Viva Vermont! (8 page)

8

“YOU'RE JUST IN TIME
for the big meeting,” said Casey as DJ came into the house. “Your grandmother wants everyone in the living room at eight o'clock sharp, which is like now.”

DJ rolled her eyes as she took off her jacket. “I know what this is about.”

“What?” whispered Casey.

“Oh, you know … ladies being ladies … that sort of thing.”

“Yeah, right.” Casey peered at DJ now. “Rhiannon told me you were with Conner. Is that really true?”

So they hovered in the foyer, and DJ gave her the quick lowdown.

“Seriously, you guys are just going to be friends?”

“Sure, why not?”

“Why not?”
Casey gave her wicked grin. “Because it's impossible.”

“We'll see.” DJ wanted to point out that she and Conner were both Christians, whereas Casey was still floundering when it came to her faith. Also, she was dating a guy who wasn't a Christian. Who knew what those two had been up to last night? Although DJ suspected their constricting superhero costumes might've made disrobing a challenge.

“By the way,” DJ lowered her voice as they got nearer the living room. “Part of Grandmother's spiel tonight will involve alcohol. You weren't drinking last night, were you?”

Casey held up both hands. “No way. I'm still in therapy, remember?”

“Yeah, I remember. My point was, do you remember?”

Casey looked offended now. “Yes. And my counselor happens to think I'm making real progress—thank you very much.”

DJ patted her back. “Well, good, Casey. That's great.”

“But there was alcohol here last night,” Casey whispered as they stood by the closed door. “Someone spiked the Eye of Newt Punch, and I know that some of the guys sneaked some stuff in.”

“Too bad.”

Casey shrugged. “What did you expect?”

“I don't know … I guess I wish some people would just grow up.”

“Some people think that drinking is the way to grow up.”

“Or throw up.”

Casey laughed so hard she snorted, and, naturally, that got DJ giggling too. But they both stopped when they went into the living room and felt Grandmother's icy gaze directed toward them.

“I see you decided to join us.”

“Sorry.” DJ gave her grandmother a little finger wave. “But I was out. I didn't know there was a meeting.”

“Sit down, please.” Grandmother cleared her throat. “As I was saying, I expect you girls to conduct yourselves as mature young ladies. It's a privilege as well as a responsibility to live in a house such as this. And I do not want to feel that I am being taken advantage of. As a result of some of my findings in regard to last night's party, I feel that everyone is in need of a crash course in deportment.”

“What is deportment?” asked Casey.

“Manners,” said Grandmother. “And before I take you girls up to the general's lodge, which is in question just now, I expect you to prove to me that you are capable of practicing good etiquette. I also expect you to display mature and sound thinking. And speaking of sound thinking, it has come to my attention that some of my Carter House girls have indulged in alcohol, which you all know is strictly against the Carter House rules. Rather than pointing out the offenders, I will give you this severe warning.
Underage drinking will not be tolerated in this house. Is that understood?”
She narrowed her eyes, peering at the group in her most stern and austere expression.

The girls seemed to agree to this. Then Grandmother continued to ramble on and on about how she'd seen some models with perfectly good potential throwing away their lives on drugs and alcohol. “That is why we will have no tolerance for it in Carter House. Your parents have entrusted you girls to my care, and I do not intend to disappoint them.”

DJ was sitting next to Taylor on the couch. She noticed that Taylor's eyes were closed. Not a big deal since Taylor often did this when bored. But then DJ could tell by her deep breathing that Taylor was asleep. She gave her a sharp jab with her elbow.

“Ouch!” Taylor jerked her head up and turned to glare at DJ.

DJ just smiled and looked directly forward.

Finally, Grandmother seemed to have run out of hot air. But not before she pulled out the Carter House rules and slowly and painfully read them.

“All girls must attend school, maintain above average grades, and respect the school district rules.

All girls must respect house curfew, which, unless otherwise agreed upon, is nine o'clock on school nights and eleven o'clock on non-school nights.

