A/N- Oh my god guys! I am so sorry I have been gone. I've had finals all week and Monday was the last of them thank god. I really thought I would get this chapter up last week or this weekend but I got so caught up in organizing the ISO competition. Honestly I probably could have gotten a short chapter written myself if I didn't go read some stories myself and spend all my time reading instead of writing. This is sort of a boring chapter, so I'm sorry I made you guys wait so long for this. Winter Break is coming though! and I hope I'll have a lot more time to write for you guys. :)
Anyways, thank you to all of you that gave me your opinion on what I should do. I'll definitely keep it in mind as I keep writing the story. Thanks to hiseask17, Bea, VAGypsy, ElectricBlue180, wiccagirl-2005, lisablackroses, SarahBelikova99, vdslover1864, stardreamer2608, julia. , Dimka's chick, and SadisticallyDelicious for reviewing! If I missed you I'm sorry! I checked the reviews last week and now I'm on my ipad so it makes it more difficult.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters or the world of VA at all. It all belongs to the wonderful Richelle Mead.
Chapter 4: Another Typical Day
Rose POV
When I finished my shower after training, I changed clothes and went on up to Lissa's room. She had her 'other' friends over. Carly was one of them. It wasn't that I hated Lissa's moroi friends, its just they were all so fake, and Carly was getting on my last nerves. She had to keep her nose in her own business. In away I was happy to be going to Lissa's place for a sleepover. Being off probation had its perks, but in other ways I would rather have Dimitri hit me in the face again.
I must have been taking my sweet time heading over because soon I heard, "Where are you Rose?" through the bond. Liss sounded worried, I caught the message and hurried on to Lissa's room. Stupid one way bond, if only I could send a message to her before I walked in. Everyone of the girls in the room, even Lissa was in their nice pink PJ sets. I however wore a band T-shirt I had stolen from Lissa's boyfriend's closet one morning while I watching him and a pair of sweats.
"There you are!" Lissa exclaimed, looking at me oddly, "Where did you go after church?" I stared and then peered into her mind. She had caught the scent of the shirt, and glared at me. I looked at her with a face, did she really think I would do anything with that pyromaniac. "Is that Christians?" she asked. I nodded at her, and winced from the movement. My nose was still sore from training, at least it wasn't swollen.
I plopped down next to Lissa. Nina was in the middle if telling us all about her trip to town her parents did for her this weekend. She had bought a beautiful red slip. It was silk and made her porcelain skin glow. It was typical moroi activity. Their rich royal parents took them shopping and they got something supposedly incredible. I tuned out their conversation, intrigued in my own thoughts. I didn't mind Lissa's other friends as long as they didn't mingle in my love life.
I thought about Dimitri. I hoped he didn't feel too bad about my nose. I should ask Lissa to heal it later so he wouldn't have a reminder of it I decided. Suddenly, Lissa's voice in my head interrupted my thoughts. "Rose why do you have my boyfriends shirt!?" she scolded. I could feel her getting angry and jealous, but she tried to hide it. I just looked over at her and rolled my eyes. "Christan and I are playing keep away." I smirked as I whispered. "I just grabbed his instead of mine while I was watching him. I've grown to like it, its comfy. Plus I like Guns and Roses." I pointed to the picture on it.
"Okay." she thought over to me. Liss had a weird expression on her face. I wanted to know what she was thinking so I peered into her mind even though I knew she hated it. I just couldn't help it, it was just habit now. 'She and Christian were so weird. They pretended they hated each other when I really I could see that they really did love each other. Christian was so worried when she broke down that time in the plane. I guess I shouldn't have thought anything of it.' Lissa thought. Really, Sparky was worried about me. I could bring that up to him at some point. It would be great material against him. I smiled and shook my head lightly, all of Lissa's thoughts were true. We were like siblings.
Then I noticed Nina asking me what I was doing Friday. I was even more shocked when she told me she wanted to hook me up with her brother. "Oh no." I declined quickly. "I mean... No thank you." I tried again more politely. I didn't want some random moroi on Valentine's Day. There was only one guy I wanted and he was forbidden. I'm not even sure he knew when Valentine's Day was, Dimitri was oblivious like that.
