Love Ever After

Chapter Three

Rose POV

I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock beeping. I swung and hit the snooze button to give myself another nine minutes. After the past two impatient days I had I was not looking forward to today.

Dimitri was coming back and I honestly didn't even want to know what he had to say. Could there be any good excuse? I doubt it. I couldn't come up with one but even so I tried not to think negative until I talked with him. My alarm beeped again and since I couldn't get back to sleep I decided to get up and jump in the shower.

After taking my sweet time, I got out lotion myself and dressed in a pair of running shorts and sports bra with a T back tank. As I opened my door and I pulled my hair up in a messy ponytail, I saw something fall to the floor. Looking down I found a small piece of paper that was folded. When I opened it up, I found it was a note from Dimitri.

Roza,

I got back late last night so practice will be canceled for this morning and this afternoon we will continue on tonight. I'll see you then, have a good day.

–Dimitri

Okay, so I could have slept in? This seriously sucked.

Deciding since I was already up and dressed for training, I left my room and went to the track to run.

I was on my eleventh lap when I caught a glimpse of someone sitting in the grass watching me. When I finished my normal thirty laps, I walked over to say hi to whoever it was.

No one besides guards and teachers are up this early so I knew this person must be here for a reason. I walked over and was greeted by none other than the womanizer himself.

"Little Dhampir, your looking sexy as ever this morning." He smiled at me. "And man I have never seen anyone run as fast as you, for a Dhampir at least."

I sighed. I have gotten used to Adrian's attitude and thoughts of me and often ignored him. He knew how I felt about Dimitri, he was the only one that did. I smiled at Adrian and sat beside him.

I gave him another smile and rolled my eyes at. "What are you doing here and awake so early anyways?"

Again another lopsided smile and then took a drink of something clear in a glass. "I haven't been to sleep yet."

"Are you still drinking?" I asked eying the glass.

"Would you like to taste and find out?" He asked raising an eyebrow at me.

"Seriously, what's up?"

He stood up and then helped me standby taken my hand. "I have to show you something but can you please not hate me for it."

I gave him a side long look as we walked. "Adrian, you're actually starting to scare me."

He stopped and took my hand in his. "Rose, I'm serious. Just please know I wouldn't ever do anything to hurt you, that I would do anything to protect you."

He didn't give me any time to say anything because he pulled me along and started walking with him again. We made our way to guest housing, stopping in front of a door.

"What are we doing here Adrian?"

"Taking you to bed, what do you think?" He said sarcastically. "Rose, will you please just be quiet and listen."

I shut up and did as told. I felt weird just standing outside someone's door. That was until I heard a voice, one that I missed so much these past few days.

"I'm glad we worked this out." There were some ruffling sounds.

"It's a done deal, thank you. I can't wait till this summer." More ruffling sounds.

"Thank you, your making all my dreams come true. I will see you later on tonight."

Adrian downed his drink and then faster than I thought he could move, he pulled me with him behind a tall hedge and put a hand over my mouth. A second later the door opened and Dimitri stepped out after giving Tasha a kiss on the cheek.

I felt my face flame up to a bright red. Dimitri turned to go as Tasha shut the door. He stopped after a few steps and turned to look around before walking off.

A minute after he was out of view Adrian decided to let go of my mouth.

"I am terribly sorry Little Dhampir; I don't want to hurt you. I told you I would protect, that includes if I have to rescue you before he can break your heart."

I turned on him wanting to scream, but when I saw the hurt he held in his eyes I knew he was speaking from his heart.

"H-how d-did y-you k-know?" I stammered. I couldn't believe what I had just seen.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me with him. This time I didn't say anything as he opened the door and went in. I took a seat on the couch and he made himself another drink.

"I was coming back from meeting a guard who went to a store to get me another pack of cigarettes. While I was unlocking my door I caught sight of Tasha doing the same with the cradle robber all over her."

He took a seat a space away from me and brought his glass to his lips. Before it touched his lips I snatched out of his hand and downed it.

He looked at me and gave a smirk "Would you like another one, Little Dhampir?"

"Do you even have to ask?" I replied.

