Girl Overboard! Read online

  Ben checks his pockets and his backpack. After a while, he finally finds a piece of paper that says “Ubin Overnight Trip”. Reading it quickly, he announces, “It’s Jelutong!”

  “Okay, well, that’s good to know,” Rosie says. “We’ll just keep a lookout for signs to Jelutong.”

  “I wonder if anyone went looking for us,” Pink wonders.

  “Huh, probably not,” Ben says. Rosie nods. “Knowing Sharon, she probably told everyone that we did arrive.”

  “Wow,” Pink says, “she is mean. I wonder why she’s like that.”

  “Who knows?” Rosie replies. “What I can’t believe is that she’s the daughter of my mom’s best friend and my uncle’s best friend. It’s ridiculous!”

  “Ah, don’t worry, Rosie,” Ben says, “she can’t stay mean forever. Karma, you know? What goes around comes around.”

  After a while they pass a couple of women and ask them if they know the way to the Jelutong camp site. They’re relieved to find out they have been walking in the right direction.

  They finally get to the Jelutong camp site and see a large number of tents, then head towards a flag with the letters “WIS” on it.

  Rosie and Ben recognise some of their schoolmates from Woodside International School—and they all seem to be busy cleaning up after breakfast.

  “Oh, looks like we missed breakfast,” Rosie says. “But I bet ours was way better than what they had.”

  At that moment, Mrs Irons claps her hands. “Okay, everyone, once you’ve thrown out your garbage, please find a spot to take a seat and we’ll have Ms Kumar here talk to us about the flora and fauna of Pulau Ubin.”

  As they look for a spot to put down their backpacks, Rosie and Ben exchange a look.

  No one seems to notice that they haven’t been around! Except for Sharon, who walks up to Rosie and Pink with her friends. “Well, well, well, looks like you guys made it after all,” Sharon says with her hands on her hips. “But you, Miss Rosie, will now be the donkey of the bus.”

  “Yeah, that’s really too bad,” Rosie retorts. “It would have been perfect if you were the donkey. You hee-haw so well.”

  Then she adds, “Why did you give us the wrong map? I could tell on you, but I won’t. You really aren’t worth my energy.”

  Sharon flashes a wry smile. “You tell on me?” she says. “My word against yours? Riiiiight. Keep on dreaming. Here’s the lesson from this trip, Rosie: You are a nobody. And now you’re a donkey. Remember that.”

  Turning around, Sharon and her friends walk off in a huff, whispering to each other. Rosie purses her lips and clenches her fists as she stares after Sharon.

  “It’s okay, Rosie,” Pink says, “you know she’s the nobody.” Pink sits Rosie down just as Ms Kumar is about to speak.

  Rosie is so mad at Sharon that she hardly listens to the talk on flora and fauna, until the nature guide asks about edible fruit on the island. Rosie raises her hand and says, “There are mangoes, rambutans and durians.”

  Ben and Pink grin at Rosie and give her the thumbs-up sign. Encouraged by Rosie’s answer, Ms Kumar asks her what else she knows about the island. And Rosie talks about the grassy areas, the forests, monitor lizards and bats and the sounds of the island at night.

  When she is done describing everything she had seen, Rosie gets enthusiastic applause from her schoolmates—except for Sharon and her friends, of course. But even Mrs Irons and Ms Kumar are applauding. “Well done, Rosie,” Mrs Irons says. “Looks like you’ve learned a lot on this trip. You definitely win the award for best observation skills.”

  Rosie blushes, “I couldn’t have done it without my friends, Pink and Ben,” she says, pointing to them.

  Pink and Ben grin back at her. Rosie catches Sharon’s eye, then quickly looks away. No need to fight fire with fire, Rosie thinks.

  7

  Lesson Learned

  “Okay, our next activity is a game,” Mrs Irons announces. “How about a little volleyball, everyone?”

  There is a mix of cheers and groans at this news, but the students gamely listen to her instructions and clear the area to hang the net and mark off boundaries.

  “Now there is a twist to this game. We will hang a sheet over the net…so you don’t see the ball coming!” Mrs Irons says with a chuckle. As some of her schoolmates gasp, Rosie imagines that her teacher must be thinking that she’s come up with the most brilliant idea ever.

