I swallow the lump in my throat, rub off the sweat on my palms. Sure, I can face Strigoi, no problem. But facing a chance like this? A woman like Vivian? A chance to leave just for a little while? Now there's a problem. . .

With Vivian, I can escape St. Vladimir's. Just for a little while. Because I know that deep down inside, I'm still crazy sad about Dimitri. Only yesterday had he left, and I'm already digging deep and throwing dirt over it. Dimitri and I made an agreement, he'd come back. I can't spend all my time worrying about when. What I can do is escape the feelings inside me, the turmoil that, while Vivian Conta talks about a desperately needed guardian, digs itself out of the deepest and darkest parts of my heart and mind.

I realize that I'm still not over Dimitri, nor will I ever be. He left me, if for forever or just a little while doesn't matter. He made a scar, one that can't be erased. One that I can fix if I just leave temporarily. It can work. All I have to do is convince Vivian Conta that I'm right for the job.

"Two of the our guardians, our only guardians, Louis and Paul," Vivian says. "were brutally. . . Killed by a couple Strigoi hanging around our borders. Seeing Strigoi so close to our home, well, made us feel unsafe." Vivian swallows hard. "Though we did weep at our loss of two guardians, we needed two immediately. We were lucky enough to get one from the Court, but we're still in need of one more."

"Who's the other?" Gerry asks, stepping out of line.

Alberta glances at Vivian who only nods and replies, "Jack Chang."

"Never heard of him." Gerry mumbled.

"I knew that." Vivian pointed out. "I wouldn't expect you to."

"Anyway!" Alberta steps forward, clearly directing narrowed eyes at Gerry. "Continue please, Ms. Conta."

Vivian smiles and continues, "I obviously need to make a choice by tomorrow morning, when I leave. It'll be-"

Tomorrow morning? I panickingly think to myself.

That's not long enough. If I'm chosen, I'll have less than twenty-four hours to prepare to go and serve as a temporary guardian. I would barely have time to say goodbye to everyone, especially Lissa. And packing would be in crumbles. How could I pack that fast without forgetting something majorly important?

"-I really do wish I could have three guardians for my family." Vivian says. I mentally slap myself for missing half of her speech. "But as I said before, I'm lucky enough to get, not one, but two."

"Pick three than." Gerry snorts, rolling his eyes like it's not a big deal.

Vivian narrows her eyes and walks towards Gerry with long, graceful steps. It somewhat reminds me of a swan. The Click, Clack of her red heels make this even more unbarable.

"Excuse me. . . Gerry?" Vivian spits. It's obvious Gerry is out of the competition. So, so very obvious.

"Uh. . ." Gerry's stutters, his eyes going wide.

"Back-talking isn't appreciated." She says, turning away and flipping her long pale hair and striding back to her spot beside Alberta.

Holy mother of God. . .

"As I was saying." She says tight-lipped. "I'll be having meetings with all of you, tell yo a bit of what you're to expect and what's to be expected." She directs her gaze at Gerry. "You're first."

Gerry doesn't move from his spot in between Eddie and I. He seems frozen in place, stuck like glue is holding his feet to the ground.

"Now!" Vivian shouts and he starts moving, stumbling over a chair leg. Vivian huffs and leads him into a room to the right. I barely get a glimpse into the room, and the door slams. I let my breath out, not realizing I've been holding it in all this time.

Alberta looks at Eddie and I. "Good luck to you both." She walks into a different room from the one Vivian and Gerry stepped into. It's just me and Eddie now.

Eddie's the first to break the silence. "Is it just me or is Vivian Conta a little. . ."

"Cocamamie?"

"Not in one's right mind?"

"Foolish?"

We both laugh at all the weird names we come up with to describe Vivian Conta. I still can't forgive Eddie though, after what he said to me. . .

I clear my throat. "More like. . . a no-nonsense business-like woman."

"Perfect." Eddie says with a wink. "Mind writing that down for me?"

"To do what with?" I ask.

"Maybe I'll create a blog." He shrugs.

I laugh. "Or write a book."