He took the glass and went back to the bar, got two new glasses and filled one half ways and the other nearly to the top. He came back to the couch and sat beside me handing me my own glass.

We cheers to nothing in particular and took a sip. I sat back in the corner of the over sized chair curled up holding my glass.

I was thinking about what happened the other day between us. The time on the roof and all the arguments we had. It seemed like we had more arguments than we did good memories.

He called me immature and blamed me for the incident with Mason and the others. When I think about it, it was his fault. Dimitri sought me out and told me where they we're. It was his move, without him giving me that information, Mason would have never known.

I may be immature at times but I never stooped as low as his level. Sure it's bad judgment on my behalf for even thinking I could have such a thing with a man seven years older than me and that he would want something more than to use me for his own pleasures.

My thoughts we're interrupted a little by Adrian who had moved closer to me and put an arm around me.

"Little Dhampir, you have been quite for a while and your aura is starting to bug me. Are you alright?" He asked me.

I smiled into his shoulder. "No, I am glad you told me. I'm lucky to have such a good friend."

We sat in silence and finished our drinks until I had no choice but to leave and get ready for the day. Adrian walked me to the door and wrapped me in another hug.

"If you need anything let me know." He whispered in my ear than gave me a kiss on the cheek.

I gave a nod of my head and a half smile then slipped out the door. I was walking back to my dorm when I caught a glimpse of Dimitri he was walking my way. I didn't so much as give him a smile or even acknowledge him. I ran past him as I went to my room. With him calling my name behind me, but I knew he couldn't catch up.

Once in my room I locked my door and went straight to the bathroom locked that door and got in a steaming hot shower.

As I took the time to wash my long hair, shave my legs to complete silk, and washed my body and face. I thought about this morning again and the past few months since Tasha arrived and messed everything up.

Maybe I was selfish to put all the blame on her, because Lord knows he deserves half of it too. But it was around the time she came along that things hit hard. We fought and argued over basically the same things constantly and it was always because he point his big finger at my direction. He always had an excuse why it was my fault. But that's just how pathetic he really is.

So today I was turning things around for the better. I walked out of my steam filled bathroom wrapped in a towel straight to my closet. Since this is another new beginning for me I was going to do it in the classic Rose style everyone loved and missed.

I went to the back of my closet and grabbed a set of white lace bra and thong set and then a dress I had hanging in the back – a dress that still had the tag still on. I normally wouldn't have worn this but like I said this is the new/old Rose and I was going to for once put myself first, that is except for Lissa of course.

I dressed in my bra and panties and laid the dress on the bed after cutting the tag off. I blew dry my hair, did my make up, and then curled my hair in long waves. I looked killer and I knew it – even without the dress on.

I walked back out to my room and threw the dress over my head and then went back to my closet to find the perfect shoes. Once my shoes were on, I stood in the mirror to observe myself and I looked hot.

I wore a white mini sweater dress with a cowl neck and long sleeves. (A/N: picture on profile) I could either wear it off the shoulder or normal. Today I choose off the shoulder because it matched with a pair of white sparkly flats from express. I put in some silver hoop earrings, a ring from my dad, and a thin silver anklet with tiny blue gem hanging from it.

I dabbed on my favorite pink lip gloss and was about to leave my room when there was a knock at my door. Out of all my friends, only Dimitri knocks – everyone else just walks right in. I looked over as if it would open at any second but the door was still locked. A second later my phone started to vibrate on my bed.

I quietly walked over and saw it was Adrian. I flipped it open and whispered hello.

"Hey, where are you? I'm at your dorm and I was going to walk you to breakfast." He said.

I shut my phone and walked over to the door. I opened it and jerked him in then shut it back.

"Next time say something, I thought you we're Dimitri." I said.

He staggered to keep himself standing right, I noticed that he had also cleaned up and changed. He was standing there with his mouth a gap looking at me. I mentally smiled to myself as I walked over and closed his mouth with my hand gently.

"It's not polite to stare." I said then backed away.

I walked over to my bed, bent over to grab my silver wristlet put my lip gloss and cell phone in. I was still leaning over back faced to Adrian. He hadn't said a word since I pulled him in.

