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Chapter 21: 3rd Day of School Part 1

RPOV

I know I was supposed to stay in bed, but I hate being useless. I've been badly injured before, and I was completely faced with the fact that I can't do anything for myself. I didn't want it to be like that this time. My side throbbed and I wasn't supposed to be on my feet, but I didn't care. Comrade had knocked out pretty hard, I had woken up before him. Lissa and Dominika had decided not to disturb us, leaving the seat for when I shower, taking some food along with them. Maria wasn't here yet so the house felt strangely empty compared to how it had been the past few days.

I decided not to push it by reaching too far up for the cereal and bowl, so I stuck with a protein bar I had at shoulder level in my cabinet. I sat on the couch, using the pillows to make it as comfortable as possible. The TV stayed off, I preferred the silence.

Or, maybe I didn't. I had gotten so used to having so many people here, I had forgotten what it was really like. The sun was barely starting to rise and I watched as the sky slowly changed hues as it rose over the mountains in the distance. I was going to have to get used to being here all alone, again. I hated to admit that I wanted them to stay, that I hated the silence. I hated the fact that just me chewing would echo off of the walls. Although I live in a huge space it felt claustrophobic, I was surrounded by the walls and they were closing in all the time.

I had told Dimitri I loved him back, although I'm not entirely sure if he heard me. I meant it. It may seem stupid, we had been sending mail to each other for only a few months and he's only stayed at my home for a few days, but… I couldn't help that connection. That pull… His entire being was calling to me and it was an amazing sensation. He needed me, in a way. I've… needed to be needed, if that makes any sense. Lissa was always someone I needed to protect, and I knew that our friendship could never be replaced, but once Christian came into the picture, I wasn't needed as much.

Dimitri loves me, or so he claims, and when you love someone, that means you need them. I need him. It's a weird sensation. As if we complete each other. It's hard to put it into words the link I felt between us, even before we met. I'm happy I'm not alone, that he's sleeping soundly in the room down the hall.

I didn't realize I had a smile on my face until it fell with surprise as I heard my door slam against the wall from it being opened to harshly.

Comrade came running out and when he saw me on the couch, his worried face became softer and relaxed, knowing I was ok, but then his eyebrows tensed as he realized I was walking around. "Roza…"

"I'm already on the couch, Comrade, you can't do anything about that."

He sighed in defeat. "Would you like me to make something to eat?"

"I think I'll be ok, I ate a snack. Maria should be coming over soon if you want to wait to eat and she can cook. I'm not sure if she's bringing her daughter over."

I heard the opening of the fridge. It hurt to much to look back at him so I did my best to relax my shoulders again and try to get comfortable once more. "She left the soup with a note saying: Make sure she eats it. Don't let her only eat bars all day."

"She knows me too well. You can try some if you want, because I'm sure that's the only thing she's going to be making while she's here." I heard him laugh under his breath before I heard the shuffling of flimsy plastic containers and other things moving around. "What are you making, Comrade?"

"A fruit smoothie. Would you like some?"

"Fruit sounds great. Try not to put too much dairy, the doctor said I needed to stay away from that and heavy meats since my stomach is kind of fucked up at the moment."

He didn't say anything in return. Instead, I heard the chopping of the knife, which was strangely not annoying, and even relaxing. As he was blending, Maria came in. "Hello Dimitri, nice to see you. Has she eaten?"

"I can speak for myself, Maria."

"I'd never believe a word you say."

"You really know me too well, you know?"

"I know very well, and it scares me." I laughed but then groaned in pain. Dimitri came over with two cups holding his smoothie.

"Her doctor said that fruit would work well with her digestive system so I made a smoothie. She'll eat the soup for lunch."

"Why is everyone making plans for me."

"Hush, girl, we are just taking care of you. I'm going to go clean the guest bathrooms."

"Love you, Maria." She only grunted in response. I took a sip of my smoothie and soaked in the cool feeling falling down my throat. Dimitri sat close, but not close enough. "I'm not going to break."

"I just don't want you to be hurt in any way."

