(A/N HEYYY GUYS! I'M BACK. HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS CHAPTER!)
THE OTHER WAY ROUND
Chapter 30
(DICLAIMER- I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS. THE AMAZINGLY TALENTED RICHELLE MEAD DOES)
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RPOV-
I buzzed the doorbell and stood back, waiting patiently for the door to open.
It was about 8 pm (am for humans) and I was tired as hell. I would give anything to go to my apartment and curl up like a baby inside my thick blanket… and sleep there forever!
I'm so jealous of Sleeping beauty right now!
Being a guardian comes with many disadvantages… one of them- is the less sleep you get. We have extra shifts atleast thrice a week which means – NO SLEEP.
My gaze fell on the wooden floor where I was currently standing. This doesn't seem so bad for a little nap… maybe if I could get a pillow and a nice cozy blanket… im ready to spend an eternity-
OH! SNAP OUT OF IT!
Vlad! I really need coffee!
Well- the other reason for my laziness is the weather….
Its literally so damn cold! Even though I'm wearing a thick black overcoat, I could feel the cold air touching my skin- making me shudder. It would be so pleasant if I were wearing a woolly jumper and was under a thick blanket, with the heater turned on…
Some of the many reasons I HATE Montana!
I shifted my gaze back on the door, tapping my black heeled boots on the cold floor in anticipation as I clung my overcoat closer to my body. Why the hell isn't Christian opening! Does he want me to freeze here! And die!?
That's it! I balled my cold fists and banged on the door.
"coming!" I heard a voice shout from the other side of the door. Oh no! I knew that voice very well… it wasn't Christian.
Oh vlad! This is the last thing I need right now!
An angry and snappy Lissa!
I stood there, cursing myself while I waited for her to open the door.
I still have a little time to run…
Should I run?
I heard the lock clicking open…
Ah! Nevermind then…
The door flung open revealing a very tired looking Lissa.
Her platinum blonde hair, which were always straighten to perfection were tied up in a very messy bun on top of her head, small streaks of hair falling out of the bun framing her pale face. In short, it looked like a rat's nest.
My eyes fell on her tired face. Her expression was hard to read… she seemed oddly relieved but she was also upset. None of us were saying anything. She raked her eyes up and down, looking at me. For the first time ever, I looked more presentable than lissa. I mean- I was tired as hell but lissa looked… fatigued. Which is strange cuz she looks presentable at all times… even while going to bed.
Something's up with her….
"hey" I found myself breaking the long silence.
"hey" she breathed out a tired sigh "what are you doing here?" surprisingly there was no sarcasm or hatred in her voice. It was more like she was curious.
"uh- Christian called… he wanted to talk" I said not meeting eyes with her. God! Since when did we get so awkward with each other!
"he's in Kirova's office to discuss about the exams and stuff." She answered.
I exhaled "okay… then I guess I'll just go-"
"You can come inside and wait" she interrupted me. I could sense the eagerness in her voice, I know she noticed it too and quickly composed herself "I mean- he's going to be here any minute"
Who am I to say no if she's trying to make an effort! I gave her small nod and stepped inside their apartment.
It was warm and cozy as I expected.
"sit down" she said and went inside the kitchen, coming back with a glass of water.
I sat down the comfy sofa and gulped down the water in one go. Hey! I was thirsty!
I saw her giving me a small smile when I kept the glass down.
"do you want something to eat?" she offered. "no thanks" I declined politely "I just had a protein bar"
She nodded and sat next to me.
Now would be a nice time to apologize…
But what should I say?
Sorry lissa but I couldn't love your brother because of you- oh wait! I already said that!
I regret our fight since that day! I shouldn't have lost control like that…
But lissa took me by surprise- she hardly ever snaps at someone, let alone at me!
She is the patient one….
But I did screw up by telling her that I'm no longer her guardian… I shouldn't have break the news like that!
"I'm sorry" we both blurted at the same time.
My mouth was open, trying to process what I just heard.
"Rose… im sorry I shouldn't have snapped at you like that" I heard lissa saying softly "there's no excuse to how I acted… I just lost it- Christian and I had a fight due to this and now I realise that what a bitch I was for shouting at you in middle of the dining hall. I basically called you a whore and I'm so so sorry!"
