The music academy building reminds me of a palace with its elegant columns and towering windows. My breath catches as I take it in, a wide smile spreading across my face. I’ve dreamed of getting accepted here for so long, and now it’s finally real. My hands tremble, and my palms are sweaty. I wipe them on my black skirt and take my first, slightly hesitant step toward the entrance.
Today is the start of classes. I’ll meet my classmates and dive into what I love most in life. I’ll sing…
I pull open the heavy wooden doors and breathe in the scent of history. This place is steeped in the buzz of students, songs, and music. One inhale, and emotions flood through me.
I’ve only been here once before—when I dropped off my application. Back then, there were no students, and the silence was inspiring. Now, it’s like a beehive, and I’m struggling to figure out which way to go or where my classroom even is.
“Dasha! Dasha, over here!” a familiar voice calls from the stairs. I look up and spot my classmate Vicky waving at me. We met on the day we both submitted our applications.
Vicky is tall and slender, a brunette with striking blue eyes and huge ambitions. She waves at me warmly, and I’m relieved I won’t get lost in these halls.
“Hey!” I greet her, and Vicky grabs my hand.
“Hey!” she snorts. “Come on, let’s go! I want to be the first one in the classroom!”
I don’t even get a chance to ask why that matters before Vicky tightens her grip on my arm, and we’re practically running down the long hallway, dodging other students.
Her dream of being first doesn’t come true. A few girls and guys are already seated at the desks. Vicky frowns and drags me to the front row with her.
“I wanted to be first so I could meet everyone,” she whispers in my ear. “We’re gonna be with these people for five years. Gotta figure out who’s who right away.”
“They all seem normal to me,” I say, scanning the other students who look just as nervous as we are. Vicky lets out a loud scoff.
“Yeah, that’s what you think now,” she snickers. “Give it six months, and we’ll see who’s really who. Look at you, wearing this awful granny skirt and blouse. Hair all tied up in a bun. You’re like the picture of innocence. But in six months, you’ll be strutting around here in a mini skirt with red lipstick.”
“I doubt it,” I chuckle. “I’m just me.”
I’m not offended by her comments about my appearance. Sure, I’m no model, and I don’t like showing off my body. But that’s not a bad thing, right?
Vicky has to quiet down because our advisor walks in. As Irina Viktorovna, a woman in her mid-thirties, explains what’s ahead of us, I listen intently. I can’t wait to start learning. That’s why I’m here.
I love singing, and my family always says I have an incredible voice. I’m not sure if that’s true, so I want professionals to help me polish it to perfection.
“I’m so glad today’s just an orientation lecture,” Vicky says with relief as we leave the building together. “I’m not ready to dive into studying yet. Oh, I’ve got an idea! Let’s hit up a café!”
“Sorry, I’ve gotta get to work,” I reply.
“You work?” Vicky asks, surprised. “Why? You’re a student!”
“Because I’ve got a younger brother and sister, and my mom got laid off,” I explain, though I doubt Vicky will get it. She’s from the capital, and her dad’s a banker. I don’t even know why she decided to befriend me, just a regular girl from the countryside.
“Got it,” Vicky says with a wave of her hand, her gaze shifting to the parking lot where a huge crowd has gathered. Girls are screaming like they’ve lost their minds, and I have no idea what’s going on. “It’s the ‘Free Spirits’! Come on, let’s check it out!”
I have no clue who the “Free Spirits” are or why Vicky is so hyped to go where a mob of crazy girls is gathered. Since I’ve still got a little time, I follow her and stand on my tiptoes to get a glimpse of these “Free Spirits.”
I catch sight of dark hair on one guy and blond on another. Realizing I won’t see much from back here, I muster up some courage and push my way forward. Why not? I’m curious about who these “Free Spirits” are if even Vicky’s losing her cool over them.
I manage to get to the front, but some girl doesn’t like me nudging past her, and she shoves me hard. I wasn’t expecting that, so I lose my balance and start falling right toward one of the guys’ feet.
I even close my eyes, bracing for my nose to meet the pavement, but at the last second, someone grabs me. I feel hands on my waist, and I’m pulled back upright.
“You okay?” a male voice asks near my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. I’ve never felt anything like this before. Maybe it’s because I’ve never heard such a beautiful voice. It definitely belongs to a guy. When I look up, I realize it’s not just his voice that’s beautiful…
“Are you mute?” he asks, and I realize I can’t get a single word out.
He’s just… so… I can’t even find the words. Dark hair in a messy, artistic style—though I bet he runs his fingers through it a lot. Eyes as dark as midnight, like they’re peering into my soul. A straight nose and full lips any girl would envy.
I’ve never seen a guy this gorgeous, and now I get why those girls were screaming their heads off.
