Author's Notes:
Richelle Mead owns Vampire Academy
This is our last chapter of any angsty sadness for this story. Next chapter, good things will be happening.
Special thanks to my TWO beautiful and talented beta readers for this chapter, RozamarieH and TheTrebledMom!
-=o0/&\0o=-
By Friday afternoon, the whole school knew I was going to be competing on Saturday and had rallied around me. At the end of the day, the announcements over the P.A. system gave details of the meet to the entire school. I groaned when I heard wild cheering as the announcement came that I was ranked first in my event.
I didn't relish the attention. I'd never been one to go for the glory, but especially now when I was still reeling from losing Roza, I couldn't deal with it. As soon as class ended, I grabbed everything from my locker and bolted to my car. From there, it was only a few minutes' drive to get to Randall's house, where I would be for the rest of the weekend.
The state track meet would be held on Saturday morning, but there wasn't a chance Randall would ever go. I was thankful for that, but I still had to stay at his house on Friday night.
When I arrived, I looked over at Rose and Lissa's house. Rose's car was not in the drive. Despondently, I wondered if she was out on a date with someone else. Somehow, her love had faded, already. She was free to do whatever she wanted, without attachment or restraint - to go have a good time and not think at all about the guy who loved her - especially since I don't think she believed that I loved her.
I walked inside, dropped my bag at the door, and headed up the stairs to sleep for the night. I set my alarm and just crashed. Maybe tomorrow would bring something better.
-=o0/&\0o=-
I stood waiting as the official pulled the tape taut from my final and best throw of the competition. I had been the last thrower and this was my last throw. My best competitors had all taken their final hurls and had a top score of one hundred seventy-six feet among them, while my best throw so far was only a little over one hundred seventy-three feet, so I hadn't bested the others yet. The wind was not in my favor today, but I gave it my best. If I was going to win states, it all came down to the measurement on the tape in front of me.
"One hundred ninety feet, two inches!" yelled the official reading the tape over the discus ring.
I stood there, stunned. I had just won the state title in the discus, by a wide margin, securing the annual state championship title; the school, field, meet, and state records; and the scholarship money to State University.
But most importantly, I'd secured my part in Mason Ashford's offer to speak with Roza about me.
I stood in awe, speechless and unmoving, looking at the ring. I don't know how long I stood there, but eventually, after almost everyone had begun to walk away, I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"Dimitri, you did it," said Mase from behind me.
I nodded, still staring at the ring. "I did."
"Is your family here?" he asked, "I'd like to meet them."
I turned to look at where the spectators had been. My family had been there earlier, but I wasn't sure if they were still there now. My mother sat in her chair, a worried look on her face. Next to her were Karolina with baby Zoya on her lap, my nephew Paul, and my babushka, but my other sisters couldn't make it today.
My mother hadn't said a word to me about my change in behavior over the past week, but I knew that she knew something was wrong. It was clear now as I looked at her face that she had wanted to ask.
I looked at Mase, pointing at my family. "That's them, over there," I said, and I began to lead him towards them. As we walked, I was almost afraid to ask him about Rose. I think it would break me inside if he chose not to keep his word.
"I already talked to her, Dimitri," Mason said, almost reading my mind, "Well, texted her, anyways."
I stopped and turned to Mason. "You did?" I asked. So many emotions crossed my mind: relief that he had kept his word; surprise that he had contacted her before I had even finished, even when someone else had done better than I had; curiosity at what he had told her; excitement that he might be able to get through; and worst, fear that she still wouldn't respond. I arched an eyebrow and asked him, "Why? And what did you tell her?"
"That one-seventy-three you got would've won state last year. You proved to me that you were giving it your best. Rose didn't reply yet, but here's what I sent her so far," he said, tapping on the screen a few times and then holding out his cell phone so that I could see it.
On the screen, I saw: Any chance you'd consider having a conversation with me about Dimitri Belikov?
