I was back in my room unpacking my bags, not that there really is a lot to unpack maybe I should go shopping, it would give me something to do then letting my thoughts keep drifting off to the old Dimitri, the one that loved me. I got up and walked into the kitchen, where I have quickly figured out that Elizabeth ninety percent of the time will be here.

"Hey, Elizabeth, so," I pulled myself up onto the countertop sitting and grabbed a muffin, "Abe said you'd take me shopping, can we go shopping now?"

"Hey yourself," she said smiling, "where do you want to go the mall or maybe somewhere else for stuff to decorate your room?"

"Can we do both?" I think Elizabeth is my new favorite person, of course I was thinking about the mall, but even though the plainness of my room bothers me it never occurred to me to go shopping for stuff I like to throw in there. Not to mention if decorating my room will give me something to do for the next two days before I start whatever school I'm going to and before I have to get a job, Ugh.

"We can do both child," she said chuckling, I think Elizabeth likes me.

"Oh, what school am I going to anyways?"

"Calvin College, it's a small private college, and yes you have to where a uniform."

"Ok, I'm just going to change, and thanks for doing this," I tell her hopping off the counter and hurrying up to my room. I'm by far not one for decorating, but this is something that would distract me and keeps my thoughts from everyone, Lissa and Dimitri especially. And who knows, maybe I can get reacquainted with my old self, the person I was before I had to be responsible; maybe know I can be young and do dumb stuff and make mistakes, and nobody's life would be in my hands.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

We were at the mall, the one Lissa and I went to years ago, the one where I was Dimitri's partner when I was practicing guarding Lissa. I pushed those memories out of my head before they had time to fully come back to me. Although part of me wish they were here with me now. Pulling up here my good mood has deflated, I missed them, but I'm sure they are all fine without me. I started getting out of the car when Elizabeth grabbed my hand and pulled me back in.

"Okay Rose, let's make a deal, I'm too old and tired to be walking around the mall for hours, will you be okay going in alone and I'll give you your fathers card?"

"Yeah, sure, but what are you going to do?" I asked her, kind of shocked that she would agree to drive me out here just to what, sit in the car.

"I'll be here, it'll give me some time to read my book." She smiled warmly at me.

"Okay, well, um I'll try to be quick about shopping then." I tell her. She handed me the card and told me my spending limit in here was two thousand; that floored me! I mean I knew Abe was loaded but I'm only used to spending about a hundred dollars or so.

I head into store after store buying jeans and tops, some earrings, sweaters and push-up bras (hey a girls gotta look her best). I decided to take a quick break to grab a drink and something small to eat from the food court; I walked up to a sweet stand and got a coffee and a chocolate glazed donut. The lady gave me my stuff and I sat down ready to enjoy my quick moment of happiness with my donut when a voice I knew all too well carried across the food court. I could feel all the blood drain from my face and my hands started to shake slightly, 'I can't go back to court and face everything there, I just can't, maybe he won't notice me'. I just couldn't face any of them, especially him, because I already knew how he would react and what he would say.