I'm very happy to be getting such positive reviews for this story. I've been trying my best to update as often as possible but I've been swamped in homework. Yesterday, I was so tired, I came home from school and went straight to sleep. I slept all through the night until it was time for school today - no dinner or anything. I was going to do the same today but I thought of you guys and decided against it.
It you have any suggestions for the story, leave a review.
This chapter is rated M, only because I'm not sure what is allowed in a T rated story.
Richelle Mead owns all characters unless marked otherwise.
Rose P.O.V.
I bit my lip and walked into the livingroom where the boys were waiting.
Eddie stood closest to me and whistled when I walked in. I decided to play along.
"You like?" I asked. My words and gestures were innocent but my tone hinted to something darker.
"Who wouldn't?" Adrian chimed, walking up to me, offering his arm.
I smiled up at him, looping my arm around his. My eyes scanned the room, catching Mason's gaze. He put on an emotionless mask and I knew this was because he was hurt that I had declined his offer to take me to the ball - only to take an older man. I had tried to tell him it was because he was my friend and I didn't see him that way to which he told me he understood, but I could see that it still hurt him. I honestly felt guilty for taking Adrian but Lissa has been hounding me to ask him out for the past week and a half, and I honestly didn't want to see Mason get hurt if I had tried things out with him and it didn't work out. Adrian, I had decided, was a safer choice. He knew how I saw him and he was okay with it.
My gaze shifted from Mason's to see Christian and Lissa. They were just standing there, looking into each others' eyes. His arm was on her lower back and both of hers lay on his shoulders. A small smile graced her lips and I wondered how two people could be so nauseating.
I shook my head, feeling as if I was intruding on a private moment. Instead, I seeked out Eddie, whom I had not seen after I entered the room.
Mia, Eddie, and Mason were standing together talking, each decided to go alone. Mia chose to do so because she hadn't wanted Aaron (they guy she had a crush on) to get the wrong message, Eddie because he was only interested in the after-parties, and Mason probably because he wanted me to know he was there for me if I needed him.
Lastly, I looked over to Dimitri - only to see he was looking at me as well. He seemed at a loss for words and I blushed slightly, giving him a half-smile. He grinned broadly. We stood looking at each other, smiling, for about a minute or two, unmoving. I was lost in his brown eyes. Well...until Tasha had walked in between us, breaking the connection, and insisting that we should leave now. I saw Dimitri shake his head slightly, a dazed look on his face. He shook it off with a smile directed at his date and took her arm in his.
I blinked, looking over to my own date. Adrian looked at me, an unreadable expression on his face. He cocked an eyebrow at me, obviously having seen the exchange between me and Dimitri.
I gave him a reassuring smile, "You have nothing to worry about." His eyes shone and his arm tightened around mine as we walked to the limo Lissa had rented for the night.
The limo was black on the outside, but inside it was a flurry of color. Lissa had gone all out decorating it. Flowered tea lights hanging from the top and down the sides. Confetti and sparkles littered the floor and seats. Champagne filled nine flukes. Music playing tastefully in the background.
Mia whooped grabbing a fluke and bringing it to her lips, downing the liquid in one gulp. She looked up at me, handing me one of my own, urging me to follow her lead. I did. I smiled brightly afterwards, my eyes meeting Dimitri's.
Tasha took the lead, jumping into the limo, pulling Dimitri along with her. Eddie and Mason followed. Adrian went in next, sitting across from Tasha, and, consequently, putting me across from Dimitri. Lissa and Christian sat next to me.
Not listening to the conversations going around me, I pulled my arm from Adrian's and made eye contact with Dimitri as I did so. He seemed to be oblivious to the talking and laughter as well as he stared at me. His facial features soft and relaxed as he looked into my eyes. He gave me a lopsided smile that me my heart skip a beat. My lips curved upward in the corners. I thought about what he had promised yesterday and suddenly, I couldn't wait for the ball.
I felt a hand on my knee and looked over to see Adrian. The smile faded from my face as I realized that what I had promised him may not be so true after all.
Xoxo - BelikovLover
When we had exited the limo and Adrian slipped on his mask, I couldn't help but notice how amazingly good-looking he was. His tuxedo combined with a black and red mask...it took every woman in a fifteen foot radius' breath away, but I couldn't help but compare him to one other man. Dimitri wore a straight black mask that made his hair look a shade lighter in comparison. His brown eyes more mysterious.