I frowned, but Mason said, "I know Rose well enough to tell you that I have to start slow with her. She's like a deer in the forest when it comes to stuff that could piss her off. One wrong thing will spook her and she'll bail. I'll work my way up to asking her to give you another chance, though."
I hesitantly nodded and began walking towards my family again. In theory, my mind agreed with him about Rose. She'd been through enough - and burned badly enough by relationships before - that he couldn't just start with asking her to forgive me and take me back. My heart, however, was tired of all of this. I just wanted to have her back in my arms again, telling her that I loved her over and over again and kissing her soft lips. I swore to myself that if I got her back from this, that I would never let her go again.
When we arrived at where my family was seated, my mother said to me, "Dimka, I heard chiming from your bag a few minutes ago. I think you might have a new message."
I instantly hoped it was Roza. I reached for my bag and frantically dug, searching for my phone. As I searched, I pulled out clothes, my changes of shoes, my soap, deodorant, athletic tape, and more, dropping them all on the ground next to my bag, but couldn't locate my phone.
Karolina said, "Are you looking for this?" I looked over and she was holding up my phone. "I took it out when it started chiming because I didn't want Zoya to wake up.
I pulled my phone from her hands as Mase stood patiently behind me, waiting for an introduction that I wasn't yet giving. The screen showed that I had three new text messages. Three? I began to scroll to them quickly, but Mason cleared his throat behind me. I could tell he was trying to be patient, but he had come for an introduction. I frowned, looking back and forth between him and my phone, then held the phone down to my side, saying, "Mama, I'd like to introduce Mason Ashford. Mase is the throws coach at State University. Mason, this is my mother, Olena Belikova." I held out my hand, directing my introductions. "And this is my sister Karolina, and her children, Paul and Zoya."
Mason outstretched his hand to my Mama and she took it and shook his hand. "It's very nice to meet you, ma'am," said Mason, "Your son is a very talented guy. And I know family is very important to Dimitri."
I looked at him meaningfully and he mouthed 'Ivan' to me.
Mason continued, "Mrs. Belikova, I'd like to offer Dimitri a scholarship to attend State. I'm authorized to give up to thirty thousand dollars a year for tuition, fees, books and supplies, and room and board. Additionally, all of his track and field supplies - including clothes, shoes, and throwing implements - would be provided free of charge."
By the time Mase mentioned the thirty thousand, Mama had her hand over her gaping mouth. If she hadn't already been standing, I would've been surprised if she didn't reach for a chair to sit down. Taking Mason's hand again, Mama choked out between her apparent tears, "Vau, eto ochen' shchedro, mister Eshford. Bud'te zdorovy."
I cleared my throat and translated for him, "She said, 'Wow, that's very generous. God bless you.'"
Mason looked at me and asked, "I'm sorry - does your mother not speak English?"
Switching back to English, Mama said, "Oh, I'm so sorry, Mr. Ashford! My emotions get the better of me sometimes when it comes to Dimitri."
Mason patted my mother's hand, since she had still not let him go, saying, "It's my pleasure, Mrs. Belikova. I really wanted to be able to give this scholarship to a fellow St. Vlad's grad. I also know what it's like to live in a family with a single mother. And Dimitri is unique, too; talent and skill together are rare, but he's got them both in a six foot seven package. There are a lot of things I can teach an athlete, but height isn't one of them."
Mama laughed at that, saying, "Well, my Dimka has always been a big boy." I groaned at my mother's embarrassment, making me sound like a young child.
"If you'd like, I can have all the paperwork drawn up and sent to your house before graduation next weekend. All you'll have to do is drop your acceptance in the mail, assuming Dimitri's already applied for admission."
I'd never even thought to apply to State because of the cost. I scratched the back of my neck. "Well, actually, Mase …" I said.
