I DON'T OWN ANY OF THE VAMPIRE ACADEMY CHARACTERS I ONLY OWN THE PLOT!

I am not a professional author and therefore there maybe repeats of phrases, please be kind!

I'm also from Australia so my English may be different to yours and I will probably vary between American and Australian spelling!

Chapter 13: RPOV

I was on my back to the Academy after being away for four weeks, it was supposed to be three weeks, but I wasn't ready to face Dimitri. Art and I had been working extremely hard this camp. I had been working out every day, and we hunted every day. I have put my body through more than I thought I could handle, I'm running off barely any sleep, partly because we need to be aware of our surroundings and partly because all I can think about is Dimitri. The time was now 5am, and we were about 3 hours away from the Academy, I can't wait to have a hot shower and change into some fresh clothes. Tonight, is the Equinox dance, and Art informed me that we will be going shopping when we get back, one part I'm not thrilled about is the part where Dimitri is also coming along. Lissa and I have kept in contact and Ivan and her are serious, they're officially together and I couldn't be happier for her, a little bit jealous but that's just the way it is, they come first. I made peace with that a long time ago. I had checked in on Lissa during the time we were away, and she spent most of her time at Ivan's, it made me feel better to know that she wasn't alone. She's also been looking heavily into college, she has been looking at University's all over the world, what they offer and what she wants to study, I've been hearing her thoughts about wanting to ask me what college I want to go before she sets her decision in stone. She really wants me to study with her, but I don't see the point when I will never get to use it, it will be a waste of money. Breaking the silence, I say.

"Lissa wants me to go to college, but I think it's a waste of time for me, I'll never get to use the education"

"She wants to include you; she sees you as a sister and it has probably been her dream to go to college with you since you were children" Art said thoughtfully.

"I guess I never thought about it like that, she's always wanted to go to college like a normal teenage girl, parties and what not but, we are far from normal" I said the last part with a laugh.

"You're the closest thing she has to normal so just make sure you're always there for her, even if she doesn't want you to be, because deep down she loves and she wants you there but, hurt can make you want to push people away. Now I'm not saying this will ever happen, but your bond is strong and you're both stubborn so if you guys fight. Be there for her"

"Thanks Art, you're one of the best people in my life, and I know for a fact if you weren't there that night. I'd be dead and Lissa would be either dead or turned" I said with a tear rolling down my face.

"Oh my dear Warrior, that was a long time ago, you have been so dedicated and focussed, you're one of, if not the best novice there has ever been. I know that your record is disclosed but you should really consider letting your file be seen. It could open so many doors for both you and your sister"

"How come you have never opened a mentor or private training gym? You're the best mentor I have ever had no offence to Dimitri, he comes in very very close to you, you just obviously have more experience than he does"

"I never told you this, because I didn't know he was there. But I mentored him. And he was very much like you before you ran away. He was a show off, very loud, very much a ladies man" he laughed. "But he got pulled back to reality when his sister lost her hearing, basically getting banished to the human world. He sobered up real quick, shut off all his emotions, becoming more focused. He barely talked, he became angered really fast and would take the littlest things to set him off. I ended up getting asked to come and mentor him because he had great potential and that's what I did. I couldn't bring him out of his shell as much I would have hoped, and then after graduating his best friends girlfriend died and so did his partnering guardian, he became even more reserved. It was heartbreaking to see. You may just be what each other needs"

"Pfft yeah right. Dimitri only cares about one thing and that's to hurt me, pulls me in and then pushes me away"

"I know a girl who's like a daughter to me, and she does the same thing"

"No I don't, I'm blunt to people's face, blatantly not interested" I said exasperated.

"You may not be able to see it Warrior, but you are a very charming and beautiful young lady. I've seen boys falls at your feet and I've seen you become friends with some of them. It may have not been your intention, but you my darling girl, are a heartbreaker" he said full of pride.

"Yeah right, I think this conversation is over, I'm going to try and sleep" I said wanting to get off this topic.

"Good idea Petal" he replied.