"'The no-nonsense, business-like life of Vivian Conta.'" Eddie motions a square with his hands, like he's imagining a sign or billboard. "I can totally see that being a best-seller."

"I'm sure you can." It surprises me that Eddie can be so laid-back and humorous when, after getting fed on by Strigoi, he's serious and business-like, just like Vivian.

"I think Gerry's a goner." I come back to the serious stuff.

"Yeah, he's already been booted out of the voting." Eddie says.

"What happened to all the others? Kathie Lee?" I manage to ask.

"Hmm. I guess they're just not qualified for the job."

I nod. "I'm surprised I'm still here."

Eddie rolls his eyes. "Not this again."

"No!" I step in front of him, hands on hips. "I don't mean it that way. I'm not being modest. . . I just expected. . ."

"Expected what?" Eddie asks.

"I really do want you to get this temporary guardian thing." I say, ignoring his question.

"Trust me," Eddie says as he places a hand on my shoulder. "You need it more than I do."

"Hey!" I slap his hand away playfully. "Just because-"

"Rosemarie?" I turn to see Vivian staring at me. I nod and follow her into the room. On the way in, I pass Gerry who seems a little shocked.

That makes me feel a lot better.

The room isn't like I expect it to be. I expected it to be like an interviewing room in a police department with cold metals chair and a light shining directly into your eyes, making your forehead sweat like crazy. The room is actually cozy, with four wooden chairs formed in a perfect circle in the middle of a room. An unlit fireplace stands at one end of the room and a map of St. Vladimir's borders plastered on the other's wall. I take a seat in one of the snug chairs, making sure to sit tall and proud.

"So, Rosemarie, how are you?" Vivian sits down, crossing her legs and placing perfectly manicured fingers on her chin.

"I'm okay." I say. "Could you call me Rose?"

"Of course." She says with a smile. Phew. . .

"So, an interview right?" I ask, motioning around the room.

"Yes." Vivian replies.

I clear my throat without being too loud. "What kind of questions are you going to ask me?"

"You're the one that ran away with the Dragomir princess?"

"Ooh, those kind of questions." I mumble. "Yeah, I guess I did."

"You guess?" Vivian purrs. "Interesting."

"Is it?"

She laughs. "I'm just observing."

"Ditto."

"Why'd you run away?" Vivian asks.

"That's sort of personal."

"I'm sorry for my interventance."

"It's fine."

This is just awkward. I take deep breaths, staying in unison with Vivian's breathing. I don't know what to say or do around her, a Royal Moroi I know nothing about. If it were Lissa, it would be a totally different story. But this is a Conta. . .

"Why do you think you deserve this job?" Vivian asks.

"Well, I'm more experienced than most novices." I pull up my hair and show her my Molnija marks on the back of my neck. I hear Vivian say a long "Hmmmmm" in response. "And I'm hard-working."

"Is that all you have to offer?" Vivian challenges.

I scoff. "Of course not."

"What else then?"

I think for a minute, then say, "I'm smart, quick, I like to think of myself as funny, I'm. . . I don't know. . . Brave?"

"Is this something you really want?"

"Duh." Uh-oh. "I mean. . . Uh. . . I mean yes, it's something I really want."

Vivian scoots closer to me and leans in.

"Rose, I have three children who need protection." She says. "If I were to hire you, I would be placing my and my children's life in your hands. If something were to happen. . ."

"I assure you, it won't." I say.

"I should hope so."

"But," I say. "If you decide not to choose me, you just have to pick Eddison Castile."

"Why is that?"

"He's perfect for the job." I brag. "I mean, he's everything a guardian is supposed to be."

"Isn't this about you and your getting of the job?"

I gulp. "Yes."

"You should be helping yourself more than your friend."

I nod fast. "Sure thing."

"Well, I have all I need. You may-"

"Wait!" I interrupt. "Three children, huh?"

I know that she isn't convinced I'm good for the job. This interview is going horribly, and I'm not helping myself at all. Maybe if I can't help myself on a business level, I can help myself on a personal level with Vivian Conta.

Vivian's face lights up like a lamp. It's her kids she's happiest about.