"Dimitri, if you haven't already applied, you'll need to work with our admissions office to get your application in over the next few days. I've got an application in my car that I can give you before I leave here today. I've seen your grades and test scores, though, so I'm sure you'll be fast-tracked for application approval. From there, Financial Aid will review your need and I can offer up scholarships for whatever PELL grants don't cover. You've already filled out your FAFSA - right?"
I nodded, and said, "Yes, at least one of my older sisters has filled one out every year since I was nine. Plenty of practice in this household."
Suddenly, Mason's eyes lit up, as if he was just recalling something. He looked at me and asked, "You wouldn't, by chance, be related to Sonja Belikova, would you?"
"Yes, she's one of my other sisters. Why do you ask?"
"Sonja was the year before me at St. Vlad's. I didn't know her really well, but there were a lot of rumors. Much like Rose, I'm sure none of them were true, though."
I frowned. "What rumors?" I asked.
At nearly the same time, Mama asked me, "Dimka, does Mr. Ashford know your Roza?"
I scratched the back of my neck again and tried to play ignorant as I told Mama, "Well, he did go to St. Vladimir's around the same time as Rose." I was desperately hoping Mama wouldn't make the connection when he said her name, but unfortunately, that hope was in vain.
Mason replied to Mama, "Rose Hathaway - I'm sorry, Mazur - has been one of my good friends since we were in kindergarten. The rumors about Sonja were mostly just idle gossip. Very similar to the ones about Rose."
It hadn't escaped my mother's notice that Mason had called Rose 'Hathaway' before correcting himself. She narrowed her eyes at me knowingly. I felt like this was a discussion for another time, though, and I tried to position myself between Mason and my mother.
"It's all just bad luck piled on top of gossip," he said, "One guy makes up a story when he doesn't get what he wants and another tries to top it. Rose once told me that she walked in on Rolan Kislyak trying to take advantage of Sonja at a party my senior year. As I understand it, Rose walked in on them and saw what he was doing, then kicked his ass. Shame it didn't stop him from going after other girls. I heard he was right back at it at the next party. A few years later, I guess some girl's four older brothers messed him up pretty bad, though - broke his nose and everything - and he hasn't bothered anyone since then."
Just hearing Rolan's name rankled me, let alone hearing the story that four older brothers had been responsible for what happened. Mason must've seen the recognition in my eyes when he said it. "That's the same face you made when I mentioned Jesse Zeklos. You knew Rolan?"
"He dated my sister Viktoria for a few months. It wasn't four older brothers, it was one younger brother," I said lamely, "and I didn't break his nose; I just bruised it a little."
"Dimitri, I like you more and more," said Mason, clapping me on the back, "Come with me and we'll get you that application."
I picked up the contents of my bag and brought it with me as I went to follow Mason. As we walked to Mason's car, I checked my text messages. There were two messages from Adrian and a message from Rose. I couldn't help but click into the message from Rose first. I'm blocking you again as soon as I send this. Do you seriously know all of my acquaintances, though? Really?
I smiled. It was a start, even if I was still blocked.
I scrolled to Adrian's messages.
Rose is PISSED, Dude. I told you that you needed to tell her.
Mind if I come over to Randall's tonight and hang? I have the night off. I could bring my xbox?
I started to type in the text for a reply: Not tonight. I need some time alone
"Everything okay?" Mason asked, arriving at his car.
"Yeah," I said, "Just a text from my cousin. He wants to hang out tonight."
"You should," said Mason, "You've been wallowing in sadness for how long? A week now?" I shrugged and gave a half-nod. "No one's asking you to forget about Rose or give up on her, but you know that even if she comes back to you, this is going to take some time. You don't have to be 'okay' yet, but you need to get back to a normal life. Do something just for you, just for a little while. Don't let this break you, Dimitri. Do you really think Rose is going to want some guy who lashes out at the people closest to him and can't even take a shower; someone who's too weak to face a normal day?"
My brain knew he was right, even if my heart wasn't in it. Rose wouldn't want me if she saw how pathetic I was behaving. And Rose was all that mattered.
