Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy and neither of its characters. That is all the work of the marvelous author Richelle Mead. I just own the plot of this story.

I come up with some playlists that the both of them would listen to on the road. Hope you will enjoy them. :)

Rose's playlist:

The Weeknd - Acquainted, Appointment, Dark times, I'm good, Long for you, Montreal, Pretty, Prisoner, Shameless, Gone, Party monster, The morning, Valerie, Thought I knew you (& Nicki Minaj), What you need

Beyonce - All night, Drunk in love, Partition, Formation, Don't hurt yourself, Freedom, SUMMER (the Carters)

Taylor Swift - Blank space, Getaway car, Gorgeous, I know places

HAIM -The wire, My song 5

Ariana Grande - Botherline, Breathin, Everytime

Disclosure - F for you

Kavinsky - Nightcall

Zayn - Tio, Wrong, She, Drunk, Befour, Bordersz, Like I would, She, Too much

The Acid - Ghost

Darren Hayes - Insatiable

Frank Ocean - Swim good, Lost, Pink matter

Lorde - Buzzcut season, Homemade dynamite, Million Dollar Bill, Tennis court

Childish Gambino - Redbone(70s remix)

Nine Inch Nails - The hand that feeds

The Kooks - Bad habit

The Neighbourhood - Daddy issues, Flawless

Sam Smith - Baby you make me crazy, Latch, Omen, Promises, Nirvana, Say it first

Blue Oyster Cult - Burnin for you

Bach - Marcello

Tinashe, Snakehips - All my friends

Dimitri's playlist:

Alannah Myles - Black velvet

Buggles - Radio killed the radio star

Eurythmics - Sweet dreams

a-ha - Take on me

Bon Jovi - Livin' on a prayer

Phil Collins - In the air tonight, Another day in Paradise

George Michael - Careless whisper, Father figure

Olivia Newton-John - Physical

Daryl Hall & John Oates - Maneater

Flashdance - Maniac

Stevie Wonder - I just called to say I love you

Bryan Adams - Heaven

Cutting Crew - Died in your arms tonight

UB40 - Red Red Wine, Kingston Town, Falling in love with you

Dead or Alive - You spin me round

Foreigner - I want to know what love is

Nena - 99 Luftballons

Blondie - Call me

Cameo - Word up

Falco - Rock me Amadeus

Paul Anka - Put your head on my shoulder

Terence Trent D'Arby - Sign your name

Chris Isaak - Blue hotel

Alphaville - Forever young

Prince - Purple rain


CHAPTER 28 - Trip to his family

It was the last week from my first semester, just before winter break. My finals were over, and everybody was thinking about the holidays. I resumed my daily workouts with Dimitri and everything seemed to work out very well. It was a little awkward at first, but now we were good.

He was going to visit his family for the holidays, having to leave on the 23rd, in the morning, while I, on the other hand, was going to remain there, alone. My parents decided that since I was gone, they could spend their holidays in Hawaii. Good for them. I wasn't able to go to Lissa either, because Christian made her an early present, taking her to Berlin.

I guess that I could go to some parties thrown by my classmates and some other people I knew around campus. But I didn't really think I would have fun. Firstly, in my opinion, Christmas is all about family. I wasn't in such a good relationship with my parents, but usually, at this time of the year we were getting along quite well. Maybe it was something about the Christmas spirit. Secondly, this is how things worked with me: I was very outgoing and I was able to make myself liked by others. People were somehow attracted by me. But this thing didn't work the other way around. I didn't like anyone easily. And last, all the people I knew, about a dozen, were in fact morons. All they did all day long was drinking and partying, and then they were asking themselves why they couldn't pass some exam. Yeah, I get the fact that it was fun. But for how long?

I didn't even bother with decorating. I couldn't see the point of that. Nobody was going to enjoy it anyway. My house was just like Scrooge's. The only thing I had to do was to lie in my bed and wait for the ghosts to take me to watch my sad and crappy future Christmases. I was feeling bad and lonely. So my thoughts weren't as happy and positive as they usually are.

I was in my room, listening to 'Blue Christmas' when Dimitri knocked at my door.

'Hey comrade. I hope the music isn't too loud.'

'No, it's not that. I have something to ask you.' his voice sounded grave. Was something wrong?

'Go. Shoot.'

'I was wondering if you would like to come with me to my family's house for the holidays. I would feel bad for letting you here alone. In addition, on holidays, my family's motto is ''the more the merrier'' so why wouldn't you come along?'

'Really?'

'Yeah, why not?'

'I'd love that, Dimitri.' I said hugging him. 'I'll go pack my things.'


