Chapter 9 – Rose POV

I sat in history annoyed and bored as hell. I had a massive head-ache and the teacher wouldn't shut the fuck up! Granted Mr. Dubin didn't know I had a head-ache. History is such a boring topic I thought to myself, as I glared at anyone who dared to look at me. I was being a bitch and I knew it, I just didn't care at the moment.

My thoughts slowly drifted to last Friday. What a particularly dreadful night, a weird, messed up, but over all weird day. The day started out normally, but soon took a horrible turn. I didn't mind though, I got to meet Dimitri Belikov. A Russian badass who had showed up to save my ass from an unnatural creature.

*Flash Back*

Why does that name seem so familiar? I had thought to myself. I sighed and pushed the unnecessary question from my head. "How did you know I was in 'trouble'?" I air quoted the word trouble with my fingers. "Oh… umm… well I saw him try to grab you and I was about to yell but you'd already flipped him over your shoulder," He said casually. Somehow I doubted that but I didn't say anything. I just asked another question.

"Ok, why didn't you seem surprised or yell running away from me and my magic?" I asked rather bluntly. "I uh… know some people like that – with magic, but from the elements. So I'm kind of used to it." He hesitantly told me. I had a feeling he didn't want to talk to me about this so I didn't push.

"That's cool," I told him nonchalantly. I thought for a moment of what to say, but he beat me to it. "I didn't get your name what was it?" He asked me smirked slightly over something. "I'm Rose Hathaway," I said puzzled over the smirk he gave me. I didn't have time to dwell on it though because he gave me a beautiful wonderful smile. I was dazed for a second, before I shot back my man-eater smile at him. He was about to say something when my phone buzzed. I gave him an apologetic smile and answered, "Hello?" I said looking at him. "Hi! Is this Rosemarie Hathaway?" An unknown voice asked. "Yup, who's this?" I asked back. "Rose this is Nancy, a nurse at Montana Hospital," My face drained of color, dread seeping threw my veins. "I'm calling to inform you that your mother has been in an accident."

My eyes widened, I saw Dimitri go alert. Somehow that comforted me but I knew the real threat was not here. "Yes, I'll be there right away," I answered in a scarily calm voice. I hung up.

"It was nice to meet you but I have to go," I said quickly and rushed past him.

*END FLASH BACK*

My thoughts darkened as I recalled what happened. My mother was in a car accident and is currently in critical condition. When I got home from the hospital is was around 2a.m. I slept only 8 hours and woke up around 10 a.m. I woke up that Saturday figuring out or rather suspecting why she'd been in an accident.

I remembered the note I got that morning. "You'll regret talking so rudely to me the other day, Rosemarie. If I were you I'd watch my back –S" It had said. I suspect this "S" person caused the car accident my mom was in. The problem though is that I don't know who "S" is.

That problem is making me pissed! So pissed, because I feel helpless and I hate felling helpless; like I can't do anything to help my mother. My mom who might've been in a car accident because of me.

I growled and slammed my fist against my desk. "Ms. Hathaway!" Mr. Durbin exclaimed. I gave him a menacing glare, he immediately paled. I walked out of class 25 minutes early, clearly pissed the fuck off. Dylan was here today I didn't really care why he wasn't here Friday.

He's probably wondering why I walked out. I didn't stray very far from the classroom just down the hall, pacing back and forth. I heard someone come next to me. I fully expected to see Dylan to be next to me. What I saw though was completely unexpected.

It was Nichole. I stopped pacing and stared at her dumfounded. "What are you doing here?" I asked skeptically. "I saw you blow up in there, and I heard about your mom," She explained. "Oh," I said, pacing again, "Listen I know we don't like each other much, but-"

"Wait, wait, wait, we don't like each other much? I don't think so, it's more like you hate me," I corrected her. She blushed and looked down ashamed that I caught her. "N-no it's not that I hate you, it's just that I'm … jealous of you." She admitted weakly. I smirked. "I know you are. Every girl in this school is that's why I hardly have any female friends here." I remarked dryly. She looked down again, opened her mouth to say something, but I stopped her- again. "Look before you say anything, I gotta tell you something. I was never after your boyfriend or anyone else's. I'm not a slut, as I know you girls call me behind my back." Nichole looked like she was about to object but closed her mouth again. I went on, "Honestly I really don't give a fuck what bitches say. Anyway as I was saying I have a boyfriend. So why the fuck would I want yours or any other bitches' boyfriends? Explain that to me." I finished rather mockingly.