I was woken by gentle shaking and Art calling out my name, I let out a grumble of not so nice things and in return got a chuckle and he told me to go upstairs and have a shower, get something to eat and to meet back here in 1 hour. I went to my room looked at my bed and groaned. I had a shower washed my hair, exfoliated, shaved, you name it I did it. I felt so much cleaner, so much fresher and just so much better. When I got out of the shower, I blow dried my hair and put it up into a messy bun with some loose bits hanging down the front. I put on some Bali body bb cream to give me that glowy I'm awake look. I looked at my closet not sure what to wear, I went with signature black skinny jeans and khaki crop top with some combat boots. My abs were showing a bit and so was some of my molnijas. Art told me that I had to go and eat and then go to the Alberta's office to get my marks. As soon as I did that, I went to find Lissa so she could heal my new tattoos. When I left Alberta's office I checked the bond to see where Lissa was, unfortunately she was at Ivan's and so was another someone. I rolled my eyes. I arrived at Ivan's and knocked on the door.

"Roza" his deep but soft voice sounded in my ears, but before I could respond Lissa squealed and ran out to hug me. She jumped into my arms and gave me a bear hug.

"Rose, I'm so happy you're back" she spoke as she hugged. I couldn't help but smile, I was so happy to see her again.

"Liss, I missed you so much, I'm so happy to be back here with you. Can you please heal my new marks?" The last part I whispered. No one else could tell because she was already hugging me but she healed my tattoos so they wouldn't itch or be red.

"Thank you" I smiled, and she stood back on the ground. We started making our way to the cars, it was almost time to leave.

"So, I've been checking up on you while I was away, and I see that you went and visited Dimitri's family. How was it?" I remember checking in from time to time and she was so happy, like happy when her parents were still alive. Her face grimaced and the walls in her head went up.

"Uh it was okay"

"Lisa don't give me that, I know you had a great time" I explained. She let her walls back down and I felt love, acceptance, longing, and a bit of sadness.

"I wish you were there Rose, they really can't wait to meet you, Dimitri told them a little about you, but I have a feeling when Ivan and I weren't around he talked more about you

We walked in comfortable silence the rest of the way to the car, with Ivan and Dimitri following in the back. When we arrived at the car, it wasn't a car waiting for us, it was a stretch hummer. Art told us all to get in with Art driving and Alberta riding shotgun. I wonder when he learnt to drive this thing. Lissa and Ivan were sat near the middle and that left Dimitri and I at the back. Great. I made sure to sit as far away as possible and to look out the window. It was a beautiful day; sun was up with a little bit of clouds. Pulling me out of my thoughts he moved closer to me and started talking to me.

"Hey Roza"

"Rose, and hi Dimitri, how are you? How is your family?" My heart was pounding in my chest.

"Rose" he corrected "I'm good, thank you for asking. My family are doing well thank you, I had a very nice time away. How are you?" He asked and gave me a side glance.

"I'm really glad to hear that you had a great time away with your family" I smiled but it didn't quite reach my eyes. I never really had a family. The closest I had to a family was Lissa's but now her parents were gone, and now we have Art. My dad and I aren't the closest, but I know if I need him, he will be there for me, and I have an account and have more money than I need. Lissa still tries to buy me stuff, but I refuse to let her pay for my stuff. "I'm doing very well thank you, anything in particular are you getting from the shop?" I asked wanting to steer the conversation on a different topic.

"Just some Christmas presents for the special people in my life" he said, I cringed, way to rub salt in the wound.

"That's very nice" I spoke quietly looking out the window wishing the universe would swallow me up. How did my life get this complicated, I'm head over heels in love with someone who literally pays me no attention and a momentary lapse of judgement on his behalf because he liked what he saw with barely any clothes on. I thought time away would help but I was clearly wrong. I guess running away Isn't the way to solve problems. We didn't talk they the rest of the way there. When we got to there we split, guys and girls, we had to find dresses for the dance, Lissa wants to get her nails done. I will get mine painted.

"So Alberta, what's going on between you and Artie?" She blushed before quickly wiping that off her face.

"I'm very sure that I don't know what you're talking about" she smirked.

"Don't give me that bull crap Bertie, I saw the looks" I laughed

"Didn't think you would notice anything sitting all the way back there with the big bad Russian" I gasped

"Alberta Petrov" I reprimanded sarcastically and then we all burst out laughing.

