THE OTHER WAY ROUND
Chapter 8
Warning: things are heating up…
(DISCLAIMER- I DO NOT ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS. THE AMAZING RICHELLE MEAD DOES)
IPOV-
After my not-so-nice wakeup, I found myself standing in my bathroom. Oh vlad…
I had light dark circles at my undereye and my eyes were bloodshot. That's what happens when you cry and not go to sleep.
I missed vika badly. I couldn't believe she moved on.
You left her life 2 years ago! Get over it!
I wanted to see her. Now.
I splashed water on my face and quickly freshen up. And I still looked terrible…
I got out of my bathroom and opened got dressed casually since I didn't had my uniform. I opened my door and saw a package lying on the doorstep. I picked it up and took it inside my room.
It was covered with a white paper. I tore it.
It had a uniform in it and a note on top of it.
It was from guardian Ashford.
Ivan zeklos,
Welcome back to the academy. I hope you had a good night, as per the academy management orders i came here to drop off your uniform. Rose told me to tell you to not be late for any class and not to pull any crazy stunts. I hope the uniform fits.
Goodluck.
Guardian Mason Ashford.
These guardians were so nice. Especially rose and mason. I really think that they were dating….
But right now the only thing on my mind was viktoria.
I wish I could tell her how much I loved her. How much I regret leaving her, everyday. I wish I could tell her that she was always the one for me. she taught me how to love, care and respect someone.
But I was too late…
Too late.
But atleast I could talk to her… as friends.
Okay! Ive decided.
Ill go up to her room and ask her to have breakfast with me today. As friends ofcourse.
I mean its not like we cant stay friends right? i would do anything if it meant that we talked with each other. I desperately needed to talk to her right now.
With that I got changed in my new uniform. I never made an effort to do my hair or straighten my uniform. Girls always liked me messy.
But today, standing infront of the mirror. I started think what would vika like?
I picked up a comb. Which was buried deep inside my bag and started combing my hair, trying to untangle the knots. What can I say, I always have knots.
I stood their confused for a minute on how to style my hair. Then I remembered how vika styled my hair for prom. I actually looked decent. Not a playboy.
I started combing my hair trying to remember how she did it 2 years ago. After a long time I was happy with the results. I looked like a gentle man not some status-drunken moroi playboy.
Things vika does to me…
I looked at my watch I was kinda late. I quickly straightened my tie and ran a hand over my shirt trying to get of any wrinkles on it.
Satisfied with my look I got out of my room with my bag over my shoulders.
First stop- viktoria belikov's room
I practically ran up to her building. I really hoped she hadn't left already for breakfast.
Then the door clicked open.
And vika walked out of her room.
My breath got stuck in my throat. She looked so gorgeous. so beautiful!
She wore her uniform, though her skirt was short. She still looked elegant. Her hair was open. They had definitely grown. It flowed down her shoulder and her purple highlights looked amazing on her. She had a black leather backpack slung over her shoulders. She bend over strapping her heel boots on. She really changed…
Vika always wore comfortable somewhat baggy clothes. Which I loved.
But she looked so much older than her age. She got up and ran a hand in her hair, trying to keep them nice. I finally closed my falling mouth and build up the courage to go and talk to her. As I was bout to do that a boy walked out of her room. Yes you heard right! a BOY!
He was tall somewhat muscular. Defiantly older than vika. He also wore his uniform and had a stylish messy hair. His eyes were green and his skin was pale. He was a moroi.
Vika smiled at him. He smiled back, which was definitely not a cute friendly smile.
He took her backpack and slung it over his other shoulder. Vika chuckled with complete adoration.
I really didn't want to see this scene.
"you look breathtaking darling. Like always" that guy said.
Calm down ivan!
Don't punch him. Don't punch him. Don't punch him!
I expected vika to smile to his compliment but she looked uncomfortable. "im not going to that party with you rolan…" she said in a stern voice.
Oh so his name was rolan…
"babe! Its just one party. You have to come" he said. and by his tone he was more like ordering her more than requesting.