Hook, line, and sinker.

"Yes." Vivian says. "Wren is the oldest, fourteen."

"That's cool." I say

She nods, gazing into the distance like she's happily thinking of memories and such. "Then there's Henry, he's eight. And Alexis, only five."

"What about your husband?"

The line snaps, taking the hook and sinker with it. Vivian's face turns sinister, almost ugly for such a pretty woman.

"Mister Conta is no longer involved with any of us." She says.

"Oh." I say quietly.

"Well, you may go." She says, waving her hand to the door. "I'll be making my decision tomorrow morning."

I nod and stand, shaking her hand before I go. Any chance of getting this job is gone. I'm a goner, just like Gerry.

I walk out of the room and see Eddie stand up out of the corner of my eye. I turn to him and say, "I gave you a little boast."

"Thanks." He murmurs and walks into the room. I hear the door shut behind him.

It's going to be him, I just know it. It's without a doubt going to be Eddie Castile. Why, oh why had I bragged about his skills and not mine? Stupid, Rose, stupid! I run out of the building and towards my room. St. Vladimir's students pass by, walking to their next class. I just need to breath without anyone else around. Then I'll go to class and everything can return to normal again.

I stand over the toilet, gagging. For some odd reason, I feel like I'm going to puke any minute. The reasons are endless, from the interview with Vivian Conta, to the feeling of Dimitri's presence being gone digging out of me. Everything is trying to flood to the top, including my body's reaction to nervousness and anxiety. God, I need to puke.

A knock on the stall door.

"You done yet?" A high-pitched voice asks from the other side. It's obvious the girl is annoyed at my taking so long.

"Go away before I throw your face into a dirty trashcan." I shout.

In response, I hear fast footsteps clicking against the tiled floor. A door slams and I'm alone again. I sigh and lean back, holding on to my stomach as tight as I can.

"Ugh." I moan and groan to myself for another ten minutes before I feel okay enough to leave the bathroom. I walk like a zombie, dragging my feet and all. Everyone's in class by now, so I make my way to Culinary Science. There's a substitute teacher today and she gives me a dirty look as I hand in my overdue homework.

I slip into the seat next to Christian and let my head fall into my arms.

"Bonjour, class." The teacher says. Oh great, the substitute is French! "I heard that yesterday, Monday, you began learning on how to make Pain de noix de banane."

"Say what?" Someone in the back asks.

The French substitute rolls her eyes. "Banana nut bread."

The room is filled with ooh-ing and aah-ing.

"From the looks of it, you all failed at making the bread without burning, dropping, or forgetting an essential ingredient." A few agreements from the class. "Today you better do better. You may begin."

Christian does most of the work, with me handing him the ingredients while he mixes, sets the oven on a certain degree, and follows all the instructions. I hand him some banana slices.

"You know, you could be a homemaker with that apron on." I say with a smirk on my face. My stomach clenches at the smell of food.

"Shut up, Hathaway." Christian mutters and shoves the tray into the oven.

"My pleasure." I say and lean my head against my hand, feeling like I'm going to pass out.

"I saw Lissa today." He says.

I gasp. "You saw the rare Lissa Dragomir!" I make sure he hears the sarcasm. "You never see her nowadays."

"God, you're annoying."

"I thought you told me to shut up?" I say with a raised eyebrow.

Christian replies with, "I changed my mind."

"Whatever." I say.

"Anyways." Christian says. "She didn't see you at breakfast, so she went on and on about how you were probably at another guardian meeting."

"So what?"

"You're not a guardian."

"I will be."

Christian claps, quiet enough not to attract attention. "I never noticed that."

"You should go back to Kindergarten then." I whisper to him. "Or take some attention medicines."

"Maybe I will."

"Good job." I tell him and check the bread. Nowhere close to being ready. I pick up a toothpick and play around with it.

Christian sighs. "What was it about?" He asks.

I pretend to act bored. He can't know what's going on. "Same old, same old."

"Hear that?" Christian asks.

"What?" I sit up taller and look around, straining to hear something.

"Beep, beep, beep." Christian says continually. "It's my lie detector!"

