Authors Note: This is my first time ever writing a fanfic. I haven't written anything in many many years. So please be kind. I look forward to hearing thoughts from everyone and I hope you enjoy. Right now i don't have a time frame for updating but hopefully it won't be too long. Thank you. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately I own nothing but the plot, sad day :(

Chapter One: Offers

DPOV

"Mama, Mama it's here!", I exclaimed as I ran up the front porch steps into my childhood home. Mama was in the kitchen as always preparing dinner for the family.

"What is here Dimka?"

"A letter from Rice University!" Rice University is one of the top 5 schools when it comes to baseball. I have been playing my whole life. Since I was old enough to pick up a bat and glove. I have always loved the game, though some tell me they can't see the appeal of a game that is so long and all we do is hit a ball and run in a diamond shape. But I have always loved it, I've dreamed of standing on a Major League mound in the World Series, striking out the last batter to win the game.

"What are you waiting for!? Open it." Mama replied, she is just as excited as I am. We didn't grow up with much and the only way I would be able to go to college is on a Scholarship. I have been trying since grade school to keep my GPA up at a 4.0 and excel in sports. I have given up alot to keep my training and schooling up.

"Should I wait for the girls and Roza? They should be here when I open it."

"Open what Comrade?" Roza said, speak of the devil, she always has a way of showing up right when I need her too.

"I got a letter from Rice University, I wanted to wait for you to be here when I open it to see if I got in."

I had been speaking with recruiters and scouts almost everyday for the last 3 months. From California to Tennessee. Seems that there are several great schools out there that could give me the chance I am looking for. Christian and Ivan have been by my side applying to all the same schools. I wonder if they got letters from any yet. Rice is my first one, though not my top choice, but it would be nice to stay in Texas. Close to home, more importantly, close to My Roza.

Me and Roza have been officially dating for 3 years now, but we have been friends since the sandbox, literally. She was sitting all alone in the turtle sandbox at the park. My sisters and I had just arrived and were playing on the jungle gym. She looked so sad, I asked her if she was okay and if she wanted to play with us. She looked up at me with a gaze I couldn't quite name at the time, I would now say it could have been awe. Then she threw sand at me and told me to leave her alone. I didn't know it then, but that's the moment I started to fall in love with her.

She has been by my side through all the good and bad days. Never once has she faltered in being there for me or supporting me. Even when I beat my own father and kicked him out. When I was arrested with Ivan for hotwiring his cousins car and taking it for a joy ride. Even when Tasha cornered me at a party and forced a kiss on me. Her faith and trust has never waivered. I wonder what on earth I did to deserve her.

"Well.. What are you waiting for? Tear it open!", Roza said. She looked like a kid on christmas morning waiting to see what Santa had brought.

"Dear Mr. Dimitri Belikov, It is my privilege to inform you that your application for admission to Rice University has been approved." APPROVED! I continued to scan through the letter, please let it be there, "...it is with great pleasure that we offer you an instate reward for academics and athletics...total value of 275,000." I think I stopped breathing.

"Oh Comrade, this is amazing! I am so proud of you!" Roza said as she jumped on me. Wrapping her arms around my neck and legs around my hips she smothered me in kisses. I put my hands under her thighs and kissed her passionately. I can't believe I could have been so lucky. She pulled back before the kiss could get any more heated. Good thing I realized, I doubt mama wants to see me take Roza on the kitchen counter.

"I need to call Christian and Ivan and see if they got letters too." As soon as I reached for my phone it pinged with a text from Ivan. "CALL ME ASAP BELIKOV"

"Ivan, did you get a letter?"

"Yes, Full ride too! You?"

"Yupp! Have you talked to Christian?"

"Not yet, I wanted to check with you first. I'll call him."

"Hang on, Ivan. Roza can you call Lissa and see if she is with Christian?"

"Already on it, line is ringing now." Roza said, "Lissa are you at Christians...A letter from Rice University?...Well tell Sparky to hurry up and open it, Dimitri and Ivan got ones too and have already opened them…" Rose looked back at me and her eyes grew hearing Lissa next words. "Well tell him that's amazing anyways, he got in and will get some help with paying for it…I don't know Liss, but something is better than nothing. As for the first part, I am sure something can be worked out...They got full scholarships...Any others or just Rice?...Yea, Okay, Well tell him congrats from all of us...alright love you too Lissa."

I waited for Rose to hang up and put the phone down before I spoke, "He didn't get a full scholarship?"

"No, Lissa said they gave him 100,000 in academic scholarship but nothing for athletics. He's worried that he won't have a secured spot on the team since they didn't grant him for baseball. Oh and she said congratulations to you and Ivan."

I thought about the possibility of him not being on the team with us. We have been playing the game together since we were 5 on the tee ball field. Chris, Ivan and I were unbeatable, me on the mound, Ivan behind the plate and Chris on first. If they didn't hit passed the infield they didn't make it to second base. Surely, even if he had to walk on they would still give him a slot.

"Well, we applied to several together, we can sit down and figure out what we want to do after we get more offers." I looked at Rose and she had a look of deep thought. "What is it Roza?"

"Don't get me wrong, I love Chris, and if you tell him that I will hurt you, but please promise me you won't compromise your choices and your future just so y'all can stay together." I gave her a puzzled look but before I could speak she put up her hand and silenced me, "I know y'all have been playing together since you were little, but this is YOUR future Comrade. You have to do what is best for you. Where you will have the best chance at achieving your dreams."

I just stared, I couldn't seem to form words to respond to that. My Roza has always been amazing, but now she was sounding so much like me and what she calls " My Zen Life Lessons". A grin broke across my face and I said the only thing I could, "I promise Roza."