Vika looked angry. I hated this guy more every second. "I said no. Rolan. I don't like being around your moroi friends. You know how they look at me." she said.
"I know vik. But you are hot. What can they do!" he replied back. I so wanted to punch him.
"maybe keep their hands off me whenever you are not around" she said in a stern tone. Rolan looked angry "my friends mean everything to me vika. You have to adjust." He said in simple words. He looked around to see if anyone was listening to them. Thankfully I was hiding behind the wall.
He stepped closer to her, but not in a loving way "and I know you will… because if you don't then babe… you know what im gonna do." He said softly.
Vika looked scared. How in the holy hell can he talk to her like this!
"fine" she grumbled. He looked pleased. "good ill send the dress to your room. Wear that tonight." He instructed her. Im so gonna punch him. Vika nodded reluctantly.
He then draped an arm around her waist and pulled her towards him. She didnt looked happy. I felt a pang of jealousy. I should've been there not him.
No you are not suppose to be. You left her…
"now babe" he said placing his thumb and index finger on the corners of her lips and stretched them out "smile. After all we are the perfect couple. look happy."
I immediately quit my hiding and walked and stood infront of them. Vika's eyes widened. She tried to pull away from rolan but he held onto her tight.
Rolan gave me a bad look. "hey viktoria" I said trying not to look at rolan.
"hey" she replied back. She had a smile on her lips. And it was a real one this time.
I smiled back. "I suppose we havent met. Im ivan zeklos a friend of viktoria's" I said extending my hand towards rolan.
He looked amused. "Rolan Kislyak." We shook hands "yes we havent. But I remember you quite well. And you are not her friend… not from the things ive heard bout you from vika." We both looked at vika. She blushed.
"anyways vika told me you and dimka were back." He said smiling which was definitely fake. And how dare he called him dimka! Only me and his family members called him that. "glad you guys are okay" he continued. Oh yes he was veryyyyy happy. Huh!
Vika cleared her throat "I think we should go for breakfast. Orelse ill get late for my bodyguard training class and I really don't want another detention from stan!" she whined. It was cute when she whined.
But wait. She got detention!
DETENTION!
She never got detention. And that too in bodyguard training-
In stan's class?
She was his favourite student…
Vika really had changed.
"sure babe." He said smiling. Oh I so wanted to kill him right now.
As they started walking vika asked "care to join us for breakfast ivan?" she smiled. Oh her smile….
Rolan didn't looked happy but it didn't matter. Breakfast with vika. It was a done deal.
"sure" I said.
We walked down the stairs of her building. Rolan and vika were walking in the front. I hated being a third wheel. So I jogged and started walking next to her on the academy ground. People sure were giving me weird looks
Our hands brushed several times. I wanted to hold them so bad!
Finally we reached the dining room. It was already filled with students and guardians. As soon as I entered I was the centre of attention. Great.
Vika gave me an encouraging nod. And that was all I needed. I led them lead the way.
They were going towards a table which was very familiar to me. sitting on the chairs were my old friends Mia Rinaldi, Aaron Drozdov, Carter Shelzy and Avery Lazar. They all smiled at me. oh vlad. This breakfast is going to be historic…
I thought that they will sneer or shout at vika, who were approaching their table.. like they always used to before. But mia looked happy and so did the other guys. Mia gave vika a nice hug "thank god you came today Vik" she squeaked happily. Waitttt a minuteee!
Am I dreaming?
Mia- fucking- Rinaldi was happy that vika was here?
Happy?
Vika smiled at her.
"welcome back zeklos." Carter said. they all greated me.
We sat down. On our circular table.
Mia was besides aaron looks like they are still dating… besides aaron sat carter followed by avery, vika, me and then rolan. I was glad that I sat next to vika.
We had our food served on our table. One thing that didn't change was vika's appetite. She still ate for 2.
Her plate was filled with 2 doughnuts, egg, bacon, cheese, soda and an apple. And believe me. she will eat all of this.
Guess something's never change.
"what?" vika asked, her mouth was filled with bacon.
Oh shit did I say that loud?
