Thank you all so much for the reviews, favorites and follows!

I hknow aven't been updating as much as I used to. I'm just super busy with school and I barely have time left to write so the updates are slower for which I'm very sorry. My exams just ended, however, and I have a few days off now so I'll have more time to write (Thank God! :D). I honestly miss writing, and I miss you guys.

I'd meant to update this chapter sooner, but I've been having troubles with my internet. So if you don't hear from me for some time, then it's because of my bad internet connection... or because of school.

Anyway, enjoy reading this chapter! ^^

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy.

CHAPTER 11

RPOV – AUGUST 22, 2012

It was still early in the morning when Lissa dragged me out of my bed to go shopping. I protested, wanting to stay in bed a few moments longer, but Lissa wouldn't hear any of that.

She pulled me out of bed and shouted, "Wake up, Rose! You promised you'd go shopping with me today!"

Damn, Lissa. I did promise her I'd go.

"Fine, I'm getting up!" I exclaimed, groaning.

An hour later, we were in Macy's. I followed her around the store, still half-asleep. Last night, I'd gone clubbing with Adrian. He'd also invited Dimitri, but he'd declined because it wasn't his thing. But it had been fun nonetheless, with just the two of us.

"So how are things with Adrian?" Lissa asked as she made her way to the fitting room with a pile of clothes. "You've been dating him for a while now. You like him?"

"Yeah, he's great," I said. "I hadn't expected it to last, but things have been going very well. Surprisingly."

Lissa gave me a knowing look. "And how's the best friend doing?"

I glared at her. "Why are you asking?"

"Well, if I remember correctly you had your eyes on him at first."

She disappeared into the fitting room while I waited outside the door. Feeling a little uncomfortable talking about this, I said evasively, "Yeah, well, Dimitri's a nice guy."

"That's it?" Lissa said, peeking her head outside the door

"Yes. What else do you want me to say?" I said, a little annoyed. "You told me to give Adrian a real chance and I did. And I'm very glad that I did because it's working between us."

"What about your feelings for Dimitri?" Lissa asked casually.

"What?!" I exclaimed, outraged. "I don't have feelings for him."

She came outside, wearing a light blue halter dress. Looking into the mirror, she said, "You sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. My crush on him - or whatever the hell it was - it's over," I added reluctantly. "He's a friend, that's all."

"Okay," Lissa said with a shrug. She smiled at me. "So, what do you think?"

Relieved this conversation was over, I said, "You look stunning."

Her smile widened. "Great!"

She disappeared back into the fitting room. Sighing, I leaned against the door and waited. We shopped – correction, Lissa shopped – for four more hours. And she only stopped because I was whining about being hungry.

When we finally sat down to have lunch, I let out a huge sigh of relief. But my relief didn't last long. As soon as we had our meal in front of us, she started her questioning again.

"Do you love him?"

"Hmm?" I said, distracted, as I stuffed my burger into my mouth.

"Do you love Adrian?" Lissa repeated.

"We've only been together for a few months!" I said, my eyes wide in shock.

"So?" she said with a shrug.

I considered her question. "I don't know. Maybe," I said after a pause. "I like him very much and I think he's a great guy. And in time, if things work out, then yeah… I suppose I could love him."

Lissa smiled happily. "I'm so glad you finally found your guy."

My guy? What did she mean? That Adrian might be the one for me?!

But before I could say a word, she continued, pouting, "I wonder when I will meet my guy."

"You'll meet him one day, Liss," I said, still thinking about her comment. "Don't worry."

RPOV – JULY 16, 2015

I couldn't sleep. Thoughts about Adrian were keeping me awake. I felt guilty for having fun yesterday. How could I have fun when Adrian was gone? How could I possibly laugh when he'd died just a few weeks ago?

But I had other things to feel guilty about as well. Like calling Dimitri comrade again. I hadn't used the silly nickname in ages, but yesterday I'd blurted it out during the game. I hadn't felt bad about it in that moment; actually it had felt good to call him comrade again. It had felt familiar and…right.

Despite the fact that we'd lost touch over the year, he was still my friend. So why should I have to feel guilty about calling him comrade? I used to do it all the time and it had never bothered Adrian. So why should it have to be a problem now?

Ugh, this isn't working. I have to get up.

Sighing, I stood up and left my room. Quietly, I went downstairs, not wanting to wake up my friends. When I entered the kitchen, I started searching for food. A smile crossed my face when I found a chocolate bar in the fridge.

