Lissa must be far gone, because I search the entire party without any signs of her or Christian. If anything, she probably went to the Chapel. I want to confirm my assumption, but just then I see Dimitri walking towards me. I take a deep breath, and walk up to him. My surroundings are a blur, really. I don't pay attention to anything except what's in front of me. And that's Dimitri. We reach each other a few feet from the dancing crowd.

"Dimitri, what is it?" I ask him, laying a hand on his arm. He has a stern expression on his face, which scares me a little.

"Get out before they figure out it's you," he tells me. "I'll tell them you left with Lissa a long time ago. Got it?"

"What about Tasha?" I question.

He shakes his head. "I'll take care of it. Right now, you're my priority," A spark of love blazes inside of me. "So get out while you can."

"I'm sorry we couldn't have a longer time together," I manage to say. "Before you leave, I just-"

"I'll come by your dorm later. For now, just get out. Now."

I nod and turn away from Dimitri, walking outside. Adrian is gone and so is anyone else walking around the campus. I bet my life they heard about Tasha Ozera and are probably doing some sort of thing to help her. I wonder if Tasha will be taken to the infirmary. Something deep inside me feels really bad, and guilty, that I did something like that to someone I know and trust. I

I think about what Dimitri said, about coming to see me later. I don't know when or even if he will come, but I want to be there when he comes by. It could be hours, but I don't care. As long as I can say a temporary goodbye. It won't be long before he comes back to confirm that Tasha won't be his assignment much longer. He'll come back and protect Lissa, alongside me.

By the time I'm in my dorm, the moon is at its highest peak. I slam the door behind me and tear off the borrowed dress, throwing it onto my bed. It reminds me of the time I had with Dimitri with the lust spell. . .

Snap out of it!

I listen to the annoying little voice in my head and dress in black skinny jeans and a white T-shirt. I wait around for a long time, staring out the window, rearranging items, cleaning up my closet, and still Dimitri hasn't come. I decide to see where Lissa is, to make sure she's okay. I sit down on my bed and concentrate.

Concentrate, Rose.

I slip into Lissa's mind and immediately regret it. She and Christian are yet again in another make-out session. Christian leans back and I get a good glimpse of their surroundings. They are in a courtyard. Nearby is the girl's Moroi dorm.

"We left the party early," Lissa says, not caring to reapply her lipstick. It's probably smeared all over Christian's face. I shudder.

"So?" Christian says. He seems relaxed, happy.

Lissa shrugs. "I don't know. I was going to hang out with Rose."

I feel a twinge of anger at how Christian probably dragged her with him so they could do exactly this. Then again, if not for Christian dragging her out, I might not have gotten the time with Dimitri. I feel thankful that.

"We can go back," Christian tells her, standing up and wrapping his jacket tightly around him.

I hope she doesn't. Now when Tasha's bleeding all over the place.

"No, no," Lissa says. "I mean. . . I don't know."

I slip out of her mind, making sure to get out before she gets too emotional. I really hope she doesn't come back. If she does, who knows what will happen. Lissa will eventually find out I connected my fist with Tasha's face. And Christian? I have no idea what his reaction will be. I only hope he doesn't try to keep Lissa away from me because I socked his aunt. Oh, I hope that doesn't happen.

My dorm now feels empty, like I have no one to confide in. And really, I don't. At least now right now. All I have now is myself and until Dimitri comes, I'll be on my own. I have the urge to go see Lissa, but I'm sure I'd end up blurting out what I did. Adrian doesn't seem like much help, probably off searching in the bushes for his pack of cigarettes. I laugh at the thought.

Someone knocks on my door.

Oh, God.

I don't know whether it's guardians coming to get me, to take me away and take me to Kirova to punish me. Or maybe it's Tasha, coming to punch me back. Revenge, payback, whatever you call it. I only hope it's Dimitri. No one else, I silently pray to myself. I walk over to the door and pull it open. Dimitri stares straight ahead as he walks in. I shut the door behind him.

"Dimitri, I-"

"Don't, Rose," he says.

I inhale deeply, letting the breath back out. "What happened after I left?"

"Tasha's nose is broken," I have to say, I feel a twinge of pride, but immediately feel bad about it. "She was taken to Doctor Olendzki's office for some bandages and pain pills, stuff like that."

"Is it really bad?" I ask, concern flooding into me for what I did to Christian's aunt.

He shakes his head. "Not too bad. She'll be up and walking tomorrow or something like that."

"Good," I say.

"Rose, why did you punch her?" Dimitri asks, running his slender fingers through his long brown hair.

I sit down on the bed and Dimitri does the same. I feel that eccentric feeling inside me, and lay my head on his shoulder.

"I don't know," I admit. "Everything's just been crazy lately. I don't understand my feelings right now, Dimitri."

