Hmm, There IS A Light at the End of the Tunnel

Recap: Bella's POV: "What am I supposed to say to that?" Bella asked him. Sounds like mysterious Isabella might just have feelings for our resident playboy. I looked at Dimitri and he signaled for us to leave so that they could have their privacy. I got up with him and headed to his house. I might even be able to convince him to make-out.

Chapter 14: Confessions of A Teenage Vamp-aholic

Bella's POV:

We sat in silence before Adrian turned his whole body in my direction. He took my hand in his and began to speak. His body language is filling me with trepidation.

"You are not supposed to say anything. I don't want you to say something that I don't want to hear. I don't want to be someone's second choice or in another unrequited relationship. Most importantly I want you to be happy. I've come to care about you. You are like a fungus, you have grown on me Bella." I was going to say he is so sweet. However that fungus comment has me rethinking it.

"I just got out of a detrimental relationship. I want to be fair to you though. I have come to care about you as well Adrian. I feel my emotions growing towards you every moment I am with you. I am just not ready to jump into another relationship yet. I don't want you to be a second choice and I don't want to be a second choice either. We need to get to know each other first and become friends so we don't end up as each other's rebounds. It would be unfair of the both of us to turn each other into rebounds. I know I am not totally over Edward and you are not totally over Rose. We are both hurt and in need of time to heal our wounds and get to know each other." I explained.

"I agree. I suppose this is a good thing. I will have all the more time to woo you my dear." He said in a posh British accent. Adrian then hopped up from the bench and with a flourish bent down, picked up my hand, and proceeded to kiss the back of it. "How about I give you a hand and guide you back to your humble abode?"

"That would be ever so delightful Sir Adrian." I said in an equally posh accent.

"Let us be on our way then princess." He said and pulled my arm sharply, forcing me to my feet. However, that was short lived because I stumbled and crashed into his lean chest. I looked up into his emerald eyes and then he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. A crimson blush blossomed all across my face and pulled away from him. I coughed trying to get the blush to die down and brushed the dirt off of my pants.

"Lead the way Great and Powerful Guide of mine." I teased regaining my confidence.

"Right this way milady." He said and led me out of the majestic garden. "So, you know there is this party on Friday." He informed.

"What about a party?" I questioned worried about his motives for bringing this topic up.

"I was simply curious as to how excited you are that this grand ball is in your honor? Well, it is also in your dad's honor. But you get my point. Besides, the adults won't stay long. Then we bring out my favorite activity, the alcohol." Adrian rambled.

"Wait a second Adrian, why is there going to be a ball-party-whatever in our honor?" I asked.

"The ball is in your honor to welcome you back. All Moroi and Dhamphir alike thought your family was dead. This is a way to tell everyone that the Swans are back and accepted into Moroi Court once again. Lissa thought it would be nice to hold a ball in your honor. She wants to show the Court that the Swans are alive and her strong allies. Most Dhamphirs already know that you two are back but not all Moroi do. The news has not yet travelled amongst the nobles." He extrapolated. "It will be grand and everyone at Court, except the Dhamphirs who watch the gate, will be attending and celebrating."

"I won't be celebrating. I don't like parties" I stated.

"How can you not like parties? There is always great music and terrific class 'A' alcohol. Plus everyone will be celebrating you. You are the guest of honor." He said excitedly.

"Number one, I don't like being the center of attention and number two, I don't drink alcohol." I said and continued to walk in the direction I think out new home is. Adrian finally picked his jaw up off the floor and ran in front of me, which brought me to a sudden halt. Wow, I didn't trip that time.

"What do you mean you don't drink alcohol?" He asked completely serious.

"I've never had any alcohol." I said. "I don't have any want to drink it either."

"What do you mean you've never had any alcohol?" He asked incredulous.

"I've just never tried it before. Let's keep moving. I am exhausted." I stated.

"Your wish is my command princess. Now tell me why you've never had alcohol. Because after the ball, you will not be able to say that you haven't because you will be partying it up with Adrian Ivashkov." He exclaimed.