I push his shoulder and falls back, barely catching himself on the corner on of the table. The French witch turns our way and yells "Sh!"

"I'm in a bad mood today, Ozera."

"You're always in a bad mood."

"That's not true."

"How so?"

"I'm always in a happier mood when I'm not around you."

He snorts. "That makes me feel so special that I make you, Hathaway, bipolar."

I stick my tongue out at him.

"Now can you be for real?" He asks, his tone getting serious. "What happened at the meeting?"

I sigh. I might as well tell him. "Just don't tell Lissa."

"I can't promise anything." He shrugs.

"There's a Moroi family who needs guardians, a Conta family, but there's a shortage on guardians right now." I explain. "And so a novice is needed until a permanent replacement comes in."

"So they picked you?"

"Not yet."

"Oh, good." Christian says with a happy sigh.

"Why?" I ask.

"Oh nothing." He says. "It'd just be horrific if the family had to put up with you as their guardian."

I giggle. "Perhaps."

"So it might be you?"

"It's only temporary." I remind him.

Christian looks around and whispers, "You're willing to leave Lissa?"

"For just a few weeks." I say.

"Don't you think she'll be hurt?" He asks. "What if it turns into something more than a temporary job?"

I bite my lip. That's exactly what I'm worried about. "It won't. I'll make sure of it."

"I certainly hope so."

I nod.

"I certainly hope so too." I say.

When I get back to my room, I get my only suitcase out of the closet. If Vivian Conta is making her choice tonight, and leaving tomorrow, I want to be prepared just in case. It really all depends on her decision, but it's better to be ready and packed than sorry later. I pack ten of everything (ten shirts, ten pants, ten bras, etc.). and a couple knick-knacks. I take a look around my room and check for anything I might need if I do go.

I take a deep breath. "Nothing more." I say to myself as I zip up the suitcase. "Ready to go."

Someone knocks on my door, so I stuff the suitcase into a corner and pile pillows on top, making it less obvious. I open the door just a peek and see Lissa standing there, her face red with anger.

"Hey, Liss-" I start, but Lissa interrupts me.

"Don't!" She pushes me aside and storms into the room. For a minute, she just surveys the room and then her eyes settle on the suitcase. She throws the pillows to the side and tips over the suitcase, unzipping it and throwing open to top. She looks over at me with hurt eyes.

"How could you not tell me!" She screams at me.

"Who told you?" I ask.

Keep your cool, Rose. I repeat to myself.

Lissa huffs. "Christian."

I throw my hands up in the air, exasperated. "That liar! He promised he wouldn't tell!"

"Were you never going to tell me?" Lissa asks.

"Of course I was." I tell her. "But now is not the time."

"Then when?" She shouts. "Tomorrow. . . When you leave!"

"Lissa, it's not like that." I hold up my hands, motioning for her to calm down.

She puts her face in her hands. "How can you, Rose! Leaving me before. . . Before it's even graduation!"

She looks up with accusing eyes. I take a few steps back, leaning against the wall for support. I can tell that Lissa is going to blow. Heck, she already is! I can't calm her down though. I just need to let her blow off some steam, then I'll explain.

But Christian.

Oh, when I see him again I'm going to wring his neck! He had no right to go and tell, of all people, Lissa about my plans. It was my job to tell her, not his. And Christian Ozera broke a promise. God, I feel like punching something. . .

"It's not permanent." I tell Lissa when she takes a break to breath. "Just a few weeks. It'll help me get some experience."

"You've had experience, Rose!" Lissa says. "Remember that time you and I ran off together? That's the best experience you can get with guardian training."

"Maybe." I shrug. "But this might even boost my chance of being your guardian."

The anger in Lissa's face drains like water in a tub. She stares with those big green eyes of hers for the longest time, just staring. I begin to grow uncomfortable, wondering if the next time she opens her mouth, she'll yell at me or accuse me of leaving her.

"I can't think right now!" Lissa rushes past me and out the open door. I gaze at her as she storms down the stairs and disappears from view.

"Oh, Lissa." I whisper to myself. "I've hurt you so badly. . ."