Dimitri's Point of View
It was the first snowfall of the season and I was making my way across the quad. All around me students were engaged in snowball fights, and Rose was no exception. I chuckled lightly to myself when I caught her land a blow to her friend Mason's face. She noticed me looking and winked before returning to her antics. She had a wicked glint her in eyes and I pitied the poor fool who dared to mess with her.
I was just finishing up with my dinner when I heard a commotion outside of the cafeteria. After dumping my tray I headed outside to investigate and what I found surprised me. A little girl from the Elementary dorms was cowering behind Rose while two older boys taunted her with the snowballs in their hands. The expression on Rose's face was livid.
"What kind of tools resort to picking on small children?" she growled, glaring at the two idiots in front of her. I could tell from the battered appearance of the little girl that Rose hadn't intervened soon enough to spare her completely.
"Oh relax Mazur; we're just having a little fun!"
"Fun?" she growled, scooping up a handful of snow.
"Yeah you know, Fun. That thing you tight ass Royals never have."
Whoa…big mistake kid, I thought when Rose's angry glare turned murderous. The two boys were so busy cackling at their own joke that they were completely unprepared when a hard snowball pelted one of them in the face. The other barely had a chance to register a look of shock before he suffered the same fate. I could tell the snowballs were packed tightly, because you could already see the red marks forming. The little girl who was hiding behind Rose let out an adorable giggle and Rose's expression softened in response.
"You know what, you're right. That was fun." She smirked before scooping up another handful of snow. Both boys eyes grew wide when they saw her and this only egged her own further.
"What are we not having fun anymore?" she asked feigning innocence. "And here I thought a couple of tough guys like yourselves could handle a little snowball. My mistake." She shrugged, turning her back on the two dumbstruck fools. She crouched down to the little girl's level so she could brush some wet hair out of her face, and gently straightened the hat that had been knocked crooked.
"Are you okay sweetie?" Rose asked the little girl tenderly. She nodded an adorable whole body nod and Rose laughed at the sight. The girl couldn't have been more than 6.
"What's your name?"
"Katya" she said shyly looking down at her feet.
"Well Katya, my name is Rose. And if those two boys ever mess with you again, you come find me okay?"
Katya looked up at Rose with clear admiration and a beautiful full smile broke out on her tiny face. Once again she nodded with her whole body and ran off to join her other friends. I stayed there long enough to watch Rose bump into the two idiots and laughed when she muttered and walked away.
"Tools..."
It had been two weeks since the night in Rose's dorm room and she'd been avoiding me like the plague. I couldn't say that I really blamed her, but that didn't mean it wasn't torture to watch her go about her life. It was the reason I had resorted to recalling all my old memories of her, using it as a way to keep her close.
That day on the quad with the snowballs was the first time I saw just how compassionate and protective Roza could be. She didn't know that little girl from Adam and yet when she saw her being bullied, she didn't think twice about intervening. She was fierce by nature, and our training sessions had only added to her confidence. Not many Moroi had the strength of mind or body to endure the training I put her through, but Rose was tough and she rarely ever complained. It was just one of many things I grew to admire about her, and still admired to this day.
I was still lost in my thoughts about Rose when I noticed the class begin to empty. In what had become a normal routine for us, Rose passed me with a simple nod of acknowledgment before heading out of the classroom. I watched her go wistfully until I heard Ivan let out a heavy sigh.
"Dude, you're pathetic. Just talk to her already."
"I tried Ivan; she doesn't want to hear it. And you know what, I don't blame her."
But he didn't seem convinced.
"Dimitri, I swear for a smart guy sometimes you are completely clueless. Rose may be angry with you, but even a blind man can see she still loves you. I've caught her staring from time to time as well. The thing is, she doesn't trust you anymore, so now she's making you work for it. Show her you're not going anywhere this time, and I guarantee she'll warm up to you in no time." He finished his little rant looking so smug that I simply rolled my eyes. Of course later on when I got to thinking about it, I realized he just might be right. The only question now was how do I prove it to her?
Rose's Point of View
"How about this one?" Sophia asked holding up a sexy black dress from the closet. Sophia was my guardian and closest friend next to Lissa. We'd all attended academy together and my dad had pulled some strings to make sure she was assigned to me after graduation.