"In the small town of Forks, dad was the Chief of Police. I am incapable of lying or sneaking around. I would have been caught in to seconds flat of opening any bottle. Also, it does not look appealing and most drinks don't smell appealing. Why would I subject myself to fogging my head up, vomiting everything in my stomach, and then wake up the next day with a headache from Hell? No thank you." I said.

"Oh what a poor, naïve, little girl you are Bella. You have never seen the positive side of drinking. Don't worry though. I will educate you in the ways of letting loose and losing all your inhibitions." He smirked.

"I don't think so Mr. Ivashkov." I said.

"No worries, because I do think so," he said and wiggled his dang eyebrows before we walked onto our porch of our new humble abode. Well, not so much humble more ostentatious. "Now run along princess. Go and get your beauty sleep and reconsider my offer." Then that man had the gall to saunter off onto the street. As I rolled my eyes at his cocky behavior, I opened the front door. I walked into the living room and took in the many family members portraits hanging on the wall. Every single person exudes confidence in the way they hold themselves. Why can't I be more like them? If I was my life would be completely different. It is never too late to change though. I can become a Swan.

"Ms. Swan are you alright?" Someone behind me asked.

"Just fine, thanks." I replied without thinking. Wait a minute. I quickly spun on my heel to see the intruder. "Who are you and what are you doing in my house? How did you even get in here?" I demanded.

Adrian's POV:

"No worries, because I do think so," I said and wiggled my eyebrows before walking onto the Swans' porch of their new home here in Court. I suppose it is not really new since it has been here for decades though. "Now run along princess. Go and get your beauty sleep and reconsider my offer." Then I sauntered off onto the street. I stopped under a street lamp and looked back. I watched Bella smile and roll her eyes at my behavior. I watched her until she was in the safety of her home. I don't trust some of these nobles in Court. I then marched to the palace. Everyone should still be there. I need to speak with Rose. I caught her trying to sneak away after spying on me. I pushed open the two massive entrance doors then yelled, "Honey I'm home!" The royal guardians on duty all rolled their eyes and the gang looked my way. I sauntered to the alcohol cabinet and pulled out a nice big bottle of Jose Cuero. I decided to forgo the cup that I would just refill again and again and leaned against a wall as I took a big swig out of the bottle.

"How have you been Adrian?" Lissa asked genuinely.

"Fantastic now that I have a new little spit-fire to entertain myself with." I said callously. I don't want everyone knowing how much I actually care for Bella. They wouldn't believe me anyway.

"Adrian, you are not going to mess with that poor girl," Mrs. Hathaway orders.

"Hey, I haven't done anything that she didn't want as well. I haven't stopped my quest to drink up the world's supply of alcohol however." I insinuated.

"Why have you been drinking so much Adrian?" Lissa asked concern coloring her words. "Are you using more Spirit?"

"I use Spirit every day. It of course takes its' toll, but also searching fruitlessly for happiness at the bottom of whiskey bottles." I sniped. The looks I am receiving tell me I probably shouldn't have said that. Oh, well, what's done is done.

"Okay Adrian," Lissa spoke with an air of superiority ringing through her voice as she walked towards me. "You are going to sober up. I am positive that we can find you a remedy to this depression and Spirit induced illness. Drinking so much alcohol will kill you Adrian. I tried to drink away the side-effects of Spirit and it won't help you. So I am going to take the bottle. You are going to go home and sleep. I am sure you are just cranky right now because you're jet-lagged." She then did as she said and took my bottle of alcohol.

"Listen your Majesty; I have lived this long without your alcoholic anonymous speech. I am a grown man. If I want to drink, I am going to drink." I told her,

"That is quite enough Ivashkov. Apologize to Vasilisa; she is only attempting to help your sorry behind out of this pit you have dug yourself into." Mrs. Hathaway spoke.

"No, it is alright Mrs. Hathaway. But I thank you," Lissa told him then fixed me with a steely glare. "Adrian, you may have made it this far, but I assure you that if you continue down this road you will die before you get one gray hair." She took a few steps closer to me and I felt a tendril of her magic creep towards me and wrap around my mind as she ordered, "Adrian, from this point forward you are not to drink anything alcoholic before consulting me. Do you understand?" I felt myself nod. Damn it, if I had known she was going to do this I wouldn't have drank so much and I could've fought off her compulsion. "Great, now let's catch up it has been so long since you left us." Lissa finished then walked back to Christian and sat on his lap.

