CHAPTER TWENTY NINE- OH, ALEXANDER
Hey there, this is the next chapter. I'm back from my vacation, obviously, but here's the hitch: my computer is so full with my data and writing and everything that it won't save anything else so this might be the last chapter for a bit, but please don't think that i'm just giving up on my story, that's the last thing i want any of you to think. So i'm going to make this one extra long. and please dont hate me.
For the reviewer who asked about how to upload stories, i can't PM you becuase you're anonymis (i know i spelt that wrong). But first, you have to make an account. Then you have to write the chapter up on your computer, not on fanfiction. then you go to document manager and agree to the guidlines then you do what it says and update it. then you can edit and stuff on there, then i'm sure you can figure it out from there, if not, then PM me when u make ur account. or, you know, jsut review. ;p
Anyway, shouts to all my reviewers and readers, especailly adrianlover, Night'sheart and myra! Everyone else too, love ya all! ;)
Hey, i'm also really sorry for the wait on this chapter, i havent been at my best and i just lost my wallet, so you see, i'm not doing too well. but that's no excuse, SORRY!!!!!!!
Anyway...here's the next chapter guys...
"Rose, is that a wedding ring?" I distantly heard Jane ask, but I couldn't respond. My mouth was open slightly as I stared at what I held in my shaking hands.
"Rose? You still with us?" that was Laura.
"Guardian Hathaway? What is it?" that was Julian's kind voice and I felt a hand on my forearm.
"Ro –"
"Can you leave?" I asked quickly as I tried to keep my voice from shaking.
"Rose, don't be –" Laura started but was cut off by a softer, more understanding voice.
"Let's go, we shouldn't intrude on Guardian Hathaway's privacy," There was a long pause then I heard them get up and shuffle towards the door akwardly. I kept my back to them as they mumbled their goodbyes; when the door closed, I broke down.
Collasping down to the floor, I clutched the box to my chest as the note fluttered to the floor. Relentless tears streamed down my face as I stared at the ring. It was simple, nothing complicated; just a thin band and a diamond on top.
I vaugely heard voices outside but I paid them no attention - until I heard my name.
"Do you know where Guardian Hathaway is?" a familiar voice asked.
"We need to talk to her about the field experience. I also need to warn her that she won't only be fighting novices," another voice said.
Alexander Contrive and Mikhail Tanner. Leave it to them to pick the best time to come looking for me.
"I'm betting that Rose will win again," someone else said; that voice wasn't as familair as the others, but I had heard it before, I just couldn't place it.
"Don't go in there," Julian's voice came out sharply.
There was a pause before Alexander asked, "Why?"
"Is it right to invade her privacy when she's not there?" Julian returned.
"If she's not there, then why are you here, Mr. McGill?" Alexander quipped.
Pause. "We were looking for Guardian Hathaway as well," his voice was cold was cold when he answered. Julian was trying to protect me.
I shoved all my clothes onto the floor and dove under the covers. I didn't want to hear anymore; pulling the covers over my head I pressed them to my ears.
Holding the ring tightly, it was a few minutes before my door opened. Someone laughed and approached the bed. "Rose, we know you're right here," Mikhail said as he poked my side.
"Go away," I mumbled thickly.
"What's wrong?" Mikhail asked more quietly.
"C'mon, Rose, you're an adult now; don't be so childish,"
"So naive...so childish." Dimitri's voice floated back to me, bringing a dark fury.
"Get OUT!" I yelled then everything was silent. My energy slowly drained out of me and I started to sob quietly. "Just go away," I moaned through my tears.
"Mercutio, please make your leave," Alexander said quietly after a while.
"But-"
"Mercutio."
There was a pause then "fine" from Mercutio and "Bye, Rose," then I heard the door close.
"Rose, what's happened?" Mikhail asked, resting his hand on my back.
"D-don't touch me, please," I sobbed and the hand retracked quickly. I only added 'please' because I didn't want to mess up things with Mikhail even though I knew he'd forgive me later. There was a long peroid of time where I just sat there sobbing under the covers and Mikhail and Alexander didn't say one word.
Then, Alexander suddenly sounded strained. "Mikhail, please leave so I can talk to Rose alone," it was quiet so I guess Mikhail nodded and left with a "Bye-bye, Rose," like the real child he is. I would have smiled, but then, I couldn't do anything but cry.
"Rose, I found the note on the floor..." he paused before adding in a tight voice, "Is this from your Dimitri?"
I felt bad for him so I choked out, "Yes...it is...b-before he d-died!" I wailed. "J-Jane just s-saw it,"
I felt Alexander sit down on the bed and there was a hand rubbing my side. "Shh, it's okay, Rose, it's okay," he tried to sooth me, but his voice was tight. I slowly uncovered myself and then I threw myself at him.
"I-I-I'm sorry!" I sobbed into his neck.
He held me back. "For what, Rose?" he asked softly.
"F-for everything, b-because I k-know this m-must suck f-for you, e-especailly that n-note," I just stopped talking and waited for his responce.
"Why must this suck for me, Rose?"
