I looked at the unusually clean apartment and let it sink in for a second. My eyes widened and I whipped my head over to Dimitri who was now looking at me curiously. I began to button up some of the buttons of my shirt, earning me a quiet chuckle from Dimitri. 'Coffee?' He asked, tapping his foot as he waited for the supposedly 'instant' coffee to brew. Whilst he waited, he told me I was free to look around and despite feeling uncomfortable in a strangers house, I was too curious to ignore the offer. 

I went to the bathroom to inspect myself, finding only what I expected to see. I didn't look terrible but I sure was far from looking good. I was in more of a worse or wear state and I wasn't surprised when I saw the heavily shaded black circles under my eyes that even concealer couldn't cover up. I glanced to the sink and, to my surprise, I found a hairbrush on the sink. I wouldn't be surprised if a girl had left it here- Dimitri seemed to be the man that would attract girls. The thought made my stomach sink and I tried to ignore the weight pulling me down as I grasped the brush with my left hand. I brushed it through gently and began to tie up my scruffy hair with a stretched out hairband hanging from my wrist. I pulled it up into a skillful bun, my brown hair melding into an oddly perfect shape. 

I left the bathroom and took a quick look around the corridor but decided not to be as nosy as to peer into his bedroom so, instead, I returned to the kitchen- a room only separated from the living room by a slim row of counters.

I stood awkwardly as he finally began to approach the sofa, two cups of coffee in hand. 'Make yourself at home, it's your birthday after all.' He smiled at me, gently and I returned it warmly. The feeling of a smile on my lips comforting yet unfamiliar.

'I did decide that despite being against it, I put something in it as a present. I have nothing else to give you and you seem to have a liking to the substance.' He smiled distastefully but let me take a sip. I was shocked to feel a sharp burning in my throat. I recognised the feeling, though- vodka. I giggled childishly and smiled brightly against the rim of my mug. Dimitri was such an odd character and I was yet to determine just what he was like. He seemed so forward yet so much of his personality led me to believe he was shy or at least introverted. Yet, he had invited a seventeen-year-old girl to his house and it seemed that neither us really had any idea why.

'It seems today went better than expected.' I mused, taking another sip of the odd-tasting coffee. 

'Despite being unsure of why I did this and what will happen if someone finds out, I'm glad that you're enjoying your birthday.' He didn't smile but his lips quirked and I soon found out that was the smile he used for everyone. What I had seen before was reserved for me and I couldn't fathom how in just the few minutes I had known him, I had brought that out of him. 

'Who would find out?' I asked, timidly, looking up at his stony expression.

'Friends.' He shrugged, not making any continuations to his point.

'You have friends?!' I feigned shock, hiding my smile as I heard that gentle laugh for the first time- the one, just like his smile, that was reserved for me and only me. He had chuckled sure but his laugh was different. His laugh was warm, welcoming. I was entranced by his laugh and in the few seconds it lasted, I found myself lost within the moment.

'I like your laugh. Singular not plural, that was the first time I heard it.' He laughed again, letting himself relax and I couldn't help but smile and chuckle along. I was glad that the tension had cleared and despite this whole situation being an utter mess, I was glad that it was him who found me. He was kind; I hadn't found many people in my lifetime that were simply just kind.

'It's not a common occurrence; I can ensure you that.' He chuckled, the warmth still there but so faded that I already felt a longing to hear his laugh again. I was truly hypnotised by this man and I wasn't sure what I could do.

'Well, I want to get to know you better to test that point.' I smiled, nervous of bringing any hopes of the future into the conversation. 'Your laugh is nice. Although, the fact that I can make you laugh surprises me. After all, I'm just a random girl you found in a bar and somehow found it within yourself to bring her home.' I paused, reflecting back on the sentence. 'That really does seem creepy now I say it.' We both laughed and our eyes met. I bit my lip timidly but didn't break the contact. Something about him just wouldn't let me go. I couldn't pinpoint it but deep down I must have known. An unknown feeling can only be one feeling.

'Roza?' He called out as the room fell into a heavy silence. It seemed I had daydreamed for too long and the tension that was once in the room was beginning to creep back in.

'Roza? I like it, comrade.' I teased, filling the silence in the room.

'Why comrade? Where did that even come from?' He asked, his Russian accent smooth and friendly.

'Well, your Russian.' I stated as if it were obvious but he seemed unimpressed. Of course, I didn't know much about Russia but I was sure that I could recall a few things from my days at school.

'I don't think you know a thing about Russia.' He smiled, taunting me with a single look as he leaned back, folding his arms. 

'I do!' I defended. 'I did it at school.' It was meant to be a gloat but as the first questions came, my knowledge failed me. I got question after question wrong and my pride was beginning to falter. I pouted, sulking like a small child, and leaned back, mimicking his pose. 

