THE OTHER WAY ROUND
Chapter 14
(DISCLAIMER- I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS. THE AMAZINGLY TALENTED RICHELLE MEAD DOES)
Previously on The Other Way Round…
Abe: "what happened there? At the ground? Why did you panicked?"
Rose: "I didn't panicked I just-"
Abe: "you panicked kiz… it was like you were going to have a breakdown. A panic attack to be certain"
…
Rose: "I don't want to waste my time on just anyone Dimitri"
Dimitri: "you mean you're wasting your time with me?"
Rose: "you tell me Dimitri… am I ?"
…
Ivan: "dimka… what are you doing here?"
Dimitri: "I think its time we have a talk."
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
RPOV-
After an amazing session with Dimitri I made my way to lissa and christian's apartment. Dimitri was sure learning fast and today his reflexes were brilliant.
I still cant believe I froze their while pinning him. if I hadn't he wouldn't be able to win. but even loosing was nice with Dimitri…
He looked so happy while talking to his mom. olena is really nice actually. she has a very thick Russian accent. Her voice is very sweet.
I knocked on lissa's door.
She opened it in a second.
Her hair was messy and her top's straps were falling from her shoulder. Which I could've bet that wasn't like it from sleeping.
"hey if you guys are doing the deed, you may do it after I leave." I said making my way in.
"hello to you too rose" lissa said adjusting her top. I slumped on their sofa in a very un-guardian like way.
"where's he?" I asked
"he was trying to do something very productive." Christian's voice filled the room as he walked outside of their bedroom "but his fiancé's annoying bestfriend interrupted him"
"well you better shut up before your "fiancé's annoying bestfriend" breaks you parts and then you wont be able to do your "deeds" pyro" I said making finger quotes.
He looked mad.
Before he could say something lissa started with her motherly lecture about how we are so old and still we behave like 10 year olds, that we shouldn't talk like this to each other.
I was damn sure that Christian and I wont even remember a word of this after a few minutes.
When she was done, I breathed a sigh of relief.
"now. Why did you call me here?" I asked lissa
"well I know I said its about some dresses but its something else…" lissa said slowly sitting down next to me.
"what is it?" I questioned.
She looked nervous. I looked at Christian, he too looked uncomfortable and awkward.
"babe get her a glass of water… u know just in case" lissa said shrugging.
Okay what the hell was happening!?
"liss you're scaring me. what happened?" I demanded
Christian set a glass of water on the coffee table infront of me and stepped back and slowly picked up their expensive china showpiece and kept it in their bedroom.
I was growing restless now.
I shot him a glare.
"just in case you don't break it out of fury" he said shrugging.
"okay… so- uh… I don't know how to tell you this…" lissa rambled "rose- you're my best friend- and my guardian ofcourse. See I would've told him no but I couldn't. I mean its just for a few days right…"
What the hell is she talking about!?
"lissa! What are you even talking about?" I questioned.
"Andre's coming!" she blurted.
Wha-
i-
what did she just say?
"i- lissa can you repeat?" I asked her.
"andre's coming… to the academy to meet us." She said slowly.
I didn't even know how to react to this…
My feelings… my thoughts they were all just mixed up!
They were fucking confusing me!
"you mean your brother andre?" I asked dumbly.
She nodded.
I sprang up from the sofa. I wanted to throw something badly.
"rose calm down…" lissa pleaded.
"calm down? CALM DOWN?! Lissa how can I calm down!?" I shouted.
Lissa was scared now.
Christian came between us and grabbed my shoulders " rose just listen to us… he's just coming here to meet us. Nothing else. we thought you should know that. He's coming in 2 days…"
2 days…
He's coming in 2 FREAKING DAYS!
"rose I know you hate him but just try to calm yourself please" lissa came by my side and pleaded
I focused on calming my breath. When I was a little calm down I said "lissa, I know he's your brother but you know how I feel about him… I just cant…" my words were shakey.
"rose I talked to him. he will stay away from you I promise" lissa said "I know you two have a history but-"
"he fucking endangered my reputation lissa! I trusted him… I liked him! and all he cared was his silly senior games and his fucking bad boy reputation." I yelled.
