Finally! I'm sooo sorry I haven't updated in FOREVER, but you wouldn't believe the waiting list at the library for this book. Luckily, I just bought my own copy, so I'll probably be able to update faster. Thanks for the reviews! Here's a special thanks to APM0829 for the special support!

Disclaimer: No, I'm not Richelle Mead and I do not own anything :(

Enjoy!

he had kept true to her word. Fueled by her anger, she had finally won her first conquest against a novice named Shane Reyes. I watched in the shadows as she defeated him easily. Some of the students congratulating her performance with polite words. But personally? All I wanted to do was pull her flush against my body and kiss her senseless; proving to the world that she was mine. Proving to that Zeklos boy and, especially, to that Ashford novice.

Caught up in my fantasy, I hadn't realized that class was over and that Mason had snuck up to flirt with my Rose. I can't believe he had the nerve to– Wait. A. Second. My Rose? When did Rose become my Rose. Though it did have a nice ring to it… Whoa there. Concentrate.

I shook my thoughts from my head and snuck closer to the pair who was still chatting animatedly. I soon figured out that Rose was tracking down the poor schmuck who was stupid enough to mess with her best friend. I had a hunch she would find that idiot who cut that fox's throat. And I pitied them for bringing about Rose's wrath. I looked towards them. Her back was towards me.

"Mase," she said, softly, "you claim to know about Mia. You think she might have done that?" She gazed at him with her beautiful, chocolate eyes.

He coughed and stared at her in surprise. "Whoa, hey, I'm not an expert on her or anything." Yeah. 'Cuz you have Rose to stalk instead. "But honestly? No. Mia won't even do dissections in biology. I can't picture her actually catching a fox, let alone, um, killing."

Rose's face fell and she turned from flirty and compelling to pleading. She looked desperately at him. "Any friends who might do it for her?"

Ashford shook his head regretfully. "Not really. They're not really the types to get their hands dirty either. But who knows?" Well. Isn't he just a smart, little novice? Psshh, I could've told Rose that. Those girls are all the same.

"Well, okay," Rose said, disappointed, "Thanks anyways. We'd better get to our next class." She began to walk away, but then hesitated. She turned back around and hugged Ashford tightly.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and saw me standing not too far away from their embrace, scowling. He must have thought it was because of the PDA (Public Display of Affection) and he smiled at me sheepishly. Reluctantly, he pulled away from Rose.

I smirked. There ya go, little boy. Take your dirty hands off my girl, I thought bitterly. A small part of me whispered, chill, you're just jealous. Jealous? Me? Of course not. I was just, er, worried that Rose was getting uncomfortable. Liar, the voice screamed in my head, suddenly a lot louder than it was before. I was about to respond to the annoying voice…until I realized that I was arguing with myself.

And it was all because of that girl. She distracted me from all my duties and made me lose concentration. She definitely NOT good for me; yet, I couldn't let her go. I knew that I could easily pull a few strings and get me out of this assignment of following Rose, but even the thought of it made me my heart pound uncontrollably. I suddenly had another mission. To get over Rose.

I walked into the lunch room, scanning from either Rose or Lissa. I spotted Lissa sitting at the same table as before with her cousin and her friends. Once again, I took my place near their table, knowing that Rose would come by soon enough.

And I wasn't disappointed. Five minutes later, Rose sauntered in, taking in her surroundings coolly. She went to the lunch line and got some food before joining Lissa. Now that Rose was here, I decided to tune in into their conversations. And honestly? I didn't know if I wanted to listen because of my assignment…or just to get closer to Rose. My thoughts were muddled up.

As Rose sat down, her face twisted into a grimace of disgust and anger as she heard what Natalie was talking about.

"And it was just there," the not-so-bright girl was saying, "Right in the middle of the bed. There was blood everywhere." She waved her hands enthusiastically; obviously enjoying the attention she was getting and not noticing how Lissa looked like she was about puke her guts up.

