I pulled into my newish house, packing groceries. I stepped out, staring at the moving van next door. I grabbed the few bags of groceries and made my way to the front door. I entered the code and unlocked the door. I made my way inside, quickly putting the groceries away. I walked to my bedroom, putting on my bikini. I headed out back towards my pool. It was a modern home with a country outside look. I grabbed a towel from a linen closet on my way out. I dropped the towel and went to the diving board. I stepped up, looking down at the clear water. I dived into the cool water, my hair longer and heavier on my back. I swam to the end of the pool and got out into the heat once more. I wrapped my towel around me. I felt refreshed. My home phone rang loudly. I headed inside, picking it up. "Hello?"
"Have you heard?" I sighed, putting my towel in the laundry room.
"Liss, what is this about?"
"Apparently we're getting these two new students tomorrow." She sounded so excited.
"You have Aaron." I said calmly, not caring. "Besides, they could be totally ugly."
"You always have to be a mood bummer." She yelled at me.
"I'm sorry." I laughed. "They could totally not be your style." She sighed. My doorbell rang. "I have to go, someone's at the door."
"Wait, can I come over?" I bit my lip.
"Sure."
"Good, I'm around the corner." I laughed and hung up. I told them my parents were always out of town on business, so I was basically alone. I went to the door, opening it. There stood two men. One was tall, way over six foot. He had dark brown hair that ended at his shoulders and dark eyes, he was tan and muscled. The other was shorter, paler but had some muscle. He had black hair and bright icy blue eyes.
"Hello…" I said, looking between them both. The tallest one was looking me over. I looked down, noticing my tiny bathing suit. I shifted awkwardly.
"Hello, I'm Christian and this is my cousin Dimitri." I nodded numbly. "We just moved in next door and was wandering if you could help us a moment." I looked down at my body again.
"Um, yeah, sure… I'm just going to maybe grab pants and a shirt…" I saw Liss pull up. "That's my best friend Lissa, she'll entertain you." He laughed and turned towards the blonde skipping our way. She stopped mid skip, staring at Christian, mouth dropped. I scooted past them, grabbing her arm. "Maybe she won't. We'll meet you next door?" they both nodded and headed over. I looked at Liss and back at them. I pulled her inside quickly, but not quick enough.
"Did you see-?" I covered her mouth, shutting the door.
"Yes." I dragged her up to my room while I dressed. I put on some light short shorts and a cutoff tee. "Oh my god, I was practically naked in front of them." I realized as Liss stared at the ceiling. She laughed.
"You're hot, anyone can see that." She waved me off.
"Did you hear what they said?" I asked, she shook her head. "They want us to help them unpack." I whispered. She grinned, jumping up and down.
"Yay." She clapped her hands. I smiled back. "Let's go." We headed down stairs. I slipped on my flip flops. She basically dragged me over to their house. She knocked lightly on the door. Christian opened the door, smiling at us both.
"Come on in." we walked in, seeing everyone working. "This is my aunt Olena and her family." Christian pointed to the young, but older lady in front of us. "That is Sonya, Karolina, and Viktoria." He pointed to the two women in their twenties, then the younger girl. "That is Paul, Sonya's son." The little boy smiled at us brightly. "And then you know Dimitri and I."
"I'm Rose and this is my best friend Lissa." I pointed to the blonde next to me. "My parents are out of town almost all the time so you will most likely never meet them." I lied.
"You live by yourself?" Olena asked with a thick accent.
"Yes, she basically does. I haven't even met her parents."
"In all fairness I only moved here four months ago." She nodded. "Anyways, they are never around."
"That's a big house for you to be living in all by yourself." Olena noticed.
"I'm not alone really though, my friends come in and out of my home life. They usually tell me they're coming over when they're around the corner." I laughed as Lissa blushed. "I'm far from alone. I was welcomed by Liss immediately when I moved here." I assured her.
"You are in school?" she asked.
"I'm going to be a junior at St. Vladimir's Academy."
"Oh, Vika is going to be a freshman." She smiled warmly at us. "Chris and Dimka are going to be seniors there."
"That's awesome, it's a little strange at first… but you'll get used to it." I assured the nervous teen.
"What do you mean strange?" Viktoria asked.