Thinking of the past I had with andre still hurts.
We were best of friends, not like lissa and me but we were just as crazy and wild. He was one year older than me and lissa and was our senior in the academy. I always knew that he liked me more than a friend but i really valued our friendship and I had to guard lissa when I graduated so I couldn't really risk having a relationship with andre.
But he never gave up. I sort of liked him. he was quite handsome and funny. And then one drunken party night we kissed.
The next day I decided to stay away from him, but I eventually started liking him a little. So we decided to give it a shot. It was nice at first. He was my first steady boyfriend who didn't just want me because of my fabulous body. When eric and rhea got to know this they were very happy, I have always been a second daughter to them. Lissa was very happy too and would always ramble about me being her sister in law one day. I always knew that this was not going to be serious… I wont let it be, cuz then I wouldn't protect lissa with all in me… but it was very nice to have someone to talk to and do crazy things with. Someone to kiss or snuggle whenever I felt upset.
It was going great until andre chose his reputation and his status over me… over his girlfriend. I didn't "loved" him… I never did. But I cared for him, I trusted him. and the only reason why I felt like garbage was because he almost ruined me… he broke my trust…
"I know rose…" lissa's voice snapped me back to her apartment "I know what he has done… that's why I never talk to him… I tried to say no. but mom is saying that we all should spend time together. Just like old times."
"well it'll be nothing like old times." I spat.
I hated lashing at lissa. She is my bestfriend and my charge. But right now their was this rage building inside of me which I had to let loose.
"rose… I do not expect you to talk to him… or even look at him. but you have to guard me incase we go somewhere. You have to be with me. I know its hard but I promise, ill tell andre to not talk to you. Okay?" lissa said in a soft voice.
I looked at her. She was trying so hard to convince me. she is my moroi. I cant just abandon her because her jackass brother is coming to meet her.
I didn't say anything, just nodded.
She flew her arms around my neck and hugged me tight muttering 'thank you' again and again.
I have to do this… not just for lissa but also for me. I cant look weak in front of him. im Rose Hathaway Mazur… and im scared of no one.
I pulled back.
"ill see you later" I muttered and left her apartment.
I was really tired but I cant just sleep on my problems… I need gym.
I need a boxing bag. And I need it NOW.
DPOV-
I sat down on ivan's bed, which had monopoly scattered on it.
Ivan playing boardgames? Only my sister make him do that.
I gestured my sister to sit besides me and ivan in front of me. viktoria sat down, she looked a bit worried. Ivan pulled a chair infront of me and sat down.
"so… who would like to tell me your love story?" I asked, in a very big-brotherly tone.
Vika and ivan looked at each other. He gave her a reassuring nod and started his story.
"okay… so it was 2 years ago… 3 months before we ran away. I saw vika a few times… she always caught my attention. I swear I didn't know that she was your sister. One day I was sitting with the gang and well I was looking at her. She was talking with her dhampir friends. Mia told me to go talk to her and ask her out. I took it as a challenge and went upto her."
I raised my eyebrow "you didn't knew she was my sister?"
"no… you never introduced me to her or show a photo of her. I just knew that she will be joining the academy…" he answered "so where was I- yes- I went upto her and tried to impress her by playing my 'royal moroi card' but she… uh- she…" ivan turned red as a tomato.
"she what?" I asked him curiously.
"uh she…"
"I slapped him" vika said.
I snapped my gaze on her.
My little sister slapped ivan?
"you slapped him?" I asked, shocked
She shrugged "hey! He was really embarrassing me infront of everyone so I slapped him" she said in her defense
"attagirl!" I said proudly.
"hey! You're suppose to be my guardian dimka!" ivan complained.
Vika chuckled, so did I.
"now continue the story" I said
"well then you introduced us to each other later that evening… I really wanted to tell about him but once I knew that he was 'the ivan' you talked about… I didn't say anything. He's your bestfriend dimka I didn't wanted to fight with your bestfriend." Vika said.
Both, ivan and I smiled at her.
"but you both got along so well" I said. I still remember how they befriended each other so quickly. They didn't fight. They used to watch movies and whenever vika used to cry during 'the notebook' ivan always used to give her tissues and comfort her. They used to spend so much time together, that even I used to get jealous sometimes.
