Mixed Bags (14 page)

“Knock it off,” snapped DJ.

Casey blinked. Then sighing loudly, she returned to the window seat and her laptop.

“Sorry,” said DJ. “But I didn’t appreciate—”

“Forget about it.” Now the game was making its shooting and screaming noises again.

“Would you mind turning that down?” asked DJ, trying to use a nicer tone of voice. She really didn’t want to fight with Casey.

“Yeah, whatever.”

Then DJ moved the bags from her bed, piling them on the floor next to it, flopped down and closed her eyes. She felt so many different emotions just now. On one hand, she was looking forward to going out with Conner. And yet she was worried about how he’d react to her hair. She remembered complaining to him about how shallow the Carter House girls all were. And now it seemed as if she were becoming one of them. Even Casey could see it. Still, maybe it was part of growing up. Maybe it was about time for DJ to pay more attention to her previously neglected appearance.

DJ thought about her mother now, remembering how she’d often said that it was more important for DJ to be herself than to fit into other people’s expectations for her. Her mom had encouraged her to do sports. Whether it was swimming, soccer, basketball, volleyball, or karate, Mom had supported her in it. And she had come to as many games and meets as she could, sometimes sneaking out of her real estate office just to be DJ’s biggest fan.

Mom had never minded that DJ wanted to be a tomboy. She had never forced DJ to wear frilly dresses or “act like a lady.” She had let DJ simply be what she wanted to be. Even when DJ’s dad discouraged this, Mom had stayed firm. In fact, DJ had blamed herself when their marriage began to deteriorate. She thought if she hadn’t been such a tomboy, maybe her dad would stick around. But her mom and a year of meeting with a counselor convinced her otherwise. Her dad had left simply because he wanted to go. DJ found out, after Mom died, that he’d been involved with Jan while he was still married. Maybe it was then that she dug in her heels and determined that she would always be a tomboy…just to spite him.

DJ had begun to understand, after living with her grandmother these past several months, that her mom’s attitude about DJ might have been related to how she’d been raised. Growing up in Manhattan, attending private schools, having a famous fashion-minded mother who expected perfection from everyone, and finally being groomed for a career in fashion, which she eventually rejected, DJ’s mother had good reason to want something different for her own daughter. It was no wonder that she’d allowed and encouraged DJ to be whatever she wanted to be.

But now, more than ever, DJ felt as if she had compromised all that. In just two quick days, DJ had turned into the very thing that she had despised. How was that even possible? And why was growing up so hard?

WHen DJ WOKe
, Casey was gone, although her abandoned laptop was still on the window seat. It was a little past five, and DJ thought this might be her chance to get ready for her date—her first real date—without an audience. Because the last thing DJ needed right now was Casey’s disapproval. The truth was DJ had enough disapproval of her own making. But as she showered and messed with her hair and then put on a little bit of the makeup that Eliza had coerced her into buying today, she tried to push away her conflicted thoughts. She told herself that she was cooperating in this major makeover because it was what she really wanted deep down. And that was partially true—she did want to look pretty. She just hoped it wasn’t a big mistake.

Still in her bathrobe, she began to hang up the items she’d purchased that day. As she removed price tags and examined them a bit more closely, holding them up in the mirror to see, she decided that Eliza actually had done a pretty good job as a shopping advisor. Although the clothes were a whole lot more fashionable than what DJ had been used to, there was still a sensible quality to them. DJ had made it clear to Eliza, right from the get-go, that she would not wear anything that showed 1) her belly, 2) her cleavage, or 3) her butt. A girl has to draw the line somewhere. And, she thought, surely Grandmother would approve. Still, she wondered what her mother would think. And then she shoved that thought away. Perhaps it didn’t matter.

Finally, DJ picked out an outfit that Eliza had suggested would be good for their date tonight. Still, DJ wasn’t sure. This outfit involved a print skirt that flared out slightly then stopped a few inches above her knees. The problem was that DJ hadn’t worn a skirt in…well, like, forever. Still, she decided to try it on. And she had to admit that it didn’t look half bad. And it did have a nice feeling when she moved around the room, kind of swishing around her legs. Next she put on the top combination that Eliza had liked with this skirt. It began with a lace-trimmed, coffee-colored camisole that was topped in a silky shirt in a soft mossy shade of green that Eliza had said looked classy and brought out the green in DJ’s eyes. And it did look nice with the skirt. And feminine too. All in all, she thought she actually looked pretty good. Still, she wasn’t sure what shoes to wear. Maybe she’d ask Eliza about that.

“Well, now,” said Casey as she came into the room. “Don’t you look nice. What’s the special occasion? Oh, let me guess…a date?”

DJ looked evenly at Casey now. She felt like she’d had enough. If she and Casey were going to share this room for a whole year, they might as well deal with this…this…whatever it was. “Okay, Casey, let’s get whatever is eating you out in the open. Why do you have it out for me? What have I done to deserve being treated like this?”

Casey just shrugged and then slumped back down onto the window seat.

