Heyy. Thank you so much for all the reviews that you have given me. :D ;)
I don't have anything much to say, actually. LMAO. Oh and this chapter is going to be a short one, I'm sorry, but yeah… it is short because I need to go visit my sick aunt. :| But, anyways, here's the latest chapter. :) Chapter fourteen.
Credits go to the creator of Dimitri, Rose and the others – Richelle Mead! :D
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CHAPTER 14: CAUTION: WHISPERED
Oh boy, this wasn't good.
I faked a joyous smile as I stood up and turned to Stan. "What a pleasure to spend this afternoon with you, Guardian Alto."
"Drop the act, Hathaway." That was his blunt reply.
I tried to look as innocent as I could. "Whatever act are you talking about, Guardian Alto? I didn't do anything wrong now, did I?"
"Hathaway, once I stay stop, stop. You got that?" He snapped at me.
I smiled at him, but my eyes showed wrath. "Fine, you asked for it, you ass!"
"Rose." Dimitri's voice came.
"I got it, Belikov." It was a more polite way of saying 'shut up' actually. "Miss Hathaway, today, you aren't going to be writing an essay. I will give you an oral test and Guardian Belikov has printed out some researches for you. The topic I chose to quiz you with is…vampires."
He was kidding, right? I mean, the topic was so simple."You serious?"
"Do you think now is a proper time to joke around?" He asked back.
"Stan, Stan, Stan." I chanted his name thrice just for the heck of annoying him. "Haven't you ever heard or known the word sarcasm?"
He ignored my retort. "I am serious that the topic I have chosen is about vampires. Vampires are given a lot of names in different places all around the world, Hathaway, so you better get started with these researches since you only have two hours and thirty minutes before your oral test begins. Guardian Belikov will be monitoring and timing you while I will be the one questioning you later on."
He handed me a lot of compiled bond papers. What the heck? Two hours and thirty minutes for this crap and the names of the vampires from all over the globe. "Oh, come on, Stan! When you ask me what vampires are called in Antarctica, then I'm going to say 'penguin?' Seriously, you've got some serious problems!" I whined.
"First off, penguins are not the vampires in Antarctica and I know you're just messing with me, Hathaway. Second, I'm the teacher here and I decide how to test my student. It's not the other way around." God, was he annoying. I swear if he wanted me to beat the hell out of him, he could have just said so – it would be a lot easier. "Now you only have two hours and twenty–five minutes since you wasted the past five minutes complaining. Go to work, Hathaway."
I stepped up to him, exasperated. I then stomped my right foot and let out a very frustrated "ugh!"
"Rose, start studying now." Dimitri told me and I was forced to obey him as much as I hated too.
I swear I heard the demon chuckle. "I bet she doesn't even know what studying means, Belikov." He told Dimitri, but it was audible enough for me to hear.
"FYI," I said as I was reading through the definition of 'vampires' according to humans. "I clearly know what the hell studying is. It is a word formed once you combine student and dying together."
It wasn't actually my original idea, but how I hope it was because it absolutely made complete sense. I was surfing through the internet the other day and came across that made–up mathematical equation on studying. Well, technically, it wasn't exactly a 'mathematical' equation, but you get my point, right?
"Rose." Dimitri's voice warned me for the nth time that day.
"I know." I groaned. "I'm studying now, see."
"Just make sure you really understand what you are reading." Seriously, Stan was underestimating me too much and does he really think I'm a dimwit?
"I'm not a dimwit." I gritted through my teeth whilst I rolled my eyes at Stan. "Anyways, how would in the world would I know how to pronounce the names of these when I don't even know any other language besides English."
It was true. I might be half–Turkish according to my mother and Alberta, but heck, I grew up in this Academy and there were only two languages taught here – English and foul language. The latter was something imprinted in my mind and if there was a test on that, I would most likely ace it.
"Guardian Belikov would assist you with that." Well, that was actually the best thing I have heard from Stan for the past few minutes. "I forgot something in my office. I'd go get it first. Belikov, you keep an eye on her and make sure she's doing what she's supposed to do."
Dimitri gave a small but audible "mmm." It sounded so damn good, honestly. I'd kill to hear him say it again. Dimitri, Dimitri, Dimitri. That was what was in my mind.
'Focus, Rose. Focus.' I mentally told and kicked myself.
Suddenly, I got a weird feeling in my stomach. Nope, not a nausea because of Strigoi or pregnancy, but because… I wanted something so badly. I was craving for something. Yes, that was the term I was looking for. Craving.
