Shards and Ashes ~ A Vampire Academy Fanfic

Chapter Four

~ Chapter Four ~

"Tasha!" Lissa jumps up from her seat and throws her arms around Christian's aunt. She gives a smile as Lissa pulls away, just as excited as Tasha is.

Tasha laughs and says, "it's so good to see you again, Lissa." She glances in my direction and adds, "Rose, so lovely to see you too. How is guardian training coming along?"

"Same old, same old," I mutter and stand from my seat. I wonder if she knows that Dimitri told me. From the looks of it, it's possible he didn't tell her.

Once Tasha and Lissa are both done hugging and exchanging hello's, Tasha looks between the two of us, a big grin tugging at the corners of her lips. I stare and admire the natural beauty she has, the long scar on the side of her face. I scold myself for thinking like that. She's taking Dimitri away from me. We can't be friends or allies.

"Have either of you seen my mischievous nephew?" She asks.

Lissa frowns. "Not since yesterday morning."

Tasha notices I don't say anything and raises her head at me, her eyes scanning my face.

"Rose," Tasha announces my name. "What about you?

I shrug, my hands balling into fist. Drop it, Rose, I say to myself, and reply to Tash's question with, "yesterday night. We had a small exchange."

Lissa raises an eyebrow, asking for an answer to an unsaid question. Though the bond, I hear Lissa say, we'll talk later. I give a slight nod in her direction, not enough for Tasha to notice though.

"Look, I need to go," I jab a thumb to the direction of the doors. "Lissa, eat something. Please."

"Wait, Rose," Lissa grabs my arm and pulls me back. In a low whisper, she asks me, "are you okay?"

I pat Lissa's hand. "Yes, Liss. Don't worry 'bout me. I'm fine."

"Okay," she says, a flash of concern crossing her face. I really hope she doesn't drive herself crazy worrying about me.

I turn to go, but quickly stop when I hear Tasha's approaching footsteps.

"Rose, wait," Tasha's voice rings out. I swivel on my heel and face her. "I heard that the ice is still a bit frozen. Maybe we can go ice-skating one of these boring old school days?"

Excitement fills Lissa's face. "Oh my God! That would be awesome! Rose-" She looks at me. "What do you think?"

I give a big, fake smile. I try to play up to Lissa's excitement, but it fails miserably. "Maybe. We'll have to see, you know."

"Great!" Tasha gives me a sincere smile, and I can't help but smile back.

I turn to leave, this time without anyone stopping me. Outside, the cold night air sends a chills down my spine. I shudder even though I'm not that cold. I take a mental note to bring a jacket next time I go out.

THE COOL SHOWER water runs down my back, giving the chilly feeling of a cold morning. I turn the nozzle and step out of the shower, reaching for a towel. I wrap it around my bruised body. Why did I have to get so beat up when training?

Someone knocks on the door.

"Be there in a sec!" I say, rushing into my dorm and grabbing a pair of jeans and a cute black blouse. I slip them on with the rest of the casualties before opening the door. For a second, I'm hopeful it's Adrian or Lissa, or even Christian. No such thing happens.

It's Dimitri.

I clear my throat and say, "Dimitri, hi."

"Can I come in?" He asks, looking around the room. I nod and step out of the way, letting Dimitri inside. He steps in and takes a seat on the edge of my bed. He must think it a risk, because he moves to my desk chair instead.