"Venomous Pt 9 - Enamored" Rosie/Carter
Title: Venomous Part 9 - Enamored
Fandom: Princess Protection Program
Pairing: Carter/Rosie
Rating: PG-13
Words: ~4200
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, not intended for profit or offense. I own no rights to the subjects.
Summary: The day of the Homecoming dance has arrived, and both Carter and Rosie reflect on the friendship they have fostered together, and what they mean to each other. Rosie doesn't want to hide from her troubles any longer, but how far is Carter willing to go to save her best friend?
Chapter One of Venomous
Chapter Two - Pernicious
Chapter Three - Detrimental
Chapter Four - Anodyne
Chapter Five - Innocuous
Chapter Six - Amiable
Chapter Seven - Affectionate
Chapter Eight - Solicitous
~~\/~~
With exams scheduled for the last two days of the week, and Rosie, Carter and Ed being exempt from those on Friday, the weekend basically started at noon on Thursday following their French orals. Riding a bit sandwiched together in Ed's dad's pick-up, the midday sun holds a sense of rare promise and freedom, and Carter lets her hand ride the wind outside the window as they drive to the Mason property. Once there, they drop off Rosie, Carter explaining she needs to do some "errands" with Ed.
The "errands" involve going to the post office to pick up a very special package, sent from Costa Luna - a pair of exclusive Mr. Elegante homecoming dresses that are critical to Carter's plan to stop Rosie from being harmed by General Kane. Parking on a side street, they pass by a Hobby and Craft store on the way to the Post Office, and Carter is mildly surprised to hear a familiar know-it-all twang issuing excitedly from a precocious pre-teen in hiking boots and a camouflage hat.
"That there book's gotta be tha best source of infer'mation on the State, I'll tell ya right now. See, if ya had looked at dat befur goin' on dat Scout trip, ya wouldn't've been bit, or got dat nasty rash," he tells a shorter boy, presumably his brother, and gesturing meaningfully at the display in the window.
"Mhhhmm," the younger boy replies, seemingly disinterested but sheepish enough not to mention it.
"I'm jus' sayin' Jessie... I wonder if dis goin' on sale...?" Charlie the Snake-Fanatic trails off, gazing longingly at the book propped behind the glass.
A couple weeks ago, Carter would have had no problem in simply crossing the street and avoiding the boy altogether, but recently she's found that her conscious is a bit more vocal and now practically screams at her to make amends for being rude to Charlie at the Homecoming football game last Saturday. So instead she sets a polite amiability upon her features and quickens her pace to met the two boys.
"Hey, it's Charlie, right?"
"Erh, Ma'am..?"
"The homecoming game, you told my friend she'd been bitten by a kingsnake, remember?"
"Oh- oh! Yea, yea sure I 'memeber! I - " and he halts as a look of uncertainty crosses his face, "I - erh, I s'ppose I was a bit rude, then. Not mah place to - "
"No, hold on now. I wanted to say I'm sorry for being mean. I'm not usually like that - I just got a little defensive. So, I apologize," Carter holds out her hand for a shake.
And Charlie regains some of his brightness as he nods to her and shakes. He grabs his little brother to his side by the shoulders. "Well, thanks very much. This here is my lil' brother, Jessie, by tha way. He's tha one 'got bit by tha King," and Jessie looks down at his feet as a flush rises to his cheeks.
"Sorry, Jessie, I know how that can suck - " Carter tries to ease his embarrassment, but Charlie interrupts, "I's tellin' him abou' dat book right there, ya really can't go wrong in LA if ya've read it." Carter looks to the book he gestures at, "The Wilds of Louisiana," looking a bit out of place in the Hobby store display surrounded by woodblocks and model airplane and ATV kits. "I know tha arrthor, he's a friend of my dad's, gave me a whole bunch o' stuff on snakes."
"Mhhm, neat," Carter replies with muted disinterest, and winks slyly at Jessie while Charlie is busy admiring the book. "Well, it was nice seeing you again," Carter says as she nudges Ed to start walking again.
"Same, tell your friend I said 'hi!'," Charlie beams. Looking around him, he suddenly notices that Jessie has run off, probably to escape his somewhat overbearing brother. Carter likes him more than Charlie.
After waiting a slightly more than ridiculous amount of time in line at the Post Office, Ed offers to carry the box of dresses for Carter, admiring Mr. Elegante for his kindness in making new dresses to replace the ones Chelsea and Brooke ruined.
"And at no cost, either! Costa Luna people sure are nice." Stepping back outside, Ed wonders aloud, "So, do you know anything about when Rosalinda is supposed to go back and become Queen?"
"Ed, shut up, we can't talk about that stuff out in public!" Carter hisses warily as they pass by a group of little old ladies - hardly the types to sell international secrets to unsavory enemies, but Carter appreciates the value of 'better safe than sorry'.
"Ouch, all right I'm sorry," Ed moans quietly as he limps on his now slightly squashed right foot. Looking at the box in Ed's hands, Carter feels a melancholy wash over her. "To be honest, I have a feeling she'll be gone soon."
"Oh, I thought maybe she'd stay till the summer, and she could come with us on our camping trip... but I guess not," and Ed being the sensitive young man he is, picks up on Carter's sadness. "... Dang, that sucks. You two were just starting to become good friends," Ed says, hoisting the box a little higher up in his arms as they turn the corner and walk by the Hobby and Craft Store again, on the way to the truck.
"Yea. Definitely." Carter stops and looks through the display window where "The Wilds of Louisiana" sits. She feels a sudden sense of sentimentality and says, "Go on to the car Ed, I'll be right there. One last errand."