"Well, there is this girl, Tasha and her girlfriend Lila that approach you… I'm not a homophobe or anything, but they tried to get me on their team." Lissa laughed at my word usage. As did the guys. "You all will do fine." I promised. "So, what do you need our help with?"
"You'll help Dimitri and I upstairs." Chris headed up the stairs with Dimitri. My face slowly heated up as Liss grinned at me. I followed them up the stairs, after Lissa. I looked around at the bare walls as I went. "Rose, you can go with Dimitri and Lissa with me." I walked with Dimitri to a white room with a king size bed, covered in black sheets. Everything was set up except a few boxes.
"What do you want me to do?" he looked me over quickly.
"I want you to go through that box and set up my computer and printer, please." His voice was deep and rich with accent. It was mouthwatering. I nodded and began working, setting up the computer within the half hour. I sat in his black spin chair, twirling myself as he organized his bathroom. "Are you done already?" he sounded shocked.
"I'm talented, what can I say." I gloated, smirking at him. "What else?" I asked, standing up and stretching.
"This box is school supplies and computer things, organize my desk if you can. I don't care how." I bent over, picking up the box. I moved to work. It's a good thing I have major OCD. I organized everything quickly and was back to twirling. "Wow, you're a fast worker." I grinned at him. He walked over to me. "There is a box on the top shelf in the closet, can you grab it while I go as Chris something?" I nodded and walked towards his closet. When he left I stared at the tall box on the way to tall shelf. I began reaching and jumping towards it. I huffed, crossing my arms across my chest.
"Come down." I ordered, jumping towards it again. I heard laughter and whipped around to see Dimitri and Christian laughing at me while Lissa was smirking. "I'm short and you give me a tall person job." I muttered. I grabbed an empty hanger and began inching it off the shelf. Dimitri stepped up behind me, taking the hanger from my hands and grabbing the box himself. I turned towards him frowning. "I'm five six, your shelves are at least seven feet high… do you see the issue?" I asked, trying not to smile.
"Yes, you're impossibly short." I stuck my tongue out at him, walking past him. "Awe, come on it was funny." I sighed, finally laughing gently.
"Torturous, but funny." I settled on. Chris and Lissa had left us. He handed me a photo of him and his family.
"Put it on the dresser along with these." He handed me them as I set them up. I admired each one, his smile and the way his eyes lit up. He handed me of him and this girl. They looked happy together. I set it up, keeping my face neutral. When I turned back around he was right behind me. Our chests were lightly touching. I felt my body heating with sparks. His eyes searched mine, looking over my face. He murmured something in Russian. I licked my lips eagerly. His lips got closer, my body ached in anticipation. My phone rang as his lips brushed mine. I pulled my phone out, answering it.
"Hello?" I breathed.
"Hey baby, Aaron and I are around the corner. Liss there?"
"Yeah, she's here."
"We'll see you in a few. I love you."
"I love you too." I hung up. I looked up into his eyes. "We have to go." I whispered, sliding out from beneath him. I walked towards where Liss had went. I saw them in the same position we just were. "Liss, Adrian and Aaron are around the corner."
"Shit." She muttered. She slid out from beneath him. "We have to go… we'll see you around?" he nodded stiffly as did Dimitri. We walked down the stairs, saying our goodbyes. We rushed over to my house. We just sat in the living room when the door opened.
"Hey." Adrian cheered, six pack in hand and a smile on his face.
"Hey baby." I stood and walked over to him, kissing his cheek. "What do you guys want to do?" I asked, guilt soaking my body.
"Let's swim." He smiled down at me. I looked at Liss.
"We'll go change." She nodded and we headed up to my room while the boys went out back. I stripped and pulled on my black bikini with white polka dots. It showed off my large breasts and nice ass. "What happened earlier didn't." I finally said.
"No, it didn't. We love our boyfriends." I nodded.
"I love Adrian."
"I love Aaron."
…
I screamed as he threw me into the pool. I swam back up, sputtering as he laughed. I grinned at him. As he jumped in next to me. The music was going and the drinking had started. I pulled myself out of the pool and smirked as Adrian surfaced. Aaron and Lissa were making out in the hot tub. I heard the doorbell rang and ran to the front of the house. It was probably the pizza I ordered. I opened the door and smiled at the teen. "One large supreme and a large Hawaiian?" I nodded and handed him the money.