I was about to step in and offer to escort the Princess to the nurse's, but Rose beat me to it. She dragged Lissa away forcefully, since it was obvious that Lissa would not be able to move on her own without throwing up.

They began to walk to their classes and I followed silently. "Damn," Rose was saying angrily, "That stupid b*#^$ needs to shut up sometimes. Can't she just talk about something that wouldn't make someone want to punch her? I swear, I could have knocked her out on the spot."

Lissa shrugged. "She's nice. You were just telling me the other day how much you liked her," she said vacantly.

"I do like her," Rose insisted, "but she's just incompetent about certain things." She waved her hands in the air dismissively. She glanced around and I ducked into a vacant classroom, until she turned away. Once she realized that people were staring at them she sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "How are you doing with this?" she asked Lissa, wearily.

A bitter smile appeared on Lissa's face. She snorted. "Can't you already feel it?" I assumed she was referring to the strange bond they shared.

Rose pulled at the ends of her hair. "Yeah, but I want to hear it from you."

Lissa bit her lip. "I don't know," she said, sadly, "I'll be okay. I wish everyone wouldn't keep staring at me like I'm some kind of freak." Oh no. This was definitely gonna set Rose off.

And true to my word, Rose clenched her fists. She narrowed her eyes and took in a few deep breaths, obviously trying to calm down unsuccessfully. "Who's bothering you?" she asked through her clenched teeth. Lissa squinted at her.

"Rose, you can't beat up everyone we have a problem with," she said, soothingly. Rose laughed humorlessly.

"Mia?" she asked, bitterly. Lissa shrugged.

"And others," she said, uncomfortably. She placed a hand on Rose's arm. "Look, it doesn't matter. What I want to know is how this could have…" she hesitated before plowing on, "that is, I can't stop thinking about that time–" Rose interrupted once again.

"Don't." I cocked my head, confused. Rose looked almost…afraid. Rose Hathaway scared? That was almost too funny to believe. Unless you were seeing it right before your eyes. I strained to hear more, hoping they would continue with this new conversation. I wasn't disappointed.

Lissa swallowed nervously. "Why do you keep pretending that didn't happen?" she cried out, "You of all people. You fun of Natalie for going on and on, but it's not like you've got a good grip on your control switch." I scowled at the dismissive tone the so called Princess was giving my Rose. "You'll normally talk about anything." I laughed darkly. Rose's outgoingness was one of the things I loved about her, but to others, it was annoying. Oh the irony.

Rose licked her lips, which, of course, distracted me to no end. "But not that," I heard her say faintly. I didn't hear her as clearly because I was still staring at her enchanting, red lips moving. I moved back into the classroom and leaned my head against the wall. Okay. Deep breaths, Dimitri. It's nothing. She's just a novice. She's nothing to you except your student. You don't need her. I closed my eyes and exhaled deeply before turning back to the two girls a few feet away from me.

By the time I had turned back, the Zeklos boy had approached Rose. I bit the inside of my cheek sharply, allowing the pain to distract me from going over there and punching the boy.

"Hey, Rose," I heard him say in a honeyed tone. I glanced at Rose, my heart sinking to see her response. She was obviously attracted to him, er, not that it mattered to me. I just didn't want to see her hurt by his "player" ways. Ha, the silent voice whispered again in my head. I ignored it and, instead, focused on Rose, gritting my teeth.

She turned to face Jesse and shot him a heart-wrenching smile, biting her lip seductively. "Hey," she said, softly.

Jesse seemed to be turned on by this and barely managed a polite nod to Lissa. Stupid hormonal teenage boys. He sauntered up closer to Rose and asked, "So, hey, I'm going to be in your dorm tonight for a study group. You think…maybe…" He trailed off questioningly, raising his eyebrow.

Rose's eyes turned hooded with mischief. "Sure," she said, grinning and looking up at her through her curtain of thick eyelashes. My heart clenched in my chest with an uncomfortable pain. As I continued to watch Zeklos shot her a returning smile. I couldn't take this anymore. I pulled my whole body back into the empty classroom and slid down against the walls.

