~Rose

Am I the only one that thinks Caitlyn is unbelievably annoying? I mean all day long it's all about her. It's been a full month and Christian and Caitlyn are an official couple and I can't take it anymore. For starters she's always trying to make out with Christian in front of everyone, but that is not even the worst part. The worst part is the damn baby voice she uses when she wants something from Christian or just to get Christian on her side. Ugh, I swear I am one step closer from punching her in the mouth. And she's always around, so I can never hang out with just Christian it has to be her too. Right now at this moment all three of us are sitting in Christian's living room, even though a reluctant Caitlyn wanted to sit in the upstairs 'sitting room' as she calls it with enormous windows that are covered in dark and very soft curtains. We are just sitting around after playing video games (which only ended because Caitlyn began to make out with Christian) and Caitlyn is talking to Christian as she sat in his lap about wanting to move in soon, so they could spend more time together and Christian's facial expression is priceless, I couldn't contain my laughter as Caitlyn was so oblivious to it. When Caitlyn did look at Christian he schooled his features back to normal, giving me a mean glare Caitlyn asks, "Dare I ask what's so funny?"

"Oh, nothing," Rose says trying not to laugh as Christian makes different facial expressions behind Caitlyn's head and failing miserably.

Looking back at Christian who couldn't help, but chuckle Caitlyn stood up, "Well I think I should leave, I'd rather have you guys not laugh at me in front of my face," Looking very insulted Caitlyn leaves out of the room heading to the door causing Christian to follow. In the hallway Rose can hear Caitlyn begin to cry and Christian try effortlessly to stop her from doing so.

"No, I will not calm down! You were laughing at me, you have hurt my feelings immensely. Do you not want me to in with you? Do you hate me so much?"

"No, I don't hate you Caitlyn, you know that. Don't you think it's too early to be thinking about moving in together?"

"No, I think it is perfect timing. Christian we have been together for only a month, but I feel like we've been together forever, but I understand if you don't want me to move in, it's cool," Caitlyn says that last part sadly.

Christian lifts Caitlyn's chin with his finger, "Look, I do want you to move in just… give some time."

Nodding childlike Caitlyn throws her arms around Christian and kisses him.

Oh my god this happens all the time. In some way she always feels insulted and it always leads to her crying and at the end getting whatever she wants. I think I've had enough of the dramatics today. Standing up to leave I walk over to the door only to receive a confused look from Christian, I motion to the door and take my leave. I take my phone out of my pocket and sigh happily once I see a picture message from Jesse. He looked so hot. He was wearing pink Abercrombie polo with black jeans. Underneath his pink polo he wore a silver dog tag necklace, and he just looked so flushed. At the bottom of the picture it read, 'Thinking about you…' Changing my direction I decide to head to Jesse's place. Lately he's been acting moody and I think the whole running for king situation is really getting to him, but sometimes I feel it's a bit more…

Knocking on Jesse's door he opens the door almost immediately letting me in. Giving Jesse a hug and a lingering kiss on the lips I follow him upstairs into one of the bedrooms. Jesse lies back on the bed and I sit beside him as he looks up at me with sexy eyes while biting his bottom lip slightly. I can't help it I lean down and kiss him softly again.

"Are you okay babe?" Rose asks almost in a whisper.

Jesse sits up and shakes his head a little kissing Rose in a long dragged out kiss. When Rose pulls back she touches Jesse face, "How was your day today?"

"It was…cool, how was yours?" Jesse asks playing with Rose's hair.

Rose flops back on the bed, "It was practically drama central hanging out with Christian and Caitlyn."

"That bad," Jesse sighs amused, "What happened this time."

"She was talking about moving in with him and he didn't want her to."

"Okay—"

"She even used the water works Jess," Chuckling Jesse kissed Rose's cheek, "It's not funny, she's really annoying and she does this all the time."

"Don't worry about it. You have other pressing issues," Jesse says looking pointedly at Rose's nipples that stood up through her gray long sleeve shirt. Smiling Rose slaps Jesse's shoulder. Suddenly Jesse's phone rings from the night stand on the left side of the bed. Standing Jesse goes over to the nightstand and answers the phone.