I grimaced and Dimitri seemed to have noticed.
"What's wrong?" Concern and worry lingered in his voice. I liked it.
"I'm hungry and I'm craving for pizza and mango shake badly." The last word I said sounded like a plea.
Dimitri shook his head slightly. I'm sure it wasn't because I was being the whole pregnant–girl right now, but it was because where the hell would we find a pizza and a mango shake since none of the two were served in school?
He suddenly took out his phone and had a conversation in Russian. I didn't understand a single damned word of it though. But, I think he was talking to someone who could probably help my problematic and hassle situation.
"I'm sorry." I apologized. Damn hormones. Where did the cockiness and sarcasm that I displayed in front of Stan go now?
"Don't be. It's not your fault, plus as long as I could find a way to help you with whatever you want to eat, it's absolutely fine with me." He smiled at me as he sat back down.
Stan was still not back after more or less twenty minutes. It was a good thing, though. I so did not want to see his face. The pizza and mango shake was given to us by another Russian Guardian here at St. Vladimir's about five minutes ago. It was one box of Manhattan Meat Lovers family size pizza and a glass of fresh mango shake from Yellow Cab.
"Thanks," I told Dimitri as I took a bite of my slice of pizza while still studying.
He just nodded his head. A silent way of saying 'you are welcome.'
"By the way, how do you pronounce this?" I asked him as I pointed to the part of the Chinese term for vampires.
"Chiang shu." He said.
I gave him a weird look. "But, look! It's 'jiang shi.' It's 'j,' not 'ch' and it's 'i' and not 'u.' Are you inventing your own pronunciation here?"
"It's how it is pronounced, Rose." He told me with a serious face.
"Fine. Chang shu." It sounded wrong though.
"Ch-ya-ng shu. Work on the pronunciation of 'jiang.'" He told me as he repeated the 'jiang' part at least three times so I could listen intently to the right pronunciation.
"Chiang shu." It finally rolled off my tongue pretty nicely.
"Good. Now proceed and feel free to ask me if you have any more questions." He said and I started to go back to the research papers.
Yes, I was studying properly. I wanted to shove it in Stan's face that I have a good memory and I wasn't an idiot like he thought I was. I'm much more to that. I may hate History, but it doesn't mean I can't memorize stuffs.
Stan came back just in time after Dimitri told me that my time was up. Also, the light posts were already turned on so we were illuminated by the bright white bulb.
"Well, look who's late now." I mocked Stan.
"I had a meeting with a parent, Miss Hathaway, mind you. Anyways, your studying time is over, and let us start your oral test." He said as he sat down on the other bench beside mine which was at least three feet away.
"Wait, just a question, exactly how many questions are there?" I was curious how much hell he would put me through.
"Ten." What the hell?!
"I studied more than fifty pages and you're only going to end up asking me ten damned questions and there were more than twenty topics in here." I complained.
"At least you know a lot of things now." He replied with a smirk.
"Thank you very much, but I'd rather be street smart than book smart." I told him frankly. "And apparently, these things would be out of my mind by tomorrow."
"Would you want to chit–chat first or would you like to get on with the test?" How I wanted to wipe off that smug look on that creep's face.
"Start with it." I said as I crossed my arms and Dimitri took the researches and placed them in a somewhat document container or whatever you'd like to call it.
"First question: whose corpses were involved in the first two vampire cases which were first officially recorded? And where were they from?"
Hah! I couldn't forget these two. It was somehow related to Dimitri.
"The two corpses were Peter Plogojowitz and Arnold Paole from Siberia." I smiled at him.
He looked kind of disappointed though that I got the right answer. Oh well, he hates me; I hate him. That was the connection we both shared with each other.
"Correct. Second question: in ancient times, the term vampire did not exist, to what creatures were blood drinking and other vampiric activities related to?"
"Demons or spirits." I answered casually, wearing a grin a huge smile on my face.
So far so good.
"Right. Third question: what is the spelling of the local name of the vampires in Siberia and Bulgaria? Use the singular form."
"V–a–m–p–i–r." I answered.
Stan nodded his head; it meant I was right. "Fourth question: in Russian folklore, vampires were known to have been what kind of creature or people?"
"Ummm…" I wasn't entirely sure, but having an answer was better than having nothing right now. "Witches or people who rebelled against the church while they were still living?"
"Is that an answer or a question?" Stan asked me.
