~ Chapter Six ~
I decide to dress in all black, a tight, short dress that shows off my curves perfectly. I wear my hair down, a bundle of chocolate brown curls that roll down my back and shoulders. Add a pair of glittering black heels, and I'm complete, almost perfection.
Lissa and I walk into the gym, which has been transformed into a beautiful party. Black and white streamers hang from the ceiling, a few on the floor. From the basketball hoops, there are now little diamonds dangling from them, the low lights jumping off of them, creating a thousand little specks of light on the ground. The stands are decorated with black and white seat cushions, and of course there's a long table shoved against a wall, food covering the white place-mat. To make it seem even more
The gym, being the usual not-fun-smells-like-socks sort of place, has been transformed into a beautiful formal party. Black and white streamers hang from the ceiling, yet a few still manage to fall to the ground. Either that or some jerk was pulling them down. Whoever planned the party must be creative, because little dangling diamonds (Fake, obviously) hang from every edge of something. Whether it be basketball hoops, doorways, or anywhere else, it still looks wonderfully beautiful, casting little dancing lights upon the floor.
"Wow," Lissa and I gap at the party. It's gorgeous. I look over at Lissa who's staring at every little thing. She wears a dark violet dress that's shimmery, almost like diamonds are blinking off the side of her dress. The sleeves are short, only reaching to her shoulder. Her hair is worn down, like mine, platinum and shimmering and straight. She's the perfect example of a picture of an angel.
One stand, on the right side, has little black and white cushions for anyone who wants to sit down. Of course, the theme must be black-and-white. Either that, or someone really likes chess. Lissa is dazzled, her eyes wondering around the entire room.
As we walk deeper into the gym-turned-party, we pass a few more excited Moroi's and dhampirs, all dressed up for the occasion. Some wave at us, some give us nasty looks. I guess Lissa and I are bound to have enemies.
I see Christian heading towards us, so I spin Lissa to face me.
"Be careful," I warn. "Okay?"
She nods, a little annoyed at me being protective. "It's all right, Rose. It's just a party."
"Last time when it was just a party, you almost died." I know it stings, but she needs to know the truth.
Lissa places hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll be extra careful." Christian comes up beside her. "Besides, Victor's in jail now." I know how much it hurts her to say his name.
As she is whisked away by Christian, I murmur, "Doesn't mean there's not others like him."
"Little dhampir, I do believe you owe me a dance," Adrian's voice sounds behind me. I turn.
"What makes you think that?" I say.
He lights a cigarette. "What doesn't make me think that?"
Okay, now I'm confused. "What?"
"Let's dance." Adrian grabs my arm and leads me to the dance floor. I hesitate as he pulls me in with him, wrapping his arms around my waist.
"Aren't you going to sway with me?" He slurs, the cigarette in his mouth making his words come out wrong.
"Yeah, I guess." Adrian spins me and wraps his arms around me again.
Someone behind me clears their throat, but I'm too wrapped up in the sweet music to notice. Adrian's arms slip off my waist and I'm suddenly in someone else's arms. They are strong, muscled arms. I open my eyes and see=
"Dimitri," I murmur.
"Hello, Rose," he greets me with no emotion in his voice, back to his normal, guardian self.
"W-what?" I whisper, inaudible to the ones around us.
His brown eyes stare intently at me. I feel as if I could dive into them and never leave. God, he's gorgeous, I think to myself, gazing at his face, the lips that I had intensely kissed just last night. It takes me a minute to respond back. I feel a sting that he doesn't act like the Dimitri he was last night - with me. All those intense feelings, all the burning passion, has disappeared from his eyes. The Dimitri I saw last night is gone. For how long? I have no idea.
"Hi, Dimitri," I nod at him.
"You like dancing, right?" Dimitri asks, his accent thick. It makes me want to melt right then and there.
I nod. "If I didn't, I wouldn't be here right now."
"Good," he says. "This will last a while."
I can't help but think about the Dimitri I was with last night. The one where, for just a few hours, I had broken down barriers and walls to seek out that love and passion he felt for me. He's gone, not that I don't mind. Dimitri isn't easy to break through to. That's one of the reasons I love him so much. I shudder, thinking about last night, the way his lips felt against mine, his hand against my back, my neck, running through my hair-
"This is about last night, Rose," all my thoughts come to a screeching halt as Dimitri says that.
I gulp and reply with, "what do you mean?"
"It should have never happened, Rose," he says. "You know that. You understand that, right?"
"Yes," I say. "But. . . Dimitri, it's fine. We don't have to talk about that."
"None of that should ever have happened," Dimitri says more to himself than to me. It's like he's trying to convince himself; not me.
"We need to forget about it," he says.
"Do. . . do you want to forget?" I ask, scared of what he might say.
"No, Roza," he pulls a strand of my hair behind my ear. "I don't ever want to forget."
The sudden affection startles me. Especially in public. I look down, away from those gorgeous eyes. What am I doing to myself?
"I don't want you to leave if we're on bad terms," I blurt out, scolding myself for that.
"Don't worry," Dimitri says. I'm still pondering the fact that he's dancing with me in public. "We're on good terms, Rose."
"Okay," I whisper as I sway to the music. "Dimitri?"
"Yes?" He asks.
Tell me something I don't know."
"Okay," he whispers. I look up to see his eyes closed, thinking what he should say. "I don't believe it will be permanent."
I spark of hope flutters inside me. "Really?"
"I think so," he says.
"What do you mean it's not permanent?"
He inhales deeply, then exhales and says, "it won't be permanent unless I choose to stay and become Tasha's permanent guardian."
"Interesting," I say.
"Yes, Rose. It is interesting," he tells me. "I'll make my decision one of these days."
"You'll keep me in mind when you make that decision, right?" I ask.