  Sharon directs the students to count off, in order to divide them into four teams. “Okay, number ones gather here. You’re Team A,” Sharon says. “Number twos, over here. You’re Team B. Number threes are Team C and Number fours are Team D.”

  When everyone has been divided into teams, Rosie and Pink look at each other in surprise. They are on different teams—and Pink is on Sharon’s team!

  Rosie squeezes Pink’s hand. “You’ll be okay,” Rosie tells Pink.

  “Oh, don’t worry about me, Rosie. Sharon better behave,” Pink replies. “Or else she’s in trouble!”

  Ben is not on either girl’s team and laughs when he and Rosie face off in the first match. The sheet over the net throws everyone off at first. No one knows when the ball is coming, but then they learn to listen for the thump of the ball when it’s hit from the other side and when they see it come over the net, there’s a quick scramble to get under the ball.

  In the end, Rosie’s team beats Ben’s. “That was fun,” Rosie tells Ben as the two find a spot to sit and watch the next two teams play.

  “I suppose,” Ben agrees reluctantly. “It was weird not being able to see when the ball was coming, you know.”

  “Yeah, same here,” Rosie says, “but it made me pay more attention to when it might come.”

  Ben grins and playfully nudges her elbow. “Well, it’s no wonder you won the ‘Best Observation Skills’ award!”

  As the other teams get ready for their game, Rosie cheers, “Go, Pink!”

  Pink looks over and waves to Rosie. She is standing on the far end of the makeshift court, as far away from Sharon as possible. When the game starts, Pink gets a couple of good shots in and scores points for the team. Everyone high-fives Pink, except for Sharon.

  Just as the team settles down after another winning shot, the ball comes sailing over. Both Pink and Sharon shout, “I’ve got it!” at the same time. Everyone gasps as the two girls bump into each other, hard, and fall to the ground. “I’m fine,” Pink says, as Sharon holds her head in her hands.

  “What is wrong with you? Didn’t you hear me shout that I had it?” Sharon snaps at Pink.

  “Didn’t you hear me say I had it first?” Pink shoots back.

  “What?” Sharon says. “Just who do you think you are to talk to me like that?”

  “And who are you?” Pink counters, taking a step closer to Sharon. “You’re a nobody, Sharon, even if you think you are somebody. You’re not!”

  Rosie stands up, ready to help Pink out if Sharon gets out of hand. Ben touches her arm to hold her back, but he is also ready to step in if needed. Mrs Irons hurries towards the girls. “Now, now, this is just a game, girls. Let’s not get carried away, okay? Take a deep breath and let’s just finish the game. Sharon, I believe the ball is in your court.”

  Pink and Sharon exchange mean looks as they move to opposite ends of the court. Rosie looks at Ben, who shrugs his shoulders.

  The match ends quickly after that, with Pink and Sharon’s team winning. This means that they would now be facing Rosie’s team.

  Rosie runs up to Pink and puts her arm around her friend’s shoulders. “Sharon’s too much,” Pink says. “She’s got to be taught a lesson.”

  “After this game,” Rosie says. “Let me just beat you first.”

  Pink grins. “Oh, we’ll see about that,” she says.

  The two girls run to their teams as Ben shouts out, “Go, Rosie, go, Pink!” then stretches out his arms and holds two thumbs up. The girls laugh and hold their thumbs up as well.

  Rosie is glad for
the sheet covering the net. This way she can’t see Pink’s face and can just play without thinking about playing against her best friend. It’s also good because the sheet blocks Sharon from her view. As far as Rosie is concerned, the less she sees of her, the better.

  Rosie readies herself, waiting for the first ball to come over the net. When it does, it heads towards her and she easily hits it back over.

  The teams seem pretty evenly matched at first, then Pink’s team suddenly starts slamming the ball down hard and fast. Rosie’s team is unable to keep up and in the end it costs them the game. Even though they lose, the boys and girls on her team high-five each other, congratulating each other for playing a good game.

  Pink’s team cheers after they play the winning shot, and huddles up. Instead of gathering with Sharon’s team, Pink walks over to Rosie and high-fives her. “Go, team, go!” she says with a laugh.

  Out of the corner of her eye, Sharon sees Rosie and Pink high-fiving each other and mutters, “Losers.” Then Sharon shouts even louder, “Go, team, go!”

