It Was Worth It. You Looked... Happy.

My Smile Faded, And I Suddenly Felt Confused. My Heart Leapt In My Chest. "why Would You Do That For Me?" "what Wouldn't I Do For You?

What Happened, Then? You're Stomping Through Every Puddle You Can Find And Look Like You're Going To Punch The First Person You See." "why Are You Hanging Around, Then? Aren't You Worried About Getting Hit?" "aw, You'd Never Hurt Me. My Face Is Too Pretty

You're Burned Into My Mind Forever. There Is Nothing, Nothing In This World That Will Ever Change That.

The Training Part," I Guessed. "yup. You're Going To Be Dimitri's Partner." A Moment Of Funny Silence Fell, Probably Not Noticeable To Anyone Except Dimitri And Me. Our Eyes Met. "guarding Partner," Dimitri Clarified Unnecessarily, Like Maybe He Too Had Been Thinking Of Other Kinds Of Partners.

Dimitri Belikov Had Arrived.