Hi guys. I know Izzi promised an update within a week of the change but she had no idea how hectic my life was. I'm really trying but all my courses in school are advanced which, unfortunately, means more work and studying. But I'm working on it. So PM me if you think I'm taking too long. Really harassing me helps.

You gotta love snow days. I'm on one now, which is really the only reason I'm updating. It's sad, I know.

Love you all,

Your Smileyface Devil

~Carlee Rose

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Too bad for me. Richelle Mead does.

We knocked on a door on the fifth floor. Chris opened it up. He looked nervous. I sympathized with him really but this needed to be done, for our sanity. We sat down on his couch. He was about to speak when Dimitri and Adi came. After that…

R POV:

After that…It was hectic, chaotic. The boys sat next to Lissa, not me. I'm not conceded or anything, but I was shocked and maybe a little jealous. By now, I was used to the attention, so the sudden withdrawal hit me hard. But, if I was shocked before, it was nothing like the shock to come.

Adrian kissed Lissa's cheek. Dimitri pulled her into his lap. Lissa blushed, looking away. The bond told me of her emotions. Embarrassment. Smugness. And deceit. What the hell had that girl done now? God, I felt like the mother of a delinquent, with the amount of times I thought that a day. That girl had no boundaries. She stopped at nothing to get what she wanted, even if it meant hurting the people she cared about in the process. Untamable, was the first word that now came to mind when I thought of my bond mate. I don't exactly consider her my best friend anymore, not with her actions. I mean why should I have friends that are always trying to outdo me and make me miserable? She's a bitch to me, so I'll bitch right back at her.

Lissa obviously didn't want Christian and me to know about her little…stunt? I guess. It was kept secret. Trying not to think about it turned out to be successful, seeing as I hadn't had the slightest clue this was happening. Looking at her now, this was only to be expected. Deceitful little Lissa pulled this type of act before. But we overlooked it, booking it as a cry of attention. And when she feared that someone could steal the limelight, she pulled it back onto herself.

I glanced back at Chris. His jaw hung open, eyes wide as quarters, his hand still, where it had been patting Adrian's back. I could have sworn tears glistened in his eyes. He looked like she had betrayed him, in the most crushing, heartbreaking way. Like they were already a couple, married with kids, and she was having an affair with his best friend. It saddened me really, because it was almost the same scenario. The look in his eyes said all. No words were needed. He made his choice. And it wasn't me. It was the falsehearted, devious, sickening slut sitting in his best friend's lap.

The hurt I felt was multiplied by a hundred, by just seeing the look of agony on his face. I chose to be strong, cut myself off from my emotions. I was again the stoic guardian. Deciding to be just that, I wanted answers and I wanted them now.

"Vasillisa, would you care to explain this situation to me, because I don't understand it or you." I said. I tried my hardest to keep the hurt and desperation out of my voice. She couldn't hurt me, I wouldn't allow that.

It was Dimitri that answered. His normal, loving and gentile voice left. It sounded like something I'd expect from a royal pervert, and that included the remark, not just the tone. "Come on babe, what does it look like?"

Unable to respond, I lifted my eyebrows, and that's saying something. They were already so high; I didn't think they'd go any higher. He laughed at me. He fucking laughed at me. Crucial mistake buddy. And he seemed to realize this too, because the hilarity of the moment suddenly dried up, as did his laughter. Instead of the smile usually in place, was a terrified expression. So now he notices his mistake, well it's a little late there buddy-boy, I thought to myself.

"Well, it looks like you two are sharing a girlfriend who, last I checked, was 'competing' against me for the heart of Christian here. So unless Lissa has a twin that I never knew about, and she's the one you two are dating, Lissa's a dirty little whore. And it seems like you're all deceitful, trying to keep it away from us, YOUR BEST FRIENDS. That's what it looks like from here anyway."

Their mouths gaped open, making me chuckle at their fishy faces.

"So let's try this again. Hi guys! Christian's made a decision. But why are you two here? I thought this's going to be private or something. And while we're asking questions, care to explain what's going on between you three?" I said. My mask never dropped. I added false cheer to my voice at the end, like we're all good ole friends again….yaaaa NOT!

"Well…um we're kind of dating?" Adrian said. He looked like he never wanted to speak again but Lissa nudged him on. "What do you," he emphasized the 'you', directing it at me. Wonder why he doesn't want Christian's opinion. "Think about this?"

That was an interesting question. I fiddled with my hands, trying to buy some time. Truth is, I didn't know what to think. I mean am I supposed to say, 'That's awesome! I'm so glad for you…three?' when I hate the whole situation. Or do I have to say 'You three are totally nuts, but if you want to destroy yourselves socially go ahead, but don't hold on to me and Christian and bring us down with you!'?

My eyes roamed around and met Chris'. He looked mortified, crushed, miserable. I bit my lip, trying to convey innocence, because I don't want him to think I had any part in this.

"To be honest, I think this is stupid. Lissa, you just crushed Chris. I don't know what you did to convince these poor boys into deluding themselves to think that they're in love with you but it's stupid. Whatever stunt you're trying to pull is crap and it's messing with our friends. So now I ask you to let us in on the secrets I know you're hiding. You must have some ulterior motives because, if you will remember, you pulled this is eighth grade, and you had motives then."

My guardian mask was slipping, letting anger and accusation in with it. I was tired of this crap, and if we weren't bond mates, I'd go to Alberta right now and ask- no, demand- to be reassigned. I was so sick and tired of her screams for attention. She wasn't getting it this time; I refuse to let it happen. This is my time.

