Rose

1

I'll never forget the day my parents explained to me how this world works. They sat me down whenever I turned 12 and broke it all down for me. My mother and father told me the history of the Cupid system. They also explained that the system has nothing to do with your soulmate. Who ends up being your soulmate is the magical force of the universe's doing. I despised this way of thinking. I hated them for telling me this. Granted,they appear to be in love. However,my parents are polar opposites and tend to despise each other for it. Not long after that sit down,they argued all night long.

I'm 17 years old now.
Today's actually the day I leave for preparatory school at Waycross University in Olympia. My stuff is packed and ready and my long-term boyfriend is on my side as I lay on the bare mattress in my old room.
"Baby,what are we going to do if your mark is different than mine," Brad asks me. Brad was the star football player at Arthenia High School, but will be going to Arthenia Junior College in the spring. He's trying to save up for state university, because he never got his football scholarship.
"I'm going to get a clover. I know I will baby," I say as I run my fingers through his soft brown hair.
"We don't know that."
"I do," I lie. "I've been getting the burning sensation on my chest." The lies keep flowing, but I'm leaving and he's sad. Its a white lie to keep my lover happy.
I love Brad. He's my high school sweetheart.
"Scarlett,I love you," he starts. "Even if you don't get a clover, I'll still love you."
"I'll still love you, too," I admit to him. I kiss him softly to show I mean it.

***

The drive to Waycross took two terrible hours. I slept through most of it,though, in Brad's arms. We live in Arthenia which is a small city-type town near the coast of Washington. Olympia, though, is only an hour away,but driving through Olympia to get to a town thirty minutes from there was the agonizing part.
"We're here," my mom says. I rise up and avoid rubbing my eyes for fear of smudging my makeup. I decide on stretching instead. Why not?
We pull into the parking lot under a giant stone arch. The arch was covered in vines and lilies and the top had the brass letters Waycross on the center stone. I was astonished by the beauty. So astonished, in fact, that I didn't even notice us pulling into the main building.
The sun shimmered in the clear blue sky on one of the rare sunny days of Washington.
I walk into the building and get my room key. Room 403 in North Hall. We drive to the other end of campus to find North Hall...of course we get lost.
"Ask for directions, Jared," my mom tells my dad after we drive around for another 30 minutes.
"Wendi, I swear I know where I'm going," he grits back. He finally pulls over on the curb and starts calling the Office of Admissions.
A guy in a tight fitted black v-neck walks out of the building we're in front of. His dark jeans are snug on his body and his boots...well I don't even know.He has a bandana in his brown hair. I notice this as he walks past our car. I roll my window down and call to him.
"Hey! You! Gloomy dude with the angry face," I shout. He turns around with a glare and an eyebrow raised. "Yeah you! Come here!"
"Fuck you," he snaps with a thick English accent.
"I need to know where North Hall is so I can get out of your life and leave you alone," I bite back. The audacity...
"Turn left, turn right, turn right, turn left, and it'll be right there on FuckYou Ave,"he says and walks to his car and drives off.Asshole.
We take his screwed up directions and,crazily enough,end up at North Hall.It was on the opposite end of campus.My room is on the third floor and has a balcony.Waycross Prep is a prep school for high school juniors and seniors.It's almost like a preliminary school before you enter Waycross University, which is on the same campus.The classes only last for the summer,though.
"Damn,Scarlett,I should've come here,"Brad laughs.
"With the tuition as high as it is,it should be nice,"Dad scoffs as he pulls my bags out of the back of our Suburban.
"She's on a full-ride scholarship,Jared,"Mom rolls her eyes.
"It's still too expensive,"he barks back.They're arguing again.
Its amazing that,even after being separated for 5 years,that they still can barely have a conversation without arguing for hours.They absolutely hate each other and are the reason that I never truly want to find my mate.I refuse to live in misery.I love Brad and he's all I need.
"Scarlett,ignore their arguing and let's go meet your roomate,"Brad says before kissing my forehead and putting his arm over my shoulders.I can't help but smile at this display of affection.He smirks and we walk inside.
"They can't just give me one day can they,"I ask as I unlock the door to my room.The walls are painted sky blue with white carpet covering the floor.The room is small as hell.You walk in the door and have two closets(one on either side of you) for about 2-3 feet.Then,in the space between the wall of the closet and the far wall are the beds on either side of you as well.There's thick headboard and a really thick footboard.
"Damn this is small,"Brad says.
"At least more than one person can walk through it at once,though,"I say as I attempt to be optimistic.He shrugs and sits on the bare mattress to our right.
"Sorry,I had already called dibs on one side without asking you first.You cool with that side roomie,"a tall blonde says as she sits on the faux fur,black comforter that covers the bed opposite of the bare mattress.Brad pulls me onto his lap and I giggle.
"Lexi Singletary,"she says extending her hand to shake mine.
"Scarlett Benson,"I smile back at her.I shake her hand and she smiles back.
"You found your mate I see,"she smiles at Brad and winks at me.
"No no,"I shake my head at her."He's just my boyfriend.Brad has his mark though,I don't have mine yet.I'm still 17."
"Oh,I'm sorry.You two just look so happy together.Also with you in the senior hall I just assumed..."
"I'm still a senior I'm just 17 for n-"
"Her birthday is in a week,"Brad interrupts and squeezes me.
"We'll party then,"she winks a cat-eye lined eye at me and laughs.The idea doesn't sound bad.
"Maybe,"I laugh.
"Where are you going to school at Brad,"Lexi asks him.
"Arthenia Junior College,"he says proudly.
"That's a shame.It's two hours away!"
"Yeah,but I'm going to visit on the regular to see her every chance I get,"he smiles.A knock on the door startles all three of us.
"Brad,go get the last box and her last suitcase,"Dad grits as he totes two of my boxes and my mom brings my suitcase into my dorm.
"You brought alot for a small room,"Lexi laughs as Brad walks out of the door to get my stuff.
"I thought the room would be bigger,"I shrug.
"Well it's quite small,dear,"Mom complains."I'll go get you another room."
"No,Mom.It's fine."
They put my stuff on my bed and Brad did the same.I introduce my new roomate to my family and they exchanged greetings.