Lissa looked at me curiously. I hoped she didn't suspect something. The old me would have set yes to the set up. "I'm fine with getting some extra training in." I explained. At least that way I could still spend the day with my love even if we weren't doing anything romantic. Nina laughed at me, "You train with Guardian Belikov. I'm sure a man like that will have plans on Valentines Day." She blurted out. What made it worse was the other girls started saying they wished they were his plans. I sat there uncomfortably, wishing I could defend my love. No one would dare touch him if they knew he was mine, the girls were afraid of me enough.
Lissa seemed to notice my discomfort and came to my rescue. "Guys I doubt he has plans." she said, trying to close the topic. "He's a guardian, he always has to train." I was happy Lissa was taking over. The moroi would listen to the Princess. I feel like I should feel flattered that people thought Dimitri was amazing when he was mine, but I hated it. Especially since no one could know that he was mine. After the holidays with Tasha, I would rather not have Moroi women like Dimitri.
"Enough about training and fighting! Let's do our nails!" Lissa exclaimed. My face lit up to this idea. I smiled and put my hands out in front of the girls. " I want black with gold sparkles!"
It wasn't often I got to do this. To be a normal teenage girl. It was rather far and in between. But when it happened I loved it. Before I knew it Nina was pulling me over and getting to business on my nails. I smiled and came over willingly. In our bond I could feel that Lissa was happy that I was there. And I loved having that feeling wash over me.
We spent the majority of our night paint our nails and gossiping. There were a lot of girls in the room and it was taking a lot of time to get everything done. When we finished the girls wanted to watch a movie. I didn't know what they wanted to watch. As they discussed and debated I just sat there and watched. It was amusing to be worrying about petty things instead of life or death. We sat back and the girls turned on a movie called 'Mean Girls'. They had all seen it. Me and Lissa looked at each other in wonder of this movie. The movie reminded me a bit of the academy. Except for the end, I found that sort of stupid.
After the girls started to fall asleep after the movie, I stood up. I walked over them and looked back at Lissa who was asleep on the bed. I smirked and went on out. Class started in a few hours, so I thought I would spend that time sleeping in my own bed. On the way to my room I kept looking at my nails. They were nice. I wondered if Dimitri would notice them. I got to my room and passed out on my bed. Even a few hours of good sleep would be nice.
When I woke up I noticed I was late for Christian duty. I was a quiet night, no nightmares, no Adrian dreams. I jumped up and quickly and ran out after throwing on clothes. On the way there I brushed my hair out and pinned it up in a pony. As I came up on Christian's door I noticed him exiting it." What are you doing?" I quickly asked.
"You're late." he said " We've got to go. Weren't you with Lissa last night? Shouldn't she have gotten you up on time for once? And where's Belikov? Isn't he usually on your ass?"
You have no idea, I thought to myself about that last comment. "I was with Lissa." I said defending her, "But I left early this morning to sleep in my own room. As for Dimitri I don't know where he is. He's not responsible for me 24/7 any more." I motioned towards my body and looked back at him. "I'm here now!"
He glared at me, looking at his watch again, picked up his pace. We hurried to get to his class. Thank god we didn't run into anyone. I looked over at Christian. Smirking at him as he walked. " I didn't know you could move that fast in skinny jeans." I teased.
Christian smirked. "Who said I was trying to get to class quickly. Maybe I was trying to get away from your smelly arse." he teased me in return. This was our relationship. Salt and more salt. I lightly flicked him on his shoulder as he walked into his class. It was his cooking class. So I assumed I would be eating something covered in bacon my the end of the day, which was good. Since I slept in I missed breakfast and I was starving.
I watched Christian pulled on my apron from the wall. It was going to be another long day. ever since they put me on half-time, they never planned any attacks on Christian. It was incredibly boring. I wanted to fight, I especially wanted to beat Stan's ass. I hear Christian call me over. "Hey Rose, can I ask you something."
I walked over to him." Yes?" I asked with a questionable expression forming on my face. It wasn't like Christan to want to just chat. Something was up. "You know Valentine's Day is coming up right?" I nodded at him. Of course I knew, that was all people were talking about these days. "Well what do you think I should do for Lissa?
I blinked a few times as he asked me this. " Um..." I started. Then I heard one of the girls behind us laugh. 'You're asking Rose.' I turned to see who was laughing. It was Carly. Again. "Rose doesn't even have a boyfriend. What would she know." I rolled my eyes I was so sick of this moroi, "I know that Valentines Day is silly, its about St. Valentine."