I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"hey! Here I'm saying sorry and you are laughing at me!" she said accusingly.
"I'm sorry- but its so funny hearing you call yourself a bitch!" I managed to say in between my laughs.
Lissa narrowed her eyes at me, but then burst out laughing too.
"So? you forgive me?" she asked slowly when we finally stopped laughing.
"Yes… and it wasn't entirely your fault. I shouldn't have lost control like that eighter…" I admitted.
"I wanted to ask you one thing- two things actually!" she blurted
"Shoot!" I didn't wanted to answer them because I knew they were going to be about Andre and me but I agreed anyway.
"Did you ever hate me because you could never have a proper relationship with andre?" she asked, tears welling up in her jade green eyes "I mean- you said that it was because of me that-"
"I could never hate you, Lissa. I'm not even mad at you for that" I interrupted her, giving her shoulder a light squeeze "I know I said that but I didn't mean it like that… it isnt your fault that Andre and I didn't work… it was fate- and us.
I made my own decision… my own terms. Its just that I was suppose to be your guardian and then this relationship would be a… distraction. Don't get me wrong- it was amazing… andre… he was amazing and understanding. But I think deep down we both knew that this would never work… its not just because of you. Its because I never saw him that way- we were similar- yet too different."
She nodded "I understand. Im so sorry for doubting you like that!"
"hey! Its water under the bridge- don't think about it" I said mirroring the big smile she was giving me.
"im so glad to have my bestfriend back!" she squeakled and pulled me in a big bone-cracking bear hug.
I hugged her back immediately. Her sleek boney figure was hurting my skin a little but I ignored it. I just got my bestfriend back! How can I leave her so soon?
Eventually we had to pull back for air.
"you didn't ask the second question" I said.
Her smile fell "uh- well… why did you leave your post as my guardian?"
I let out a deep sigh. I knew this question was going to come up!
I shifted my gaze on the coffee table infront of me, unable to look her in the eyes.
"lissa I-"
"is it because of something I did?" Lissa asked with guilt in her voice which made me snap my head towards her.
"No… no its not because of something you did, Liss" I said trying to assure her.
"then why? After everything you've done to be my guardian… why did you leave?" her voice was down to a whisper. I knew she is on the very of burst out into tears.
Gear up Rose! You gotta tell her this someday! Better then now than later…
I took a deep breath and told her everything. I first started with when Dimitri and Ivan were called by Kirova in her office. From me, being ordered to find out the real reason why they left till Kirova telling them about me.
"First of all, you should've never agreed to be a mole!" lissa stopped me in between "I mean- the boys trusted you. Dimitri trusts you so much! it would've hurt him so bad when he found out that everything was a façade!"
My face fell when I remembered how sad and broken Dimitri looked that night…
"I know… but trust me! I never asked him to tell me about why he and Ivan ran away! And not everything was a façade… I just wanted this matter to slip out of Kirova's mind without creating any scene!"
Lissa nodded and gave me an understanding smile "Well… I still don't understand where do I come in this? What does have to do with your job?"
"how many years has it been since I've been your guardian, Liss?" I asked her
She took a second before replying "7- ish?"
I nodded "Yes… and you do know that guardians are suppose to get sanctioned to another moroi, every 5 years?"
Her eyes widened as realisation washed over her face "b-but I've had you for 7 years! W-Why the hell would they transfer you now!" she screeched
"calm down! I'm not getting transferred Lissa! I'm going to stay here, at the academy for the time being." I said, trying to help her relax
Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion "why will you be staying here? You didn't get another moroi?"
I shake my head in a no "I didn't get one… I'm going just to mentor Dimitri for now. And after he graduates we both can go to the royal court and put a request for each other and then BAM!" I clapped my hands together "we are together again!"
Lissa chuckled "you sure this will work?"
"I know it'll work, lissa. Dimitri graduates in about 7 months and then you can put in a request for me saying that you want me back! The court will eventually have to listen to the Dragomir Princess!" I teased her which earned me a slap on my shoulder.
"it does sounds good!" lissa beamed "I'm fine with Mason being my guardian, for now!"
"Wait- mason is going to be your guardian?" I asked quickly
"Yeah! He's starting tomorrow. He wanted to tell you himself, but I guess I told you now" she shrugged
I breathed a sigh of relief.