Adrian took my arm in his and I decided then and there that I would forget about Dimitri until the time comes that Dimitri must fulfill his promise. (A/N Does anyone want to guess what he promised?) Until then, I'd enjoy my time with Adrian because, despite my constant refusal to date him, I really did like him. He was sarcastic and arrogant but he was also funny and sweet. I always had a good time with him and I was counting on that for tonight. It was the main reason I had chosen to bring him to the ball tonight. I knew he was going to make sure I had fun.
And I did. I couldn't imagine having a better drank - I had found out the hard way that the punch was spiked, of course I shouldn't have known any different. I didn't drink enough to get drunk - just a buzz. Adrian drank slightly more than I did, but it was only enough to loosen both of us up. We flirted - he had tried to feed me a bite of cheesecake but "slipped" and it ended up smeared on my nose. I had, in turn, "fed" him his own piece of cheesecake. By the end, we were sticky and gross, but he looked handsome as ever. We danced - twirling across the dance floor with Adrian, I learned the true meaning of a ball. He was skilled, matching me step for step as we danced. And of course, I got the satisfaction of watching him embarrass himself when a more upbeat song played. He oscillated between standing still and watching me dance to "busting out his trusty old moves" when this happened. All in all, it was an amazing night. Until he kissed me.
We were out on the dance floor, moving to a slow song. His hands placed gently on my waist and mine around his neck, it was comfortable. He leaned in and, before I knew it, he kissed me. His lips were soft and lingering and made my own lips react instantly. I kissed him back lightly, placing my hands on the sides of his face. He was warm. He was comfortable. There was nothing wrong with him. Or the kiss. In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed the kiss, our lips molding together, but I pulled back anyway, knowing something wasn't right. In the stories, I'd be falling for him. I'd be consumed with his presence. But this wasn't so. Physically, I was with Adrian, but mentally, I was with another.
In my mind, it was a set of brown eyes that now looked at me, angry and hurt. In my head, it was a pair of familiar lips that pressed against mine. In my fantasy, I was with Dimitri.
What am I doing? I asked myself. This is wrong. I can't lead him on. This is wrong.
His green eyes searched mine for an answer, not bothering to hide the pain he felt from the rejection. "Rose, what-?"
"I'm sorry, Adrian." I pulled away from his embrace, sparing a glance over my shoulder to where I knew Dimitri was dancing with his date. "I'm sorry. I don't-You're a friend. I'm sorry" I whispered.
A look of pure disbelief washed over his face. "I can't-I can't believe this. You know how I feel about you, Rose. You know." He told me, intensifying my guilt. "But yet you still asked me here tonight. You danced with with me. Kissed me. Why?" He was angry. "Why?" His hands grabbed my forearms, nails digging into my skin, but I didn't feel the pain.
"I don't know, Adrian. I'm confused. I don't know." It was true. I didn't know what was holding me back. I had so, so much fun with him. We fit together perfectly. A match made in heaven, but still...something had a hold on me. Or someone rather.
He shook his head, mumbling incoherently. "No, Rose. I'm not going to be your backup. Not anymore. This-" He gestured to the two of us. "-whatever this is - it's over. I'm done." He turned on his heel and grabbed a cup of punch before leaving the building.
I looked at his retreating form, knowing with all my heart that I had lost a wasn't coming back. I would probably never see him again and I expected nothing less. After all the hurt I've cause him over the years, I couldn't imagine why he'd stay. A tear slipped down my face as I faced the fact that I'd only succeeded in losing another person.
I glanced back over my shoulder as tears assaulted my cheeks. Dimitri sent me a worried look from behind Tasha. I smiled and wiped away my tears as if to say "I'm fine." He didn't seem to believe me as he started to make his way toward me. I held out my hand in a "stop" gesture. He did.
"It's okay. I'm fine." I mouthed across the room, hoping he'd understand what I was trying to say. Tasha came from behind him, oblivious to my emotional turmoil and grabbed his arm, urging him to dance. He didn't seem to notice her presence as he kept his gaze locked on mine. I pointed to the door behind my back. "I'm going for a walk." He nodded unsure of himself as he tore his gaze from mine to Tasha's. I turned around, hoping he had listened to me and let it go. I wanted - no - needed - to be alone right now.
I walked out the door, shivering as the brisk air came in contact with my bare skin. I ripped my mask off and threw it in the trash next to me, earning a few questioning glances from people who were sitting outside. Most were couples making out, but there were a few loners who had come to escape the crowd. I let the teas fall freely now, not caring who saw. I kicked my heels off at the entrance and left them behind as I walked.
I didn't know how long I walked. Or where. The surroundings were unfamiliar, but I didn't care. Sobs now racked my body at irregular intervals. Not many people were out and about, but those who were, quickly walked away from me. Not that I cared. I didn't know these people and I probably never would.