"No you don't." she argued. Her eyes turned from Christian to me. "No its not." She pouted.
"Yes it is." I said again. "St. Valentine was in locked up for doing what he thought was right. So he threw prayers out his barred window to his followers. That's where we get love letters Carly." I glared at her. I may look stupid but I knew my saints history well. That's what happened when I had to research St. Vladimir intensely to find something that would help Lissa.
"No its not Rose!" Carly shouted. We were gathering a crowd now but she didn't seem to notice. "Valentine's Day is about love! Not some old saint." She exclaimed. I couldn't stop the words that came out of my mouth next. "Shouldn't everyday be about love then? If you have someone your in love with, you should love them everyday. All 365. Not just on the 14 of February. And if you can't love them everyday then that sucks, trust me!" Everyone had listened in on that part. The whole class was staring at me, I should I have just ignored her. I slowly turned around and rubbed between my eyes. The whole school would hear about my outburst and think it was about Mason. Dear god.
Christian looked stunned when I turned back to him. "Hey Rose, it's okay." he tried to say soothingly, I guess he was a little afraid after my outburst too. "I can figure out something on my own." Then he smiled at me, "your ideas would probably be too sappy anyway" he teased.
I smirked towards him. " I know they will be. Patience is a virtue" I told him. It was what Dimitri always said. Then I narrowed my eyes towards him. " Sappy. I was just going to tell you that Lissa really likes all that old times stuff you see in the movies." Christian really should have know that. I got sucked into her head one too many times while they were "cuddling" while watching a Disney movie.
"So what? A dinner and a moonlight walk?" he asked both seriously and sarcastically. He must have remembered the disney thing. "Learn how to make some fireworks." I said, poking his hand. " Ya' know. Magic stuff." Christian thought about it for a moment then focused his attention back to me. "Alright Rose. Now shoo! I'll call you back to taste the food later." he said.
I grinned and turned from him. Everyone was still looking at me like I myself was a firework. Damn it. Back on the wall, I looked out the nearest window, and there he was. Just standing like always. Mason. His sad expression sent chills down my spine. I shook him off. Not now. If the teachers came in and saw me looking out the window they would think I was day dreaming. I can't fail again. I have to just ignore Mason. For now anyway.
Standing and watching someone may be the worst part of being a guardian. At least when I was with Lissa we would be in college. And being in college would mean we both would be taking classes, not that I wanted to go to even more school, but I could just copy off of Liss so I wouldn't fail. Before I let my mind wander any farther I looked out the window. This time I didn't see Mason. I let out a slow relaxed breath.
After a couple more minutes I heard Christian. "Rose!" he called again. "Foods ready!" I trotted back over. " What sort of animal are we eating today?" I asked in my normal smartass way. Christian glared at me. "It's seared filet mignon wrapped in bacon" I told her. I placed one hunk on a plate. "Here this is yours, I know you didn't have breakfast this morning so eat up." How nice of him. I wasn't used to Christian acting this way. "I looked down at the plate. He was right, I was starving. But I wasn't sure what he had put in front of me. None the less, I sat down ready to bite into it. As I ate Christian watched, soon I finished and Christian washed the dishes then the class was over.
We went through a couple more classes: Moroi History, Calculus A, and Russian 2, although I perked up a little in the last class. I wanted to learn something to impress Dimitri. I just didn't know how to learn the right pronunciation of 'ya lyublyu tebya' without making anyone suspicious. Finally it was lunch! Christian wanted to go to the feeders first. Like always he pointed out, blood 1st then food. I didn't mind today. I already had his mystery meat wrapped in bacon. I walked on with him. He met up with Lissa and put his hand out to her. It was such a sweet notion. The way their hands locked together, made me smile. Christian and I may have our differences at times, but in the end we had the same goal. We would both do anything to keep Lissa happy and safe.
My happy moment was killed as we walked out of the feeding rooms into the main hall. People were once again talking about me. They were fixed on what they thought was a break down. It wasn't. Not even a little, that was me being an ass to Carly. Or was it? I mean in a way it was. But in a way it was my brain getting upset on the simple fact Dimitri and I didn't have plans. That and no one could know about us until after graduation. I wanted the world to know he was mine.
