Six novices.

Including me, that's seven. The plan, in my head, is absolutely crazy. That family needs a temporary guardian. But how long is temporary to them? To me, temporary can mean a few weeks, maybe two or three months. To them, it could mean years, many, many years.

But as much as I think about it, I know that I can do it. I can be a temporary novice guardian. I'd be back by graduation probably, just in time to get my Promise mark. What about Lissa though? Could my leaving, even if temporary, hurt her? But this chance, it's the chance of a lifetime. It can help me advance as a guardian. Maybe I can even be considered as Lissa's guardian, seeing that my slate isn't the cleanest.

If Alberta were to pick someone, it will probably be Eddie. If not, someone else that'll be lucky enough to be picked. If I was chosen though, that would be interesting. I would only leave Lissa for a little while. Not too long, I'm sure I can promise her that.

I sigh and sit back in my chair. The time seems to fly by when I think about such things. Though it must not be long. Lissa is still in the feeding room. I'm too light-headed to go in there with all that is going on. To think that only ten or so minutes have passed by since the great Dimitri left. Maybe if he were here, I could talk to him. He would know exactly what to do, what to say to help me come to a conclusion. It's just so frustrating!

"Hey, Rose." Eddie slides in to the chair across from me. I sit up straighter and make sure to clear my face of any emotions that might lead him to question what I'm thinking about. I can't have anyone asking me questions right now. Especially Eddie. For all I know, we could already be in a competition for the spot.

"Oh hi, Eddie." I address him casually. So much to say and ask, but I just can't.

"Listen, I wanted to talk about. . ." He trails off, his eyebrows furrowing deeply, creating a deep crevice between his eyes.

"About the meeting." I say.

"Yeah." He says. "Do you think that was. . . Sort of crazy?"

"Why would you think that?" I struggle to keep the curiousity in my voice to a low.

"I dunno." He sighs. He's obviously facing the same thing I am, only he's too shy to actually try and talk about it. "Why would they ask a novice like us to volunteer for such a thing? You know?"

I shrug, playing with the plastic spoon in my hand, intertwining it between my fingers. God, I'm so hungry! "You heard Alberta. She told us they're running low on guardians."

"Yeah, but are we even experienced enough?" He asks, his voice lowering to a whisper. Why so secretive? I want to ask him.

"Did you see that room?" I ask incredously. "There were only six, excluding me. There are lots of novices here, and they only picked seven. One of them is you, Eddison Castile, you should know this. They are obviously only bringing the best novices into the situation."

"You take in a lot of information in that short meeting." Eddie notes. "And, if you're right about it, if they're only asking the best novices, then you should look at yourself. Miss Rose Hathaway would be perfect for the job."

"Not true." I spit out, a little annoyed that he actually thought that. I really do wish he had used sarcasm. I don't want to be placed on a pedestal by Eddie, not anyone actually.

"It is true, Rose." He says. "Did you see Alberta?"

"See her do what?"

"God, you're clueless!" He shouts. Luckily no one hears though. "She kept. . . How do I say it. . . . She kept looking at you with this. . . . . . This weird look in her eyes. Like she knew, like she really knew that. . ."

"That what?" I cross my arms, a hint of challenge in my voice.

Eddie sighs and leans forward, looking straight into my eyes. I don't look away. "Like you were just standing higher than the rest of us. Like she knew that out of all of us, you'd be it."

"That's crazy." I murmur. "I'm not that good."

"Don't be modest, Rose." Eddie says. "You know I'm right."

"Lie." I say. "And I'm not modest. Alberta doesn't place me above the rest of you novices. Just because of. . ."

"Because of your skills? Because of your strength? Because of your courage? Because of what, Rose, because of what?"

"Don't put words in my mouth, Eddie!" I shout at him.

"Oh, trust me, I'm not."

"You're driving me crazy." I say.

"Because you're acting like what I'm saying is all wrong and fake to you!"

