Disclaimer with exception of Bobby and Rose, in this chapter a lot of her friends are my friends and Bobby is kinda in a way like me…HERE!
Chapter 2: 4 years later
I moved in with Ben (he told me to call him that instead of Uncle Ben) and had been learning about his obsession with history, for a while. Now I was 15, as of a month ago. I started to enjoy history a lot. I learned a lot by living with Ben. It was my last day of school. I go to a school on a funky schedule. We ended in May, and started in late August. Today was all fun. We were going to party, our exams we're yesterday, so we we're going to celebrate the last day of school. Dance team ended a week ago, unless you went through short summer team, which I did, and there'll be three weeks of that. There was a cheer team here, and I still kept up on self-defense. Best running program around, and I did gymnastics somehow. Still straight As. I came home at the regular 3:20, we ended at 3:15, and 5 minutes to get home. I shrugged off my jacket and boots. Ben wasn't home yet. He was working late with some guy Ian, and some other guys. I think he said something about a Phil maybe…? Plus Riley, had been helping them for a while. I've met Riley before. About a year ago. He's cool. Clumsy, but funny. He'll be over here ocassionaly, he's alright. I emptied my backpack out, and got started on dinner. I made simple Italian. Noodles, sauce, pesto, garlic bread. I set the table simple stuff, and everything was just about ready when Ben arrived. At dinner, Ben was oddly quiet. "What's up?" I asked suspiciously. "Nothing." Ben said innocently. I was still suspicious. I stared at him frowning. He sighed at last.
"Okay. We're going to Antarctica tomorrow." He said. I stared at him in shock. "Um…okay?" I sort of said, sort of asked. "How long have you been keeping this?" I asked. Not really angry, more…confused. "A while." He answered. "Alright, then." I replied. "Why?" I asked after the dishes were clean. "For-"
"The treasure?" I finished. "Yeah. The Charlotte's out there. We're going to look there." He said. He'd already been to some countries, with Ian, and them…but I guess Riley said the ship should be in that direction. "When were you planning on telling me this?" I asked. "Tomorrow morning." He responded. "That reminds me, I have a dance meet, so you'll have to pick me up from Lexington." I said. He nodded. I went to sleep that night bracing for the cold the following day would bring.
I got up super early because I had a dance meet today. I grabbed my duffle bag, and went out the door, to wait for my ride to be here. I got a ride from my friend Bobby or Phillip is her nickname her friend Jamie gave her because her last name is Phillips. In the car my friends, Camille, Meghan, Amy, and Anna sat. "Hey, giggles!" Bobby said using my nickname that Jamie gave me. "Hey girl!" I said. "So, you going back to camp with Lola D, this summer?" I asked. "You know it!" She said. "So, Rose, do you know what dances Bobby's doing today?" Anna asked. "No. What?" I asked, intrigued by the way she asked. "I'm dancing a solo towards the end to My Egyptian lover, by space cowboy. Oh, you'll love my costume." She said. "Oh, and I'm doing a four, to Apologize by OneRepublic, with Anna, Abby, and Leah." She added. "Fun." I replied. "What are you dancing to Giggles?" Amy asked. "Well, you guys know I'm doing the team's half-pom-pom dance to Just Can't Get enough." I said. "And, I'm dancing to Falling Down, which is funny because that one's by space cowboy too, but I'm doing it with Jess, and her team." I said. Falling Down was a really fun one. Its outfit was super shiny blue shorts that stopped mid-thigh, and a blue sparkly tank top, it was a tap dance so I was invited to do it with my friend's tap team. "Cool. So, you nervous Bobby?" Camille asked hoarsely. "Well now I am." She said. Our dance coach said she could be bumped up to captain if she ranks in the top 3 with her solo today. "Sorry." Camille apologized. "It's okay. I was already nervous, but I'm trying not to think about it." She replied. Once we were at the dance meet about a half-hour later we sprinted in to check our schedules. We all muttered to ourselves about the times. My half-team was ten before noon, and Falling Down was at ten. Right now it was eight-thirty. "Oh, shoot. We have to go meet with our home-peeps and stuff!" Bobby said taking my wrist and dragging me with her. We talked about stuff and at nine we separated. "Let's go change." I said. "Okles!" Bobby said, now being dragged by me. I slid into my outfit and got Miss Jane to put my hair in the tight bun on my head. "Here…" Bobby said doing my makeup. Sparkly blue eye-shadow, light blush, and lastly mascara. "You sure you don't want your eyelashes curled?" Bobby asked. "No! I mean yes! I mean-ugh! I do not want my eyelashes curled. But thanks for the offer." I said. She laughed. "This is why your nickname's Giggles!" She exclaimed. "Thanks." I muttered heading to stretch, and rehearse with my group. After we ended I met up with Bobby, who was talking stressfully with Miss Georgia the Studios head. "-We have to find someone!" She exclaimed. "Do you know anyone that knows the dance?" Georgia asked. "What's up?" I asked. "Rose! You know the Apologize dance right?" Phillip said. "Yes. Why?" I wondered lost. "Well, Abby is sick and sent her costume in. She can't come and we need an even number for the dance. Please, please, please, fill in for her! For me?" She begged. "Why not?" I asked taking the costume and doing a quick-change. "Thank you so, so, so much Giggles!" Phillip gave me a hug while I was in the black and brown and gray dress. I had to borrow someone's ballet shoes, but I was able to get through without more than two flaws. Afterwards we met up with some friends from premier dance school to wait for her solo and my half-team. "So you going out for Cheer VA, again Giggles?" Olivia asked me. She normally just came to meets to watch her friends, she likes cheer team better. But she was at premier dance this year. "Probably." I admitted. "You?" I added to be polite. "Yeah, it was fun last year." She said. I went to change into my half team costume (black shorts with tan tights under, and a baggier red sparkly top and a ¾ length sleeve jacket that stopped at your heart and a black fedora) and saw Bobby. "No!" I gasped seeing her. She wore a beaded pink top that stopped at her heart, and a skirt that barley stopped at 3" below her thigh. "You-!"
