A/N: for all my lovely readers...I have seen into the future and I come bearing good news! By the end of next chapter Dimitri starts walking on the way to redeeming Rose's heart begins and by chapter 40 Rose and Dimitri are back together (and Tasha's gone...sadly though no death...yet)...AND! as a treat for bearing through this terrible Hurricane Tasha, I have some very delicious smut in store for you :) so now you now...the future holds great things :D

Disclaimer: I don't own anything VA


"How is it," a familiar, high pitched voice said from behind me, where I was telling the crew how to set up the stage. "That you get to run a fashion show and I'm the one going to school for fashion?"

"Mia!" I squealed as I turned around and hugged her. "I thought you were coming in tomorrow."

"Yea, well you're not the only one that can change their flight plans," she said lightly. "Plus I could get some major brownie points in class if I go to a fashion show."

"I feel so used," I said jokingly before going back into dictator mode. "NO! The lights are suppose to be blue. Ugh. You know what just hold the lights ok? We'll decide when the models do the rehearsal. Speaking of which, WHERE ARE THE DAMN MODELS?"

"This doesn't look as glamorous as I thought," Mia admitted. I laughed and shook my head.

"No, and I'm not even suppose to be here. Sonya's suppose to be doing all this, but something's been up with her and she said she'd see me tonight. So guess what I had to do." I paused for dramatic effect. "I had to call my nail lady and ask her to come here. Which means it's going to be extra, but I'm having Sonya pay."

She laughed, "Oh Rose. New York has been dull without you in my life."

"I highly doubt it. Oh! They're here! Hey I'll catch you up in a second, ok? Let me set this rehearsal up. Have one the treats and take a seat," I said as I ran onto the catwalk and dictated the practice just how Sonya said she wanted. Once that ball got rolling, my manicurist had set up and was doing my nails once I finalized everything. Just when it was time to get ready, we got the lighting fixed, and the chairs set up, the band had come to set up. Everything was falling into place.

"I know you don't have anything, but I'm sure there's a dress in here that no one's using," I told Mia as I went backstage to change.

"Rose, we have a problem," Alberta said once I walked in. While the stage wasn't that big, just enough for the girls to walk down the length of five regular size tables, We had blocked off the whole section behind the stage to have a six makeup stations, five dressing room, an accessory table with an open area so we can put final touches, and a section to hold all the dresses. Even now, it didn't seem to be big enough.

"What do you mean?" I asked wearily.

"Skyler's not feeling well. She's in the bathroom." Oh yea, we also had exclusive access to one of the two bathrooms in this warehouse. With a groan I marched into the bathroom to find only one stall occupied with Skyler leaning over the toilet.

"Hey, Sky, sweetie, what's wrong?"

"I dunno," she moaned. "I've been throwing up the whole week and then when I was on the catwalk I had this wave of nausea. I don't…I…don't…" She began tearing up, but I knew what she was going to say.

"It's fine. You should go see a doctor, and we'll still pay you," I said. She looked at me funny when I mentioned a doctor. "Sky, I think you're pregnant." Her eyes widen and she started to full on cry, wailing about how her modeling career was over. "That's not true! Look at Miranda Kerr, her and Orlando had a baby."

"Yea, but she was a model first. Who's going to want a give me a chance once I have a kid?"

"Well in Degrassi Mia went off to be a model, and she had a kid in high school."

"That's a TV show, Rose. Look I know what you're doing, and thanks, but I should be going home and figure out what I'm going to do next. Tell Sonya I'm sorry." I nodded my head and helped her clean up before going out.

"How many dresses what she showcasing?" I asked Alberta as I looked through my list.

"Four. And all the other models can't do it because at some point it's going to conflict with their other dresses."

Then an idea popped in my head.

"Mia, you said you'd get brownie points for attending, what about for participating? You can keep one of the dresses for the rest of the night and you get to attend the after party."

Her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree and she kept saying thank you repeatedly. I laughed and told her to try the dresses on to see if they needed to be fixed.

Of course, they fit her perfectly.

It didn't take long for me to get dressed and ready, and by then people were already coming in. The event said it would 6, but we had a live band and cocktail hour so that people had time to make it. At 7 sharp I'd start the show.

"Oh, Rose," both Mia and Alberta gushed when I walked out of the dressing room, holding the end of my dress so I could make sure I didn't step on it. I sheepishly smiled as I proceeded to get my make up and hair done.

"Rose!" Sonya called out as she came rushing in. "Thank you for getting everything ready. It looks wonderful! The lighting, the decorations, everything. Couldn't have done it better myself. Now you go enjoy the cocktails, I'll make sure everything's running smoothly." I smiled and explained Mia before I went outside to join the party.


"OhmygoshohmygoshyourhairandyourdressRozayoulookohmygosh!" Vika squealed when I got out, her words sounding like one long, mega word. I laughed and complimented her too. Everyone looked stunning, to be honest, but, if I do say so myself, the dress Sonya got for me was stunning. I fell in love with it when I saw it, and I fell deeper in love when I tried it on. I had been wracking my brains thinking what it was going to look like since the only clue Sonya told me was that it was white so I needed white heels. And white heels I got. They were white princess platform stiletto high heels with a white bow studded with faux diamonds on the back of the shoes. What surprised me was how well it paired with my dress.

