I slammed the door shut and rested against it, heaving a heavy sight. What the hell did I just witness?!

"Babe? You okay? I thought you were bringing Rose her sneakers."

I looked over at Christian sprawled over on the bed, his hands folded behind his head, shirt unbuttoned and shoes and socks off. It was something I could get used to seeing. I nodded my head and cleared my throat before dropping the shoes to the floor beside me.

"Yeah. Everything is fine. She wasn't in her dorm yet," I said, running my hand through my hair. I didn't even know what to think about what I just saw. I knew Rose had a crush on Guardian Belikov, but I didn't think he reciprocated the feelings. Hell, I wasn't sure he was the dating type. But what I saw wasn't dating, and it was clear by their body language that that wasn't the first time that had done that!

"I'm gonna take a shower," I mumbled and grabbed some of my things before heading into the bathroom, shutting the door tight behind me. I turned on the water and rested my hands against the sink, looking at myself in the reflection. When did that start? And is it just casual or what?

I just wanted to scream WHAT THE FUCK ROSE?!

"Rose!"

The slight jolt snapped me out of Lissa's head and I looked up to see Dimitri staring down at me, his hands wrapped around my arms.

"Sorry, I got sucked into Lissa's head."

Dimitri nodded his head and shifted my weight, not expecting for the surface below me to shift too. I gripped Dimitri's arms before realizing that he had moved me from the dresser to my bed, pulling the shirt he gifted me over my head.

"She's a little upset," I sighed, flopping onto my back. I brought my hands up and covered my face and groaned. This was fifty levels of fucked.

"Do you think that she'd-"

"No," I said, lifting my hands up to look at him. "She won't say anything. She knew that I had a crush on you. She's just feeling a little betrayed and shocked. I mean, if you were in her shoes how would you feel?"

I saw his face relax a little more before he picked up his shirt and slipped it back on.

"Please don't go," I murmured, sitting up to reach out to him. He gave me a sad smile and crouched so he was closer to my height.

"I don't think that will be a good idea," he replied, tucking a curl behind my ear. I finally got a dose of him and I was losing it already.

"Please!"

Dimitri looked like he was stuck in a hard place before I added, "Only you and Lissa have keys to my room."

He sighed and pulled the shirt back off before unbuckling his belt and pulling it out of the loops.

"Just sleeping."

I nodded my head happily and reached up to start pulling the pins out. It seemed like I was taking too long and Dimitri gently moved my hands out of the way, pulling them out and setting them on the nightstand before running his fingers against my scalp. I tilted my head back and closed my eyes as he massaged my scalp.

"You're really good at that."

Dimitri chuckled, "I've had practice."

I knitted my brows together and turned my head a bit, making him laugh harder. "Mama used to like it if we played with her hair before bed. We thought she had us do it because we thought it was fun, but really, she suffered from headaches and it helped a bit. I used to do it for her when she had particularly bad ones," he said. I tried to picture a lanky teenaged Dimitri sitting beside his mother on the couch, massaging her head, but I couldn't. It was hard to imagine him as anything but what he is now.

"I'm going to fall asleep," I mumbled. He didn't say anything before pulling his hands away and kissing my cheek.

"Wash that makeup off first. It looks pretty, but I like your natural skin."

I snickered and got up to get the makeup wipes and cleaned myself off, careful not to poke myself in the eyes while wiping underneath it. Within moments I was done and crawled into bed, sandwiching myself between him and the wall. I was looking forward to being able to do this all the time, sleeping in his arms. I knew that it was unrealistic for me to think it would happen all the time, but a girl could dream, right?

"Are you excited for Bora Bora?" I asked as I traced my fingers over his chest. Dimitri smiled and flexed his pectoral muscles, making me giggle.

"I am a little, despite that I'll be working for most of it."

I rolled my eyes and rubbed the tip of my nose against his. "Hey, you get the evenings off, and I promise you will have time to see stuff too."

He didn't respond but ran his fingers over my back as I rested my head against his chest, breathing in his distinct smell as it lulled me to sleep.