  As Pink and Rosie join Ben, Pink says, “Whew, I’m glad that’s over! I’ve had enough of Sharon to last a lifetime. I don’t know how you handle seeing her every day, Rosie.”

  “I just try to stay out of her way,” Rosie replies. “I mind my own business, but it’s funny how she finds her way into mine.”

  The three of them pick up drinks and snacks that Sharon’s friends, Nikki and Daniela, are handing out. “Hi, Ben,” the girls say in a flirty way as they hand him his drink. Pink and Rosie laugh as the girls don’t even look at them when it’s their turn.

  “Whatever,” Rosie says. “I know who my friends are.”

  While the students relax and enjoy their snacks, another guide comes by to talk about the history of the island. Then Mrs Irons tells everyone to pack up their stuff and get ready to trek back to the jetty. That announcement is greeted by groans from all the students.

  The group takes its time making its way towards the bumboats. Ben, Pink and Rosie stay in the back of the procession, eager, as usual, to avoid Sharon.

  When they get off the boats at Changi Point, they hear squeals of delight from the students as Mrs Irons returns everyone their mobile phones.

  Then Rosie and Pink board the bus, and shake their heads when they see Sharon again.

  Sharon greets them with a smirk, before loudly saying, “Hey, everyone, I made a bet with Rosie and she lost. So she’s now the donkey of the bus. Say hi to everyone, donkey.”

  Rosie glares at Sharon, but she’s ready for this moment. She puts on a big smile and struts down the aisle. “Hello everyone, my name is Rosie, and I am, hee-haw, oops, excuse me, a donkey!”

  Everyone laughs, but not at Rosie, as Sharon had wanted. They are laughing along with Rosie. Sharon starts to frown.

  Suddenly Will calls out, “Hey, Rosie, you can sit here.”

  Both Rosie and Sharon are surprised to hear that and Sharon is quick to protest. “Hey, you’re not going to sit next to a donkey, are you?” she asks.

  “Why not?” Will asks. “Nothing wrong with donkeys sitting together, is there? Maybe I’m a donkey too! Hee-haw, hee-haw!”

  Sharon’s face falls and a few seconds later, the whole bus starts braying, “Hee-haw, hee-haw!”

  Rosie can’t believe what is happening. She looks around for Pink and Ben, and they are seated in the back, braying along and clapping for her. Then, with a bow and a huge grin on her face, Rosie takes the seat next to Will. She notices that Sharon is fuming as her friends try hard to comfort her.

  Dear Diary,

  I had the BEST T IME EVER on the camping trip. It was so much fun with my best friends, Pink and Ben. And I don’t think Sharon is ever going to bother me again. And, guess what, I’m sitting next to Will on the bus!!

  8

  A Screeching Halt

  “Ahhh!” Mrs Irons screams as the bus suddenly lurches forward and stops violently with a noisy wheeze. “What happened?” she asks the bus driver.

  The bus driver shakes his head. “Don’t know,” he says as he gets up from his seat. “I will check.”

  As he alights to check the engine, Mrs Irons makes sure that everyone is okay.

  Rosie’s face is red. When the bus suddenly jerked, she had, without thinking, reached out and grabbed Will. “Oops, I’m so sorry,” she says, feeling quite embarrassed.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Will says in a gentle voice. “Are you okay?”

  “Uh, yes…” Rosie replies, looking around for Pink and Ben. Pink flashes an ‘OK’ sign while Ben gives her the royal wave. Rosie grins.

  Just then, Mrs Irons claps her hands. “Okay, listen everyone, looks like the bus isn’t going anywhere for a while. We have to wait for another bus to take us back to school. Not sure how long it will be. But luckily we are right by a small food court, so you guys can get down and grab yourselves some drinks, food, whatever, okay? Just stay close to the bus.”

  Rosie stands up and grabs her backpack. “Are you coming down?” she asks Will.

  “Not right away,” he answers. “Go on ahead.”

  Rosie nods and catches Ben’s eye as her friends make their way from the back of the bus. Rosie points to the food court and Ben nods his head, nudging Pink to catch up with Rosie.

  Once off the bus and on the sidewalk, Pink puts her arm on Rosie’s shoulder. “So how’s Will?” she whispers to Rosie. “I saw you two talking up a storm!”