~~\/~~
Rosie pushes open the screen door to the porch and breathes in deeply. She's just finished packing her things, however limited they are, in preparation for departure soon. She figures she will leave by nightfall on Friday, after the dance. Somehow she will need to get to an airport without Mason or Carter knowing; the thought of saying goodbye to them fills her heart with such an intense sorrow she almost tears up. But she knows that a proper goodbye probably won't allow her the freedom to leave as she wants. Somehow, this feels harder than when she had to leave her mother in Costa Luna - but she supposes she had no choice in that matter, whereas this time it's all her decision. She wishes she could shirk the responsibility.
What was a sunny day around noon has now turned overcast, and throws a blanket of silver gray over the surface of the lake. Rosie sees Carter sitting on the edge of the dock, a fishing pole in her hand while she leans against the wooden post and dangles her feet over the edge.
"I didn't know you had returned," Rosie announces her appearance quietly.
"Oh yeah.. Ed dropped me off not too long ago. Just wanted some time to think, ya know?"
"Oh I see. Should I leave?" Rosie asks uncertainly.
"Wha -? No, no, stay, please. Company would be nice," Carter smiles over her shoulder. She pats the space next to her, "I'm done with all that thinkin' nonsense anyway. A person can go crazy with too much of that, ya know."
"One who appears crazy may actually be a genius in disguise," Rosie says wisely as she sits down on crossed legs. "Touche," Carter chuckles.
"Caught anything?
"Just nibbles. The crayfish like to play on the line." Carter flicks a toe in the water and the critters scatter, only to return a few seconds later.
"Carter... I wanted to say - "
"- It's ok, Rosie."
"Carter...?"
"Let's.... just enjoy the time we have right now. Okay?"
Neither girl can look at the other, so they stare at the lake instead. A doleful silence overcomes them, both trying desperately to rid their minds of the thoughts of what's to come, and what's to go. It's unfair that circumstances are forcing them apart, just as they grew the closest they've ever been to each other. Eventually, Rosie leans her head onto Carter's shoulder, who in turn rests her cheek atop Rosie's hair; both girls staring absently into the trembling gray light of the water's surface.
~~\/~~
Rosie leaves Carter some time later, refusing assistance when she says she is going to prepare dinner for them again. She wants to do it as thanks, and as a symbol of farewell to the father and daughter with whom she now feels so close.
As Rosie cuts up vegetables while the rice cooks, Mason ambles into the kitchen and admires her skills. Outside the window, Carter can still be seen on the dock, looking a shade darker as the light from the lake reflects brightly around her silhouette.
"I'm really glad you two worked things out, ya know? Became friends," Mason says while gazing through the window. Rosie stops chopping and looks to Carter's direction as well. "Carter seems a lot more... happy, these days. Less of a grump, ya know?"
"I am very happy to call Carter my friend. She is truly a remarkable person... but I sense it is hard sometimes for her to see how just how remarkable she is."
Mason smiles and sips from his mug. "If there's one thing you can count on the Mason's to be, it's humble - but you're right, I think she has trouble seeing the best in herself."
He turns to face Rosie and leans against the kitchen counter, crossing his strong arms over his chest. "Carter's had trouble with bullying even before high school. Always been somewhat of a misfit. Maybe some of it had to do with the divorce, but it's always been hard for her to make lasting friendships. Ed's the exception, which I'm really grateful for. And now with you, I've never seen her so happy with other people. She's more outgoing too. She's grown up, a bit."
"We all do eventually," says Rosie as she lowers her head to resume cutting veggies.
"You've been grown up for quite awhile, haven't you, Rosalinda?" Mason remarks quietly.
"It's part of my duty as a Princess..." she replies just as softly, not lifting her head. Mason walks over and puts a hand lightly on Rosie's shoulder as he passes.
"But it's okay to take it easy once in a while. Even grown-ups get to take vacations, relax a little."
Rosie looks up again and smiles. "So I have learned. I have your daughter to thank for that, Mason." And in that moment, the warmth in Mason's eyes as he gazes at Rosie is the same he holds for his own daughter.
Dinner that evening was as much a family affair as ever in the Mason household.
~~\/~~
"There ya go darlin', not a hair misplaced."
"Oh Helen, what a splendid job, thank you so much," Rosie gushes as she admires her new up-do in the mirror. The Friday sun shoots in through the window screen and sets a bright shimmer to Rosie's hair. Excitement for the coming dance later in the evening is palpable.
"Oh it ain't a thang lil' missy, you're just so darn gorgeous already I hardly had tah lift a finger!" Helen shoos charmingly.
"Hey, y'all finished in here yet?" Carter swings the screen door open and calls. "Yup, just now," Helen beams.
"Kay cool. Rosie, I have something I wanna show you," Carter continues excitedly as she pushes her way inside with her shoulder while carrying a large cardboard box. Helen excuses herself to grab beauty supplies from her bus outside.
"I was a little worried it wouldn't get here in time, but I suppose there's a reason you trust him," Carter says as she places the box on the kitchen table and starts to open it.
"Trust who? What is in there?" Rosie asks curiously. Carter just smiles at her and lifts the box flaps open, pulling out the lush material of two new dresses.
"Where did you get them?" Rosie gasps.
"You said to call Mr. Elegante if I had an emergency, and I think this is a fashion emergency."
"Carter, you are brilliant," Rosie smiles admiringly. "This one - " Carter quickly moves on as she picks up one of the dresses, mostly to avoid dwelling on the butterflies that suddenly popped into her stomach, " - is yours. He says you look best in pink. And this one is mine. It's Caribbean blue."