“Yan, you can hug your fangirls later!” the blond guy yells impatiently, and my rescuer instantly lets go of me. I thought he’d say something else, but nope. With the crowd of girls and the tall blond in tow, the dark-haired guy heads toward the main entrance.
“So, Dasha, you’re smitten, huh?” Vicky smirks, standing beside me.
“What are you talking about?” I try to push thoughts of this guy out of my head, but it’s no use.
“Our star,” Vicky says, nodding toward where they disappeared. “That hottie who caught you? That’s Yan Kovtun. He’s the frontman of ‘Free Spirits.’ Judging by the dazed look on your face, I’m guessing you’ve never heard of them.”
“You’re right,” I admit. “Are they that popular?”
“Well, I wouldn’t say that,” Vicky muses. “But they’ve definitely got a bright future. For now, the guys mostly play at clubs and give occasional concerts at our academy. They’re looking for a producer and have recorded over ten songs.”
Listening to Vicky, I decide I absolutely have to look up this band online. Yan’s voice is so amazing. I need to hear him sing!
“Hey, Dasha! Weren’t you running late for work?”
“Oh, shoot, you’re right!” I snap out of it, say goodbye to my friend, and rush toward the store.
I started working there a few days ago when I moved into the dorm. They hired me part-time, and I worked out a deal with the dorm supervisor to let me in if I’m late in the evenings.
I’ve still got about twenty minutes before my shift starts, so I find an empty bench in a nearby park and call my mom. I know she’s worried, and I want to reassure her.
“So, how’s it going, Dasha?” she asks as soon as she picks up.
“Everything’s fine, Mom,” I reply. “No real classes today. I’ll tell you more about my impressions tomorrow. How are you guys? How are the little ones?”
“You’re the little one!” my younger sister Katya yells in the background, and I smile. She’s fifteen and dreams of becoming a doctor. “Dasha, are there any cute guys there?”
“What guys?!” Mom shouts, and I can’t help but grin. “Dasha’s there to study, not to ogle boys! Right, honey?”
“Of course, Mom,” I say, though Yan’s image pops into my mind again. I don’t know why I can’t shake him. This has never happened to me before.
After finishing the call, I head to work. I change into jeans and a T-shirt I packed in my bag, stuffing my skirt and blouse into a plastic bag. My coworker Olga hands me an apron with the store’s logo and shows me what to do.
The next few hours are pretty busy. I check for expired products, stock new items, and clean the shelves. I’m not complaining—I’m used to hard work. I just hope I can balance this job with my studies going forward.
I don’t want to take money from Mom. She’s already got enough on her plate with two younger kids. In my dreams, I’ll become a famous singer one day and buy us a big, beautiful house. Mom won’t have to work anymore, and my sister and brother will wear only the best clothes.
My shift ends at ten. By the time I change and walk back to the dorm, another half hour passes. The dorm supervisor, Aunt Zina, lets me in without a fuss, and I hand her a chocolate bar as a thank-you.
As I climb the stairs to the fifth floor, all I can think about is resting. But first, I need a shower and at least a cup of tea.
When I open the door to my room, it’s total chaos. I realize right away that rest isn’t in the cards. I’ve got three roommates, and they’re all completely different.
There’s quiet Masha, who’s already in her third year. Cheerful Nika, a sweet, chubby girl. And then there’s snarky Kira, who’s got the looks of a model and a sharp tongue. Kira’s the one who stresses me out the most. She acts like she’s above everyone, even though she’s from a small town just like me.
“Dasha, finally, you’re here!” Nika exclaims happily. The girls are holding disposable cups, and there’s a half-empty bottle of wine on the table. “We’re celebrating the first day of September! Want to join us for a drink?”
“I don’t drink. It doesn’t agree with me,” I say, setting my bag on my bed and pulling out some comfy clothes from the closet. “You guys go ahead. I’m hitting the shower!”
I quickly leave the room and take a deep breath. The real reason I don’t drink is different. My dad struggled with alcohol and passed away from it two years ago. That’s why I can’t stand being around drunk people and can’t drink myself.
When I return from the shower, I’m quietly relieved to see the girls have finished the wine and gone to bed. I pack my stuff for tomorrow so I’m not rushing in the morning, then crawl into bed myself.
My legs are aching, but I’m not about to feel sorry for myself. I don’t like doing that. I know only hard work gets you to your goals, so I silently close my eyes and try to fall asleep.
Weirdly, I see Yan again in my mind, with that incredible voice of his. I don’t know why his image keeps haunting me. I figure it’ll fade soon enough—there’ll be no time to think about him.
Guys like him don’t look twice at girls like me. He’s got crowds of girls chasing after him, and I didn’t come here for that.
My dear readers! Welcome to the pages of my new story! I’m counting on your support, so don’t hold back on comments and likes.