This is a new project I have been working on for a while now. It's a AU-story where nearly all of our favorite characters have their appearance. But also new ones will enter the stage!

THE PAIN INSIDE

SUMMARY Rose is the new student at the High School. Dimitri is the player boy of the school. He wants her, she hates him. A project forces them to work together ... but what is Rose hiding from the rest of the world? Dimitri intends to find out... AU, DIMKA/ROZA

Pairing Rose Hathaway / Dimitri Belikov

Warnings none so far, but be prepared for the lemons! ;)

Disclaimer I'm only going to say this once and for all: Richelle owns the characters, I own the plot.

Beta-Reader FangednFabulous - Girl, you're the best - I had so much fun reading your beta-ed story! ;) And girl, we will reach the ultimate goal ... with our combined intelligence we will get so many *whispers*... in this story! :)

But now, enjoy!

PROLOGUE

The road cut straight through the beautiful landscape of Arkansas, deep brown hills and wide acres of green adjourning it, making it a peaceful scenery. From time to time small villages had been built alongside the road, giving the traveler an opportunity to take a small rest on their way wherever it may lead them.

Now everything was cloaked by the darkness of the night, thousands of stars glittering at the firmament. Together with the pale light of the moon they were lightening the sleeping world beneath. From time to time the enlightened cities and towns would also cut through the veil of darkness, reassuring the traveler of their presence.

Rose sighed as she drove the heavy truck along the road. For hours she had been on the road now and she really hoped to reach home soon. She could already hear Arton getting restless in his trailer which was a sign that they were getting closer.

Staring out into the darkness of the night, Rose's mind replayed the images of their successful day. Arton, her chocolate brown Australian Stock horse and her had taken part in the State's semi finals in show jumping. Again, Arton had outdone himself, securing the first place as the best reward they could ever get for their hour-long training sessions each day.

Smiling at that memory, Rose turned up the volume as her favorite song started to play in the radio. Whistling the tune along, she glanced out into the darkness. She wasn't particularly afraid that something might happen as this was more or less her home turf.

Rose had been one of those lucky girls that has had the chance of growing up on a huge horse farm, being close with these wonderful animals nearly from the first day of her life. The horse breeding paid off very well for her family as their foals were sold all over America and even into the world.

A soft nicker of her horse brought Rose back on the road. "We're almost there, boy. Be a little more patient, please." she said, knowing too well that Arton wasn't able to hear her back in his trailer. Still she felt as if talking to him would soothe him as long drives in his trailer always put him a little bit on the moody side.

Grabbing the Coke can with her right hand, Rose pressed the accelerator a little more towards the bottom. She wasn't even anywhere near the speed limit as she didn't want her horse to get shaken up, but just like Arton she felt the urge to get home rather sooner than later. Luckily it was a Sunday tomorrow so she would be allowed to sleep in a little bit.

Taking a sip from her can, Rose allowed her gaze to shortly wander up to the full moon that enlightened the landscape surrounding her mystically. The pale moonlight accentuated the hills, leaving the valleys and streets in utter darkness. It was like a scene made out of a movie but to Rose it meant home. She had been born in Arkansas, she wanted to live here and even wanted to die here. There was no other place anywhere, where she would be able to be so satisfied with everything.

Suddenly dazzling light blinded her and in a reflex, she lifted one arm to shield her eyes from the burning white light. The last thing Rose registered were the frightened nickers of Arton, before she hit the break and the truck and the trailer started to drift off the street. With a loud crash everything around her went black.