Chapter 18: Calm before the Storm
Rosalina goes to her room and lays down, not wanting to do anything else for the day. Rosalina Russo! 'Alex bursts in to Rosie's room furious' How long did you think it was going to be before I found out?! I would say I don't know what you're talking about, but I don't feel like lying.
You got into a fight? It wasn't my fault, the other girl started it she... I don't care who started it! Your grounded for a week. OK mom— That's it? I tired mom, I'm so tired. Get some rest— That's not what I meant— I know, we'll talk later promise, just get some rest.
Rosie...? 'Rosie is turned over with her covers over her, Alex assumes that she is asleep and is closing her door' I'm awake, I can't sleep. Why not? I don't know why but I feel like something bad is coming, and it's coming soon. Yeah, I feel a little off too— Mom? Yes! Can we talk about my dad? No, not now.
But soon I promise. I was harsh on you earlier I'm sorry, you shouldn't be grounded. Listen to me, just because you have power doesn't always mean you should use it. And if you do; use that power for something good, don't be a bully. I won't ramble anymore, good night. Good night mom.
A year passes and we go to Rosie; who wakes up levitating above her bed. Whoa! Holy crap! I'm floating! How do I get down? OK, calm down! Rosie closes her eyes and ang floats back down on her bed. 'Rosie gets up and scrambles down the stairs.' Mama! You won't believe it! I woke up and I was floating above my bed! You where? Yeah, it was crazy.
Wait mom what are you still doing here? Shouldn't you be at work? Yeah, but I was told I didn't have to come in till 10:00 O'clock. I'm going to go down to the lair and see if the wizard mail is here. Hey! Be careful, some of that stuff can be dangerous. I will mom- Rosie runs down to the lair hoping that her wand has come in. No! Come on! Where is it? Ugh, it has to be here! Wait, is that...? Yes! My wand! Awesome.
Mama! Mom, look I got my wand! Oh, wow this thing is really nice, it kind of looks like my wand. Alex is right Rosalina's wand does look like hers.
"It is a purple shaft that has spiraling silver design on it, at the very top is a crystal much like Alex's, but this one is much thinner connected by a spiral piece of silver metal, and the bottom has a piece to connect charms to."
A very fitting wand for Rosie, and she would agree. I love it! Now make sure that you take care of it, a wizard's wand is very important. Later at school that day, Rosalina shows off her wand to Bonnie. Whoa! Sweet! This thing is awesome! I never thought I would be jealous of you Rosie; my wand is just made of wood.
So, have you done any spells with it yet? No, not yet. I don't know what to do. The school day ends and Rosie tell Bonnie to go ahead without her.
As Rosie is walking out, she sees Jenna signal to her to come over. Hey Jenna what's up? I wanted to apologize, I know that my actions have been bad I'm sorry, I hope we can be friends! Wow, really this is great! You know I've always wanted us to be friends.
You have? Yeah! Well, let's shake on its Russo! Just as Rosie goes to shake Jenna's hand, she gets punched in the gut and falls to the ground. You really thought I wanted to be friends with you?! I hate you.
Rosie gets up and sees two other girls standing next to Jenna with weapons. One of the girls has a knife while the other has a bat. Rosie fights the girls off to the best of her abilities, but is out numbered.
"The girls manage to do some good damage, with Rosie having lots of cuts and bruises all over her body but still managing to fend them off and getting in a good punch on Jenna." Hey what's going on?! It's a teacher scram! Are you OK? Yeah... I'm... I'm... 'Rosie collapses into the teacher arms and is taken to the school nurse.'
Rosie wakes up to see her body covered in bandages, and has a really bad headache. Whoa! It's okay, you're in the nurse's office, do you remember what happened to you? Um I was... leaving... I got into a fight. Can you remember with who? Uh... no I don't, sorry.
Rosie remembers who attacked her but doesn't want to say. Do you know you parent's numbers? Um... my mom... should be... in the system. I'll check, you get some rest- don't tell her how bad it is.
Hello! Yes, this is Alex Russo, What?! Well, how bad is it? O-Okay, I'm on my way right now, thank you of calling me. Hey what's wrong? (Max asks Alex) Rosie got into another fight; I need to go pick her up, I'll be back soon.
Alex arrives at the school and heads to the nurse's office. Alex is in shock when she sees Rosie, she has no idea what to feel. Hi mom— Oh my god, Rosie! Without hesitation Alex hugs her daughter not letting her go at all.
Ouch! Oh, baby! (Alex starts crying) I'm okay mom, really! Rosie cracks a big smile and Alex sees her teeth and how bloody they are, Rosie tries to laugh It off but Alex isn't having it. Messing with her is one thing but messing with her daughter, Alex was pissed.
Come on let's go home. The ride back is mostly silent with Alex too mad to talk. Once home Alex sits Rosie down on the couch while cleaning her up. Ow! I'm sorry, Rosie, I need you to tell me the truth, who did this to you? I don't know mom. Rosalina please I... (Alex's voice brakes) …Tell me who did it! It was just some girls, it's no big deal.