"I don't want you placing me on a pedestal!" I warn him blandly.

"I don't have to." Eddie says. "Everyone else already does."

I'm taken aback by this statement. In some sense, there are people who place me on a pedestal. Not that I like it, of course. But hearing it from a fellow novice like Eddie, a good friend of mine, is like getting hit in the back of the head with a shovel.

"Well if you feel that way," I stand up, my chair skidding across the floor making a loud SSSS noise. I wince at the horrible sound. "I'll just be on my way."

"Probably off to build a pedestal I suppose." Eddie mutters.

I shoot him a look of disgust and reply with, "Oh why don't you go-"

"Rose?" Lissa's voice barely whispers from behind me. "Eddie?"

I turn, replacing the ugly scowl on my face into a small smile. I only hope she buys it. "Hey, Liss. Ready to go?"

"Uh. . . I guess so." She glances nervously between Eddie and I. I snatch her hand in mine and drag her out of the cafeteria before she can say anything. I glance behind me right before we exit only to see that Eddie is quietly staring ahead of him.

I walk fast, ignoring any looks people give me or who passes me. My objective is to get away from Eddie. Lissa trails behind, on my heels. I hear her huffing and puffing.

"Rose." Lissa calls after me. "Rose!" She grabs my arm and yanks me backwards. I'm surprised by her strength, and even though I don't want to turn, I do it anyway. I look straight at her, like Eddie did with me.

"What?"

Lissa searches my face for God knows what. "What happened in there?"

"Nothing." I say and walk away.

"You're lying." Lissa says, pulling me back to her. "Something happened. Feel like telling me?"

"Lissa," I say, a little aggravated. "It's just some guardian stuff. Nothing that concerns you."

"But it does!" Lissa whines. "It concerns me, it worries me. So just tell me!"

I scowl. "Can't you just leave it alone, Liss?"

"No!" Lissa yells. "Rose, you're my best friend. I know when something worries you."

I take a deep breath and reply with, "I am your best friend, and you're mine. But, if we are best friends, you need to trust me when I say. . . It's nothing, I'm fine."

"Promise you're okay?" Lissa says, holding out her pinkie finger.

I raise an eyebrow. "Isn't that a little childish to do?"

Lissa rolls her eyes. "Just promise me."

"Fine." I link my pinkie with hers.

That's a promise I can't really promise, because, in truth, I'm not fine. I'm anything but fine.

The next day comes and I shower and dress in cut-off shorts and a T-shirt. I try and forget about my fight with Eddie, and my promise to Lissa. I have to try my best to be fine. Just until news comes from Alberta. On my way out, I grab my bag and tie my hair back, letting my Monija marks show. The air outside is a bit chilly, and with my hair damp, it's even colder. In the distance, I hear the bell ring.

"Crap, late again." I begin jogging towards my first class, but see Alberta walking in the opposite direction.

"Rosemarie," She says calmly. "Would you come with us?"

"Us?" I ask.

I see someone I didn't see before, a woman behind Alberta. The woman has pale blonde hair with grey streaks lined in it, her green eyes smiling. I can't place a name on her at all, but I know she's Moroi. From her pale skin to the type of body most Moroi have. I slowly nod and the woman turns, along with Alberta, towards the direction of the guardian building. It's not far, and we reach it without interruption. I don't dare talk until we're inside. Only two other novices stand against the wall, Eddie and a boy I think is called Gerry. Eddie makes sure not to look at me, so I stand beside who I think is Gerry.

"Hello, Eddie, Gerry, and Rose." Alberta says, definetely in guardian mode. "You're probably wondering who this woman is."

I nod, and Gerry says, "Yeah, I guess so."

The woman with pale blonde hair steps forward, a smile on her face. Who is she?

"My name is Vivian Conta." She announces.

Oh. . . My. . . God.

She's the woman in need of a temporary guardian.

She's my one chance. . .