"yeah well we kinda pretended to so that you wouldn't get suspicious about our "disliking" for each other…" vika said.
"but then before we knew… we actually started liking each other… I always liked her dimka. She made me a better man" ivan said.
I really wanted to be mad at ivan for dating my sister and hiding all of it from me. but how could I be?
They were perfect for each other. Vika really made ivan a better man. My other sisters' Karolina and sonya's life were ruined by moroi men… but I knew that ivan wouldn't do that to my little sister. He would never hurt her.
"when we ran away… at the night of junior prom, we both have confessed our feelings for each other…." Ivan said slowly.
Vika smiled sadly.
I didn't even knew that my baby sister and my bestfriend had been through so much. he had to leave her the night they confessed their love for each other… vika must've been so distraught when she learnt that ivan was gone.
"why didn't you tell me?" I asked ivan. I was a little hurt that they hided it from me.
"at first I wasn't even sure if vika feels the same way… and when we were on the run, I didn't tell you anything because I thought that vika would've hated me by that time. I mean I ran away the night we kissed." Ivan said.
"I was mad. But well I never hated you.. I can never hate you ivan…" vika said softly.
They both looked at each other with love and care in their eyes.
I cleared my throat. There contact broke.
"now you tell me dimka. How did you know about me and ivan?" vika questioned.
Their eyes were on me.
Oh vlad… what do I say now?
Just tell them the truth!
"well the day we returned back, that night rose called me for a practise session. I may have seen you two outside vika's room talking." I admitted.
Their eyes widened.
"well what did you saw?!" vika demanded
"pretty much till the end." I said.
They both were flushed.
"now ivan… I know that you're my bestfriend. And I would do anything and everything to protect you, but if you hurt my baby sister. I swear to lord ill kill you myself" I warned ivan
"I will never hurt her Dimitri" he swore.
And with that our "love talk" was over.
We started talking bout school and homework. They asked me about my training with rose and stuff. I noticed that vika too called her 'turkish goddess'
"why does everyone call her Turkish goddess?" I asked curiously
"well cuz she is Turkish and she's a goddess. Truly. I mean she's such a strong guardian. Every guy in our year has a crush on her!" she exclaimed "and by the way you never told me that rose was Abe's daughter!"
"I also got to know it recently" I defended myself.
"well looks like the mazur's are always there to help you guys." Ivan said jokingly.
But it was true. Both Roza and Abe helped me and my family a lot.
"now that I think of it… rose looks exactly like abe!" vika exclaimed "I mean did you just see her walking in the ground in her guardian outfit with abe by her side... I mean they looked just like a father and daughter! I mean they are- but still!"
Ivan nodded at vika's statement.
It was true. Today I saw her and abe, while I was talking to tasha. I literally stopped there and looked at her in awe. Not only she looked beautiful and intimidating but the resemblance between Abe and Rose was literally sparking. Her scarf matched abe's shawl. They both had gold jwellery on. She looked like a 'mazur'.
"well I think rose and guardian ashford are dating" ivan's voice snapped me back to the room.
I looked at him like he was a crazy maniac.
"why would you think that?" I questioned him, trying not to show how much it sting me.
"oh come on dimka!" vika chirped in "don't act stupid. Havent you seen how guardian ashford acts around her? The whole school knows that he had a crush on her since they were little."
I was really hating this conversation right now.
"maybe he does. Not rose. She doesn't like him!" I exclaimed.
She raised an eyebrow "and how do you know that?"
"because…"
I suddenly went back to every moment rose and I spent together…
Our first meet… our first conversation… our first training session… me always laughing and having a good time when im around her… our little bickerings… the day I went to her molnija mark ceremony, when she had that proud look on her face for me… when she calmed me down when I saw ivan kissing vika… when she breakes the rules just so I could talk to my mama… how she saved me from the strigoi… how she always cares for me… how she always tells me that its going to be okay one day… how there's always a sudden wave of warmth everytime we touched… how she can always look deep down my soul everytime we made eye contact…
She cant like mason…
Mason is a nice guy but he is not for her…
"because I just know." I said in a very 'simple-as-that' tone.
