Mistakes (Vampire Academy)

Chapter Four

I was awaken the next morning by the rude glaring of the sun. The only thing that helps me get out of bed is the smell of breakfast.

"Good morning, Olena." I smile at her, while she's flipping something delicious on the stove.

"Good morning, Rose." She stops what she's doing, and gives me a long, tight hug. One of those warm and comforting hugs only a mother can give.

"I don't know how I can ever thank you . . ." I say, looking at the ground, as I run my hand up and down my forearm.

"It's only breakfast." Olena laughs, going back to flipping food.

"I mean for letting me stay. It's so generous of you." I feel like somehow I'm trespassing. Invading their space. Deep down inside, I knew I couldn't stay here forever.

"Rose—oh, Rose." She shakes her head, her eyebrows furrowing in frustration. "I can see what's going through your head right now, and I demand you to stop it. I view you as one of my own daughters, and truth be told, I never want you to leave."

I didn't know what to say. I look into Olena's deep, chocolate brown eyes, and I could tell that she meant it. Those words were something that no one has ever said to me before. Not even by my own mother. I know, how sad, right? 

I stand there, dumbfounded. I couldn't find the right words, but I could tell that Olena wasn't expecting me to say anything.

I sit at the table, and I realize, finally, that for the first time in a long time, I feel at home.

I search the house quickly, in hopes to find Viktoria. But I find myself standing in the kitchen again.

"Where's Viktoria?" I ask, casually picking a few grapes from the bowl on the table.

"She went out." Her voice was hesitant, and it was clear she didn't want to talk about it. Respecting her privacy, I backed off of the topic. 

What could Viktoria possibly be doing?

A few hours later, I start getting ready for the day—more specifically, for the party. I know it wasn't until tonight, but I could get a few things ready; my hair, for example. I set it in loose curls, pumping my hair up with just the right amount of volume. Once satisfied, I go downstairs, stopping right before I was visible to the people currently whispering in the living room.

I hear Olena and Viktoria, muttering Russian things in hushed whispers. All I could make out was Viktoria's irritated tone, and Olena, which sounded like she was giving motherly advice.

"What are you doing?" Somebody sneaks up on me. I give a loud shriek, jumping in the process.

I shush Sonya, pointing at the living room.

"I think you're already caught." She shrugs, waltzing into the living room like nothing happened.

"Hey Vikki," I say, waving. "Where were you this morning?"

"Here and there," she responds, glancing in the midst of space. Weird. I honestly don't understand this behaviour. But, if they really want to keep me out of the loop, so be it. 

I'm starting to realize my place in this family, speaks the insecure part of me. 

Viktoria walks past me, waving me over to follow her, excitement glistening in her eyes. "I've got to show you something!"

I follow her into her bedroom, and she goes into her closest, rummaging around through her many things. "I thought you deserved this, for being such a great friend to me. So here."