And exactly the color General Kane thinks Rosalinda will be wearing at the Homecoming dance, Carter thinks wryly.
"Thank you, Carter. This is a night I'll always remember." Carter moves around the table and opens her arms to wrap Rosie in a hug. Her smile fades slowly as she replies, "I hope so," not knowing for sure what it will be remembered for. They are interrupted in this tender moment by the arrival of the other girls, and soon become engaged in preparing for the dance.
~~\/~~
Dusk falls quickly as the girls finish their make-up and hair. "C'mon, let's put on the final touch," Carter beams and grabs Rosie's hand, walking her back to their room and closing the door.
The girls start to gingerly remove their clothing without messing up their hair and make-up, and slip into their dresses, both finding it hard to hide their huge smiles. Rosie sits down to put on her shoes, and the dress is lifted to reveal the scar.
"I told Mr. Elegante about your snake bite, and he said he'd make your dress longer to cover it. He hardly needed to though, it looks totally healed. How's it feel?" She asks as sits on her haunches and touches the skin lightly, as she has many times before.
"It doesn’t hurt at all. Thanks to your care, Carter."
"Don't mention it..." and Carter, just a few inches away from Rosie's leg, doesn't stop herself when she leans in and places a quick, gentle kiss to Rosie's scar. "All better, right?" Carter giggles a little nervously as she looks uncertainly back up at Rosie's face. But Rosie wears the tenderest expression as she reaches out to place her fingers beneath Carter's chin, urging her to rise up, as she stands from the bed.
"You are the strongest person I have ever met, Carter Mason," Rosie whispers as she holds Carter's wrist and leans in, placing a kiss on her cheek as gentle as the one Carter gave her scar.
Carter feels her face turn a bright scarlet so she turns around quickly and goes to her desk. "I - uh - I have something for you... because... well... you might be leaving soon..."
Turning around, Carter holds "The Wilds of Louisiana" out for Rosie, unwrapped.
"I heard from a reliable source that this book is essential for anyone visiting Louisiana. I thought it'd be useful to you since you seem to have a weird tendency to attract wildlife. So next time, you'll be prepared."
"Ohh wow, how interesting! Thank you so much, Carter!" Rosie is obviously very pleased with her present.
"There's uh - there's somethin' else in there, too. I thought I'd give you something a little more personal than a book, and uh -I uh - well, I've never made one before and I had to learn how to do it from the internet so like - you don't have to wear if - uh, well, here..." Carter stutters, her blush still visible across her cheeks, as she flips the book open in Rosie's hands, to a page about alligators, including an interesting note about animal hypnosis. Between the pages lies a threaded bracelet of turquoise and gold, with a small golden charm, a snake coiled in a slinky 'S' shape. Rosie is quiet for a moment, her mouth open in surprise, and it makes Carter nervous.
"I know you were kinda embarrassed about your snake bite before, but I thought maybe this would change your perspective on it or something..."
Rosie lifts the bracelet from the book and places the book down on the bed. She admires the small, but very personal gift between her fingers. In a small voice full of emotion, she says, "Carter, I am proud to wear my scar, as I am proud to wear this bracelet. I will gladly tell anyone of the story of how I met my best friend." She holds her wrist out and silently requests that Carter tie it on for her.
"That's... that's what I was hoping you'd say," Carter smiles as she secures the friendship bracelet, and takes out another bracelet from her desk. This one is light green and gold, with a silver fish charm on it. Rosie ties it on her wrist, her fingers deft and reverent, and she pulls Carter into a hug. A few quiet moments pass between them, before Carter mumbles that they should probably finish getting dressed.
Pulling on their evening gloves, the final presentation is breathtaking, and Carter says, "You look beautiful, Rosie."
"Look in the mirror Carter - so do you," Rosie says gently.
Carter moves to examine herself in the mirror. She smooths out her dress and smiles at what looks like a young, happy, royal princess. She can hardly believe it's herself. Rosie comes to her side and they share a smile in the mirror. Carter turns to face her, and catches her dad leaning on her door frame and observing them with proud eyes.
"How do I look, dad?" Carter asks as she comes up to him. Mason gives her a once-over and sighs dramatically, "I think we have a problem." Carter frowns uncertainly and looks to check herself -
" - I think I may have to stop calling you 'pal'," Mason finishes with a smile. They lean forward for a hug, but it's cut short by the shrill ring of Mason's PDA. With a sad smile, he leaves to take the call.
Carter's a little bummed that her father's sending-off was interrupted, but as Helen tells them, the dance starts in ten minutes, so Carter follows Rosie out to the bus, contemplating what the night will bring. She feels a mix of excitement and dread.
~~\/~~
Carter's pretty sure she's never had more eyes on her than when she stepped out of the bus in front of the school, all dolled up and shiny like a jewel. She feels a funny swelling of pride in her chest, and she also feels a little mischievous behind her ornate mask. Her huge smile matches Rosie's however, and coupled with receiving compliments and looks of admiration, the dance starts off very successfully in Carter's opinion. A couple of young freshmen come up and start dancing ridiculously to get a laugh from the girls, and they indulge them. All around them, their friends are smiling and laughing and showing off their masks, and it seems like nothing could be more innocent or fun than a high school dance.
About 10 minutes after arriving, Donny slinks up looking sharp and douchey in a sports jacket and styled hair, shooing away the mousey-haired freshmen. He seems to have completely forgotten that his date to the dance was Chelsea. Behind Carter, Rosie's face is marred by a slight frown. Donny cockily propositions Carter to dance, but in a move that surprises even herself, Carter shuts him down.