I locked eyes with Lissa who had Eddie with her. She was staring at me curiously. I gave her a smile and trotted over to them. " Are you guys ready to sync your teeth in." I asked in a teasing way. Lissa smiled. 'Is everything okay?' she asked through the bond. I nodded. She nodded her head towards me direction. "Go on, you need to go on with Christian. He's got Alice again." Of course, for some reason Christian requested her. Everyone else seemed to avoid the old feeder like the plague but not him. I walked in the room and sat down and tried to look away best I could. Feeding was something I was never comfortable with, sure I had to do it for a couple years but maybe that was why I was so uncomfortable with it. Staring out the curtain, I noticed Dimitri walking down the hall of the feeder rooms.
I quickly pulled my head back in. I didn't want him to see me all worked up like this. When Christian finished I followed him out. I noticed Dimitri was still standing outside the stall. I stared at him and then tried to pull my eyes from him. Just looking at his face made my cheeks cheerfully brighten. Lissa pulled me over and started to ramble on about something, but I wasn't listening I was too focused on Dimitri for anything else right now.
He was talking to Christian about something, actually Dimitri looked a little nervous, that was odd. They started walking over and and flipped my attention back to Lissa. I didn't want them to know I was watching them. "Are you done with him?" I teased Dimitri once they came over.
Lissa watched and tilted her head at my comment. It was like they had a plan that I wasn't part of.
Dimitri smiled at me. "I was just talking to some people Roza, you won't be on guarding duty on Valentine's Day so would you like to do some more extra training with me?" My eyes narrowed for a moment. Then tried to relax my expression. Yeah I would like to do some special training with Dimitri, but knowing him it would be actual training. Combat training on Valentine's Day, what a lucky girl I was. At least I would be with Dimitri all day.
"Yeah. That's fine." I told him finally, my voice sounding dark and dim.
Dimitri seemed to notice my hesitance. "Don't worry Roza, I'll make it worth your time." he said. "I'll see you tomorrow morning for training before your therapy session." Rose: I nodded and turned away from him. " Its time for me to eat Christan." and I trotted off with Lissa. From the corner of my eye, I saw Christian say something to Dimitri and then turn to follow.
The rest of the day went by normally. Christian duty was always boring on days that there were no attacks. Which, never happened now thanks to their stupid stress diagnostic. I knew life would be easier when I was a real Guardian. Lissa and me would never shut up. It would be fun.
I left Christian at his room and went on to my room. I was so snappy and hateful to almost everyone today. I don't know what had gotten into me. While I laid in my bed I watched my fan go around and around. I took a deep breath and picked up my phone. Lissa had bought it after I got back from my last trip. She told me that we had to stay in check while I was off and about. I really wanted to talk to someone. I looked at Dimitri's contact and pondered on texting him. I shook my head and rolled over. "I'll see him in the morning." I told myself, and slowly I lulled myself to sleep.
Dimitri POV
After my late night at the mall, I woke up around lunch time feeling refreshed. I didn't have a shift until late afternoon today. After I took a shower I decided to go to the cafeteria to find the Princess, Rose, and Lord Ozera. I wanted to ask Lord Ozera if he was going to release Rose from service on Valentine's Day. Most of the teenagers usually did to have some privacy with their significant other. He probably was planning to, but I needed to make sure. If so then I needed to ask Roza if she wanted to train. That's when I'll implement my plan. Not seeing anything of them in the cafeteria, I headed to the feeders. Both the moroi were currently feeding. I waited outside their respective rooms, which were conveniently right across from each other.
The Princess finished first. She must have noticed me waiting because she trotted over to me and nudged my elbow. "Hi." she said awkwardly. "Hello Princess" I said. "So I have a guardian like request for you Dimitri. " she asked. That was odd, the Princess rarely asked me for anything. She wasn't like other moroi, she didn't want to inconvenience the dhampirs. The last time she asked me for something was when she told me to take care of Rose on our trip. I had taken care of Roza and some more. "Yes Princess?"
"I need you to watch Rose Friday. All day. Christian and I have huge plans and I don't want her feeling like a third wheel." Coming from the Princess that wasn't unexpected. She was always trying to look our for Rose the same way Rose looked after her. "I've already told Eddie to find something to do that day. But with Rose I don't want to hurt her feelings. I feel like the holiday is eating at her a little."
