Viva Vermont! Read online

  DJ wanted to point out that butterfly was her weakest stroke, but decided to ignore Bethany instead. Really, what was the point?

  And, in the locker room, DJ kept to herself as well. She knew that the other girls, even Amy, were barely tolerating her presence. She also knew that as soon as they told Haley, which they surely would, it would probably get worse. She’d already overheard Bethany loudly complaining about how much they missed Haley at afternoon practice.

  “I know,” said Amy. “Let’s all start practicing in the morning.”

  The other girls groaned, and DJ quickly stuffed her wet things into her duffle bag. She wanted to get out of there ASAP.

  “Come on,” urged Amy. “As a sign of solidarity to Haley.” Fortunately, DJ escaped before hearing the girls’ response to Amy’s suggestion. Well, whatever. Who cared if they all decided they wanted to get up at five a.m. to do an early practice? Besides, she seriously doubted that was going to happen. She suspected that even Haley would tire of it eventually.

  “Your hair looks terrible,” pointed out Taylor as DJ hung her suit in the shower to dry.

  “Thanks.”

  “Seriously, DJ. You need to take care of it before it all breaks off. Have you ever heard of conditioner?”

  “For your information, I do use conditioner.”

  “Well, that chlorine is ruining your hair.” Taylor picked up a strand of DJ’s hair and frowned. “Do you even wear a swim cap?”

  “Yes. But it still gets wet. There’s not much I can do about it. Maybe I’ll just cut it.”

  “Cut your hair?” Taylor looked stunned. “Are you kidding?” DJ shrugged. “I don’t know. It would make it easier for swim team.”

  “Swim team?” Taylor frowned now. “Don’t tell me …”

  “Yeah. I joined the swim team. Aren’t you proud of me?”

  “You’re nuts, DJ.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Okay, here’s my best tip for you.”

  “A swimming tip?” DJ looked curiously at Taylor. “Do tell.”

  “No, not a swimming tip. Get real. A beauty tip.”

  DJ rolled her eyes.

  “Condition your hair before you swim.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Coat your hair with a heavy conditioner, then put your cap on over it.”

  DJ nodded. That actually made some sense.

  “The conditioner will help to protect your hair from the chlorine and then you can rinse it out, shampoo, and recondition. Understand?”

  DJ laughed. “Or what? You’ll refuse to be seen with me?”

  “Yeah … maybe.”

  “Hey, DJ, where are the rest of the girls?” asked Marcus Wakefield. He was captain of the team and actually a fairly nice guy.

  “They did morning practice today,” Coach Reynolds answered for her.

  “Why?” asked Marcus.

  The coach peered curiously at DJ now. “I’m not sure why. I thought maybe they had some girls’ event going on this afternoon. You know what’s up, DJ?”

  “Not really,” said DJ. Okay, not totally true, but not a lie either.

  “Well, looks like you’ll be queen for the day.” Coach Reynolds laughed then pointed to the pool. “Get busy, Queenie.”

  It was rather nice not having the other girls around to stare at her or make “Turtle Girl” comments. And the guys pretty much treated her like an equal even if most of them were faster. Still, it was a good challenge trying to keep up with them, and by the end of practice Coach Reynolds seemed pleased.

  “Looking good out there, DJ.”

  She thanked him then hurried to the locker room where she rinsed the conditioner (Taylor’s recommendation) out of her hair, taking her time to shower and shampoo and condition again. Then she had the locker room to herself, and she decided she didn’t care if the girls all continued to practice in the morning for the whole season. This wasn’t half bad. She even decided to dry her hair for a change, taking advantage of having the whole mirror to herself. She took time to put on a little bit of makeup—just blush and lip gloss and mascara—but Taylor and the other girls might appreciate the effort since they’d all been on her case lately.

  She took her time walking to her car. It had been one of those fine, crisp, clear fall days, and she knew they were limited.

  “Hey, DJ!” called a guy’s voice. She looked over to see Conner getting out of his old red pickup and waving. “I was hoping to catch you here.”