"I have no idea what you're talking about Rose!" she exclaimed. It was obvious she was faking it. She knew exactly what I was talking about, but she wanted to be put in the golden light. "Can you believe her Christian? She thinks I'm lying. I can't believe that…lowly Dhampir is accusing me of being an attention seeker. Chrissie, you don't believe her do you? Do you think I look for attention?"

It was disgusting the way she said Chrissie. I felt the need to brush my teeth after hearing that sugar coated lie. What a bitch. "Ok, Vasillisa. Until I figure this out, I want you to leave. Just…I can't look at you. Give me time. Rose can you stay? I want to talk to you for a sec." Christian said, a note of resignation forming in his voice.

Her face dropped. "Wait a sec. Just hold on. I do not get it. You don't want to speak with me, but now you're all buddy- buddy with that skank? I don't believe it. What did she do that I didn't? I'm pretty and I showed it off and I'm royal. I- I- I did absolutely everything and it still isn't enough. I even tried getting rid of her by making her want those," She pointed at the boys sitting on the couch behind her. "Two. And still! God, still, you pick her over me!"

We were all silent. I didn't know how to respond to that. She muttered another god and left the room. I think we were too preoccupied processing her speech and too shocked by it to follow her. I just knew it. That manipulative bitch!

I got one pleading look from Christian, begging for me to understand. I felt my heart break. Still, still he wanted her not me, even after what that…thing! ...did to me and to Dimitri and Adrian- his best friends. Well the heart wants what the heart wants, and I won't change that. Not for him anyway, because if it was any other guy, I think I'd, well persuade, him into liking me more. And by persuade, I mean I'd threaten him till he pissed his pants. Then I'd laugh my flipping ass off.

I cast my eyes downward. Nodding my head, I sighed. If he wants her, so be it. His soft fingers ran along my arm in thanks. I didn't respond. Not trusting my voice, I just nodded again. This sucks….and I think I'm going to cry if I'm not careful.

Closing my eyes, I leaned back into the overstuffed cushions. The door shut with a soft click. I thought the boys left when Christian did. But I was proved incorrect when the couch shifted on both sides of me. Adrian put his arm around me, and Dimitri grabbed my legs and placed them in his lap. I kicked my heals off, striking D with the four inch spike called a stiletto heal, on his forehead. Making myself confortable, I placed my head on the arm of the sofa, with my hands under it. It's just too bad for Adrian… I smacked him with my elbow in his stomach. Both boys groaned in pain. Call me sadistic, but I took pleasure in their pain. And I laughed. I'm sorry, but they deserved this pain. They're morons and they're hormonal. Those two things cause the worse teenage boy ever. Trust me; being one of the only two female dhampirs in my grade, you learn more about the opposite sex than you ever should.

Girls always want to know more about the male mind, but there's not to know about it. Males are vicious, annoying and aggravating. Guys want to discern the female mind and what we think. Truth is… no they don't. They'd have a head ache if they even tried. We're too complex. And right now, those boys want to know what the hell I'm thinking. I can tell, just by the expression on their faces.

"So… Care to explain anything?"

"What the hell Rose?" Adrian said.

"Ok what the crap did I do to you two? I'm confused, so please, just tell me what the hell I DID!"

"Why don't you like us? Christian doesn't want you. He wants Lissa, so why are you clinging to him when you could have us?" Dimitri exclaimed. So that was their plan all along. Make me jealous so I'd pick one of them over Chris, and Lissa would have a clear shot for Christian. I honestly thought my friends weren't that…well, sleazy. We all have our moments but this was just too over the top. It could have ruined all of us.

But that's just what I'll do. I'll ruin the three of them. The school would get a kick out of a love triangle between Princess Vasillisa, Prince Adrian Ivashkov, and Dhampir novice Belikov. They'd be picked apart and ridiculed by the rest of the royals.

"So let me get this straight. You guys wanted me to choose you guys out of jealousy, so Lissa wouldn't have any competition? Wow. I'd expect that from Jesse and Ralf but not two of my best friends. That's low and conniving and just plain stupid. I love Christian and if you can't accept that, don't bother me anymore. I'm sick of this. I'm sick of you two."

They disgusted me. It was revolting, sickening. I wanted to throw up. That conversation actually made me nauseous. How sad. They're pitiful, but they don't deserve my pity. I was shocked that they'd do that to me, to their friends, to their guardians. Vexed as I was, I tumbled off their laps. Not even grabbing my shoes, I ran out the door. I honestly can't tell you how pissed I was just then. I felt betrayed, used. All around, I didn't feel right. Spirit's darkness had nothing to do with my vehemence; this was all from finding out the truth.

You know I distinctly remember someone telling me once, that the truth hurts. How right they were, how right indeed. I felt like rolling my eyes at my foolishness. I can't overlook this once. It'll scar me forever.

Why is it that I can't trust anybody at this school anymore? I asked myself. Every time I opened my heart up to someone, it got crushed. Not anymore, I promised myself. People were still milling around outside and a few tried to call me over. I ignored them all. Someone grabbed my arm. From the roughness of their skin, I could tell the person had trained. A Dhampir.

They pulled me back to face them. Not wasting any time, I punched him. I think that I broke his nose. Before turning around, I glimpsed fiery red hair. God. It was Mason. Oops.

"Sorry Mason." I yelled out as I turned away. I was way too distressed to stick around and maybe take him to the clinic. I didn't know where I was going but I just kept running, and running and running. Only one thing would make me stop. And so far, I hadn't seen it yet.

OK. Well this didn't turn out the way I planned. I knew what I wanted to say, but no matter how hard I tried, it didn't come out right. But I hope this was ok. I hope to update within the next two weeks or so, so keep an eye out.

And would you pleeeeaaaase review for me?

It would help loads.

Love you all,

Your SF Devil

~Carlee Rose