I wake up the next morning (well, night) with a fresh start on everything. All the thoughts of last night rushing back to me. I sigh happily, running my fingers over my top lip, then my bottom. It's all okay, for however long I want it to be. Dimitri and I had both weakened each other, and in the end, we had sat in my room for hours, talking and kissing, not going any farther. The lingering feelings of love, passion, and a burning desire to keep Dimitri as mine for as long as I can.

"Rose," someone knocks on my door. "It's Lissa!"

I drag out of bed, looking at the spot by my bed - on the floor - where Dimitri and I had shared one of most special moments. I pull on a sweat-shirt and prance over to the door, opening the door. Lissa slides right by me and looks at me with a big smile.

"You need to get ready, Rose," Lissa says.

"Er, why?" I ask, curious for what Lissa's going to make me do now.

"Well, we're going shopping this afternoon," Lissa explains. "And you are so definitely going with me."

I groan and say, "Lissa, please. Not today."

"You have exactly one hour to get ready," Lissa says to me. As she turns to leave my dorm room, she looks behind her and says, "don't be late!"

I decide to dress in jeans a cashmere sweater. I leave my hair down, chocolate curls falling down my back.

"This is going to be so much fun," Lissa says excitedly. She dresses in white jeans and a pink blouse, her platinum hair falling in waves down her back.

"Yeah, I think it will be," I say, joining in with the excitement. Nothing should go wrong today, absolutely nothing. I put all the drama with Dimitri and Tasha in the back of my head, promising not to think about it.

Lissa and I walk together towards the front gates of the academy, where Lissa told me that Adrian would be waiting with a car.

"So, who's all coming?" I ask, applying a layer of lipstick on my lips as we stroll through the grounds.

"Uh, well, let's see," Lissa bites her bottom lip. "You, me, Christian-" she uses her fingers to count off each of us. "-and Adrian. Are we missing anyone?"

"Eddie," I say, hoping he'll be there.

Lissa sighs. "How could I forget," she says, exasperated.

I link my arm through hers. "Don't worry, Liss."

Lissa nods, probably mad at herself because she forgot one of our friends. A long silence drags out between us. I don't blame her, though. If I had to make a list of people to bring, I'd probably forget someone. . . on accident or on purpose, you never know.

"We'll see," Lissa says. I agree, and we walk the rest of the way to the front gates of the academy.

I finally speak up, breaking the long silence that has fallen over us. "Will Dimitri be there?"

"He should be," says Lissa. "He's my guardian, after all."

"Well, if he doesn't show, remember I'll protect you," I say, and we link our arms together.

We walk up to the front gates where Adrian waits. Behind him, two black SUV's sit silently, the engines off. I lead Lissa to the one where Adrian is, leaning on the passenger door, a cigarette in between his fingers.

"Why hello, little dhampir," Adrian says, the scent of cigarette and acholol in his breath. I thank the Lord he's not driving.

I nod my head. "Hey, Adrian."

"So, who's riding with who?" Lissa asks.

"I really don't know-" I begin to say, but Adrian cuts me off.

"Well, since I feel you must be in the protective arms of I, Adrian Ivashkov, you and Lissa will be riding with me."

"Okay. So Christian and I are riding together?" Lissa asks. "I sort of wanted to ride with both of them, but. . . "

Adrian sighs. "Perhaps Rose and I can have the car to ourselves." He winks at me. "How 'bout it, little dhampir? Me, you, a bottle of champagne. I think-"

"No."

"I'm quite charm-"

"No."

"You know I can be very seductive-"

"Not really."

"I can use compuls-"

"Absolutely not."

"I do what I wa-"

"No."

"Let me finish my sentences!" He shouts, throwing his cigarette bud on the ground and stomping on it. "Why are you so complicated? What the he-"

"Oh, Adrian."

"Argh!" Adrian storms over to the car and scoots in, slamming the passenger door and leaving Lissa and I to laugh our heads off.

An arm falls over Lissa's shoulder. "What in God's name is so funny?" Christian asks with a smirk on his face. I tense a bit and search around for Tasha. She's not coming, though, I realize.

Lissa shakes her head. "Nothing," she spares me a look before pulling Christian into a kiss. It reminds me of last night, when both mine and Dimitri's walls had fallen and crumbled, leaving us exposed to our feelings and deepest desires.

"Where's Tasha?" Lissa asks; a question I really want an answer to.

Christian shrugs. "She sadly declined. I guess she had more important things to do."

"Hmm," I purr. "Interesting. I wonder what those reasons are."

