A/N:

I usually don't reply to my reviewers, but I want you all to know I appreciate each and EVERY one of your reviews. I love to hear what you guys think of my story and I'm glad you all are enjoying it so far. It gives me tons of inspiration to write.

Again, I apologize if I get any military information incorrect. Plenty of my stuff will be wrong, I basically make it all up in head. I only do little research because I don't have the time and energy to spend hours searching for information. So just roll with it and ignore my mistakes! After all, this is just fiction. ;-)

I give this new chapter to my readers as a BIG thank you! You guys ROCK! :-)

Until next time,

Breanna

Rated T for language.

"For the hundredth time, Ashford, I am sorry!"

Mason sat on one of the lounge chairs the seniors had packed for this survival 101 class. The dieing flames of the sleeping fire cast a glow over his blazing red hair.

Lissa kneeled by his side, tentatively bandaging up his wounds. I guess having a nurse as a best friend comes in handy more than you think it would.

His glare hardened until his face was set into a permanent scowl. I found it extremely difficult to keep contact with the color of his stormy grey-blue eyes. I some how managed not to look away.

I'm Rose Hathaway, I don't back down. And there was no way in hell I would let Mason believe he had the dominant upper-hand here.

"Sorry for what?" The tone of his voice was icier than frost.

"I'm sorry for pushing you into the tent, and leaving you alone and defenseless against a raccoon." I mumbled.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that," Mason's freckle dusted ear perked up, his voice mocking. "Would you be so kind as to repeat yourself, Ms. Hathaway?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. He at least had the decency to flinch.

"I am sorry I allowed the raccoon to attack you." I repeated my apology.

Mason smiled triumphantly, like he'd just won the lottery. "Thank you, Ms. Hathaway. I forgive you for purposely forcing me onto a wild animal and leaving me to get attacked…all so you could protect yourself."

I rolled my eyes at his teasing. One thing I loved about Mason was his ability to get angry and then loosen up a minute later, returning to his care-free sense of humor. He was a lot like me. The only difference: I usually stayed mad.

I nodded. "I'll make sure it doesn't happen again. Next time we come up against a rabid animal, whether it be a bear, pig, mountain lion, vipers, or Canadian geese…I got your back, Mase."

"After all, we have to remember one of the most important rules of the academy: No cadet shall be left behind." I said.

He chuckled, a genuine amused laugh. "I think you're finally grasping the concept of this school. I'm impressed."

I brushed off my shoulders, like it was no big deal. "I suppose St. Augustine's is growing on me."

"All done!" Lissa declared. She stood and ripped the pair of latex gloves from her pale fingers and disposed of them in a nearby trash can.

"I hate gloves," I murmured.

Mason's cute face scrunched up with curiosity. "Why?"

"The powder inside of it makes my hands itch," I explained. "Plus why are they so tight? They feel like condoms for hands."

"I hate condoms." he muttered.

"Anyways," Liss spoke up, rolling her bright jade green eyes at the two of us. "Mason, the Raccoon did show signs of Rabies—the foaming of white substance at his mouth indicated that. However, on the bright side, he only scratched your skin with his claws, you clearly weren't bitten…therefore the Rabies shot won't be necessary."

"Sweet Jesus," Mason looked up to the sky and perched on his knees. "Thank you, thank you so much."

He breathed a sigh of relief and stood up. "I heard that damn rabies shot was painful."

Lissa nodded solemnly. "From what I've been told and the stories from my patients…It's defiantly not the most pleasant experience in the world." She finished with a forced chuckle.

I snorted. "Afraid of needles are we, Ashford?"

Mason's eyes widened. He managed to quickly regain his composure and slip on his blank mask. His voice was defensive. "No, absolutely not."

That was a lie if I'd ever heard one.

"I'll have to write that fear down in my note book, it might come in handy later."

He opened his mouth to protest but Lissa cut him off, ignoring the both of us. "Just make sure to rinse out the cuts a minimum of four times daily, or else they can become infected...and that could develop into a more serious issue. We don't want that."

She shook her head like a disapproving mother would after catching her child's hand in the cookie jar. Mason bounced his head side to side, agreeing with her and mouthed the word 'No.'

"Rubbing alcohol will help clean and disinfect the wounds, so make sure to apply that as well." she said.

"What about Neosporin?" I asked curiously. Lissa was a nurse after all, she helped heal and save peoples lives.

She nodded. "Yes, that will help too, but only after the wounds have scabbed over."

