The Rose Boys

Chapter One

My parents and I aren't exactly what you would describe as "well-off." We are not rich and we are definitely not living comfortably. If anything, we "just get by."

Today was the beginning of a new school year and to us the beginning of a cold, cold winter. I frowned at the thought of another heat less winter because we couldn't afford to pay for gas heating.

"Better to do without it!" I heard my Dad exclaim loudly from the kitchen as I slipped the ivory coloured school coat over my white blouse and grey pleated skirt. I looked myself over in the full length mirror and my breath caught in my throat. I'd never gone to a Private School before so the whole uniform thing was new to me. I barely recognized the girl staring back at me, with her pretty blue eyes and elbow length wavy chestnut hair, I thought she was almost pretty today... Which was highly unusual.

I turned and walked out of my dingy little room. It was empty, save for a bed dresser, bright orange side-table that Mom found on the side of the road and the full length mirror on the wall. I also had an old fashioned battery alarm clock. That way, if we lost the electricity, I wouldn't have to worry about not waking up for school on time. We also don't pay for the electricity during the Summer season, so the only light that fills the room comes from the window opposite of the door.

I walked down the small hallway of our little house and entered our kitchen/dining room/living room. The short coffee table served as our dining table. I plopped down on the floor and grabbed a piece of toast.

"Aren't you excited to go to school, dear?" My mother asked, her pretty face framed by black curls. "I bet you'll make a lot of friends!"

I shrugged my shoulders, being moody. "Who really cares?" I asked sullenly. "I don't know why I'm going to a school we can't really afford."

"I've told you this a thousand times, January." My mother sighed. "We want you to seduce on of the rich boys at school so we can all get out of this financial slump. You will marry him and get us out of poverty!" She smiled as she spoke, obviously imagining imaginary rich grandchildren.

"That's such a selfish wish, Mom." I shook my head and spread more grape jelly on an extra helping of toast. "I'm not going to school to date and marry some rich guy! What do you think I am?"

"I think you're pretty, smart, funny and strong. You'd better go easy on the toast though, or you won't find a man." She said, raising her eyebrows at the toast slice that I was spreading jam onto.

I instantly blushed and threw my toast onto the plate before me and stood. "I'm leaving."

My parents waved me off as I left. I heard my mom say, "Our little January's growing up." I rolled my eyes and left, walking on my way to the new school.

I didn't really have much of an idea of where I was going but as I walked, I began to see other teens with coats just like mine, so I followed them.

Sure enough, before long I stood just outside of the school gates. The magnificent school was on a huge plot of land, most of which looked like undisturbed Forrest.

I began to walk, shaken from my daze as my eyes lingered on the building of St. Clairmont High. The building was about four stories high and wider than any school I'd ever seen. The brick building was an ivory, just like our jackets.

As I neared the main entrance, I saw a small group of three beautiful boys sitting on the stairs leading up to the doors. All of them wore their uniforms like everyone else except each seemed to have a red rose sewn to the left collar of their coats.

One, who just seemed to be the leader-type, was loud and strong. His coat seemed to strain around his broad shoulders when he moved and I could tell he was tall by just looking at him. His skin had a slight tan to it and of course, his complexion was perfect. Wavy black hair stopped after his ears. I admired how it shined in the early morning sunlight. His dark brown eyes were animated, framed by long, gorgeous lashes. He said something, I couldn't quite understand, but his voice was at a suitable level to fit his look and then the other boys laughed.