I pulled away to look at him. "I-it sucks because...wait. Y-you like me, don't you?" I tried to wipe away some of my tears so I could see him clearly.
"Of course I like you, Rose," he pulled me tightly against him. "How couldn't I like you?"
For some reason, I felt more at ease and my sobbing slowly began to subside. "Hey, Rose?"
"Yeah?" I sniffed, pulling back to look at him.
"I've been wondering...what really happened to your hand? You effectively distracted me last time, but I really want to know."
"Would I be able to distract you the same way this time?" I asked.
"Probably, you could try," he smiled. I leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss, but when I began to pull away, his hand locked behind my hair, keeping my mouth to his. Alexander kissed me enthusiastically and I kissed him back. I didn't really like where this was heading; the two of us, alone, in my room and no one would bother us because they thought I was having a break down.
Sometime, we'd ended up lying beside each other and when we finally stopped, I rested my head agianst Alexander's chest. "Did that distract you?" I asked, somehow, I was calm.
"Yes, it did," he replied. "Rose, please tell me what happened,"
I only hesitated for a second before answering, "Dimitri and I had a little run in while I wasn't at my greatest," I said evaisively.
I felt him tense. "Can I see it?"
I wordlessly pulled away and began to unwravel the gauze around my hand. When I finally got to the bottom, you could see the carved heart perfectly except for the dried blood around it and in the center. Alexander lightly traced the heart with his index finger, he looked up at me with concerned eyes.
"He did this to you? You let him?" his voice held disbelief.
"I told you, I wasn't at my greatest," I replied softly.
Alexander nodded and took the guaze from me, re-winding it around my hand. I smiled at him and he touched my cheek lightly. "I feel so bad, you're dealing with so much stuff all on your own, I wish I could help...but I don't know what to do."
I forced a smile. "Don't worry, I can handle it, but can you do me a favour?"
"Anything," he vowed. Oh, Alexander, you really should be careful with what you promise, I thought.
"Can you come with me to a jewler?"
His brow went together in confusion. "Why?"
"I want to get a chain...for this," I held out my hand that was still clutching the ring. He opened his hand and I dropped the ring into it, he hesitated then nodded.
"Are you up for it now?"
I snorted. "What a dumb question; Rose Hathaway is up for anything,"
******
So about half an hour later after dodging guardians and novices, Alexander and I were driving to the nearest jewler. I sat in the passenger seat, clutching the ring as Alexander drove. I turned on the radio to make some noise.
"Okay, guys, I hope you're ready for this one, it's the new one from SKILLET! Monster!" the radio guy announced and then the music came on.
The secret side of me
I never let you see
I keep it caged, but I can't control it,
So stay away from me,
The beast is ugly, I feel the rage, and I just can't hold it
It's scratchin on the walls
In the closet, in the halls
It comes awake, and I can't control it
Hidin' under the bed
In my body, in my head
Why won't somebody come and save me from this?
Make it end!
[Chorus]
I feel it deep within
It's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a monster!
I hate what I've become
The nightmare's just begun
I must confess that I feel like a monster!
I feel like a monster!
My secret side I keep
Hid under lock and key
I keep it caged, but I can't control it, 'cause if I let him out,
He'll tear me up, break me down
Why won't somebody come and save me from this?
Make it end!
[Chorus]
I feel it deep within
It's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a monster!
I hate what I've become
The nightmare's just begun
I must confess that I feel like a monster!
I feel like a monster!
It's hidin' in the dark
Its teeth are razor sharp
There's no escape for me
It wants my soul, it wants my heart
No one can hear me scream
Maybe it's just a dream
Or maybe it's inside of me
Stop this monster!
[Chorus]
I feel it deep within
It's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a monster!
I hate what I've become
The nightmare's just begun
I must confess that I feel like a monster!
I feel like a monster!
"That...is my new favourite song." I uttered as I stared at the radio as if it held the answer to all my problems.
Alexander had reached a hand out to change the station, but it stopped as he turned to stare at me in shock. "Why?"
I gave him an increduious look. "Because it's brilliant! I love it!" Alexander was still giving me a weird look so I said, "Alright, I know I've got some issues, but there's no need to stare."
The joke eased Alexander and he reached across to mess up my hair. "There's nothing wrong with you, sweetie,"
"Oh, come on! You make me sound like a two year old when you call me 'sweetie'!" I complained and recieved another look from Alexander.
"Would you prefer something else?" he asked innocently.
"Anything but that," I was feeling rebellious, so I decided to take things along a different path and let the old Rose come back. "Or...I'll just have to come over there and prove that I'm much older than two and I don't care if you're driving or not." I smiled seductively and Alexander shot me an unsteady glance. Ah, the old charm. "Hey," I said suddenly.
"Yes?"
"That's another thing we'll have to work on, you have to let loose sometimes. But that's not what I wanted to say; can I call you Alex?"
He paused before shooting me a charming smile. "You can do anything you want,"
I grinned wickedly, oh, you are just ASKING for trouble. "I wouldn't be so eager to promise something like that to me," I warned.