"Eww," I commented.

"Also in appreciatively four or five days, give or take. I want you to remove the bandages and let the injuries heal by allowing them some air." Lissa paused. "After you have done all of that, you should be fine."

Mason nodded gratefully. "Thank you."

She beamed at him, flashing a blinding white smile that glowed in the dark and fashioned two pointy canine teeth.

Damn, I'd always wished I could have teeth like that. They almost looked like vampire fangs. Cool.

Instead I was cursed with normal, flat teeth. But hey, I'll take what I can get. And I'll admit, I had a pretty smile—just not an exotic one like Lissa's.

"You're welcome." she said softly.

I yawned and stretched my arms and legs out wide like a cat. "Well. I'd like to stay out here and chat with you lovely's all night…but it's late and I'm tired."

"Yeah, me too." Lissa and Mason agreed.

After our good nights, Lissa shuffled off to her tent—I had a feeling she wasn't going to be staying in there long, not with Christian looming around anyways.

I had to ask one more question.

"Hey Mase," I called out.

"Shh!" He made over dramatic hand movements to silence me. He looked like a mental patient who had been out of pills for a good while.

"What?" I whispered yelled. Mason was standing just outside of his tent.

"You could wake someone up and we'll both get in trouble!"

I would had thought the situation was comical if I was an outsider watching in on us. Mason and I were screaming at each other through whispers.

"Oh," I paused. "Afraid of the big, bad General?"

"Of course I am! Everyone is…that man is a dick!"

I grimaced. "And that man is standing right behind you."

Mason stood there frozen like a block of ice. Judging from how afraid he looked, you'd assume Jason or Freddy Krueger was standing behind him.

Was Dimitri really that terrifying to defy?

"Naw," I chuckled. "I was just jerking your chain."

His expression went from fear to anger in an instant. "You little b—"

"Ah, ah, Mase," I clicked my tongue. "No need to get nasty now, I just wanted to ask you a question."

"What is the question?" he said behind gritted teeth.

I jerked my head towards my tent. "Meeko still in there?"

He shook his head.

"Well, where did he go then? I know he didn't just vanish into thin air." I was tired, irritated, covered in bite marks, and I'd had just about enough.

"When I ran screaming out of there," he said. "That little bastard chased me down."

"So…he's for sure out of there?" I asked.

"Yep," Mason pursed his lips, forming a tight line. "That little rascal is long gone out in the woods somewhere."

I nodded. "Thanks Mase, goodnight."

"Wait," he called out.

I was already in the tent so I poked my head out. "Yeah?"

"Here's a little tip for next time," Mason clasped his hands together, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Don't bring food into your tent, wild animals can sniff it from miles away and they'll go bananas for it."

"It was just a bag of chips," A part of me was sad that I'd lost them. "I was planning on eating them tonight. They weren't even in there for very long."

A small smile touched his lips. "Obviously long enough."

I rolled my eyes and zipped my tent shut on him, ending our conversation.

"Good night, Hathaway." Mason's sing song voice was carried by the wind.

Good night indeed.

When I dreamt, it was defiantly not the most pleasant experience.

I stared up into the cloudy ivory sky. It was too bright for my eyes and I had to look away. I tried to move my head but it wouldn't budge. I wanted it to move so badly but it was like my body was glued to the spot.

The whiteness increased, burning my eyes and giving me a blaring migraine. The pain in my head was horrible, I felt like someone had hit me repeatedly with a sledge hammer.

I groaned but the sound came out funny since my lips were frozen, or at least they felt like it. I tried to wiggle my toes. Nothing. I tried to squeeze my hands. Nothing.

My whole body was paralyzed. The only thing I could do was move my eyes and that sent a sharp pain to the back of my brain. I told the pain to leave me the fuck alone and ignored it as best I could.

I used my eyes to look around. Nothing but blinding white met my vision. I felt like I was floating on a cloud. Was this what heaven felt like?

I sure hoped not.

What was wrong with me? I tried to fight the oblivion off, but it made sure I was unable to move. I couldn't tell the difference between reality anymore. Everything around me was candy sugar-coated. It couldn't be real. No, it defiantly couldn't be.

Everything was so disorienting. A large blue cloud danced in front of my vision so fast it made me want to double over and vomit.

The large blue cloud cast a shadow over the blinding white light and it took my eyes a moment to adjust to the darkness. Everything was still a blur, but I was able to make things out clearer.

