Reality Bites - Wattys 2018 Shortlist

Chapter 57 - No Need to Shout!

As I'd anticipated, the our didn't go unnoticed.

"You and Dimitri share a room?" Tasha asked, surprised.

"Yeah it's just gorgeous" I gushed, opening the door to show her. Inside the room Dimitri's uniform was hanging neatly over the back of a chair, one of his Western novels was on the bedside table, and his duster was hanging on a hook beside the door. Of course, there was evidence of me there, too. I saw Tasha's eyes surveying the room, coming to rest upon my cherry lip gloss sitting beside Dimitri's novel and then my bright red bra – the one from the infamous 'underwear pervert' prank – resting artlessly on top of Dimitri's uniform.

Yep – definitely a room occupied by two!

"You can't see it now that it's dark, but sunrise and sunset are just gorgeous from this window" I continued, seemingly oblivious to her inspection of the bed that was unmade and rumpled on both sides. "It's lovely to lie in bed and look out across the yard to the trees! Anyway – I'm just going to change out of my pajamas" I said.

Taking the hint, I could hear Tasha walk across the landing and into her own room. Closing the door, I quickly rummaged through my bag, looking for the outfit I was after.

I hadn't been a hundred percent sure how Tasha was going to dress, so I'd packed way more than I would have otherwise coming away this weekend. Tasha usually wore tight tops and pants, showing off her slim Moroi figure, and today's outfit was no exception. So rather than trying to beat her at her own game, I changed into a very feminine and girly dress. It fell to just above the knee and showed my cleavage to advantage without looking in any way promiscuous or showy. I could almost hear my mother approving – and I knew compared to me dressed like this, Tasha would look old.

Slipping on a pair of tight workout shorts underneath my dress, I added one of my stakes to each of the thigh pouches the tailor had added. Before we left for Europe, I think I'd have her come for a day and adjust all my clothing to accommodate stakes. Dimitri was right – pockets were much more comfy than holsters!

Adding a little cherry lip gloss, piling my hair up into a whispy loose bun and slipping on a pair of ballet flats I checked my reflection in the mirror on the back of the armoire door. Yep – feminine and girly. Taking my chain from where it nestled against my chest I unclasped it – taking Dimitri's promise ring off and slipping it on to my middle finger. Perfect!

Tasha was already downstairs by the time I came down. Everyone bar Mom, Baba, Pavel, and Suzanne were settling to watch a movie, and I saw Tasha was sitting beside Dimitri on a three-seat sofa. While I could go and plonk myself between them, it would be pretty rude and very obvious. Thankfully Dimitri spotted me at that moment.

"You look gorgeous Roza," he said, running his eyes up and down my body appreciatively. Patting his lap, he held out his arms out to me. I was about to jump on him when I remembered my stakes, so I carefully sat myself down in his lap – but he could immediately tell I was armed.

"Hmm Novice Hathaway. Is that a stake under your dress or are you just pleased to see me?" he joked.

"Well I'm always pleased to see you Guardian Belikov – but you're right – I am packing silver..."

"You know there's something wrong about just how sexy it sounds to hear a woman's packing a stake or two" Adrian groaned, overhearing our conversation. Eddie was nodding from his position sitting on the floor.

I giggled. "I'm still getting used to them," I admitted. "I keep going to jump on Dimitri forgetting I'm wearing them. I don't think you'd appreciate a crotch full of silver, would you baby?"