"Honestly I didn't think Sonya had gotten me this kind of dress. I might just steal it," I said once we all gushed over the others dresses. Mine was long strapless gown that was white like blinding snow, with a slit at the bottom. While it hugged my chest and my hips, it feel gracefully down to the floor, the heels high enough to keep it off the ground. The top was a bit ruffled, but right under my right boob until it cut through the middle and over my left shoulder was a single silver-blinged strap that added so much beauty to the simple dress and made it seem goddess worthy. Add to that, the stylist parted my hair by the middle and did an crown braid, curling the rest of my hair, and my makeup was done in light, nude tones, the only color being a sheer pink lip gloss.

"Rose, you look absolutely stunning," Joshua said as he came up next to me, handing me a martini and wrapping his arm around my waist. "You are all the winter I need for my wonderland."

All the girls squealed while Adrian patted his back and said, "Dude, you see that right under Rose's heels? That's your manhood." We all fell into an easy laughter.

"Thanks," I said, giving him a soft, chaste kiss on the lips.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were running off to get married," Tasha said from behind me.

I gave my friends a small smile before walking away. "Elise what the hell do you think you're doing!" I shouted to a model at the bar. She looked up at me like deer caught in the headlights and scurried back inside. Once I got to the bar I asked for a refill and stayed there until it was time to start.

"Hey everyone, the show is about to begin," I said into the mic when I got onto the stage. "So refill your glass before you take your seat, because you're not going to want to take your eyes off the stage once we start."

Once everyone started, I got back on the stage, loving the way the dress moved so freely with me, almost like I was gliding on a cloud. "Well, welcome to Chic Boutique's Let Me Be Your Wonderland Fashion Show, I know long name but I promise we'll fix it for next year," I began with a smile, getting a lot of laughter and chuckles a response. "I'm Rose Hathaway and I'll be your host for this evening. Tonight we're going to be showing a variety types of outfits, starting with as casual as pajamas and ending with formal gowns. The pieces showcased tonight were made by local designers and will be available at our store starting tomorrow. What I love most about this line is a lot of it is stuff you might have at home that's taken in new ways. But to say a few words, the owner of Chic Boutique, and the mastermind behind this, Ms. Sonya Karp."

Sonya came up to the stage and hugged me before speaking.

"Well, I'm so very pleased to have all of you here. And I'd like to thank Rose and Alberta for their help because, to be honest, I wouldn't have had such a wonderful event without them. I mean look at the decoration! The white lights, the snowflakes hanging in midair, I feel like I'm in a winter wonderland! And the show we have prepared for you guys will make see your closet in a whole new way," she said energetically, her mood was so contagious that I was smiling in anticipation. "However, Rose will not be the one hosting the rest of the show…sorry." I looked at her confused. "Well I hosting it," she said with a smile. "I think Rose deserves a little break, and she looks so beautiful she belongs on the catwalk rather than hidden behind the podium." Huh, I thought as I went and took a seat between Lissa and Joshua.

"She's right," Dimitri said from behind me, right into my ear. Are you fucking kidding me? I thought, mad I could never catch a break. However, instead of responding, or even acknowledging him, I kept looking straight up at Sonya, trying to listen to what she was saying. "You looking radiating, like an angel. So pure and innocent, so beautiful and heavenly. I feel blessed to be in your presence." I tried not to let his words get to me. I knew I looked beautiful, but like an angel? Internally, I was blushing like a fool, but externally I prayed I wasn't. So instead of pondering what he said, I turned toward Lissa.

"So there's a surprise in the show, I hope you like it," I said right as a certain porcelain doll came out strutting down the runway. I heard all my friends gasp when they saw her coming down in some causal, boyfriend-look pjs. Mia kept her face forward, poised and emotionless, until she turned around and glanced at us, a smile on her lips and her eyes lit up in excitement.

"How did you pull that off?" Sydney asked from the other side of Joshua.

"She surprised me, and I was down a model. Dumb luck," I said. We watched the rest of the show without anymore comments aside from complimenting the outfits and being asked if I can put some one the side for them. All too soon, it was time for the final part.

"Well, as sad as I am for tonight to come to an end, I'm excite for all of you to see these gowns. However, I have another model to add. Rose Hathaway get your butt up here," she said, a big mischievous smile on her face. Dumbly, I got up, held onto the bottom of my dress and went up. She turned towards me and asked,"Remember in the beginning when I said your dress was too beautiful to hide behind a podium?"

"Yea," I said slowly, not liking where this was headed.