"Hello, my dear…everything is going to be alright. Just take a deep breath and relax."

I made out the silhouette of a man—at least that's what I think it was—with a blue mask on. A surgical mask, I realized. He had a standard doctors hat on as well, and that combined with the mask only let me see his eyes. They were a deep sea green. They almost looked familiar…

But I was positive I had never seen or met this man before. My gut feeling insisted on that fact.

He smiled a blurry white smile. There was something sadistic to it. Evil. I didn't like it.

"This is just going to hurt a little bit." The man held up a glass vile filled with a clear liquid. A moment later, the shadow of a syringe cast over my face.

I made a noise of protest. This was wrong. My mind was telling me it was wrong.

"No!" I screamed. But nothing came out of my mouth except a small moan.

"No!" I repeated myself over and over again. But nothing happened. My lips felt like they were super-glued shut.

"Shh, shh, Rosemarie," How does he know my name? "Just relax, hun…you'll be fine—for now."

I felt a pinch on the fold of my arm. The needle.

A second later, I felt a burning sensation as he injected the contents into my blood stream.

I screamed in agony. The sound seemed to be a little louder than the others. But it still wasn't enough. I couldn't move. I couldn't talk. I could feel pain.

I was useless.

I felt like was being held underwater. I was trapped in my own body and couldn't get out.

"It's okay, it's okay…" Something metal shined against the light. A scapel.

I felt it cut deep into my skin. A horrible, stingy feeling. A crimson color reflected in his green eyes. My blood, my life line seeping out of me…

I gasped and shot up causing my head to hit the roof of the tent. My mouth was dry and my skin felt overheated. The tank top I was wearing was drenched in sweat and clung to my back, like a napkin thrown over spilled juice.

I tried to shake the remaints of my nightmare away, but there was still a wave of panic washed over me. My heart was beating so fast you could see my chest move with it. I began shaking uncontrollably.

The dream felt so realistic. I could have sworn I was there. The pain was real…I could still feel the burning needle stabbing into my skin and the stinging incision he made across my abdomen with a scalpel.

"Hello sleeping beauty,"

I shrieked and my hands automatically flew to my mouth.

"Did I scare you?" Dimitri smile was a predatory one, yet it held a tint of playfulness. His body was half in my tent, cutting off at the waist. The rest of him was kneeled outside.

I gulped. "No."

"Are you sure?" Those graceful fingers of his touched the sheet that was draped over my thighs, caressing the cotton material. "You look pretty frightened to me."

I jerked my head side to side. "Just had a nightmare, that's all."

His dark brows furrowed in concern. "Want to tell me about it?"

I shook my head once again. I seemed to be doing that a lot. "Not yet,"

"That bad?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'll tell you when I'm ready, okay?"

Dimitri nodded but he still looked uncertain, as if he didn't believe me. "I'm sure you'll come around to it."

I coughed. "So why are you in my tent? I'm not really one for good mornings…" Unless you're laying next to me, I silently added to myself.

The cool breeze blew in from outside. The invisible force touched my skin and fanned my hair out. The sweat on my body froze and turned into gel. The aroma was damp with water. It smelled almost like rain, but I knew it wasn't raining. The water scent flowed from the creek just outside of my tent.

He shrugged. "I just came here to check on you and bring you some breakfast."

Without taking his eyes off me, he stretched one muscular arm out of the tent. I heard the scratchy sounds of dirt and rocks rubbing together and a second later his hand popped back inside, holding a medium-sized brown paper bag. He handed it to me.

I couldn't help but smile. "What's in here?"

"Look inside and find out yourself," He maneuvered in all the way and zipped the door shut behind him.

I raised both eyebrows, thanks to my inability to raise one. "Did you bring all of the other cadets' breakfast too?"

Dimitri eyes immediately flickered down sheepishly, refusing to make eye contact with me. I saw a flash of emotion cross his flash for a split second…Shame? Embarrassment?

I couldn't tell. His dark, thick eyelashes obscured my view.

Finally, after a few moments, he answered. "No."

I chuckled and peered inside the bag. Two multi-colored sprinkled donuts and two chocolate glazed donuts stared back at me.

"How did you know these were my favorite?" I asked around a mouthful of food. I'd already managed to eat a whole one; I was working on my second.

He smiled. A warm, pleasantly amused smile. The one that lit my insides on fire and awoke feelings I thought would remain buried forever—ever since my boyfriends' tragic death.

