Chapter 2~

"Hey Carter, wake up!"

I lift my head off of Ed's shoulder and look out of the window. Underneath us, miles of beautiful beach and lush tropics sprawl across the little crescent-shaped island. I'd forgotten how beautiful this place was. In the middle of it all is a beautiful white Spanish-style building with 3 floors and a red tile roof, the royal mansion.

"Welcome to the island of Costa Luna!" Ed announces in his big booming announcer's voice. I can't help but laugh. We're actually here!

Our helicopter lands on top of the palace on the queen's own personal helicopter base and I can't help but feel like royalty when the queen herself comes out to welcome us.

Rosie's long dark hair is piled on top of her head in an intricate series of braids supporting her glittery gold crown. Her floor-length gown is a dusty rose and makes me feel under-dressed in my tank top and jeans.

"Carter!" Her face lights up like a Christmas tree with her giant trademark smile when she sees me and in that moment she's back to being my sixteen year old cousin from Iowa.

"Rosie!" I wrap my arms around my best friend in a giant hug like I haven't seen her for years, which it feels like I haven't.

Behind us, Ed unloads my bags along with his. Rose sees him and smiles. "Edwin!"

Rose extends her hand and Ed takes it, then bows down on one knee and kisses it. He loves treating her like royalty and she loves getting treated like royalty, so it works out.

"Come on," Rose says. "We cleared out the entire guest wing for you guys."

One of Rose's servants takes the luggage from Ed and follows us down a long flight of stairs into the palace. Every bit of this place is so gorgeous, from the spectacular view of the grounds from every arched window to the beautiful stone walls. I can't believe this is going to be my home for the next three months.

We walk down an open corridor reined in by fancy stone pillars and iron railings, overlooking the courtyard where Rose's coronation took place six months ago. There's a locked wooden door at the end of the courtyard. Rose pulls a key ring out of a hidden pocket in her giant skirt and unlocks it.

The door swings open to reveal a whole new wing of the palace, larger than my entire house back in Louisiana, complete with its own hallway and rows of locked doors.

"Ed, I gave you the gold room at the end of the corridor," Rose says. "It's the one with the best view."

"Thanks Rosie. You're the best!" Ed in his excitement forgets to treat Rose like a queen and almost knocks her over with a giant hug before bounding off in the direction of his new room, camera bag in hand.

"Carter, you're in the blue room." Rose unlocks it with another one of the keys on her big key ring. "You have your own bathroom and the sitting room to the left is yours as well."

"Rose, this is incredible," I gush as I step inside.

My toes sink into the deep blue carpet. I can see why they call this the blue room. Every little detail is blue from the blue butterflies on the light blue wallpaper to the blue painted armoire by the giant four poster canopy bed.

"Do you like it?" Rose asks as if she already knows the answer.

"This is the most beautiful room I've ever seen." I feel myself start to tear up. Stupid jetlag.

Rose smiles. "I'm glad you like it. Mr. Elegante made some dresses for you to go with the new room. They're in the walk-in closet."

"He didn't have to do that," I insist.

Mr. Elegante is one of Rose's oldest family friends. He designs all of the beautiful royal gowns. He even made special Homecoming dresses for me and Rosie when she stayed with me last fall after Brooke and Chelsea trashed our original dresses.

"He wanted to do something special to thank you for saving my life," Rose explains. "Besides, you need something to wear to your birthday ball."

"My birthday ball?" I feel the color drain from my face.

"Of course," Rose says flippantly. "You did not think I forgot about your birthday, did I? It is in exactly one month and two days."

"I was hoping for a cake, maybe a couple presents," I say. "Not a ball."

"Well you are in Costa Luna now and you are my guest," Rose insists. "You are a hero after all you did to help save my life and my country. The people will accept nothing less than a ball celebrating the date of your birth."

Really, big dances are more Rosie's thing. The last thing I need to is to have to dance in front of everyone and possibly give a speech, all while wearing a floor-length dress and high heels. I barely survived my Homecoming princess nomination. Not quite my scene.

Rose sees my face and laughs. "Do not worry. I will train you in everything you need to know, like you did when I came to America. Best friends help each other. You taught me that, Carter."

She's got me there. I guess I sort of owe her. Dang it.