I made my way to the cafeteria in my black and white graduation clothes. It was customary for graduating Novices to wear them before the ceremony. I let my eyes scan the room while I looked for Lissa. I could feel her, but I couldn't see her.

I took a step into the room only to be dragged out to the hall again. I was shocked when I realized that it was Lissa and she dragged me towards the girl's bathroom. She pulled me in and looked under the stalls before locking the door and facing me. I waited for her to let me have it as she paced in front of the sinks, her arms crossed across her chest while her skirt floated behind her. She stopped a few times and opened her mouth, but closed it again before starting her pacing.

"Lissa."

She stopped and shook her head, huffing. "What the fuck, Rose?! What the hell did I walk in on last night?!"

"It's not what it looks like," I began but she cut me off.

"Oh it's not what it looks like?! Rose, you were naked and his hands were on your boobs. And it was really clear that you not only liked it, but it wasn't something new for the two of you. I don't know if I should smack him or you!"

I puffed my hair out of my face and leaned against the wall. I deserved the verbal lashing; I didn't tell her anything and she had to witness it all first hand. It must have been just as awkward for her as it was for us.

"Well?!" Lissa shrilled. I sagged against the wall a little before replying.

"I was going to tell you on our trip," I said uselessly. Lissa raised her perfectly plucked brows at me and waited for me to elaborate.

"I don't really know how to explain it. It didn't start until the night of the attack," I started but she cut me off again.

"What started?"

"If you stop interrupting, I'll tell you."

Lissa sighed and leaned against the counter, crossing her arms over her chest and her ankles.

"We kind of started dating after the rescue mission. I'm in love with him, Lissa. It's not just some crush and he feels the same way. We are planning on coming out as a couple after our trip and he has put in a request for reallocation. What you saw last night was us slipping up," I explained, mimicking her position against the wall.

Lissa scrutinized me for a few more minutes before a smirk crossed her face.

"Have you had sex with him?"

I could feel my face flushing and I tried to suppress my smirk and looked away. It was enough of an answer and she squealed, pouncing on the gossip opportunity. She instantly asked for the details and I kept it pretty PG13, considering what she's already seen. I mean, it only happened once. Eventually our conversation ended when the door rattled as someone tried to get in. Lissa made a face that screamed the conversation was going to continue and we headed out of the bathroom to grab our breakfast. I scanned the room and smiled as I observed my classmates sitting with their families. I spotted Eddie with his mom and my parents with Tasha and Christian. I stirred Lissa towards them and slipped into a vacant spot.

I smiled at Dad as he leaned over and kissed the side of my head and Mom gave me a happy smile. Eddie's Mom was so happy to see me and reached over the table to hug me while Mom gave Lissa a congratulatory hug.

"Your father was just telling me some spectacular stories about you," Eddie's mom said with a fond smile. I rolled my eyes and sipped my orange juice, catching Lissa's eye over my glass.

"I'm sure he did."

This was a moment I didn't think I would experience, having a group of people cheering for me as I walked across the stage to collect my diploma. Nine months ago I would have laughed if you said my mom was going to be here, but she was. I had a father here too and his Guardian who was just as attached to me as my parents were. I had a family. I had Lissa clapping from her spot in the wave of the students, Eddie whooping loudly and Christian clapping as well.

Alberta smiled as she shook my hand and handed me my diploma and Kirova looked less hateful than normal. Maybe it was because she was finally getting rid of me? I smiled at Alberta when she stepped aside for me to walk past her and Dimitri greeted me. As a custom, any Novice who had a mentor was presented her stakes by them instead of the Head Guardian. Dimitri was uncharacteristically happy as he handed me the familiar box and pulled me into a quick hug. I was startled that he did it in front of the whole school, but I returned it quickly and pulled away.

I joined my classmates and clapped along as the last of them crossed the stage, giving extra enthusiasm as Christian crossed the stage. He needed extra support today.