Ivan shrugged. But vika smirked at me.
And it was not a normal cheeky one. It was a bloody real smirk, the one people give you when they know your big secret… I tried not to look at her, she and I were certainly going to have an memorable talk afterwards…
Time flew by as we all talked. It was 8:45 am. it was night.
I asked vika if I should drop her on in her dorm on my way but she said that ivan will…
I hugged her and patted ivan's back and made my way out of his room.
It was very chilly outside. I didn't really had any homework to, and my muscles didn't pain that much. so I thought of hitting the gym. Novices arent really allowed alone in the gym but its not like people don't do it.
I could really do some boxing today, try to master the punches rose taught me today.
I wondered what she must be doing… work you fool! She has a job, unlike you.
Before going to the gym I went back to my room and shrugged my duster on, then made my way to the gym.
When I entered the gym it was all empty, which I was very thankful for.
I made my way towards the boxing room, which had its entrance from a door in the corner of the gym. I havent been to that room for almost 2 years…
As I neared the door I heard grunts and groans and noise of someone beating the boxing bag.
Someone was already there…
I know I should've left like a nice boy but that sound was familiar.
I slowly opened the door and peeked inside. thankfully that person didn't heard the door open. The room had a dim red lighting. It was kinda dark. I couldn't see the person's face but I knew that it was a girl.
I looked around the room. It had changed a lot. There was a big mesh wall that were separating the boxing bag area to the battle ropes area.
There was sand on the floor.
It looked like a mobster's gym.
The girl still hadn't notice me. she was violently punching and kicking the bag. Suddenly her hair come loose. They were long…..
It was rose.
I quietly entered the room and started walking towards her, as I got closer I could make out that is roza.
I was standing right next to her but she still didn't notice me. he eyes were at the bag, she was beating without any mercy. Even though she was violent, still her form was very good. Her punches were oddly graceful.
I looked down her body…
Sweat was running down her whole body, starting from her forehead and going down to her stomach.
Her white pants were dirty with sand, she wore a black sports bra. Which had a very low back, so you could see her molnija marks perfectly. He had a very toned body. Even some muscles around her arms and stomach.
I saw her pink tshirt which she was wearing earlier, tossed in a corner.
She looked like a goddess in the dim red light…
She was still punching the bag and grunting and groaning. Why was she not stopping?
I moved closer to her, she had a very strong smell… it was alcohol.
My eyes then fell on 4 empty beer bottles lying on the floor. Something was wrong with her.
My gaze then fell on her hands… she wasn't wearing any gloves!
Her hands were red… blood was also starting to flow. But she didn't stop.
"rose" I said in a soft voice.
She didn't stop.
"roza… please stop this." I said again.
She slowed her pace… but didn't stop.
I couldn't take it anymore.
She cant hurt herself like this!
"ROZA" I yelled and clutched her shoulders, pulling her away from the bag.
Her eyes snapped at me. she wasn't mad or angry…
She was hurt.
What even happened to her?
For a moment she just looked at me like a lost puppy.
"comrade?" she finally said "wha- what are you doing here?"
"forget about me. what are you doing roza? And where are you gloves?" I asked and picked up her bruised hands to show her.
Her eyes widened on seeing them.
She looked up at me. she was still hurt… not only physically but emotionally.
She opened her mouth to say but couldn't.
I couldn't see her like this… she looked so vulnerable…
I wrapped my hands around her protectively.
She buried her face in my chest and started hyperventilating.
My face was touching her loose her hair. Her scent was warm and intoxicating… and it was not the alcohol…
"breathe rose…" I said softly "breathe…"
Her breathing was more stable and calm now.
She pulled back a little, my hands were set on her bare waist. Her hands were touching my shoulders.
"are you okay?" I asked her softly
She gave me a small nod.
Her eyes lazy now… she was tired and probably drunk.
"rose you're drunk…" I said gently, trying not to make her angry.
She shook her head like a child who was caught lying.
"I don't drink always if that's what you mean… only when im sad or stressed…" rose said in a low voice.
She was sad…
"why are you sad?" I asked her.
