Viva Vermont! Page 17
“And it’s obvious that Eliza never wants us to forget that she was a star,” teased Casey.
“Was.” Taylor chuckled. “As in she’s a has-been now.”
Some of the girls snickered, but Eliza just glared at Taylor.
Then as if she’d just started listening, Grandmother cleared her throat and closed the open date book that she’d been studying. She looked at the girls. “I see there are only two weeks remaining until winter break, ladies.” She shook her head sadly. “I just can’t believe that it’s already December. It seems like only yesterday that you girls arrived at Carter House. My, my, how time flies.”
“And the Winter Ball is next Saturday,” Eliza reminded them. As if anyone could’ve forgotten with all the posters plastered all over the school. But DJ was still unsure. Conner had asked her to go, but she hadn’t agreed. Even though Haley hadn’t returned to school yet, it still made DJ uncomfortable to be seen as more than “ just friends” with Conner. And DJ knew that Haley’s swim-team buddies were probably reporting to her.
“My mother and I are shopping for gowns today,” continued Eliza. She glanced at her roommate. “And Kriti too, of course.”
“I already have my dress,” said Taylor. “A little something my mother sent over from Milan while she was performing there last month.”
DJ could tell this little dig was aimed directly at Eliza. The two girls had been going at it steadily for the last couple of weeks. It had started when Eliza’s boyfriend, Harry, had made what Eliza interpreted as a flirtatious move toward Taylor during a rehearsal for the musical. Actually, DJ had seen it herself and, although she hadn’t told anyone, she felt certain that Harry had been flirting too. But he’d been unaware that Eliza had been watching at the time. Yet, in a way, DJ was glad Eliza and Taylor were at odds again. They had all experienced those two “power forces” united during last month’s ski trip—and it had been a rather frightening experience. Sort of like it might be if Russia and China ever got together.
“My mother offered to shop for a gown for me in Paris,” said Eliza, her attempt at one-upping Taylor. “But I told her to wait. I wouldn’t want to risk having a dress that fit poorly.”
“That’s why God invented alterations, Eliza,” said Taylor. “Or perhaps you don’t have such conveniences down south.”
“I don’t see why girls think they need to go out and spend a bunch of money on something new for a silly dance,” said Casey. She glanced at Rhiannon, and DJ suspected that Casey was trying to make her feel better. “I mean you’ll wear that dress like one time. What a waste!”
“So what do you intend to wear?” asked Eliza with a bored sort of interest. “Your Doc Martins and something with spikes?”
Casey made a face. “Actually, I might go eighties retro. Like Madonna or Blondie.”
“Right.” Eliza turned up her nose. “The Winter Ball theme is ‘White Christmas’ and we’re supposed to dress in a fifties style of Hollywood elegance.”
“You take those posters literally?” asked Casey.
“They suggested dresses in Christmas colors of red, green, or white.” Eliza continued like she was reading it from a brochure.
“I think it’ll be pretty,” said Kriti.
“I intend to look for something sparkly in white to show off my tan,” said Eliza.
“Fake tan.” Taylor pushed a curly dark strand of hair away from her face and laughed. “My dress is black.”
“It figures.” Eliza snickered.
“I’m going to wear green,” said Rhiannon quickly, like she was trying to keep this from escalating.
“What do you mean ‘it figures’?” demanded Taylor.
“Everyone else will look Christmassy in red, green, or white, and the vamp will show up wearing black.” Eliza laughed.
“Speaking of Winter Break,” said Grandmother loudly. “What exactly are your plans, ladies?” She opened her date book and picked up her silver pen. “I’d like to make note of it now, if you don’t mind.”
“I’ll be in France for Christmas,” Eliza announced proudly.
“So you’ll be flying directly to France from Connecticut?” inquired Grandmother.
“Actually, I’ll spend the first week or so in Kentucky,” admitted Eliza. “Visiting with friends and family. Then my older siblings and I will travel together just before Christmas. My mother said the rooms aren’t completely renovated yet. Her designer, a well-known Parisian, promises to have it completed before Christmas Eve.”
“La-di-da,” said Casey.
Grandmother frowned at Casey. “So, how about you, Miss Atwood? When will you be departing for California?”
“The same day that school is out.”
Grandmother made note of this.
“And I’ll be leaving the day after school is out,” said Rhiannon.
Grandmother’s brows lifted with curiosity. “To go where, dear?”
“To an aunt who lives in Maine.”
Grandmother smiled. “That’s nice. I didn’t know you had an aunt, Rhiannon.”
“I didn’t either. She’s actually a great aunt and …” Rhiannon paused as if unsure. “My mother may be joining me up there.”
“Really?” Grandmother looked a bit skeptical, and everyone else got quiet. They all knew that Rhiannon’s mother was in drug rehab—the lockdown kind.
“Yes. If my aunt signs something, they’ll release her for the holidays.”
“Very interesting.” Grandmother looked at Kriti now. “I assume you’ll be in New York?”
Kriti nodded happily. “Yes. We have some relatives coming from India to visit. My mother is very excited.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll have a delightful Christmas.” Grandmother frowned with realization. “I suppose you don’t call it Christmas, do you, Kriti?”
Kriti looked slightly embarrassed. “It’s a different sort of holiday, Mrs. Carter. We celebrate things like love, affection, sharing, and the renewing of family bonds.”
“That sounds lovely.” Grandmother looked at Taylor now. “And what will you be doing during the holidays, dear?”
Taylor sighed. “My mother has invited me to tour with her.”
Grandmother’s eyes lit up. She was a huge fan of Eva Perez. “Where will she be touring? Europe still?”