"Ok what's up? Isn't this what you've been waiting for since like, the third grade?" Donny sneers.
"Before I put on this dress, you couldn't even remember my name. I might be a princess tonight, but I'll always be bait girl. And I'm proud of that."
"Carter, you're making a big mistake," Donny tries to cover his obvious surprise and embarrassment. But Carter's head is held high and proud.
"No, Donny, I don't think I am." That sends the jock off with his tail between his legs. Rosie comes up to Carter's side. "You deserve better than him, Carter," and she doesn't even try to hide the smug smile on her face.
"I know... Too bad it took this long to realize it." Carter doesn't notice the way Rosie's eyes cast downward thoughtfully. She turns around and calls the freshman boys back to them, trying to pretend like that wasn't a big deal just then. Just beyond them, Ed nods in approval while Donny slinks off to some corner to nurse his ego.
The boys scatter off in fear when the beat slows down suddenly and a melodic electronica sweeps over the dance floor, signaling the start of a slow jam. Rosie doesn't mind however, and takes the chance to put her hands around Carter's neck, and although Carter is mildly surprised, her hands go to dance partner's waist naturally. Swaying in place for a few moments to the steady kick drum and the piano keys, Carter looks over Rosie's shoulder into the crowd. She sees only smiling teenage faces; no trace of a menacing dictator turned kidnapper or any rogue operatives looking to collect a runaway princess. Carter's eyes begin to shine as thinks about the possibility of Rosie being captured, and she wants to throw away her plan and just confess to Rosie, and insist that they escape together. But the voice of her father reminds her that she's responsible for the future Queen's safety. Readjusting her loose grip on Rosie's hips, bringing her closer, she deflates and says somewhat sadly, "I'm going to miss you, Rosie."
"We'll see each other again, Carter," Rosie says, trying to find Carter's gaze. "When I return to my country and stop Kane from trapping my mother in marriage, I will find a way to rid Costa Luna of his tyranny, and then I will be able to see you again."
"You're so confident... I'm kinda jealous."
"I'm the future Queen - I must be confident in my own abilities, otherwise how would my people have confidence in me?"
"You're something else, Rosie. Rosalinda," Carter whispers her given name and encloses her in another hug.
In a moment of uncharacteristic weakness, Carter closes her eyes tight and squeezes harder to Rosie, her hands trying to clump the slinky material of her pink dress where they lay. She has to squeeze her eyes because she can feel the tears glinting just at the corners, threatening to fall.
Carter reflects on her strange reality in that moment; harboring a fugitive princess at a Southern high school dance after spending weeks trying to teach her to just "act normal." Carter wishes that she and Rosie were just two average high school girls that could have sleepovers and go swimming in the lake and the only worries they had were about grades and curious raccoons around the house. Most of all she wished that Rosie didn't have to leave.
The lights shift in colors above them as the slow jam picks up suddenly, and couples drift apart to fall into threes, and fours and fives, and into big circles where fellow students start spinning madly in the middle and there are cheers and laughing all around. Rosie laughs loudly and pulls Carter toward the circle, cheering and clapping, and Carter's mind relaxes for a moment from the uncertainty of her near future.
When the excitement calms down somewhat, Rosie is soon inundated with admirers and compliments, and Carter takes the opportunity of Rosie's distraction to slink off. She pulls her mask down over her face and starts to survey the gym from the corners, fighting the growing pit of fear in her stomach as she searches for any sign of someone who has the look of wanting to kidnap a princess. She sees Principal Burkle off to the side of the stage, arranging what must be the Homecoming Queen's crown on a draped table. Knowing that the announcement is sure to come soon, she starts walking back to Rosie to tell her to put on her mask, but is stopped by a solid obstacle - a crying Brooke.
"We have to stop meeting like this, Brooke," Carter says bemusedly, but frowns slightly when she sees how upset the girl is.
"Ca- Carter! Oh Carter, you were right! You were right about Chelsea, she's awful!"
"Did you two break up again?"
"I - sniff - finally realized that - sniff - Chelsea was just being selfish and mean, and not funny and cool like I thought she was. She's not a good friend..." Brooke explains through her tears. Carter takes pity on her.
"Well Brooke, this is something you can grown from, ya know? Now you know what to look for in friends. And maybe Chelsea will change her attitude now that she drove her only friend away."
"...Maybe." Carter puts a hand on Brooke's arm as she makes to move past her. "You'll be all right Brooke. You know, you weren't half bad, whenever you weren't acting mean just to fit in."
"Thanks... Oh, and Carter -"
"Yea?"
"I... I really don't want Chelsea to be Homecoming Queen. The only royal thing about her is that she's a royal pain in the butt."
Carter smiles warmly at her. "Can't argue with you there." Brooke smiles back, a bit tear-stained and shy.
"Yea.. so uhm... I just... well, I hope you or Rosie win. You guys deserve it. Good luck."
"Thanks Brooke..." And the former enemies part ways, a little bemused at the reconciliation, but not complaining. Carter makes her way back to the dance floor, to her friends. Carter finally tells the girls to put on their masks as Principal Burkle ascends the stage and signals to the DJ to lower the music. As the lights come up to spotlight the stage, Carter moves back. She hovers near the snack table and watches through her mask as Rosie, enshrined by a halo of gold and red lights, smiles warmly and turns toward the stage, holding her mask up to her face.
Carter hopes this isn't the last time she sees her.
The bait girl holds her head high, proud as though she really were a princess, and waits. She is ready. She is committed.
She hears an angry hiss of snakes as Kane's slimy voice slithers into her ear and his hand unfurls before her.
"Come with me, Princesa, and no harm shall come to your friends."