  “What’s up?” she asked as she walked over to join him.

  “Not much. But I was wishing for someone to grab a cheeseburger with me. You game?”

  “You’re talking my language.”

  He nodded. “I know the way to your heart is through your stomach.”

  She frowned now. “And you’re trying to get to my heart?”

  He looked uncomfortable. “No … I was just kidding.”

  They decided to drop her car off at Carter House, then she got in with him and he drove them over to a new diner called Heathcliff’s. “Have you tried it yet?” he asked as they went inside.

  “Nope. But it sure smells good.”

  They had just gotten seated and placed their order when DJ saw some girls coming in. “Oh no,” she groaned and slumped down slightly in her seat.

  “What?”

  “Don’t look now, but trouble’s heading our way.”

  “What kind of trouble?”

  “Haley and Bethany and Amy.”

  He just shrugged. “No big deal. It’s a free country, and there are plenty of tables.”

  “Well, look who’s here,” said Bethany. “Cheating ex-boyfriend and backstabbing Turtle Girl.”

  “That’s not very nice,” said Conner.

  “What makes you an expert on nice?” demanded Amy.

  Haley just stood there staring at the two of them. “So it really is true then?”

  “What?” Conner’s brows lifted.

  “You guys are already a couple?”

  “No,” said DJ. “We’re just having—”

  “I know what you’re having,” hissed Haley. “The whole school knows.” She frowned at DJ. “And I actually thought you were a friend.”

  “I am a—”

  “A backstabber,” said Bethany.

  “You guys deserve each other,” said Amy.

  DJ was about to remind them that Haley had been the original boyfriend stealer, but it looked like Haley was on the verge of tears, and the other two girls ushered her away. Then, instead of getting a table, they left.

  “That’s a relief,” said Conner.

  “A relief?” DJ peered at him. “We just got told off, and you think it’s a relief?”

  “Oh, I think girls get carried away sometimes and—”

  “Girls get carried away?” She narrowed her eyes at him. “That’s a little chauvinistic, don’t you think?”

  He nodded sheepishly. “What I meant is that some girls blow things way out of proportion. When Haley doesn’t get her way, she can be a real drama queen, if you know what I mean.”

  DJ considered this. “I wouldn’t have thought that.”

  “Well, you don’t know her as well as I do. I mean, she can come across as real nice and sweet … as long as things are going her way. But you rock her boat, and watch out.”

  “Meaning I need to watch out?”

  “Well, not you personally.” He grinned. “Okay, enough about Haley. How about you? Tell me how practice went today.”

  So she told him about the girls’ boycott, but how it was actually sort of nice.

  He laughed. “No wonder they all looked so grumpy. They’ve been up since the wee hours of the morning. That’s quite a sacrifice.”

  “Well, no one is making them do it.”

  “Probably won’t last long—once they figure out that they’re only hurting themselves.”

  DJ frowned. “I just hope they don’t get together and decide to drown me in the diving pool. I was actually imagining t
hem tying weights to my ankles and dumping me in there when no one was looking.”

  “Ugh, that’s gruesome, DJ.”

  “You’re telling me.”

  “Don’t worry,” he assured her. “It’ll all blow over by the end of the week.”

  10

  BUT BY THE END OF THE WEEK, it had not blown over. Haley and friends were still doing morning swim team practice and taking jabs at DJ whenever they got the opportunity. Bethany had bumped into DJ by the lockers, knocking her so hard that DJ had a bruise on her upper arm. This whole thing was starting to scare her.

  “Maybe I should just quit swim team,” she had said to Casey and Taylor on Thursday night. It hurt to say this, especially considering that she’d just received her team suit that afternoon, but she wondered if it might not be for the best.

  “Yeah, well, duh.” Taylor took a long drag from her cigarette. The three of them were sitting out on the front porch, drinking diet sodas and smoking. Well, Casey and Taylor were smoking. And, in Casey’s defense, DJ was pretty sure that Casey was just faux-smoking since she’d pretty much given up the nasty habit for volleyball season.