"I know they're your favorite." The smile remained evident in his voice.

"How?"

"I can't tell you."

"Why?"

"General secrets." He said.

I shook my head and decided to let it go. I knew I would never get an honest answer out of him.

I giggled out of the blue. Dimitri rose an eyebrow and stared at me strangely, this only made me giggle harder.

"Why are you laughing at me?"

I shook my head and covered my mouth with my hand, trying to stop my endless giggles but it didn't work.

I pointed to his head.

Dimitri glanced around. "What?"

"Your head, it's hitting the roof," I chuckled. "It's got to be uncomfortable…you're too tall for this tent."

Dimitri's head was cocked to the side like a curious puppy. I knew the muscles in his neck had to be aching with strain.

He shrugged. "I've had worse."

I wanted to ask him what he meant by that, but decided against it at the last moment. When Dimitri was being this kind and gentle, you didn't risk loosing it by trying to ask personal questions about him self. He'd retreat like a turtle when they hid in their shells, and turn into that hard-ass general once again.

I didn't want that right now. I favored Dimitri, not General Belikov.

"Here," I patted the spot beside me. "Lay here, it won't hurt your neck as much."

He looked extremely hesitant.

"Come on, big boy," I coaxed.

Dimitri remained tense and hesitant.

I laughed. "I won't bite, I promise."

His dark brown eyes narrowed in suspicion ever so lightly. He lay down beside me. I fought the urge to squeal with excitement.

Sure, his body was press against the other side—as far away from me as possible. But he still laid down! That was an improvement. Maybe I was getting somewhere after all…

Dimitri was like a giant glacier. I had my ice pick and was slowing chipping away at him…one piece of ice at a time. As more ice fell, so did walls and restrictions keeping us apart. All I needed was time and patience. Yes, defiantly patience. Patience was key.

"How is the bites?" He reached over and peeled the sheets away, revealing my bare legs and feet.

I gasped. "They've almost entirely vanished!"

He grinned. "Yes, I told you the anti-bacterial ointment would be very helpful."

"Indeed," I nodded. "But that shit felt like acid against my skin. It hurt like hell."

Dimitri's eyes shadowed with disapprove.

"Sorry," I lowered my head. "I can't help it…I've got the mouth of a dirty sailor."

He grasped my chin with his fingers, forcing me to look him in the eye. "Don't be sorry. It's a part of who you are."

"Are you saying that you don't mind me swearing?"

He ran a frustrated hand through his long hair and released me. I instantly felt the loss of his tingly skin against mine. I pouted. "No, I just don't particularly like to hear you swear. It's a terrible habit. But…"

"But what?"

He shrugged, and even though he was resting on his side, he managed to look graceful. I was almost jealous. Almost.

"I guess I'm just used to it."

"Used to it?" I laughed before I could stop myself. "Does that mean you've spent so much time around me that you're okay hearing people swear?"

He shrugged again and didn't say anything.

I exhaled and took a bite of the sprinkled donut. The sweet taste of icing and sugar danced across my tongue. I moaned.

Dimitris' eyes went wide as a UFO ships.

"What?" I tucked a lock of dark hair behind me ear. It was a nervous habit of mine when I felt uneasy. I went into defensive mode. "It's delicious."

He swallowed hard like it hurt. Slowly, so slowly he lifted his hand to my face. He held it there away from me for a few seconds, hesitating, give me the opportunity to push him away if I wanted to.

I didn't. I wanted him as close to me humanly possible.

I closed my eyes. A moment later I felt the brush of his thumb across my bottom lip. Hot and feverish and tingly. I shivered. I kept my eyes close, enjoying the feeling of his touch.

"A sprinkle, Roza," Dimitris' voice was husky, the pronounced Russian accent becoming more audible. The way he rolled his R's did things to my body I wouldn't admit out loud.

I opened my eyes to see a single white sprinkle dangling from his finger. A second later he popped it into his mouth. I nearly blushed and didn't have a damn clue why.

His hand returned to my lips, and not in search of a stray piece of food. I bit my bottom lip unconsciously and accidentally nipped his tan hand, lightly.

He pulled back. "I though you said you don't bite."

"Not in the way you're afraid of." I winked.

His relaxed face suddenly went tense and guarded.

Dimitri shot up and cleared his throat harshly. "I must be going; the cadets will be getting up soon."

Before I knew what was happening, he'd unzipped the tent and was flying out faster than Spiderman.