As soon as the ceremony was finished, I made my way over to my friends. The first one I found was Lissa and I wrapped my arms around her, squealing just as excitedly as she did. We did it - I did it! Lissa had a few tears in her eyes when she pulled me into a hug and I could pretend all I wanted that I didn't have any either, but it would be a pathetic lie. I sniffed and pulled away, wiping the back of my hands over my cheeks to clear them away.

I just made it out of Lissa's grasp before I was swallowed up in a hug by Eddie. His laugh was pure and I was relieved to hear it for the first time since Mason's death. There was mention of Mason at the beginning of the Dhampir ceremony and there was a moment of silence to which Eddie turned his head to look at me in the row behind. The room full of people didn't stop me from reaching my hand over and squeezing his before the reading of diploma's started.

"He'd be proud of us," I said to him. He nodded and gave me a tight squeeze. He didn't need to say anything but I knew he agreed with me. Mason would have been proud and if he had been standing here with us today it would have been even better.

Our families descended on us and I was quickly preoccupied with them. Mom was red-eyed and Dad was loud, boasting about how proud he was of his girls, tucking me under his arm while pulling Lissa in as well. I was thankful that he considered her family as well, especially when she didn't have any.

"Can I see them?" Mom asked, pointing to my stakes. I nodded and pulled one out and handed it to her. She looked over it with a neutral gaze before her eyes landed on the inscription. She furrowed her brows and looked up at me and then to Dad and then back to me.

"Do you know what this says?"

I nodded my head and she raised her brows again before handing it back to me. I wasn't sure what to make of her reaction, but she didn't seem angry. Could she even read Russian?

I sat down in the grass and wrapped my hands around my bare legs. It wasn't often I wore shorts these days but given that I was leaving in a few hours, I felt that it was appropriate that I spent a few minutes here. God knows how long it'll be until I get to be here again. The tombstone was the same as the others who were buried here, but this one was amongst the newest.

I set a few wildflowers I found on my way here on top of the stone and brushed my fingers over the grooves of his names. It felt strange being here. It brought closure to most people but being here was a stark reminder that my childhood best friend was dead. I was never going to get to see his curly hair or his cheeky grin. The thing I missed the most was the twinkle of mischief he got when he had a prank forming and wanted me to be in on it.

I could hear footsteps approaching me and I looked up as Eddie folded himself down in the grass with me. I gave him a flat smile and rested my head against his shoulder, heaving a sigh.

"It feels weird leaving without him," Eddie said. I nodded my head and bit my lip. It did feel weird, it felt like I was leaving a small piece of who I was behind here. But Eddie understood that because a piece of him was being left behind too.

"Promise me something?"

"What?" I said, looking up at him.

"No matter what our allocations are, promise that we will always keep in touch?"

"I promise."

Eddie nodded and rested his head on top of mine, watching the sunrise over the hills with me.

I was bouncing on my feet as I waited to be handed my allocation package. Get this bad boy and head off to the nice, hot, heat of Bora Bora! I watched Eddie be handed his and he tucked it under his arm with a neutral expression. I forced myself to be still as the Guardian handed me my allocation envelope. I nodded and tucked it under my arm while I waited for the rest of the Novices to be presented theirs.

We were dismissed and Eddie and I headed out, meeting Lissa and Christian outside while Dimitri kept his distance. I could feel Lissa's excitement through the bond and I excitedly tore open the envelope and pulled it out at the same time as Eddie.

"Ready?" I asked. He nodded and we both unfolded our letters. My breath caught in my throat as I read the three words on my letter. I felt like my heart was going to fall out of my ass.

"What is it?" Christian asked and I looked up to see Eddie looking at me, his face slightly pinched.

"I got Lissa," he said, handing the letter to her. She pulled it from his hands and looked at it before looking at me. "

Are you two partners? That'll be amazing!" Lissa exclaimed.

I felt disappointed, hell I felt like the only reason I was looking forward to becoming a Guardian had been taken away from me.I shook my head and handed my paper to her, blinking to keep the tears burning at the back of my eyes from falling. I could hear the words echo through her mind.

Rosemarie Hathaway: Unallocated.

Lissa made a noise in the back of her throat and I raised my eyes to Dimitri, who had a confused look on his face as well. He stepped forwards and read over Lissa's shoulder. He gave me a sympathetic look.