'Okay, i'll give you an easy one.' He sighed and paused as I leaned forward, readying myself for the question. 'What's the climate of Baia?' He smirked, already sure I would get this wrong but I wouldn't, I was better than that. He had told me of his hometown, Baia, and I was sure I knew enough to make a solid guess.

'Well, I mean, it's Russia. Doesn't that make it like an arctic wasteland or something?' I answered, smirking smugly. I didn't realise that I had just got the final one wrong. That meant 0% for me.

'Wrong!' He called out, his voice ringing throughout the apartment as my once smug expression turned to dust as his seemed to mimic my previous one.

'How?!' I screeched, my mouth hanging open. I didn't remember much from my time at school but I did know that Russia was cold, very cold. 

'It's often fairly warm in Baia. Sure, there can be snow but the climates not too different to the climate here.' He answered, the smug look on his face seemingly attached now. I sagged back in defeat as his lips twitched in an awkward dance as he tried not to laugh at me. At least he tried, it was the effort that counted.

Another short silence fell as Dimitri went up to get himself another coffee even though I was barely half way through mine. When his back was turned, an idea came to my mind and somehow I had managed to say my thoughts aloud. I hadn't realise until I had said it and I was mortified. 'Can I stay tonight?' I had said it too loudly, too abruptly and my face had flushed a deep red, barely hidden by my tanned skin. 

Dimitri turned quickly as if he was shocked but just shrugged as if I hadn't just shouted out nonsense. 'I have room so feel free to. You're already here. Make sure to contact the home, though, they'll be worried about you.' He smiled gently and I felt myself relax. He had said yes. My mind couldn't comprehend it. The stranger had just said yes. I let out a breathy laugh, too quiet for Dimitri to hear from across the room. Then realisation dawned on me and suddenly, I felt uncomfortable again.

'Do you have a mobile I could borrow?' I asked shyly as he turned around to me, shocked.

'You don't have a mobile?' He asked, still slightly startled. 

'Never have, even before foster care.' He looked confused but simply shook his head and pointed to the landline that clung to the wall as if it were a lifeline- a lifeline that was barely keeping it alive. It would do for its purposes, though, so I went over to it and punched in the house's number and had a quick conversation with one of the staff members and we agreed I could stay at my 'friends' house. 

'I'm sorry to be inconvenient. I just...I couldn't face going back, not yet.' He looked at me, not a trace of remorse in his eyes. He knew what it was like, he had been in the same situation. That was one of the main factors of letting my stay in the first place.

'You can take the bed, birthday treat. I'll stay on the couch.' There didn't seem much room for argument but that didn't stop me. I gaped at him and was ready to throw myself on the couch if it stopped him.

'I can't do that! This is your house!' I shouted, raising my arms dramatically. 

'Roza.' He warned, calmly. I gritted my teeth but sighed, letting my muscles relax. I wasn't going to win this one and Dimitri's height alone sent me scurrying when he made an order. Knowing I had given up, Dimitri led me to his room, opening the door to reveal a plain room with simple cream walls and hardwood floors. A cheap but probably comfortable bed sat in the middle of the room, opposite the wooden dresser and despite the simplicity of it all, it was perfect.

'I can't thank you enough.' I whispered, tiredness weighing on me like a brick. I hadn't felt it before but despite the coffee and the small dose of alcohol, I was feeling more tired than I had in a while. The alcohol must have kept the caffeine from doing its magic, I thought as I collapsed onto the bed, Dimitri chuckling quietly at my antics.

'Don't worry about it but a warning in advance, I think my friends are coming over tomorrow morning so if they do, for some reason, see you. Be ready.' I gave him a concerned, and slightly fearful, look but he left without another word and I was left in the deafening silence of an empty room.

'Wait!' I called out and waited a few seconds before Dimitri peered into the room. 'Do you have anything I could sleep in?' I asked awkwardly, looking towards the dress, apprehensive to open it without his permission.

He stopped and thought for a moment before opening the dresser, the wooden screeching like a cat's claws on a chalkboard. He rummaged around before he found a top that was large enough to cover me like a dress. He threw it to me and I caught it with one hand, redeeming some of the dignity I had lost.

'Wear this. I'll leave you to sleep now. I'll see you in the morning, Roza.' I smiled, the nickname bringing light to the sentence and an odd warmth entrapped me. It felt that every time he said that name, a smile came to my face. I didn't even know why he had chosen it; I would have to ask hin.

And with that, I fell into a dreamless sleep, not thinking of the completely ludicrious situation that I had gotten myself into.

word count: 1072

edit 1 - 21.03.17 - new word count - 2063