A.N: Hi guys!

See I'm posting early because you were so awesome in your reviews and i made it EXTRA long.

I did a promo for this story on Youtube it's a bit spoilerish and called "Bloodlines Rebirth" by Steffy 2106 please check it out.

Erratum: The ball will take place the day after the winter show, not the same day.

Please don't forget to review I love you guys!

Thanks,

Steffy

Chapter 10:

The next day I left early, so early that I was sure they were all sleeping. School was pretty far, but the bus system was pretty good here, One of the up side to live in a rich part of town I presumed.

I kept checking my phone on the way because David hadn't called yet…Would he call me? A few years ago I would have said yes in a heartbeat. He was always there for me…well I thought he was. What about now? It had been a couple of years since I saw him. Years I spent hating him, years during which he didn't even try to make it right between us. He didn't care about me, he never did, and he was probably gloating knowing he had me on a leach.

"Do you want to go off campus with me for lunch today?" Ask Matt, waiting for me after my AP physic class.

I smiled. Nobody ever loved me, but that boy clearly liked me…I had no idea why, but he did and I should take advantage of this. "Do we have time?"

He winked. "You might not appreciate the fact that I'm one of the school superstar, but some do," He teased. "I was at the office when I found out Mr. Jeston is not here to day which means…"

"I have a free period after lunch." I agreed.

"So are you game?" He asked, burring his hands in his jeans pocket.

I nodded. "Sure let me just put my things in my locker, and we'll be good to go."

I had just closed my locker when I felt someone beside me…I could feel him before I saw him.

"Sydney could I have a word with you?"

I turned around. Adrian was standing in the corridor in his long sleeve shirt. He had his sunglasses in one hand, and he seemed to be suffering from a major hangover. Good! He had to suffer too.

"I'm at school now, and I'm about to go for lunch" I gestured to Matt. When I looked at Matt, I actually took a step back. His lay back, sweet expression had switched, and he was glaring at Adrian hatefully…something I never thought was possible from him.

Adrian met Matt's eyes, but he didn't seem more impressed than that because he concentrated on me again almost immediately. "You left so early I didn't get a chance to talk to you…It's important, please" he added with the full force of his puppy eyes.

I was not sure if he was trying to compel me, but if he did, he was failing miserably. "It can wait until I get home tonight."

"No it can't. It will only take five minutes."

"You really are getting on my nerves, it's like you've got some secret beeper that come off each time Syd and I take a step in the right direction" Matt growled, with so much venom, it made me shiver.

Adrian looked up at Matt again but ignored his comment. "Please…Syd."

"Matt?" I tried not sure I was recognizing the guy that was standing beside me. "It's family stuff."

Matt looked at me and blinked, like getting out of a trance. "He is-Sure" he said. "We still need to discuss your dress for the Ball."

I smiled, reaching for his arm. "Lets meet after lunch okay? In front of the library at 1?"

He nodded. "Sure." He glared at Adrian before walking out of school.

I looked after him and sighed. "You have five minutes" I said, getting in the first classroom by the lockers.

"You have a ball? When? You are going?"

I gave him my best "Are-you-for-real" look. "I highly doubt you came here to discuss a ball since you were not informed. It's irrelevant." I crossed my arms over my chest. "What do you want?"

"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry." He said, half-sitting on the teacher's desk.

Too little much too late. "Why are you sorry for?"

"I-I can't remember what I did or say last night, but I know I hurt you."

I thanked God for his temporary amnesia. "You didn't hurt me."

"I made you cry." He said, and I could see remorse in his emerald eyes.

"No, you did not."

"I heard you sob in the car Sydney." He sighed. "I promise, whatever I said…I didn't mean it."

"You were dreaming Adrian." I snapped. "I didn't cry, you can't make me cry but…" I forced a smile. "If you don't even remember what you supposedly said how could you know that you didn't mean it?" Here, answer that!

"I honestly have no idea. I do think a lot of things of you Sydney, but none of them could ever make you cry. None of them could hurt you."

