A/N: So I don't know what happened, but half of the chapter was cut off :/ thanks to Nene Woods for catching it so now it's all fixed :) I hope you guys enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything Vampire Academy related
Getting into the car, Rose turned the radio on but doesn't pay much attention because as soon as she hit the road, she couldn't help but give in to the tormenting thoughts that were threatening to suffocate her unless she paid them attention. It wasn't a long drive, but it gave her time to sort out her thoughts. Thinking back to high school, she noticed that her parents did start fighting more often during her senior year, especially about the little things. But married couples fight all the time, right? Rose hopelessly tried to reason with herself, even though she knew that no regular couple fought like her parents, but then again who ever said Janine Hathaway and Ibrahim Mazur were a regular couple?
Her parents weren't meant to be more than a one night stand. Abe was flamboyant and always looking for a good time, while Janine was simple and restrained, always opting out of going out. When they met, she was a determined, headstrong 20 year old, studying to become who she is now - the most feared FBI agent - and he was learning the tricks of the trade to take over the family business, including the "side businesses" that made him the most dangerous man in Eastern Europe, Turkey, Russia, and US. However, one party night together and nine months later, Janine found herself giving birth to Rosemarie Hathaway a few weeks shy of her 24th birthday. And if she had had her way, she would have raised Rose all on her own and never told Abe he had a daughter. But it was her dumb luck that her father-in-law-to-be delivered her baby.
When Abe found out, he waited until the nurse took Rose to hospital nursery, and went inside and proposed to newly mother, the hospital chaplain outside waiting outside for Abe to call him in. Janine was too surprised to react, she never expected Abe to step up to his responsibilities and pull something like this. Part of her was glad that Abe wanted to be a part of Rose's life. So in less time than it took to deliver Rose, she was now Mrs. Mazur.
The more Rose thought about that story her dad once told her, and the way things have been at home, she wondered why her mother agreed to the marriage. Even at their best, her parents seemed more like good friends than a couple in love. Growing up, Rose had a rocky relationship her mother because she was the tough one, the one was strict and overbearing, never letting Rose go out on dates. Her dad, on the other hand, was a child at heart when he was with Rose, and gave her more space and freedom. This, inevitebly, caused a lot of fraction between the two parents and more often than not led to Janine scolding him. It was always Janine, with her quick temper, yelling and instigating the fights, while Abe remained calm, his voice very even, as he tried to diffuse the fight before someone said something hurtful. All through her childhood, the fights that she caught wind of were few and minor, however as soon as she turned 18 it was like a treaty had been fulfilled and there was no need to hide anymore, while the fights stayed minor and petty, they increased and became more frequent. Rose let her anger spike as she realized that her mother started all those fights and never really tried to give Abe a chance to enter her heart.
Upon entering the parking lot, Rose forced herself to calm down. She reminded herself of the good times she spent with her family, and, as bad as things got with her mother, she knew they loved each other and they had each other's backs, and a small smile formed as she thought of the small but meaningful moments with her. As she parked her car, she physically shook her shoulders, getting rid of any remaining thoughts lingering around. She grabbed her overnight bag and entered the apartment complex, taking the elevator to the penthouse suite on the top floor, ready to take a much needed break.
Ding. Before the elevator opens all the way, Rose entered the luxurious apartment, dropping her bag at the entrance of the living room before going in search of her best friend. She called out her name as she walked deeper into the apartment, getting an immediate response.
"In the kitchen," was faintly heard from the far right side of the living room.
In the kitchen, Rose found her best friend putting a pitcher in the mini fridge for drinks, her back to the newcomer, before going to attend the pot on the stove.
"Lissa what are you making?" Rose finally said, seeing as her best friend was lost in her thoughts. When Lissa jumped and the pot top (cover?) clattered against the marble counter, Rose smirked thinking, Serves u right.
"ANNOUNCE YOURSELF NEXT TIME!" Lissa said in annoyance, which didn't last long because as soon as she put the top on the pot she ran over and gave Rose a tight hug. Rose and Lissa had been best friends since kindergarten, when they were put in the same group and Rose threw a book at a boy for not sharing and called him a bastard, earning herself detention. Ever since then, the platinum blonde and dark brunette have been inseparable. Although Lissa was a bit taller, both girls had a lean frame, but where Lissa was slim and straight hips, Rose was busty and curved hips. But that never stopped the girls from sharing closets.
"You haven't answered my question," Rose said as Lissa went back to the pot.
"I got popcorn in the pot and Purple Rain in the minifridge," Lissa replied nonchalantly.
"And what, may I ask, is Purple Rain?"