What had I done to scare him off?

His emotions were like light switches; on and off. Hot and cold.

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

He spoke in monotone, voiding his face of all emotions. It was cowardly. "Just get some rest and relax, you still have quite some time before the tests start. It's only dawn."

The gray dim light hovering above the nearly translucent fabric of the tent confirmed that it was only dawn. At least I could get some uninterrupted and hopefully dreamless sleep. That would be pleasant.

Dimitri zipped the door shut hastily and was gone before I could say bye.

I drowned the pillow over my face and fell into a deep, dark oblivion.

I dressed in my bikini; the color was a rich royal blue and went perfectly with my olive skin tone. After slipping into my white flip-flops and applying a fair amount of tanning oil to my body—something I knew would set Dimitri off, he'd made it specifically clear that cadets were to wear sun block and nothing else—I was ready to go swimming.

The sun beat down on my skin heavily. Sweat trickled down my spine. I loved the feeling of it. It reminded me of home and the summers I shared with Mia. My skin would get such a deep, rich brown that looked wonderful in everything I wore. The suns rays always cured any bad mood I was in and made me happy.

I met Lissa and Christian by the breakfast benches. Lissa was dressed in a lime-green bikini that matched her eyes perfectly. Her pale skin glowed and reflected in the sun like a mirror. I was nearly blinded. Her platinum blonde hair was the color of rich gold in the light.

Christian stood there, carefully rubbing lotion onto her back.

"Yeah, you're defiantly going to need that with how pale you are, Liss." I said.

She smiled, genuinely pleased to see me. "Good morning to you too."

I grinned back unable to help myself.

"Yeah, well we aren't all lucky as you to have tan complexions," Christian turned around so Lissa was able to smooth some SPF onto his back. White swim trunks rode low on his hips. "Some of us can't tan in the sun…we just end up burning."

"I hope you get as red as a lobster." I laughed.

Lissa narrowed her eyes. "That's not very nice."

"Not you, Liss," I corrected. "Just Christian…"

She shrugged.

Christian gaped, feigning hurt. "Did you not just here what your best friend said about me, Honey? Defend your man!"

Lissa smiled and didn't say anything. I laughed.

"I cannot believe you are not outraged at her," Christian jerked one finger in my direction. "She hopes I get burned until I look like a red lobster! That has to hurt you somewhere in that cunning, soulless body of yours…"

"It does," she nodded solemnly. "It hurts the deepest, darkest parts of my insides…it burns, baby, it burns."

Lissa pulled on his shoulders; he flipped around so he could face her. She began applying more lotion to his pale chest.

Christians body had a little muscle to it, not much…he was more lanky than muscular. It complimented him nicely though, he was meant to have a skinny body. It fit his tall frame well.

"Why do I get the feeling you're being sarcastic?" He narrowed his ice-blue eyes at her.

"I'm not, baby," She leaned on her tip toes and planted a kiss to his lips. Lissa giggled when he tried to go in for more and pushed him away.

I gagged.

"That's right, sweetie," Christian whispered. Lissa was rubbing lotion across his stomach. "Just a little bit more. Go lower…lower…lower."

"Christian! Stop it!" Lissa scolded and smacked his stomach lightly.

He grinned like the Cheshire cat, some of his jet-black hair blew into his face. "Sorry babe."

He looked anything but.

Lissa was so kind as to pack us a few refreshments and snacks in her giant, pink beach bag. I cracked open a can of sprite and munched on a bag of pretzels.

Myself, Lissa, Christian, Mason, and Eddie were all seated next to one another on the cool damp earth. I'd made sure that our spot wasn't anywhere near that damn fire ant hill.

All the cadets lounged around watching the Survival 101 water tests go down. I didn't pay much attention; my eyes were focused on Dimitri. He was wearing a tight black top and navy blue swim trunks that every male instructor did.

He hadn't even said a word to me since he left my tent so abruptly this morning.

Hell, he barely even spared me a glance. I did catch his eyes once though. Dimitri stared at me coldly for a second, and then looked away quickly.

He then did something that made my heart stop.

Dimitri removed his shirt.

I heard Lissa's small gasp. Yeah, she knew he was one hot piece of ass too…

He threw his shirt to the ground. It was the first time I'd ever seen his body bare before, since he always kept it hidden behind his military uniform.

Dimitri looked warm and amazing and inviting.