"Thanks." I carried the pizzas out back and opened the lid. I munched on my slice while Adrian swam around. I opened another can of beer and looked over at my new neighbors.
"Baby, can you grab me one?" he asked innocently. I smirked.
"Get your ass out of the pool and do it yourself." He laughed and pulled himself out. He walked over to me, looking down at me. "What now?" he looked at my pizza and then pointed at his mouth. I laughed and held it up for him. He finished it off. "Hey." I slapped his arm. I looked at the bite of crust I had left and frowned.
"Thanks." He grinned once he had swallowed, I just rolled my eyes at him. "Baby." He titled my chin to look at him. I pouted. He kissed me gently. "I love you." He pulled me tight against him. Something was missing here. I was supposed to be happy… supposed to love him. He was handsome and rich. It was supposed to work.
"I love you too." It felt like dirt in my mouth though. I smiled at him as he kissed me again. I returned it with hunger. I only pulled away when his hands travelled across my skin, up towards my breasts. "Stop." I laughed. "I have neighbors, you can't do stuff like that anymore." I whispered to him.
"Really?" he looked over at the house. "Let them watch." His hands travelled further up. I stopped them.
"Please, they're new and I rather them not think of me as a hormone crazed teen." He sighed.
"Fine." He released me with one last kiss. I picked up my beer, taking a swig. I grinned at him as he grumbled into his beer can. I took one last swig of the cold liquid before walking back to the edge of the pool. He stepped up behind me, turning me to him. He bent, kissing my lips lovingly. I felt want and guilt all together. I wasn't myself anymore.
"Ew." Liss squealed, shoving us into the water, laughing hysterically.
-X-X-X-X-
I hopped out of my truck. I was soaked with sweat from basketball practice. I ran a hand through my hair tiredly as I grabbed my gym bag out of the back. "Roza." I looked up seeing Christian and Dimitri approaching me.
"Hey." They hadn't talked to me since that day three weeks ago when my boyfriend interrupted us. "What's up?"
"Just saw you pull up and wandering what you've been up to." Chris supplied. I laughed and yawned.
"Excuse me." I said once finished. "I just got back from basketball practice and I have to meet the gang in a bit. What about you?"
"Finished moving in." Dimitri said. I smiled.
"That's good." I locked my truck and put my gym bag over my shoulder. "You can come in if you want…" I offered. Dimitri looked past me at the house.
"No thanks, you seem busy." He said. I nodded, biting my lip.
"I wanted to ask if you and your family wanted to come over for dinner sometime." I looked between the two. "It would be probably just be Liss and you guys." I offered.
"Sure, that would be awesome."
"It's Thursday right?" they nodded. I was free Saturday. "Saturday okay?" they nodded again. "Come around… four thirtyish." I offered.
"Can't wait." Dimitri purred. I swallowed the lump in my throat. "See you around." They walked back to their house. I hurried inside and to my shower. I got out and changed quickly. I slid on my white flowy tank top, tucking it into the high waist band shorts. They start an inch or two under my bust and end just below my butt. I slid on matching black heels and grabbed me purse, heading back downstairs. I looked at the time, I had an hour until I was supposed to meet Liss at the mall. I walked onto my back patio, lighting up a cigarette. I inhaled the venom.
I tapped my foot as I smoked the delicious poison. When I finished I put it in my zebra ashtray, standing up. I grabbed a beer from the fridge and drank it. I admired the garden and pool. I was good here, I was happy here. I was alone here. I finished the beer, throwing it in the recyclables. I looked at the time again and decided to leave now. I walked out the front door, locking the security system. I hopped into the BMW convertible and pulled out of my driveway slowly. I noticed the boys on the porch gaping at my car. I smirked as I zoomed down the street, country music blaring.
…
"So, I'm having the Belikov's over Saturday for dinner." I said casually as I tried on my last outfit.
"What?" she asked excitedly. I laughed and stepped out. "Oh, that's hot." I looked in the mirror at the dark peach dress. It was straps with a black belt under the bust and ended mid-thigh. I would put my black pumps on to match. "You have to wear that Saturday."
"One last thing about Saturday…" she looked at me anxiously. "You have to come." She squealed happily, jumping up and down. "Now what should I make?"
"Well, find out if they're allergic to anything… but I would do your typical summer meal."