"So you thought it would be good to take it out on Tasha?"

"I don't know. . ." I say. "She's one of my problems, I guess."

"Rose, I know you have more control than that," Dimitri says. I look down at my feet and think about what the real problem is. Lissa? Christian? Tasha? What about Dimitri?

I reply with, "Dimitri, I made a mistake. Can't it just be over with?"

"No, Rose, it can't!" He says angrily, standing up and pacing the length of the room. Not very much space, but I guess it suits him fine.

"I know," I say, hating to admit something like that. "Dimitri, look. I understand my mistake, and I'll fix it later. But you can't worry about this. You have more important things to attend to."

"What if she tells, Rose?" Dimitri looks at me with stern eyes.

"She won't," I stand and walk over to Dimitri. I stand in his way so he can't pace anymore. "You and I both know Tasha; she won't tell."

"You broke her nose, Rose," Dimitri says.

"I already know that."

"Do you know how bad this is?" He shouts at me. "Do you have any idea what you just did?"

"And broke her nose." I add snidely. Dimitri storms over and grabs my arms, pulling me out of my seat.

"Do you know how bad this is?" He shouts at me. "Do you know what's going to happen?"

Dimitri stalks over to me and grabs my arms, pulling me off the bed and glaring at me.

"Do you?" He shouts, asking that same question.

I try to get out of his grasp, but he's stronger than me. I curse under my breath and scream, "yes! I understand!"

"You might get in trouble, Rose!" Dimitri says. I wince as his grip tightens. He notices, and his eyes soften as he loosens his grip.

"So? I can take care of myself, Dimitri!"

"Can you, Rose?" Dimitri says, his voice barely above a whisper. I stare at his handsome features, his lips that I had once kissed so passionately. "Can you?"

"Yes, I can."

"Rose, this is serious." Dimitri releases his strong grip. Already are blue and brown bruises forming on my arms. That ought to hurt in the morning.

"You don't think I know that?"

"I don't think you know anything about the consequences," Dimitri tells me. "Do you?"

I shrug. "I'll figure it out."

Dimitri stares down at me, his eyes burning into mine. I feel as if he's trying to look into the deepest parts of my soul, which is sort of uncomfortable. I turn away from him, fixing my eyes on the dark sky outside. Anything is better than facing Dimitri.

"I'll talk to Tasha," Dimitri says. I can tell he's already forming a plan in his head. "Maybe I can talk some sense into her about this whole thing. She just might understand."

I scoff. "She'll understand that I punched her out of spite? I highly doubt that, Comrade."

"I'll figure something out," He reassures me.

"We'll figure something out," I correct him. "After all, I'm the one that punched her."

"Right," Dimitri says. "I need to go check on her."

I nod and Dimitri heads towards the door. As he turns the knob, I grab his hand. "Dimitri, wait."

"What?" He turns to me.

"You're leaving tomorrow."

"I know."

I take a deep breath. "Shouldn't we say goodbye?" I ask him.

He raises an eyebrow. "We can tomorrow, Rose. There's always tomorrow."

"Right," I say and release his hand. The door opens wider and Dimitri stares at me with one last glance of longing. He steps away from the open door and walks up to me.

"Goodbye, Roza." He plants a kiss on my forehead and leaves me to myself, to think about all that has happened.

"Goodbye, Dimitri," I whisper, even though he is gone.

I crawl into bed, throwing the cover over my head. I trace the place that Dimitri had kissed me, and before I know it, I'm falling into a deep and what feels like an ever-lasting sleep.

The sun leaking past the curtains manage to wake up before the moon rises. It's setting, so in a few hours the Moroi and Dhampirs will get up and go to school. As hard as I try, I can't go back to sleep, so I decide to go ahead and get ready. Being this early for the Moroi and Dhampir, no one is in awake in the building. The shower water is freezing against my skin and when I try to make it warm, I end up making it too bloody hot. My blood is flowing though, so that helps.

The sun is barely visible when I come out of the shower. I dress in denim and a red tank-top which suits me. I lace on tennis shoes and walk out of my dorm. As long as no one sees me, I'm fine. I make my way across campus to the church, which I enter as quietly as I can. I know that the Chapel is Lissa and Christian's place, but I can't help but climb the stairs up to it. I flip on an old dusty lamp and pull out a book on Physics from my book bag, propping it on my knees and flipping to page 57.

I wake up a couple hours later, the book having fell off my lap and onto the dirty floor. I curse and pick it up, looking around the room for some sort of clock or something to tell the time. It's second period. Great, just great. I rush out of the church and into the main building, heading towards my class.

"How many times am I going to catch you late, Ms. Hathaway?" Kirova's voice sounds. I swivel on my heel to face her.