“Come on, Casey. We used to be friends. We used to tell each other everything.”

“Well, you’ve changed.”

“I’ve
changed?” DJ could hear the shrillness in her voice now. “Have you seen yourself lately, Casey?” Then she reached down, grabbed Casey’s hand and pulled her up so the two of them could stand in front of the mirror. “What about
you
?”

“Fine. We’ve both changed,” admitted Casey as she frowned at their reflection.

“Right. And people change.” DJ stared at Casey now. She looked so totally different from DJ. So dark and somber in her dark clothing and clumpy boots, even though it was summer. Not to mention she was slightly scary with those safety pins through her eyebrows.

“I liked you better before,” said Casey.

“Ditto back at you.” DJ held her chin higher now.

“But you’re becoming just like the others,” said Casey. “Like a Stepford teen.” She pointed at the skirt. “Look at you, you used to hate dresses.”

“Look at you,” said DJ, pointing to a safety pin. “You used to cry if you accidentally got poked by a rosebush thorn.”

Casey almost smiled now. “Yeah, well, you’re right. People change.”

“Why?” asked DJ.

“I don’t know.”

“I think you do.”

“It’s a long story.” Casey turned away from the mirror. “And you have a date tonight.”

“Not for a—”

“And I need to use the bathroom.” Then Casey clumped off into the bathroom, firmly closing the door as if to signify the end of the conversation. And maybe that was just as well since it was a little past six now. DJ went over to Eliza’s room and knocked on the door. Kriti answered then smiled. “Don’t you look pretty.”

“Thanks,” said DJ. “Is Eliza around?”

“In here,” called Eliza from the bathroom. “Just doing some last-minute primping.” She emerged and clapped her hands. “Look at you!”

DJ did a little spin, then felt embarrassed for doing it. “But I don’t know what shoes to wear.”

Eliza studied DJ for a moment. “I have just the thing.” Then she scurried off to her closet and returned with a pretty pair of sandals, the same shade of brown as her camisole. “And you need some jewelry. Are your ears pierced?”

“No way,” said DJ as she remembered the safety pins in her roommate’s eyebrows.

Eliza laughed. “Well, then the necklace will have to do.” She came around from behind DJ and fastened a necklace. “Go and check it out.”

DJ stood in front of their mirror and smiled. “That’s nice.”

“You look great,” said Kriti.

“Thanks,” said DJ. “It’s totally different from what I’m used to.”

“We’re aware of that,” teased Eliza.

“But it feels pretty good.”

“Cool.” Eliza turned away. “Now, I better finish up. You’re going to be some serious competition tonight, girlfriend.”

DJ wanted to say that she didn’t want to compete with anyone when it came to looks, but it was too late—Eliza had closed the door behind her.

“Tell Eliza I’ll meet her downstairs, okay?”

“Sure.” Kriti held up the book she’d been reading last night. “I’m halfway done now.”

“Wow, you’re fast.”

“It’s a compelling book,” said Kriti. “And a good way to learn some American history.”

Just as DJ was going downstairs, she heard the dinner bell ring. Fortunately, they’d already informed Grandmother of their plans. But DJ was curious as to how her grandmother would react to this outfit. For that reason, she decided to make an appearance in the dining room.

“Oh, Desiree,” gushed her grandmother. “You look very pretty.” She came closer to examine her hair. “Val did a good job.”

“It was lighter than I wanted.”

“I think it’s perfect.” Grandmother stepped back as if to study her. “But stand up straight, dear.”

DJ complied.

“Better.”

“And you remember that Eliza and I are going out tonight?”

“Oh, yes, I forgot to tell Clara two fewer places. Oh well.”

The girls were starting to come in for dinner now. Taylor eyed DJ with hostile suspicion, but said nothing. Probably because Grandmother was in the room. Rhiannon gave DJ a smile and a thumbs-up. DJ wanted to ask how she was faring with her cranky roommate. Too bad she and Rhiannon couldn’t swap. Then again, DJ wasn’t sure she wanted to hear that much about Rhiannon’s religious beliefs. As difficult as Casey was being, at least she didn’t preach at her. Not that Rhiannon preached exactly. But sometimes the things she said sounded a little too high and mighty, a little too good to be true.

Then Eliza came to get DJ, saying that the guys were already there. They told the others good-bye and then, feeling like quite the socialite, DJ followed Eliza out to the foyer where Harry and Conner were waiting.

“Don’t you girls look gorgeous,” said Harry.

Conner seemed slightly surprised when he saw DJ, but then smiled. “You changed your hair.”

DJ nodded. Then as they went outside, she explained that between her grandmother, Eliza, and the hairdresser, she hadn’t really had much choice. Yet even as she said this, she thought it sounded pretty lame. Like she had suddenly turned into the victim. And that irritated her.

“It looks good,” he said, and she thanked him.

“You girls okay to ride in the Jeep?” asked Harry. “Or would you rather take your car?”