All girls are welcome to use the public areas of the house (living room, library, dining room, kitchen, and observatory) until ten o'clock on school nights and midnight on non-school nights.

All girls will refrain from smoking, drinking, or any form of substance abuse or other illegal activity.

All girls will refrain from unsavory speech, swearing, and general crudeness.

All girls will maintain their appearances and practice good etiquette at all times.

All girls will treat each other with respect.

All girls will conduct themselves with modesty and respectability both in private and public.

All girls will be responsible for their personal belongings and keep their bedrooms relatively neat.

All girls are expected to participate in fashion, etiquette, and style training sessions.

Any girl who breaks these rules is subject to loss of privileges and possible expulsion from the Carter House.”

She folded the paper in half and looked evenly at the bored group of girls. “Have I made myself clear?” The girls all said yes and nodded once again. And finally, it seemed they were done.

“Good grief,” said Eliza as they were going upstairs. “It's almost ten o'clock, and I still have homework to do.”

“That was the most boring two hours of my life,” complained Casey. “She's even worse than the pastor of my parents' church.”

“I had a nice little nap,” said Taylor smugly. “Well, until DJ had to go and spoil it.”

“Who knew the old gal could go for so long?” said Eliza.

“It's her form of punishment,” DJ pointed out. “And if you don't like it, why not just obey the rules.”

“Or don't get caught,” said Taylor as they reached the landing.

“You're the one who got caught,” said DJ.

“What?” Taylor frowned at her. “I did not.”

DJ rolled her eyes. “Yeah, whatever.”

But once they were in their room, Taylor didn't let that comment go. “What do you mean I got caught?”

So DJ told her about the vodka bottle.

“Well, that's your fault. I would've tossed it out if it had been on my side of the room. I can't believe you left it just sitting out like that.” Taylor laughed. “It's probably a good thing you're not a drinker, DJ. You're not very sneaky.”

“Thanks, I'll take that as a compliment.”

“Whatever.” Taylor narrowed her eyes now. “Hey, back up the truck a minute. You said that I was the one who got caught, DJ. But you're the one who got called into your grandmother's office. What do you really mean?”

DJ just shrugged and headed for the bathroom. But before she could open the door, Taylor was blocking it. “Did you rat me out?”

“What difference would it make if I did? My grandmother obviously isn't terribly concerned.”

“She was concerned enough to give us a long lecture.”

“A lecture that you slept through.”

“I was tired …” Taylor sighed and held her hand to her forehead dramatically. “I had a rough night last night.”

“Look,” said DJ. “It's not like I want to see you getting into trouble, Taylor. But I am worried about you. Did you and Seth split that whole bottle of vodka between the two of you?”

“Of course not.”

“It was almost empty when I found it.”

“Almost? Meaning you finished it off yourself?” Taylor gave DJ a wicked grin. “You little sneak, you.”

“No, I did not finish it off. I poured it down the sink.”

“Too bad. That was the good stuff.”

“But, seriously, Taylor. Did you and Seth drink all of that?”

“No, of course not. You don't think it was a full bottle, do you?”

“I don't know what to think.”

“It wasn't full, DJ.”

“Where did you get it?” DJ knew that was a dumb question. All the girls knew that Taylor had a phony ID. She could've gotten it anywhere.

“Seth brought it. And, if you must know, he sneaked it from his parents' liquor cabinet. And it was only about half full.”

Okay, that sounded pretty convincing. But DJ knew that Taylor could lie her way out of anything. And, this was one of those times when DJ did not believe her.

“May I please use the bathroom now?” she asked Taylor in an impatient voice.

“I suppose … but no more ratting out your roommate, DJ.”

“Why would I even need to?” she tossed back as she pushed passed Taylor and went into the bathroom.

“Why indeed.”