Christian and Lissa flash me a look and I leave them to lovers' paradise. I slide in next to Adrian, who is quietly watching ahead of him. It's very possible he is angry at me. Before I climb into the car, I look around for any signs of Dimitri. Nope, none. I get into the back seat with Adrian and shut the door beside me. I look over at Adrian.

"Adrian?" I ask quietly, trying to rid my nose of the disgusting smell of clove cigarettes. God, does he bathe in those things?

"Hm?" He asks back, slightly raising an eyebrow.

I huff. "You okay?

"That's a question I should be asking you, little dhampir."

I nod. "Perhaps."

The car shudders to a start and all signs of conversation disappear. The black SUV drives slowly through the Montana roads. I glance over at Adrian who is so soaked up in the views of the mountain that he doesn't even notice my staring. I lean back in my chair and close my eyes.

Someone pokes me in the cheek. My reflexes immediately go on and I swipe in front of me.

"Ow!" A familiar voice yells. I open my eyes and see Christian holding a hand to his cheek. He glares at me. "How many times are you going to do that to me?"

I shrug. "You should stop sneaking up on me. . ."

"You were asleep!" He says exasperated.

"Not my fault," I say with a shrug.

"All right, Christian," Lissa says behind Christian. "I desperately want to do some shopping with Rose so if you don't mind."

Lissa yanks me out of my seat and pulls me towards the entrance of the mall. Christian trails behind, watching as Lissa and I make our way through the mall, stopping at every store to window-shop.

Lissa points to a pretty pink blouse. "That's cute."

I nod and tug her forward. We walk into the store and search for the top. I take the right wall, she takes the left wall. We meet in the middle.

"None in my size," Lissa announces sadly.

We walk out and continue making our way through each and every store. I take an hour to browse through Hot Topic which, for Lissa, isn't her favorite store. After picking out some shirts and pants, I check out and leave.

"Don't you have enough clothes already?" Christian asks, bored out of his mind.

Lissa twirls around and says, "a girl can never have enough clothes, Christian. Am I right, Rose?"

I nod and say, "she's right. No arguing with that."

The Dragomir princess plants a kiss on Christian's cheek and turns, linking her arm with mine.

She sighs after a while of ooh-ing and aah-ing at clothing items and jewelry. "I sort of wanted to buy a dress today."

"That'd be nice," I think out loud.

She laughs. "Maybe next time. We have too many dresses already."

"I highly doubt it."

"Rose," Lissa says, sighing. "Why must Moroi be so agitated by the sun?"

I watch shoppers flit by, heavy bags dragging down on their arms. "Hm. . . Maybe 'cause you're a vamp-"

"Don't say that word!" Lissa punches me playfully on the arm.

I laugh. "Okay, sure."

"Hey, Rose?"

"Yeah?"

"I think you should go out with Adrian," Lissa says.

"Whoa!" I turn towards her. "Where did that come from?"

She shrugs, her eyes glancing over at Adrian. He seems to be in his own little world. I watch as he scans the crowd, the stores, the humans. He seems interested in all of it, and when his eyes lock with mine, I quickly turn away. I face Lissa once again, pondering the thought. I could never be with Adrian. Besides, my love life is a big mess right now, anyways. I don't need even more guy trouble.

"Come on, Rose," Lissa pleads. "He's not that bad. I mean, look at the guy!"

I glance over at Adrian again. "Yes, Liss. He's cute, but I'm not interested."

Lissa frowns. "Rose, are you. . . still mourning over Mason?"

I turn away abruptly. "No, don't talk about that. It's. . . it's nothing, Lissa. Just drop it, okay?"

I know that by the look in her eyes, she doesn't want to drop it, but she does anyways. "Okay, Rose. Sorry."

After that, we decide we're done for the day, and head back with Adrian, Christian, and the guardians. Adrian and I pack ourselves into the first car with Christian and Lissa in the one behind us. The drive takes for what seems to be forever before we arrive back at the academy. We all pile out of the SUVs and I see Lissa running towards me.

"There's going to be a party in the cafeteria," she squeals, thrilled.

I raise an eyebrow. "Is it someone's birthday?"

"No," Lissa answers.

"Then what?" Adrian says, butting in to the conversation from behind me.

"I don't know. . . just a party, I guess," Lissa replies giddily.

I see the enlivened look on Lissa's face; she's so excited. I can't help but feel the same. After all, a party sounds great. It's somewhere where we can have fun and be care-free for just a little while. A big grin breaks out on my face. Lissa's excitement is contagious.

"A party sounds great," I say.

"I agree," Adrian says.