"Fruit salad, pasta salad, and steak?" she nodded. "Okay, well maybe you can bring desert or something… there's a whole shit load of them so it'll have to be mass quantity."
"Hell yeah." She cheered. I grinned, stepping back into the dressing room to change back. I quickly changed and grabbed my mountain of clothes. "Do you think pie or cake?" she asked as we were ringing up.
"You know that strawberry chocolate pie thingy you make?" I asked as we headed towards our cars.
"Yeah."
"That would be good. I will make fruit pops then so I think that should be enough right?" she nodded. "I'm such a good neighbor."
"You've only talked to them two days." I grinned.
"Exactly. I have to get going. I got a shift down at Gary and Leo's."
"It's like six."
"Yeah, I work till closing then." I confirmed. I put my bags in the back and got in. "I'll call you tomorrow?"
"Duh." She laughed.
"Hey, find a way to keep Aaron and Adrian off our backs that night. Tell them my parents are home or something."
"They're never home."
"Yeah, I know… but just say that I'm under house arrest or something and come up with something for yourself." She nodded. I started the car, staring forward. "I don't think I love Adrian anymore." I looked back up at her.
"I don't think I love Aaron anymore."
…
I got out of my truck once more from soccer and cheer practice. Thank god they quit early. I got my two gym bags out of the back when they approached. "Hey." I looked up at them.
"Hey." I knew I was covered in sweat and probably smelled. "Are any of you allergic to anything?" I asked, heading towards my front door.
"No, we aren't." I unlocked the door and walked inside.
"You coming?" I asked when I noticed they weren't following me. They walked in, closing the door behind them. "I'm shocked Olena lets you over here." I told them as I headed to the laundry room.
"Why?" I looked back at them as I threw my things in the hamper.
"Usually mothers don't let their teenage sons go over to a 'pretty' girl's house when she lives alone." They chuckled. I took off my jersey, throwing it right in the wash. They just stared. "Ignore my rudeness. Those stink." I said to where I put my uniform. I was now in my under armor shorts and sports bra. "So, how much do you guys eat?" I asked starting the washer.
"We personally eat a lot. Mom wants to know if she can bring anything."
"If she wants she can. I was thinking my typical summer meal."
"What do you eat?"
"It's really healthy, got to stay in shape." I patted my hard stomach. They laughed. "Steak and pasta salad… it'll probably be Greek pasta salad."
"What's the difference?" I looked at Dimitri.
"Greek has peppers and tomatoes, but mainly it's the salad dressing." I walked past them to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water. "Then you will have a large fruit salad and Lissa is bringing these pie thingies and then ice pops if you don't want pie."
"That sounds unhealthy." Chris smirked. I laughed.
"It's sugar free. It's a chocolate crust, with strawberry mouse and actual chunks of strawberry and then some chocolate topping." He raised an eyebrow at me. "You'll have your choice of sugar free topping or not." I promised. He chuckled. "Do you want anything to drink?" they shook their heads. My phone rang. "Excuse me a moment." I grabbed the kitchen one. "Hello?"
"Hey, I need to run to Gary and Leo's, do you need anything?"
"I need to head there anyways… how did you get home so fast from practice?"
"It's been an hour."
"Oh, Dimitri, Christian and I were just chatting."
"Christian's there?" she basically screamed.
"Chill, focus on driving." I rolled my eyes. "Did you get rid of them?"
"Yes, no problem. I'm out with my parents at a benefit and they wanted you to tag along."
"Good job, I'm guessing you're around the corner?" I asked as tires squealed.
"Maybe…"
"Liss…" I laughed at her. "We can carpool to the grocery store then at least."
"Yep, walking up to your door."
"Knock." I said as she hung up. I turned back to the guys who were smirking. "Girls these days." I muttered grinning. I heard a fast knock. "Come in." I called. She entered, happier than I've seen her in a long time. "So Liss, how's Gary and Leo's?" she blushed, glaring at me. "That's fine anyways, you can entertain while I shower." She looked me over.
"You stripped?"
