Reality Bites - Wattys 2018 Shortlist

Chapter 86 - Wear a Dress

Lehigh had been pretty much as I'd anticipated. University campuses and towns weren't new to Lissa and me – they were where we'd hidden while we were on the run. In Portland Lissa and I had stayed in student dorm accommodation, but given we'd have Guardians and boyfriends to consider this time around it made sense for us to live off campus. Accordingly, Mom, Baba, and Pavel insisted we drive around getting an idea of the different neighborhoods.

We still had a year to figure it all out, but Baba said he wanted to get an idea of the accommodations on offer so he could keep an eye out for something suitable while we were in Europe.

Lissa had been super excited and kept taking photos on her phone and sending them to Christian. After about the twentieth photo, he'd sent her a message suggesting since he was studying, she save them for a slide evening when she returned to the Academy. And despite being a clever girl, she'd replied that that was a great idea – never once twigging to his sarcasm.

Dimitri had enjoyed everything. He loved the campus, the cheap and cheerful restaurants and bars catering to the student population, and the huge, old houses in stately gardens walking distance from the university.

"I can picture us living here milaya," Dimitri said happily as we were driving back to Court. "It's almost like a dream. If someone told me a year ago that in twelve months time I'd be getting ready to travel around Europe with the beautiful love of my life before settling down to get our college degrees, I would never have believed them." It was a timely reminder. Sometimes I forgot Dimitri's world had changed every bit as much as mine had. In some ways, more. He'd already started his career and was heading firmly in one direction before I came along and shook up his entire world; just as his love had changed mine!

We got back to Court around 1 am and were exiting the van to head into the guest accommodations when Kirk stopped Dimitri and me by the van, nervously asking for a moment of our time.

"Sure, what's up?" Dimitri asked.

"I wanted to speak with you both about an offer Pavel made to me earlier. He's asked me to consider reallocation to travel with you guys during your Europe trip – as either Lissa or Christian's Guardian, with probably Eddie as a guarding partner? I wanted to see how you guys felt about it. Especially you, Rose? I know you've planned to be Lissa's Guardian your whole life. It's a great opportunity, for me, and I'd love to accept. But I wanted to talk to you about it first."

"Thanks, Kirk, I appreciate it. Dimitri and I knew Pavel was going to ask you. In fact, we suggested you for the role. I'm going to be asking for a leave of absence from the Allocations Board. There'll be times in Europe when we'll want to go off and do our own thing, so I can't commit to being Lissa's Guardian just at the moment. Dimitri and I would both feel a lot more confident if you're there to look after Lissa, Christian, and help Eddie find his feet with things. And it should be fun. Lissa and Christian will be mostly in the human world, so no uniforms and no standing against walls watching Moroi eat!"

"Yeah well, I have to admit that's part of the appeal!" Kirk laughed. "You ok with it D? Reckon you can put up with me for a year?"

"Absolutely" Dimitri smiled. "If I can put up with Roza, I can put up with anyone. Now go tell Pavel you accept, before he changes his mind. And maybe spend tomorrow morning shopping for casual clothes? You'll be needing them since you won't be in uniform most of the time."

We all headed inside – Kirk with a huge grin, seeking out Pavel to let him know his decision.

"So where do you want to go to dinner tonight guys?" Baba asked us.

"I wouldn't mind a quiet night in," Mom replied. "It's been a busy few days."

"I was going to meet up with some Court friends," Adrian said. "You're all welcome to join me."