The cold air caused goosebumps to rise on my arms and I rubbed my hands against them, friction warming me slightly.
I wiped my cheeks to rid them of the last of my tears. I took a deep breath, deciding to head back to the ball if only to go home. As I looked up, I noticed that I had wandered into an alleyway. The waning light from a broken lamp illuminated the path. The smell of trash and stale urine made it's way into my nose. As well as the sudden stench of alcohol.
I turned around slowly, aware of another presence. Three men stood behind me, each motioning for the other to stay quiet, but when they saw that I had spotted them, they all busted out laughing.
My nose wrinkled in disgust and I started to walk away.
"Hey!" One man shouted, grabbing my arm. "Where you going?"
"Away from you drunk bastards." I spat.
"Aw. Don't be like that." Said another coming up from behind me. He put his hands on my waist and spun me around. "Stay for a while."His hands trailed down to my butt, squeezing it.
Fear hit me quickly and my training kicked in. My fist shot up to his face but even in his inebriated state, he was quick enough to catch my wrist and hold it in an iron-like grip.
"That wasn't very nice." He said, laughing as if it was a joke.
"Looks like we have a fighter." The third man called.
I whipped around swinging my fist into his face. Unlike the other guy, he wasn't quick enough. It made contact with his nose. Blood spurted out and his hand went to his face in shock.
"You, bitch!" He grabbed my throat and slammed me into the wall behind me. My head hit the bricks and my vision blurred. I couldn't fight back as hands groped me in the darkness. The walls of the ally seemed to close in on me as I faded into unconsciousness, completely at the mercy of these three drunk men.
Xoxo - BelikovLover
"Rose?" A voice like an angel called my name. "Roza, wake up." I turned my head but I was unable to open my eyes. I felt arms around me, picking me up and holding me to the angel's chest. I snuggled closer, the warmth drawing me in like a moth to a flame, before letting myself give in to the darkness once more.
Xoxo - BelikovLover
I sat up quickly once I gained consciousness. Where was I? What happened? The back of my head throbbed and I winced and I felt gauze over the wound. My head was spinning but I didn't care. I didn't know what happened or where I was. I was scared.
"Roza?" Dimitri walked into the room. "Rose! What are you doing?" He ran to my side and helped me lay back down. "You have to lay down, you have a pretty serious gash on your head. You have to take it easy."
"Wha-" I relaxed when I saw him. "Dimitri? What am I doing here? What happened?" I looked around the room, taking in the familiarity. The bed. The pictures. The paint on the wall. I was in my room. I was safe. Dimitri was here.
He looked at me. I patted the bed next to me and he climbed in, laying beside me.
"When I saw you at the ball...you were fine. Happy even. So, I danced with Tasha a little more, but the next time I turned around...you were crying and Adrian was nowhere to be found." He placed his hand on my face, brushing a pice of hair back. I shuddered at his touch. "I wanted to ask what was wrong. I started to, but you told me to stop. You said you were just going for a walk." He chuckled and shook his head. "I didn't believe you. I knew you were lying when you said you were fine. You were hurt. Anyone could see that." I smiled. Not anyone, I thought. Just you. "So I followed you. It wasn't easy, though. Tasha was relentless." He had an expression of distaste on his face. "But I did. I was worried when I saw that you left your shoes behind. I didn't know what to think. I lost you along the way. It took me about a half hour to find you again. And when I did..." He trailed off, spacing out.
"Tell me." I urged him.
He looked at me. "I saw those-those bastards touching you, and I-" He clenched his jaw tightly. "-I just lost it."
"You beat them up?" I guessed. He nodded sheepishly.
"You saved me." I hugged him tightly. "Thank you." I whispered.
"Don't be. I should have gotten there quicker. That should never have happened." He told me, guilt etched into his features.
I lay my hand on his face, stroking the stubble that had formed there. "You stopped it from going any further. Thank you for that." He nodded.
I couldn't help but notice just how close we had gotten during this conversation. Our torsos were pressed against each other. His hand was on my hip. My hand was on the side of his face. Our lips only inches apart. He seemed to notice as well because he started to lean down. His eyes flicked between my lips to my eyes quickly as if asking for permission. I nodded almost imperceptibly, leaning up to close the distance. He paused just before his lips met mine as if to savor the moment. I closed my eyes, waiting for his lips to meet mine. I couldn't think of anything else. Anyone else.
I guess I should have. I should have known Lissa would be home. I should have known Lissa would be looking after me. But I didn't. I didn't know she was here. I didn't know she was waiting for me to wake up. I didn't know she would choose now to make her appearance. I guess I shouldn't have been so consumed by Dimitri, I thought bitterly.