I sighed. It would not work, not again…I let him hurt me much more than I should have. "There is no point."

"No point to what?"

"This pseudo-friendship. One day you asked me if you could be redeemed, and I said yes…I sincerely thought so."

"You don't anymore?"

He shook my head. "You are Adrian Ivashkov, people see you as that slightly crazy, lazy, and useless party boy and I thought…I thought I saw more in you. I KNOW there is more to you, but you are lazy and scared. You are scared to try and fail to be the one I know you can be. It's just pointless. I won't be Don Quixote…I give up."

"Don't! I-"

My phone rang, and I recognized David's number. "We're done. I have to take that, and it's private. Bye Adrian." I said turning around, showing him his presence was not required or desired anymore.

"Sydney Sage." I said as business like as I could.

"Sydney, it's David. Sorry I called you only now but I couldn't get out of my meeting earlier. Do you have time to talk?"

I turned around, and Adrian was not in the room anymore. I sighed. "Sure, I have time. My next class has been canceled." Did he just apologize? David Turner? That was a first too.

He stayed quiet for a few seconds, and I even thought I had lost the call.

"David?"

"I never thought you would call. You really must hate it there to do that."

I love it too much, it will hurt too much if I stay. "Yeah…"

"When I told Ian you should give me a call, I somehow expect you to tell me to stick my help where the sun never shines" he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice.

I couldn't help but smile too. If last night never happened, that was what I would have told him. He knew me well…maybe too well. "That's why you said you would help then? Because you thought I wouldn't want it?"

"Sydney…." He let out a weary sigh. "You know I will always be there for you, all you have to do is ask. Even if I barely heard your voice in the last three years."

"Yeah being here for me as you were for Marie?" I snorted. "You are here as long as we do what you consider is right."

"No." His voice was hard now. "You've never let me explain, it's not the same. You- It's different."

"How can you get out of here?" I asked, cutting him off. This conversation was 3 years overdue there was no point now.

"The Council might be able to grant you parole. You'll need to me monitored by an alchemist, a sort of mentor. Someone who is willing to take full responsibility of you."

"Wow, who will be brave enough to mentor the 'vampire lover'?" I asked sarcastically.

"I would. I would take responsibility of you."

I opened my mouth to let out a snide comment but stopped myself. "That would not be wise."

"Why?"

"It's ludicrous to imagine spending so much time with-No."

He took a deep breath, like I hurt him somehow, but I knew it was impossible. David didn't feel anything. "You will have time to reconsider, I cannot help you before the end of the Christmas holidays anyways."

"Why is that? What is so important about Christmas?"

"Apparently their new Queen required you there." The way he said 'their' showed me that he still despised Moroi as much as he ever did. "After that I'm expected to go to the Council. If I'm ready to accept the charge, and you promise to follow a set of rules you'll be out as soon as January 1st."

Jill probably already requested my presence to Lissa. That kid was really fast when she wanted something. "So if I want out, I need to spend time with you."

"Do you really hate me so much that you rather spend your time away from your world than be around me?"

"I'll think about that and….and I'll contact you soon."

"We've been friends once, you used to care" he said, and I thought I could hear a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

Yes, and I loved you once too. I thought. "Everything changes David. I'll call you…I…thanks." I added just before hanging up.

"You are leaving?" Asked Adrian coming in again

"You know you really should see someone for that eavesdropping habit. It's really annoying."

"You didn't answer the question" he replied walking toward me.

"That's because you have no right to ask."

"I thought you liked it here. Come on Sydney, I'm not as oblivious as you think I am. I can see you enjoy being here with us, having a regular life…Well as regular as possible when living with creatures of the nights."

"You are mistaken."

"You love Jill."

I looked away as he hadn't spoken. I didn't want him to read in my eyes.

"You like Eddie, you like that school and that Matt guy."

Yes I do, but I love you that's why I have to go. I thought, and that realization took my breath away.

"Sydney?" Tried Adrian. "What's going on?"