I cast a glance behind me and saw he was still standing there looking at me. I grabbed my wristlet and stood up to face him but he turned around and ran a hand through his hair.

"Rose, are you drunk or are you seriously trying to make him jealous? Because honestly he doesn't deserve to see a sight like that."

I smiled and walked over to Adrian. I put a hand on his shoulder and made him face me. He was blushing and this only made my man-eater smile grow.

I kept my hand on his shoulder and looked up at him. "No, I'm not drunk but a drink does sound nice, maybe later?"

He blushed deeper, as his Adam's apple bobs up and down as he swallowed.

He was about to say something but I stopped him. I stood on the tip of my toes and whispered in his ear. "And no I'm not even trying to make him jealous, I decided it's time for a new/old me." I kissed his cheek and backed away a little bit.

"So, what do you think?" I asked giving a spin around.

"I think I need a drink."

I gave him a smile. "Is that all you think?"

He shook his head as his eyes trailed up and down my body.

"You probably don't even want to know what I'm thinking." His womanizer smile grew.

"Let's go, I'm hungry." I said.

We walked out my door and I got a few glances from a couple girls walking out but no one said a thing. Adrian walked by my side the whole way, when we walked in the commons all eyes moved our way.

Eyes went big and guys whistled. I saw Dimitri was at a table in the back mouth dropped to the floor. I wanted to laugh but instead I looked away. The one thing that stood out most was what I heard in Lissa's though.

Oh my, wow, Rose?

I smiled a huge smile at Lissa as Adrian and I took a seat across from her, Christian, and Eddie. Christian had a crazy smile spread across his face, Eddie had a look like every other guy but recovered in a snap of a finger and Lissa was trying to figure out what changed about me. But I couldn't tell her.

"What happened to you?" She asked smiling at me.

I smiled back. "I just missed being me."

Then I felt a ping of worry from Lissa and read her thoughts.

This cannot be good.

My smile grew. Just then the bell rang and everyone got up. Lissa and Christian went off to their class and Adrian walked with me and Eddie.

When we we're almost out of the commons Dimitri walked towards us but we were out before he could come up to us. I was standing outside of Stan's class with Adrian and Eddie went in.

"So I will see you after your out, maybe a lunch. I think I need a cold shower." He said with a smile on his face.

I smiled back. "Well a steamy shower sounds better but it's your shower." I winked.

He blushed and I smiled. Just then Dimitri came around a corner. So I did something I probably shouldn't have for fact that: (A) I don't want Adrian to get led on, because he was wearing his heart on his sleeve. (B) I hadn't talked to Dimitri yet, although I knew that either way if we did or didn't talk it was a done deal. (C) Because I did it for the wrong reason.

I stood on the tip of my toes again and kissed Adrian's cheek. "See ya," I said.

And I left them there with a smiling Adrian and a frozen Dimitri. This made me feel better just a little.

The day went on just like this morning had. I got wolf whistles from the guys and some glares from the other girls. I walked around with my head high and my man eater smile plastered on my face and despite what happened this morning with Dimitri… I was happy. He didn't try to confront me again this morning after seeing me outside of Stan's class with Adrian, even though he was around the whole day.

For once I wasn't thinking about what was to come after spring when I was going to graduate. Sure I still did my best in my classes and took it seriously but for now I was going to live up to my teenage years as much as I could before I grew up. I was going to enjoy being young, restless, and be as wild as I could without getting into much trouble.

I was almost to my dorm when Adrian caught up to me.

"Hey Little Dhampir, I tried to call you but your phones off."

I dug in my wristlet to find my phone to see my battery had died. Maybe I should have charged it last night I thought to myself.

I smiled at him. "Sorry, what's up?" I asked.

He smiled at me. "Well now this sounds cheesy but I was wondering if you'd want to come to my place tonight, we could have a drink or two, maybe play some games or watch a movie?" he asked.

I bit my bottom lip lightly. "Would it just be us?"

Again with his womanizer smile, he replied. "Well only if you want it to be, but I did invite Eddie, Lissa, and Christian."

