Reality Bites - Wattys 2018 Shortlist

Chapter 75 - Diverted

We'd only just dressed, and I was standing cuddling my Russian God when I could hear raised voices outside the door. Pulling back from Dimitri, my eyes were wide. I could recognize Stan's pissed off voice demanding entry to the room. Backing away from Dimitri, I sat on the floor and grabbed the photo album – preparing to give the performance of my life.

Stan busted in and was looking back and forth between me sitting on the floor flicking through the album, and Dimitri who was standing on the other side of the room, packing books into a box.

"So, Comrade, is this really what passed for fashion in Russia or were you behind the times even in high school?" I joked at his expense, eyes looking across to a surprised looking Stan.

"Guardian Alto?" Dimitri said pleasantly. "How can I help you?"

"Belikov? What are you doing in the Guardian quarters alone with a Novice?"

"Hardly alone – she has two other Guardians with her," he said. "And I'm packing the last of my things. I've been busy before now but thought with the end of term approaching I should get onto it."

"And Novice Hathaway is here because?"

"I wanted my old Guardian Defence Theory notes to help Rose study for her upcoming exams," Dimitri said, indicating a stack of notebooks sitting next to where I was sitting.

MAN that guy could think on his feet!

"Yes – I can imagine they'd be very helpful, seeing as they're in Russian," Stan drawled sarcastically.

"Oh that's not a problem – Belikov, Kirk, Pavel, Mom, and Baba take turns grilling me on my exam topics every night. One of them will translate. It's such fun" I said, channeling my surliest pissed off teenager's voice.

"Aww come on Rose," Kirk said teasing through the open door. "You know you look forward to my calculus revision all day!"

"Yeah well, at least you don't shout at me when I get something wrong," I said giving Dimitri a pointed look. "And anything is better than revising Moroi History with Baba!"

Stan seemed a little confused. "You spend your evenings studying?"

"No Stan – I host dinner parties, drink French champagne and watch movies..." I said sarcastically, aware that's exactly how I'd spent last night. "I have my final exams over the next three weeks. Of course, I'm studying! Honestly – have you met my mother? Can you imagine I'd be allowed to do anything else?"

"Speaking of which, it's time for your Animal Behaviour and Physiology revision session," Kirk said. "Belikov – want me to take a box?"

"Sure thanks, Kirk" Dimitri said, passing him one of three small boxes with what amounted to his whole life in them. I dumped the Guardian Defence Theory notebooks and photo album on top – keen to get back to the unit and study the photo album in detail.

"Rose? I'll be back at the unit in time to train before dinner" Dimitri said.

I nodded and followed Kirk and the other Mazur Guardian out of the Guardian quarters, Stan following us right to the doors of the Novice dorms.

Back in the safety of the unit, Kirk put the box in Dimitri's room. Thanking him, I closed the door and lay on our bed, closing my eyes to think about finally making love with Dimitri in his old Guardian room. It had been good – it always was – but it had been very emotional too. Like we could finally start to put the pain of wanting one another, but not being able to be together, behind us.

Nineteen days and then we could tell the world I was his and he mine! But before then, I think a visit to my old dorm room might be in order, too... I hadn't lied that first day back when I said it had been a fantasy of mine for quite some time! And on our run tomorrow, I wanted to ask if we could run past the cabin. Not for that. But I would like some photos of a place very special to us both. In fact, I think I might take my camera around the next few weeks to capture the last moments of my school life.