"This drink Christian made last night. I don't know what it's really called so I named it Purple Rain." When she saw the confused expression she sighed before saying, "Just wait and you'll see."
"Ok..." Rose said before hopping off the stool. "I'm gonna go to the bathroom. I'll be back."
"Ok," replied Lissa over her shoulder. "Meet me in the living room."
By the time Rose returned to the living room, there was a giant bowl of popcorn on the coffee table and two cups on opposite sides of the bowl. Lissa was sitting on one side of the couch munching on a handful of popcorn and flipping through the channels. Rose sat down on the other side of the couch and grabbed the cup that was on her side and took her own handful of popcorn.
"Oh I get it," Rose said as she looked in the cup, but because her mouth had popcorn in it, the phrase sounded more like "ohf I gef if" which caused Lissa to laugh as she took a sip.
After a couple minutes of idle chatter of school and college life, Rose decided to nip the elephant in the butt and find out what has her best friend so nervous.
"Lissa, what is it? You can ask me," she said sincerely before jokingly adding, "And before you ask...no I still haven't done the deed."
Rose's comment and Lissa's laughter alleviated some of the tension, but didn't make them forget what Rose had first said. With the exhaling of a deep breathe, Lissa brought to mind the question that's been bugging her.
"Rose, what happened when you got home?"
Choking on her drink, Rose looked up and straight into Lissa's eyes. She knew she couldn't lie to her best friend, but she didn't want to talk about it. She didn't even want to think about it, that's why she came over. Her dark mahogany brown eyes must have given a hint to that because she saw understanding and sympathy run through her friend's jade green eyes. Not wanting to run the risk of breaking down, she looked down at her drink.
"So Liss, what's in this drink?" Rose asked, diffusing the awkward silence, not looking up.
Clearing her throat Lissa answered, "Piña Colada Sobe, Blue Raspberry Gatorade, and Cranberry Juice." Rose nodded her head and took a sip. "What do you want to do tonight? We can watch something on Netflix or..." Lissa trailed off when she saw the smile growing on Rose's face. Not a cheeky, "I like that idea" kind of smile, but a Chesire, "I'm glad you asked" kind of smile.
"I'm thinking big Liss. Like City Nights big." Lissa almost fell face first onto the coffee table when she exploded out of her seat in excitement. As she let out a breath of relief, she remembered something...or someone. Catching the slight damper in her mood, Rose said, "The boys will be here around 8 and Mia should be here in any minute. Can I take a quick shower?"
"No. Go ahead, I'll pick something out and plug in the straightener and curler."
"Already plugged it in," Rose said as she walked to the bathroom. Lissa took the empty popcorn bowl to the sink and was about to get the cups when she heard heels clicking against the wood, coming from the opposite direction Rose had gone in. When she turned around she saw a petite with her buttery blonde hair in a bun and a bag as heavy as she in one hand. Mia kicked her heels off as soon as she got off the elevator and went straight for couch, giving the biggest sigh of content when she laid down on it, making Lissa laugh. However, her laughter caught in her throat when she saw Mia's ocean blue eyes give her an icy stare.
Mia Rinaldi was a year younger than Lissa and Rose, and shorter than Rose. Before the accident, Andre had a fling with her and then promptly dumped her. However, instead of letting it go, she went after Lissa, and, unbeknown to her, Rose as well. Even though the vengeance was against Lissa, most of the time it ended up being Rose and Mia going at it. From water "accidently falling" on top of Rose to Rose's hand "accidently" breaking Mia's nose, for the better part of a year there was no limit as to as far this went. It was as harmless as Rose calling Mia a little girl because of her petite appearance (and her hairdo didn't help), but got as damaging as Mia spreading rumors about Rose. After Lissa and Rose found out what happened between Mia and Andre, they back off and talked to Mia, and eventually the three made peace with each other and became close friends.
"Well, hello to you too, Mia," Lissa said in her usually cheerful manner. Mia groaned in response as she sat up.
Getting out of the shower, Rose saw Mia curling her hair into her signature ringlets and Lissa straightening her hair.
"Hey Dollface!" Rose said with a playful smirk that grew when Mia shot her a glare.
"Ho."
"Slut."
"Tramp."
"Baby."
"Bitch."
"Aw I missed you too," Rose squealed as she wiped away an invisible tear before hugging her friend, all three girls laughing at the normal greeting between the two hard-headed friends. Immediately, they fell into casual conversation and playful banter as they did their hair and makeup before going to Lissa's room to get dressed.
