Prom Queen

Chapter 2

Rosie awoke to the sounds of Riley and Max barking outside of her window. She rose with sudden alarm, as the sun was shining brightly in her face, through her window. What time was it?

She jumped out of bed, and swung her legs over the edge of her mattress.

She was going to the Heartlands today. She was finally going to leave the Barrows that she has been so accustomed to and she was going to travel across the mountains towards the Heartlands.

Her heart was already pounding in her chest as she thought of what awaited her on the other side of the mountains. She quickly got dressed in a plain brown dress and she combed her fingers through her curly hair.

"Rosie!" her mother called. "You need to hurry if you want breakfast before you head to the kingdom!"

"I'm coming!" Rosie shouted. She glanced in the small mirror that hung above her desk and sighed, satisfied with her appearance before leaving her room. On the kitchen table was a plate of waffles and fruit. Rosie knew it was a special occasion when her mother prepared something other than porridge for breakfast.

"Are you excited?" she asked while sitting across from Rosie. Rosie dug into her waffles while nodding enthusiastically. She wondered how the other nine teenagers were feeling right about now. She wondered if they were excited or nervous-

"Rosie! The carriage is here!" her father shouted from outside. Rosie felt her heart leap in her chest. She had packed the night before, and her bags sat next to the door. Riley and Max came rushing through the house, barking with their tails wagging.

"Awe, I'm going to miss you boys," Rosie said while bending down and giving them each a kiss on the nose. They responded with a lick to the cheek.

Rosie laughed and stood before walking over to her bags. Her father and Henry came into the house, and each gave her a hug. Her father even teared up a little bit.

"Be safe," he said while resting a hand on her shoulder. "You're a smart girl, and I know you'll study hard."

Rosie smiled and hugged her father tightly. She was going to miss the simplicity of her life, but she couldn't wait to see the Heartlands.

"Be careful, sweetheart," Rosie's mother said while pulling her into a tight hug. "Please write to us."

"I will," Rosie said as she took in her mother's scent. She didn't know how long it would be before she returned to the Barrows, but she knew that through letters she would be able to keep in touch with her family. She turned to Henry and ruffled his hair.

"Take care of Mom and Dad," she said. Henry crossed his arms over his chest.

"Of course I will," he huffed.

Rosie laughed and shook her head.

"You'd better."

There was a knock at the door, and standing outside was a Royal Guard. Rosie felt like she was dreaming as the guard helped her out to the white carriage with the red and gold crest on the door. She took a deep breath and looked back at the small cottage she had known her whole life as her home. Her family along with Riley and Max stood in the doorway, waving as she climbed into the carriage.

She waved to them as the horses began to gallop away, and soon her small cottage was nothing but a dot at the bottom of a large hill.

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The inside of the carriage was nothing like Rosie had ever seen before. The seats were made of a soft pink leather, and the doors were embroidered with gold. The ride was barely bumpy, as the wheels were made of the sturdiest metal. Rosie could hear the clomping of the horses' hooves up front, and the soft chatter of the two guards who were to accompany her on her journey.