Carlson Melody - Stealing Bradford

“Bradford broke up with Rhiannon.”

Taylor looked up. “Since when?”

“Since lunch today.”

Taylor shook her head. “Hey, I didn’t know about that, and I didn’t have anything to do with it.”

“Except that you’d been flirting with Bradford,” interjected Casey.

Taylor tossed a menacing look at Casey. “Says who?”

Casey sort of shrugged. “It seems to be common knowledge.”

Taylor put her face closer to Casey’s now. “Have you ever seen me flirting with Bradford, Casey?”

Casey looked somewhat intimidated now. “I don’t know…”

“Then maybe you should butt out of things that don’t concern you.”

Casey stood now. She looked like she was about to say something, but then she just turned and walked off toward the bathroom.

“So…” Taylor turned to DJ now. “Are you the one spreading vicious rumors about me?”

“I told Casey that you’d been flirting with Bradford last night and that he’d broken up with Rhiannon today. I’m sure anyone can put two and two together.”

Taylor actually looked wounded now. “It’s just not fair,” she said as she pulled on her shirt.

“What?” demanded DJ.

“The way everyone accuses me of flirting. It’s just the way I am. I like guys, and guys like me. That doesn’t mean that I want to hook up with every single one of them.”

“Just most of them.”

Taylor narrowed her eyes. “You know, DJ. I’ve thought about all the girls at Carter House…and all the girls at this school…and I asked myself which girl I’d most like as my friend, and I thought it was you. But then you treat me like this.”

DJ blinked in surprise now. “Seriously?” she asked skeptically.

“Seriously.” Taylor was buttoning her skirt now.

“Why?”

“Because you’re fun and—admit it or not—you’re a little like me.”

“I’m like you?” DJ really couldn’t believe this. The weird thing was that part of her was hugely insulted and yet another part was flattered.

“Yeah.”

“Care to go into more detail?”

“You like to have fun. You’ve usually got an attitude going on. And you’re pretty.”

DJ wasn’t sure how to respond. “Well, thanks…I guess.”

“And just so you know, I wasn’t trying to steal Bradford. I was just being myself and having a good time. Anything wrong with that?”

DJ shook her head. “I guess not…”

Now Taylor nodded as she put the strap of her Kate Spade bag over her shoulder. “By the way,” she said. “I got a couple of helmets for the Vespa. You and I should take it for a real spin this weekend.”

“Sounds fun,” admitted DJ.

“See ya!” Taylor waved and then walked out of the locker room like she was a rock star. In some ways, DJ supposed that she almost was.

“What just happened?” asked Casey when she returned.

“I’m not even sure.”

“That girl is up to something.”

DJ wondered. Part of her felt certain that Casey was right. But part of her wasn’t so sure. Fortunately, she didn’t need to think about it as they went to volleyball practice. Maybe that was why DJ liked sports so much. Things were almost always what they appeared to be. You played hard. The rules never changed. The best team usually won. And when you were done, you felt good about it. Not too many other things in life seemed to be like that.

“Congratulations, Casey,” she said when they were back in the locker room. She gave her a high five.

“I can’t believe I made the team,” said Casey.

“We probably shouldn’t make a big deal of it right now,” said DJ in a lowered voice. Some girls had been cut today, and it didn’t seem right to celebrate in front of them.

“Thanks for encouraging me to try out,” said Casey. “I think it’s going to be a fun season. And I like Coach Jones.”

DJ literally bit her tongue to keep from saying that Coach Jones seemed to like Casey too. DJ had no intention of becoming like those other mean girls. But Coach Jones had seemed very interested in Casey. She was certainly glad that she’d come out for the team. Hopefully that was all there was to it.

“I THINK IT’S LOVELY THATyou girls are having movie night tonight,” said Mrs. Carter as they were finishing dinner.

“Would you like to join us?” offered Eliza.

“Thank you, dear, but I will pass.” Mrs. Carter got a somewhat dreamy expression now. “I saw South Pacific on Broadway back in the fifties. Mary Martin was unforgettable.”

“Who’s Mary Martin?” asked DJ.

“One of the most talented actresses ever to grace Broadway. She starred as the nurse in the musical, and, oh my, did she have a set of lungs.”

“But she didn’t want to be in the movie?” asked Eliza.

“She was probably considered too old for the role by the time the movie released.” Mrs. Carter sighed. “Careers were cut shorter back in those days. Actresses and models were considered over the hill by forty.” She pushed back her chair in a weary sort of way. “If you ladies will excuse me, I think I will make an early night of it.”

They told her good night and then the table was quiet.

“How old is she anyway?” Taylor directed this to DJ. “Your grandmother, I mean.”

DJ shrugged. “I don’t really know, but I think she’s in her seventies.”

“Is she in good health?” persisted Taylor.

“What do you mean?” asked DJ. “Like is she about to keel over from old age? I don’t think so.”

“What time does the movie start?” asked Kriti.

“Seven thirty,” said Eliza.

“Anyone want to sneak in treats?” asked DJ quietly, in case her grandmother was still nearby. “We could phone in pizza.”

“All right,” said Casey. “I already had thirds on that eggplant casserole, and I’m still starving.”

“Do you girls know how many calories are in one slice of pepperoni pizza?” Eliza asked.

“No, but I’m sure you do,” said DJ. Then she pointed out that she and Casey both burned off a lot of calories during volleyball practice today.

“That reminds me,” said Eliza. “When is Mrs. Carter going to get the workout room up and running?”

“Workout room?” asked DJ.

“Yes. She promised to set up some equipment in the basement.”

“Well, maybe you should remind her,” said DJ. “So, back to pizza, looks like just Casey and I are having something delivered, right?”

“Count me in,” said Taylor unexpectedly.

“Me too,” said Kriti. “For one piece anyway.”

“Oh, fine,” said Eliza. “Just corrupt the whole lot of us. But if Mrs. Carter finds out, you take the heat, DJ.”

DJ laughed. “No problem.”

So it was arranged that they’d meet back in the living room in about an hour, and DJ would handle the pizza order. Rhiannon was the first one to leave the table, and it seemed obvious that she was not feeling her usual cheerful self.

“Poor Rhiannon,” said Eliza.

“What’s wrong with her?” asked Kriti.

“Bradford broke up with her today,” said DJ.

“Thanks to Taylor,” added Eliza.

“Here we go again,” said Taylor. “Blame it all on me.”

“Who should we blame?” asked Casey.

Taylor stood now. “Whatever.”

“Well, you know what they say, Taylor,” said Eliza.

“Probably,” said Taylor as she began to leave the room.

“What goes around comes around.”

Taylor didn’t respond, just kept on walking.

“I feel sorry for Rhiannon,” said Kriti. “Can you imagine how it must feel to share a room with Taylor?”

DJ hadn’t really considered this. But it did seem a lot to expect of anyone, even a saintly person like Rhiannon. “Maybe someone should switch.”