His chest matched the color of my skin tone. Broad shoulders, wide chest, and narrow hips complimented his body. He was muscular—that was obvious—but not bulky like a lot of other weight lifters can get. Perfect. I wanted to run my hands across the smoothness of his abdomen. To top it all off, he was hairless. I approved.

He scribbled something down on his clip board.

I gulped and very reluctantly looked away. I couldn't sit there drooling over him all day, nothing would get done.

"Edgar, you're up first." Dimitri's deep voice rang out with authority.

"What a name." I snorted. He heard me and let it go.

About an hour or so later, it was finally my turn.

"Let's do this!" I fist pumped the air. I ran and stood by the waters edge, my body crouched and poised ready to dive right in.

"Ms. Hathaway," I heard the smile in his Russian accented voice. "If you're going to dive in, you might want to get somewhat deeper into the water. If not, you'll end up crashing your entire body into the rocks and sand."

I glared at him, more angry at myself that I'd had missed something so obvious. He was right, if I dove right into the shallow water, it'd be like jumping into a pile of rocks and shells. I'd get cuts that would sting like a bee-otch. Hell, knowing my luck…I'd probably hit my head really hard and get a concussion.

Dimitri continued talking and I'd really wish he'd shut his trap. "I really don't want to deal with the clean up, and the mess and the blood; it'd be a lot of wasted energy on my part. So go ahead, take a few steps in, and allow your skin the time to adjust to the temperature of the water. Relax."

My skin suddenly felt extremely hot, too hot. His usual hard voice was soft and vaguely obscene as he spoke the last few words…almost like what he was saying was something dirty. Sexual.

His voice was like silk against skin. Touchable and desirable.

I swallowed hard and glanced around me. Everyone was about their business, either watching my performance, taking a drink of water, or munching on a snack…nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing to indicate they had heard anything unusual about the tone of Dimitri's voice.

I came to the conclusion that I had imagined it.

Yes. Definitely imagined it.

There was no way in hell that Dimitri was subtlety flirting with me. Right?

I got a good look at the creek for the very first time. "Eww, General! I'm not going in…the water is brown and murky."

"You'll be fine," The words came out in an exasperated sigh. "A little bit of dirt doesn't hurt anyone. Besides, it's only because of the students kicking it all up with their feet. By the time you start treading water...the dirt will settle and become a nice crystal clear."

He finished with a dry smile.

"I don't think I've ever heard you talk so much," I said. "That's got to be the longest speech to ever come from your lips."

"Ms. Hathaway, I'd shut that pretty little mouth of yours…unless you'd like to spend the rest of the day in your tent?" He smiled. A threatening smile, the one that says if you don't knock it off, I'm going to hurt you. Oh well. My day is not complete unless I do something that annoys the hell out of Dimitri.

"Naw," I shrugged. The tent was like an oven. I'd bake until I was a crispy french fry. "I'm good out here, thanks for the offer though."

"Very well," He scribbled something down on paper.

"Alright, General Belikov, I'm doing it." I gently eased into the freezing water, goose bumps rose on my skin. I winced as I got further and further into the dark water. I didn't stop until I was emerged past my shoulders.

"Ms. Hathaway," Dimitri was suddenly in front of me. The irritated tint to his voice indicated he'd called my name a few times, and I hadn't responded.

"Answer me when I talk to you," His deep voice was like a knife that cut deep into my flesh.

"Sorry, I was unable to." I shrugged in the water even though he couldn't see it.

"And why is that?"

"My toes are numb and my nipples are hard as rocks, is that a good enough excuse for you?" I snapped.

I got the satisfaction of seeing his mouth drop open, like a scene on an old-fashion cartoon. Many things didn't surprise Dimitri, this was one of them.

"Hathaway!" Stan barked. My ears cringed. "You can not and you will not speak to your hierarchies that way. Do you understand?"

Dimitri recovered from his shock and spoke; well the appropriate term would be yelling. "Drop and give me fifty!"

"What?"

"DROP and give me FIFTY!" A look of anger passed over his face and the pit of my stomach tightened in fear.

"In the water?" Fear turned to attitude and stupidity. "That's a little difficult isn't it? I can't exactly swim down to the bottom."

"Get out and do it," Dimitri commanded.

I got out. "If you just wanted a nice view of my ass you should have asked."

He snatched me up by my arm, his fingers dug painfully into my flesh. There was no doubt I'd be sporting black and blue bruises tomorrow.

"Stop it!" It was a firm, growl into my ear.