"I can't see why you didn't allocate you. You have monija, zvezda, and a promise mark along with being top of your combat class. Why don't we see if we can get this sorted out?"

I nodded and sniffed. I was trying desperately not to lose my composure right now. Lissa stayed with Eddie and Christian while Dimitri and I headed to Guardian Headquarters. It felt different being in here even though I had just been here ten minutes prior. Maybe because all the excitement of allocation was gone? We got to the front desk and Dimitri spoke to the man there, explaining there was an error with my allocation documents. The Guardian behind the desk seemed impassive when he asked for my name. I barely managed to get it out and his eyebrows rose.

"You're saying you weren't allocated? We've heard about you here in Court. There must have been a clerical error."

I listened to the clacking of his keyboard as he pulled up my information file. He hummed and stretched his neck out as he read the screen.

"It says here that there was a request for you to be unallocated, Guardian Hathaway Jr. It's dated May 15, 2020. I take it that you did not request this," the guardian said.

I shook my head. "Am I the only one who could put in that request?"

"No," the Guardian said. "Sometimes, parents can put in requests to unallocate to keep their children close to Court. The problem is that because you're a new graduate, there isn't much for you to do here aside from Ward line duties or clerical work."

Oh no. A parent could request for unallocations?!

"Son of a-" I exclaimed before tearing out of the building. I could hear Dimitri thank the guardian and jog to catch up with me. I could feel my blood boiling as I reached the house I was looking for and I didn't bother to knock before entering.

The guardian inside was surprised and his hand flew to his stake on instinct before he registered it was me. But I paid no attention as I hollered through the house, coming out to the living room. Judging by the look on his face and on Mom's, they were waiting for this reaction. Mom looked unimpressed at Dad while he had a calm expression.

"You requested I be unallocated?!" I exclaimed, feeling angrier the longer I stood in one spot. Dad set his coffee cup down on the table and laced his fingers in his lap, looking as though he didn't have an irate daughter in front of him, but instead like he was having a casual conversation.

"I did."

"Did you know about this?" I snapped at Mom and she had the decency to look guilty. She nodded and I chuckled humourlessly.

"So all that sunshine you blew up my ass about being an amazing Guardian to Lissa you told me at graduation was what? False praise?!"

I opened my mouth to yell again but the angry tears slipped through and I was unable to stop them now. I swatted at my face as I stumbled through every argument on why that was a stupid idea, but Dad held up a hand to cut me off.

"I didn't request it to be an intrusive parent, Rosemarie. I did it because until you've learned to manage your abilities it is unsafe for you to be a guardian to anyone. I know you love Lissa and I know that if you were to accidentally hurt her, it would kill you. I pulled strings to give her the best guardians possible and when the time comes, you can join the team as well. And for the record, your mother wasn't too fond of this idea."

I sucked in a deep breath and rubbed at my face again. "Who?"

"Your friend Eddison and Belikov."

"That's not possible. Dimitri put in a request for reallocation in March."

Dad rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'm well aware that your boyfriend put in a request, but I also know that he is one of the only people you'll trust to take care of Lissa. Besides, it's not like it will be any different than it is now. When the time comes, Belikov can have the reallocation approved."

My mouth snapped open. "What did you just say?"

It was Mom's turn to react. "Oh Rosemarie, we've known all along that you two have been together. It was very clear after the attack. Although, I'm not completely impressed that you felt dating my daughter was appropriate," Mom said, raising her head to address Dimitri behind me. I didn't even hear him come in.

I turned to look at him but he had a blank expression on his face. Damn it! I wanted to see if his reaction was as bad as mine. I looked back at my parents and shuffled on my feet before Dad stood up and kissed the side of my head.

"Go make sure all your things are packed. You leave in a few hours."

Hello! Happy New Year lovelies! I hope you all had a happy and safe holiday!

I doubt none of you saw this coming huh? ;)

A big big thank you to TheLittleSubmissive for editing! You're a saint and I truly appreciate all your hard work!

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