Ding. The elevator door's announcement of the new visitors went unnoticed as the girl's music and laughter from all the way in the back of the apartment could be heard by the newcomers as they made their way to the living room. Deciding not to burst the carefree bubble the girls had made, the guys sit down on the couch and turn the TV on, putting on the baseball game. Immediately, they are sucked into the intense and heart-racing inning, their reactions so vocal and loud that the girls can hear them from down the hall.
Having nothing else to do, Mia, Lissa, and Rose have been laying on Lissa's bed reminiscing stories from high school or sharing stories from college, laughing and enjoying each other's company. With the music blasting from the stereo, it felt just like old times when everyone would get together and just hang out.
"I miss Sydney," Rose said suddenly, looking down at the bed, messing with the blanket. Her solemn tone wiping away the laughter in everyone's attitude.
"Yea. Me too," said both Lissa and Mia, looking at their nails or at the bed.
"I mean it's great that she's fulfilling her dream and studying in Russia," Rose quickly interjected, mentally kicking herself for ruining the mood. Both girls just nod slowly, all three knowing that it doesn't quite feel like a blast for the past without Sydney.
"Well, actually living Russia's not her dream home," Mia said matter-of-factly. "It was the compromise her parents made before letting her go to New Orleans."
"Yea, but I mean Russia does have amazing architecture, the field of study she loves. And watch she's gonna end up loving St. Petersburg and staying there all four year."
"I hope not! She can't leave us to fend for ourselves for four years!" Lissa says jokingly, causing the four to go into a git of giggles as they remember how much trouble they avoided thanks to Sydney's calm state of mind, quick thinking, and collectiveness.
Then out of nowhere, Mia lets out the most irritated sigh and grabs the stereo remote from the nightstand next to her. Both Lissa and Rose gave her identical questioning looks, but as soon as Mia paused the music they understood their friend's frustration. As they stayed on the bed, they didn't have to wait long before they heard the guys cheering and cursing in response to whatever they were watching...probably some sport's game, they all thought.
"Well, then I guess it's time to go," Mia said
"Do we have toooo," Rose whined like a five year old being told they were going to the doctors. Lissa looked at her, her face contorted in confusion.
"This was your idea!" She said slightly annoyed.
"Yea I know...ok let's go," Rose said determiningly, putting her heels and heading towards the door, saying with mock frustration, "Weeeeeell, aren't you coming?" Causing the two blondes to shake their head as they followed suit.
"Hey man you got some beer?" Mason asked when the commercials came on
"Hell no! Lissa would kill me if I had beer in here," Christian said, sounding appalled that his friend would even consider the thought. Then, he gave his trademark smirk before saying, "Go check the fridge, second shelf, behind the tub of margarine."
"Only you would find a way to do that. How has Lissa not seen it?" Eddie said, shaking his head in disapproval that wasn't taken serious because of that cheeky grin he had on.
"Yea man, she loves to bake as much as you love to cook." Mason said over his shoulder as he went to fetch the bottles.
"Cus...that tub hasn't been open. The one that's being used is on the top shelf." Christian replied to Eddie.
"Well, I sure hope the girls don't finish anytime soon. At least not until the inning ends," Mason said when he came back, handing the other two their bottle and taking a seat.
"You think they heard us?" Eddie asked, glancing down the hall as if he could see if they did.
"Psh. Do you hear how loud they have their music? I highly doubt it." Christian scoffed.
"Yea, but Mia has super hearing I swear it! It scares the crap out of me." Eddie said, slight fear written over his face, memories of the testaments to Mia's hearing causing him to shiver a bit.
"You're kidding. Dude! She barely makes it up to your shoulder! You're a goddamn military soldier! You've literally come face-to-face with death and didn't shit in your pants, and you're telling me you're scared of you girlfriend!" Mason said, truly outraged.
"I'm not scared of her…" Eddie started to say before they all heard the warning sound. the not-so-light click-clacking of three pair of heels hitting the wooden floor in the hallway. The three roommates looked up at each other, all thinking the same thing: Shit.
Christian was the first to react and he grabbed the beer bottles and put them in the cabinet to the upper right of the TV, the one that held his video games, and the one Lissa never checked. Eddie got up after and turned off the TV, while Mason gave the guys two stick of gum to mask the beer breath with peppermint. When the three convened in the space between the TV and coffee table, the heels could be heard on the other side of the wall.
When the three best friends came around, it could be seen that they put all their effort into not outright laughing at their date's reaction. All three guys looked as stunned and breathless as if they were looking at a goddess - and for them they were - and they just stood their like that for a minute, not knowing what to do or say.
"Wow," was the best the ever brilliant Mason Ashford could say. And his just as brilliant best friend shook their head like their were in a trance in agreement.