ℝ𝕠𝕤𝕖 | 𝐋𝐞𝐨 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐳 [Greenhouse Academy] ¹

Chapter 1: The Beginning

I fiddle with the ends of my grey dress as my plane lands in California, my home. I look at the old book on my lap, Pride and Prejudice. I have read the book so many time that it is torn and stained but, still, I love it.

I have been away at a boarding school for the arts in France for a whole year and although I enjoyed myself in London, I am so excited to come back home. I needed to be back home.

I finally am able to get off the plane and I walk to luggage claim to see my bags have already been taken by three people who I know to be my dad, Brooke my twin, and Jason my older brother. Brooke and I are the closest being twins, we are fraternal twins but still share the same qualities: small nose, wavy blonde hair, and blue eyes.

Brooke is the first one to run up to me and pull me into a huge bear hug, "I have missed you so much," she giggle, "You are never leaving us again."

"She is right. I am afraid I won't be able to let you leave for college", my dad says before pulling me into a hug after Brooke lets me go. I also give Jason a hug before we walk towards the car.

Brooke and I catch up the whole entire ride having not seen each other for a year.

"---OMG! I can not wait for you to get into the Greenhouse. What are you trying out for? And you have to meet Daniel. This year is going to be amazing.", she says with a huge smile on her face.

"I can't wait to meet Daniel too! I mean you have told me so much about him, I practically know the guy. And we do not even know if I am getting in B.", I say to her while biting my lip worried about not getting into the Greenhouse.

Everyone for the rest of the ride assured me that I will be fine and will have a great year at the Greenhouse. We arrive at the academy and Brooke leads me to the school leaving Jason and dad. Since the weather was so bad the last few days in London, we decided it would be best just to wait until the sky was clear to take my flight. Hence why Brooke and I are rushing to the sign in line for prospective students.

We get in the line being one of the last people and grab my folder before we walk to my testing room. Brooke wishes me well before she leaves. I walk inside and sit front and center right next to Ms. Suzy.

As I sit, Ms. Suzy gets up and walks to the front addressing the classroom," The following exam is an SAT test identical to the one given to college applicants who are a few years older than you. They get two and a half hours to finish it. You will only have 45 minutes. Mark your answers with the stylus attached to the tablet. We will have the result as soon as you finish. Once you've finished the written exam, you will then take the mandatory physical exam, for the Eagles, or the computer skills exam, for the Ravens. I'll be here if you need me.", a girl comes into the room with a sergeant and is handcuffed to a desk as Ms. Suzy continues her speech," I'm sure you will be fine. Now, anyone can take the SAT under quiet conditions. However, at Greenhouse Academy, we're looking for students who can focus under less than ideal circumstances. I want you all to meet Leo Cruz, captain of Raven's clubhouse. He's agreed to play for you while you take the test, which begins right now. Good luck."

I look up to see a tall, tanned boy around my age who looks slimly built grabbing a red guitar. He shoots me a smile, earning a blush from me and half the girls here, before playing his loud rock music right into my eardrum. OW!

It takes me a minute to get used to the pain but I eventually get used to it and actually find myself humming to the beat as I take the test.

The girl who was handcuffed to the desk manages to unlock her cuffs and walks up to the amp and kicks it over unplugging the guy's guitar. She bows then sits back down and continues her test. The cute boy scoffs in shock, amazement, and annoyance.