Princess Protection Program

Chapter 2

The next morning, Rosie went to school with Carter. She was nervous. In Costa Luna, she hadn't gone to high school. Tutors had come to the palace to teach her.

Rosie tried her best to fit in. But it wasn't easy.

In French class, she spoke the language better than the teacher. At lunch, she ate her hamburger with a knife and fork.

By the end of the day, Carter was frustrated with Rosie.

"She can't do it, Dad!" Carter yelled when they got home. "She can't act normal." "I am normal," Rosie protested.

But as Rosie thought about her first day, she wondered if maybe she hadn't done so well at trying to fit in. She promised herself that she would do better tomorrow. Her life, and her country, depended on it.

Rosie got up extra early the next day. She wanted to show Carter that she could blend in like a regular American teenager. She found Carter in the Bait Shack.

"What is that you are doing?" she asked.

"Saturday chores," Carter said.

"Perhaps I could learn this," Rosie said as she watched Carter work.

Carter thought that was a good idea. She led Rosie to a large container of slimy worms. She told Rosie that they needed to be counted.

Rosie wrinkled her nose. Then she stuck her hand in the container and started to count.

That night, Rosie laughed with Mr. Mason as they ate their supper.

Carter frowned. "Must be nice to play peasant for a day," she said.

Rosie looked at Carter sadly. Then she left the room.

Carter sighed. She followed Rosie into her bedroom.

"You do not know me, Carter," Rosie said. "One month before my coronation, our palace was attacked. The man who invaded Costa Luna now holds my mother as a hostage. They told me becoming Rosie Gonzalez was the only way to keep her safe."

Carter felt terrible.She knew she had to give Rosie a second-and fair- chance.