"Sure, why not." I said. Causing his smile brightened and turn into a real one.

"Great, well-" he was cut off by someone walking up behind me and pinching my butt.

I jumped and turned to see a smiling Jesse. Oh, he was so dead! I was about to go off on him when Adrian stepped in front of me and got in Jesse's face. He pushed him, causing him to stagger backwards almost losing his balance.

"Don't touch her or even look at her again you stupid boy. Get some damn respect."

Wow I never really noticed Adrian was this protective or hot for that matter. Because honestly watching all six foot two of him tower of Jesse, getting in his face, and standing up to protect me was a turn on.

"Clearly you forgot who you are dealing with dude. I am a Royal Mor-" Adrian's turn cutting him off.

"No clearly you forgot who you are talking to, I'm not just 'some Moroi' and you better get that through that thick dumb skull of yours before you regret it."

Before this got way out of hand and a guard saw, I jumped between them back against Adrian and facing Jesse.

"Jesse, don't touch me again." Before he said anything I continued. "Come on, Ivashkov, let's go." When I said 'Ivashkov' apparently it clicked just who Adrian was because his eyes grew wider and he backed up.

Adrian grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me backwards with him, when we we're a few feet away I turned and Adrian put a protective arm over my shoulders and I walked with my arm around his waist. We went in my dorm and up to the third floor and stopped outside my door.

He dropped his arm and leaned against the wall by my door. "Thank you for standing up for me, you didn't have to though. I could have handled it."

He gave me a smile and pulled out a pack of his smokes. I grabbed his hand and stopped him by closing it and putting it back in his pocket. I was backing away when he grabbed a hand with one of his and then my waist with the other.

I looked up at him. "Rose, I told you before no matter what I'm going to protect you." He gave me a half smile.

I smiled back at him but pulled away and dug my keys out of my wristlet to unlock my door. When it was unlocked and cracked open I turned back to him.

"I have to go to practice but I will be there about 6, I guess." That gave me time to be late enough to sneak out.

"How about I come get you instead to insure you don't get caught." I knew exactly what he was thinking. He wanted to compel whoever to make sure I didn't get caught.

I smiled at him. "Fine, but how will I get back in then?"

He smiled back. "Why don't we make it a pajama party then?" He said as he stood up from the wall to leave.

Okay so I may be the new and improved Rose but honestly was I ready for this, I mean I know Lissa and the others will be there but really I just got screwed over but thankfully not to the extent that he intended but was I ready to move on yet?

Not giving a second thought about responsibility I pushed all thoughts away. "Sounds good to me" I agreed "See you then."

This time he kissed me on the cheek and left me blushing in the hall. When he round the corner I ran into my room broken from the trance he put me in, got dressed in my gym attire, which today was a pair of tight yoga black and hot pink Capri pants a hot pink sports bra and pink puma's.

I dashed out of my room and down to the gym not caring really that I was already fifteen minutes late and counting. Today's training wasn't going to go as he planed I bet and I wasn't quite ready to confront him but I had no choice really. So I pushed open the door and walked in to find Dimitri doing pushups shirtless.

For the first time I wasn't caught breathless by his body gleamed with sweat or the muscles in his back or arms or even the beautiful thick hair of his pulled back in a ponytail. I was disgusted because of the way he used these things to attempt to seduce me and play me.

The door banged shut with a loud click and he stopped what he was doing. He got up and walked to a chair that held his work out towel and a bottle of water. He whipped his face then brought his bottle to his lips all the while he was staring me down.

"Nice of you to finally join me, Roza" He said in his thick accent.

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest. "Can we just get this over with so I can leave?" I honestly didn't want to see his face until I cooled down from his betrayal to me.

He put his water down and gestured for me to come to the mats. Wow. No running today, lucky me. I thought sarcastically. I walked over to the mats stopping a few feet away from him. When he noticed I wasn't coming any closer he came up to me and I took a step back.

"Roza, what's gotten into you?"

You stupid son of a – "What's wrong with me?" I nearly screamed at him. "Wow, you really are all looks and no brains."

