CHAPTER THIRTEEN

ROSE

Adrian sat on the end of my bed, hands folded in front of him, elbows rested on bent knees. For lack of better words, he looked like shit. Heavy bags hung under his eyes, skin paler than a Moroi should be, and his hair was flat. The shirt and jeans he wore appeared to have spent a considerable amount of time on the floor.

"Adrian," my voice only a whisper as I cataloged his features. The man before me wasn't my Adrian, my best friend. No, this person I have never seen before. And it about killed me.

Closing my door, I pushed my back to it for stability. I hoped that he had come to make peace, but just in case it was something else, I needed the extra support. Neither of us spoke for minutes. He stared at the floor in front of him, I stared at the top of his head.

"I'm sorry, Rose," his voice cracked on my name.

"You don't have a reason to be sorry, I should have…"

"No, you did the right thing," he wiped his face and cleared his throat before bringing his eyes to mine. "I just wasn't ready to accept it, but you're right, it's not my place. I have to let go."

"I never meant for you to get hurt," stepping to him, I took his hands in mine, "You're my best friend, Adrian, I don't want to lose you."

"You won't," his eyes held mine, backing his words with the love that swam through the bright emerald. "I promised to always be there for you, and I will, as your friend."

I pulled him to me, making him stand so I could wrap my arms around his waist. Pressing my ear over his heart, I listened to the rhythmic beat. His arms fell around my shoulders, holding me tightly to his chest. There were many things left to be said, but right now I focused on the joy of having him back. It's incredible really, how one person can make such a huge impact in your life, and when they're absent, be it for a short time, or forever, you realize just how much you relied on them.

When Mason died, I had drawn the same conclusion. Coming to terms with losing him was difficult, almost impossible at points. He had been around for as long as I can remember, and in the blink of an eye, he was gone. I would never get my oldest friend back, but with Adrian, it almost felt like I had a piece of him to hold onto. Not that I was trying to replace him in my life, no one could ever take his place, but it helped the healing.

"You know, it's funny," he chuckled, his chest vibrating under my head, "given the chance, I probably would do this all again."

"What do you mean?" I turned my head up to look at him.

"If I could go back to when we met, knowing, in the end, you would still be with him, I would." I tried to raise a brow in question, only making him laugh again. "It taught me a valuable lesson."

"Oh, lord, and what would that be," I giggled, rolling my eyes.

"If I was able to love the wrong person so much, just imagine how I would be with the right one. One day, I will find what you have now, and when it happens, I will know how to appreciate it more."

I blinked rapidly, "You're saying I am a stepping stone to finding your soulmate?"

"That's exactly what I am saying, though I don't really believe in soulmates, that there is one person on this earth whom you meant for. But more like, everlasting adoration for another person. Someone that makes you see the brighter side of things, and helps you find who you were meant to be, not what others think you should be," his eyes took on a faraway look as he spoke.

"Adrian, when was the last time you fed?"

He shook his head, "Uh- a few days, maybe more."

If the lack of color, what little the Moroi carried, hadn't tipped me off, the ramblings sure did. Whenever Spirit got to be too much for him, he tended to become a philosopher of sorts. Add in not having fed recently, I could tell his darkness was getting to him. Blood wouldn't get rid of it, but it would help. "Come on, we're going to the feeders," I took his hand back in mine, pulling him toward the door.

Looping my arm through his, we crossed the quad. Neither of us spoke much, just a few updates on how munchkin was doing after the Strigoi fight, and my training. Otherwise, we remained content in the silence, only the sound of the wind accompanying us.

Adrian opened his mouth to say something when we reached the door, but an unwelcome voice cut him off.

"Rose, Adrian, how are you two doing?" Tasha greeted us.

"Well," Adrian smiled, "And yourself?"

"Great," she beamed, "I'm headed to meet with Dimka before dinner, will you be joining us, Rose?"

Tasha, like many others, knew about Dimitri and me, so it didn't surprise me that she expected me to be with him. However, I had no knowledge that he had planned to have dinner with her tonight.

"No, I'll be with Lissa and Christian in the dining hall, you guys have a good time though," I lied through my teeth.

"Alright, see you later," she smiled and headed off.

"She sure does like to stir the pot, doesn't she?" Adrian watched her retreating form. I nodded, but didn't speak, "You're calling him aren't you?" he laughed.

"Nope, texting," he rose a brow, the corner of his mouth lifting in a smirk, "there's a difference."

Adrian checked in and was let back immediately. I sat in the lobby to wait, sending Dimitri a quick text to see what he was up to. Tasha has known since before he came back that we are together. Since then, she has laid off a bit and I was thankful. She didn't seem like a horrible person, and she is Christian's Aunt, so she is bound to be around a lot. I didn't want to hate her, but I didn't want her lusting after my man either. Push comes to shove, I will throw that woman out the closest window and watch her fall with a smile.

Hey Comrade, any plans tonight? -R

Tasha wants to have dinner, are you done talking with Adrian? Want to join? -D

How did you know I was with him? -R

I went to your room when I couldn't find you at the gym. I heard you two talking. Did it go well? -D

Stopping to think about it, I guess it went better than expected. When I first saw him, I was prepared for him to tell me he hates me now, that he was leaving and not coming back. Instead, he accepted it. What changed?

Yeah, it did. :) :) I'm with him at the feeders now. Enjoy dinner with Tasha, I'll see you tonight.;) -R

I love you, Roza -D

Love you, too, Comrade -R

Adrian walked back out as I locked my phone and slid it back in my pocket. "Everything okay?"

"Yup," I said, popping the 'p' with a smile.

Throwing an arm around my shoulder, mine falling around his waist, we headed back toward the main campus. Having talked things out, I am feeling much better about us, but there is one little thing I can't help but wonder.

"Adrian," I looked up to him, "What made you realize you had to let go?" When he said it earlier, I hadn't put too much thought to it, but now I am curious as to the sudden change of heart he had.

Tilting his head back, an ear to ear smile crossed his face, "Believe it or not, it was Sage."

"Sydney? The Alchemist?"

"Yeah, she doesn't like me very much," he laughed, "After yelling about the stench of my cigarettes, she told me I really should be happy for you. When I stopped wallowing in my own self-pity long enough, I saw she was right." As he spoke, the smile didn't leave his face. His eyes shown with a new light at the mention of her, making him appear younger, happier.

Oh. This will be fun.

Author's Note:

So, I had planned to have this finished by the time I leave for vacation...however, that is not going to be possible. With work, and prepping to leave, there is far too much to do and not enough time to write. So, I will hopefully have another chapter or two for you all before Sunday. Then it will be a week or so before the next update. Hope you all enjoyed this one, and I will talk to you all soon.

All my love,

Dream