  “You mean you’d let them bully you into quitting something you actually like doing?” demanded Casey. “That’s just wrong.”

  “Yeah,” agreed Taylor. “That is wrong. Even though I think swim team is lame, I think you should have the right to do it if you want.”

  “Maybe I don’t want …” DJ took a sip of her soda.

  “And maybe you do,” said Casey.

  “Well, if I end up being dredged out of the bottom of the diving pool with lead weights tied around my ankles, you guys will know who to blame.”

  “That’s a lovely picture, DJ.” Taylor rolled her eyes.

  “Yeah … I know. Conner assured me that this thing with Haley would blow over by now, but it’s not going away. If anything, I think Haley’s just digging in deeper. And the swim meet on Saturday could really turn ugly.”

  “Maybe you need bodyguards,” said Casey. “Want us to come and watch your meet?”

  “Conner already offered,” admitted DJ. “But I’m afraid that could make it even worse.”

  “Hmm …” Taylor actually seemed to be considering this. “I suppose there would be some hot-looking guys there, right?”

  DJ shrugged. “Yeah, I guess.”

  “In those little Speedo suits?”

  DJ sort of laughed now. “Always on the prowl, aren’t you, Taylor.”

  “I like to keep my eyes open.”

  “What about Seth?” asked Casey.

  “What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” “So, what time is the meet?” asked Casey.

  “It starts at eight in the morning,” said DJ. “I’m not sure how long it’ll go. But the coach said at least until noon.”

  “How about if we come and watch you do your thing,” said Taylor, “and then we can do some shopping afterward.”

  “Shopping for what?” asked DJ.

  “The general’s ski trip,” said Taylor. “You know it’s the weekend after next.”

  “That’s right,” said DJ. “I nearly forgot. I still have to check with my physical therapist to see if it’s okay to do a little snowboarding.”

  “And did Eliza tell you the good news?”

  “What good news?”

  “Harry’s renting a cabin up there for the same weekend.”

  “Oh?”

  “And he’s inviting some of his buddies to join him, including Garrison and Seth.” Casey winked at Taylor.

  “Really? I hadn’t heard about this.” In fact, DJ wasn’t too sure how she felt about this new little development. It was one thing doing a ski weekend with the Carter House girls. Even that had potential to get a little crazy. But throwing their boyfriends in as well … now, that could get downright scary.

  She wondered if her grandmother had any idea what was going down, but at the same time realized that was highly unlikely. DJ also knew it was unlikely that she would tell the old woman. And equally unlikely that Grandmother would be too concerned even if she did know.

  “I’m sure Conner will get an invite too,” Taylor assured DJ.

  “So next weekend should be extra fun,” said Casey.

  “I just hope I can survive this weekend first.” DJ let out a dismal sigh.

  On Friday, DJ considered foregoing the football game.

  “But why?” Conner had demanded as they stood outside in the school parking lot. “That’s like letting Haley and her thugs win.”

  She rubbed the bruise on her arm as she considered this. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right.”

  “And the more you stand up to them and live your life, the sooner they should get bored with their little game.”

  “I just don’t want to take any more hits from Bethany.”

  “Trust me, you won’t have to.” He gave her his tough-guy look now. “I’ve never struck a girl and I don’t intend to, but I wouldn’t hesitate to block one of her punches.”

  DJ laughed. “Well, thanks. Maybe you should come to the pool with me now.”

  “I thought you said the girls were still doing the morning shift.”

  “They have been, but I keep expecting it to change.”

  “Just watch out for those lead ankle weights,” he warned her.

  “Thanks.”

  But once again, and to her relief, the girls weren’t at afternoon practice. In a way, this whole thing had worked out to her benefit. As a result of being “Queenie,” as coach continued to call her, she’d probably gotten in better swims, better coaching, and the beginning of some better friendships with the guys. She remembered the Bible verse about everything working together for good when you served the Lord. Maybe that was happening here.