  Rosie smiles. “He’s nice,” she says a little shyly. “He likes basketball too, so we had something to talk about.”

  “Oh, that’s great. He’s nice and cute!” Pink says. “Now if we can just find out how he feels about you.”

  Rosie playfully pinches Pink. “Ow, ow, ow, Rosie, stop that! You know I was just kidding!”

  “Well, how about you and Ben, huh?” Rosie asks, then laughs as Pink raises her eyebrows in surprise.

  “Shh…Rosie,” Pink says, grabbing Rosie’s arms. “He can hear you.”

  “Nah,” says Rosie. “He’s over there talking with the guys. He can’t hear anything we say—“

  Rosie stops as Ben chooses that moment to turn his head to look at them—and he is grinning.

  “See, I told you, Rosie,” Pink says, suddenly shy. Rosie covers her mouth. “Oops,” she says with a giggle.

  Just then, Sharon’s voice rings out. “I just can’t believe we have to be stuck in Katong and we don’t even know how long we’re going to be here. We should just take taxis home.”

  “Katong?” Rosie asks Pink. “Are we really in Katong?”

  When Pink nods yes, Rosie immediately cheers, “Woohoo! I know someone who can help us.”

  Rosie takes out her mobile phone and looks up a phone number. As she waits for her call to be answered, she whispers to Pink, “I have an uncle who lives in Katong. My mom’s cousin. He’ll probably let us go over to his place. Maybe he can even give us a ride home.”

  Just then, Rosie speaks into her phone. “Hello? Uncle Seng? This is Rosie, Tracey’s daughter. Yeah, I’m in Katong…” She tells her uncle about the bus breakdown and, after about a minute, she hangs up.

  “He’s coming to pick us up,” Rosie announces.

  “Oh, that’s great,” Pink says.

  Rosie is about to look for Mrs Irons to let her know, when the teacher walks over to the students. “Okay, everyone, another bus is being sent to get us, but it won’t get here for another hour. I want you to call your parents to let them know what’s happening and they can decide whether you should wait for the bus or they come to pick you up. Please let me know what they say so I can get a head count for the bus.”

  “Well, that was easy,” Rosie tells Pink.

  When her uncle arrives, Rosie sighs with relief. “Uncle Seng!” she calls out as he gets out of his car.

  Uncle Seng walks over to Rosie with two large plastic bags in his hands. “Hello, Rosie! Wow, what a large group of people. I hope I brought enough banana cake for everybody.
Auntie Ai Lian just made a fresh batch and she said that I had to bring you some. She knows how much you like it.”

  “Oh, I forgot you own a cake shop!” Rosie says, taking the bags from him and unpacking slices of cake for her friends, helping herself to a slice of cake. “Thank you so much.” Rosie tells the other campers, “Everyone, this is my Uncle Seng. He and my aunt make the best cakes in Singapore!”

  The boys and girls gather around to pick up slices of cake and there is a loud chorus of “Thank you, Uncle Seng!”

  Sharon stands to the side with her arms crossed. Her friends look like they want a piece of cake too, but Sharon shoots a look at them to make sure they don’t make a move.

  Mrs Irons introduces herself to Rosie’s uncle and tells him about the problem with the bus. He goes over to talk to the bus driver, who helps himself to a piece of banana cake as well. Then Uncle Seng tells Rosie, “I can take you home but I have to be back at the shop in about an hour. My boss will be really mad at me if I take too long.”

  Rosie grins. “Oh, we don’t want Auntie Ai Lian to be mad at you. Let’s go…uh, do you think you can give my friends Pink and Ben a ride too?”

  “Sure, Rosie,” Uncle Seng says. “I actually have room for five in my car, so we can take one more person.”

  Rosie is shocked when Sharon steps up. “Rosie, my mom will be going to your place. Can I get a ride from your uncle so I can meet her there?”

  Rosie stares at her for a second, taken aback that Sharon would be so bold, then points at Will. “Oh no, I choose you,” Rosie says, and Will grins, hopping quickly into Uncle Seng’s car.

  The look on Sharon’s face is priceless.

  9

  Full House

  “Hi, Mom, I’m home!” Rosie calls as she opens the front door of her flat. “And I’ve got Uncle Seng and a few friends with me.”