✔ St Vladimir Academy.

Chapter 12: Acting normal

12

Rose POV.

The following training Dimitri didn't mention anything he acted like nothing happened.

He acted like a teacher just as he should. I also noticed he was a little off today. He was more secluded than usual. I know he doesn't talk much bet even less today. When we were done training I thought I would try to get him out of his shell.

"He comrade. Are you okay. You seem a little down today." I asked. A flash of surprise and hurt sprung in his eyes but he hid it behind his mask. "I'm okay Roza, nothing to worry about." He answered in a monotonous voice.

We were in the gym putting the equipment away. He sighed a little. It was hardly noticeable but I caught it. Before he turned towards the door I caught his wrist. I looked him straight in the eyes and said. "Seriously Dimitri, you can talk to me?" Using my 'don't fool around' voice.

I held my gaze. "Why are you hurting?" Another flash off surprise lit in his eyes. "How do you know?"
I squeezed his hand. "I can see it in your eyes. Now please tell me what's up." I asked seriously. I saw resolve through his eyes. He looked out the door and closed it too give us some privacy. "I actually am hurting. Do you know what day it is?" I frowned. "Thursday. But that's not the point what happened on this day?" He sighed. "On this day a year ago a good friend of mine died." He said softly. As he said this I saw guilt for only a moment on his face.

"And why do you blame yourself?" I asked. Again surprise flashed in his eyes as I guessed another emotion that he was trying to hide.

"Because he was coming to see me. It was late and he was coming over to my apartment. I should have picked him up. He didn't have a car and had to walk through a ruff part of town to get too my apartment. When he was half an hour late I went looking for him only to find the ambulance taking him away. He died on his way towards the hospital. Apparently he was trying to save somebody from being rapped. His name was Ivan." I saw tears fill his eyes. I didn't know what to say so I hugged him. He stiffened as I pulled him into my embrace. When he relaxed he buried his head into my hair on my shoulder. I rubbed his back. "It wasn't your fault. Ivan made his own choice....... think of it this way if you picked him up that poor girl would be rapped and not saved by Ivan." I pulled back still in each other's embrace. His eyes were brimming with tears and one escaped. I whipped away the tear and kissed his cheek.

"If things went differently we wouldn't have met or you wouldn't have saved me from being rapped. You did his name proud." I whispered. He pulled away frowning at me. "You remember." Reluctantly I nodded. "I never forgot. I just wanted it to blow over. But don't worry it's been taken care off." He whipped a hair out of my face. "You shouldn't have gone through that alone. I could've helped."
I smiled. "But you did help. With the training." He nodded as he saw my point. I pulled out of his embrace and wanted to open the door but he was holding it shut. "We need to talk about something else?" He said. I turned around and leaned against the door. "I know." I whispered while looking down at my feet. I was expecting for him to turn into his teacher mode but too my surprise he cupped my chin and lifted it so I could see into his eyes. They were studying me intently. "I really like you Roza." He whispered still standing close. Before he said anything else I voiced my fears. "But we can't, your my teacher. It's wrong." I said while placing my hands on his chest. "I know its wrong Roza. But why does it feel so right." He whispered back before leaning in closer. We were so close I could almost taste his lips.

"I wish there was a way.....All I can ask you is that we wait." He whispered while rubbing circles on my jaw. His eyes showed me he wanted to kiss me but he held himself back. "I need to go Comrade or Lissa will come looking for me." He reluctantly pulled back and opened the door. We walked out and I could feel his touch for the rest of the night.

We both fell back into our student teacher roles and nobody suspected.

Dimitri POV.

She was so wise beyond her years. Somehow she knew what was going on with me. Her eyes looked right through me. It scared me. I couldn't be with her. For now I thought. When she turns 18 she could choose me if she wanted too but it would be her choice.

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