"We barely said 5 sentences, just pleasantries" I said looking at the floor

"Oh, Rose my dear silly girl, he does care for you"

"He has a funny way of showing it"

"He doesn't know how to, all his life he has been told that they come first, he finds it very hard to show his emotions, he's been through a lot"

"He displays them just fine, it's his talking that he's shit at. Kisses me then tells me it can't happen, says I'm beautiful and then runs away, I can't do it anymore, it physically hurts to look at him. I feel like my heart is being squeezed and twisted and just ripped out of me, and I know he's been through a lot but so have I. He used to be fun and careless and then his sister became deaf and got banished to the human world and then they lost Tasha, and I know just as well as you or any Dhampir what making sacrifices and losing someone is like" I snapped, they looked at me with shocked expressions. Lissa just threw her arms around me and told me she was so sorry, I tried so hard not to cry, Alberta was running my back trying to comfort me. I looked up and guess who's orbs I was staring into. I groaned and stood up straight.

"Alright Ladies lets find us some kick ass dresses" I said determined. We set off, I think at this point we had been to 10 shops and there was still nothing.

"Wow, I can train for hours but shopping really takes it out of me" I laughed along with them

"I could shop for hours" Lissa squeaked

"We know" Alberta and I said at the same time and we all had a little giggle. We made our way into this little boutique it was called 'Boutique Elaganté', this is the shop I can feel it. Bertie was working the dance tonight so unfortunately she wasn't going to be buying a dress. Lissa and I both found our dresses here and we were ecstatic, they were gorgeous. We had 2 hours before we were meeting the guys for lunch, next stop lingerie.

"Bertie, you going to buy anything to wear for Artie" I teased

"It's not like that" she defended

"It is most definitely like, that" Lissa replied, looking Alberta up and down suggestively.

"Alright, we went to school together, we dated in high school and did long distance, we lost contact and the next time I saw him he was dating a moroi. It hurt me but we had not talked for a really long time and I understood why he would move on. I mean he could have a family with her. She broke his heart and he got moved to court where I was at the time and we hit it off again and started seeing each other, well one time I asked him if we could get dinner and he said he couldn't and then I went to get some takeaway and he was at dinner with some Moroi, and I ended it right then and there. There is no explanation he could have given me that would fix the way he made me feel. And I got on a plane and went to St Vlads" She sounded so defeated, Lissa and I both gave her a hug.

"I'm so sorry for pushing it, you know he once told me he loved and was still in love with a Dhampir, was even going to propose, he met with a jewellery designer at some Thai restaurant at court one night, I wonder if that's what he was doing" Albertas eyes bugged out of her head, trying to process this new information.

"On second thought let's go to the lingerie shop" she spoke and laughed. We walked into the lingerie shop and the first thing I grabbed was this deep rich red silk pyjamas set, it had spaghetti straps and the shirt length was just above the shorts which were really short and you could see the bottom of my cheeks. I also got the same set in a black, white and orange. I also got some button up shirts which the lady was going to embroider Rose onto, I found this really beautiful yellow, silk shirt with sunflowers on it, very similar to the sets and she embroidered Roza on it. I also got this very big, massive, oversized jumper that was fluffy and soft that came half way down my thighs. Next was the lingerie sets. I got black, white, a deep rich red, emerald green, blush pink, orange and navy sets all different and all amazing. The lady was about to tell me the total.

"I don't want to know please" I choked out and laughed. Lissa and Alberta also got some stuff, and I insisted Alberta go crazy in there and I would pay. We then went into a sports shop, I told Alberta again to get whatever she wanted as my credit card was loaded and I fully intend to use it. When we were looking around the store, I stopped to look at the watches, I had been wanting to buy one for quite a while. I saw a guy's Garmin watch and remember Dimitri vaguely telling me that the watch he has is on its last legs and that he was thinking of getting one of these. I decided I'd buy it for him for Christmas as it's only 3 weeks away. I also ended up getting a Garmin watch, to track my workouts. It can record, swimming, boxing, CrossFit, cardio, hiit, Liss, running, walking, basically anything it was just perfect. I ended up getting a black one but there was also an accessory pack so you can change them and to a nice metal one for when you go out. I got some more workout clothes and some sneakers. I was finished and made my way to the counter, Alberta then came over and put hers up, I smiled as she ended up getting a fair bit and I was so happy. She told me she was going to get a trolley. Before we met with the guys for lunch we went and got our nails done, Lissa got acrylics that were a nice pastel green, a couple shades lighter than her eyes, she got her toes done the same colour. Alberta got her toenails and fingernails painted black. I got my toes and fingers painted white. We met with the guys for lunch. We sat at a big table, with Dimitri and I on the end, Lissa and Ivan in the middle and Alberta and Art on the other end. We all started talking about our day, when I zoned out thinking what Dimitri's reaction will be to the watch.