"Slut? I know!" She squealed. I laughed, and applauded at how she knew what she looked like. "Ah, nice." I said. "IKR!" She squealed. "Yes. I know right, is a good response." I replied. "So, lets get to stage!" She said. I waited in the wings with the half of the team I was dancing with, while she got ready on stage. I stared in awe at her as she danced. She "sexy walked" and reached up her thigh, then she kicked out sassy, and did a perrowet. Next she kicked up and lie down to send a kick over her head, rolled up and did lots of complicated hand and hip motions. I peered into the audience to see what they thought and noticed Ben, Riley, and another man was out there. Probably the Ian guy. The two eldest men had they're eyebrows raised, and were murmuring to each other. Probably, "Is…that her?" and stuff like that. Bobby "call walked" and double-perowet and grinned at me because it was to the side. I gave her a thumb up. Next she flipped herself to center stage and kick circled, rolled up and off the floor, peerowet, center leap, air slapped herself, and sashayed out to center stage. Leap, kick, crazy hands, kick behind, roll, hand push out to the left but leap right, hands up and slow spin. Hug self, while looking down and showed off what was under the skirt. Matching super shiny pink shorts. Kick, kick, leapt over to my side of the stage and smiled but she looked tired now, she rolled, and did a jazz square, then she did many double peerowets in a row! The last peerowet turned out to be a behind kick, then she kick spun once more, and rolled onto the floor to lift her legs, and stand up then she rolled into her final pose. She hand one leg tucked under her, and the other over it, put her hands to her knees, and tilted her head while grinning. She stood and walked up while getting a ton of applause and even a standing ovation from ¾ of Kehl! I laughed in the co-motion and got ready on stage. We did ballet for a while in the beginning to Just Can't Get Enough, and then we moved. As Fergie, finished her verse I quickly but gracefully walked back to get my pom-poms and got into my pose in our clump. We faced the back wall, I threw off my jacket (we were supposed to) and rested my elbow on Courtney, while sticking out my left knee, and my right hip while resting my other hand on my hip. We crossed our pom-poms then and turned around, putting our hands on our hips walking to our spots we crossed them on our hips, then shoved them up, and turned to switch spots as it called switch up. Then crossed them on our hips again and brought our feet together and hands on the right hips, Jazz square, left pom-pom across your shoulder knock it down, same with right pom-pom, left pom-pom in right one out and sway, sway, repeat with alternating pom-poms, left hand up jump to the left and bring it down, same with the right, cross them so you're hugging yourself and bring it to a mini t. Knock them down, I spun in to be the first in our single file line. I started the wave by sending my hands from my right leg over to my left in fan motion and it went down the line. Then we quick went back to our spots spun in with your partner either in front of you or behind you. I was in front. I did a toe-touch and was set down out to the side and rolled up, and send your pom-poms in many directions, on and off your hips until the last count and with my partner behind me again I sent my pom-poms in a downward V, while my partner did the opposite. People cheered as we exited the stage being the last ones to perform. I was sweaty by now, and Bobby had waited for me by the stage. "Nice, work!" She said. "Me?" I demanded. "Me? You did amazing!" I squealed. "Thanks!" She said. I ruffled my pom-poms into her face out in the hall. "Not the hair not the hair!" She said. I laughed. "It took forty-five minutes to put this in this awesome bun you see. I'm not taking it out yet!" She exclaimed. I laughed again. "Hey, look here's one of your fans." I whispered. "J.J!" She exclaimed seeing our friend Jamie. "Phillip!" She replied. "Come on! Let's get cokes!" Bobby said dragging Jamie and me with her to the concessions. I wondered where Ben was. Oh, well he'll find me, the longer I could stay away from Antarctica the better. "Oh, hey giggles!" Jamie exclaimed. "Wow. Really? You just realized I was here?" I asked laughing. "Maybe…" She muttered grinning. I laughed some more. "Whoa! Phillip what are you wearing?" Jamie demanded. "A costume." She replied sounding guilty. "Nice. I'm going to go say hi to Camel!" Jamie exclaimed running away. That was her nickname for Camille. Yeah, Jamie loves nicknames. "Oh my gosh what is everyone doing here today? Hey Fishy!" She called out. "Who?" I asked not knowing this one. "Felicity." She said. "Oh." I mouthed. I didn't know Felicity that well. "She has like, a bunch of nick