"I'm sorry," She whispered ashamed of herself, looking down. I sighed "It's alright. Now what were you going to say before I interrupted?" I asked casually as if nothing happened. Nichole looked at me and blushed. "Well actually, I came to give my condolences about your mother. I also came to tell you that last Friday," She and I both cringed, "I had a great time hanging out with you and wanted to know if we could hangout sometime?" She asked hesitantly, I laughed saying "Sure."

"Listen I'm sorry I snapped at you earlier I just lost my temper," I apologized casually. She just nodded then the bell rang. She smiled, offered me her arm; I looked at her questionably. Nichole smirked, saying "Let's go to class together," She giggled; I just smirked and took her arm. I looked around and about half the girls looked at her with their jaws dropped. Someone chuckled next to me; I saw Kevin and Dylan next to us with surprisingly Caroline. Caroline gave me a sheepish smile, I smiled back.

*2 HOURS LATER*

After school I stopped by the shop to make sure everything was fine. Then I closed it up again and went to the hospital. When I got there I sighed in, on the visitor sheet and slipped in. I sat next to her bed and took her cold hand in mine. When I said she was in critical condition I meant it.

In the car accident she broke all her ribs, her left leg, and right arm are broken. She also cracked her skull. Immediately when they brought her into the hospital they operated. Now she's resting. Doctor Miller said she could go into a coma or wake up but at worse she could die because of the injuries she sustained in the car crash.

Sure they'd operated but only enough to insure she'd be able to rest her body. Doc said the swelling in her brain has to go down, before they could do the most crucial operation. If the swelling does not go down though she'll die. Of course she (Doctor Miller) said she'd die peacefully, but that didn't make it any better though.

So now we're playing the wait game. Waiting to see if she dies or stay alive. It's maddening really, not knowing if she'll live or not. Chris is terrible though worse than she is. Chris is the man Rachel (rose's "mom") had been seeing, for a year. When Chris found out it was heart-breaking. To see Chris's face in anguish, crying, clearly in misery.

He stays with me now to make sure I don't get in trouble. When really he's in absolutely no shape to worry about me. I'm really grateful and all but I know he's heartbroken. So I try not to make too much trouble.

I felt my throat close up as if I were about to cry. I didn't so I get up and go before Chris worries. I patted my mom's hand and told her to get better. I signed out and got in my car, the radio came on. Ironically enough Say Good-bye By Skillet was on. Tears rimmed my eyes and a single tear managed to escape down my face. I sighed wiped it away and blinked back the rest, and drove home.

When I got home I told Chris I'd be in my room. He said ok and I went up stairs. I did my homework, half-assed, then plugged in my I-pod and played my Skillet play list. If I'm going to wallow in self-despair might as well have good music. The perfect song came on Believe. Didn't fit the situation that well but it was close enough. I raised the volume enough, but not to the point where someone would complain.

I laid my face down on my bed wallowing pitifully. I felt disappointed in myself. Since normally I'd be out there trying to find that bastard. So I gave myself a pep talk and when that didn't work I slapped myself 4 times. Now that worked.

I got up and stood in front of my wall mirror. I looked at myself, cheek red from the slaps, but they weren't stinging. No I looked more closely at my eyes, and raised my power 10%. My eyes turned color, a silvery purple. I lowered my power and went to my closet. I changed it was currently only 6:30 P.m. I wore black skinny jeans, a dark purple t-shirt with blood red skulls on them, and combat boots.

I searched until, finally in the back of my closet; I found my favorite leather jacket. I slipped it on, touched up simple make up; I did this morning and brushed out my hair. I considered for a moment then decided to put my hair up in tight, high ponytail. Black stud earrings, a simple chain necklace and I was done. I grabbed my phone and keys, some money and I was officially ready. For what? I didn't know. I was about to walk out my room, when I saw something glimmer on my bedside table. The stake, after a moments consideration I concealed it in my jacket. Of course then I turned off my music and my light, and closed my door.

I walked down stairs. Chris saw me and looked surprised. "Where are you going?" He asked. "I don't know," I responded honestly. "Well… don't get into too much trouble 'Kay?" He asked. "Sure," I responded walking out of the house.

