My birthday was it two days. Two days until I was eighteen. I was partly exited due to the fact that I would no longer be 'underage' when it came to dating Dimitri, but at the same time I've never been big on birthdays. I never had a family to celebrate it with. Although Lissa's family did make it a point to throw me a party every year, it wasn't the same. I smiled as I thought about Lissa. She finally knew about Dimitri and me. I felt more free now, and our friendship now feels ten times stronger than before. My father called me late last night in hopes of planning something for my up coming big day. In the end, we agreed that he, my mother and I would all go out to dinner that night. I wanted Dimitri to come, but that would be hard to pull off without looking odd. Every once and a while I would get a surge of happiness through the bond every time another part of Lissa's birthday surprise for me followed through. I had no idea what was instore for me since she has been blocking me through the bond all week. It was Friday now, which meant that I wouldn't even have to train on my birthday, which was good for me because I figured I could find a different way to spend time with Dimitri then.
As his name popped in my head I looked over and my alarm clock. I cursed under my breath as I realized that I would indeed be late for our morning practice for the second time this week. It wasn't even like I was a minute late today, the clock I had on my nightstand read 5:15 meaning I was fifteen minutes late. I burst out of my room and quickly started making my way to the gym. The anxiety of being late to Dimitri's practice seeping in my mind froze as my heel skimmed the edge of a missed step halfway down the staircase. I lost my balance on the wooden steps and tumbled the rest of the way down. Soon my body stopped rolling and I felt the coolness of the hardwood floor pressed against my cheek as I landed at the bottom of the steps. Black spots danced in my vision but I fought hard to push them away. After a few minutes, I was able to right myself and stand up. The ground beneath my feet seemed to sway but I remained upright. I slowly picked up my bag from where it lay in a heap on the floor and made my way to the gym. With each step, I could feel my body protesting, begging for rest, but I just kept walking. When I walked into the gym I set my bag down and instantly lied on the floor. I heard Dimitri stand up and make his way towards me from across the room. When I opened my eyes, we locked gazes. He seemed to be even taller now that I was lying flat on my back. "You're late."
"I know, I'm sorry."
"Get up, we'll do laps." I got up but not without stumbling my first few steps. Dimitri's hand shot out and grabbed my arm to help steady me.
"Rose, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." He squinted his eyes and looked me over.
"No, you're not."
"Dimtri-" He cut me off before I could further my protest. Not letting go of my arm he led me to the bleachers. Sitting down side by side he spoke up.
"Are you hurt?"
"No." He squinted his eyes again and I continued talking. "I'm just sore."
"Why?"
"I fell."
"Where? When?"
"Down the stairs coming from my room just now." He let out a sigh.
"Roza…"
"I'm fine."
"Really? Or should I take you to the clinic?"
"No clinic. But it would be better if we could go easier in training today." He nodded his head.
"Of course." He gently moved his hand up to the back of my head and pulled my head closer, planting a gentle kiss on my forehead. "Please be carful Roza."
"I will." I let out a quite laugh. He pulled away and gave me a funny look.
"What?"
"I'm just thinking; I'm no better than Christian." He gave me a confused look so I went on to clear it up for him. "He fell down the stairs the other day too, ended up getting a bloody nose."
"Well, the two of you need to learn how to walk better. Maybe take some classes together on it." I laughed. It wasn't often you heard Dimitri crack a joke. He soon got on with practice. Dimitri, true to his word, kept things light for the day. Once we were done we sat together back on the bleachers. "Any plans for Sunday?" I nodded my head.
"My parents are taking me out to dinner during the night. I know Lissa is planning something for during the day but I have no idea what."
"Do you want to train in the morning? Spend some time together?"
"Sure." I leaned further into his body. "Dimitri…"
"Yes?"
"I love you." I felt his arm around me tighten.
"I love you too Roza." The bell soon rang. Letting me know that Dimitri and I had ended up spending way to long in the gym together 'training'. We separate ourselves and packed up, knowing students would soon be filing in. Just as I was leaving Dimitri called out to me. "I'll be by your room after training this evening." I smiled.
"Good, I've been missing you." I saw the corner of his lips turn upward.
"So have I." Just then the first student of the day walked in and we drooped our conversation. I quickly made my way to my first class and sat beside Lissa. Leaning over slightly in my chair I spoke quietly to her.
"Just so you know, that whatever you're planning Sunday won't be able to go into the evening because I have dinner plans with my parents." She looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking.
"Okay, that's not a problem." She rummaged through her bag and handed me a granola bar. "You should eat, you missed breakfast." I took the bar from her gratefully and began eating. Through the bond, she spoke again. I'm trying to come up with a way to either get Dimitri involved in what I'm planning for you or to just giving you a few hours for the two of you. I talked to him to plan around when he is and isn't on duty.
"Thank you, Lissa. That means a lot." She smiled back kindly.
"Anything for you Rose. I want you to be happy, especially on your birthday." The class soon started and I attempted to pay attention. I was now even more exited than before for what my birthday held instore for me. Only two more days. I though to myself.
Afternoon training with Dimitri was similar to our morning one. I was still sore from my quit clumsy journey down the stairs earlier in the morning. "So, Comrade," I started once we got a water break. "Lissa told me she told you all about my birthday surprise she has going on for me. Care to shed some light on it?"
"Afraid not Rose, it is after all, a surprise."
"Seriously Comrade, not cool. I'm not big on surprises, I like to know what I'm getting myself into."
"Really? Because I know quite a few people that would beg to differ. You tend to just jump into things head first, no questions asked."
"Yeah well, that's different. That's when there's a threat or something dangerous. This is just a birthday surprise."
"Key word their Rose; surprise." I groaned loudly.
"Not cool." He grabbed his things and I soon followed. Once we reached the gym doors that lead to the rest of the school he turned to me.
"I'll be up in an hour." I smiled.
"See you soon."
True to his word it was exactly sixty minutes later when I heard a knock at my door. I walked over from where I was sitting on my bed to the door. Opening it up I was met with my very tall and handsome boyfriend. "Hey there Comrade." I opened the door wider so he could enter. We were quick to kiss each other. I missed the feeling of his lips pressed against mine. We quickly ran out of air and needed to breath, making us pull away. We sat on my bed and I pulled up my laptop. Cuddling up against each other I turned on a movie. Right then, I felt like we were a normal couple. No age gap, no student and mentor, no hiding. Just a young, very much in love couple, watching a movie together in bed. I knew it wouldn't last, so I cherished the moment while I could. I shrugged closer into Dimitri's chest. The soft cotton material on his long sleeve shirt rubbing up against my cheek. His hand slid up to play with my long dark locks. "I love this." He hummed quietly from beside me. I could feel the vibration run through his chest.
"I do too. I feel so lucky to be holding you in my arms right now." I looked up into his eyes. I could see a sparkle in them, a kind of sparkle that I knew my own eyes mirrored.
"We're both really lucky, aren't we?"
"Yes, yes we are."
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