~To Be Continued in The Final Chapter: Amorous
Fandom: Princess Protection Program
Pairing: Carter/Rosie
Rating: PG-13
Words: ~4200
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, not intended for profit or offense. I own no rights to the subjects.
Summary: The day of the Homecoming dance has arrived, and both Carter and Rosie reflect on the friendship they have fostered together, and what they mean to each other. Rosie doesn't want to hide from her troubles any longer, but how far is Carter willing to go to save her best friend?
Chapter One of Venomous
Chapter Two - Pernicious
Chapter Three - Detrimental
Chapter Four - Anodyne
Chapter Five - Innocuous
Chapter Six - Amiable
Chapter Seven - Affectionate
Chapter Eight - Solicitous
~~\/~~
With exams scheduled for the last two days of the week, and Rosie, Carter and Ed being exempt from those on Friday, the weekend basically started at noon on Thursday following their French orals. Riding a bit sandwiched together in Ed's dad's pick-up, the midday sun holds a sense of rare promise and freedom, and Carter lets her hand ride the wind outside the window as they drive to the Mason property. Once there, they drop off Rosie, Carter explaining she needs to do some "errands" with Ed.
The "errands" involve going to the post office to pick up a very special package, sent from Costa Luna - a pair of exclusive Mr. Elegante homecoming dresses that are critical to Carter's plan to stop Rosie from being harmed by General Kane. Parking on a side street, they pass by a Hobby and Craft store on the way to the Post Office, and Carter is mildly surprised to hear a familiar know-it-all twang issuing excitedly from a precocious pre-teen in hiking boots and a camouflage hat.
"That there book's gotta be tha best source of infer'mation on the State, I'll tell ya right now. See, if ya had looked at dat befur goin' on dat Scout trip, ya wouldn't've been bit, or got dat nasty rash," he tells a shorter boy, presumably his brother, and gesturing meaningfully at the display in the window.
"Mhhhmm," the younger boy replies, seemingly disinterested but sheepish enough not to mention it.
"I'm jus' sayin' Jessie... I wonder if dis goin' on sale...?" Charlie the Snake-Fanatic trails off, gazing longingly at the book propped behind the glass.
A couple weeks ago, Carter would have had no problem in simply crossing the street and avoiding the boy altogether, but recently she's found that her conscious is a bit more vocal and now practically screams at her to make amends for being rude to Charlie at the Homecoming football game last Saturday. So instead she sets a polite amiability upon her features and quickens her pace to met the two boys.
"Hey, it's Charlie, right?"
"Erh, Ma'am..?"
"The homecoming game, you told my friend she'd been bitten by a kingsnake, remember?"
"Oh- oh! Yea, yea sure I 'memeber! I - " and he halts as a look of uncertainty crosses his face, "I - erh, I s'ppose I was a bit rude, then. Not mah place to - "
"No, hold on now. I wanted to say I'm sorry for being mean. I'm not usually like that - I just got a little defensive. So, I apologize," Carter holds out her hand for a shake.
And Charlie regains some of his brightness as he nods to her and shakes. He grabs his little brother to his side by the shoulders. "Well, thanks very much. This here is my lil' brother, Jessie, by tha way. He's tha one 'got bit by tha King," and Jessie looks down at his feet as a flush rises to his cheeks.
"Sorry, Jessie, I know how that can suck - " Carter tries to ease his embarrassment, but Charlie interrupts, "I's tellin' him abou' dat book right there, ya really can't go wrong in LA if ya've read it." Carter looks to the book he gestures at, "The Wilds of Louisiana," looking a bit out of place in the Hobby store display surrounded by woodblocks and model airplane and ATV kits. "I know tha arrthor, he's a friend of my dad's, gave me a whole bunch o' stuff on snakes."
"Mhhm, neat," Carter replies with muted disinterest, and winks slyly at Jessie while Charlie is busy admiring the book. "Well, it was nice seeing you again," Carter says as she nudges Ed to start walking again.
"Same, tell your friend I said 'hi!'," Charlie beams. Looking around him, he suddenly notices that Jessie has run off, probably to escape his somewhat overbearing brother. Carter likes him more than Charlie.
After waiting a slightly more than ridiculous amount of time in line at the Post Office, Ed offers to carry the box of dresses for Carter, admiring Mr. Elegante for his kindness in making new dresses to replace the ones Chelsea and Brooke ruined.
"And at no cost, either! Costa Luna people sure are nice." Stepping back outside, Ed wonders aloud, "So, do you know anything about when Rosalinda is supposed to go back and become Queen?"
"Ed, shut up, we can't talk about that stuff out in public!" Carter hisses warily as they pass by a group of little old ladies - hardly the types to sell international secrets to unsavory enemies, but Carter appreciates the value of 'better safe than sorry'.
"Ouch, all right I'm sorry," Ed moans quietly as he limps on his now slightly squashed right foot. Looking at the box in Ed's hands, Carter feels a melancholy wash over her. "To be honest, I have a feeling she'll be gone soon."
"Oh, I thought maybe she'd stay till the summer, and she could come with us on our camping trip... but I guess not," and Ed being the sensitive young man he is, picks up on Carter's sadness. "... Dang, that sucks. You two were just starting to become good friends," Ed says, hoisting the box a little higher up in his arms as they turn the corner and walk by the Hobby and Craft Store again, on the way to the truck.
"Yea. Definitely." Carter stops and looks through the display window where "The Wilds of Louisiana" sits. She feels a sudden sense of sentimentality and says, "Go on to the car Ed, I'll be right there. One last errand."