I sat down at the kitchen table and took a bite of the delicious chocolate. I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings as I sat there, enjoying my comfort food, so when I looked up and saw someone standing in the middle of the kitchen I jumped up in surprise and almost screamed.

"Relax, Rose, it's just me," Dimitri said softly, holding his hands up in mock surrender.

"God, you scared me," I hissed. "What are you doing here in the middle of the night?"

He raised an eyebrow at me. "I could ask you the same thing."

I sighed and sat back down in my chair. "I couldn't sleep," I mumbled as I put another piece of chocolate into my mouth. "Why are you up?

"Same reason," he said as he sat down across from me.

"I'm sorry for eating all your chocolate," I said, giving him an apologetic look.

He smiled. "It's fine."

"You want some?" I asked, offering him the rest of the chocolate bar.

"Thanks," he said as he popped a piece into his mouth.

I smiled. "Well, seeing as I'm stealing your food the least I can do is share it with you."

"Why can't you sleep?" Dimitri asked after a few moments of silence.

I shrugged. "I don't know."

"Is it because of Adrian?"

I looked away. "Yes. But other stuff, too."

Dimitri regarded me silently, waiting for me to clarify.

"I feel guilty for having fun," I admitted. "I mean, Adrian just died and I…" I sighed. "Here I am, vacationing in Malibu beach and having fun with my friends. As if… As if nothing happened."

"You don't have to feel guilty because you're having fun," Dimitri said. "There are still plenty of times that you are sad." I started to protest, but he cut me off, saying, "I have seen it, Rose. I think you're allowed to have some fun. You don't have to be sad all the time. And I'm pretty sure Adrian wouldn't want you to be sad. He would have wanted you to be happy."

I sighed. "You really think so?"

"Yes," he said, his voice soft but firm. "I'm sure of it."

I gave him a small, grateful smile. "Thanks."

"So what's the other stuff?" he asked.

I shrugged, embarrassed. "Nothing important."

Dimitri arched his eyebrow again. "You know you can tell me," he said softly.

Should I?

Yes, tell him.

"It's about earlier, when we were playing volleyball. When I called you comrade," I confessed after a beat. He seemed surprise and a little uncomfortable by my admission. Oh, shit. I shouldn't have said anything. "Do you… Do you think it's weird that I did that?" I asked nervously.

He considered my question for a moment, then shook his head. "No. Why would it be weird?"

I flushed. "I don't know. I just thought…that maybe… I don't know. I'm so confused."

"It doesn't have to be weird," Dimitri said. "I mean, you used to call me comrade all the time," he added jokingly.

I smiled reluctantly. "That's true."

"So what's the problem?" he said with a shrug.

"Nothing, I guess," I said after a pause. I'm the one who's making a problem about it.

He smiled warmly.

"I've really missed you," I blurted out. Well, fuck! Why did I have to say that? Why couldn't I have kept my mouth shut? I wanted to die of embarrassment. "As my friend, I mean," I added quickly.

But to my utter surprise and shock, Dimitri said, "I've missed you too, Rose. A lot."

I had tears in my eyes. "Really?"

He smiled again. "Really. I wish I'd never walked away."

"I get it," I said softly. "I get why you left. Everything was so complicated and-"

"I should have never left you behind, Rose," Dimitri interrupted, his eyes boring into mine. "No matter what happened between Adrian and me, I should have never left you."

My heart was hammering in my chest as I stared at him. "It doesn't matter. You came back," I said at last, my voice wavering a little.

"And I'm staying this time," Dimitri said earnestly. "I won't leave you again."

"Thank you," I whispered. "Comrade," I added, a small smile on my face.

A grin spread across his face. "You know, I actually missed hearing that nickname," he said.

The mood lightened immediately.

"Oh really? I thought you didn't like it," I teased.

"I got used to it," he said with a shrug, smiling reluctantly. I chuckled and his smile widened. "Are you tired yet?"

I sighed. "No. You?"

"No," he replied.

Suddenly, I had an idea. It probably wasn't a good one, but I wanted to do it anyway. "You wanna go for a swim?"

Dimitri's eyes widened. "Are you serious? It's the middle of the night. The water will be cold."

I shrugged. "Are you up for the challenge, comrade?" I said with a grin.

He grinned back. "Fine."