What the hell happened to her? Some girls did this to her— Wow kids now a days. Are you okay Rosie? I'm okay, Uncle Max... promise! I'm sorry kid, If I would have taught you more then maybe...? It's not your fault Uncle Max. Rosalina listen, I know you probably don't want to tell on these girls because you're afraid they might get in trouble but... sweetheart you have to tell me something.
Was it someone you know? Was it another kid? Was it that girl Jenna? Rosie shifts her eyes away from her mom, and that tell Alex everything she needs to know. Unbelievable! I'm calling her parents right now! No answer, I'm going to the school. No mom... don't do that... please! Rosie listen to me, this is not OK and these girls need to be held responsible for what they did.
Do you hear me? Yes, Uncle Max. Max I know it's an ask but can you stay with her please? Of course, I can Alex, anytime. Thanks, Max, I'll be back soon sweetheart, okay! Okay mom. Hey what do you say I get us some snacks and we watch some movies! That sounds nice.
(A few weeks have passed; let me catch you up on what happened.) Alex went to the school and was able to get in contact with Jenna's parents. They came to the school and after hearing what she did, they almost took her head off in that office. Rosie went back to school, and got a complete and Sincere apology from Jenna, and the girls even became friends. And Rosalina is turning 13 soon, she and Mason have also bonded a lot more.
Hey Mason! Hey where are you off to? No time to talk, I'm off to the skate park to meet up with some friends! Bye Dad! (Front door closes) She just... called me Dad! Oh, my, gosh, did I just...? Rosie heads to the park and tries to forget about it.
Hey Rosie! What's up? Did you hear about the dance this Friday! No, I didn't? It's the dance that they do at the end of every year. They did it last year too. Oh, I was at home with my mom! Well maybe you should go this year. I don't think so Alanna, I'm not much of a dancer. Maybe you should ask Gavin to take you!
I don't know Al, I like him, but I can't go to the dance with him. Why not? Because I don't want to embarrass myself in front of him! Wow you really are bad at dancing huh? Why don't you just get your mom to teach you! Al, I have 2 days, and besides I really don't want to go to my mom to learn how to dance.
(And so) Rosie gets home and goes straight down to the Lair and tries to find a spell to make her good at dancing. Dancing spell? Dancing spell? Come on, there is literally a spell for everything, but dancing! Magic sucks! Hey Rosie! Hey Mason, what are you doing down here? I smelled that you were here and wanted to talk.
Uh yeah, Ok. Listen, about earlier today... oh, yeah, right... that. Um my brain was in overdrive and it kind of just slipped out... but um, I kind of enjoyed saying it. Maybe we could make that a thing! I would like that very much!
(And so just like that it was the day of the dance.) No! No! No! What's going on in here?! I'm trying to find something to wear to the dance, but none of these clothes work. Okay come here, I will use magic to help you. Thanks mom! All right now, what are you looking for? A dress, I know that! What kind of dress? There are multiple kinds of dresses?
I am seriously amazed I had a girl. Mom! Right, how about this! Alex snaps her fingers and a dress appears on Rosie's bed. Wow it's amazing! Try it on. Mom could you... oh please, I've seen it all before, or did you forget that I used to change your diapers and bathe you! OK-OK Mom! TMI.
Wow! You look so beautiful! What's wrong mom? Nothing, come on finish getting ready. Alex and Rosie both come downstairs and Mason is in awe. Wow who is that gorgeous woman I see?! Aww! Mason! Oh, well of course I mean you love! But I was talking about Rosie.
Thanks, Dad! You're welcome. OK pictures before we go! Mom! No pictures please! Well, I'm your mother and I say pictures. Come on honey smile. All right come on, don't want to be late! Bye Dad! Bye Rosie.
(Alex and Rosie arrive at the dance.) Mom, can I use you're jacket? Why hon are you cold? No to hide myself! Listen, you're nervous it's normal. Wow Rosie is that you? Hi Miss. Russo! Hi Bonnie, how are you? I'm good! All right, I'll let you girls talk. Look there's Gavin! Hmm he's pretty hot! Alanna! What? He is.
He's coming over good luck Rosie! Wait! Hey Rosie! Hey Gavin! Wow You look beautiful! Thanks. So do you! I mean not beautiful. No I meant Hot! Handsome, you look Handsome! Thanks, so do you want to dance? (Rosie suddenly feels sick) are you OK? Yeah, I just have to go talk to my mom really quick.
Hey Rosie... Mom can we go? What why? I can't do it; I feel like I'm about to throw up. Hey, it's OK to be nervous. All right if you really want to leave then we can go. No, I... I want to stay— Okay then, just be yourself, it's Ok if you don't know how to dance, Go.
Um I don't know how to dance. It's Okay I'll show you, put your hand here, your other hand here, and just sway. Sorry in advance if I step on your foot! You're forgiven. Rosalina looks into Gavin's eyes and she is ready.
She looks over to her mom, and Alex mouths to her that it's OK. Rosalina closes her eyes and kisses Gavin; and in that moment everything is okay. They kiss one more time, and she rests her head on his chest and just dances.