Chapter 1.1: Division 1
DPOV
As I stood outside in Russia, I felt a gentle and warm breeze brush against my skin, carrying with it the earthy scent of autumn. The trees were adorned with a stunning display of vibrant orange and red leaves, creating a mesmerizing sight that captured the essence of the season.
As I made my way to the grocery store, I couldn't help but notice the curious glances from different women I passed.
Their lingering looks filled me with a sense of confidence and self-assuredness that I always experienced. Upon entering the store, I carefully selected a variety of fresh produce, including crisp apples, tender chicken, and lush broccoli.
As I roamed the aisles, the impending news of whether I had been accepted into USC weighed heavily on my mind, causing a tinge of nervous excitement to pulse through me.
As I walked toward the checkout counter, I couldn't help but notice the cashier's youthful appearance, likely in her early twenties.
My anxiety must have been quite visible because she looked at me and asked, "Sir, are you okay?" I managed to nod and replied, "Just a bit nervous," while forcing a smile. The cashier blushed slightly, and I quickly completed the payment for my groceries before making my way home.
Upon arriving home, I was promptly greeted by Mama, who playfully smacked my head with a spatula. I guess staying out late had its consequences.
"Dimitri Belikov, where have you been all this time?!" Mama exclaimed.
"Just getting groceries, Mama" I replied.
"You should have let me know, I was so worried," Mama scolded. "I'm sorry, Mama," I apologized.
She dismissed me, and I retreated to my room. This would be the moment to find out if I had been accepted into USC.
I sat down at my desk and gently lifted the lid of my laptop, my heart pounding with anticipation.
As the familiar chime signaled the opening of my mail application, I felt a surge of excitement. I scanned through the messages until I found the one from USC.
With trembling fingers, I clicked on it. The screen filled with bold letters announcing that I had been ACCEPTED! A rush of euphoria washed over me, and I could hardly contain my joy.
Just then, my mom burst into my room, her eyes wide with concern. I blurted out the news, and she joined in my joy, leaping with unrestrained glee.
I quickly dialed my sisters' numbers and relayed the incredible news. Their cheers and words of congratulations filled my ears, and I could picture their smiles from miles away.
But as my acceptance sank in, a bittersweet feeling settled within me. Leaving my family behind for this new chapter of my life tugged at my heart, yet I knew deep down that this opportunity was for the best.
3 Weeks Later
RPOV
""ROSE! Wake up or else you'll be late for college!" Lissa's urgent voice jolted me awake.
Despite our agreement to share a house, it seemed that Lissa had appointed herself as the official wake-up caller.
The morning routine never seemed fair to me; after all, a girl needs her beauty sleep.
Groggily, I dragged myself out of bed and made my way to the bathroom.
Since Lissa's parents passed away, leaving her with a substantial inheritance, she had become a millionaire overnight. It was because of this that I ended up living with her.
I dashed through my morning routine, quickly brushing my teeth, taking a refreshing bath, and assessing my appearance in the mirror.
I possessed a slender yet curvaceous figure, with ample bosoms, a petite waist, shapely hips, and a hint of toned muscles adorning my frame. Standing at 5'7", I felt undeniably confident in my beauty.
Then there was Lissa, effortlessly capturing the hearts of men with her striking emerald green eyes, flowing blonde locks, and porcelain complexion. She seemed to exude an ethereal aura, almost like a goddess.
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Glancing at the clock, I realized that I had a mere twenty minutes left before Lissa and I needed to leave for school.
I applied a light layer of makeup, opting for a natural look. I then dressed in a short skirt paired with a crisp white button-up shirt, intending to change into my cheerleading outfit at a later time.
After around 20 minutes, Lissa and I pulled up to the gates of USC. The campus sprawled out grandly and featured distinct dormitory buildings.
Our enthusiastic and knowledgeable tour guide, Cindy, led us on a comprehensive tour of the university grounds.
"So You two are freshmen?" Cindy asked.
"Yup!" Lissa and I exclaimed simultaneously, exchanging a high-five.
Cindy chuckled as she glanced at her computer screen. "Looks like you two will be roommates!"
After sharing a hug, Lissa and I eagerly checked our schedules.
As both of us were part of the cheerleading squad, our first destination was the gym for a scheduled meeting.
Coach Alberta informed us that we needed to meet the basketball players to familiarize ourselves with the team we would be cheering for.
In response, there was a collective groan from all of us. "Coach, why us though," I voiced the sentiment.
Coach said, 'Because you wouldn't want to cheer for someone you didn't know.' I responded with a mumble, 'Fine.'
As we all walked over to the Basketball courts, a striking figure caught my eye.
He stood tall and impressive at 6'7", with a lean, muscular physique and captivating dark brown eyes. His shoulder-length brown hair was tied into a ponytail, adding to his handsome appearance."
Lissa must have noticed me staring because she whispered, "Rose is in love, Rose is in love."
I felt my cheeks grow warm as I blushed deeply and replied, "Leave me alone Liss."
Coach Alberta then gave instructions to the cheerleading team, telling them to go to whoever interested them. Feeling a surge of courage, I set my sights on the tall boy.
Walking up to him, I nervously asked, "Hey, what's your name?"
"Dimitri, Dimitri Belikov," I heard him say, his voice tinged with a faint Russian accent.
"The name's Rose, Rose Hathaway," I responded, trying to keep my cool.
"That's a beautiful name for a beautiful girl," he said, and this time, his Russian accent was more pronounced.
I could feel myself blushing, which was a completely foreign sensation for me. He chuckled, and the sound was so infectious that I couldn't help but smile. That laugh could easily be my new favorite ringtone.
Curious to learn more, I inquired, "So where are you from?"
"Russia," Dimitri replied, confirming my hunch.
"Interesting. Do you have any siblings?"
I probed further. "I have three sisters," he revealed.
"Ah, I'm an only child," I shared in return.
"It seems Coach is asking everyone to leave," Dimitri informed us.
"Goodbye, Dimitri," I responded.
"Farewell, Roza," Dimitri bid me adieu.
"Roza, what's a Roza?" I inquired.
"It's your name in Russian," he explained.
Leaving the gym, I retrieved my phone from my pocket and dialed Lissa's number.
She was out on a date with Christian, which didn't surprise me at all.
I quickly went to the Cafeteria and bought a bit of lunch.
A young guy with light chestnut brown hair and green eyes walked up to me "So what's a pretty girl like you doing here," He said.
"First of all," I said in a sassy tone," I'm not your toy, so get out of here before I smash your head in, I am trained in Kung-Fu, and so much more, If you value your life, go away,"
He smirked, "Feisty, I like."
I was about to slap him when someone or something grabbed my hand, I looked up, It was Dimitri.
I swear his hair was a bit wet. I looked up, and said, "What are you doing, let me go!"
"I can't, you'll beat him up, I know he deserves it but... just leave him alone, wait for me by the door," Dimitri said.
I saw Dimitri walk up to green-eyed freak, and whisper something that made his face pale. Dimitri then walked up to me and said "Now, that the problem is taken care of, wanna hang out?" He looked up at me awaiting a response.
