*toot*

Just like what I said, I WON'T be following the Chapters in the book.

If I cut a Chapter, there will always be Chapter 1 & Chapter 1dot5 or Cont. of Chapter 1.

Hope you enjoy the story.

And PLEASE R&R.

Thanks & take care ya'll.

-zanessa-efgensfan

"I love you."

My lips are centimeters away from her …

KRIING! KRIIING! KRIIIING!

I snapped.

Oh, man. It was so damn close!

I picked up the phone. It's Celeste.

"Guardian Belikov," she said.

"Yeah?"

"We're waiting for you." She said calmly.

"What? Why are you…" Oh, damn! I'm already late. Today's the start of the field experience. "I'm so sorry. I'll be there in a minute." I said as I hang up the phone.

I quickly took a shower, put on our formal guardian suit, I brought with me my phone, silver stake & the things I needed.

I quickly descend the stairs & went to where the Guardians are all lined up.

"I'm sorry." I quickly blurted out. No one even noticed me.

"Let's go now." Said Alberta.

We walked the now crowded gym. None of the novices seemed to notice us. I guess they're too excited that even they didn't even hear Alberta.

I look around to locate Rose, uh! This noise's too much. It's giving me a headache, really.

Finally, through, somewhat a miracle, they fell silent.

""All right," Alberta began. "You all know why you're here." Her voice that now rang throughout the gym made my headache worse.

"This is the most important day of your education before you take your final trials. Today you will find out which Moroi you've been placed with. Last week you've been given a booklet with full details of how the next six weeks will play out. I trust you've all read it by now." She eyed the novices.

I really think Rose read it. She's really determined to pass this thing.

"Just a recap, Guardian Alto will highlight the main rules of this exercise."

She handed a clipboard to Stan which he quickly accepted, might as well get over this I guess.

"Here we go," said Stan gruffly. "You'll be on duty six days a week. This is actually a treat for you guys. In the real world, you're usually working everyday. You will accompany your Moroi everywhere—to class , to their dorms, to their feedings. Everything. It's up to you to figure out how you fit into their lives. Some Moroi interact with their Guardians just like friends; some Moroi prefer you to be more of an invisible ghost who doesn't talk to them. Every situation is different, & you two will have to find a way to work it out to the best ensure their safety." He paused.

"Attacks may come at anytime, anywhere, & we'll be dressed in all black when it happens. You should always be on your guard. Remember, even though you'll obviously know it is us doing the attacking not real Strigoi, you should respond as though your lives are in terrible, immediate danger. Don't be afraid of hurting us. Some of you, I'm sure, won't have any qualms about getting us back for past grievances." Some students giggled at this.

Funny he mentioned that. I've heard that almost half … okay I'm exaggerating, one fourth of the school population has hidden "feelings" towards him. Haha! He's very popular in humiliating students. Now pay back time. I'll really enjoy this field experience.

"…You will be on duty twenty four hours a day for your six day cycles, but you may sleep during daylight when your Moroi does. Just be aware that Strigoi attacks are rare in daylight, they aren't impossible indoors, & you will not necessarily be 'safe' during these times."

Stan read more technicalities which I've follow throughout my own field experience. Ahh, I should stop thinking about things that'll make me remember him.

When Stan finished, he handled the clipboard to Alberta.

"Okay," she said. "I'm going to call out your names one by one & announce who you're paired with. At that time, come down here to the floor, & Guardian Chase …" I missed what she said.

I'm trying to locate Rose. Ahh! There she is, up in the bleachers together with some novices.

The novices are already sweating even though their names haven't been called. Fun crowd. So this was how I look like back then.

Alberta went on & on with the list. I tried to look like I pay attention, but I'm just tuning out waiting for …

"Rosemarie Hathaway," Alberta's voice rang out. Oh men! I guess we have do deal with her later. "Christian Ozera."

I looked at Rose. She's just starin' eyes almost popping out.

"Rose Hathaway?"

Someone nudged Rose, the action made her move. I feel like I've betrayed her. After all this was all her idea.

After the list was done, Stan gave the novices instructions on where to head next. Alberta called my attention.

"Guardian Belikov," she called out. We need to use formal names in public places like this. I raised an eyebrow & turn my head to her

"We need to discuss something. Come follow me."

I followed her throughout the corner of the gym. It's so noisy here. My head's throbbing.

"We'll have a meeting later & plan about the attacks we'll make."

"This soon?" I asked. I'm weary.

"Yes, whom do you suggest?" she asked expectantly.

"Uhm, me maybe …" someone's looking at us, hearing us even.

