Sadly, still don't own Vampire Academy...

In the week leading up to my birthday, I saw less and less of Aleks- except from a distance, when he had Brooke hanging off his arm. It would have almost been better not to see him at all, though at least if they were in my sight, they weren't off in a love nest somewhere. The thought made me sick.

I passed the time by entertaining fantasies involving me, her, and some kind of weapon. In combat training, I'd always go out of my way to stake the pale blonde dummy with the pretty, vacant smile. It was probably better than staking the real thing.

The highlight of the week had to be the day before we left for Court, when I was unfortunate enough to be coming out of the changing rooms as Brooke's cronies hung around in there, preening themselves in the mirror.

"I wish I could get to Court this weekend, I seriously need some new makeup. I'm running out of everything!" Brooke exclaimed dramatically.

I knew I should have just walked away, but it was too good an opportunity to pass up. Sauntering around the corner, I raised one eyebrow at her incredulously. "What, you mean you actually use real, shop-bought cosmetics? I thought you used kids' crayons instead, which is why you look like you've been gang-banged by Crayola."

The looks of shock and utter outrage on their faces was enough to make me crack up, but I held it in. Just.

"It's better than being gang-banged by a load of freaks." She told me haughtily.

Man, what an opening that was.

"Really? Thanks for the tip. Your life experience really comes in handy at times like these."

It took her a second to get it, but even when she did, she just stood there, pale face turning redder and redder by the second. I got bored when I ran out of names to call the colours- I couldn't think of anything redder than a tomato. For a Moroi, that was quite an achievement.

"Well, it was nice speaking to you. I've got a plane to catch in the morning, and I wouldn't want to miss my trip to Court now, would I?" I said lightly, before slinging my gym bag over my shoulder and heading for the door. This seemed to wake her up a bit.

"Well, have fun with your weird freak family!" She shouted after me.

"I'll tell the Queen you sent your regards!" I replied breezily, before laughing and letting the door swing shut behind me.

I felt a happy buzz fill me as I headed back across campus. It was my birthday in a couple of days, and I'd been able to piss off Brooke. Could this day get any better?

"Hey, Anya!"

I froze, pausing in my walk back to my dorm to pack for tomorrow. I turned around slowly. "Hi, Aleks. Look, if you're going to say that you're staying here instead of coming to Court this weekend, then don't bother."

He frowned. "What, and miss your birthday? Never. I just wanted to ask what time the plane is leaving tomorrow. I don't want to miss it."

I took a deep, calming breath, letting it by blowing my hair out of eyes. "It leaves at 11:00. Be there early."

"Sure."

We stood awkwardly for a moment, something I was not accustomed to with Aleks. It was like something was slowly dying between us. On his end, anyway. That thought was like a knife slowly twisting in my stomach.

"Well, I need to go pack." I said lamely, pointing back at my dorm.

"Oh, okay. I'll see you tomorrow then. I'm looking forward to seeing Court."

Aleks hadn't been able to come the last, and first, time we'd visited our parents this semester. He hadn't been allowed off campus since he hadn't been here long enough, and Kirova hadn't seen a reason for him to go, that old bitch. Lissa had been busy, so we hadn't got to go since then. Mia and Eddie had been out after the twins' birthday, but that was all.

"I'll show you everything worth seeing." I replied, before turning back towards the girls' dorms. Before I reached the door, I called back to him. "Hey, you better have got me a present!" I shouted.

Aleks grinned. "I value my life, don't I?"

"Clever boy."

As I dragged my case, and my weary self, across campus to the runway the next morning, I saw that everyone was already there- even Aleks. He was standing amongst my friends, talking to Sophia, but I could feel that the guys weren't entirely happy that he was here. Ash and Jet were displaying a mix of annoyance, distrust and just a hint of jealousy. Mason was angry and disappointed. He was the only one who really knew my feelings for Aleks, and he had always been very protective of me.

After a chorus of 'finally' at my late arrival, we boarded the plane. I grabbed Mason's sleeve and pulled him into a seat next to me.
"Stop giving Aleks your Laser Death Glare. You're going to burn a hole in his clothes." I joked. Mason didn't laugh.

"Why is he even here? I think he's made his friend preferences pretty clear."

I rolled my eyes. "I know he's being a bit distant, but I'm still his best friend. He isn't going to ditch me on my birthday, Mase."

Mason let out something between a sigh and a snort, seemed to let it drop. A moment later, though, I realised he hadn't completely dropped the subject.
"Seriously, though. Are you alright with him here? I know the last couple of weeks have been hard on you. If you don't want him here, I'll drag him off the plane myself and leave him on the runway with a reminder that he can't screw with my Anya."

"Mason, it's fine. I want him here." He gave me a 'really?' look. "Yes! Look, how happy I feel that he's here outweighs the..." I was pretty sure saying 'heartbreaking pain of rejection and loneliness of losing my closest friend' wouldn't be the best thing right now. "...rest of it. Alright?"

Mason placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Alright, I believe you. But just say the word, and I'll get rid of him."

I shook my heads in defeat, bumping my shoulder into his. The hand that had been resting there slipped off, and fell back into his lap.

I couldn't pinpoint what it was, exactly, but something about the gesture seemed a little forlorn, and I couldn't help but feel a slight, strange sadness when I thought about it.

Shaking it off, I pulled out my laptop. I was way too fired up and excited about this weekend to sleep, and didn't want to ask Sophia to compel me. I'd just have to get over it.

"Anybody want to watch a film?"

'Anybody' turned out to be 'everybody'. We eventually ended up all sitting in 2 rows on the carpeted floor of the plane, with the volume turned up as loud as it would go. St. Vlads seriously needed to invest in some in-flight entertainment systems. Despite the crowding, it turned out to be alright, especially since I got to 'accidently' elbow Ash in the ribs every time I laughed at a funny part in the film. All in all, a pretty good plane ride, as they went.

Still, I couldn't wait to reach the ground. Though the promise of the birthday presents waiting for me at Court may have influenced that a little.

Ugh, that last paragraph was way harder to write than it should have been. I blame spending too much time watching old reruns on Tv, and investing too much emotionally in the decent programmes -_-

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