"Don't yell at me and what is that supposed to mean?" He said smile now gone completely from his face.

"How long?" I asked only to get a confused look from him.

So I tried my hardest not yell, which didn't quit work out. "How long did you think that you could treat me like I'm some blood whore? How long did you think you could play me, go behind my back and lie to me? Did you seriously think I wouldn't have found out?"

He backed up running a hand through his hair pulling the ponytail holder out.

"Roza I-"

"Drop the act, Dimka" I said in a high pitch snotty voice with a pound of sarcasm. "And don't call me Roza." I said coldly in my normal voice.

"Look I-"

"Save it. I honestly don't care. I was played a fool but no more. I am here for one purpose and one purpose only. So let's get on with it before I leave."

He was pissed. I could see anger burning in his eyes but he let it go. "I want a hundred pushups, one hundred and fifty sit ups, and forty laps, and maybe if you can even move after that we will spar and only if I cool down by then."

He didn't give me a second glance; he walked off to the other end of the gym and took his anger out on the dummies.

Well at least you're not passive aggressiveI thought to myself. I got down on the floor and did the pushups first and then switched to crunches. When I was done I didn't even bother to say a word to him I got up and walked to the door.

Before I opened it I was stopped by Dimitri's words.

"So is that it? You're only messing around with Adrian to get back at me? To make me jealous?"

I turned on him. "No, I actually couldn't give a damn or the time of day for the fact that I make you jealous. This isn't even about Adrian, this is about me and I owe you no damn explanation."

I didn't wait for him to say anything I ran out the door, when I was out I heard something being thrown but didn't go back to look. I ran to the track and did my laps. I didn't stop at forty, I just kept going until my body hurt and I felt like I wanted to fall over.

I looked at my watch and notice I have been running an extra forty five minutes longer than practice would normally last and half way through dinner. I didn't bother even going to the gym to see if he was even there anymore. Instead I jogged my way around slowly making my way to a walk towards the commons for dinner.

I was half way there when I finally slowed down to a walk and was caught up by Eddie and Adrian. Someone pulled my wrist and made me stop. I didn't know who exactly because I went over at the waist feeling like I was desperate to breath.

"Rose, what the hell happened?" that was Adrian and I knew he was honestly concerned because he didn't call me 'Little Dhampir'.

I sat down and they kneeled down with me. "I just finished my practice is all; I just need water is all." I breathed out.

Adrian looked at Eddie and he took off to get water for me.

"Rose, what really happened?" he asked concerned.

I looked at him and realized I could lie to him. "He was mad because I wouldn't listen to his excuses, he saw me kiss you on the cheek outside of Stan's class this morning. He thinks that I am using you to make him jealous. He got mad at me, made me do a hundred pushups, hundred and fifty sit ups, and then forty laps but I didn't do forty, I just kept going because I was so mad."

Eddie came back just then with two bottles of water and a towel. I took one and downed it slowly about half way through I sat it down to wipe the sweat off of my body. God I was soaked.

"How many laps did you do?" Eddie asked.

Apparently he heard the tail end of our conversation. "I don't know. It takes me maybe thirty minutes to normally do thirty and I stayed an extra forty five minutes later and I have no clue what time I started but it only took me about ten minutes to do the other things." I told them.

I finished the first water and saw Adrian and Eddie looking at me with wide eyes.

"What?" I asked quietly.

What do you think?

I always want to remind everyone that this isn't as RxD or RxA story that this is just a Rose. So please don't get made how events from her or the next chapters come along.

Give it a try please before you right it off, I know there are so many RxD fans but hopefully you stick with me.

And I also want to say I'm so sorry it took this long to update, I was blocked for a little while because I had reread, yet again the first to chapters and thought this has too much coming from the books for my liking, so I had given it lots of thought to change what I did, to get where I want to..

Thank you to everyone who has stuck with me. I hope I don't disappoint you.

And also a very grateful thanks you to my beta Lyssie. Because without you I'm sure no one would want to read my stories with my horrible grammar or punctuation.

Review! I always love to hear what you have to say whether it's good or bad, it's feed back and helps me.

XOXO

Rhiannon Rae