"nothing" I said concentrating on my food so that she doesn't ask me any questions. Everyone at the table started talking about the upcoming equinox dance and other royal court gossip. Vika didn't participate much, she was more concentrated on her food. They did ask me questions about the outside world and other stuff.
"so vik!" mia spoke with excitement shining in her eyes at vika, she stopped eating "I heard that you got detention from stan!" vika shrugged like it was a normal thing. She picked up a napkin and started dabbing her mouth with it "who told you that?" she asked not even looking interested.
"oh please! Dhampirs were talking about that. It was all over the school Vik!" she replied.
"and why did you got 20 minutes late that day?"
20 minutes late! That was so unlike vika!
Vika looked embarrassed but rolan laughed "we were watching a movie the night before- the notebook actually. So like always she cried I had to comfort her ofcourse. We slept late and then woke up late." He said.
I was breaking from inside.
Vika always cried whenever she watched The Notebook. And I was the one who would comfort her. But now rolan did those things. Things really have changed…
"that all" avery asked raising an eyebrow "cuz I heard some of ur novice friends saying that you both were fornicating" I almost spit out my coke.
fornicating? With rolan? Oh vlad just kill me already!
"shut up lazar!" vika said her face was tomato red.
"yeah guys that's not true…" rolan said.
Thank god!
"but why! I mean its been so long you guys!" mia whined. Why in the gods name wont they just stop discussing about vika's sexual life!
"cmon' mia" avery said "they barely even kiss in public!"
For the very first time, avery's words brought me happiness.
"can we please not talk about my sex life?" vika said. "and now if you'll excuse me I need to go to stan's class." She got up and slung her backpack over her shoulders. "care to escort me, ivan?" she asked. OH HELL YESSS!
Rolan did not looked happy but this ain't bout' him.
I quickly got up and grabbed my bag and followed vika out of the door.
We walked in complete silence. It was comfortable… i always was comfortable with her.
"you gonna talk or are just going to walk" I asked teasingly
"I just wanted to get out of there" she said. "I know you don't like them. You never did. So why are you friends with them?" I asked her curiously.
"because rolan loves them. And being his girlfriend I have to get along with them." She said. his girlfriend…. that's right. she was his girlfriend…
"I suppose you heard our conversation out side my room.." she muttered.
I nodded. I cant lie to her. She had natural compulsion on me…
"well then now I have to go to this stupid party filled with drunk morois who will not move until I give them my room no. and I'll have no one to talk to…" she ranted. Typical vika.
"such an amazing way to spend a weekend. With hangover!" I said mockingly. She glared at me.
Then we both burst out laughing. It felt good to have a laugh with her…
"if that makes you feel any better, ill come. Then you'll have someone to talk to" I said.
She was happy but still I knew it would bother her a bit if I came just for her.
"ivan-"
"as friends vika" I said cutting her "and besides I have so much to tell you bout me and dimka's adventures"
She nodded smiling.
We didn't talked rest of the way to her class. I dropped her their, really wanting to give her a lil peck on the cheek but I didn't. stay away from gossip ivan….
I went to my ancient history class. Mr. elise kept ranting about some stupid civilization which I didn't paid any attention to. Ofcourse.
Finally after 6 dreadful hours the school FINALLY ended.
Im really not gonna make it for the rest of my year.
The only thing that upset me even more was not seeing dimka I caught a few glances of him going to class and stuff but still. We didn't had a proper conversation. I was seriously feeling guilty about hiding the matter bout me and vika from him. Now more than ever. But if he ever found out. He will kill me. im sure of it.
I got back to my room and got changed in some casual clothes and started rummaging through my stuff to find something suitable to wear for tonight. Something nice cuz vika will be there…
DPOV-
~time- 8:pm {am for the vampire world}~
after having multiple dreams of roza I was finally awake. I quickly got dressed in my academy's uniform which I got this morning from guardian ashford.
First I had training with rose. What a wonderful way to start a morning!
Once I was dressed, I tied my hair in a small pony, wrapped around the nape of my neck. Looking all set I walked out of my room and went straight to dining room cuz breakfast first!
