Chapter 8...

I followed Christians gaze as we got off the plane. There stood Tasha, and behind her… Dimitri. I walked after Christian towards them, trying to stay as much into the background as possible.

As much as it looks like I should, I don't hate Tasha. In fact, I quite like her really. If she hadn't stolen my man, I would probably be her best friend. I couldn't blame her for stealing Dimitri. She had no idea that me and Dimitri were ever more than student and mentor, wait, should I saw were more than student and mentor. If she did know, well, then I could consider hating her.

"Christian!" Tasha shouted, as she ran over to hug him. She turned to look at me. "Oh, hello Rose, I didn't see you there." She seemed to be thinking about something before she continued. "I thought you'd be spending time with Adrian." I swallowed. I really hadn't hoped this would be brought up so soon.

"Oh." I said in a strained voice. "I'm not with Adrian anymore."

Tasha looked at me confused. "But why? You always seemed so perfect for one another." I had to swallow again at this. I decided to tell her that he cheated on me, just not the Lissa part, that was for Christian to explain.

"He cheated on me." I said quietly. Tasha looked shocked. I thought I heard a faint growl from Dimitri, but I was probably imagining things, I mean, why the hell should he care, or have the right to care for that matter.

"Oh honey, I'm so sorry." Tasha said softly. "But who with?" she asked in an inquisitive voice.

I swallowed hardest this time. I had hoped so much that she wouldn't ask that question, and I just couldn't answer her. "Urr…" I stammered.

"Lissa." Christian said shortly and bluntly.

Tasha span around on the spot. "Lissa!" she cried at him. "But, I thought she was here with you! And if Lissa isn't here, then why is Rose here?" She questioned Christian. Then her face turned into an even more inquisitive look. "You two aren't…?" She trailed off unsure of how to say the next couple of words.

"NO!" Me and Christian yelled at her simultaneously.

"Then why are you here? I mean you and Christian have never really been the best of friends…" She asked, pondering any thought she could of why I could actually be here.

"She didn't actually have any choice in the matter." Christian said. Tasha gave us a puzzled look. "She was assigned to me for the field experience, and this year, they decided to add and extra part to it. The novices have to accompany the Moroi on the vacation during spring bank, with no exceptions. Visits weren't allowed to be changed at all after they established this, so that the novices couldn't get out of it." Christian clarified her. Throughout the explanation, Tasha's face turned from bewilderment to understanding, and then to sympathy.

"Rose, I am sorry that you have to spend you holidays with us, I am guessing it wouldn't be your first choice." she said gently.

"Actually, I would rather be here with Christian, than be with Lissa or Adrian, or stuck at the academy by myself, seen as though Eddie had to go with Lissa anyway." I said shrugging my shoulders.

"Yeah, me and Rose are actually quite good friends now." Christian said.

"Hey! Don't push your luck." I teased while punching him lightly in the arm. He rubbed it gently.

"Come on, lets get going." Tasha decided, and she started to lead the way to the car. I grabbed mine and Christian's suitcases and followed her towards the car.

"You don't have to do that you know." Christian said, whilst gesturing at the suitcases I was loaded up with.

"I don't mind," I said. "Better me carry them than you waste the little bit you have on them." I said whilst laughing.

"Hey! You know I'm that puny, wasn't it just the other day you were admiring my muscles." he said winking. I blushed slightly as he walked away chuckling.

After the suitcases were loaded, and we had driven back to the house, Tasha showed me my room. She showed me to the room that she had prepared.

"Sorry." she said before entering. "I was expecting it to be Lissa with Christian not you, so I only have one room ready. It also only has one bed." she said nervously.

"That's okay," I said softly. "I'm used to it by now, I have to sleep on the floor in his room for the field experience anyway. No matter tempting it is to chuck him on the floor and take it for myself, I have resisted so far, I shouldn't see any problem now." I said laughing. She smiled back at me and left me by myself.

I laid back onto the bed, thought I might as well make the most of it whilst Christian wasn't here. I thought about today so far. Telling Tasha about Adrian and Lissa had been quick, and she hadn't asked to many questions. I had avoided Dimitri completely so far. Things hadn't become to awkward yet. I hadn't let Christian die of any Strigoi - although this was one I planned on never happening, unlike the others which definitely would.

I was snapped out of my reviewing of the day by a tall dark figure at the doorway.

"Rose…"