"Hello," Jesse says greeting the person who called. Minutes later Jesse runs his hands through his hair walking out of the room and down the hall out, so Rose wouldn't hear.

Twenty minutes later Jesse walks back into the bedroom. Jesse kisses Rose on the lips shortly before sighing, "I have to go for my next test soon…"

Nodding in understanding Rose stands only for Jesse to take hold of her hand pulling her gently in front of him, "Yes?" Rose asks slowly.

"I want to invite you to a party."

"What type of party?" Rose asks mind cluttered with sexual thoughts.

Grinning Jesse replies, "Not that type of party, its formal and tomorrow."

Rose was shocked for a moment thinking about a lot of things that were obviously oblivious to Jesse who pulled her closer, "You don't have to worry about what to wear. I'll buy you something."

Rose shell shocked expression changed to one of confusion. She didn't know what to say when Jesse says he's going to pick her outfit so she just settles on, "Cool," Jesse walks Rose to the door after a few more kisses before departing, all the while Rose was still reeling from Jesse's invite.

XxxxxxxxxxX

~Lissa

"So how are you feeling today?"

"I'm really good," Lissa replies taking a sip of her strawberry lemonade.

"That's great," Aaron says giving Lissa one of his perfect smiles, 'Well all his smiles are perfect' Lissa thought absently.

"How are you?' Lissa decides to ask.

"I'm… fine," Aaron says in a slightly funny way causing Lissa to smile, "How was your test today?"

"It was very," Lissa tried to come up with a word to describe the rigorous tests because she couldn't really talk about the tests to anyone, "Interesting," Lissa settles on.

"How are your therapy sessions with Leslie?"

"It's great, now she just asks me about things like 'how is your day? Or 'what did you do today'."

"Kind of like me," Aaron says making Lissa giggle a little.

"Yes, pretty much."

A few minutes later there was an abrupt sound of a cow mooing, "Sorry," Aaron says before he picks up his phone and answering it.

As Aaron talks on the phone I can't help but think that his ringtone is so cute. Yeah it was very abrupt, but cute, especially his face when he said sorry. Lately I've more like myself than I have in months; therapy has really helped a lot. I really miss Rose; I just want my best friend back. I really need to talk to her. Looking at Aaron as he continues to talk I can't help it, I look at his beautifully shaped red lips and how they look as he grins a little. It only took me a couple seconds to realize that he was no longer talking and that his phone was back on the table. I look up from Aaron's lips to his eyes.

"Oh, was that your girlfriend?" Lissa asks trying to hide her embarrassment.

Aaron's grin increases, "No, just my sister."

"You have a sister?" Lissa asks interested.

"Yes, she lives in Kansas."

"Is she your only sister?"

"Yep, she really cool, she actually got married last year and most times talk about what it feels like to be married and to have a 'bun in the oven' as she calls it."

Lissa wanting to know more about Aaron finds herself asking, "So what do you do every day?" Aaron looks at Lissa confused, "Other than hang out with me, what do you do all day?"

Looking skeptically at Lissa, not sure how interested she really is Aaron asks, "Why?"

"I just want to know more about you, you know enough about me, but what is your life like?" Lissa says genuinely interested.

Believing Lissa Aaron then goes on to tell her about all types of things and is surprised when Lissa shows a genuine interest in what he's saying.

XxxxxxxxxxX

~Rose

There are times like these that I miss Lissa and Mia more than I already do and that is saying a lot seeing as I miss them both tremendously. I'm about ready to gouge my eyes out. I'm getting a pedicure and manicure with Caitlyn and she just will not stop talking about her and Christian and I'm really hating Caren right now. During practice earlier today after my guardian shift was over I mentioned that I was going for a manicure and pedicure later and she agreed to go only to have Christian change her mind.

Flashback:

"Whoa," Rose says dodging a quick punch from Caren who was her sparring partner; she is getting better and better at battling and even took on a fellow guardian our age and won. Caren was kicks and punches were fast, but… I was faster.

Throwing out hard blow to Caren's left upper abdomen that she didn't have time block or dodge knocking her down. With a hearty laugh Caren takes my hand and stands up, "Good job," I say patting her on the back.