"Headmistress Kirova, how nice to see you. . . Again," I say through gritted teeth. You have got to be kidding me!

Kirova sighs, tapping her manicured nails on her cheek. She looks like she does every other day. "Hmm," She purrs.

What now? "Headmistress Kirova?"

"Hm?"

"Whatcha doing?" I try to ask as coolly as I can. If I can't get out of this, I might as well lighten the mood. Just a bit.

"I'm deciding whether or not to punish you," She says, dragging on the you. God, why now? Why now!?

I sigh and say, "Look, I-"

"Usually I'd give you detention or some sort." Kirova says. "But since today is quite celebratory and sorrowful, I'll excuse it."

"Celebratory and sorrowful?" I ask with a raised brow. "Did someone you didn't like die?"

"No!" She snaps. "One of St. Vladimir's best guardians are leaving."

I thought this was supposed to be a secret to most. I guess Kirova didn't count. "You mean Dimitri Belikov."

Kirova's eyes widen. "How do you know?"

I laugh loudly. "He's my trainer. Don't you think he would have told me?"

"Perhaps," Kirova says.

"Can I go then?" I point towards the direction of my class. Kirova tells me I can, and I rush off towards my class. All heads turn towards me as I take a seat and open up my book. I'm sure my cheeks are bright red, but I don't exactly care. Who cares if I'm late?

"I actually think I'm going to miss Guardian Dimitri," Lissa sighs as she looks up at the branches of a tall Oak.

"Hm?" I say. It's identical to the one Kirova purred earlier. "Why is that?"

Lissa barely knows Dimitri. He's only her guardian, someone to protect her from the forces of evil, the Strigoi. Only a few people know the real Dimitri. One of them is I, Rose. So how can she say she will miss him if she doesn't even know him? Will she miss him because of the way he's so graceful when he fights to protect her? Maybe something like that?

"I don't know," Lissa says. "He's a good guardian. Don't you think. . . Rose?"

"Huh?" I come back into reality and stare at Lissa. She groans.

"Off in la-la land again?" She asks.

"No," I say. "I'm off in Rose-world."

Lissa laughs. "Figures."

"And no, he's not a good guardian."

"Rose!" Lissa shoves me playfully.

I shrug. "He's a great guardian, one of the best."

"Yes," Lissa agrees. "He's one of the best, I guess. At least I still have you, Rose."

That makes me feel a little better, to know someone still needs me. Just last night I was thinking about how I was feeling alone. Truth is, I've never been alone; I never will be How ridiculous I was being, or at least that's what I think. It would be nice to have someone to confide in every once in a while.

"They'll be in the garage," I tell her.

"I know," Lissa says. "Christian already told me."

"Is he there?" I ask

"I think so," Lissa says. "He wanted to have a private goodbye with Tasha."

"Oh," I say. I sort of wish I had a private goodbye with Dimitri. Yesterday didn't exactly count, but I would take as many goodbyes as I could from him. It hurts for him to say goodbye, but I have to accept it. It's better if I accept it now than deny it later.

"Here we are!" Lissa and I walk into the garage. Tasha and Christian stand near a black, window-tinted Honda. Tasha narrows her eyes at me but doesn't say anything. I stare incredulously at the bandage on her chin, running all the way to the middle of her left cheek. Guilt floods into me, but no other feelings.

Two guardians stand nearby, their arms behind their back. They're probably here to drive Tasha and Dimitri to the airport.

"Hey, Christian," I say and wave at him. He nods a greeting at me. Does he know? "Tasha," I nod at her.

"Hello, Lissa," Tasha makes sure not to acknowledge my presence. I can't help but stare at the black and blue bruises that the bandages can't cover up. Her nose is wrapped up in many bandages.

"Tasha, what happened?!" Lissa asks horrified.

Tasha gulps, giving me a glance. "It's nothing, Lissa. Please, don't worry yourself."

"I wonder what the other person looks like," Christian comments snidely. "Probably worse."

"Don't make assumptions, Christian," I tell him, glowering.

"Are you okay?" Lissa asks, directed at Tasha.

Tasha nods. "Of course, Lissa."

"Where's Dimitri?" I ask coolly.

"He's packing a few things," Tasha informs me. I'm surprised she acknowledges my question. Or even my presence.

"Well, I wish him the best," I say, in which Tasha gives me a nasty look.

We wait for a long time in silence. I don't think I've ever been in such an awkward silent moment. I sort of want to ask Tasha how it feels getting punched by me, but I don't want Lissa and Christian knowing. I really have no idea why she didn't blurt out that I socked her. Perhaps it's embarrassing for her. If we switched places, I know I would be! Or maybe she's not telling because Dimitri. Oh, Dimitri. I wonder if he told her something, like to keep quiet. What had he done to keep her mouth shut?