It looked like she wanted to tell me something desperately but then that look wear off "its nothing… just work" she said. she was obviously lying.
But I didn't pressurize her.
I know it would sound inappropriate but I had to take her to her room. I couldn't see her phone anywhere, oreslse I would've called Christian or lissa. But honestly I didn't mind her taking…
"you want me to take you to your apartment?" I asked cautiously.
"yes please" she replied.
Okay… now we need a plan to get rose out of the gym and to her room without anyone noticing her…
I picked up her shirt and told her to put it on.
Once she was done. I walked towards her and gently removed her hair tie, her long hair flowed down.
Next I took off my duster and wrapped it around rose.
I carefully took her out of the room, thankfully the gym was still empty.
I looked outside the gym doors first. Only a couple of people were walking outside, far away from us.
Suddenly I felt rose grip my tshirt and lean on me.
She was totally drunk.
I caught her by the waist before she could fall. She wrapped her one arm around my stomach. I adjusted my duster in such a way that no one but me can see her face.
Thank god for her long hair, now even if people see us they will think im with a girl who has long hair. We stepped out of the gym and started walking towards her building. People did saw us but looked away casually.
"comrade?" rose mumbled.
I looked down at her "hmm?"
"do you like my hair?" she asked, in a very cute innocent tone.
"yes roza I do. I like your hair very much." I admitted.
I felt her smiling against my chest.
I couldn't help but smile too.
"what about my training? Are you able to learn anything from me?" she asked again
"yes rose… im learning a lot from you… you are a very good mentor" I replied. Which was hundred and ten percent true.
"and you are a veryyyyyyy good student" she said in a lazy voice stretching her 'y'.
I laughed softly.
Finally we reached her building.
I didn't wanted to leave like this and go away so I went inside her building. She was still clinging on me which would've been even sweeter if she wasn't drunk… snap out of it! She's your mentor!
Normally there are no guardians on desk during nightime, which was good cuz I didn't wanted to be seen by anyone.
When we reached the stairs I made rose lean against a wall and asked her "can you walk the stairs?"
"ofcourse I can." She said in her confident rose Hathaway tone.
She quickly started climbing the stairs but trembled and fell on me.
I caught her by the arms and steadied her.
"maybe not…" she mumbled.
I stifled a laugh at her cuteness.
She was so beautiful and adorable…
Without even thinking I picked her up bridal style. She was surprisingly heavy but not that much.
She yelped in surprise.
"comrade! Put me down" she shouted.
I shushed her and carried her upstairs.
"where are your keys?" I asked her when we reached her door.
"put me down." She demanded like a kid.
I put her down.
She then took out the keys from her pant's pocket and handed them to me.
She could barely stand on her legs.
I quickly unlocked the door, and picked her up again and stepped inside her apartment.
The living room was dark, rose stretched her arm behind my neck and turned on the lights.
"directions please" I requested.
"go straight and then turn left." She said.
I followed the directions and opened her bedroom door.
The lights were already on. They were dim.
Her room wasn't big but it sure looked cozy.
I spotted her bed below the window. I gently landed her on it.
I spotted an antiseptic cream on her dressing table, I picked it up and gently applied it on rose's bruised hands.
She laid down the bed. I pulled up her maroon duvet upto her chest. She snuggled in it comfortably.
As I was about to get up and leave her hand caught my arm.
"im sorry.." she mumbled
Why was she sorry?
"why rose?" I asked gently.
"I wasted your time… I know its very irresponsible of me to drink so much but-"
"rose you didn't waste my time… every moment I spend with you is precious for me… and it was irresponsible, but still… it wasn't your fault." I said softly.
"so you're not mad at me?" she asked quietly
"I can never be mad at you roza."
She looked so nice in my duster…
She smiled sweetly.
"now sleep" I said stroking her cheek "you'll have a terrible hangover tomorrow so take all the rest you can"
She leaned to my hand and sighed. " message lissa from my phone and tell her im sleeping, will you? Its in the drawer."
"I will" I promised. "now sleep"
She nodded "good night comrade" she mumbled and closed her eyes.
There was silence in the room.
Rose started snoring softly. She looked like an angel while sleeping… and a beautiful cowgirl in my duster…
I carefully opened her drawer and picked out her phone and messaged lissa from her side.