"Hey, I have under armor on." I defended myself. I laughed and walked towards the stairs. "Entertain them Liss, but remember…" she nodded, a little saddened by the thought of Aaron. I quickly ran up to my room, hopping in the shower. I let the hot spray pour down on me. I hurried through showering and rushed to my closet. I stood there, bra and underwear, looking at my clothes. I decided on a red summer dress that gathered under my breasts and flowed to mid-thigh. I twirled around, liking what I saw. My breast were being shown off and my curves too. I slid on my Christian Louboutin black pumps that had a red sole and a black knot on the top. I put on my leather jacket and purse, walking back down stairs.
"Yes, it was hilarious. Rose basically ran over the poor guy." Oh god. I rushed down stairs, glaring hard at her. "Oh, here she is now." she laughed.
"BB I think it's time to go." Her eyes widened.
"You wouldn't." she growled.
"I would." They guys looked in between us. It was a stare down. When she looked away I took that as a victory and smirked. "Ready?" she nodded angrily. I looked at the guys. "I'm sorry to rush, but if you want food I need to get to GAL's." they nodded. I smiled at Dimitri as they stood. "Thank you though for stopping by, it was pleasant." I commented as we walked outside.
"Thank you for letting us stay." Awe, pretty and polite. I smiled at them and locked the door behind me.
"Well, we will see you tomorrow?" they nodded. They walked back to their house as I looked between the three cars. "Which one do you want to take?" I asked.
"We are definitely not taking your truck." She said with her nose crinkled. I glared at her. "We'll take mine." She had brought her pink Ferrari. I looked at the thing with distaste.
"So not cool."
…
I looked at the time. I had an hour before they got here, I was currently standing in my kitchen in my underwear, but who cared. I drained the homemade pasta and let it cool. I was just putting everything together. I would start the steaks in about forty five minutes or so. I walked up to my room, sliding on the dress. I felt eyes on me. I looked around, no one was here. I looked out the window, no one was staring up in. I frowned and quickly did my hair, curling it to a sex look almost. I pinned back my bangs and slid on my heels. I headed back downstairs, pouring the pasta into the mixture. I poured more salad dressing in and moved to the giant fruit salad. I had ended up making a strawberry spinach salad too in case they didn't want fruit. Everything was in mass quantity. I pulled out the marinated steaks and headed out to the grill. I turned the grill on and headed back inside.
I reached over to the stereo, turning up the country station as I worked. I had set up the tiki torches and the timer on the pool lights and garden lights. This would be nice. I wanted to make a good impression. I set the food out just as the doorbell rang. I ran towards the front door, stopping to straighten my dress. I opened it to Lissa. "Looking hot for a hot neighbor are we?" I blushed.
"Stop, come in and I'll set up." She had three pie pans in her arms. I took one and we walked to the kitchen putting it away. "You should see how much I made. Go out back and start the steaks will you?" she nodded. I had bought twelve I think for tonight. I grabbed the homemade salad dressing and blueberry juice. I walked out back, pouring the blueberry juice over the fruit salad. I quickly finished setting up as the doorbell rang. "Do you want to get it or me?"
"I will." She eagerly ran to the door.
"Be careful." I called as I heard a thud. I looked to see her on her butt in front of the door. She stood up, wiping off invisible dirt. I went to flipping the steaks.
"Right this way." I heard her say politely. They all stepped out onto the back patio.
"This is beautiful Roza." Olena said.
"Thank you." I smiled at them both. "Liss, watched the grill while I get the thermometer." She nodded stepping up to the grill. "The drinks are over there in the ice chest thing. There's water, diet sodas and normal sodas. I also have some Fuse in there I think. Go ahead and help yourself."
"Thank you." I smiled and headed inside. I rummaged through the cupboards, looking for the stupid meat thermometer. I finally found it in the back of the baking drawer. I stood and headed back outside. I let them continue their conversation with Lissa. I walked back in to grab a platter. I stuck the measure in the steaks.
"This was very kind of you Rose." I looked at Sonya I think.
"It was nothing, not a lot of people are welcoming. I would have done it sooner, but I wanted to let you get settled."
"It looks amazing." Olena said.
"I told your boys what we were having and they looked at me like I was crazy when I said healthy food." The girls laughed. "Well, help yourself." I said, setting the platter next to all the other food. I was really happy I made a lot when I saw Christian piling things on his plate.
…
"How long have you lived here Rose?" I looked at Viktoria.
