It's been a week since Dimitri got here, a week since he heard that Ivan died and a week of us hardly speaking. I had been going to my classes as normal and grabbing food from the cafeteria for both Dimitri and myself. I knew there was no way that he would go down there. To say that it had been an awkward week would be a total understatement. He barely spoke and I felt like every time I tried to say something, I was saying the wrong thing.
I had tried getting him to talk to me, to let me in on how he was feeling or what I could do to help but that went horribly.
"Look, Dimitri, I know that it's hard to loose someone that you care about but if you would just talk to me then I could help-"
"You have no idea what it is like! If I never came here, if I stayed, I could have helped him, he'd still be alive! It's all my fault" He interrupted.
"If you stayed you'd be dead as well. It isn't your fault!" I latched onto his arm, hoping that somehow the physical contact would make him see reason.
He roughly pulled away from my touch and took a few steps away from me, his eyes glassy and unfocused.
"Just drop it Rose." He muttered, picked up his coat and left the room, slamming the door.
That was the first time he had left my room since he heard the news, it was also the last time that I had spoken to him.
I had only met him a week ago and had spent almost six of those days not communicating at all. It was such a surreal situation as I felt like I knew him, from his letters. Sure, I had no idea what he looked like or what mannerisms he had but I could tell from his writing alone that he was selfless, compassionate and that his family meant more to him than the world. I was aching to see this man in person but I had no idea how to help him.
I noticed Dimitri dressed and sitting on his bed when I shook myself out of my internal thoughts. Cautiously, I padded across the room and sat down on the edge, lowering my head until our eyes met. We sat in silence for what seemed like forever and I was aching to break the uncomfortable moment.
"I'm sorry about before… I know your having a rough time and I should have been sensitive enough to realize that and let you grieve on your own but of course I didn't and I really am sorry. I just... it was hard to see you so devastated and not be able to do anything to help" I said slightly above a whisper.
A half chuckle came out of his mouth and he shook his head slightly, the ghost of a smirk gracing his face.
"You shouldn't be apologizing Roza, I never should have spoken to you the way I did and I know that you were just trying to help. If the roles were reversed I would have done the same thing." He reached out and let his fingertips brush the back of my hand that rested between us.
I smiled and bit my lip unsure of whether or not I should ask him. He however noticed that I wanted to and raised his eyebrows in a way of telling me to ask.
I furrowed my eyebrows "How did you-never mind." I stopped myself. "I was wondering if you wanted to come to my classes today? I have gym and Mikhail said that you're more than welcome to come"
"Yeah sure, I'd like that." He replied with what seemed like the first genuine smile in almost a week.
Abruptly, I stood up.
"Well get changed, we are going to be late."
Dimitri and I pushed through doors to the gym and several heads whipped around to face us. I caught Eddie's smirk, Mason's glare and Lissa's cheeky grin.
"Dimitri?" Mikhail's voice floated across the room.
"Misha?" Dimitri laughed in surprise. "I knew you lived and taught in America but St. Vlad's?" I was utterly confused at how they new each other and the sheer coincidence but the look of happiness on his face made me thrilled.
"Yeah… what are you doing here Dimka? I haven't seen you since we were nineteen. Where's Ivan? Didn't the bastard come back with you?" He chuckled shaking his head. A few giggles broke out amongst my classmates and Mikhail's eyes widened.
Dimitri drew in a ragged breath and I immediately grabbed his hand in mine, drawing circles on the back of his palm with my thumb. I stared at Dimitri's face, my eyes the height of his shoulders.
Lissa looked at me and raised her eyebrows, suggesting that it was something romantic. I quickly shook my head, I hadn't told anyone about what Dimitri was going through and my actions were purely comforting.
"Shit, I mean crap. Um... Everyone stretch. Now." He fumbled, not noticing Dimitri's reaction.
Dimitri's gaze was on the ground and I could hear his ragged breath.
Dimitri caught my eyes for one second and reverted back to staring at the floor but I knew the message that he tried to convey. He waned me to be the one to tell Mikhail.
I wanted to kick something or scream, anything that would provide an outlet towards all of the anger and frustration I was harboring. Dimitri was only just getting better and I was scared that we would be back to square one within the hour.
Squeezing his hand I took a step forward and said as softly as I could the news that I didn't wish upon either of them.
"Ivan died Mik." Glancing back at Dimitri, I noticed that he was surprised at my forwardness in calling Mikhail, 'Mik.' I mouthed to him 'Tell you later' and studied Mikhail's expression. He looked torn.
I pulled Mikhail into a hug with the hand that was not attached to Dimitri's and comforted him. I had known Mikhail all my life; he had been a student at St. Vlads a few years ago and was always like a brother to me growing up, hence, the use of his first name.
Mikhail abruptly pulled back after a minute or two and looked at the class. Looking at their faces I noticed that they were all still watching curiously, some like Lissa looked pained to see Dimitri and Mikhail so visibly upset as both were usually so stoic.
"Five laps around the oval. Go." He ordered briskly. They all shuffled out and I was left standing there with the two grieving men.
"Look, I'm going to go to the bathroom. Rose, Dimka can you just keep an eye on everyone for a second. I'll be back in five" and with that he walked out. It was obvious that Mikhail was devastated and I wanted to comfort him, I didn't want him to go through what Dimitri went through.
"You can stay here if you want Dimitri." I offered. He seemed to consider it for a while before shaking his head.
"Nah, running is something I love. Keeps my mind off things, you know?"
We ran in silence for the first four laps. Both of us keeping a steady rhythm, even breathing and jogging side by side. The rest of my class had slowed down to a walk or some still trying to jog but their face going red as they pushed their body.
I noticed Mik out to the side of the oval and gave him a gentle smile, which he returned.
Dimitri and I approached the last turn on our last lap, a faint sheen of sweat glistening on our toned skin. Dimitri looked at me and smiled a cheeky grin. As he did, his eyes lit up and his facial features became more boyish. It was a nice change.
"Want to race?" He asked me, his speed slowly fastening.
"Hell yeah" and with that we sprinted.
I had never ran so fast in my life, I was pushing every muscle in my body and I willed it to go even faster. Dimitri and I were fairly even; I was only fractionally in front.
A smirk growing on my face I quickly side stepped in front of him and then back to my original position. Dimitri fumbled and with that lost momentum and speed.
I could hear him growl softly behind me and my voice tinkled with laughter. I lengthened my strides and beat him across the finish line and slowing down.
Dimitri however did not slow down and was running straight for me. Letting out and excited gasp, I started to run but it was too late.
Dimitri scooped me up into his arms and threw me over his back. He laughed as I screamed for him to put me down.
"Fine, have it your way"
Dimitri swung me back over his shoulder and let me drop. My heart skipped a beat and my breath caught as I braced myself for the impact but it never came. Dimitri caught me on the last minute, holding me bridal style.
"You…should…h-have…s-seen your…f-face" Dimitri struggled to get the words out as he choked with laughter.
"Very funny… Dimka." I teased. His eyes met mine in a playful glare and began to tickle me. I laughed and kicked my feet, trying to escape his hands but with no avail.
Dimitri laughed along with me as I continued to struggle. Suddenly, I felt both mine and his weight shift and then I realized that we were falling.
He landed on his back with a thud and with me on top of him. My face was only inches away from his and I stared into his eyes. Time seemed to stop as I got lost in his eyes. I wanted to reach out and brush a strand of hair away from his face but couldn't will my body to move.
I then noticed the sound of people breathing heavily and turned to see my classmates watching Dimitri and I.