very nice to meet you. You and Rose are very alike."

"Sorry to interrupt, but Lissa and I have to go get ready for the prom." I said.

Lissa turned to me. "Guess what?"

"What?" I asked.

"I flew Mia in from court and she's coming to prom! She's probably waiting outside my room right now!"

"Are you serious?" I squealed.

"Yes!"

"OMFG that's awesome!"

"Come on! Let's go!"

We walked over to Lissa's room, leaving Dimitri and Christian to get ready by themselves. We turned the corner and were greeted by a very excited Mia standing outside the room.

"LISSA! ROSE! OMG I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU GUYS!" she sqealed.

We enveloped her in a group hug. "We're so happy to see you too!" we said said together.

"I'm so glad I could come here for prom!" Mia said as soon as we'd calmed down a little.

"What does your dress look like?" I asked her.

"I don't know . . . Lissa won't tell me."

I turned to Lissa. "You bought both of our dresses? You're not going to have any money left if you keep up the spending."

She waved her hand dismissively. "Well, whatever. You'll forget about money when you see your dress." and with that, she opened the door to reveal three white garment bags, with our names on them.

I walked over to the bag that was labeled, "Rose" and unzipped it, revealing a magenta floor-length gown. The dress was strapless, and it had gemstones covering the bodice and continuing to the bottom of the dress in a delicate pattern.

"OMG LISSA I LOVE YOU! THIS DRESS IS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!" I screamed, my face pulled up into a huge smile.

"I knew you would!" Lissa replied. I looked over to Mia, who was just staring at her dress, completely speechless. She had every reason to be speechless, though, because it was a beautiful floor-length sky blue dress, with little jeweled spaghetti straps.. It had a black ribbon on the waist, which would be tied into a bow on the front.

I spoke to her. "Mia, Eddie is going to be drooling over you tonight."

"I know!" she squealed. "Liss, show us your dress."

Lissa unzipped the bag that her dress was in, and it was a gorgeous lavender colored floor-length dress. It had ruffles going down the skirt and a halter neck.

"Liss, that is going to look perfect on you!" I told her. Then I thought of something. "You told thte guys what color corsages to get for us, right?"

She nodded. "All taken care of. A lavender rose for me, a pink one for you and a white one for Mia."

"And their ties match our dresses?" Mia asked.

"Yep."

This was going to be quite funny. Big, bad Dimitri Belikov wearing a magenta tie. I was going to be taking a lot of pictures tonight.

We got to work on making ourselves beautiful. Lissa and I removed the nail polish from our nails so we could paint them to match our dresses for tonight. We painted Mia's blue for her, then we started on our hair. We re-curled my hair so it would look fresh for the dance, and pulled it half back so that my neck was covered. I didn't really want the ugly white bandage to show. We bumped it up, and it looked really nice. We added little pins that had gemstones on the ends to match my dress. With Lissa's hair, we swapped out the pink flowers for lavender ones, straightened her bangs and then her hair was done. For Mia, we completely curled her hair other than her bangs, then french braided her bangs and pinned them to the side. We moved on to makeup after that. We removed whatever we had on our faces, we got to work. Lissa put dark pink and black eye shadow on my eyes, half pink half black, some black eyeliner and mascara. I put some cover up and foundation on by myself. I finished it off with some pink lemonade flavored clear lip gloss. On Mia, we put some white and black eye shadow on her eyes, some black eyeliner and mascara. She also did her own cover up, foundation and lip gloss. On Lissa, we did some light purple eye shadow, black eyeliner and mascara. She did her own cover up, foundation and lip gloss. We then proceeded to very, very carefully slip our dresses on so that we wouldn't tear them.

All of the preparation took us two hours, and we had a half hour before the prom. We were doing last minute touch-ups when there were knocks at the door. Lissa walked over to open it.

The first thing I heard was Christian. "Wow Liss . . . you look amazing."

She blushed. "Thanks, Christian. You look handsome."

I walked over. "Ha, Sparky's wearing purple!"

He scowled at me. "Lissa made me wear it." He, along with Dimitri and Eddie, walked into the room.

"Oh, stop being such a baby." Lissa said.

When Dimitri's eyes landed on me, they widened considerably.

"See something you like, Comrade?" I asked him, waggling my eyebrows.

He nodded slowly, not taking his eyes off of me. "You look absolutely breathtaking, Roza."

"I could say the same for you, Pinky." I replied. Mia and Eddie were in the corner talking, and Mia was blushing while looking down at the floor. Eddie reached his hand up to tip her chin up and kiss her. It was so sweet! I took this time to slip my shoes on, which were just the ones that I wore earlier. Lissa slipped on some silver heels, and Mia grabbed the black heels that Lissa got for her.

It was silent for a few moments, until Christian spoke. "Now, let's get this party started!"

We all nodded, and Dimitri slipped my corsage onto my wrist. Eddie and Christian followed suit, and we walked through the door. I linked my arm through Dimitri's, and we headed off to what would be our last night at St. Vladimir's Academy.

Okay, I'm leaving something up to you guys.

Should I write a short prom scene and post it as a one shot?

Review and let me know what you think.

I want to get to 90-100 reviews before another update, and I mean it this time.

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D Isn't caffeine great?

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