"Of course I will," he answers. It makes me feel a little better. Not much. Just a little.
"Not permanent, huh?"
"Not that I know of."
I feel relieved, happy. Knowing that Dimitri might come back feels me with an inevitable hope; it's undeniable that I'm still in love with him. I decide, after much thought, that I want to soak up everything I can while I still can. I stare at Dimitri, taking in the gorgeous view. First his long brown hair, then his chocolate eyes so deep I could get lost in them, and then his lips, which I have kissed many times before.
"Okay," I say, feeling satisfaction at the picture I have carved into my mind. I see, when I think about Dimitri, the love he has in him, the rare smile I see sometimes, and his kick-butt God status. It all feels right. At least for now.
I lean my head on his shoulder, in which he returns the affection by wrapping his arms tightly around me. So tight that it feels good, so good. Nothing. . . No one in this world could replace the feelings I have for this man.
It's probably the fourth song we have danced to. Since then, Adrian has disappeared, probably off flirting with someone. All four songs have been slow or medium-paced. It was definitely strange, but I didn't care. It felt good just being in his arms.
"Dimka!"
I feel Dimitri tense, his body going rigid. The same happens for me, and all signs of connection between us just break into a million tiny pieces. I turn and see Tasha strolling towards us. Something inside me crinkles, like paper I guess I could say. I didn't hate Tasha. Maybe I'm angry at her. But hate is too strong a word.
"Hello, Tasha," Dimitri says.
"Tasha, hi," I say.
She glances between Dimitri and I. I wonder if she thinks there's something going on. I don't want suspicion of my relationship with Dimitri, or his with me. I take cool breaths to collect myself, breaking apart from Dimitri as the fifth song begins to play.
Tasha clears her throat. "Dimitri, I know this is a bad time. But we have things to attend to."
"I already know!" I say, putting my hands on my hips. "You don't have to keep it a secret anymore."
"So, he told you?" Tasha asks.
"Yeah," I say. "Don't hide it anymore though, Tasha. He told me, and so now I know everything."
"We were going to tell people later," Tasha says, a tinge of accusation in her voice.
"Tasha, please." Dimitri says.
"I didn't want anyone knowing until the day we left. Only the other guardians should know," Tasha turns to Dimitri.
"What's wrong with letting other people know?" I ask.
Dimitri looks down at me, his grip on me loosening. I didn't even notice that his hand was still placed on my hip. I take another step back so we're not touching at all.
"I don't know," Tasha says. "We just weren't. . ."
"Oh," I whisper. "Well, not everyone knows. Just me, you, and Dimitri. And the guardians, right?"
"Yes," Tasha says. "Dimitri and I were clear on the fact that we weren't going to tell anyone until it was the right time."
I think about it for a long time. Tasha didn't want to tell anyone until last minute. Maybe so that no one could talk Dimitri out of it. I glance over at Dimitri, his eyes boring holes into me. I narrow my eyes, something that would have been wrong minutes ago. Love. Passion. Desire. Anger. Sorrow. Sadness. It all comes boiling to the top. Everything I've ever felt in my life, whether good or bad, brings me to the top. I have a feeling that spirit's side-affect has something to do with this, but I do it anyway.
I punch Tasha Ozera.
My punch was square in the jaw of Tasha.
The dancing crowd forms a perfect circle around us. Ooh's and aah's and gasps fill the air. Oh God, what have I done? I step aside as Dimitri makes his way to Tasha. Blood leaks from her nose, and broken skin on her chin. She looks up at me stares at me wildly. To her, I probably am wild; out of control, maybe. I hear Kirova's voice screaming at people to move out of the way. For a moment, Dimitri's eyes meet mine and I understand immediately. I turn on my heel and push through the crowd, ignoring the looks of the people surrounding me. I run to the gym doors leading outside and slam it behind me.
"Well, well, little dhampir," I scream and turn to see Adrian.
I put a hand to my heart and say, "don't scare me like that!"
He shrugs and walks towards me. Before, he was leaning against the wall. "I didn't know I scared you."
I roll my eyes. "Of course you didn't."
I stare at Adrian for a minute, taking in his appearance. He doesn't seem very drunk. Hopefully he's laying off the liquor. I'm very hopeful he is.
"Wait," I say, unsure of what I'm thinking. "Why are you out here?"
Adrian raises an eyebrow. "Well, I heard some excitement of Tasha Ozera getting punched." He gives me the Adrian look. "And thought I needed a smoke."
He pulls out a pack of cigarettes from his suit jacket pocket. He pulls out a single one and begins to put it back. I hate when he smokes those stupid Clove-scented cigarettes.
"Wait," I raise my hand. "Can I have one?"
Adrian raises an eyebrow suspiciously. I try to pull it off casually and sigh, rolling my eyes. "Please?"
This convinces him, and he hands me the pack. I take a step back and chunk it. The pack goes flying over the courtyards. All the while, Adrian stares in disbelief, his mouth gaping. 'Bout time I get rid of those darn things.
"What'd you do that for!" He yells.
I shrug. "That was much needed. Thanks, Adrian," I pat him on the shoulder and walk back inside, leaving him to stare into the distance and wonder where his cigarettes went.
Truthfully, it was much needed. I feel a little bad for doing that, but I hate when he smokes. And it helped blow off some steam. Although, it's nice to know it will take him a while to get another pack, so it all works out.
Eh, he'll get over it. I think to myself.
The party seems to have gone down-hill. From the corner of my eye I see Kirova, Dimitri, and Dr. Olendzski with Tasha, who are all sitting in the stands on a cushion make-shift bed. Dimitri spots me as soon as I walk in and seems to say 'Why did you come back?'. I rip my gaze from him and scan the crowd.
Lissa, where have you gone?
I need to find Lissa. And then I need to get out of here.