DJ shut the door and sighed. How long would she have to put up with Taylor's tricks? On one hand, she'd almost started to like the girl and on some levels even trusted her. But on the other hand, Taylor was maddening. And she was unpredictable. A real loose cannon. DJ knew that unless Grandmother caught Taylor with a bottle of booze in her hands, or unless Taylor got into some serious trouble at school or with the law, which seemed unlikely, Grandmother would probably continue to play oblivious. And DJ knew why. Grandmother's highest hopes for grooming one of the girls into a professional model rested in Taylor. For that reason, DJ suspected that Grandmother would turn a blind eye to most anything.

To aggravate Taylor, DJ took a long time in the bathroom. She knew that Taylor had her “beauty routines” and would probably be sitting out there fuming at DJ. But DJ did not care. Let her fume.

Finally, when DJ couldn't think of one more reason to remain in the bathroom and was actually feeling a bit silly, she went out to find that Taylor was sound asleep—on top of her bed, with her clothes on. Well, she really must've been worn out from last night. Feeling a little guilty, DJ dug out a soft wool blanket and draped it over her roommate, then turned out the light. Poor Taylor … she really was her own worst enemy. But why?

The next day, DJ and Conner sat together at lunch. Of course, they were with their other friends too. But even so, DJ could feel the stares they were getting. And, naturally, Haley was nowhere to be seen. Who could blame her?

DJ didn't see Haley anywhere until Wednesday when she spotted her at the pool. But she was already in the water and never even looked up as DJ walked past. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case with Haley's friends. They had no problem staring at DJ and, DJ suspected, gossiping behind her back. Well, let them, she thought. It wasn't as if she'd done anything wrong. Still, she felt bad for Haley.

“Have you talked to Haley at all?” DJ asked Conner when he picked her up for youth group on Saturday.

“No, why?”

“I just wondered. Do you think she'll be at youth group?”

“I don't know why not. She seemed to like going before. But that might've just been because we were together then.”

But, as it turned out, Haley wasn't there. That made DJ feel even worse. And so she decided that she would make an attempt to speak to Haley on Monday. She remembered how Haley had taken the time to smooth things out with DJ when the tables had been turned. Maybe it was DJ's turn now.

But when Monday came, DJ didn't see Haley around. And when she went to the pool after school, she discovered that Haley had switched over to doing the early morning practice.

“Not that she likes getting up that early,” said Amy, one of Haley's less hostile friends, which wasn't saying much. “I mean who does?”

“Then why is she doing it?” Of course, DJ instantly regretted this when Amy tossed her a withering look.

“Why do you
think
she's doing it?” snipped Amy as she continued to towel dry her hair.

“To avoid me?”

“Duh.”

“But I don't see why she'd—”

“Because you are poison,” spewed a chunky girl named Bethany as she stepped right into DJ's space. She was one of Haley's toughest protectors, and DJ suspected that this girl might want to punch her right now. DJ took a cautious step back, holding her towel in front of herself in a defensive stance.

“I didn't do anything,” said DJ calmly.

“Yeah, right,” said Amy.

“Nothing besides stealing Haley's boyfriend,” added Bethany. “And that's after Haley thought you were her friend. I can't believe I let Haley talk me into voting for you for homecoming queen. You are such a phony.”

“A phony?”

“Yeah, a real hypocrite.”

“A hypocrite?”

“You act like you're this nicey-nice Christian girl, and then you go and do that to Haley—just stab her behind her back. But then all you Carter House girls are like that. Haley should've known better than to trust you.”

DJ blinked. “I didn't do anything to Haley. Conner and I are just friends. Ask anyone.”

“We don't need to ask anyone,” said Bethany. “Everyone knows what you are, DJ.
Poison.
”

DJ knew there was no point in continuing this. She also knew she didn't want it to escalate into something really crazy. So she simply walked away. But as she went into the locker room, she could hear them talking about her. Calling her “poison” and “backstabber” and ridiculous things like that. Even so, it hurt. DJ couldn't wait to get out of there. In fact, she decided as she hurried to dress, maybe this would be her last swimming day. Her leg was actually starting to feel pretty good now. Maybe she could find another form of strengthening exercise to continue her physical therapy.