"Too sexy. It' a bonfire Sophie, not the prom."
"True, but Dimitri's going to be there, don't you want him to eat his heart out?"
It was true, I was nervous about Dimitri being there tonight, but that didn't mean I was willing to dress like a whore to get his attention.
"Dimitri will eat his heart out no matter what I wear, now help me find something practical!" I encouraged, turning my attention back to Lissa's hair.
"Have you two talked anymore since the other night?" Lissa asked, drawing Sophia's interest from the closest.
"Nope." I said, making sure to pop the P to annoy her. Lissa hates when I do that.
"Rose, you have to talk to him eventually." Lissa argued. I still couldn't understand how after everything she watched me suffer through she could be so team Romitri.
"Why Liss, give me one good reason why."
"Because you still love him, and he obviously still loves you." Damn Lissa and her freakin' logic.
After 3 more outfit rejections I settled on a pair of blue skinny jeans, brown boots and a deep purple cashmere sweater. For being early September there had been quite a chill in the air, and lead me to believe we were in for a long Pennsylvania winter.
When we arrived at the bonfire, Lissa immediately went in search for Christian. Sometimes it was a complete drag to have a best friend in a serious relationship, but having Sophia to stick around as a wingman usually helped. I tried my best not to focus on Dimitri, but as soon as he came into my orbit, I felt that familiar tug towards him. Chancing a glance at him I found him giving me a warm smile that set my heart a flutter.
"Okay not to sound insensitive, but damn Dimitri looks hot." Sophia admitted shamelessly and laughed when I gave her the evil eye. She wasn't lying though; he was the picture of perfection. He had his air down loose around his shoulders the way I liked, and the blue jeans he was wearing fit him snugly in all the right places. It wasn't until he turned around completely that I noticed the sweater he was wearing. It was partly obscured by the jacket he was wearing but I'd know that red sweater anywhere. It was the one I bought him for Christmas two years ago after complaining that he didn't own anything in his wardrobe that wasn't black. He seemed to notice my preoccupation with his attire and started to make his way over.
"Nice sweater" I commented when he was close enough to hear.
"Thanks, it was a gift from someone special." He smirked and I couldn't help the small smile that spread out on my face.
"Well isn't this nice, seeing the two of you getting along." Ivan bellowed, holding a bright red solo cup in his hands. Clearly he was halfway in the bottle.
"Are you drunk already?" I asked and Dimitri gave me a knowing look.
"Hey, don't get all judgey on me. And here I was going to offer you my drink." Ivan slurred, sloshing around the liquid in his cup.
"Thanks but I'll pass." I laughed, noticing the grimace on Dimitri's face.
"Who's your hot friend?" Ivan asked suddenly, drawing his attention towards Sophia. She rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed by him and I had to stifle a laugh at her expression.
"Ivan Zelekos, this is Sophia Romanov, my guardian." Sophia extended her hand politely and Ivan quickly pulled her hand to his mouth to kiss it.
"It's lovely to meet you Sophia. You can guard my body any day."
"Really? That's the best you've got?" Sophia asked sarcastically pulling her hand away from his face. Ivan's face fell slightly as he watched Sophia stalk away towards the drink table.
"What did I say?" he asked, looking between Dimitri and me. Dimitri just shook his head laughing, and patted his drunken friend on the back. Just as quickly as he noticed Sophia, someone else caught his attention and his cheeky smirk returned. "Excuse me you two."
For the longest minute, we both stood their silently feeling awkward. It didn't used to be that way with us, and it made me sad to feel that way now. Looking at Dimitri I knew he was feeling the same thing. I racked my brain for something to say to ease the tension but every time I went to open my mouth it just didn't seem to feel right. I was just about to give up and walk away when Dimitri grabbed my hand.
"Please don't go." He said softly, begging me with his chocolate brown eyes. I tried to fight against that electric pull I felt between us but it was useless. One look at those eyes and I was hypnotized.
"Take a walk with me?" He asked, and I nodded my head stupidly. I was vaguely aware of an exchange between him and Sophia as he silently asked her to keep an eye on Ivan and after gripping his hand tightly around mine, we took off at a walk towards the tree line.