"Well, now you're going to showcase it. With an accessory." Alberta rushed with…

"Wings?!" I asked, taking by surprise by the massive white angel wings in Alberta's arms. I was too shocked to stop them from turning me so I was facing the audience as they clasped the wings onto my back (A/N: I know this probably isn't how the wings are put on, but just go with it). When I didn't move, Sonya gave me a nudge and I took a deep breathe and walked forward, back straight, head high, and once again I got the feeling that I was gliding more than walking. When I got to the end, instead of doing a 180, I just did a 90 degree turn, swaying my hips so that my leg could be seen through the slit, just enough to be seductive but not too much to seem trampy. Plus, it gave everyone a good look at my heels. At the end of my walk, Sonya had me stay on the cat walk, models walking from either side of me, it was like my wings were a curtain waiting until the last possible moment to unveil the next gown. Once everyone had come finished their walk, I walked a step or two forward while the other models split up on the other side of me and we posed like that, waiting for the cameras to snap their shots.

"I resign," I said once I got the wings off, my face grim and tone serious.

"Sure you do," Sonya said laughing.

"I'm not kidding, I resign…unless you let me keep the dress," I said, breaking into a smile.

"Rose I had that dress tailored for your body, there's no way in hell you're not taking it home." I squealed and hugged her, thanking her a million times.


I left to go join my friends, but was cut off by a really tall Russian. I let out an exasperated sigh. I tried walking around him, but every time he cut me off. Finally I gave up.

"Get out of my way," I said in a dry, tired tone.

"No. You've been ignoring me the whole night. I tried being civil. I paid you compliments. And you acted like I wasn't there."

"I'm sorry," I said in a sarcastic tone. "But I think you have me confused with someone who actually gives a shit over your troubles. I'm sure she's around here somewhere, or she's already waiting for you in bed."

"Rose," Dimitri said in a warning tone as I tried to walk around him again. He caught my arm and I pulled away quickly as I turned around and face him.

"Don't you Rose me," I said in a low, threatening voice, while keeping my posture poise and _. "Look. I'll admit it was really really childish to hide from you. And it wasn't right for me to fight her, but I shouldn't have had to! You should have defended me the first time she messed with us. God Dimitri! You let her weasel her way in between us and then you get mad that I don't try to stop her or fight her? Why should I? That was your job! Maybe ignoring your existence was a bit pathetic, but not as pathetic as you are for keeping her in your life after everything that happened between you. She told you she loved you and you didn't' return the feeling, but you kept her around. Don't you think that's confusing? Don't you think I deserve someone who defends me from his psycho ex? I sure as hell do. So pardon me if I hurt your feelings and act like I don't know you or see you because honestly the man I dated and fell in love with isn't you."

I turned around and walked away.

"Rose that's not true!" he called, cutting in front of me. "I may not have defended you, and I am an idiot for that, but I didn't know how!"

"Bullshit."

"No, you don't get it. How would you have reacted if Mason kept making it seem like you two had more history than you told me?" My jaw dropped and tears welled up in my eyes. Mason. All these months, I hadn't just been trying to get over Dimitri, but also trying to life my life without my best friend. He must have saw the hurt in my eyes becuase his expression soften. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

"No," I said weakly. "You're right, but so wrong. Mason's not like Tasha. He might have had feelings for me, but all he wanted was to see me happy and if that meant being with you, then he would have moved aside. And if he ever did do that, I would have set him straight. Whether it would have been in front of you or in private, I would have made it perfectly clear that I was with you and if he wanted to stay my friend he had to accept that. But you never did that. No you let her kiss you…twice…and then you slept with her. You don't know how to distance yourself from her, and I can't come up with a reason as to why."

"Because I feel guilty," he said softly, not looking at me. I didn't say anything and waited for him to continue. "I felt so guilty for using her in high school, that it was my fault she has feelings for me. That if didn't lead her on, she would have found someone else to love. But I did, and then I just dump her when I graduate saying "Thanks for being a good friend" and then move here. I didn't know-"

"How long are you going to keep paying for that mistake, Dimitri?" I asked suddenly. "I used Mason too, and I beat myself up for it after he died. But I realized that it's not all my fault. He was perfectly aware of what I was doing, and so was she. The only difference is that, and take no offense to this but, she's mental. Like she seriously has some part of her brain missing. Possibly the part that distinguishes reality from fantasy. And she deluded herself into thinking there was something going on with her, whereas Mason knew he was never going to be anything more than my go-to date."

"Rose," he began.

"No, Dimitri save it. Look I have nothing else to say. Literally. I've been nice, I've been soft, I've given you my heart, and I've been a bitch. I don't know how else or what else to say to get it through your head that I don't want anything else to do with you. I just want to finish college and get a second chance at love," I said, my heart breaking a little bit more.

"My head gets what your saying, but my heart knows that it's not true," he whispered as he closed the space between us, taking me into him arms and lifting my chin so I was looking up at him, our lips a few centimeters away. "My heart knows that while your voice tells lies, you lips will always be honest with me."

He lowered his head to close the space between us.


A/N: :O awwww snaps! What do you guys think? Are they going to kiss? And what about what Dimitri said last (the voice and lips line)…do you get it? Leave me a review and I'll see you next week.