"Well, I moved in this house a week before you moved in next door. My parents thought that they should get a house, with a promise of being home more often. I lived in an apartment about an hour away from the school, now I'm twenty minutes away."
"You're parents are never home?"
"No, it's like they're dead. We don't talk or see each other." I was close to the truth. I was considered age of majority after my family died, I gained everything they had and left.
"That must suck." Viktoria said quietly.
"Well, like I said that day, I'm not really alone. People come in and out of my home whenever they please. I always have someone around. Liss mainly."
"Is that boy your boyfriend?" she asked. I looked at her confused. "After you left, that night a man threw you into the pool." My face heated up.
"Yeah, he's my… uh… boyfriend." I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.
"He's handsome." Olena said. I smiled at her.
"Yeah, in his own way." I cleared my throat, glancing at Liss.
"You seem uncomfortable." Dimitri noticed. "Why?"
"Uh, he's an idiot a lot." I suggested. "I'm not sure how long I'll stay with him." I noticed the look between Chris and him.
"What about you and your boyfriend?" Viktoria asked. "How did you meet?"
"He was in the in crowd. I wanted to become popular and I did when we got together. I made my own popularity after. I climbed the tower and Rose to the elevator." I grinned at her. "Every guy wanted the new girl and I liked her attitude. We're best friends now."
"Totally." I agreed laughing.
"So you're dating people you don't like for the popularity?" Christian clarified.
"Boys." Olena scolded.
"It's fine, he can ask." I said. "Well, no, Adrian as Olena said is handsome. He was my perfect match for high school." I explained. "Next year if someone doesn't show him up, he'll be quarter back and I'll be cheer, soccer, and basketball captain. It just seems right."
"You still aren't happy though." He said.
"I was at the beginning. It was like… a movie, guy notices girl and girl notices guy. Sparks were there, but I guess you realize what you really want after a while."
"I have to agree." Liss said. "Aaron is hot, but he only needs arm candy."
"And I don't want to be arm candy." We said together. "I want something real." I said. I looked at the empty plates. I stood up. "I'm going to grab desert." I left Lissa to talk to them. I grabbed the pies dejectedly. The phone rang, I put the pies down and looked at the caller ID. It was Andrew. "Hey sweetie."
"Rosie?" he sounded upset, nervous.
"What's wrong?" I asked. I picked the pies back up, rushing them outside.
"Mommy… she's…" he started crying.
"Sweetie, tell me what happened."
"She's dead." my whole body went numb. I set them down. "Rosie? Come get me." he cried.
"Baby, have you called the police?"
"No, they'll take her away."
"Sweetie, I want you to call the police and you have to let them take her. Don't tell them who did it, just tell them to call me immediately."
"Rosie, am I going to be alone?"
"No, baby. You have me." I held back a sob.
"Stevie said that too."
"Stevie didn't mean to leave you. Mommy didn't either. I'll be there as soon as I can. Call the police and hide okay?"
"It was one of Abe's men Rosie." He cried. "Am I going to die?" I looked back at my new neighbors and Liss. They were watching me with worried eyes.
"No you are not going to die. Did they leave?"
"Yes, I think."
"Where are you?"
"Mommy's room."
"In her top drawer is a loaded gun, if anyone comes near you that isn't the police or me you shoot them, if they aren't someone I trust you shoot okay?"
"I'm eight Rosie." I swallowed the lump in my throat.
"I know baby. I need you to be strong, it isn't time to join your mom or Stevie. You have to be strong, promise me."
"I'll be strong Rosie."
"When I hang up, call the police immediately. Tell them that you know nothing okay?"
"That's lying."
"I know, I'll explain when I get there."
"Hurry Rosie." He cried. I hated them all. They finally got me back. "Am I going to end up alone?"
"You have me Andrew." I promised. "Call the police, I'll be there by sunrise." I promised. I hung up, running my hand through my hair. "I have to go, I'm so sorry."
"What was that about?" I looked at Liss.
"Dad's business."
"What did they do?" her lips were in a straight line.
"Made a little boy and orphan." I looked at my neighbors. "I'm sorry. I'm making the worse impression… have you ever heard the name Mazur?" shock went across their faces. "I'm the only Mazur daughter. I made them let me leave for this reason. I have to go away for a while Liss, watch the house. Don't tell anyone where I am."
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"Los Angeles."