"Mademoiselle Sage?" Asked Miss Dupres entering the classroom. I had forgotten I was in the French class. "Desirez-vous assiter a ce cour? Il va commencer dans cinq minutes"

I shook my head. "Je suis desolee madame, j'ai perdu la notion du temps. Je vous verrais plus tard."

Miss Dupres smiled with an approving nod. Being fluent in French did give me a free 'out of jail' card.

Adrian caught my hand just as I exited the room. "You're fluent in French?"

"I'm fluent in 5 languages" I told him looking around, trying to find a way out. His palm was smooth against my skin and yet his touch was burning. How did that happen? How could I love him? I shouldn't have spent so much time with him…it was a colossal mistake.

"Don't go please. Whatever I did, it's not worth it. I'm an idiotic stupid alcoholic, but I need- Jill needs you."

"Let go" I whispered as the bell rang and the corridor started to fill up with students. "I don't belong here, it's not my world. It was a mistake…all of it." I turned to go but turned again to face him. "You have to get better by yourself, I can't help you. You cannot hold on to anything that wants to go Adrian." I added before turning around, getting lost in the sea of students which one of the perks of being short.

I texted Eddie later on to tell him that I wouldn't go home with them that night, that I had plans. My main plan was to go to the beach and enjoy the sun while looking at the sea moving along the breeze.

I sat on the bench, trying to figure how it happened. How did Adrian manage to steal my heart? I surely wouldn't have given it to him on purpose. Maybe that was why it didn't hurt me when I heard David on the phone. I was loosing grip…How did I get there with him? I would never know. I never thought it would go that personal, and now I was heartbroken loving a person I shouldn't love for all reasons available in the book. A person that would NEVER love me back.

I closed my eyes and started to go through the list of elements, it was the only things that really calmed me. Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium, Beryllium…I love him. Boron, Carbon, Nitrogen. I'm in love with someone from the race I've been born to hate and fear. Oxygen, Fluorine, Neon, Sodium, Adrian…."ARGH!" I shouted out loud, jumping from my spot. "What's wrong with you?"

"Me? What?" Asked a middle aged guy who was walking his dog.

"No sorry." I shook my head. "I meant with me."

"Things are never as bad as they seem to be" he said with a reassuring smile.

"That's true…Sometimes they are worse. Have a good evening."

I walked back to the apartment. I guessed Einstein was right; time and distance was relative because I made it back WAY faster than I intended to.

My walk had not been productive, but at least I had figured the song I would use for the show and how I'll personalize it.

As soon as I opened the door, Jill ran to me all keyed up.

"You are going to the winter Ball? Did you find a dress yet?"

"I…Yes I'm going. Who told you?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

She pointed behind her to an Adrian deep into a conversation with Dimitri. It was a progress at least, he wasn't too drunk, and he was in the main room.

"So did you get your dress? Did you?" She was looking at me with the full force of her puppy eyes. Did Adrian teach her that?

I didn't think about the dress. I grimaced. I was punished here which meant no money. I maybe had $300.00 on my account, and I was generous here. If I needed to buy a dress, shoes….some accessories. Yeah, I'll have to go majorly discount. "No, I don't have a dress yet."

"Oh can I come with you? Please say yes I never did anything cool!"

I looked up to Eddie who shrugged, and I quickly looked at Dimitri.

"I don't see why not. I'm going tomorrow, but Mikhail will be here."

I nodded. "Sure,we'll go on Saturday."

Jill jumped while clapping before pulling me in a hug. "It's going to be awesome!" She beamed. "I'm going to finish my homework" she said almost flying back to her bedroom.

"Are you hungry?" Asked Eddie, sitting on the sofa to watch the game. "There is some Pizza in the kitchen."

I shook my head. I had a hotdog on the beach, and I felt completely nauseated already.

"May I join you too, for the dress?" Asked Adrian as I walked past him. "A guy opinion might help."

Crawl back into your hole and die you heart thief! I thought. "I'll have Eddie and Mikhail. It's enough really. I don't need you." I replied coldly, barley glancing at him.

Adrian nodded before looking at his glass on the table. "Message received."