The next morning, we left. I didn't know Dimitri had a car. He rarely used it, preferring to walk instead. It was a black Jeep Renegade, perfectly clean, and if you would breathe in deeply, you could still feel the smell of newness.

After arguing on who was going to put music, we managed to compromise on listening alternatively to one's music for an hour. I always thought that '80 music was boring. Well, in fact, the '80 music my dad listened to sucked. The one Dimitri had was so damn good. What can I say, he had good taste in music. On the other hand, he scowled every time one of the verses from one of my songs had a swear word in it. It was kind of funny to watch, in fact.

'This is where you took that bad language of yours.'

'Yeah, maybe. But a girl has to express herself someway, you know?'

'Yeah, and you express yourself more than anyone I know.'


For the most of our road we were silent. We didn't really have any subjects to discuss. But the silence between us wasn't one that made you feel awkward. It was that type of silence that assured you that you don't really need words to understand each other. We did have some conversations along the way too.


'What if your family doesn't like me?'

'Don't worry. They will like you.'

'How can you be sure? What if they think I am a bad influence on you?' at this, he laughed.


'How is your family? I mean, I know they are good people. But aside from that, how are they like?'

We were now at a gas station. He pulled out his wallet and showed me some pictures.

'These are my sisters, Karolina my oldest sister, Sonja the second in line, and she is Viktoria, the youngest of us. I think that you two will really get along. The two of you are so alike.' He changed the photo. 'This is Paul, my nephew.'

'He is such a sweetie. How old is he?'

'Ten.'

Another photo, one in which he appeared too. It probably was made at one of their family's reunions. They all looked so happy. And the resemblance between them was striking. In this photo was a beautiful woman too, probably in her 40's. Dimitri looked so much like her.

'This is my mother. She likes flowers a lot too. You and her should get along just fine' he said pointing to the woman I observed earlier. 'And this is my babushka.'

'You have such a nice family. I really hope they like me. I don't want to intrude somehow.'

'Trust me Rose, it will be alright.'

I hoped it will.


'This is so awesome! My parents never let me get my head out of the car. Ah, the breeze. It feels so good.' I say as I hold my hand out.

'Here, try this. Get your hand out. Face your palm down, and start making waves with it.'

It felt amazing. Like flying somehow. The air was opposing to the movement of your hand, sending it up and down.

'This is soooo fun.' I squealed.


'You know what's funny?'

'Huh?'

'I have been here for four months and I haven't gotten to see the Red Square. And I always dreamed of visiting Saint Basil's Cathedral. My mother used to have a snow globe with it, and I always admired the roof. It is so colorful that you can't take your eyes off it.'

'There's still time, Rose.'

'Yeah, that's what I tell myself every day.'


'Are you sure you aren't tired?'

'Yes, Rose. I take this trip at least six times a year. I am used with it.'

'You could always let me drive.'

'You have a license?'

'No.'

'Do you even know how to drive?'

'Of course I do. When I was little I was winning race after race against all the boys in my neighborhood at Need for Speed. I had the highest scores from all of my friends. How different can it be?' I asked bursting into laughter.


'Is that a police car? Why is that man pulling you over?'

'Maybe a routine check.'

'Someone is a baaaad boy. You broke the law comrade. I've seen it. There was a speed limit of 50km/h. And you went with 60. They are after your ass. But wait, what am I going to do if they take you to jail? Maybe I should try to seduce one of the officers to take me home. What do you say about that?' I teased.

'Rose, just shut up and give me your I.D.' he said with an exasperated face. My mouth just couldn't stay closed, it wasn't my fault.


'I don't think I'll ever get bored of this view.' I say, as Dimitri drives through some serpentines. 'It looks magical with all this snow covering all these pines.'

'I know. It's my favorite part of the whole ride home.'

'Oh, comrade, let's not forget about those two reindeers banging. A true miracle of the nature, don't you think so?'


'Dimitri, I can't believe this.'

'What?'

'I have no presents. Oh my God, I am so stupid. How could have I forgotten? Your family is going to welcome me into their house, and I simply come empty-handed.'

'Rose, calm down. I didn't take you with me so that you would bring presents to my family.'

'But I feel bad. I am going to be such a bad guest. I'm going to make a bad first impression. You know that that counts the most.'

'For me it didn't.' he said. 'And anyway, there is nothing you can do now. We arrived.' he continued as he pulled the car into the alley of a small house. I could feel the warmth radiating from it. It was filled with Christmas lights and it seemed so animated. Also, it looked like it recently snowed. That was everything the scenery needed.