I walked into my first period class after a restful sleep. I was just settling into my chair; and that's when I saw him.

There was someone talking to Stan. He oddly resembled Dimitri. Only, he was shorter and younger. He had the same deep, dark, gorgeous eyes I loved and the same silky, long, dark hair. But it couldn't be Dimitri. Dimitri was 24 and he seemed only about 17 or 18. As I studied him, he walked over to an empty desk and sat down.

I figured I would go talk to him since the bell hadn't rang yet. I walked over to him.

"Hello. You must be new here. My name is Rosemarie Hathaway," I said, smiling as I extended my hand out to him. He looked up from whatever it is he was doing. When he looked into my eyes, his own widened.

"H…hello," he even spoke with the same light Russian accent that made me want to melt. "I'm Dimitri Belikov," He held his hand out just as I had. Meanwhile I was trying to keep my jaw from dropping open. How was this possible? How could this 18 year old possibly be Dimitri?

As I was pondering over this, I forgot about his extended hand. He did that thing where he raised one eyebrow. I broke out of my daze and closed the distance between our hands. As his skin touched mine I felt the same sweep of desire that I always felt with Dimitri.

"You said that your name was Dimitri, right?"

"That's correct, Rosemarie, was it?" He replied.

"Actually, everyone calls me Rose," I replied smiling. Everyone except him, I thought...

"Rose, then. You know, in my hometown of Baia your nickname would be Roza. It's-"he started.

"Russian," I finished, "I can tell by your," sweet, beautiful, wonderful, "accent. I'm good at that kind of thing."

"It would seem so," I got the chance to see the easy-going smile he always used to wear around Tasha. Only this time it was directed towards me. I felt my cheeks starting to burn and knew that my face was taking on a light pink-colored blush.

"Are you feeling okay, Rose? You look a bit flushed," he said, a flash of concern in his eyes.

"I'm fine. Just a bit hot is all," I smiled at him, hoping he couldn't see through it.

"Are you sure?" He asked, raising his eyebrow again.

"I'm perfectly fine. Why wouldn't I be?" I asked, rolling my eyes teasingly.

"It doesn't seem like it to m-"He was interrupted by the ringing of the bell followed by,

"Miss Hathaway! Go to your seat!"

"Alright I'm going, Guardian Alto. Bye Dimitri," I said smiling at him once more before returning to my seat.

After I took my seat, Stan started one of his long, boring lectures. I averted my eyes from him to Dimitri. I didn't know how but, there was no doubt that this 18 year old was Dimitri. I could find him in a crowd of millions. The connection that we had would allow nothing less.

Yet, I still couldn't believe it. How did he become my age? It made absolutely no sense. I was so lost in studying him that I didn't realize Stan coming over to me until he slammed a book down. I jumped slightly and looked back to him.

"Hathaway!! Would you like to tell me why you are not paying attention in MY class?!" He yelled, fuming.

"Would I like to? Uh… no not really," I retorted. He looked like he was going to explode. I absently moved my eyes to look at Dimitri. He looked as if he was trying to keep himself from laughing. That made me smile; I loved his laugh.

"Then I guess you can tell me in detention after your classes!" I rolled my eyes and began,

"I can't. I have to go to trai-"Then I remembered, "Oh that's right. Crap," I groaned. "Fine, whatever."

Stan smirked and I knew he was pleased. That made one of us. I sighed and Stan began his lecture again.

After what seemed like an eternity, I was finally free from Stan. As I was walking to my next class, Dimitri began to fall in step beside me. I looked up and smiled.

"Hey you, what's up?" I asked him. He smiled back at me in that same easy-going way. I made sure not to blush this time.

"Hey yourself. So, is he like that all the time?" He asked, jerking his head towards Stan's class.

"He is with me. I guess he can't handle my fiery attitude. Granted, the only one who ever could was y- I mean my old mentor,"

"Really? You don't seem that bad."

I laughed, "That's only because you don't know me. Ask anyone else and they would tell you that I was a lit firecracker," I smiled at the comparison. It actually made sense.

"Well, if you want I could get to kn-"He was interrupted by,

"Hey Rose!" I looked back to see Lissa catching up with us. I smiled.

"Hey Liss," I was so distracted by talking to Dimitri that I hadn't noticed her come up through the bond.

"So what's- oh." She had just acknowledged Dimitri walking beside me. She smiled at him. "Hello you must be new here. I'm Vasilisa Dragomir," she extended her hand in greeting.

"Hello Vasilisa. My name is Dimitri Belikov. It's a pleasure meeting you," He took her hand and shook it. Lissa kept her face amazingly composed. If it weren't for the bond or the look in her eyes, I never would have known how shocked she was.

"Dimitri Belikov? B-""

"Hey Liss, remember that thing we have to do?" I interrupted her, hinting her to go along with using my eyes.

"Oh, that thing. Yeah, I remember," she said. I sensed understanding through the bond. I turned to Dimitri.

"I'll see you later Dimitri," I smiled and waved.