I made a mental note, to not eat much as I had training with rose. When I got there a lot of people looked at my direction. Girls gave me hungry looks. But the only girl that I had my eyes on was my mentor. She was getting her food with her charge, thank god she didn't notice me staring at her…
She wore black skinny jeans with a grey fitted top. Very fitted top.. how can she look so good in normal clothes!?
Her plate was full of food doughnuts, egg, bacon, beans, coke, eclairs. She and princess Dragomir walked towards the table where guardian ashford and lord ozera were sitting. Ofcourse she would sit there. With the royals and the guardians. Asif she will sit with you! A novice.
I made my way to the food corner which was just across rose's table. I wasn't that hungry so I just picked an apple and water. As I was about to leave I caught a glance at rose. She looked back at me. she had doughnut icing on her face. Unaware of that , she smiled brightly at me. she looked so cute!
I smiled back.
I saw a seat in the corner with a lonely dhampir sitting on it I thought of sitting beside him so I walked over to him "hey can I sit here?" I asked politely.
His eyes widened when he saw me. oh great! He knew me and the "stunt" I pulled. But he looked happy. "yea sure." He replied.
I sat down on the seat infront of him and we started talking. His name was Mike Jackson. He was 16 years old.
He was actually really humble and nice. Looks like I made a friend.
From time to time I would look at rose. She was eating, laughing and talking.
After I was done I got up. Ready for my practise. Rose saw me getting up and got up too. She hugged the princess and said bye to her friends.
I started walking and went inside the gym changing room to get changed. I wore a normal white tshirt which showed my muscles very well, along with black gym pants and tied my sport shoes.
When I went out I saw rose with her arms on her hips. She looked bossy but cute.
"you not gonna change?" I asked.
She smirked "I don't have to do anything today. You have to" she said.
Okay this woman was starting to scare me…
"what do you mean?" I asked.
"we need to get you ready for your practise fighting sessions with the novices. Until I don't see you fighting with them I wouldn't be able to make out how rusty you are." She said sarcasm dripping from her words.
"hey! I fight well." I argued.
"oh really?" she asked mockingly "throw a punch at me."
"wha-"
"pretend im a strigoi and throw a punch at me." she said.
I did what she said. I threw a nice strong punch but she didn't even move, just blocked it from her hand and turned it around and brought it to my back which was hell-a painful and then without any warning I was pinned against the wall, with her one arm grasping my hand and her other arm was placed on my neck. Even though she was nearly a foot shorter than me She looked so intimidating. No wonder she was the best guardian..
She leaned closer and whispered in my ear "and that how a strigoi will easily snap you neck, or worse.." her words gave me goosebumps. Not out of fear but out of her being so close to me. no girl has ever had this sort of effect on me.
She stepped back giving me a very mischievous smile "looks like we really need to work on you."
I didn't said anything.
"okay" she sighed "25 laps outside, around the field".
My eyes widened.
"25?" I questioned.
"25" she confirmed. "now comrade, do it or drop out."
Comrade?
Oh crap! She saw my western novel.
Rose smiled, asif knowing what I was thinking.
I didn't argue and went out to start with the running meanwhile rose stood at the gym door with her hands crossed over her chest, looking at me.
FINALLY I did it!
I came back panting and gasping, trying to catch my breath. I looked up to rose and she was not even impressed. What a hardass…
But that only made me like her more.
"50 minutes? That is not even good Dimitri. You gotta step up" she said looking at her watch.
"are.. you… kidding me!" I said between my panting "you trying to get me killed!"
"actually im trying to save you from getting killed." She answered. We went inside "for a normal human being 50 minutes for 25 laps is oddly impressive but for a dhampir…. Its not good. We have faster reflexes than humans. Our muscles take time and a lot more pressure to hurt as compared to humans. So in short you better improve yourself if you want to be ivan's guardian." She said.
I nodded.
"which blood master level are you rose?" I asked.
"7" she answered. Holy shit. 7!
That is the most hard level in guardian training and females almost never get that title.
"its so tough" I said looking at her in awe.