~~\/~~
Rosie pushes open the screen door to the porch and breathes in deeply. She's just finished packing her things, however limited they are, in preparation for departure soon. She figures she will leave by nightfall on Friday, after the dance. Somehow she will need to get to an airport without Mason or Carter knowing; the thought of saying goodbye to them fills her heart with such an intense sorrow she almost tears up. But she knows that a proper goodbye probably won't allow her the freedom to leave as she wants. Somehow, this feels harder than when she had to leave her mother in Costa Luna - but she supposes she had no choice in that matter, whereas this time it's all her decision. She wishes she could shirk the responsibility.
What was a sunny day around noon has now turned overcast, and throws a blanket of silver gray over the surface of the lake. Rosie sees Carter sitting on the edge of the dock, a fishing pole in her hand while she leans against the wooden post and dangles her feet over the edge.
"I didn't know you had returned," Rosie announces her appearance quietly.
"Oh yeah.. Ed dropped me off not too long ago. Just wanted some time to think, ya know?"
"Oh I see. Should I leave?" Rosie asks uncertainly.
"Wha -? No, no, stay, please. Company would be nice," Carter smiles over her shoulder. She pats the space next to her, "I'm done with all that thinkin' nonsense anyway. A person can go crazy with too much of that, ya know."
"One who appears crazy may actually be a genius in disguise," Rosie says wisely as she sits down on crossed legs. "Touche," Carter chuckles.
"Caught anything?
"Just nibbles. The crayfish like to play on the line." Carter flicks a toe in the water and the critters scatter, only to return a few seconds later.
"Carter... I wanted to say - "
"- It's ok, Rosie."
"Carter...?"
"Let's.... just enjoy the time we have right now. Okay?"
Neither girl can look at the other, so they stare at the lake instead. A doleful silence overcomes them, both trying desperately to rid their minds of the thoughts of what's to come, and what's to go. It's unfair that circumstances are forcing them apart, just as they grew the closest they've ever been to each other. Eventually, Rosie leans her head onto Carter's shoulder, who in turn rests her cheek atop Rosie's hair; both girls staring absently into the trembling gray light of the water's surface.
~~\/~~
Rosie leaves Carter some time later, refusing assistance when she says she is going to prepare dinner for them again. She wants to do it as thanks, and as a symbol of farewell to the father and daughter with whom she now feels so close.
As Rosie cuts up vegetables while the rice cooks, Mason ambles into the kitchen and admires her skills. Outside the window, Carter can still be seen on the dock, looking a shade darker as the light from the lake reflects brightly around her silhouette.
"I'm really glad you two worked things out, ya know? Became friends," Mason says while gazing through the window. Rosie stops chopping and looks to Carter's direction as well. "Carter seems a lot more... happy, these days. Less of a grump, ya know?"
"I am very happy to call Carter my friend. She is truly a remarkable person... but I sense it is hard sometimes for her to see how just how remarkable she is."
Mason smiles and sips from his mug. "If there's one thing you can count on the Mason's to be, it's humble - but you're right, I think she has trouble seeing the best in herself."
He turns to face Rosie and leans against the kitchen counter, crossing his strong arms over his chest. "Carter's had trouble with bullying even before high school. Always been somewhat of a misfit. Maybe some of it had to do with the divorce, but it's always been hard for her to make lasting friendships. Ed's the exception, which I'm really grateful for. And now with you, I've never seen her so happy with other people. She's more outgoing too. She's grown up, a bit."
"We all do eventually," says Rosie as she lowers her head to resume cutting veggies.
"You've been grown up for quite awhile, haven't you, Rosalinda?" Mason remarks quietly.
"It's part of my duty as a Princess..." she replies just as softly, not lifting her head. Mason walks over and puts a hand lightly on Rosie's shoulder as he passes.
"But it's okay to take it easy once in a while. Even grown-ups get to take vacations, relax a little."
Rosie looks up again and smiles. "So I have learned. I have your daughter to thank for that, Mason." And in that moment, the warmth in Mason's eyes as he gazes at Rosie is the same he holds for his own daughter.
Dinner that evening was as much a family affair as ever in the Mason household.
~~\/~~
"There ya go darlin', not a hair misplaced."
"Oh Helen, what a splendid job, thank you so much," Rosie gushes as she admires her new up-do in the mirror. The Friday sun shoots in through the window screen and sets a bright shimmer to Rosie's hair. Excitement for the coming dance later in the evening is palpable.
"Oh it ain't a thang lil' missy, you're just so darn gorgeous already I hardly had tah lift a finger!" Helen shoos charmingly.
"Hey, y'all finished in here yet?" Carter swings the screen door open and calls. "Yup, just now," Helen beams.
"Kay cool. Rosie, I have something I wanna show you," Carter continues excitedly as she pushes her way inside with her shoulder while carrying a large cardboard box. Helen excuses herself to grab beauty supplies from her bus outside.
"I was a little worried it wouldn't get here in time, but I suppose there's a reason you trust him," Carter says as she places the box on the kitchen table and starts to open it.
"Trust who? What is in there?" Rosie asks curiously. Carter just smiles at her and lifts the box flaps open, pulling out the lush material of two new dresses.
"Where did you get them?" Rosie gasps.
"You said to call Mr. Elegante if I had an emergency, and I think this is a fashion emergency."
"Carter, you are brilliant," Rosie smiles admiringly. "This one - " Carter quickly moves on as she picks up one of the dresses, mostly to avoid dwelling on the butterflies that suddenly popped into her stomach, " - is yours. He says you look best in pink. And this one is mine. It's Caribbean blue."
And exactly the color General Kane thinks Rosalinda will be wearing at the Homecoming dance, Carter thinks wryly.
