"How have you lived in Montana your entire life and never been here?" Dimitri exclaimed as turned in circles trying to see and absorb everything around us.

He was more than amused by the awed look on my face as he spread out the lunch he'd just bought for us on one of the picnic tables.

True to his word, we were far away from town and in one of Montana's big cities. I never been to the city because it had always felt like everything I needed was in town, parties included.

I was seriously mistaken.

Even though we were in the middle of the city, Dimitri had driven us to a cetral park similar to the one I'd only seen in pictures of New York. There was endless lush grass and trees surrounded by the reflective shimmering buildins with a beautiful view of the lake with soft waves dancing on the surface.

It was beautiful.

I finally managed to close my jaw and sit down across from Dimitri.

"This is one of my favorite places," he explained. "I know people say that cities are stifling but being in a smalltown is suffocating sometimes too."

I knew exactly how he felt.

"It feels that way a lot lately," I mumbled taking a bite of my food.

I can't keep my eyes off of the scenery long enough to let everything that's going on back home ruin my mood. Suddenly home feels so faraway, everything so small or too far compared to the big city.

My eyes carch Dimitri's has he watches me taking in my surroundings.

"Things will get better," he says in response to my earlier comment.

I give an unladylike snort. "I doubt that."

"I'll make sure of it." It sounded like a promise but I just couldn't believe it.

"Don't feel obligated to help me because of your sister," I mumbled.

Dimitri look surprised, holding a forkful of his lunch in midair before responding. "I want to help the both of you. I know that recently people have ignored you or bullied you when you've tried to do the right thing but I'm here, Rose. I'm listening and I want to help."

His words sounded so sincere. Recent experiences just wouldn't let me believe him. "I think your sister's right. We should just leave this alone."

Dimitri set his fork down, resting his elbows on the table as he clasped his hands together against his face. "It's okay that you and Victoria are afraid. Your fears won't go away any easier though if you ignore them. I tried talking to her again last night but she locked me out. The difference between the two of you is that you were once willing to speak up against what Adrian's done. I'm having trouble resisting the urge to go to him and make him feel all the pain he's caused so I figure the best way to resolve all of our problems is to work together and make Adrian face what he's done. Make people see how terrible he really is."

I shook my head, pushing my food around on my plate. "People see what they want to see and the town does not want to believe that Adrian is a bad guy. He's the son of the mayor for heaven's sakes. No one is going to listen, no one is going to help."

"Why are finding it so hard to believe that I want to help you when I'm right here in front of you telling you I'm here?" He asked calmly.

If I were him, I'd be exasperated by now.

I did feel exasperated.

I slammed my fork down, shoving my food away.

"I'm finding it so hard to believe and trust you because men haven't exactly been good to me lately in case you haven't noticed!"

I stood up from the bench and stalked away as much as my suddenly aching ankle would let me. I hate myself for saying anything about what happened in the first place. I hate that I let it happen. I hate that there is finally someone willing to listen and help and I keeping pushing him away.

I hate that I know I'm not fine.

I'm broken.

I push my hair out of my face hoping the motion will also push the thoughts away. It's a beautiful day here in the city and I don't want it ruined. I don't want to worry about being broken. For now, I want to believe I am fine.

I'm fine.

Dimitri let's me sulk and wander for a minute. I stay within distance of where he can see me since I'm so unfamiliar with the city and don't want to get lost. I can feel him when glances up at me without turning around. The thought warms me a bit, knowing I have someone, a possible friend, trying to help me not because they feel obligated but because they want to.

I walk a little further closer to the lake looking at all the bruises and scrapes on my arm and touching my face for the ones I can't see. It's not Dimitri's fault I have these bruises, that I'm hurting so much. I'm thinking about this so much that I don't pay attention when I reach the edge of the small lake and my bad ankle twists and makes me stumble in a small ditch in the embankment.

For a second, I imagine myself stumbling into the lake's water face first but before my thoughts can get to far I'm pulled back toward the safety of the embankment and land against Dimitri with an oomph.

My heart is beating too quickly for me to straighten up and lean out of Dimitri's embrace where he's steadying me. For that moment, the moment I wish could last forever and the feelings that go with it, I am safe, warm, and unafraid. My breathing is rapid, giving Dimitri a concerned look.

"Are you alright? That ankle of yours is a little weaker than I thought. Maybe we put too much pressure on it too soon. I think my mother should..."

"N-no, I'm fine," I breathe as he straightens and I pull out of his arms.

I'm afraid again of the feelings building in my stomach and the lass of warmth. I'm afraid and confused. I'm not okay.

"I'm good," I assure.

He glances at my ankle. "We really should have her take a look at that ankle."

I start to shake my head in protest, suddenly wanting to be very far away so that these feelings will disappear, but Dimitri interrupts. "Roza, please just met me help you. I'm not going anywhere. I promise."

A/N: The reviews are amazing and I am genuinely surprised and amazed you guys like this story so much. little dhampire 13 made an amazing suggestion about the title that I love and didn't really think about when I wrote/posted this story. I'd love to just repost the story and change the title but I'm a little too far into it now but thank you, I loved your idea! Hope you guys still love the story. It's a little slow now but picks up starting in the next few chapters. Again, thanks for the reviews!