"Thanks," Caren and Rose both sit on the very last bleacher and watch Eddie and Christian finish their sparring match and when the match does ends they are joined by only Christian. Eddie came up with an excuse to meet up with some friends. He put emphasis on friends before glancing quickly at Rose and taking his leave.

Christian who found the entire thing mildly amusing chuckled causing Rose to glare at him.

"Don't worry Rose whatever is going on between you and Eddie will be resolved soon," Caren says hopefully.

Wishing she was more hopeful about the situation Rose just says, "I hope so too."

"And don't worry about Christian, he's just cruel," Caren says jokingly before giving Christian a wet Willy.

"Yep, that's me, cold as stone—hey!" Christian sarcastically says before trying to avoid Caren's finger from going in his ear.

Smiling at the look of horror as Caren tries to put her wet finger in Christian's ear, "Gross," Christian says once Caren stop trying to give Christian wet Willy's.

Remembering that Jesse had invited her to a party yesterday Rose (not that she forgot she just complete put it out of her mind therefore she wouldn't have to think of the complications of it all) decided ask Caren did she want to go with her to get a mani and pedi to which Caren replied with a, 'Sure.'

Rose looked over at Christian who was sitting next to Caren and was texting in flurry with a set expression, "Are you okay pyro?"

"Yeah, it's just Caitlyn," Smirking Christian then goes onto say, "I wish I had a way to keep her occupied for a few hours," Christian looks pointedly at Rose.

"No," Rose says quickly.

"Why not, you two need to spend some 'quality' time together and I thought you said you liked her?"

'I did,' Rose thought, but instead she says, "No way, I think that would be a bad idea."

"I agree with Christian, I think it would be a good idea for you two to hangout," Caren says which causes Rose to whirl around and stare at Caren.

"What?"

"I bet it will be lots of fun."

"But you are supposed to go with me?" Rose says shocked.

"Yeah, but I will go another time."

Still in a bit of a shock Rose just stares at Caren whereas beside Caren Christian was on his cell phone no doubt informing her of her 'date' at the spa with me.

End Flashback

The nice moroi lady is doing my hands now and I pick the exact same color as my toes which are a pretty deep red, she even gives me a very cute design of a thin flower that makes a few long swirls in black polish. I thank her and wait for my nails to dry all the while Caitlyn was telling me about how much she really wants to move in with Christian. When Caitlyn realized that my replies were now almost automatic she decides to ask, "So Rose you never told me the name of the guy you're dating."

"His name is Jesse."

"I figure he lives here at court," Rose nods before Caitlyn changes the topic again, "Do you want know who I had the biggest crush on?"

"Sure," Rose says a little relieved Caitlyn didn't press for more on her relationship with Jesse. Only a select set of people know about their relationship and she will like to keep it that way.

"Adrian Ivashkov," Rose glances at Caitlyn briefly as she continues to talk, "He is just so hot!" Caitlyn shrugs, "He is dating some lowly dhampir now and his family practically disowned him. All for her," Caitlyn gives a short laugh, "What a disgrace; eloping to Vegas, although I do hear their on the rocks—"

"Just stop!" Rose says standing (now that her nails are finally dry and her shoes are back on her feet) clearly pissed.

"What's wrong?" Caitlyn asks clearly confused.

Very close to smashing Caitlyn's face with her fist Rose leaves immediately (she paid for their Mani and Pedi's way earlier).

That will be last time I hang out with Caitlyn again. What the hell was this girl thinking! She is so different from the nice girl I met a month ago, who I actually enjoyed talking to. Now I realize she's just a snobby royal moroi (she's a Voda) that just indirectly insulted me and basically all dhampirs. Trying to forget that just happened I go directly home. When I arrive home my mood improves once I see a big box sitting on my doorstep it was a black box wrapped in a big red bow. I take the box inside and pick up the card that was attached. It was just two words that helped clear my mind from my earlier event with Caitlyn and replaced it with curiosity.

'Wear this.'

—Jess, the best boyfriend ever

Rose's smile expands when she opens the box, she couldn't believe Jesse bought this… Thinking about Jesse's card 'Wear this,' Rose smirks.

She will.

XxxxxxxxxxX