I retyped the message. OK, but I'm not going to talk about Rose.
-=o0/&\0o=-
Adrian brought his game system over and we were on our fourth game. Since I didn't get to play video games very often, I had already lost three times and wasn't doing so well on this fourth one. His X-Box was one of the few remnants of his life with his own father before Uncle Nathan abandoned their family to leave Aunt Daniella and Adrian to fend for themselves the day after Adrian had turned eighteen, three years ago.
We all had our theories on why Nathan had waited, but my best guess was so that he wouldn't have to pay child support. Uncle Nathan was nearly as cheap as Randall. Since Uncle Nathan had packed up and moved, Mama and Babushka had stepped in to help him and his mother.
Nathan leaving was probably the best thing that could've happened to Adrian because it caused him to take on a lot of responsibilities that I never thought he would. Before it all happened, I honestly envisioned him being the sort of guy who takes art classes in college for a year and then drops out. A few months after Nathan had left, Adrian had started picking up odd jobs to help pay the bills, something I honestly never thought I would see him doing. By the time he turned twenty-one last summer, Adrian was paying his own way through college and was well on his way to his degree in Elementary Education.
"Blyad'!" I cursed as the car on the screen went careening off of the path again. A second later, Adrian won the game.
"Language, Dimka!" Adrian joked, "Honestly, what kind of example are you setting for your nieces and nephew with a mouth like that?"
"One who doesn't like to lose," I told him.
"If you didn't like to lose so much, you should've thought of that before you lied to Rose Hathaway," he pointed out, setting down his game controller.
I looked at Adrian with a look that could skewer him in half. "I told you that I didn't want to talk about Rose. Besides, I didn't lie."
Adrian got up, running his fingers through his already-messy hair. "If you didn't lie, then how do you explain why Rose thought you were older than you are?"
I sighed deeply. "She just assumed I was older when we met. I didn't correct her."
Adrian touched the tip of his nose and pointed at me. "Deception by omission is still a lie, buddy. You should know that," he said.
I frowned. "I never thought that the day would come when I'm getting advice on morals from Adrian Ivashkov."
Adrian grinned and winked. "Mark it on your calendar. You won't see it happen again anytime soon."
"So, I take it she's not talking to you, either?" I asked him.
"Actually," he said, "she gave me five minutes to explain and then gave me the benefit of the doubt. I explained to her that it wasn't my secret to tell but that I had given you a couple of months and that I would've told her by then if you hadn't. I even showed her the text I sent you saying that."
"So she's good with you?" I asked, "Despite keeping it from her?"
Adrian smiled and nodded. "Pretty much."
"Are you willing to put in a good word for me, then?" I asked, hoping and praying that he would.
"I thought you said you didn't want to talk about Rose?" Adrian asked, smirking at me.
"This is different."
"Not a chance will I put in a good word. I'm not going to risk the wrath of a Hathaway. She knows how to hold a grudge. Why does it matter?"
"Because I love her, Adrian," I told him, rubbing a weary hand over my face, "And I have to get her back. Or die trying."
"What are you going to do when she goes back to State University in August? She won't be renting the house next door to Randall anymore."
I furrowed my forehead. If I got the scholarship money from Mason, I wouldn't need to go to Randall's house on weekends anymore, either. Especially since graduation was only a week away. At first, I could only think that this was yet another obstacle, but then I realized something.
"Wait - Rose goes to State?" I asked him.
Adrian gave me that knowing grin. "You didn't know that, either; did you?"
"No, but it works out perfectly," I told him. I explained to him how I was offered the scholarship this morning after winning the state track meet.
"Well, maybe you'll still get a shot with her, then," Adrian said, "I'm hesitant to say this, Dimka, but you know I have a way of reading people and this one's just too evident - and important - not to say. You shouldn't have lied to her, buuutttt ... I really hope it all works out for you two. There's something about the way you talk about her, the way you looked at her, the way you were when she was around you - and the way she was around you. I just feel like it's meant to be."
