This is the simplest story I've written. I barley think when I'm writing it, so if it sucks, I take all blame for it.

I had no idea where my dad was after school. I was standing behind the bait shop counter with a magazine in one hand and my chin against my palm with my right. Rosie was in the house doing homework every since school was over. I don't know if she practically figured out that I said I was a lesbian or what.

"Hey Carter, the usual," I hear a old raspy voice. My eyes meet the old man who's long white beard is home to dust and dirt.

"Here you go Mr. Jackson, thanks for paying in advanced," I said as he nodded, grabbing the three bags of fish and tapping the plastic. His eyes shifted away from the stuff as he began walking towards his truck.

"Who's the little miss staying with you guys?" I couldn't see where he was pointing but I was pretty sure it was Rosie.

"Oh that's umm…"

"Not another girlfriend is it?" he smiled, raising his eyebrow. I bit my bottom lip as he giggled and winked before leaving. Sometimes I wish my dad could save me from everyone knowing mostly everything about me. But when you work at a bait shop you're always desperately seeking conversation at whatever cost. Rosie appeared in front of the counter, her eyes focusing on my face. Her fingers were pressed against the bottom end of the dress she was in, fiddling with the trim.

"So…I need your opinion on something," she whispered.

"Yeah?"

"You have to come in the house"

"This isn't a trick is it?"

"Why would I trick you?" she bashed her brown eyes at me. I felt the urge to give in, I had no idea where it was coming from. Maybe it was the smile she gave me after her eyes lit up. I pulled my hat off my head and placed it against the counter before posting a "be back in five" sign in place. I didn't know what the girl was up to but I followed her anyway. Once in the house we stopped near the couch.

"I asked Mr. Mason to bring me some things," she moved into my room as I stood by the screen door waiting. She returned with clothes spread over her arm. "I don't know when he brought them, but I want to see if you like them"

"Why?" I shook my head staring blankly at the girl but she didn't speak. I tapped my foot as she brung a light blue dress up to her shoulders, holding it into place before gripping the bottom and moving, making the thing sway.

"Do you like it?"

"Rosie, it's a dress. I hate dresses"

"Oh," she grew quiet.

"Well what I meant was I don't like dresses. But it looks…cute, I guess," I couldn't look at her anymore, it just felt awkward all of a sudden. "I have to get back to work"

"Carter…" she stopped me as I reached the knob, her fingers falling against mine before she pulled back. "I just thought that you'd like to know….that I'm fine with it"

"Fine with what?" I shook my head. Honestly, I was just trying to get away from her which is why my brain was working on stupid. A loud banging noise shot from outside and I almost knocked into the girl when I jumped back. It was Chelsea, like I thought.

"Look its Chelsea"

"I can see that. Rosie look I need you to go in the room and stay in there until I tell you to come out"

"Why?"

"There are a lot of reasons why, just please do as I say"

"Only for you Carter," the girl left her clothes on the couch and walked into the room, looking back at me with every few steps. Once the door closed I ran out to Chelsea.

"Why are you here?"

"I came to see Rosie, and to ask you why in the hell are you dating your cousin"

"I lied, she's not my cousin but why do you care?"

"Because I don't think you should just come to school and have a new girlfriend without her even being on my radar Car..ter," Chelsea pushed past me and made her way onto my porch.

"This is stupid, go home"

"Not until I talk to Rosie"

"What could you possible want to talk to her about?"

"Well for one, I want her to know that you're off limits, and two…well there is no two," she made her way into the house. I thought about stopping her, but Rosie was a big girl and Chelsea would never physically put her hands on anyone. I ran back to the bait shop upon spotting new customers.

……………………………………………………………………………………………..

"Hey pal, how's Rosie after her first day of school?"

"Good I guess, dad," I paced behind him as he carried three cages from the lake towards a bucket. "How come you went shopping for Rosie?"

"I didn't. The program gave me a few things to give her"

"A few?" I rose my eyebrow.

"Chelsea's here?"

"Oh yeah, she came by like ten minutes ago and….," I wondered why was she still here.

"And?"

"I'll be back"

"No you won't, you're still on the clock for the next half hour"

"Yeah dad I know but…"

"Carter, back to the shop"

"I'll work a few minutes after," I ran towards the house. I knew my dad would have disagreed, but that's the whole point of running. I made my way into my room where laughter was bouncing off the walls.

"…and usually Carter would be…"

"I'd be?" I shook my head taking a few deep breaths before Chelsea smiled.

"Oh nothing, I have to go, nice talking to you Row"

"It's Rosie"

"Yeah…" she left, without saying another word. I faced the brunette sitting on my bed.

"What were you talking to her about?"

"Nothing really. She liked my clothes"

"Oh stop lying, what did she say to you?"

"I didn't pay attention"

"Rosie, you're a princess or whatever, isn't it like your duty to not lie?"

"Its my duty to protect those I care about and my people. And Carter..I care about hurting you. I would never do that," she looked away from me before laying across my bed sighing. I swear there was something different about her then there was earlier. Her dress was sliding up her legs, I wanted to look away I really did, but I couldn't.

"I just…Chelsea will say anything to get back at me,"

"I know," she faced me, her hands across her stomach and a few loose strands of hair running along her face. "That is why I would only believe you," why was my heart picking up speed. I looked away from the girl, my face feeling a bit heated as I stepped backwards.

"I should get back to work"

"Carter," I stopped. I know I should have continued to get away from the girl but her voice made something in me shiver. I swallowed hard as she sat up, pulling her dress down a bit before standing and making her way towards me. "I thought you'd like to know that…"

"CARTER!!" I faced my dad as he made his way to my room. "Work, now," I did as he said, staring at Rosie before moving away.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

During dinner I continued to feel a tingling feeling shooting through my fingers that moved up my body. My dad was busy clacking his fork against his plate and talking on his phone to notice Rosie staring at me at the oddest moments. My eyes would connect with hers and a smile would trail over her lips. I bit into my rice while staring at her, I was confused. I mean there were a thousand thoughts shooting through my head but I mean I couldn't think like this, could I?

"So Rosie what did you learn today in school?"

"I learned that Carter's very sweet and.."

"My Carter?"

"Uh huh," she nodded before sipping on some juice. "And I found out who Chelsea is…ooo," she shook her head before giggling.

"Carter told you?"

"No, and yes,"

"How does that work?" she didn't answer him, she just smiled and went back to her food. I was really hoping I wasn't falling for this girl. She's a princess and I'm just a bait girl, and I've already told my dad that I wouldn't like her and I can't go against that. Wait…

…………………………………………………………………………………………

"Rosie I have to ask you something,"

"Shoo," we were finally back in my room. Rosie laid in my bed while I tapped on my computer keys.

"So princess are like betrothed to a prince right?"

"Well in some cultures, in mine, no. I have to choose who I want to marry, but that won't happen for a very long time"

"Have you ever had a boyfriend?"

"No, have you?"

"Yes, once. And then there was Chelsea, and for a while Brook"

"Wow, you like ditsy girls," she giggled and I nodded.

"Not really but those are the ones that attract to me"

"Oh, so you date girls who are….clueless"

"Its not a choice," I press a few more keys before Rosie's says something I didn't expect.

"Well we have to change that"

I'm watching the Resident Evil movies back to back so if this is all over the place I'm sorry. Other than that, I hope you enjoyed it.