"Alright; I'll see you…later then," He said looking sort of sad. I smiled at him once more and then I walked off with Lissa.

"How is that possible?!" Lissa exclaimed after we were away from Dimitri. "How can HE be Dimitri? That makes no sense," she frowned.

"I have no idea. I've been wondering the same thing all day. I don't see how it's possible. I'm so confused," I sighed. "The last time I saw him he was a strigoi and now this. I don't understand it at all."

"Alberta probably knows. We can talk to her after your detention with Stan, okay?" She asked. I nodded.

"Alright, we'll do that. I'll see you at lunch," I gave her a quick hug and then we went our separate ways.

"Somehow, probably with Alberta's influence, Dimitri was in my next three classes. I spent a lot of time glancing at him when he was looking away and quickly averting my eyes when he glanced at me. Amazingly, I didn't get detention again.

At last, it was time for lunch. I began walking hurriedly to the cafeteria to meet up with Lissa.

"Roza!" I glanced back just as Dimitri came up behind me.

"Hey Dimitri," I said smiling at him. "What's up?" I asked.

"I was just wondering if you want to go to the gym to…train for a bit. That is, after your detention with Alto," a piece of his dark hair had fallen so that it framed his gorgeous face. He then delicately brushed it back behind his ear.

"Sure that sounds nice," I answered.

"Alright. So, it's lunch now, right?" He asked smiling.

"Yeah; I'll show you. Just follow me," I replied, continuing to walk. He followed me. When we got to the cafeteria, I saw Lissa sitting at our usual table. I waved at her and mouthed, "I'll be back," she nodded.

"Let's go get some food," I said turning back to Dimitri.

"Show the way," He replied giving somewhat of a bow. I laughed and playfully shoved him. He smiled and then laughed.

We got our lunch and then sat with Lissa.

"Hey Liss," I said smiling.

"Hello Vasilisa," Dimitri smiled and nodded.

"Hi Rose. Hey Dimitri." She smiled at us.

"Hey, do you guys want to eat in the courtyard?" They nodded and we grabbed Mia and Christian. Then we headed outside. Dimitri and I sat on the ground while Lissa, Christian, and Mia sat on a bench.

"So, why'd you want to come out here, Rose?" Christian asked.

"I just wanted to get some fresh air," I said shrugging indifferently.

"That makes sense. Good point," Mia replied.

"I don't have good ideas all the time. But sometimes I get good ones," I replied smiling.

"Yes you do," Dimitri said smiling at me.

We were all sitting around and joking. Then, unfortunately, the bell for lunch to end rang out, dragging us away from our relaxation. I sighed.

"I guess we should get to class now. Les go Liss, since we have the rest of the day together," I said standing up. Dimitri stood up right after me and then Lissa did.

"What classes do the two of you have during the rest of the school day?" Dimitri asked as he took something out of his back pocket.

"Um, let's see. We have Animal Behavior then…oh yeah. She has smart math and I don't," I said, rolling my eyes.

"But then we have Moroi Culture 4 and Slavic Arts," Lissa finished, laughing.

"It looks like I have the same classes as you, Rose," Dimitri said smiling.

"Really? That's awesome!" I was ecstatic. This was so great! I was going to be able to see him in every class.

"Oh joy! Hooray for you! Can we go now?! Jeez!" Christian said in a snarky voice.

Dimitri, Lissa, and Mia laughed. I glared at him but then also began laughing.

"He's right. We should get going," Mia said sighing.

"Yeah. Come on, let's go," Lissa sighed.

We all got our stuff together and walked to class. In every class, the only seat open was the one next to me. So, needless to say, Dimitri got to sit by me in every class, for now anyways.

Eighth period finally ended. At first I was ecstatic bit then I remembered that I had detention with Stan.

"That's right. I almost forgot. I have detention with Stan," I groaned. I laid my head down on my desk a little too hard. "Ow," I muttered.

"You might want to hurry up or you'll be late," I heard a voice that wrapped me in a sweep of desire that was just as wonderful as a warm fire on a cold winter's night. I looked up and was instantly lost in the depths of Dimitri's dark, beautiful eyes.

I smiled at him, "I honestly do not care much about being late,"

Dimitri rolled his eyes. "Come now, don't be difficult or you'll just have to deal with it again,"

I sighed. "Unfortunately, you're right. I suppose I should get going," I sighed and got up. Dimitri nodded and walked with me to the classroom.

"I'll wait here for you so that we can train," he said leaning against the wall.

"Are you sure? It'll be like an hour long," I asked him. He nodded.

"I'm positive. What else do I have to do? Go to my dorm?"

"You have a point. Alright, I'll see you later," I smiled and waved.

"See you," he replied smiling. Then I went into Stan's class.

"It's about time you got here Hathaway," Stan said just as the bell rang. "A few seconds more and you would have been late,"

"Well, I'm not. So, let's get this over with," I said, crossing my arms.

"I couldn't agree more. Now sit," he replied in a snarky voice, pointing to the seat in front of him. I sat down and we got started.