HAPPY FRIDAY! We're in the final count down to finishing up this fic. Hopefully, everyone is enjoying the places this story has gone and are anticipating the ending! I love all the reviews! Thank you so much for reading and letting me know your thoughts, I love it! I hope you guys enjoy this one. See you on Sunday!
The morning of graduation I wake up with my head resting in Jericho's fur and cold tile on my body. It all comes rushing back, the pain and the blood, I can still taste it. I grimace and try to move. My body protests angrily and I give up for a bit, resting into Jer's side and taking some deep breaths.
I've been sleeping so much lately I'm sure there's a permanent spot on my bed shaped like my body, Jericho's too at this point. I let out a long sigh and try to gain my senses. I should probably get something to eat… when was the last time I'd eaten? I can't even remember. It had to have been recently because I'm not hungry but… why can't I remember?
Okay, I need to get up. Ready… I build up the courage. Set… I brace my hands. GO! I force myself up to my feet but pause a bit when I get dizzy. I immediately puke. Well, that's new. I think cynically as I wipe my mouth and flush the toilet.
I struggle to stand, slower this time, before brushing my teeth and going about doing my make up for the day. Jer sits behind me, acting as a brace for my legs and I give him an appreciative smile before finishing and going to get dressed for the day.
It takes me way too long to get dressed but slowly and surely I'm making my way to the graduation hall. Each step hurts more than the last and every breath feels like glass in my lungs. I just need to make it through today.
The hall is steadily filling with people and students alike but it doesn't take me long to find Alberta. The details of today were already exchanged and given so everyone knew where to be and when to be there so everything, hopefully, should run smoothly.
Before I know it, it's starting. Head Mistress Kirova is giving a speech something about duty and honor, followed by the top moroi student who goes on to talk about the need for change. Next up, the top dhampir student, me, takes the podium. It had been discussed heavily on whether I should do it, considering I'd already technically graduated but Alberta had insisted so here I am, Jer proudly at my side.
"Good evening everyone." I greet. "Today is the day that our lives begin. Today, we are adults. Today we are accountable not just to our parents, we are accountable to ourselves, our friends, family and our society. Today is the very first step to the rest of our lives." I take a pause, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath before I continue. "Today is the day that we leave the academy behind and move on to do bigger and amazing things. But before that, always remember the lessons learned here, and the memories made, because they will define us for the rest of our days."
Something catches my eye at the back of the auditorium. No. Not something, someone. Someone with red hair and laughing blue eyes. He smiles proudly in the back and my heart seems to beat harshly against my chest. I swallow and lower my eyes for a moment before a smile spreads across my face.
"From today on you will be in charge of your faith. Always be willing and ready to take on all that life has to offer you, and know that when things are difficult, something amazing is right around the corner. Stay hopeful and kind, strive to be the best version of you that you can be. So, St. Vlad's class of 2018, today is the beginning of rest of our lives and I'm glad to be here to see it. Congratulations, we made it!" There's cheering going and I see Mason in the back, smiling widely and I can't help the tear that falls as I step away and back to my post.
They begin to call names but I'm not focused. All I can think about is today. I'd made it four months to get here, I'd fought and struggled to get here and here I am. Today is one of the last days of my life, but for them, it's only the beginning.
My knees buckle a bit and Jer is instantly pressed into my side, damn near holding me up. My hand fists his fur to keep myself steady and I lean on him, just slightly,
The end can't come fast enough and before I know it they're throwing caps in the air and it's over.
I quickly fade into the back ground and find a spot to sit and catch my breath for a moment. I just need to make through today…
"Jer, I think it's time I showed you my old haunts." I mumble weakly. He whines at me softly and I smile and pet him gently before leaning down to press a kiss to his forehead. "Come on buddy, one last adventure for the road huh?"
I start at the gym, fully expecting it to be empty, it's not. Dimitri's standing in the middle, looking almost like he had during all of our trainings, hell if it wasn't for the unfocused look in his eyes I would think it was five months ago. He snaps into focus as the door closes behind me, I'm a lot closer than I think he'd expect but still he attempts a smile even if it looks like a grimace.
"Nice speech." He says softly. I try to smile; I don't think I do it well.
"Thank you." I nod. He walks up to me and I see he's holding a box in his hand, I peak at it curiously.
"I got this for you." He presses the box in my hands and immediately starts to walk by me. "Congratulations." He murmurs as he passes me.
I open the box and find a gorgeous rose engraved stake with my initials at the bottom. I tear up and turn to see him by the door.
"Dimitri." He pauses only a foot or two away from me and turns back to look at me. I don't think, I act. Dropping the stake, I take the two steps separating us quickly, all but leaping into his arms. I press my lips to his firmly before pulling back a bit to press a softer kiss to his lips.
I pull back a bit to gauge his reaction but barely get the time before he's kissing me like a starving man in the desert. I hold on to him tightly as he lifts me up at the waist, letting me wrap my legs around him tightly, pulling him impossibly closer.
I pour everything I have into that kiss, all the love, agony and desperation from my soul. I try to tell him all the words I can't say, that I love him, that I'm sorry and that I want him to be happy. I feel the tears falling but I don't care.
Far too quickly for my liking we're pulling away and I'm lost in his eyes.
"I am so sorry I lied, please you have to know I lied. I love you so much and I can't be the one to hurt you." I say cry pitifully. "I shouldn't have said it but I wanted to protect you, I still do but… but I love you."
"I love you too, Roza." My heart feels like it's going to explode in my chest. The tears keep falling as he kisses me sweetly.
"I am so so sorry." I mumble as he cups my cheeks to wipe the tears.
"Don't apologize, just tell me why." He murmurs, resting his forehead to mine. I sniffle softly before hugging him tightly, he pulls me close into his chest and I hate myself as a soft sob escapes me.
He runs his fingers through my hair and I try to calm myself as I feel my bond with Lissa flicker.
"I can't explain right now, but meet me at the cabin later, okay?" I say as I look up at him. He smiles sweetly, that smile that's just for me and my heart melts.
"I'll be there." He murmurs, kissing my forehead.
"Promise?" I mumble as I lift my face for a kiss.
"Promise." He seals it with a kiss.
I reluctantly pull away as I feel Lissa's end of the bond going hazy, she's drinking.
"I'll see you later." I smile before collecting my stake and putting it in it's place on my hip.
I set off across campus, taking a couple of small detours to tell Jer all about my life here at the academy while we walk to where I feel Lissa. He stays close and protective and I love him all the more for it.
I have to take breaks but he stays close to my side and I can't help the tired smile as I take in my familiar. I pet him softly, scratching between his ears when he licks my cheek. I sigh softly. I just need to get through today. With that in mind I stand back up and keep moving.