names. Like, Fishy, Fissy, and Flikidi." She said. "Felicity you know Rose/ Giggles," Bobby said while dragging Felicity with us over to the announcement tables. As if on cue the lady over the speaker said, "All dance placements are now final and are posted. Please check you category and go to the check desk with your certificit if you have won an award." I smiled and went over to half team. Meeting up with a few people I had danced with. "Fourth!" Someone announced that had danced with us. "Woo!" We all said, with one synchronized clap. It's a team thing. I spotted Bobby in the corner crying with Felicity. "Oh, crap." I muttered sashaying through the crowd, and over to Phillip. "Bobby?" I asked gently. She threw her arms around me and showed me something. It was a first place trophy. "Oh, my God. You did not!" I said. "I-I-I d-d-did!" She exclaimed in fake crying. "Wow. It's so dramatic!" Felicity exclaimed laughing and throwing her arms around us both. "Does Miss G know?" I asked. She nodded. "Congrats! You're going to be the best captain yet." I said. "Thanks! Ah, you guys are. The. Best." She sighed. "This was one of the best meets yet! So…typical, yet fun. You know, the guys are trying to flirt with the girls, someone's crying in the bathroom." She said. I had to laugh. "Whose that?" I asked. "Ah, nobody important." She said. "Rose!" I heard, I turned to see Riley Poole coming towards me through the crowd. Jamie scared me to death at that moment by 'tasering' me in the ribs. "J.J!" I screeched. She smiled, "Teehee." She said. "Rose?" Riley called again. "Hey, Riley. Long time no see." I said, nodding. "This is, Bobby, Jamie, and Felicity." I introduced. He nodded his greetings. "Well, I have to go change. You coming, Giggles?" Bobby said. "Just a sec." I said. "But you know I'm an impatient youngling!" She wailed quietly. "J.J?" I cued. She grinned evilly. "Hehe." She said dragging Phillip away like two yards or something. "You're. So. Friggin'. Mean, to me!" She said while being dragged. "We're outside; we have to catch the flights. Sorry, Ben said that I had to be pushy." Riley said. I laughed. I couldn't help it! "It's okay. Um, just give me 5 or ten-ish minutes." I said. He nodded and left. "Who's that?" Bobby asked, the tone clearly stating she thought something was going on. "Oh, Bobby! You're spending too much time with your sister. That's Riley, Ben's like…intern I guess." I said. "Good luck." Felicity teased. Jamie whistled hotly at the moment. "It's not like you don't have someone." I said. "We're just flirting!" Bobby protested. "Yeah, but someone told me-"
"Come on, we're going camping in a huge group, for the last time!" She said exasperated. I laughed, and dragged her, Jamie, and Felicity to the dressing room. I got into black skinny jeans, a black tank top, put pink hoodie over that zipping it up so only part of the tank top was showing. And put on my sport flip flops (Adeletes) I stuffed everything else in my bag by Joyrich Haring. I got it for my birthday, from Felicity. I could tell she wanted to be friends, so we were, and are. Anyways Bobby and I shared an umbrella outside (it was raining sadly). "I have to go to my sister's car over there. We're taking a bus, to the cabin. I'll miss you! It won't be a party without you! I guess I'll see you later this summer. What's in Antarctica anyways?" Bobby asked, quick hugging me. "Polar bears." I replied, she laughed. "Actually, apparently it's something about the treasure." I muttered. "Oh." She said, the Templar Treasure was a touchy subject with my friends. We ignored that flaw in my family. "I don't have a choice on going. Believe me I'd rather with you to the cabin and go like tubing and stuff. E-mail me, okay? Later, have fun camping with Morgan!" I called. She, her sister Morgan, and our friends Christie, Felicity, Jamie, Katie, Elise, and Lola, Lizzy, Fericit (She's from Rome), Lucas, Aiden, Aiden (the other one), Jacob, and Logan, and Jenny's friends Lily, Marie, Anne, Sammy, Tristian, Adam, Ethan, Lauren, Dylan, Tyler, Hayden, Tommy, and Darren. Well, they were going up to a cabin, I had been invited but I had to go to Antarctica, sadly. She begged me to come! But I don't know if Ben would let me go with no adult supervision…still Morgan and her friends are almost all eighteen! Speaking of Ben, he was out side the car with another blonde man. "Hey." I said, grabbing both men's attention. "Rose!" Ben said. As I finally reached them. "Sorry, I'm late a friend of mine kinda distracted me." I admitted. "It's okay." Ben said. "Ian, this is my niece; Rose." He introduced me. I smiled. "Hi, nice to meet you." I said. "Nice to meet you too. I've heard plenty of you." He said. Somehow I had managed on making myself so busy that I hadn't had time to get myself thrown into this treasure nonsense. Until now.