Me & Alberta glanced at her.

"What's this?" Rose asked sticking out her packet & looked at us expectantly.

Okay, I can't deal with her right now. Not when my head's throbbing in pain.

"It's your assignment, Ms. Hathaway," Alberta said, confused.

"No," Rose said, obviously she's angry. "It's not. This is someone else's assignment."

"The assignments in your field experience aren't optional," Alberta said strictly. "Just as your assignments in the real world won't be. You can't pick who you protect based on whim & mood, not here & certainly not after graduation."

"But after graduation, I'm going to be Lissa's guardian!" Now lots of eyes are staring at us. Argh! My head really hurts. "Everyone knows that. I'm supposed to have her for this thing." Rose exclaimed.

"I know it's an accepted idea that you'll be together after graduation, but I do not recall any mandatory rulings that say you're 'supposed' to have her or anyone here at school. You take who you're assigned." I wish Rose'll just let this go, ahh! My head.

"Christian?" she threw her packet on the floor. "You're out of your mind if you're thinking I'm guarding him." That's it. She's out of the line.

"Rose!" I snapped at her. I'm freakining weary. My head hurts! I really can't take this right now. "You're out of the line. You do not speak to your instructors like that."

Well, that made her shut up. Good.

"Sorry," she said sounding defeated. "But this is stupid. Nearly as stupid as not bringing us to Victor Dashkov's trial."

"How did you-," Damn! "-Never mind. We'll deal with that later. For now, this is your assignment, & you need to do it." Alberta said surprised.

By now, Eddie Castille, the novice who has been assigned to Vasilisa Dragomir joined in. "Look… I don't mind … we can switch …"

Alberta glared at them both. "No you certainly cannot. Vasilisa Dragomir is your assignment." She glared at Eddie. "And Christian Ozera is yours." Returning toRose her glare. "End of discussion."

"This is stupid! Why should I waste my time with Christian? Lissa's the one I'm going to be with when I graduate. Seems like if you want me to be able to do a good job, you should have me practice with her."

"You will do a good job with her," I explained. "Because you know her, And you have your bond. But somewhere, someday, you could end up with a different Moroi. You need to learn how to guard someone with whom you have absolutely no experience." I tried to be & sound reasonable to her.

"I have experience with Christian, that's the problem." I wish she'll just stop. "I hate him."

"So much better," Alberta chimed in. "Not everyone you protect will be your friend. Not everyone you protect will be someone like you. You need to learn this."

"I need to learn how to fight Strigoi," This'll be a long conversation. "I've learned that in class & I've done it in person." So, she really wants to play here, pointing facts. Fine, 0-1.

"There's more to this job than technicalities, Ms. Hathaway. There's a whole personal aspect -a bedside manner, if you will-we don't touch on much in class. We teach you how to deal with Strigoi. You need to learn how to deal with the Moroi yourselves. And you in particular need to deal with someone who has not been your best friend for years." 1-1.

"You also need to learn what it's like to work with someone when you can't instantly sense that they're in danger," I added. 10-1!

"Right," agreed Alberta. "That's handicap. If you want to be a good guardian—if you want to be an excellent guardian—then you need to do as we say." 100-1!

She opened her mouth but before she could even say a word, I chimed in.

"Working with another Moroi will also help keep Lissa alive" I said. That'd probably shut her down since we're now dealing with Lissa.

"What do you mean?" BINGGO!

"Lissa's got a handicap too—you. If she never has a chance to learn what it's like to be guarded by someone without a psychic connection, she could be a greater risk if attacked. Guarding someone is really a two-person relationship. This assignment for your field experience is as much for her as for you."

Wow, that kept her silent. She'd be a great guardian someday.

"And," added Alberta, 'it's the only assignment you're going to get. If you don't take it, then you opt out of the field experience." Okay, that's bit harsh but straight to he point.

I know Rose will not be happy if this happened. So I try her by looking into her eyes. Sincerity, encouragement .. ALL! Running through that look.

She picked up her packet and said, "Fine. I'll do this. But I want it noted that I'm doing this against my will."

I think we already figured that out, Ms. Hathaway," remarked Alberta drily.

"Whatever. I still think it's a horrible idea, & you eventually will too." She said then turned away. I so don't need this right now.

"Guardian Petrov, I'll just meet you at the meeting can I have my break?" I asked sincerely, she's still clearly a bit disturbed with what happened.

"Okay, I'll just text you. Have a nice lunch." She said, & I turned around & walked away.

R&R! I'm really sacrificing my time & others just to be able to update. I'll really appreciate even simple ones. :)))))))))))))))