Saving Her: Chapter II


Summary: Carter knows this is a good idea. She really does, because she's going to be saving Rosie, and anything after that just doesn't register. CarterxRosie

Author's Note: Yaaay next chapter! I got such a good response; thanks a million you guys! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Princess Rosalinda/Rosie Gonzalez, Carter Mason, or Princess Protection Program and all affiliated characters and environments. They are the property of Disney in conjunction with Annie DeYoung :]


Rosie let out a delighted laugh as Margaret spun her around playfully, giggling with the rest of the girls as they all moved to the infectious rhythm. The Princess had never had more fun in her life.

And it was all because of her. Carter. Her best friend.

Lately, it had seemed like she was becoming more than that. In the beginning, the fire that smoldered in Carter's big brown eyes was always directed at her. Rosie never understood why the other girl had seemed to hate her so much. She hadn't given it much thought, as her mind had overloaded with the amount of stress the events of those first few terrifying days had brought. She was much too deep in worry for her country, her mother, her people; she was far too scared of this new place and new customs of a country she had only ever read about. She was frightened and uncomfortable with the new people who she had been thrust upon, and told to trust. But how could she trust anyone? Who was safe to trust, and who wasn't? Usually Rosie was a good judge of character but how could you think with so many things eating away at you at the same time?

It took the Princess the mistake of trusting Brooke and Chelsea to finally see the truth. To see who would stand by her. The moment things started to malfunction on the machine she knew she had made a mistake. Rosie had looked up, drenched from head to toe in a puddle of melted frozen yogurt on the floor of the Yogurt King, and prayed harder than she ever had in her life for the tiles to just open up and eat her. She could hear two sets of footsteps rapidly approaching, and the humiliation began to creep in.

Then she saw her.

Carter stood panting in the doorway, Ed towering behind her. The usual smolder in her eyes was a raging fire now, and for once, Rosie noticed, it wasn't aimed at her.

Something happened in that moment when they locked eyes. A type of understanding, a bond; a connection formed and bound them together as the walls they had both built around one another came crashing down. Rosie felt relief flood through her as Ed helped her off the ground, her eyes never once leaving those of the girl suddenly standing before her. As soon as the names Chelsea and Brooke left the sopping Princess's lips in explanation, something flared in Carter's eyes that filled her, for the first time since coming to Louisiana, with warmth.

Protection.

Carter was being protective. Of her.

Carter's stance tensed, jaws grinding together as she growled. Rosie held her back, telling her to turn the other cheek because that's just what Princesses do. Nevertheless, she couldn't help the affection pooling in her stomach at the bait girl's willingness to attack for her.

And despite how Princess-like it wasn't, she also couldn't help but grin as Carter smashed a waffle cone onto Bull's head.

Rosie could confidently mark that incident as the birth of their friendship. None of the animosity or the irritation that had separated them before existed now, and every minute after that the fondness Rosie held in her for Carter grew stronger. It filled her heart, swelling until it was so large the Princess could feel it in her throat every time their eyes met. When their hands touched a thousand little butterflies flew from her fingertips down into the very pit of her soul.

And now, as on instinct her eyes found Carter's from across the room, a gaze warm enough to melt the milk chocolate irises boring into her own, Rosie knew. She would do anything for that girl. She would protect Carter Mason, just as Carter Mason had protected her.

A sudden wall of people obscured the view Rosie had of her best friend; Ed grabbed her hand from behind and spun her around as she giggled, nodding as he asked her to dance. She turned her head for one last look; she could have only looked away for a second, but that second was time enough. Her heart sunk in her chest.

Carter was gone.


Author's Note: And because I feel slightly guilty considering this chapter is virtually the same as the last one, I MIGHT post another on Friday. :] Tell me what you guys think! Waitin' to hear from ya!