"I think I'll take my chances," he countered.
"Really?" I slowly unbuckled my seat belt and began to 'prowl' towards Alex across the short distance.
"Rose? What are you doing?" he asked as he kept glancing between me and the road.
"Anything I want," I purred and pressed my lips against his.
"Can I at least pull over so we don't crash?" he asked against my lips.
"Where's the fun in that?" I kept kissing him, but quickly pulled back when I heard a horn honk. I looked around and saw that the car on my side had the window rolled down. I rolled down my own and raised my eyebrows.
"You can make-out with your boyfriend when ever you want, just don't do it on the road!" the guy yelled at me from the other lane.
"Nah, baby, keep doing it! It's hot!" the other guy in the passenger seat yelled.
I laughed and tipped my head. "Sorry," I called to both of them and rolled up the window. Alex was giving me the strangest look. "What?"
"You're incredible, that didn't even phase you," I grinned and shook my head. "You're incredible," he repeated. "But...I already knew that,"
I smiled and leaned back in my chair. "You really don't know how insane I am," I said softly.
"Did you say something?"
I turned my face to the window to hide my smirk. "Not at all,"
*******
We were in a jewlers and the guy behind the counter reminded me of Julian. You guessed it, it's because he was gay.
"Hey there, darlings! Aren't you the sweetest couple!" the guy waved, well, tinkled his fingers at us when we walked it. It made sense for him to call us a couple because we were holding hands.
"My name is Nathaniel, can I get yours?" he said standing in front of us, he even did a little curtsy when he introduced himself.
"My name is Rose," I bowed slightly as I smiled kindly.
He took my hand and kissed it lightly. "And what a beautiful rose as well!"
I felt Alex tense when Nathaniel took my hand and I nudged him. "My name is Alexander," he said tightly.
Nathaniel gave him a confused look, but he still smiled. "Can I help you with anything?"
"Not right now, thank you, but I promise to call when we do," I smiled.
He laughed. "Ah, such a beauty with charm!" he fairly giggled then wandered away.
I turned to Alex. "Don't be stupid, he's gay," I whispered under my breath and I felt Alex relax.
He drapped an arm around my shoulders. "Okay, let's look for this chain,"
After brousing for ten minutes, I saw the perfect chain. It was just plain, sliver, very thin and perfect for the ring.
"This one, this one! Alex! This one!" I was practically hopping up and down as I pointed to the chain.
Alex leaned over my shoulder and looked at the chain. "What's so specail about it?"
"It's perfect, that's what specail!" I exclaimed and just then Nathaniel came rushing towards us from the other side of the counter.
"Isn't it just a cute little thing, you know, just to wear?" he said smiling sweetly at me.
"Yes, it's perfect, how much is it?" I asked.
"Well, for the beautiful lady, I'll give it to you for twenty dollars," he declaired.
"That's great! Thank you so much!" I was going to pull out my wallet, but Alex beat me to it. He set down a twenty and smiled at me.
"It's on me," he pecked me on the cheek and slipped his arms around my waist. I smiled and leaned my head against his shoulder and sighed contently.
Nathaniel quietly baged the chain and smiled at the two of us. "You're just the cutest thing I've ever seen, have a nice day," he tinkled his fingers at us as we walked towards the door. I kept smiling as me and Alexander leisurely walked down the street hand in hand back to the car. There was someone who caught my eye, though.
There was a boy with night black hair with a black touke pulled over his head crouched down on a step and his eyes connected with mine. The colour of those eyes scared the shit out of me because I knew that colour so well.
For some reason, he seemed familiar, but I didn't know why. I shrugged and kept walking, feeling those eyes on my back. I quickened our pace and all but ran to the car, dragging Alex behind me.
"Rose!" he exclaimed as I jumped into the car and slammed the door. I curled up in my seat and tried to calm my breathing. No, you were just imagining things, because of all that's happened today and besides anyone could have those colour eyes. ANY STRIGOI could have that eye colour. I tried to convince myself, but I knew. I knew that only one person had that eye colour. I knew because of the way that pensive stare broke through me, I knew because they were so bright, I knew because no one but Dimitri had that exact colour of crimson eyes.
Alex got in on the other side and looked at me with shock. "Rose, what's wrong?" he asked with concern. I crawled over to him and curled up in his lap.
"Please, just drive back," I whimpered. He quickly obeyed and began to drive away with one arm around me and the other stearing. I glanced back over his shoulder and saw that the boy had stood up. He was staring right at me and then, right before my eyes, he transformed, right there.
Into Dimitri.
I was right. I ducked my head against Alex and held him tightly, trying to push the image out of my head. I glanced back once more and hated what I saw. He was laughing.
So how did you like that? I hope it was long enough? And get that last bit? Dimitri was such a powerful Strigoi that he can people-shift. Like transforming his appearance completely. Was it okay?
Please tell me what you think.
And please check out the song by Skillet, it's called 'Monster' I LOVE IT!!!!!!!
Please review!
Love ya
Alice