  Although, she wasn’t feeling quite as confident at the football game. She and Conner had just gotten seated in the bleachers when Haley and friends sat in the empty seat directly behind them. Now DJ was well aware that a little jostling, bumping, and physical contact were pretty much the norm at a sporting event like this, but it seemed that the girls behind them were taking it to a new level. Although they didn’t seem to be taking any pokes at Conner, DJ noticed. But they were just in the second half of the game, and she’d gotten several sharp jabs in the back of her head, along with several knees in her back. Finally, she was getting really irritated.

  She turned around to see Bethany sitting directly behind her—and smirking. “If you don’t mind,” said DJ as calmly as she could. “I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your knees to yourself.”

  Bethany gave her a mock innocent look. “Excu-use me, but it’s a little crowded in the bleachers, if you haven’t noticed.”

  Conner turned around now too. He actually smiled at Bethany, but DJ could see it was a stressed smile. “Just chill, will you, Bethany?”

  She held up her hands and made another mock innocent look, and, realizing there was nothing else to do, DJ and Conner turned around.

  “Maybe we should just move,” suggested Conner, glancing around the crowded stadium for vacant seats. But it appeared to be standing room only now.

  “No,” said DJ firmly. “We have every right to be here without harassment.” But even as she said the last word, she felt something icy wet and cold down her back. She jumped to her feet and shrieked.

  “What?” said Conner.

  DJ turned to face Bethany again. Bethany was feigning surprise and holding up her cup.

  “You poured your soda down my back?” DJ exclaimed incredulously.

  “It was an accident,” claimed Bethany.

  “Oh, yeah, right.” DJ was still standing, trying to shake the sticky wetness and ice out of her coat and shirt.

  The other girls laughed. “Just chill, DJ,” said Amy. “Accidents happen, okay?”

  “Yeah,” said Bethany. “You don’t have to freak. I’m sorry.”

  Haley just giggled with her hand over her mouth.

  DJ sat down and looked at Conner. “
I’m freezing now.”

  “Let’s go.” Conner turned and looked at the three girls with narrowed eyes. “I hope you’re all proud of yourselves. Very mature.”

  And with that, Haley burst into tears.

  DJ just shook her head, gathered up her purse, and headed down the bleachers. Too weird. Too freaking weird.

  “I might have some dry clothes in my truck,” offered Conner.

  “I just want to go home,” said DJ. She felt close to tears now too.

  “What’s up?” asked Taylor as she and Seth emerged from the stadium.

  DJ rolled her eyes. “Bethany Bruiser couldn’t keep her hands off of me, and when I confronted her, she poured her soda down my back.”

  Taylor laughed, and DJ scowled at her. “Sorry,” said Taylor. “I mean, I’d be totally ticked if I were you, but you have to admit it’s kinda funny.”

  “Real funny.” DJ made a face. “I just want out of here.”

  “It’s a boring game anyway,” said Taylor. “We were leaving too.”

  “Yeah,” said Seth. “Those Mighty Maroons are looking mighty wimpy tonight.”

  “Why don’t you go change out of your wet stuff and meet us in town?” suggested Taylor.

  DJ considered this, but the prospect of hanging with Taylor and Seth was a little scary, especially considering that DJ and Conner were still maintaining the “ just friends” relationship. “Thanks,” she told Taylor. “But I think I’ll call it an early night. I’ve got that meet in the morning.”

  Taylor shook her head. “Ever the devoted athlete.”

  The truth was DJ was relieved to call it a night. She didn’t care if she was the only Carter House girl at home, she was glad to see her room. And even more glad to take a hot shower and get ready for bed. It was nice having the bedroom to herself. And once she got into bed, she opened her Bible, not to any place in particular. She simply allowed the pages to open and when she looked down, she instantly knew that this section was familiar. It was the fifth chapter of the book of Matthew. And her eyes stopped on a verse that she had read several times before. Unfortunately, it wasn’t any easier to accept it this time. It was that verse about loving your enemies. About exchanging kind words for mean ones … and doing something good in return for something mean … and even praying for people who wanted to hurt you. Yowzers.