"Thank you, Carter. This is a night I'll always remember." Carter moves around the table and opens her arms to wrap Rosie in a hug. Her smile fades slowly as she replies, "I hope so," not knowing for sure what it will be remembered for. They are interrupted in this tender moment by the arrival of the other girls, and soon become engaged in preparing for the dance.
~~\/~~
Dusk falls quickly as the girls finish their make-up and hair. "C'mon, let's put on the final touch," Carter beams and grabs Rosie's hand, walking her back to their room and closing the door.
The girls start to gingerly remove their clothing without messing up their hair and make-up, and slip into their dresses, both finding it hard to hide their huge smiles. Rosie sits down to put on her shoes, and the dress is lifted to reveal the scar.
"I told Mr. Elegante about your snake bite, and he said he'd make your dress longer to cover it. He hardly needed to though, it looks totally healed. How's it feel?" She asks as sits on her haunches and touches the skin lightly, as she has many times before.
"It doesn’t hurt at all. Thanks to your care, Carter."
"Don't mention it..." and Carter, just a few inches away from Rosie's leg, doesn't stop herself when she leans in and places a quick, gentle kiss to Rosie's scar. "All better, right?" Carter giggles a little nervously as she looks uncertainly back up at Rosie's face. But Rosie wears the tenderest expression as she reaches out to place her fingers beneath Carter's chin, urging her to rise up, as she stands from the bed.
"You are the strongest person I have ever met, Carter Mason," Rosie whispers as she holds Carter's wrist and leans in, placing a kiss on her cheek as gentle as the one Carter gave her scar.
Carter feels her face turn a bright scarlet so she turns around quickly and goes to her desk. "I - uh - I have something for you... because... well... you might be leaving soon..."
Turning around, Carter holds "The Wilds of Louisiana" out for Rosie, unwrapped.
"I heard from a reliable source that this book is essential for anyone visiting Louisiana. I thought it'd be useful to you since you seem to have a weird tendency to attract wildlife. So next time, you'll be prepared."
"Ohh wow, how interesting! Thank you so much, Carter!" Rosie is obviously very pleased with her present.
"There's uh - there's somethin' else in there, too. I thought I'd give you something a little more personal than a book, and uh -I uh - well, I've never made one before and I had to learn how to do it from the internet so like - you don't have to wear if - uh, well, here..." Carter stutters, her blush still visible across her cheeks, as she flips the book open in Rosie's hands, to a page about alligators, including an interesting note about animal hypnosis. Between the pages lies a threaded bracelet of turquoise and gold, with a small golden charm, a snake coiled in a slinky 'S' shape. Rosie is quiet for a moment, her mouth open in surprise, and it makes Carter nervous.
"I know you were kinda embarrassed about your snake bite before, but I thought maybe this would change your perspective on it or something..."
Rosie lifts the bracelet from the book and places the book down on the bed. She admires the small, but very personal gift between her fingers. In a small voice full of emotion, she says, "Carter, I am proud to wear my scar, as I am proud to wear this bracelet. I will gladly tell anyone of the story of how I met my best friend." She holds her wrist out and silently requests that Carter tie it on for her.
"That's... that's what I was hoping you'd say," Carter smiles as she secures the friendship bracelet, and takes out another bracelet from her desk. This one is light green and gold, with a silver fish charm on it. Rosie ties it on her wrist, her fingers deft and reverent, and she pulls Carter into a hug. A few quiet moments pass between them, before Carter mumbles that they should probably finish getting dressed.
Pulling on their evening gloves, the final presentation is breathtaking, and Carter says, "You look beautiful, Rosie."
"Look in the mirror Carter - so do you," Rosie says gently.
Carter moves to examine herself in the mirror. She smooths out her dress and smiles at what looks like a young, happy, royal princess. She can hardly believe it's herself. Rosie comes to her side and they share a smile in the mirror. Carter turns to face her, and catches her dad leaning on her door frame and observing them with proud eyes.
"How do I look, dad?" Carter asks as she comes up to him. Mason gives her a once-over and sighs dramatically, "I think we have a problem." Carter frowns uncertainly and looks to check herself -
" - I think I may have to stop calling you 'pal'," Mason finishes with a smile. They lean forward for a hug, but it's cut short by the shrill ring of Mason's PDA. With a sad smile, he leaves to take the call.
Carter's a little bummed that her father's sending-off was interrupted, but as Helen tells them, the dance starts in ten minutes, so Carter follows Rosie out to the bus, contemplating what the night will bring. She feels a mix of excitement and dread.
~~\/~~
Carter's pretty sure she's never had more eyes on her than when she stepped out of the bus in front of the school, all dolled up and shiny like a jewel. She feels a funny swelling of pride in her chest, and she also feels a little mischievous behind her ornate mask. Her huge smile matches Rosie's however, and coupled with receiving compliments and looks of admiration, the dance starts off very successfully in Carter's opinion. A couple of young freshmen come up and start dancing ridiculously to get a laugh from the girls, and they indulge them. All around them, their friends are smiling and laughing and showing off their masks, and it seems like nothing could be more innocent or fun than a high school dance.
About 10 minutes after arriving, Donny slinks up looking sharp and douchey in a sports jacket and styled hair, shooing away the mousey-haired freshmen. He seems to have completely forgotten that his date to the dance was Chelsea. Behind Carter, Rosie's face is marred by a slight frown. Donny cockily propositions Carter to dance, but in a move that surprises even herself, Carter shuts him down.
"Ok what's up? Isn't this what you've been waiting for since like, the third grade?" Donny sneers.
