Carter and Rosie jumped out of the large pick up truck and entered into the bowling alley. Neon lights lit up the bowling alley, much different from anything Princess Rosalinda had ever experienced.
"Wow!" Rosie's eyes scanned the room, watching everyone take part in this unusual sport. "This place is amazing! What is it?" she clung to Carter.
"It's a bowling alley." She pointed at the people that were skidding the heavy balls down the lane. "And that's bowling."
"This seems a lot safer than dodge-ball." She stated, replaying the previous incident from school. Rosie was incredibly excited to try out this new sport.
"Yeah. It's a lot safer." Carter said, rubber her nose.
"Carter!" Ed exclaimed. "Rosie!" he quickly ran his fingers through his hair. "Size nine, right?" he pointed at Carter, retrieving a pair of the cleanest musky bowling shoes for Carter. "And you? What's your size?" he looked down at Rosie's feet.
Rosie shrugged. "Another nine, Ed." Carter huffed. "I'm going to snag a lane."
Rosie gracefully leaped onto the chair and onto the counter. Ed turned around and saw Rosie propped up upon the counter. Her feet dangled, waiting to be dressed into the new pair of shoes. Ed quickly swung around the counter and got on one knee, dressing Rosie's feet with the dingy bowling shoes. She even made the scuffs and scrapes look good. Carter ran over, annoyed. "It was a pleasure serving you, your majesty!" he bowed and went to grab her hand but was interrupted by Carter's.
"Enough, Romeo." Carter spat, grabbing Rosie by the wrist and pulling her off the counter. Rosie gracefully landed on her feet, only an inch away from Carter. Quickly, Carter stepped back, realizing how close they were. She grabbed Rosie by the hand and rushed back to their lane. "Come on. You have to pick a ball."
Rosie spotted her ball; it was pink with a marble design. She grabbed the ball, unaware of how heavy it was. Donny soon appeared, lending her a hand with the unsuspectingly heavy ball. "That is all right, Donny." Rosie pulled back. "I can carry it for myself." She said with a smile.
Carter's heart sank. "Hey, Donny."
"Hey…" he paused. "Carter." His attention went right back to Rosie. "Rosie, can I talk to you?"
"We have to be home soon, and we really need to go through with our game." Carter lied, trying to pull Rosie closer to the lane.
"It'll be quick. I did drive all the way out to you just to ask you something." He smiled at Rosie. "So, Rosie" Carter squirmed. "You wanna go to homecoming with me?"
"Thank you, Donny," Carter stormed off without a single good-bye. "but no thank you." She said, rushing off to find Carter and leaving Donny with a blank stare.
"Carter!" she screamed after her, but to no avail. "Carter! Wait!" she screamed, loosing sight of her cousin. By the time she reached the double doors, the Dodge was already driving down the dirt path.
Rosie kicked the dirt with her tattered bowling shoes. She reentered the bowling ally with her head hung for the first time. She approached the bowling counter and regained her composure. "Edward?"
His head shot up to the sound of her voice. "Rosie!" he said, surprised. "Actually, it's Edwin."
Rosie forced out a smile. "Well, Edwin, that is a lovely name." He smiled uncontrollably. "I require both Carter's and my shoes."
He looked around. "Where's Carter?"
Carter looked down, quite disappointed. "She left in a hurry. She forgot to return them and she asked me to retrieve them." She pursed her lips, hoping he would buy her lie.
"Oh, sure." He said, handing both pairs of shoes to her. "Just make sure Carter gives back those shoes. I could get into a lot of trouble."
"Of course. Thank you, Edwin." She gave him a smile and walked off, swinging both pairs of shoes in her hands.
Rosie felt a hand on her shoulder. "Rosie." She jumped. "Do you need a ride or something?" Donny asked with Chelsea and Brooke not too far behind him.
She looked back at the door, hoping Carter was going to storm through any second. "Yes. That would be lovely, thank you." Chelsea and Brooke both rolled their eyes. She followed both Chelsea and Brooke through the double doors and into Donny's car.
"So Rosie, how do you like Louisiana?" she sneered, not even trying to cover up the detest in her voice.
"It's quite different but I am enjoying myself." She smiled, ignoring Chelsea's tone.
"Exactly how long are you staying in Louisiana?" Brooke chimed in.
Rosie shook her head as the wind blew in her hair. "I am honestly unsure. Whenever my mother says it is okay to come back home."
"Does that mean you're in some sort of trouble that your mom had to send you away?" Donny asked.
Rosie froze, understanding how close to the truth it was. "Sort of…" she trailed. "Do you know where I can get a job?" she asked enthusiastically.
Chelsea and Brooke smiled at one another. "My father owns the frozen yogurt shop. I should have my car by the morning so I'll just pick you up around 9 a.m., kay?"
Rosie was more than happy to agree. She was going to get a job just like a normal American teenager would. "Thank you, Chelsea. It means a lot to me."
"No problem, Ro." They both laughed in the back seat, and Rosie awkwardly smiled.
Donny looked over at Rosie, putting his hand on her exposed knee. "You'll do great, Rosie."
The car pulled up next to the house, making enough noise for Carter to rush to the window. Rosie stepped out of the convertible and Chelsea jumped into her place. "Good night, Ro!" Chelsea and Brooke shouted in unison.
Rosie waved at her new friends and headed into the house. She walked by Carter's sleeping father and headed upstairs to the room. Carter was already in bed with her eyes closed as Rosie stepped into the room.
Carter's eyes shot open when she heard the creaky door close. As soon as Rosie turned around, Carter squeezed her eyes shut. Using the light from the moon to not wake Carter, Rosie navigated through the room in search of her pajamas. Unsuccessful, she decided to undress despite not having an outfit to change into. Carter watched as the princess slid down her jeans and pealed off her top.
The mirror caught Rosie's eye, staring at her reflection. With her head held high and her back straightened, she began admiring herself in the mirror… and without her knowing, so did Carter. Rosie looked back at the bed, making sure Carter was fast asleep, and according to Rosie, she was. Her fingertips glided against her curves, and her palms lightly pressed against her hips. She turned and looked over to the bed at a supposed sleeping Carter.
She tiptoed over to the bed and gently kissed Carter on the cheek, nearly grazing her lips. "Good night, Carter." She whispered, sneaking under the covers. She snaked her arms around Carter's waist despite her actions from before.
God, I'm so stupid! Carter cursed herself.
A/N: I'm trying so hard to get through the filler and on to the good stuff… Any suggestions for the story, I'd be glad to accept.