Faintly, I heard Zeklos telling Rose to meet him in one of the common areas and wait for more instructions from there. My head slumped into my hands. I couldn't breathe right. My breath came out in harsh pants and it seemed like I couldn't get enough oxygen.

The bell rang somewhere in the background, but I ignored it. The heart felt like it was being crushed and my chest seemed like it was constricting. Why did I feel like this? What was wrong with me? What was this painful feeling I suddenly started feeling a few days ago? When will it go away?

Questions swirled in my head and I had no answers for any of them. It was ridiculous. And it was all because of Rose. Rose, Rose, her name repeated over and over in my head. Her image appeared. Her silky hair, her full lips, and her endless eyes. I pulled at my hair and continued in my thinking.

After what seemed like hours, Guardian Petrov walked in. She started when she saw me.

"Belikov? What are you doing in here?" She looked at me worriedly, probably wondering if I had a mental breakdown.

I shook my head and stood up stiffly. "I'm fine," I said, my voice hoarse. I walked out of the classroom without another word. The bell rang and the classroom doors flew open, Moroi and dhampirs flooding the hallways. I glanced around and spotted Rose with Lissa, my mood suddenly lifting when I saw her.

Once again, I began to follow them. When I came within hearing distance, I heard Rose scream, "Okay? Okay?" I blinked a few times, startled. She grabbed Lissa's arm and shook her forcefully. "He's out of his mind. He set Ralf on fire. I thought we decided you weren't going to see him anymore." I racked my brain, trying to figure out who they were talking about. What Moroi would be stupid or brave enough to use his element on another Moroi?

Ah. I had it. It must be Christian Ozera. I knew his aunt, Tasha. She was so sweet and brave. I loved her like a little sister. Yes, like a sister. Anyways, Christian Ozera apparently had taken an interest to Lissa and Rose wasn't exactly happy about it.

Lissa replied to Rose stonily. "You decided, Rose. Not me." I was shocked at Lissa. From what I knew about the Princess was that she was sweet and kind. Right now, she actually kind of scared me.

Rose looked at her, confused. "What's going on here? Are you guys…you know?..." This earned a disgusted scowl from Lissa.

"No! I told you that already. God." Lissa rolled her eyes, obviously angry. "Not everyone thinks–and acts– like you." Rose winced and didn't reply. She stared into the floor. I wished I could go over and defend her and take her into my arms, comforting her. Yeah right.

Just then, Doll-face–er, Mia walked by. She smirked at the obviously upset pair of girls. "Trouble in paradise?" she asked, snottily.

Rose swore. "Go find your pacifier, and shut the hell up." She walked past her, slamming her shoulder into Mia's. Mia winced and stared at them in shock before narrowing her eyes and strutting away.

I laughed quietly. Oh, Rose. Always the one for violence. Suddenly Lissa started giggling uncontrollably. "Rose…" she said, forgivingly.

"Lissa," Rose responded, "he's dangerous. I don't like him. Please be careful." Personally, I found it ironic that Rose was the one telling Lissa to be careful instead of the other way around. Apparently Lissa did too.

She stepped towards Rose and touched her arm gently, reassuringly. "I am. I'm the cautious one, remember? You're the reckless one."

Rose shrugged and gave her a half-smile. They separated once they got to Lissa's dorm and hugged. Obviously their fight was forgotten.

After dropping Lissa off, Rose left to go to her dorm. Once she entered, I began pacing around outside. I had more important things to think about than Rose leaving her room. Like how I was going to split up Rose and Jesse tonight. I smirked. All I know is that it wasn't going to be pleasant. Especially not for Zeklos.

R&R please! I know this chapter was boring, but it didn't have much dialogue or action in it in the first place. Ah well, next chapter is SURE to be fun. I can't wait to write the part when Dimitri runs in on Rose and Jesse ;D That's gonna be fun. Well anyways, tell me what you think!

~Leena