I brightened up at the Princess' request. That would work perfectly with my plans. "Actually Princess, I was about to ask Lord Ozera if he could release Rose on Friday. I know she's been having some difficulty and I wanted to have her train some. It might help her let work off some frustration." It would be perfect, now I just have to tell Lord Ozera
"Trust me. Christan won't mind." the Princess reassured me. "Just ask Rose." she said looking towards Rose and Lord Ozera leaving the feeder room and smiled. "It'll make her feel better coming from you."
"Alright Princess, but I have to check with Lord Ozera first. Academy rules." I saw Roza fast approaching. She looked so radiant even when she was sleep deprived. She was probably starving. I wish I could get her some faculty food, it was a lot better than the food they gave the students. I noticed her face, she looked distracted, almost sad. I wanted to make her smile.
She looked at me and then looked away. I knew she was having a hard time keeping away like I was. Rose walked ahead towards the princess. As she and Christian walked I softly called his name. "Mr. Ozera, may I speak with you for a moment?" He nodded and motioned for the girls to wait in the hall and then stepped back with me. "I was wondering if you were planning on releasing Rose from duty on Friday, knowing its Valentine's Day and all, I'm sure you and the Princess would like some privacy." I asked him, a little nervously
"That's fine with me." he said. "Im sure Lissa has told Eddie to leave Friday too. She's actually Lissa's trying her best to play matchmaker with them." I tried not to cringe when he said that. But I knew I had nothing to worry about. If nothing Castile was extremely loyal and I believe he still saw Rose as Mason's girlfriend. Even though they were never really together in the first place he'll always see her as a brother. I was still a little jealous anyway. They got to spend a lot more time together now with the field experience, whereas I barely saw Rose. "Alright, I was going to ask Rose if she wants to train or something. Maybe it'll help her take her mind off of Valentine's Day."
Christian rubbed his neck and looked back at Rose who was now laughing with Castile and the Princess. "I hope so. She nearly snapped Carly's head off today. Pretty sure it was over Mason." Oh Christian. If only he knew the real reason she was so angry about Valentine's Day. I will make it up to her, I decided. I was determined. "Come on, I'll walk you back to them. I have to tell Rose the plan anyways."
"Are you done with him?" Rose teased me when we walked over to them. I smiled at Rose, knowing that my smiles always cheered her up. "I was just talking to some people Roza, you won't be on guarding duty on Valentine's Day so would you like to do some more extra training with me?"
Rose hesitated. "Yeah, that's fine." she said, almost dejectedly. Was training really that bad? It was fun last time right? Other than the part where Roza started bleeding of course. At least there wasn't a bruise, the princess probably healed it. "Don't worry Roza, I'll make it worth your time." I tried to ensure. I didn't want her thinking that I only ever wanted to train with her. If I could I would spend every moment with her. Waking and dreaming. "I'll see you tomorrow morning for training before your therapy session."
Rose nodded and turned away, saying "Come on, it's time for me to eat Christian."
Lord Ozera looked back at me and crossed his arms awkwardly. "Maybe Friday she'll be in a better mood for you." he smirked and followed Rose. As I walked away from Rose I thought about her sour mood. She's been feeling pretty moody lately I thought to myself. I just hope I could help her work off some of her tension tomorrow, I thought of the hotel room. No Dimitri, not that way, said the voice in the back of my head. I had to stop thinking about that before I got a hard on in public. That would be hard to explain. I headed off to get my own food, passing by Alberta. Then I remembered that I had to make sure she wasn't scheduling any attacks on the Princess and Lord Ozera on Valentine's Day. It wouldn't be any good to get Rose into any more trouble.
Over lunch I talked to Alberta. She had said that originally she was planning an attack, but I managed to talk her out of it. I told her that these dhampirs may never get to relax on Valentine's Day ever again and they should be left to spend their last one in peace. She agreed with me and said she would change her plan. I was glad that she did, or else my plan with Roza wouldn't have worked out. When I got back to my room I started planning our lesson plan for tomorrow. Running and then weights I decided. I didn't want to risk what happened last time again. I couldn't have us getting caught. I went to bed, anticipating my day with Rose.
A/N- Again, I am so sorry this is soooo late. 1 and ½ more years of high school and then I'm free. Actually I'll be free as soon as I get accepted into a good college so more like 1 more year. Anyways I'm back now that finals are over and winter break starts this Friday. I can't wait to start writing again. I've missed it.
Ciao!
~Tiffany 3