"Are you working tonight Dimitri" I asked

"Yes but not the whole night, probably just half of it" he responded

"Oh cool" wow Rose that was so intelligent, I internally rolled my eyes

"Are you going tonight?" He asked

"Yeah, I am. I think Lissa and Ivan are going together"

"Yeah, they are, he has not stopped talking about it" I laughed out loud making the whole table look at me. Oh shit.

"I was just telling Dimitri about one of the first fights Alberta and I had and her handing my ass to me" Alberta laughed and everyone went back to their conversations.

"Rose, who trained you?" I looked up at him

"The same person who trained you, the man sitting at the end of the table, I owe my life to him"

"Arthur?" He asked and I nodded. He looked amazed like he couldn't believe what he has heard.

"I have heard quite a few stories about you, Mr Player, he also told me about your sister, I'm so sorry to hear about her"

"Thank you, it means a lot" he smiled a big genuine smile, and I couldn't help but smile back. We talked for a little while longer and then we kept shopping and every now and again I would sneak off with Dimitri's help so I could buy presents and he would do the same. After we all finished shopping it was time to head back to the Academy. This time Lissa and I sat together in the middle and the boys sat at the back.

"Looked like you guys had a pleasant conversation" Lissa observed

"Yeah, it was actually really nice, he told me a little about his family, and that he wants to see them for Christmas, but he would have to talk to Ivan. Because you know Ivan would have to go as well"

"I have a secret" she said with a huge smile on her face. I looked scared

"What is it?" I asked not sure that I want to know

"Ivan has organised for us to go there for Christmas, like even me and you. There is accommodation just down the road, that's where we stayed last time, Alberta of course came last time, and they have asked her if she would like to join and she would wait until closer to the date to say yes or no, guess it depends on her and Art hey. I know it's only 3 weeks away, but we might be going in 2 weeks" I felt like I was going to faint. Being around him and his family for an entire week, staying in the same hotel oh my gosh. I felt myself pale.

"Rose are you okay?" Lissa asked

"Yes, it's just a lot to take in"

"Oh, my goodness, Rose I'm so sorry I didn't even ask if you would be okay with going there. I'm sorry I didn't even think."

"Liss calm down, I'm following you wherever you go for the rest of our lives"

"No, you're not. We are planning our lives together, if you don't want to go somewhere we will not go" she proclaimed, she's so sweet but that's just not the way our lives are.

"Lissa we are going to Christmas with Dimitri and his family okay, I'm fine with going, it's not as if we are staying there" Lissa looked so excited.

"How are you and Ivan going" I continued

"We are so good, he's so sweet me" she gushed

"So, I had to get taken out of his class because we are official now and we didn't want people to think my grades were good because we were in bed together, so now I'm in Ms Brucosvky's class and she's not that bad, it's easier for me to concentrate on actual school now and not just the teacher" we both laughed and she looked at Ivan. "He's always touching me, and kissing me on the cheek and holding my hand, he is just the sweetest man I have ever met" yep she was definitely gushing but I love that for her.

"Liss that's amazing, Aaron never made you feel this way"

"I know, plus I have a man now, if you know what I mean" she winked, and we giggled. And all of a sudden, all eyes were on us which only made us giggle more.

"You're going to have the Big bad Russian on his and hands and knees tonight you know that"

"Oh, I'm going to have everyone on their hands and knees begging to know me tonight, except for Ivan of course, he's going to need screws to hold his jaw shut when he sees you." We laughed again.

"Oh by the way we are going together, I told Ivan that I will meet him there. We have been dreaming about a school dance for so long and I'm not letting my boyfriend stop that from happening."

"Aw Liss I could have gone by myself, but I'm so happy to be going with you and not by myself" I said

I've missed this you know, just us too. Coming back here it's been hard, I've seen more of Ivan than I have you and that's just weird and I don't think I like it, I mean I love seeing Ivan, but I hate barely seeing you"

"It's only natural that you spend more time with him, you're only newly dating, and I train a lot more now" I explained

"Yeah I guess" she replied. She put her head on my shoulder and after a little while fell asleep. When we arrived back at the academy I grabbed our bags and headed for her room. It was now 5pm and the dance started at 3am, it's a Saturday and we have ten hours before the dance. We are going to have a sleep until 1am and then we will get ready and arrive at 3:30am, enough time to be fashionably late.