"Lissa," Christian says. "I'll be riding with Tasha and Dimitri to the airport. I'll be getting a ride back after they fly off."

Lissa nods, surely disappointed.

"That's fine," she says with a bright smile. "I'll just hang out with Rose." She gives me an exciting glance. "Tasha, I hope you have a nice ride."

"Thanks," Tasha says.

The door opens and Dimitri stalks in. He looks gorgeous, and carries a suitcase. It feels like a stake to the heart, to know this isn't a dream. This is reality. He's really leaving, without any hesitance.

"You ready, Dimka?" Tasha asks him as the guardians pack up the luggage.

Even if he's coming back to me, I'll be alone, without him, for a long time. Who knows how long? He promised he would come back, but when? A few weeks? A few months? Maybe even years?

"Yes." Dimitri throws his suitcase into the trunk of the Honda, not letting the other guardians do so.. He turns to face all of us. "Vasilisa," He stares at Lissa. "It's been a pleasure being your guardian."

I just want to melt, just once. The more goodbyes he says, the harder it is for me to let him go.

"Thanks," Lissa says. No doubt she doesn't know what to tell him. "I hope you have a wonderful time with Tasha. She deserves a guardian like you."

Dimitri nods and turns to Christian. "I'll take good care of your aunt."

"You better," Christian says to him. A small smirk tugs at the edges of Dimitri's gorgeous lips.

Finally, he turns to me. And, oh God, how I just want to run into his arms and tell him goodbye. Last night wasn't fair, the way we said goodbye, the way he kissed my forehead. It was as if he was trying to get me to beg him to stay.

"Rose," I know that these will be the last words he says to me for a long while. I take a deep breath and stare at him, taking in everything about him. "It was a pleasure to be your trainer. You'll be a great guardian."

I nod. "Yeah, well, I'll think about you every time I stake a Strigoi, Comrade."

I'm surprised that Dimitri hugs me. It's not compassionate, more like business-like. When he releases me, I realize I have been holding in my breath. I exhale and watch as Dimitri, Tasha, Christian, and the two guardians load into the Honda. The engine revs to life and like that. . . just like that. . . Dimitri Belikov is gone.

Out of my life.

Lissa and I walk out of the garage and down the pathway. I know that she doesn't know about me and Dimitri, but it hurts a lot. Nothing can really console me right now. I figure I shouldn't mope, and I definitely won't cry. No, crying just doesn't come naturally or easily to me. All I know is that I'll allow the small sorrow that I'll drag through until he comes back.

If he comes back, that is.

"Hey, I need to get something out of my locker," Lissa says. "I'll be right back. Stay right here!"

"Sure thing," I tell her and sit down on a nearby bench. Lissa runs off, disappearing into one of the buildings. I appreciate this small moment I have to myself. All to myself and no one else.

"Rose?" Well that didn't last long. I turn to see Alberta, the head guardian around here. She waves her hand. "Follow me please."

I stand up and follow Alberta to the guardian building. Somehow, I just know that this is about Tasha, 'bout how I punched, and broke, her nose. Oh, please don't let the punishment be too bad!

I walk into the building and am taken by surprise. Along the wall I see about six novices. I spot Eddie immediately, the rest are unbeknownst to me. Alberta asks me to stand in the line and I do, putting my hands behind my back like the rest.

"Now that you're all here," Alberta says. "I can explain." A few of the novices shift uncomfortably. What is this all about? "As you know, you are a couple months away from graduation." Happy nods and smiles on the novice's faces. "Well, there's been a change."

"What change?" A novice named Kathie Lee asks.

Alberta leans against the desk. "There's a family up in the Montana mountains. There were some Strigoi hanging around outside the borders. The guardians went to deal with the problem, but they were. . . Unsuccessful."

Eddie leans towards me. "What is this about?"

"I don't know," I whisper back. "Now sh. Listen."

"-Anyways, the family is now without guardians and they need one immediately." Alberta says. "We've already found a trained, promised guardian from the Court. But we need one more. Since we have a shortage of Dhampir guardians, we will temporarily have a novice be guardian until we can find a permanent guardian. We'll be sending a novice to protect the family until further notice."

We all look at each other nervously.

"You're dismissed," Alberta says. We all line up and make our way out of the building. I immediately separate from the others and go to where Lissa and I were. Lissa looks around confused until she sees me.

"Hey!" She yells. "I thought I told you to stay here."

"I know," I say. "Sorry. Guardian meeting."

Lissa frowns and asks, "Is everything alright?"

"Just peachy," I say with a big smile on my face. Lissa smiles back and we link our arms.

"I'm hungry," Lissa says and we walk towards the cafeteria, no questions asked.

All the while, I have a plan forming in my mind.

I know exactly what I'm going to do. . .