I was actually pretty tensed about Lissa's guardian. I mean- don't get me wrong! All the guardians are well trained and know how to protect a moroi but… its Lissa!
I'll always be worried about her and her safety even if I'm her guardian or not, but Mason being her guardian relaxed me a bit.
"that's nice… Mason will be a very good guardian to you"
She huffed "well I want you!"
I rubbed my temple because of my increasing head ache. I cannot tell her that I was given an option to choose between her and Dimitri. if she knows that I chose him- well lets just say my head will hurt more!
"This is the punishment Kirova gave me for lying to the school board. It'll be alright, Lissa. Just eight months" I tried to convince her to let this topic rest.
"fine… but im getting you back as soon as Dimitri graduates!"
I chuckled "I know you will."
I saw her a frown covering her face, which made me worried.
"What happened Liss? You look upset." I asked her rubbing her arm gently
"Its just-" she groaned "I know you don't blame me for what happened between you and Andre- but somewhere I'll always be the reason for why you can't fall in love with someone!"
"Oh! Dear bestie, only if you knew" I muttered in my mind and chuckled.
"Only if I knew what?" Lissa questioned, raising an eyebrow.
Ohhhh shit!
I did not say that in my mind, did I?!
Vlad! Im soo screwed.
What am I suppose to say to her!
Suddenly Lissa's face lit up like a Christmas Tree, oh god she figured it..
"Rose! Do you love someone?!" my bestfriend exclaimed- bouncing on the sofa.
I flinched at the word 'love'.
I mean- yeah… I do love someone but I've never said it out loud- not even to myself…
I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out. Lissa sensed my silence and her smile grew even bigger.
"WHO IS IT!?" she screamed out which startled me.
Okay! What am I suppose to say to her? That im in love with my 7 year younger student! A novice- A minor? And even if I do tell her- lissa is going to be upset! Not just because of the age thing… because if I tell her that its Dimitri she'll think I left my job as her guardian for that reason. To be with Dimitri… which is not at all true!
Oh Vlad! Just kill me already!
"Its no one Liss!" I snapped at her. But asif it was going to shut her up.
"Oh! don't lie to me Rosemaire Mazur!" she snapped back "I know there's someone you have eyes one!"
Oh! Suddenly their wooden floor looks so interesting!
"Look! You're blushing! You never blush!" Lissa squealed clapping her hands together in victory and happiness.
"I-I'm not b-blushing" I stuttered, trying my best not to blush.
"Oh Vlad! Please tell me who this guy is Rose!" she whined "you're gonna kill me with the curiosity."
"Don't be stupid, Lissa. I don't love anyone nor do I have my eyes on anyone" I said, keeping in mind not to look into her green compelling eyes.
"Rose! I'm your bestfriend. We've known each other since kindergarten! I know that there's someone. I can see it on your face- you have the 'I'm-in-love glow'!"
I couldn't help but chuckle "wait- I have a what glow?"
"The 'love glow', Rose!" she explained "its like a glow you have on your face when you fall in love!"
"that's ridiculous, Liss. No one glows when they are in love." I deadpan
"Believe me Rose, you are glowing! Not just from you face- you are glowing from inside. Like- you have been working all day but you are not screaming or looking like a scary mad-woman!" Lissa pointed out
"Ouch! I'm hurt Liss" I said placing a hand over my heart
"it's the truth, Rose. You look so calm and so full!"
"hey! Im not full. Im really hungry!" I argued but lissa chuckled "that's not what I meant, silly. I mean- that these days you are so different- like you are actually glowing!"
I just rolled my eyes. Im not to belive this 'glowing' bullshit.
Lissa looked like she was thinking something. After a moment she spoke up "you know… not that I think of the 'love glow' it happens because of the increase in the blood flow in your skin, like when you're happy or you've just had a very brief moment with the guy. Wait-" then realisation washed over her face "Did you meet him before coming here?!"
Oh yes I did!
And what a meeting it was…
My mind went back to what happened an hour ago... the way he acted on my planned attack, the way he pinned my back against his torso…how I got goosebumps when he whispered in my ear…
'Ms. Mazur' sounded so erotic from his mouth.