"You can sit closer. If anything it'll make it more comfortable. I've been watching the sunrise, you missed it. But the snow on the mountains looks pretty great, too."

"It looks beautiful." I heard it in his voice. It was laced with-not lust- but something else, something more. I looked up at him and saw the light of the sun reflecting off of his dark chocolate eyes and I wondered if he saw the same in mine. "Roza… About…"

"I meant it." It seemed that was all he needed. He got closer, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and I leaned against him as we sat there in silence watching the sun. The cars were moving slowly on the streets below from the snow that had fallen overnight. I drank from my smoothie and he did the same. We basked in the warmth of each other as well as from the bright yellow sun and the clouded, but beautiful dark blue sky.

I heard a vacuum in the distance and knew Maria was now in my bedroom. I looked at the clock and noticed we had been sitting there in silence for a solid thirty minutes. "Comrade?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think you can get me a glass of water and my pain meds?" I could definitely feel them wearing off. He nodded and slowly removed himself from my side. Although I really needed those pain meds, it made me sad when a cold breeze hit my side that was originally warm and cozy.

He came back with the medication and I took two pills before chugging the water. "If you want," I began to say, "you can go to the school with Alberta while Maria is here."

"No. Roza I'm not going to-"

"Just hear me out for a second before you get all defensive." He didn't say anything so I knew I could continue. "The reason you're here isn't because you wanted to learn how to take care of an injured person, you are here to gain experience in American classrooms. I'm not completely vulnerable, Maria will be here. I know for a fact I won't move from this couch unless it's to pee."

"Roza, I just… I feel like I need to be the one here."

"Dimitri," I rested my hand on his, "you… won't always be here. I need to be able to have a day without you because… because you're going to be leaving soon." I didn't want to look up at him, because I know he'd look sad. "I know you can't do anything about it, and I don't want you to change your whole life just because of some American girl who you're penpals with. You need to do your job, be who you are, even though… it doesn't include me."

"Roza, look at me." He raised my chin with my hand and I saw those dark chocolate eyes swimming in emotion that was hard to grapple what exactly was in there. "I know I'm going to be gone soon, but I want to spend as much time as I can with… with the woman I love. I know it's going to be hard, but if you are willing, I'd like to… I'd like this to work. Somehow. I cannot promise to be there in all the rough moments, because of the distance that will physically separate us, but I think we can figure it out. I think we can be together. Only if you want to."

I leaned my face forward and lightly pecked Dimitri's lips. "I want this to work. I know how much your job means to you, so I want you to go. I promise you will have plenty of time to spend with me later. I can call Alberta and tell her you are on your way and you can take a taxi."

"You aren't going to let me decline, are you?"

"Of course not, Comrade, but that's why you love me, isn't it?" It was his turn to peck my lips and he smiled. I saw the worry etched into his face but again I pushed him in the right direction. Literally. No, I actually pushed him because he definitely needed a shower before getting ready. "Bring me my phone and I'll text Alberta."

He did so before going into the shower.

Dimitri is going to take a taxi so he can sit in on the rest of your classes, he should be there in an hour.

Oh, k. Thot he wanted to stay wit u

Told him he needed to do his job

Hahaha Do u want me to giv him a ride?

Yas please

Y is it i talk more txt than u

Because my english teacher taught me how to correctly spell

Lol

You try too hard.

Stupid kid needs help, ttyl.

Hahaha ok bye

Maria came out and started to heat of the soup and I groaned. "I'm not sure if my stomach can actually digest it."

"Don't worry, it will." I called a taxi and they said they would come soon.

Dimitri came out and I told him the taxi would be there soon. I told him were my key was so he could take it. "Alberta said she would give me a ride home."

"Okay, I will see you as soon as Alberta's classes are finished." He kissed me on the forehead and then waved to Maria as he exited my home.

"I see that escalated quickly, huh?"

"I love him."

She stopped what she was doing, set down her things and walked over to me to sit down. "Do you really?" She looked into my eyes and I nodded.

"Maria, I've never felt this way for anyone. I know he'll only protect me in the future. I know it's going to be hard, but we've both said we are willing to make it work."