She chuckled "and dangerous." She added.
I went inside the changing room and changed into my uniform again. When I got out, rose was staking some practise dummies. She looked fiercely beautiful.
She was dodging… kicking… punching… staking…
Her hair had come loose and were blowing because of the sudden wind flow. Her neck caught my eye. It had her her promise mark tattooed on it along with little x tattoos one was a star shaped one. The zveda. It was the battle mark.
When she noticed me she stopped her assault on those dummies.
"I was just going…" I said quickly turning around, ready to walk out but then rose called out my name. I turned around. She looked nervous. Yes you heard right. rose looked nervous!
"well- im having my molnija mark ceremony today along with the other guardians, so alberta- guardian petrov wishes me to bring you." She said. ah! She was supposed to get her molnija marks after her 2 strigoi kills.
"I thought novices weren't allowed." I said.
"yeah but alberta says that you are my student and also that you should see how these things are done. And plus their will be a lot of trained and experienced guardians which you can meet and learn from." She said smiling. It looked like she really wanted me there.
"do you want me to come?" I asked her.
"yes." She answered " it'll be good for you and there will be food" she joked. I smiled.
"will you introduced me to these guardians?" I asked her.
"ofcourse I will. After all you are my student." She said proudly. "so ill pick you up from your dorm at 7?"
I nodded. And with that I turned around
"wait-comrade!" she called.
"what?"
"you said you wanted to talk to your mother. You wanna talk now?" she said.
How could I forget bout this, I had told rose that I wanted to talk to my mom, last night.
I nodded happily. She smiled and handed me her phone.
It was unlocked. The wallpaper had a picture of rose, lissa, Christian, mason and some other guy with green eyes. They all were wearing their graduation hats. Rose was in a red satin slip dress and she looked gorgeous, just like the girl I would fight for if she was in my academy at this time. Rose was smiling brightly, she had her one arm draped around princess Dragomir's shoulder and her other arm was flung over the guy with green eyes, and they actually seemed very close, their cheeks were touching…
"that's our graduation." Rose said noticing my eyes on her wallpaper.
"you all look very happy" I said. she smiled "well it was the best day of my life. I was announced as lissa's guardian and I was the top novice. God ive never smiled so much in my entire life as I did on graduation." She smiled.
"it must've felt nice right? being your best friend's guardian?" I asked her.
"yes. It was the best feeling in the whole world. It was like I finally achieved everything I ever wanted" she said and grinned.
I really wish that I had a chance to experience this type of happiness in my life.
Rose lightly touched my shoulder "hey… you'll get that happiness too okay. You will, when you'll be ivan's guardian." She said.
I smiled at her "how do you know that?" I asked softly.
"cuz I just know it. Im a guardian Dimitri. I know a capable guardian's skill and traits. You have them in you. You just need practise… trust me it'll all be worth it in the end." Trust her… I can do that. What wrong in trusting right?
"now go and talk to your mom!" she said cheerfully. I grinned and dialled my mama's number.
The rings were going please pick up… please pick up….
From the corner of my eye is saw rose giving me a complete look of adoration. Why do I like her? I don't even deserve her… she obviously doesn't want to be with a guy who is 7 years younger than her… and also is her student.
"olena belikov here" mama said.
I was so happy to hear her voice. I smiled brightly.
"mama!" I exclaimed like a little child. "its Dimitri!"
"Dimitri!" my mama shouted in shock
"yes mama! How are you? How's babushka? Karolin? Sonja?" I asked not even letting her answer "are you okay? Everyone's fine right? what about the kids?" I kept on rambling until my mama shut me up and told me everything about the family's condition. They all were happy and Sonya even got a new job.
RPOV-
Dimitri rambled like a small kid. He looked so cute.
It was against the rules of the academy for students to call their parents, but Dimitri seemed sad yesterday and right now he looked on cloud nine…. I guess it was totally worth breaking the rules.
He kept on smiling when his mother started talking to him. He really loved his family and he was such a mama's boy.. he started talking rapidly in Russian. Damn… that was hot!