My eyes fell on her nightstand. It had a photo frame of her and maybe lissa dressed as fairies on Halloween.
I chuckled softly.
I got up and kissed her forehead softly.
"good night my roza…" I whispered and after some time, I left her apartment.
IPOV-
Everything was just perfect between me and vika, and my life was back to normal. Dimka was fine. I was fitting well in the academy. And vika and I spent every evening together.
We did our homework together, play games, talk and makeout.
She was the girl of my dreams. I loved her.
I wanted to tell her that I just don't like her. I love her. But I thought of confessing this at the perfect moment.
Vika and rolan were still in their fake relationship. It felt bad at times but I knew that both of them were just faking it… at the end of the day im the one vika truly likes.
The good thing is that im in their group now, so I can keep my eyes on rolan.
And steal a couple of kisses when she's not around them.
But the only thing that was bothering me,was why was vika in this fake relationship in the first place?
Their were some big secrets that both of them knew, but I didn't… what were they?
My thoughts all flew away when I heard vika's bathroom door unlocking.
She stepped out dressed in her satin pyjamas. Her hair was damp from the shower she had just taken. She looked beautiful.
She walked upto me and sunk on her bed next to me.
"what is it?" she asked looking at me
"what is what?" I asked, confused.
"what are you thinking? You wanna talk bout it?" she asked softly.
"im not thinking anything vika" I assured her "you look sleepy… you should rest."
"no im not." She protested.
She was going to get this out of me in any way…
"yes you are" I said cupping her cheeks "you had your novice combat practise today… im sure you're tired."
She smiled lazily "I won you know… I took aster down. She is best in our year and I defeated her!"
I gave her a sweet smile. She really is amazing in hand to hand combat.
"I know that vika… no one can beat your Russian ass" I joked. "you should sleep now. Tomorrow you have an early class."
She sighed "ivan… I know something is bothering you. Tell me… is it me? Is it us?"
"no vika its not you… or us. I mean I havent been happy in a long time like I am now. But…"
"but what ivan?" she asked softly.
"why do you keep this relationship with rolan. I know that you two know some secrets about each other but what is so bad that you have to be in a fake relationship with him" I asked her in a pleading voice.
Her soft look wear off. She pulled away her face from my hands.
"ivan… I cant tell you that." She whispered.
What is so bad that she cant tell me?
"why viktoria? What is so bad that you cant tell me?" I asked her.
Her eyes were down, on the floor " I just cant… somethings are not meant to be said out loud…"
She was really freaking me out.
"did- did you do something? Something bad? That could get you into trouble?" I asked her carefully.
She snapped her neck at me.
"okay… ill tell you." She said "but only if you tell me the real reason behind you and dimka leaving."
Oh fuck….
"vika… I cant tell you that." I said softly.
She scoffed lightly.
"well ivan, the moment you tell me the reason why you left, ill tell you my reason of having a fake relationship." She said
Im not even gonna lie… I was upset.
What did she even do that cant even tell me?
Vika was a clever girl… she would never tell her secret until I tell her mine. And I wouldn't… me leaving because of this little reason will make vika hate me forever.
I cant let that happen…
I got up from her bed and without saying anything I left her room.
It was the first time since abby's party, we didn't sleep together (real sleep okay!)
I stepped into my room and laid down on my bed, waiting for sleep to come…
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Author's note.
Yeah! So its andre…
Andre is the guy who's coming back in rose's life.
I know that some of you thought that it would be Adrian but im sorry to burst you bubble… I just think that andre will be more suitable as a trustbreaker kinda guy. I'll put Adrian in the story but later… I promise that he will also have a role in making rose and dimitri's relationship difficult but for now I think we should just focus on andre.
There is a lot more to rose and Adrian's time together…
But how will Dimitri take all this?
Will he still see rose as a great friend?
And what will happen when st. Vladimir will have a new fresh rumor flying around?
There will be smut and a lot of confessions, twists, turns, crying, kissing, backstabbing, revelations in their life…
And a lot fun for you creatures of the night.
If you wanna know, you gotta keep reading…
Until next time…
~K