"Stop what?" The lump in my throat formed, but I bit back the tears. No way in hell I was going to let this guy make me cry.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," He gave my arm a hard squeeze to show how strong he was. I gasped in pain. "Stop what you're doing, now!"

Dimitri released me and I stumbled to the ground. "Now finish your push ups, Ms. Hathaway."

Stan looked smug. I wanted to slap him.

After my push ups, I got back into the water and refused to make eye contact with Dimitri.

"Alright your first test is treading water." He informed me. I completed it quickly. The minimum amount of time was 15 minutes, I did 20.

Treading water may sound like an easy task to finish but it's not. The first five or so minutes are a piece of cake. After that, the muscles in your legs and arms begin to burn incredibly.

I aced the 300 meter swim. I kept reminding myself to take slow steady breaths, I didn't want to have and asthma attack in the middle of the creek.

The only thing I had a problem with was the under water test. As Dimitri informed me of this, panic and fear crossed his face. Maybe he did care about me.

He didn't say anything or stop me; if he did…my secret would be revealed to the other hierarchies'. They wouldn't take me having asthma lightly; I'd most likely be punished and kicked out of St. Augustine's permanently.

It took me four attempts to finally pass it. I held my breath under water for a minute and twenty seconds. In order to pass, I had to get a minute and fifteen seconds.

I was pretty proud of myself. I had severe asthma but the other cadets had no clue. Yeah, I was that good.

I'd had to get down on my knees and beg, but Dimitri finally—and very reluctantly—broke down and allowed the seniors to have some fun out by the water and enjoy ourselves.

"Chicken fight!" I roared.

Lissa's eyes went wide with terror. "No."

"Chicken fight, chicken fight, chicken fight, chicken fight!" I chanted, eventually getting the attention of every cadet. They all joined in and began chanting along. The woods echoed loudly with a deep hum.

Lissa blushed. I'm guessing she didn't like to be the center of attention. "Fine! I'll do it!" she yelled.

The crowed roared with high-pitched whistles, hoots, and a call of 'Yeahs!'

I climbed on top of Mason's shoulders while Lissa climbed onto Christians.

"Hey just think, if one of us breaks a leg," I shouted. "We'll be fine because we have a nurse on site! Whoo hoo!"

The crowd screamed along. Dimitri shook his head and smiled. I was corrupting his well behaved students. Hell, I was corrupting the entire school.

Lissa looked horrified. "Please don't break my leg, Rose."

"Can't make any promises." I shrugged.

And then I lunged for her.

I won all three matches against Lissa. Knocking her time after time into the water with a big splash. I was brutal and didn't show mercy for my best friend. I think I even planted a few bruises across her petite body. Oops.

"Sorry Liss," I grinned evilly.

She playfully glared at me and stomped off towards her tent, Christian in tow. I guess she'd had enough.

"Anyone else?" I screamed, swinging my arms in the air.

They all looked away. Even the men. Was I really that rough? It was just a Chicken fight.

Around lunch time, Dimitri and Tasha dragged a cooler back to the creek. They made a fire on the ground and began frying up hot dogs and hamburgers for everyone. I inhaled two of each.

All of the cadets had a great time lounging in and out of the water all day. I was pleased with my new golden tan. Mason even got a little color.

Once the sun began setting, Dimitri ordered us back to the camping grounds. With a lot of groans and protests, all the students began shuffling towards their tents to get dressed for dinner.

I was heading back to my tent for the night; most of the other students were already nice and tucked into their warm sleeping bags.

"Hey, Rose," I turned around to see Dimitri striding towards me.

I smiled and shoved my hands into the pockets of my sweat shirt. "What's up, Dimitri?"

"May I speak with you for a moment?" His voice was warm and fond.

"You may." He led me over to the giant oak tree. We stood behind it, blocked from the view of passing students.

"I just wanted to inform you," Dimitri had a proud smile etched on his face, his tone full of respect. "You've earned the respective title as Cadet of the month for displaying good conduct and honorary skills."

He handed me a small golden pin, engraved on the front was the old St. Augustine himself.

"No way!" I said in disbelief.

He nodded, his grin got wider. I could tell he was excited too.

"Shut up!" I squealed.

Dimitri shook his head. The tone of his voice playful. "No, I will not shut up."

"I can't believe this," I clapped my hands together. "How?"

"How what?"

"How did I become Cadet of the month? That's a pretty big honor."