“I wish. No, she’ll be in the southwest by then. And it looks like we’ll be spending Christmas in Las Vegas.”
Eliza snickered. “Charming.”
Taylor tossed her a warning glance. “Hey, Las Vegas has its perks.”
“Most importantly is that you’re with family, Taylor.” Grandmother smiled. “Isn’t that what Christmas is all about?”
Taylor shrugged. “I guess.”
Now Grandmother looked at DJ. “Now, you’re still certain you don’t want to join your father and his family for Christmas, Desiree?”
“No, Grandmother.” DJ tried not to show frustration. But she and Grandmother had already been over this. The last place DJ wanted to be during Christmas break was with her father’s happy little family. It was bad enough that this would be her first Christmas without her mother. But to be stuck playing the live-in babysitter to the toddler twins was unimaginable.
“Well, I’m sure that we’ll have a delightful time right here at home.” Grandmother smiled at DJ. “Perhaps we’ll have the general over.”
DJ got sympathetic glances from Rhiannon and Casey, and maybe even Kriti. Not that she wanted their pity. But Eliza just smiled smugly. And Taylor, well, she was a hard one to read.
But later that day, after DJ and Rhiannon got back from church, Taylor asked DJ if she was happy about her “holiday plans.”
DJ groaned as she flopped onto her bed. “Holiday plans? Like I planned any of this?”
Taylor laughed. “Yeah, I guess not.”
“I’ll be fine,” DJ assured her. “I’ll catch up on sleep and reading.”
“Maybe Conner will be around to keep you entertained,” Taylor said in a sex
y-sounding, teasing tone.
“Conner is going with his family to Montana for two weeks.”
“Bummer.”
“Tell me about it.”
“I know!” Taylor exclaimed. “You’ll come out to Las Vegas and visit me for Christmas.”
DJ just laughed. “Oh, yeah, like that’s going to happen.”
“Why not?” Taylor looked slightly hurt.
“Seriously, Christmas in Las Vegas?”
“Why not?”
“Well, besides the fact that it sounds totally crazy, I know that my grandmother would never—in a million years—agree to something like that.” And the truth was that DJ was secretly relieved for this excuse. Because, really, the only thing she could imagine being worse than spending Christmas with Grandmother in Connecticut or her father’s family in California, would be to spend Christmas in Las Vegas with Taylor Mitchell.
Carter House Girls Series
from Melody Carlson
Mix six teenage girls and one ‘60s fashion icon (retired, of course) in an old Victorian-era boarding home. Add boys and dating, a little high school angst, and throw in a Kate Spade bag or two … and you’ve got the Carter House Girls, Melody Carlson’s new chick lit series for young adults!
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Stealing Bradford
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Lost in Las Vegas
Book Five
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New York Debut
Book Six
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Books 7–8 coming soon!
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A Sweet Seasons Novel
from Debbie Viguié!
They’re fun! They’re quirky! They’re Sweet Seasons—unlike any other books you’ve ever read. You could call them alternative, Godhonoring chick lit. Join Candy Thompson on a sweet, lighthearted, and honest romp through the friendships, romances, family, school, faith, and values that make a girl’s life as full as it can be.
The Summer of
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The Spring of
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Forbidden Doors
A Four-Volume Series from
Bestselling Author Bill Myers!
Some doors are better left unopened.
Join teenager Rebecca “Becka” Williams, her brother Scott, and her friend Ryan Riordan as they head for mind-bending clashes between the forces of darkness and the kingdom of God.
Dark Power Collection
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Contains books 1–3: The Society,
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Contains books 7–9: The Curse,
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Contains books 10–12: The Ancients,
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Echoes from the Edge
A New Trilogy from
Bestselling Author Bryan Davis!
This fast-paced adventure fantasy trilogy starts with murder and leads teenagers Nathan and Kelly out of their once-familiar world as they struggle to find answers to the tragedy. A mysterious mirror with phantom images, a camera that takes pictures of things they can’t see, and a violin that unlocks unrecognizable voices … each enigma takes the teens farther into an alternate universe where nothing is as it seems.
Beyond the
Reflection’s Edge
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Eternity’s Edge
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Nightmare’s Edge
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Book 3 coming May 2009!
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The Shadowside Trilogy
by Robert Elmer!
Those who live in lush comfort on the bright side of the small planet Corista have plundered the water resources of Shadowside for centuries, ignoring the existence of Shadowside’s inhabitants, who are nothing more than animals. Or so the Brightsiders have been taught. It will take a special young woman to expose the truth—and to help avert the war that is sure to follow—in the exciting Shadowside Trilogy, the latest sci-fi adventure from Robert Elmer.
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The Owling
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Beyond Corista
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Book 3 coming May 2009!
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The Rayne Tour
by Brandilyn Collins and
Amberly Collins!
A suspenseful two-book series for young adults written by bestselling author, Brandilyn Collins, and her daughter, Amberly. The story is about the daughter of a rock star, life on the road, and her search for her real father.
Always Watching
Book One
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This daughter of a rock star has it all—until murder crashes her world. During a concert, sixteen-year-old Shaley O’Connor stumbles upon the body of a friend backstage. Is Tom Hutchens’ death connected to her? Frightening messages arrive. Paparazzi stalk Shaley. Her private nightmare is displayed for all to see. Where is God at a time like this? As the clock runs out, Shaley must find Tom’s killer—before he strikes again.
Coming May 2009!
Last Breath
Book Two
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With his last breath a dying man whispered four stunning words into Shaley O’Connor’s ear. Should she believe them? After two murders on the Rayne concert tour, Shaley is reeling. But she has no time to rest. If the dying man’s claim is right, the danger is far from over.
Coming October 2009!
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