I slipped in my car and put on a Skillet CD. Ok so I wasn't moping around, doesn't mean I can't listen to good music. (Seriously though it's a really good band). That aside I started to drive aimlessly through the streets. Finally I stopped at a half empty park. The little kids had gone home, now teens sat talking, playing games, just hanging out. I saw a tree and started to climb it.

I found a sturdy branch, thick enough to hold me as I sat and stared and thought. My staring eyes paused on a figure, he looked really familiar. As if he could sense me looking at him he turned and stared right at me. Mildly shocked I recognized who it was. It was the guy from the store the other day, the one who asked about the black rose.

He smirked at me and made a wave of his hand. At first I was confused, and then the branch under me groaned and collapsed me still atop it. There was a scream somewhere but I didn't look. I waited 'till I was almost to the ground and flipped. Landing in a crouch, legs apart hand on the ground, I stood up scanning for him. Someone stepped in my line of sight making me focus on them. It was Dimitri, not the one from Friday, but from school. He looked worried, "Are you okay?" He asked. "I'm fine," I told him calm, surprisingly. "That's good. What were you doing up there anyway?" He questioned. I chuckled, "Okay, Detective I was relaxing," I said sarcastically.

He rolled his eyes but smiled. Whoa! He looked just like the other Dimitri when he smiled. Hmm… maybe, just maybe… He waved a hand in my face; I looked up at him pushing his hand away. He frowned then grinned, "How about Ice cream?" Now I frowned "What?" Dimitri sighed, and rolled his eyes "I said how about some ice cream? You know frozen goods. Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry,-"

"Ya I know," I rolled my eyes. "But why?" I asked. He looked at me saying "I heard about your mom so I thought you needed some cheering up," He told me seriously. My eyes softened and I smiled a genuine smile. "Thanks," I said softly. Before he could reply my phone went off. "Hello?" I said. "Hey it's Dylan," Dylan said. "Oh! Hey what's up?" I asked. "Nothing listen I heard about your mom, how you holding up?" He asked concerned. I turned away from Dimitri; I knew my eyes would be shinning with unshed tears. "I'm holding up all I can," I whispered sadly. Dylan sighed I could practically see him running a hand through his hair. "Sorry is that why you blew up today?" he asked.

My eyes darkened "Yeah," I replied scarily calm, again. "Listen Rose I have a feeling something is going to go down, and soon." He told me ominously. I bit my lip "Yup I feel it too," I told him. He sighed again, "I got to go but I'll call you 'Kay?" He told me. "Kay," I said then hung up. I held back a sigh and turned to Dimitri. He looked at me then grinned offering his arm, I grinned back taking his arm.

We took my car. I got a chocolate cone with fudge on top. Dimitri just got a vanilla cone with fudge. We sat on top of my car eating our ice cream. I was just done before him I wiped my mouth, and face. Dimitri didn't and ended up with an ice cream mustache. I laughed he did to then wiped it off. We got in my car and my phone went off again.

"Hello," I said rolling my eyes. "Hey babe," I smiled instantly. "Hey." "So whatcha' doing?" He asked. "Nothing hanging out with a friend," I told him. "Oh? Who?" He asked. "Dimitri," I replied. "Why?" He asked slightly angry I could tell. "Because he's my friend and I can," I said stubbornly. He sighed saying "Alright," reluctantly. I smiled and told him I had to go because I had to drive, he said bye. We hung up.

I dropped Dimitri off at his car and left to my house. When I got home it was 7:45 p.m. Still plenty of time to kill, I thought to myself. I got out my car and walked in; I smelt something cooking and heard laughing. My brows frowned confused as I stepped into the kitchen. What I saw was not only shocking but creepy too.

Chris and that guy from the store were laughing in my kitchen. Huh, I cleared my throat, that guy was putting on a front I could tell. Chris still smiling introduced us, "Stanton this is Rose. Rose this is Stanton," So his name is Stanton. "Pleasure to meet you," He held out his hand I reluctantly took his hand. Instead of shaking my hand he kissed it, I quickly pulled it away.

Chris laughed again, I stared at him exasperated. What the fuck is wrong with him? "Rose, Stanton is in his first year of college studying Greek mythology. Maybe you've seen him at the store?" He asked casually. "Yeah I've seen him, once" I answered. Wait the other day I talked to him I was rather "rude" I guess. My eyes narrowed into slits as I looked at him.

Just as I was about to loose control the doorbell rang. "I'll get it," I said hurrying out of the kitchen to the door. I opened it and was completely surprised yet again.