"Yeah, where all did you go?" Christian asked.

"I went to several different places. I went to Italy and party-ed it up on St. Marcus Day. That holiday is hilarious by the way. I flew to Russia and stayed with Zmey for a bit and went skiing. Then I landed on the outskirts of the little town the Swans were living in. I bumped into Bella quite a bit in La Push. I pestered her at the mall. Although Ms. Isabella is still heartbroken, she still made the time to try and rip me a new one when I was being very arrogant. Let me just tell you, she has fire. I didn't think I would see her after the mall but the mutts I ran into helped me out. They helped me bump into Bella again and from being killed by a stroigi." I informed.

"You ran into a stroigi? And what do you mean mutts? Are you talking about psi-hounds?" Rose asked.

"There was a pack of shifters protecting the Native American tribe. These wolves were nothing like psi-hounds. Now, I need to get my much needed beauty sleep. However, Rose I need to speak with you in private. Please come with me." I said and swiftly exited the banquet hall without looking back. I walked outside in the crisp morning air. I really need to get indoors soon. I hate being burnt by the sun. Besides I will need lots of energy for Bella tomorrow. I will convince her to let me help her train with her gifts.

"How are you Adrian?" Rose asked. Finally. I wonder what took her so long to walk outside. She was probably debating with Belikov about whether or not to come and talk to me alone.

"Cut the crap Rose. How much did you hear?" I demanded.

"I don't know what you're talking about." She answered stone-faced.

"I saw you sneaking away from the gardens. Now how much did you hear?"

"Not much. We just heard you confess your feelings to Bella." She said. Why can't I ever have a private life? Oh wait I know, I met this group.

"Wait, what do you mean we?" I asked, my temper starting to rise.

"Well I followed you and Dimitri followed me. He convinced me to leave you two alone. However, we both heard you confess your feelings. Dimitri believes you, however I still think you are only trying to play the girl." She confessed.

"I would never hurt her. I will protect her from even herself." I vowed.

"But, who is going to protect her from you?" She asked and walked back inside the building calmly. Hmm, who knew that Rose could do anything calmly? She is always full of fire. But she is wrong. I will not hurt Bella. Rose will not be right.

"That is exactly what I would like to know." Mr. Swan said as he came around from the corner of the building. Well I am in some deep crap now aren't I? Play it off Adrian. He could be talking about anything. Just switch the subject.

"Hey there Mr. Swan, are you having a good night?" I asked.

"I was until I overheard your conversation with my daughter." He said. Well there is no playing it off now.

"Well I need to head home Mr. Swan. It has been a long day," I said.

"Not so fast son. We need to have a long talk about your intentions with my daughter." He ordered. His sharp voice stopped me in my tracks and the only thought running through my mind was I'm a dead man.

(AN: Hey readers! What's up buttercup? Hehe! Sorry the chapter is running late. I know what you are thinking, don't they all? I made this one quite longer though! Isn't that great? This semester has been HECTIC! I am telling you this one professor was neurotic. I have a few new gray hairs all due to her class. But the good news is that I have not stopped writing. I have been keeping the chapters updated in my personal notebook. I just need time to sit down and type them up so you all can enjoy them. Well, I have to go. I have a demanding job I adore! I hope you loved the new chapter. I also hope to see some nice reviews. They make my day superb if my day is tiring. I do not own Vampire Academy or Twilight SADLY! I only can strive to be that creative. I hope that when I get my book published by the end of the year that I have given readers something half as great as what Stephanie Meyer and Richelle Mead have given unto us. BY the way just watched the Vampire Academy movie! AMAZING! Just let me tell you guys. If you were worried about Hollywood ruining the movie, they did not! Go watch it people and have a great day ya'll.)

○Forever and For Always,
~LHNT~
A.K.A.
*Heather* :D