We stepped out onto the deck. As Dimitri closed the door behind him, I pulled my dress over my head, leaving me only in my bra and panties. I had to look away when Dimitri quickly stripped down to his boxers. I was suddenly feeling very self-conscious, which was crazy because Dimitri had already seen me a couple of times in my bikini. There wasn't really a difference. It was just me being stupid again.

"Come on," Dimitri said, tugging me towards the sea.

I ran after him and stopped at the water's edge, hesitating. Oh, this was going to be cold! I looked up at Dimitri and grinned.

"Ready?" I asked.

"Ready," he said.

I walked into the sea and screamed. "Aah, it's so cold!"

"I told you so," Dimitri shot back before he dove in headfirst.

When he resurfaced, I exclaimed, "Are you crazy?!"

He laughed. "You should do it, too. It's better than what you are doing."

"No," I protested.

The water came to my waist and, for now, that was high enough.

"Come on, who wanted to go for a night swim?" he teased as he swam back towards me. "Just get it over with."

"Fine!" I said, exasperated. Taking a deep breath, I went under water without further delay. When I came back up for air, I exclaimed, "Oh my God!"

Dimitri laughed at my reaction.

"Next time when I have a horrible idea, please stop me!" I told him, my teeth chattering.

"You'll get warmer if you swim," Dimitri said.

I followed his advice and, indeed, I was getting warmer. Thank God. Grinning, I swam over to him and splashed him. Surprised, he blinked the water out of his eyes. I laughed and swam away before he could splash me back. I felt him tug at my ankle and I cried out, still laughing, "No, let go!"

I heard him laughing as well. I turned around and he let go. I splashed him again and he splashed me back. I squeezed my eyes shut just as the water hit my face and when I opened them again Dimitri was gone.

"What the-"

I let out a scream when I felt something touch my legs. I looked down into the water and, suddenly, I was out of the water.

"Comrade! What the hell are you doing?" I exclaimed, holding onto him tightly as I sat on his broad shoulders.

He looked up at me, grinning, and then he let me fall back into the water. I yelped before I went under again. When I resurfaced, I spluttered at Dimitri, "Thanks a lot!"

He chuckled and I started splashing him again. When I started to get cold again, I suggested we go back to the beach. My teeth were chattering and my fingers felt numb when we reached the deck.

"Come on, let's get you inside," Dimitri said, opening the door.

"I can't walk in like this! The floor will get wet!" I protested.

"That doesn't matter. Get in. I'll get us some towels," he said, giving me a little push.

I walked inside and waited at the door while Dimitri went to get some towels. Slowly, a small pool started to form around my feet.

Dimitri came back with the towels and wrapped one around me. I was still shivering like crazy and couldn't get warm. Dimitri noticed and started rubbing my arms. I moved closer to him and he wrapped his arms around me as he continued to rub my arms with his hands. He felt cold from the water, but it was better than nothing.

"Better?" he asked as he blew on my hands to warm them. I felt my cheeks turn red as I looked up at him, my heart beating faster and faster. I'd moved so close we were touching. As I stared at his mouth, I realized I could easily kiss him now. Wait, what?! What the hell are you thinking, Rose?

Still, I couldn't tear my gaze away from him. Dimitri stopped blowing my hands as he stared back at me. Slowly, he lowered my hands, but didn't let go.

"Roza," he whispered, a look of wonderment on his face.

My heart skipped a beat and I sucked in a breath. Oh God. He only ever called me Roza when we-

No. What are you doing, Rose? Quickly, I looked away and, as I stepped out of his embrace, I breathed, "Yes, thank you."

Wrapping the towel more tightly around me, I moved to the door. Glancing over my shoulder, I looked back at Dimitri. He still stood in the same place I'd left him.

"Thank you for tonight – umm, this morning," I corrected myself. I gave him a small smile. "I had fun."

Dimitri looked like he wanted to say something, but before he could I hurried out of the room. When I closed the door to my bedroom, I let myself fall onto the bed and let out a sigh of relief. My heart was still hammering in my chest. I couldn't believe I'd almost kissed Dimitri! What the hell had I been thinking?

I buried my face into my pillow and let out a frustrated groan. Well, there was nothing I could do to change it. I just hoped tomorrow wouldn't be too awkward.

Sighing, I closed my eyes and tried to relax, but it was of no use. If I hadn't been able to fall asleep before, I certainly wasn't going to now.

I hope you liked this chapter. Please leave a review and let me know your thoughts on the chapter! Thank you! Happy Halloween! :D