I kept staring at him. he looked at me at said many sentences in Russian it had my name 'roza' in it many times
I gave him a puzzled look but he smiled. Maybe it was something good… maybe something bad too….
"bye mama. Say hello to everyone from me!" he speaked on the phone. "and please mama take care and call on this number if he comes again." Who's he?
"yes ill stay in touch. Bye mama" with that he ended the call.
I was still smiling. He lowered the phone and gave me a bright smile. And I melted! I don't know why but I would've broken these rules a million more times if that meant Dimitri smiling like that at me in return.
Before I could say anything he came rushed towards me and gave me a big hug. My face reddened. It actually felt good. More than it should've felt. A was nothing like a student mentor hug. His face was buried in my hair, my face was buried in his shoulder. I felt him smiling "thank you so much roza!" he said in my hair. He sounded so happy "you don't know how happy I am roza! I missed my mama so much. Thank you roza. Thank you!" he said.
"im really glad to see that you're happy comrade." I said softly "and feel free to call her anytime you want."
"thank you roza!" he mumbled.
We hugged for a little more while then I pulled away. Trust me it was hard!
His chocolate brown eyes were so hard to resist. I swear… if he was in my year when I was in school I would've done anything to date him. I mean who wouldn't?
He is a gentleman, he loves his mother, he loves his family, he always protects his bestfriend and he dreams of being a cowboy (which is kinda cute). How can a girl not like him?
But you shouldn't like him or think about him that way. He is your student remember? You are his mentor. Your relationship should be strictly professional! And you are not a girl anymore. You are a woman Rose Hathaway Mazur! And anyways… why would Dimitri want a 24 year old woman?
You don't deserve him…
That right! im so much older than Dimitri. There's no way in hell we will have anything more than a friendship. And why would he want me. im so much older than him! he could have any girl he want.
Strictly professional.
Our relationship was strictly professional!
With all these venomous thoughts in my mind I stepped away from him.
"you shouldn't hug me like this" I said.
He looked kinda hurt "whats bad in hugging roza?" oh will he just stop calling me roza! Doesn't he know how much that nickname affects me?!
"there's nothing bad but we are the academy gym. Anyone could walk in. and don't forget you are my student." I said. it was so painful to say that. He looked so hurt.
"you're right rose." He said in a stern voice. For the first time I didn't liked being right. and he called me rose not roza… "ill keep that in my mind."
Do something!
Don't let him go angry!
"Dimitri. Goodluck for your practise training today" I said politely.
He nodded his head.
He grabbed his bag and turn around, facing me. he had no emotions on his face. "am I still invited to your molnija mark ceremony guardian Hathaway Mazur" he asked. So he wanted to play it this way huh!
"of course we are Dimitri" I said in my stern guardian voice. He walked away.
I checked on lissa and then I beat the shit out of the boxing bag for 2 hours.
My hands were bruised even with my gloves on. But I didn't care.
All this time Dimitri was in my mind. Why was he even there? It shouldn't be like this!
I saw the time it was 12:37 am [after noon for our world]
I really wanted to go to my room and have a nice nap before my ceremony but I knew I had to go to the novice practise. Im his mentor I have to do this.
And anyways this practise happens once in 4 months so its very special for every novice.
I still had 20 minutes to get dressed so I rushed to my room and had a good shower and changed into my proper guardian outfit; black sleek pants with a black thin shirt and a black formal jacket over it. I put on my black boots and tied my hair in a high ponytail. With minimal makeup and a gold bracelet that my dad gave me I was ready to go.
As soon as I opened my door I realized that it was freezing outside. I quickly grabbed the maroon pashmina scarf, which was actually my mom's. dad gifted it to her last year. It was plain and had fringes in the end. But it was also soft and warm.
I took a one last look in the mirror. God! I looked intimidating… and hot!
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author's note-
that was the longest chapter so far. But this is actually close to my heart. I loved writing it and I hope you liked reading it.
Anyways tell me what you think bout this chapter.
There will be a lot many people coming in the story.
So if you wanna know you gotta keep reading…
Until next time…
~K