And how he went pale when I mentioned my probability of becoming a strigoi… it looked like the air was sucked from his lungs and the colour on his face was completely drained out.
It shocked me for a second on how much effect I have on him.
But then a question pops in my mind- Why?
Why would Dimitri be so effected?
I mean- I know that he cares about me but still…
Oh wait- d-does he lo-
"hello! Earth to Rose" Lissa's voice brought me back from my thoughts.
"yeah?"
"what happened? You completely zoned out there." Lissa stated "are you okay?"
I cleared my throat before speaking again "uh-yeah I'm fine"
She got up from the sofa "you know what? I'm gonna bring some food and then you are telling me about this love interest of yours"
Before I could say anything she walked over to her kitchen and started opening her snack jars.
I felt too restless so I got up from the sofa and mindlessly walked towards there big French style window. It gave the perfect view of the St. Vlad's ground. It looked normal; the guardians were gathering for their night shift, students walking back to their dorms…
Suddenly my gaze fell on the bundle of sheets placed neatly on the glass dining table. It was definitely some essays or assignment done by Lissa's students.
My curious-self picked up the topmost assignment and started reading it.
Spirit essay by Kelly Parker
Topic- why spirit is important?
Ofcourse they would be writing essays about why spirit was important. Just how Liss always says 'there is no point of practising your magic until you know everything about it and learn to respect the special gift you have.'
My gaze suddenly went from Kelly Parker's paper to the paper which was now on the top of the pile.
I immediately froze in my place when I read the name.
Ivan Zeklos
Ivan? Dimitri's bestfriend Ivan?
Ivan practises spirit?
How the hell did I not know about this?
And why did Dimitri never mention it?
Wait- if Lissa teaches Ivan spirit, then why didn't she ever tell me that?
"Rose? What are you doing over there?" I heard Lissa's voice say
I placed Kelly's paper on the table and picked up Ivan's, and walked over to lissa.
"what is this?" I questioned her, holding ivan's sheet in front of her face.
Lissa looked a bit confused at first but then her eyes fell on the name and her eyes widened. Just the reaction I wanted!
"How did you get this?" she asked in a small voice
"it was on the table." I said "does Ivan specialise in Spirit?"
Lissa honestly looked like a scared cat right now, but replied "yes he does" in a calm voice- which was obviously forced.
"Does Dimitri know about this?" I asked the next question that came in my mind but immediately slapped myself in the head. Ofcourse he knows! He's Ivan's bestfriend-
"No he doesn't" lissa said which shook me.
Dimitri doesn't know? Ivan hid such a big thing from him.
I swallowed the hard lump which formed in my throat. I don't even know what to say or ask now.
"Rose… One day I caught Ivan compelling a Guardian and I confronted him about it. He was very tensed so I talked to him about how he did that- because it wasn't normal compulsion."
"then what was it?" I found myself asking
"his compulsion skills almost matched mine. That Guardian was completely zoned out. I asked him why he wouldn't tell Dimitri about his magic but he shut me out saying that he doesn't want to worry him any more. And that's how I started teaching him spirit."
This time I was the one with the realisation. I think I know the reason why they ran away from the academy. But I wish that isnt the truth.
"So that's why they ran from the academy?" I asked with all my leftover courage.
Lissa knew very well about what I was talking about.
Please lissa say its not true! Because if this is the reason… the boys are in a big mess and so are Lissa and I.
"Yes." Lissa said which made me go numb "Dimitri and Ivan ran from St. Vladimir's because Ivan couldn't declare magic."
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Author's note-
Heyyy my creatures of the night! Long time no see!
So first of all, my exams are FINALLY over! YIPPIEEEE!
Hope this chapter was good, I promise to post the chapters as soon as possible. Don't forget to leave a comment about what you thought of this chapter!
Well… they say nothing can be hidden forever-
That includes Rose's "new love interest" and Ivan's not-so-little secret.
Will lissa let go of her best friend's love life topic easily? And what will happen when Dimitri learns about his bestfriend's secret?
It's a 'tell or die' war between the bestfriends, and everytime bestfriends' start having troubles, someone always takes advantage…
Love conquers all, right?
But is love enough this time?
If you wanna know… you gotta keep reading
Until next time…
~K