Reality Bites - Wattys 2018 Shortlist

Chapter 100 - Unspoken Questions

Dimitri held my arm as we walked to the edge of the auditorium. It had been completely transformed from this afternoon's Promise ceremony and was now a beautiful ballroom. There were delicate, filmy drapes lining the walls with twinkling lights behind them. It was a really pretty look. Although it was only just past seven, the space was already filling up - with many graduates standing looking towards the doors waiting for friends to arrive or pass judgment on the outfits or dates of those coming in.

Lissa and Christian walked in first and created quite a stir. Lissa looked every part the Princess. Her gown set her apart from the other girls, and her straightened hair was a different look. I could see the Royal Moroi ladies analyzing and discussing it immediately. Dimitri and I paused in the shadows, giving Lissa her chance to shine. Between the perfect training score, Queen's Guardian thing, my dress, makeup and five-inch heels, everyone having copped a good look at Dimitri with his shirt off earlier, him now looking like the embodiment of tall dark and handsome in a very expensive suit, and finally the fact I'd be walking in on his arm – yeah I was expecting a reaction.

And I wasn't disappointed!

Two seconds after Dimitri had said "Are you ready milaya?" we stepped out of the shadows and followed Lissa and Christian into the ballroom. Immediately I could see my dress had the reaction I'd hoped. More than a couple of the guys were looking at me with obvious desire and admiration, and the girls looking at me with poorly disguised envy – although, truth be told, that might have more to do with my escort and not be about how good I looked in my gown. In either case, I could hear the murmurs and speculation from the moment we were spotted and even a wolf whistle.

Not giving the onlookers any attention, I turned and to Dimitri and giggled "Well nice to know I still have it."

Gazing down at me with amusement in his gorgeous chocolate brown eyes, Dimitri murmured "You love this, don't you? Giving those poor guys a good look at what they're not going to get to touch tonight."

"Yep" I'd laughed back gleefully.

We stopped to speak briefly with Lissa and Christian before they took off to say hello to some of their Royal Moroi friends, while Dimitri and I moved towards the more Dhampir dominated side of the room. We quickly spotted Eddie and Chelsea, so went to say hello. He looked debonair in his suit, and she looked very sweet in a long lilac dress.

"Wow, Rose, you look sensational!" Eddie remarked, openly admiring me, looking a little surprised at how I was dressed. "All grown up. Evening Belikov," he smirked at Dimitri. I guess he, too, was surprised to see Dimitri not in uniform. It had been a hot topic between he and me, and our whole group knew how much I'd wanted him to wear a suit and come as my date.

"Castile, Chelsea," Dimitri nodded.

"Rose you do look incredible," Chelsea said kindly. "Good evening Guardian Belikov." I could see she was trying to work out if Dimitri was there as my Guardian, an escort, or my date. To be honest, I hadn't really figured it out, so I was following his cues.

Chelsea had been Promised this afternoon, too, and was slated to guard a Royal Moroi girl starting Monday. "Chelsea we're colleagues now, and both off duty. Please call me Dimitri," he said kindly. "And may I mention how lovely you look."

"He's right - you look great Chelsea" I chimed in.

Eddie was standing with his arm wrapped around Chelsea's waist. I wonder whether it was a serious relationship? I'd have to ask Eddie. Dimitri was still holding my arm, but I would have given anything for him to hold me like Eddie was Chelsea. Still, he was here, and he wasn't in uniform, so I tried to content myself with the concessions he'd already made.