-=o0/&\0o=-
On Sunday night when I arrived back home, at least an hour later than I would usually arrive, it was already dark out. I walked slowly up the walk, too weary for anything more than trudging along. I saw a man and a woman standing on the porch, facing each other. The woman had her back to me, facing the man. From the dark hair, I knew that it was one of my sisters, but it was difficult to tell which one. As I walked along the path to the front porch steps, the outline of the man's face became clear to me.
Why was Ivan on my porch talking to my sister? Was this more of his trying to stage an intervention?
"I really had a nice time with you this weekend, Ivan," came the voice I recognized as Viktoria, "I didn't realize you were so … nice." Vika twirled her hair, flipping it forward, as she finished her statement.
I couldn't believe this. Vika was flirting with Ivan.
"I've always known you were nice," Ivan replied, as his voice dropped down an octave, "and I had a nice time with you, too. I can't wait to see you again next weekend. You're coming to graduation, too - right?"
Viktoria laughed. "You know Mama would kill me if I missed Dimka's graduation. And Dimka probably would, too - especially if things go like we hope they will. But I'm sure I could make some time to spend with you. You know," said Viktoria, running her fingers along the neckline of Ivan's dress shirt that he still had on from church, "Dimitri told me that you wanted to get down my pants."
Ivan replied, "Well, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't find you attractive or that I wouldn't honestly love to see you without your pants on, too. But a woman like you deserves to be wooed." He cupped the side of her face and added, "Worshipped."
It looked like they were about five seconds away from going in for a kiss. I could not be here for this. I didn't know whether to throw up or go choke the life out of my best friend. I cleared my throat as I reached the top of the porch steps, desperate to break up the conversation. Both of them turned to me, startled.
"Dimka!" Vika said, moving to put distance between her and Ivan, "I didn't realize you weren't already home!"
Ivan whispered something I didn't hear to Viktoria, causing me to raise an eyebrow.
"Were you at Randall's?" Vika asked me.
"Where else would I have been?" I asked, irritated that she would even ask such a ridiculous question.
"Did you see Rose this afternoon?" Ivan asked.
"Of course not," I told him, getting more irritated by the second.
"Dimka, can you go inside?" Viktoria asked, "Ivan and I have some," she looked at Ivan and cleared her throat. I saw pink tinging her cheeks as she finished, "things to talk about."
I looked at Ivan irritatedly. Could I trust him with my sister? Assuming I could, could I even let the two of them be so happy when I was so miserable? "Fine," I finally said, adding, "But Ivan, you better treat Viktoria with respect or those bruises on your arm won't be the only ones you get from me."
-=o0/&\0o=-
Author's Notes:
You'll only see me say this once, and I'll probably delete this author note a week or two after this chapter goes live, because a clever person with a creative internet search who has seen my first name in one of my earlier reviews or in a PM I sent would have enough information to glean my home address and very publicly listed home phone number from all this, but my husband was an NCAA national champion in the discus (among other events) in track and field, multiple years, and has since coached at the collegiate level and competed individually for several years, so I took a lot of real-world knowledge from him for the discus throwing stuff. Knowing the way my husband describes a lot of throwing event physics, I always assumed a muscular 6'7" guy would be an extra-exceptional thrower, just based on body shape and size, so it made sense for me to give Dimitri that as his spring-season sport.
P.S. For those of you who have no idea, much like golf or bowling, track and field throws events are often nail-biting for about 30-40 seconds maybe three to five times over the course of the event, and then bore you to tears for about 3 hours, so you can thank me for cutting to the chase on this one. Special shout out to fellow writer on Fanfiction dot net, A. Estrella, who has mentioned in one of her author notes that she's also a thrower.
Also worth mentioning, a portion of the first chapter of Little Paper Hearts was actually inspired by my husband doing hammer-throwing turns in the kitchen in the middle of the night this January.
