Viva Vermont! (10 page)

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.

She closed the Bible and closed her eyes. “Okay, God, if you want me to do that, you are going to have to show me how. The last person I feel like loving right now is Bethany Bruiser. But if anyone can change my heart on this, I know it's you. Bring it. Amen.” Then she turned off the light and hoped for better things.

“Way to go, DJ,” said Coach Reynolds after she'd qualified for the final heat in freestyle. “I only expected you to swim today, but you're actually competing, and you're blowing me away, girl.” He slapped her on the back now.

“Thanks!” she glanced over to where Haley and her gang were gathered in the bullpen waiting for their medley relay. DJ was so thankful that she wasn't part of their relay team. She hoped that never happened.

“You didn't tell us that you were actually good,” said Taylor as DJ took a break with them.

“Oh, I don't think it's that I'm good, it's just that the competition is pretty lame.”

“I think you're actually good,” said Casey.

“I've got to get out of here for some fresh air,” said Taylor. She patted her hair nervously. “And I hate to think of what all this humidity is doing to my do.”

“You look gorgeous as usual,” said DJ.

“And you look like a drowned rat,” said Taylor as she picked up her bag. “Back in a few.”

“Fresh air …” DJ shook her head. “We know she's just going out for a smoke.”

“To each her own,” said Casey. Then she nodded over to where Haley and her friends were getting set for the relay. “Any problems with Bruiser today?”

“Only if looks could kill.”

“Doesn't she do freestyle too?” asked Casey.

“She and Haley both.”

“Were their times better than yours?”

“I didn't check.”

“Anyway, you looked good out there. Strong.”

“Thanks. I'll just be glad when it's over.”

But DJ was more than glad when it was over. She was flabbergasted. Not only did she swim her best time ever in freestyle, she beat Bruiser and took second place, right behind Haley. DJ had a feeling that if she worked a little harder she might be able to beat Haley next time. Not that she was out to beat Haley. If anything, she'd been going out of her way to be nice to Haley—as well as her friends. She'd congratulated them on winning the medley relay. Not that they'd even responded. Still, DJ was trying to take that Bible verse seriously.

DJ wasn't surprised that Haley and her friends were freezing her out in the locker room. But she was surprised to see that some of the other swim team girls seemed to be getting tired of the game. Several of them congratulated DJ on her times, and Monica Bradshaw even came over to dress with her.

“This thing with Haley is getting old,” she told DJ. “The sooner she moves on the better it will be for everyone.”

DJ nodded as she zipped her jeans. “I couldn't agree more.” “I'll tell you one thing,” said Monica. “I've had it with morning practices. I'm coming back to afternoons starting Monday.”

“Me too,” said a short, brown-haired girl named Daisy. “Getting up in the dark is for the birds.” She laughed. “Actually, I don't even think the birds like it.”

And so, as DJ gathered up her things and left, she felt just a tiny bit hopeful, like maybe things were about to change.

“Don't think that this is over,” said Bethany as DJ exited the locker room. Then she grabbed DJ by the arm and looked her straight in the eyes in a frightening way. The foyer to the pool was strangely vacant, and DJ glanced nervously around to see if she could spot anyone.

DJ took in a quick breath and shot up a prayer. “Look, Bethany, I really don't see why you're—”

Bethany shook DJ by the arm now, narrowing her eyes. “I didn't ask for your opinion—”

“Hey,” said Taylor in that smooth husky voice of hers. “What's going on here, girls?”

“Yeah,” said Casey behind her. “What's up?”