So, I repeated my answer despite though I was unsure of it. "They were known to be witches or people who dissented against the church while they were still alive."
"Correct." He said.
My eyes widened for a brief second. Wow, I didn't see that one coming.
"Fifth question: Differentiate the mandurugo and manananggal of the Philippines."
"Well, he former is known to be preying on attractive girls while the latter is preying on pregnant women."
"Very good. Sixth question: what is known to be the goat–sucker of Puerto Rico?"
I remember I would guide myself with Chupa–Chups lollipop and a snake for this term. "Chupacobra… no, that's not right. Ah! Chupacabra."
"I'm impressed, Miss Hathaway. You are right. Moving on, seventh question: what is the other name for 'Chinese vampires?' Pronounce it properly."
How can I forget this? Dimitri pronounced this over and over again earlier. "Jiang shi." I said, but the way I pronounced it was exactly the way Dimitri taught me – 'chiang shu.'
"Very good. This next question is harder. Eighth question: what is this Romanian term that has no real translation. 'Witch' is close, but it still wouldn't be right."
It rang a bell. Where have I heard that before? I closed my eyes and tried to flashback through the past. Aha! I got it. It was Dimitri who told me that. He said it was what Rhonda is. What was the word? A miracle must have happened because I had no idea if the next word I said was right, but it was worth a try.
"Vrăjitoare." I sounded exactly like Dimitri, at least so I thought.
"Impressive. Correct. For the next two questions, this will be about our class discussion yesterday. I specifically told you vampires. The idea is broad, so don't complain. Ninth question: what novel is remembered as the one which provided the basis of modern vampire fiction? And who is the author?"
I smiled, not because I knew the answer, but I only knew one vampire book written in ancient times. It was one of my favorite novels of all time. The title was very attractive, but I never read the book itself. I just searched for the summary online. "Dracula. It is written by Bram Stoker."
"You paid attention, I see." Stan looked impressed.
I didn't want to play along with him, so I burst his bubble. "Actually, it's the only vampire book I know that was written in the past. It was a lucky guess."
His impressed look turned into a disappointed one. "Let's get this over. Final question, Hathaway. The easiest question. Give a difference of real vampires and fictional vampires based on phenomenal Twilight book written by Stephenie Meyer."
Damn. It was indeed easy. "Vampires don't sparkle in the real world."
He sighed. "Perfect score. You're good to go. I'll just give Belikov your topic for tomorrow for your essay since it's a lot easier."
By easier, I knew he meant, there were mistakes. Oh, well, whatever Stan Alto.
"I'm full from the pizza, so I don't need to go eat dinner at the cafeteria." I told Dimitri as he nodded.
"Okay, so I'll bring you up to your dorm, then?" He asked and I just gave him that look saying 'is that a question?' He chuckled. "Let's go then."
He stood up. I stood up. We left Stan, but who cares about him? The walk to my dorm was silent.
"You did a great job today." He complimented me.
"Thanks." I replied. "It's part of the field experience. I was just forced to. Everything in my brain today, it'll be gone by tomorrow."
We were about ten feet away from my dorm room when I said this. Unfortunately, when I was about three feet away from my room already, I tripped. Lucky for me, Dimitri caught me.
"Woops." I said as I felt my cheeks warm up.
"Careful." He whispered to me. "I just might fall for you too."
He pulled me up and gave me a kiss on the cheeks and walked away without saying another word.
I touched my cheek which he kissed and I swear I was in heaven. I got inside my room, got ready for bed and I had the best sleep of my life ever.
I just hope he wouldn't be the same Guardian Belikov tomorrow because I love, want and accept him as he is – Dimitri. My Dimitri.
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Now, that's not a cliffhanger, now is it? LOL. :))
Now, next update will be after 200 reviews. :D So, you better get reviewing and believe me, you'd kill to read the proceeding chapters of this story. Just as I am killing to type them all out. :))
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xo, ChristAineXtine
Shout-out to all my readers, friends and my Twin. :D
Also to the reviewers of the thirteenth chapter:
~ ruthless527, Siennaxxx, Cherub20021, Zmeyette, .edward, c., 7VampireEclipse, ImaVampireIBiteAndStuff, Nettie29, vampiresrockroza, Dimitri's Temptress, hazananayurt13, meant4ivashkov, ballroomdiva, 'If U Hate It-Bite Me,' Roza V. Blood, DuskyGurl, SKDanielle16, Dikent, PennyPie723 & -lyd-2212- ;)