"It is an honor," he agreed. "I spoke with Stan and Alberta and they believed you deserve it for your hard work and commitment to this school."

I bit my lip. "Do you think I deserve it?"

His face suddenly became serious and wary. "Absolutely."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" I jumped up and down as I said it.

Unthinking, I went to give him a hug.

Dimitri held me at arms leg. "Don't," he warned.

"What? Why?...What's wrong with you?"

He didn't answer and just stared at me. The expression on his face was blank and neutral; he did that looking without looking, as if I weren't there at all.

The hell with that, I will not be ignored.

"You know, Dimitri? Sometimes I just don't get you," I threw my hands up in exasperation. All of my emotions that I'd kept bottled up the past month came flying out.

"One second you're hot, one second you're cold. At times you act as if you like me, and I know you do, I can see it in your eyes."

I pulled out my inhaler and took a couple of hits; I figured I'd be needing it.

"Why won't you put your guard down for just a minute? Just one minute," I breathed. I had unconsciously taken a few steps forward until I was directly in front of him again. The scent of his warm body flooded my senses. "Let me in, Dimitri…let what's suppose to happen happen."

I grabbed a fistful of his shirt in my desperate hands. "I know you want me."

Those deep liquid pools of chocolate reached out and spilled into my soul. I was drowning in the deep depths of his bottomless eyes and for a moment I just wanted to sink and fall into the intoxication of desire.

"No," his voice was hoarse and rough, like sandpaper rubbing against wood.

"No what?" I asked.

"No," he repeated more firmly this time. "This is wrong."

"To the outside world, maybe…but to us, it feels right. So right."

"No." Dimitri shook his head, like he trying to see past fog. Something was blocking his vision and his thoughts; I knew exactly what that thing was. Me.

"You are delusional. There is nothing going on between us…there never will be. Don't let your fantasy get to your head."

"Delusional?" I laughed, but it held no humor. "You think I'm delusional?"

"From what you have been saying and what you have been doing," He nodded. "Yes."

I felt tears sting my eyes and I fought desperately to keep them back.

"Set your mind straight, Rose, there is nothing…absolutely nothing, going on between us. I'm seven years older than you, an adult, and you're a child." he took a deep breath through his nose and closed his eyes for a moment. "Do you understand that?"

A few tears leaked out of my eye. A lone tear made a long journey down my cheek, to my chin, and finally fell to my chest where it traveled the line down my cleavage. Dimitris' dark eyes followed it until it disappeared inside of my shirt. My body shivered.

And then I remembered what he had just said. My heart ached a little from his words. Did he really not feeling anything towards me? Was I just some stupid teenage girl that actually believed an out-of-league guy liked her back? Was I so naïve to actually believe Dimitri returned those feelings?

What about the looks he gave me? What about what happened in my tent earlier? The way he touched me wasn't exactly the way a student/teacher should be touching.

I knew there was more to it.

But if Dimitri wanted it his way, then so be it. I wasn't going to be some clingy obsessed girl that got down on her knees and begged desperately for the guy to be with her, so to speak.

I wiped away my tears, squared my shoulders, and held my head up high. There was no way I was going to break down and let Dimitri see me as a weak person. I was strong. And I had to prove that to him.

"Do you understand?" he repeated, his voice held no trace of emotion. It was blank as a piece of paper.

I nodded. "Yes."

"Yes what?"

"Yes, Dimitri, I understand that it was inappropriate for me act in such ways and I assure you it will not happen again. Ever." Despite what I was feeling on the inside, my voice sound sure and strong of itself. Bully for me.

"No, I didn't need your explanation of what you did wrong," Dimitri said harshly. "I meant for you to correct the way you addressed me."

"Seriously?"

"I mean exactly what I say, Ms. Hathaway," he replied. "Now I'll ask this one more time: Do you understand?"

"Yes, General Belikov. I understand."

"Good," he said sharply. "That is the way you are to address me in the future."

I felt my mood drop even lower. I nodded. "Understood, sir."

Dimitri glanced at the black watch placed on his left wrist. "It's time for all cadets to report back to their tents, I will see you in the morning. Good night."

I hated the tone of his voice; this was exactly the way he spoke to other cadets. The way he used to talk to me was different and held some emotion, almost as if he had a soft spot for me.

But now, I was just another cadet. Another problem for him to deal with.

I looked him straight in the eye and spoke. "I promise you will regret this."

And then I turned and walked away, feeling his angry gaze burning holes into my back.