"Rose, I don't care about the complications… I'm just so happy to hear about this. Oh! My little baby is all grown up and actually has the ability to love. I never thought you would ever be able to."

"I didn't either, but he showed me what it is, and I feel this warmth inside me whenever he's around."

"Oh, this is so awesome, how many kids do you plan on having?"

"Maria!" She walked back to the kitchen area, laughing the entire way.

It was silent for a while. I had Maria bring out a small foldable table that I could use while on the couch, I figured I should do some work since I wasn't at school. My phone was constantly going off with people asking if I was ok, it was almost annoying. If I ever noticed Lissa or someone else important texting me, I made sure to respond.

Finally Maria convinced me to sleep some more, however I decided against trying to move myself from the couch to my bed so she brought me a blanket. It was only a few moments of my eyes closed did a hard furious round of knocking come from my door. "If it's my mother, don't open it."

"You know I can't do that, I have to let her in."

"Just say I'm not here."

"You are on the couch, she can see your work from here, even if she can't see you."

I groaned before drinking my cup of water. "Fine, answer the door."

Maria must have looked through the peep hole. "It's here all right. She brought your father a long." I heard the door open, "Hello Ms.-"

I heard the door being slapped with a hand as my mother most likely pushed her way inside. I was laying on my side and would need help to sit up anyway so she did not notice me at first. "Where is Rosemarie?"

"You know I hate it when you call me that." I said from the couch.

My mother most likely dramatically stomped her way over to the couch, my father following close behind. "Why is it that I had to get a call from Abe to find out you were stabbed?! Why didn't you call me."

"No offense, but you didn't exactly leave on good terms with me."

"We both know that that was your-"

"Janine, I don't think now is the time." Abe finally cut in.

"Oh, and when is the time? When she's dead? Who did this to you?"

"I'm taking care of it, you don't need to worry. Insurance is covering the costs of the hospital and I've got enough money to take care of myself. Not even a dent in your paycheck."

I wasn't looking at her, but I heard her sigh. "That's not what this about."

"Oh, so you didn't barge in here to scream at me and tell me I'm a failure and it's all my fault, again?" She didn't say anything. I'd laugh if it didn't hurt so much. "Typical. Look, I'm fine. Maria is taking care of me. I didn't call you because I knew you'd want to fly over here from god knows where you were doing who knows what. You're busy, you don't need to worry about it. Abe already helped out."

Janine gave Abe a hard stare before turning back to me. "I can't have you getting into fights all the time, what about college?"

I didn't even care to respond. She huffed like the torturous woman she is. "How are you feeling?" Abe asked

"I am very tired, I've been doing work and I was about to take a nap when u guys came."

"Jesus, Rosemarie, can't you at least sit up straight when talking to your parents."

"I happen to have a stab wound on my side and it is extremely difficult to move on my own and I am in the best position at the moment, Janine. Can you please leave."

"I pay for this place, my daughter is not going to tell me if I can or cannot stay."

"Fine." With a grit of my teeth I pushed myself upward. With wobbly arm I made myself stand. Maria came to help me. "Please help me to my room." I let them watch me stagger to my room. When we were finally away from them I told Maria, "Set me in my wheelchair." She said nothing and slowly sat me down. I held her hand and squeezed it to show my thanks and she nodded. I tested Lissa.

Mom's here. Gonna go to your place

She was most likely distracted in class. I called an easy lift and then wheeled out of my room. I moved toward the door and opened it. "Where do you think your going?"

"If you won't leave, then I will." I left, not caring to close the door. Neither of them followed me. I made it down the elevator and luckily the people in the lobby were all very nice in helping me. I was in my pajamas, but the driver didn't question me as I gave him the address.

I started out the window in silence and noticed how I couldn't see the sun anymore, too much fog had rolled in.

Tell me what you think, hope you liked the chapter. Idk if any of you like the movie Tangled, but I'm thinking of writing a fanfic for that when I'm done with this one. There is only two more days of Dimitri being in America, what do you want to see happen? I love hearing your thoughts too. Thanks again to my followers and all of you who comment. Love ya!