"Before I put on this dress, you couldn't even remember my name. I might be a princess tonight, but I'll always be bait girl. And I'm proud of that."
"Carter, you're making a big mistake," Donny tries to cover his obvious surprise and embarrassment. But Carter's head is held high and proud.
"No, Donny, I don't think I am." That sends the jock off with his tail between his legs. Rosie comes up to Carter's side. "You deserve better than him, Carter," and she doesn't even try to hide the smug smile on her face.
"I know... Too bad it took this long to realize it." Carter doesn't notice the way Rosie's eyes cast downward thoughtfully. She turns around and calls the freshman boys back to them, trying to pretend like that wasn't a big deal just then. Just beyond them, Ed nods in approval while Donny slinks off to some corner to nurse his ego.
The boys scatter off in fear when the beat slows down suddenly and a melodic electronica sweeps over the dance floor, signaling the start of a slow jam. Rosie doesn't mind however, and takes the chance to put her hands around Carter's neck, and although Carter is mildly surprised, her hands go to dance partner's waist naturally. Swaying in place for a few moments to the steady kick drum and the piano keys, Carter looks over Rosie's shoulder into the crowd. She sees only smiling teenage faces; no trace of a menacing dictator turned kidnapper or any rogue operatives looking to collect a runaway princess. Carter's eyes begin to shine as thinks about the possibility of Rosie being captured, and she wants to throw away her plan and just confess to Rosie, and insist that they escape together. But the voice of her father reminds her that she's responsible for the future Queen's safety. Readjusting her loose grip on Rosie's hips, bringing her closer, she deflates and says somewhat sadly, "I'm going to miss you, Rosie."
"We'll see each other again, Carter," Rosie says, trying to find Carter's gaze. "When I return to my country and stop Kane from trapping my mother in marriage, I will find a way to rid Costa Luna of his tyranny, and then I will be able to see you again."
"You're so confident... I'm kinda jealous."
"I'm the future Queen - I must be confident in my own abilities, otherwise how would my people have confidence in me?"
"You're something else, Rosie. Rosalinda," Carter whispers her given name and encloses her in another hug.
In a moment of uncharacteristic weakness, Carter closes her eyes tight and squeezes harder to Rosie, her hands trying to clump the slinky material of her pink dress where they lay. She has to squeeze her eyes because she can feel the tears glinting just at the corners, threatening to fall.
Carter reflects on her strange reality in that moment; harboring a fugitive princess at a Southern high school dance after spending weeks trying to teach her to just "act normal." Carter wishes that she and Rosie were just two average high school girls that could have sleepovers and go swimming in the lake and the only worries they had were about grades and curious raccoons around the house. Most of all she wished that Rosie didn't have to leave.
The lights shift in colors above them as the slow jam picks up suddenly, and couples drift apart to fall into threes, and fours and fives, and into big circles where fellow students start spinning madly in the middle and there are cheers and laughing all around. Rosie laughs loudly and pulls Carter toward the circle, cheering and clapping, and Carter's mind relaxes for a moment from the uncertainty of her near future.
When the excitement calms down somewhat, Rosie is soon inundated with admirers and compliments, and Carter takes the opportunity of Rosie's distraction to slink off. She pulls her mask down over her face and starts to survey the gym from the corners, fighting the growing pit of fear in her stomach as she searches for any sign of someone who has the look of wanting to kidnap a princess. She sees Principal Burkle off to the side of the stage, arranging what must be the Homecoming Queen's crown on a draped table. Knowing that the announcement is sure to come soon, she starts walking back to Rosie to tell her to put on her mask, but is stopped by a solid obstacle - a crying Brooke.
"We have to stop meeting like this, Brooke," Carter says bemusedly, but frowns slightly when she sees how upset the girl is.
"Ca- Carter! Oh Carter, you were right! You were right about Chelsea, she's awful!"
"Did you two break up again?"
"I - sniff - finally realized that - sniff - Chelsea was just being selfish and mean, and not funny and cool like I thought she was. She's not a good friend..." Brooke explains through her tears. Carter takes pity on her.
"Well Brooke, this is something you can grown from, ya know? Now you know what to look for in friends. And maybe Chelsea will change her attitude now that she drove her only friend away."
"...Maybe." Carter puts a hand on Brooke's arm as she makes to move past her. "You'll be all right Brooke. You know, you weren't half bad, whenever you weren't acting mean just to fit in."
"Thanks... Oh, and Carter -"
"Yea?"
"I... I really don't want Chelsea to be Homecoming Queen. The only royal thing about her is that she's a royal pain in the butt."
Carter smiles warmly at her. "Can't argue with you there." Brooke smiles back, a bit tear-stained and shy.
"Yea.. so uhm... I just... well, I hope you or Rosie win. You guys deserve it. Good luck."
"Thanks Brooke..." And the former enemies part ways, a little bemused at the reconciliation, but not complaining. Carter makes her way back to the dance floor, to her friends. Carter finally tells the girls to put on their masks as Principal Burkle ascends the stage and signals to the DJ to lower the music. As the lights come up to spotlight the stage, Carter moves back. She hovers near the snack table and watches through her mask as Rosie, enshrined by a halo of gold and red lights, smiles warmly and turns toward the stage, holding her mask up to her face.
Carter hopes this isn't the last time she sees her.
The bait girl holds her head high, proud as though she really were a princess, and waits. She is ready. She is committed.
She hears an angry hiss of snakes as Kane's slimy voice slithers into her ear and his hand unfurls before her.
"Come with me, Princesa, and no harm shall come to your friends."
~To Be Continued in The Final Chapter: Amorous