"Alright princess, it's bedtime and then after that it's glam time" we both laughed at what I said, changed into our new PJ's and slept. I feel asleep in an instance being so exhausted.

I woke to someone tapping on my arm very irritatingly.

"Rose, Rose, Rose"

"RAAAHHHHH" I yelled completely paralyzing Lissa with fear and almost making her wet herself.

"That wasn't funny", she huffed and pointed her nose to the ceiling.

"Well it was for me" I giggled, yes I giggled, I do act like a girl… sometimes. "Now what do I owe the displeasure of my sleep in being disturbed" I questioned.

She rolled her eyes at me. "It's time to get ready for the dance" She beamed.

"Of course how could I forget? how long do we have until the dance starts?" I asked sitting up yawning.

"Three hours, just enough time to get ready for the dance, and be fashionably late" she winked at me when she said the last part.

"So I bought us some robes to wear while we get ready and you know even when we aren't" I handed Lissa a light Jade silk pyjama set which consisted of a spaghetti strapped singlet, booty shorts and a robe to match with V on the left side of the chest on both the singlet, robe and left side of the shorts. She put them on and they matched her skin tone perfectly. My pyjama set was the same but in black.

"Wow Rose, they are so beautiful. Thank you so much". She came over and gave me a big hug. I changed into my set and we started on our makeup, as we did we got talking. "Ivan told me that Dimitri and Adrian are half-brothers" my jaw dropped and I looked over at Lissa eyes widened. "They have the same Dad".

"Dimitri told me his Dad beat his Mum up and then he beat his Dad up, he was only thirteen" I said sadly.

"That's insane, poor Dimitri, I had no idea". I nodded my head and agreed, it is insane and I did feel sad for him. I hope his growing up was still good. Changing the topic of conversation I said "so the other night I was walking to the gym because I wanted to clear my mind, you know I was upset. I was about to enter when I heard Dimitri repeating this phrase or something do not deflower the Rose until you beat the Victor and claim the victory, what do you think it means? I queried.

"Do you think it has anything to do with you?"

I shrugged, "I really don't know" I responded looking down at my hands. "It has my name, and all I can think is what if it's to do with the thing that we were running away from when we were out there" I gestured with my hand and waved it, referring to outside the academy walls. She nodded and grabbed my hands.

"Rose, if it's about you, he will come to you or go to Ivan, Ivan will tell me and I will tell you, no matter what I say, I can't ease your mind and I know that me saying try not to let it bother you won't do anything, but just try okay babes, and you know that I'm here for you, always." She whispered to me. I squeezed her hands in response. Lissa started rummaging through her bag.

"Here I got this for you" She said shoving a box into my hands, I took it and was observing the box, Lissa pulled me out of my reverie. "It's not going to bite you" she joked with a little laugh.

"I know, I was just musing over how pretty the packaging is, and how special this is because you got it for me" I said elated. I opened the package and inside was the most beautiful Tigers eye Crystal choker I have ever seen, I looked up at Lissa and was about to say something.

"Here, let me help you put it on" I handed her the necklace and turned around. She put it on so delicately, the Crystal sat right in-between my collar bones at the base of my neck; I reached my hand to touch the Crystal and turned around to face her.

"Lissa, it is so beautiful, thank you so much" I hugged her; I can't believe I have someone as amazing as Lissa in my life, so selfless, caring, understanding. I vow to never let someone hurt her, ever. She kissed the top of my head, kind of like a parent would do to their child. Family forever. We finished our makeup and moved onto hair, I straightened her hair and she curled mine and pinned it up. I looked at her and I voiced. "I'm going to wear the black dress"

She gasped in surprised, "The black dress, the one with the open back?"

"Yep, it's about time I stop being scared of what people say", even though I will still be scared of what people say, I can't hide them forever, right?

Lissa chose a dress that matched her pajamas, Jade green. Spaghetti straps, low V cleavage, floor length and with a high slit on the left leg going up to her hip. I chose I black floor length dress with a low black, long sleeves, skin-tight and frilled out at the knees. We both chose to wear white heels and use white clutches. "Are you ready to go Lissa?" I asked. She nodded grabbed my hand and we walked out of my dorm together laughing and talking, excited for a good night. But we didn't even make it out of the dorm before we both fainted.