"Good" I simply replied before continuing my way.

Saturday morning, Jill was bouncing when we made it to the mall.

"She is way more excited than you are, and she is not even going to the Ball." Said Eddie walking beside me behind Jill and Mikhail.

"Well maybe she should" I gave him a quick sideways glance. "Why don't you take her?"

"Right!" He snorted. "Every time I go to parties, it never ends well plus I'm supposed to be the assistant coach, it will be really bad taste to take a fifteen years old kid, AND the protection in an environment with so many variable would be hell."

"Good answer" I said looking at some shoes in display.

"Thanks" he grinned.

"Oh my god Sydney! Look at those dresses" Jill said, pointing frenetically.

I did my best not to roll my eyes. I had to indulge her…I never saw her as excited about anything since we moved here.

Just looking at the name of the store it looked expensive. There were only three models in display, and I immediately fell in love with the dress in the middle. It was possibly the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. It was a blood red with spaghetti straps low cut dress with a hugging body and a little flair at the bottom. The bodice was covered of sparkly thing before flaring nicely (Link to the dress on my profile). I was self conscious…I couldn't wear that! I was not the Moroi double 0 model size nor was I Rose perfect toned size 6.…I was just a human size 10, nothing attractive in those people eyes, nothing attractive to his eyes.

"Sweetie I really don't think it's in our price range, and I wouldn't wear any of them."

"Come on we've got time lets check the price." She said already getting in the shop.

"Unless I won the lottery" I whispered to Eddie as we followed her in the shop.

He chuckled. "You would share, right?"

I grinned bumping his side. "Yep."

"Excuse me? How much for the dress in display?" Asked Jill to the saleswoman turning her back.

She turned and looked at Jill with so much disdain that I almost wished her ill. But when she looked up and saw the two obvious bodyguards, her expression changed. Yes, now Jill smelled like money…Vulture.

"Which one?"

Jill turned around to look at me before shrugging. "I don't know…the red one?"

"Umm this one cost $4200."

"Holy smokes!" I shouted before I could contain myself.

The woman looked at me, and her expression turned disdainful again…I was obviously the help. "Well it's an original Beth Thompson…it's the finest fabric, and it's diamond powder."

"It could be made with unicorn hair for all I care." I mumble making Eddie chuckle and Mikhail smile.

The woman turned cold apparently not used to be laughed at. "Do you need anything else?" She asked clearly dismissing us.

"Come on Jill lets go" I said resting a hand on her shoulder.

I managed to direct Jill to the department store without any other stop. As soon as we made it to the prom section I went to the sales rack. The choice was pretty limited, and there was maybe three dresses that were both my size and wearable.

"Why do you go there?" Asked Jill puzzled. "You have much more choice here" she said pointing to the new collection.

I shrugged." It's not even prom, and I'll wear it only once." I smiled. "I really want to spend as little as possible." Plus I'm totally broke I added to myself.

"But…" She pouted. "There are not a lot of choices."

I laughed, "Come on, we can go buy some stuff for you after if you want."

Eddie threw me a weary look, but it did the trick. Jill warmed up immediately.

I settled for a simple black dress, and I was pleased it was the second demark which meant I paid the dress $59.00, my kind of price.

"Go ahead, I'll catch up with you" I said to Eddie, Jill and Mikhail as we exited the store.

They nodded. "Meet us at the Gap" said Jill pointing to the second floor.

I gave her the thumb up and waited for them to take the escalator before taking the direction of the shop we had been at before.

I stood in front of the display, stood on my toes, and looked at my reflection as if I was wearing that red dress.

In an alternate world where I might have been uber thin and toned…I would be rich and wear that dress and Adrian…Adrian would have eyes just for me. I wouldn't be human, and he wouldn't be Moroi.

But it was this world, I was a human alchemist quite chubby based on their standards, and he was a rich vampire broken, maybe even broken beyond despair.

I closed my eyes, resting my hand on the display. "Please, God help me…hear my words and free me" I whispered before taking the direction of The GAP.