When I had returned to them, both were still standing there in deep conversation. Though they weren't staring thoughtfully into each other's eyes, they might as well have been. My general first impression of Rose was that she was a hot-headed young girl who was guided purely by emotion rather than reason. Like other young Dhampirs her age, she had not learned what it meant to be responsible. The only thing she understood was what it meant to have a good time. She was also of the age where she thought knew what she wanted and would do everything in her power to obtain it. Right now, it was Dimitri. What disappointed me more was how Dimitri was handling this. I could not fathom the idea of Dimitri, a god in his own right, being interested in a child.
"Are we ready to go Guardian Belikov?" I asked raising an eyebrow, trying to remain as professional as possible.
"Yes, of course, this way, Guardian Sterling," Dimitri nodded stiffly.
Dimitri usually got really stiff when he was caught by surprise or caught off guard. Like every guardian, he hated being caught unawares. And like almost every guardian out there, the first reaction was one of anger.
"Sterling doesn't sound very Russian," commented Rose, eying me.
"It's not," returned Dimitri, "It's an English last name. Her family is uh...was an English family who put her up for adoption in Russia because the training program in Russian schools is much better than in the commonwealth. That's where we met."
Rose frowned, "Excuse me, the education system over here doesn't suck."
"Guardian Belikov never said that," I interjected, "He was merely stating that my family preferred a certain style of upbringing and training for me. Unfortunately they wanted nothing to do with me."
Rose looked at me and nodded, "I know that feeling."
She turned back to Dimitri, "So are you guys close?"
It was clear she was more interested in pursuing a conversation with Dimitri. I was surprised that she had the civility to even have acknowledged that I had even spoken. They continued their conversation as though I had never interjected. I felt so left out and isolated. I wasn't used to life in America and the only person I knew was caught up with someone else. Never in my life had I been ignored. All my life, everywhere I went I commanded attention and respect, except now.
Now I wasn't one to complain much when I had been mistreated, but in a time where I needed the attention most, it hurt to be ignored. I had barely gotten over Alexander and now I had to accept this new person in my life? Everything in my stable world was changing and falling apart. I was angry, but all my life I had learned the importance of control. I was not about to be bested by a girl who hadn't even graduated from school. It would be a complete disgrace. Besides my anger I was worried. I wondered just how much Dimitri had shared about our family and about himself. I spaced out thinking that it wouldn't matter since they were so into their conversation with one another, but of course I was wrong because when I regained my focus I was surprised to find the two of them staring at me.
"What?" I asked, unsure how to respond.
"Are you okay?" Rose asked studying me.
"Of course, why do you ask?" I returned.
"You're clenching your fists," observed Dimitri smiling, "You hardly ever do that unless something's worrying you."
I looked down. Dimitri was right. I relaxed my hands; they hurt.
"Sorry, I was just...readjusting," I said, "Shall we begin?"
Dimitri looked as though he was going to say something, but he stopped and nodded, leading the way to the gym. I looked around the gym perplexed; it was tiny. How was I supposed to do anything in there?!
