~*Disclaimer: Richelle Mead owns everything but the plot and a few characters.*~

~*Rose's P.O.V.*~

By the time Casper breezed into the room I was awake and in a partying outfit. Strappy black sandals, black shorts and a red tank top. My hair was curled even more than usual and I had even brushed on a little mascara. Her face completely transformed into a huge grin.

"Hell yeah! My Rose is back!" She exclaimed, happily jumping onto her bed and fist pumping the air. I couldn't help but laugh at her. The scent of her quickly filled up the room, calming me down. She always smelled like Taylor Swift's Wonderstruck and just a hint of smoke. She skipped around the room, changing into white shorts and a neon yellow tee shirt. I grinned at her from my spot on the bed.

"I have surprise for you." I told her.

"Really what?" She asked, excitement clear on her face.

I rummaged through the small closet, than handed her a shoe box. She loved shoes. And believe me, shoes that were small enough for her were hard to come by unless you we're out among the humans. She was a tiny size six. She opened the box and her eyes lit up. She launched herself at me, knocking us both over.

"Calm down, hun. Don't have a heart attack." I said laughing. They were black ballet flats with neon yellow hearts on them. She slipped them on and quickly refreshed her makeup before grabbing my hand and pulling me out the door behind her.

The party was in the Moroi dorms. The music was loud, Get Stoned by Hinder blaring from two speakers. A Moroi boy handed us both drinks in plastic red cups by the door. Casper smiled, sipping it and stepping further into the room. Two dhampir boys came up an each wrapped an arm around Casper's shoulders. One had sandy blonde hair and hazel eyes with an easy going demeanor and tiny smile. The other had curly red hair and crystal blue eyes, a large goofy smile on his face.

"Well hey there Short Stack. Miss us too much?" Asked the red head. She titled her head back and groaned.

"Aw come on Shorty, you love us." The other said. The red head suddenly noticed me, and his smile grew even bigger.

"We didn't know our Short Stack had friends. Especially such gorgeous ones." Casper turned her glare to the red head beside her.

"Don't even think about it, Ashford. Do not hit on my friends you arrogant sonuvabitch." She snapped. He only laughed and patted her head. Despite herself she cracked a tiny smile.

"Rose, this is Eddie Castile and Mason Ashford, the idiots I had detention with. Guys this is Rose Hathaway, my bestfriend." Mason bowed, and gave me a silly smile, but before he could speak, the Christian kid that had spilled water on Casper at lunch on our first day came over.

"Did you guys hear the queen is coming? She's going to make an appearance at breakfast tomorrow and she's actually staying here for Christmas break." He said, addressing Mason and Eddie. Casper sent a smirk my way, and I couldn't help but smile back.

"Oh wow! The queen is actually staying at an academy for Christmas? Isn't that odd?" Casper exclaimed, feigning surprise.

"I know right? Who knew royals could be bothered with us lowly people?" Christian said, rolling his eyes. Casper bit her lip to keep from laughing and regarded the three boys.

"Yeah. Who knew?" Lissa came over at that moment, entwining her hand with Christian's.

"Did you tell them about the queen?" She asked him, and he nodded. "This is so exciting! We never get to see the queen so up close!" She squealed.

"Honestly, Liss. You're going to just explode one day. You're so hyper." Came a deep, slightly Russian voice from behind her. She turned, revealing a dhampir who was easily 6'7. He was tan and had to die for warm brown eyes. His brown hair was tied back at the nape of his neck, and he was grinning at Lissa.

"Oh, Dimitri, this is Rose and Casper." Lissa introduced, gesturing to us.

(A/N: Yes, Dimitri has made his appearance. He's going to be a student in this.)

"It's a pleasure to meet you both." He held out his hand, and when I put mine on top of his instead of shaking it, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to the back of it.

"Oi. Mr. Giant. Get a room." Casper told him, but she was smirking, and her gaze traveled back and forth between us. I could practically see the gears in her head turning. Joy.

~*Two Hours Later*~

~*Casper's P.O.V.*~

I couldn't stop tossing and turning. We'd gotten pack from the part forty five minutes ago. It was uneventful, besides getting to know Mason, Eddie, Lissa, Christian, Dimitri, and Melony. Rose had collapsed onto her bed and instantly went to sleep once she was in her pajamas. But too many thoughts littered my mind, and I was still sore from slipping on a patch of ice outside. I pulled out my laptop, logging on to Tumblr. I went directly to my messages, and looked at the newest one. I'd been messaging this guy, Ethan, for months now. I read our recent messages and replied to his newest one.

C- I don't need anything school has to teach though. They can't teach me what's important.

E- I'll teach you whatever they can't. Just tell me what it is.

C- You wanna teach me something? Teach me how not to hate myself anymore..

I slammed the computer shut and logged off. I didn't want to talk about sad things tonight. I've had enough sad things to last me a lifetime. I rolled over, and looked at Rose sleeping. She was always most peaceful asleep, a small smile on her face, all the worry lines that were apparent during the day were smoothed away by sleep. She looked like she didn't want to be anywhere else. I wish sleep came easily to me. But it didn't. It never did. But it was worth it sometimes. Mostly since we were on a vampiric schedule, so when I could slip out undetected, I'd go to the roof, no matter where we were, and watch the sunrise. And it was always breathtakingly beautiful, and for a moment it was just me in the world. Not the fake me either. No, the real me who believed in butterflies and fairytales. The me I was before Chris died. The one he'd sculpted from ice. Silent tears streamed down my face, and I rolled over to face the wall, and made myself go to sleep. After all, I had a busy day tomorrow.