Previously: I was tired when we finally got to the academy. I walked up the three flights of stairs and into my room. I noticed the door was not closed all the way. I got my stake and quietly crept in. It was dark so I turned on the light and became instantly pale. There was a man in my room. His hair was now short, his muscles were bigger and he had a smirk on his face.

"Hello Roza." Dimitri was here.

Chapter 12: Old Friends

"What, what are you doing here you jerk?" It wasn't one of my best insults but I was surprised. Dimitri was lying on my bed, hair cut almost to a buzz and he had a ring on his finger. It was an ordinary band of silver. I stared at i and Dimitri caught me staring.

"It's not what you think it is, Roza." He laughed at me and I got angrier

"Why are you here? Where's Lissa, Did she come?"

"I'm here to check up on you Roza, Alberta wanted me to see how you were doing. I came in last night."

"So were you the one who snuck into my room last night?" I said hostily.

"Someone was in your room?"

"I'll take that as a no." I gestured toward the door. "Don't let the door hit you on the way out."

"Aww Roza, but we were getting along." He mockingly told me.

"Get the hell out of my room or I'm calling a headmaster to tell him I'm being harrassed. And, don't call me Roza."

"Your threats would only scare me if I thought you were serious Roza." He stood up and took a couple of steps closer. "I can do whatever I want." He whispered in my ear. I tried to resist the urge to shiver but failed.

I felt him smile and he stared deeply into my eyes. I thought about moving away but I couldn't, I loved him too much. Saying it to myself, It didn't hurt yet. But I know it would hurt when he left and I was alone. He leaned in and I didn't breathe. Dimitri brushed his lips against mine and he turned, took a step around me and left.

I felt a sob weld up in my throat, but I refused to let it out. I splashed water on my face and left my room. I didn't know where I was going but I wasn't going to wallow in my room and cry. I ran to the gym, avoiding everyone I could.

I saw Jake in one of the halls and he waved me over but I shoke my head and ran. He tried to follow but I ran faster than I ever had before and left him behind.

When I got to the gym, I didn't bother changing and immediately starting punching the bag, then I ran laps and lifted wieghts. Finally I collapsed in exhaustion. I fell asleep and didn't wake up until I heard someone shaking me.

"Rose!" A deep voice yelled in my ear. I tackled the guy, who turned out to be Anthony. I was lying right on top of him and I blushed and stood up.

"Sorry, you uh, startled me." I brushed hair away from my face and helped him up.

"It's okay, I'm just glad you're alright. I saw you lying here and I didn't know what to think."

"Oh, I was tired so I fell asleep." If only It were as simple is that. "Why didn't you tell me that Dimitri came last night?"

"I guess I just forgot when I saw you and Catherine this morning. Your situation kind of pushed it to the back of my mind."

"Sorry about that." I grimaced.

"No one was hurt to badly so it wasn't much of a problem." A tear slipped out of my eye. Shit.

"Rose, are you okay?" Anthony looked like he was going to freak out. I would have laughed if I wasn't so sad.

"Yeah," I said weakly, looking into his gorgeous eyes. "fine."

"I heard that you did great in Seattle."

"Oh that was nothing. " We were interrupted by the door opening.

"Rose?" It was Dimitri again. "I wanted us to practice for a little bit."

"No thanks." I scoffed and walked toward the opposite doors and attempted to leave but all of a sudden Dimitri was there. He grabbed my arm roughly.

"You're coming."

"Leave me alone, you stupid son of a bitch!" I tried to get out of his grip but he had me in his iron grip. I hated that he was stronger than me. I'd beaten him only a handful of times before and even that didn't give me an edge. I struggled some more but Dimitri's attention wasn't on me anymore.

I looked around him to see what he was staring at. Anthony, of all people, had a strong hand wrapped around Dimitri's arm. I'd never noticed his big hands, they went all around Dimitri's biceps. I was impressed.

"Something you want to add Headmaster?" Dimitri's voice was like ice.

"Yes, Rose was actually going to my office." Anthony's face was hard. "We have some things to discuss." I saw them size each other up. You could cut the testosterone in the air with a knife.

"Fine," Dimitri gave in and let go of my arm. He took a few steps away and he looked at Anthony and I with a startled look on his face. I saw his eyes furrow together and then he smirked.

"Headmaster, you have absolutely no idea what you are getting yourself into. Take my advice and let go of her before it's too late." He laughed, cold and mean, and left. I felt myself go red.

"Well," Anthony looked as startled as Dimitri did. "If you don't mind, I better be getting to my office. Go to your dorm and relax Rose. It'll do you good."

"Wait, I thought we were going to converse some things."

"Rose, that was just to get you away from your cut-throat mentor. You're free to go." He turned to go, not looking at me.

"Wait!" I yelled, and waited until he looked me in the eye. "Thank you, for that and everything else."

"It's no problem," His face softened. "I'll be in my office if you need anything."

I turned and walked, wondering about Dimitri's comment, I saw Jake in one of the halls and waved. He came toward me and before I could say anything he pecked me on the lips. Everyone around us stared.

"Jake!" I half-whispered.

"Come on Rose." He had a satisfied smile on his face and it looked nice on him. I let him lead me toward the dining hall. He spoke to one of the servers and the server gave him what looked like a picnic basket.

"Who is this?" The server asked Jake. The server looked 20ish and he was a male moroi.

"Vince, this is Rose. Rose, this is Vince. My best friend."

"It's great to meet you." I said, smiling at him.

"Ditto." Vince looked me up and down.

"My eyes are up here, asshole." I rolled my eyes. Vince chuckled.

"I like her Jake." Jake smiled and led me away.

"I'll see you later."

"Why are most guys suck assholes?" I muttered, Jake ignored me and pulled me outside. He looked around and quickely moved around the buildings. I trusted him and followed quietly. After we ran into the patch of woods surrounding the school and hopped over a fence, we finally reached an open patch of woods. It was filled with lush green grass and a few logs that could serve as chairs.

"Do you like it?" Jake stared at my face.

"I love it. It's so pretty." I smiled widely, taking in the different scents.

"I found this place in the third grade with my older sister. Clara was her name, she was a senior at the time and my best friend."

"Oh, is she a guardian now?"

"She was," Jake nodded sadly "She died two years ago."

"I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, I'm kind of over it. Let's find a nice place to sit down and eat." Jake went over to one of the logs and sat down.

I know, I know. Not much of an ending but it's an update. It took me a long time to write, but its not my fault. School is ending and you know what that means. Finals, Regents, Studying and exercising(for the summer, I want to be able to wear a bikini and not feel self concious :D)

Please review. It helps me soo much.