Eliza considered this then reached in her bag and handed over her keys to Harry. “My car. We want to be treated like ladies tonight.”

He grinned. “No problem.”

DJ felt a little uneasy getting into the backseat with Conner. For some reason it seemed to drive home the fact that this was a date. A real date. And her first one. Not that she planned to let that cat out of the bag.

DJ was surprised to find out that Harry had made reservations at South Port, the fanciest restaurant in town. He explained that he’d had his dad do it for him, since the restaurant owner was a friend. “And being that it’s Saturday and Labor Day weekend, they were booked. Or so they told me when I tried to get a table. But then my dad stepped in, and it was like no problem.”

DJ felt completely out of her element as they were seated at a white cloth-covered table next to the window that overlooked the bay. But then she looked across to where Eliza appeared totally relaxed. And that’s when DJ decided that she would simply imitate Eliza. When Eliza put her linen napkin in her lap, DJ followed suit. When Eliza opened the big menu, DJ did as well. She tried to be inconspicuous about it, but it got so bad that when Eliza wiped her mouth with her napkin midway through the meal, DJ did the same.

Finally, the meal was over. Eliza thanked Harry for dinner, and DJ did likewise with Conner. But as she did this, she noticed something in Conner’s expression that worried her. He seemed a little less interested in her than he had been the day before.

“Want to walk down the docks?” asked Conner. “We have about twenty minutes before the movie starts.” They all agreed, but no sooner were they on the wooden docks when DJ realized that she had a problem. The sandals that Eliza had loaned her had spike heels that kept getting caught between the boards. Eventually DJ was walking like a penguin just to keep from falling on her face. Eliza was lucky to be wearing platform sandals, and she was walking just fine. She and Harry were almost to the end of the dock by now.

“Maybe we should go back,” suggested Conner.

“Yeah,” agreed DJ. “Maybe so.” She considered simply removing the sandals and going barefoot. But the idea of putting her dirty feet back into the borrowed shoes seemed wrong. So she toughed it out.

Back on solid land, Conner leaned his head back, looked up at the sky, and let out a big breath.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

“Huh?” He turned and looked at her. “Oh, yeah. I was just thinking about school starting in three days…and soccer and stuff.”

“Oh.”

And then they just stood there without talking until Harry and Eliza came back. “We saw the funniest boat,” Eliza told them. “It was like a combination of a submarine and a boat, like something that someone had put together himself.”

“It looked like something out of a bad James Bond movie,” said Harry. “You guys should go see it.”

“Maybe later,” said Conner, glancing at his watch. “If we want to catch the beginning of the movie, we should go.”

The movie was okay…or maybe just so-so. But it was a relief to be able to just sit without talking. DJ was feeling more and more uncomfortable with this whole dating thing. She wondered why everyone acted like it was so cool. Even her dinner was starting to feel like a lump of hard clay in the pit of her stomach. More than ever she wished she’d been like Kriti, home with a good book.

After the movie, they went outside and walked the couple of blocks back to the car.

“What a gorgeous night,” said Eliza happily. Then she pointed toward the bay. “And look, there’s supposed to be a full moon tonight. I think I can see the light beginning to appear.” She grabbed Harry by the hand and began hurrying to the car. “Let’s go someplace where we can watch it come up over the water.”

So they hopped into the car, and Harry drove a few minutes away where he parked in a wide-open space that faced the bay, and they sat there and watched as the round white moon cut a bright white stripe through the water.

“Isn’t it beautiful,” gushed Eliza.

“Not as beautiful as you,” said Harry as he reached over and pulled her face toward him. Then, right in front of Conner and DJ, they began to kiss. And for some reason this just made DJ mad. If those two wanted to clean each other’s teeth, it seemed like they could’ve taken a little stroll and done it privately. She was tempted to say something, but it was just so awkward. She wanted to look at Conner and see how he was reacting, but she was worried that he might think she was hinting for him to do the same thing. And, at the moment, she was not interested. Not that she didn’t want Conner to kiss her again. She definitely did. But not like this. Not like they were simply imitating the moonstruck lovers in the front seat.

DJ folded her arms across her front and leaned back in the seat. If this car had back doors, she would most certainly have gotten out and marched away, hoping that Conner would follow. As it was, without making a complete spectacle of herself by hopping over the side of the convertible, she would have to endure this.

“Hey, maybe you guys should get a room,” said Conner finally.

Harry and Eliza slowly peeled themselves apart. “Sorry,” breathed Harry. “Guess the moon got to me.”

Eliza giggled. “Me too.”

“Want to take a moonlight stroll?” asked Harry eagerly.

“Certainly,” said Eliza. “That way we can give DJ and Conner some privacy.”

And before anyone could say anything, Harry and Eliza were out of the car and taking off down a trail.

“Well, that’s a relief,” said DJ, loosening her arms from her front and relaxing a little. “I’m not really into watching couples making out.”

“Me neither.”

Then they sat there in silence for a while. Finally Conner slipped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to him. He looked down at her with a curious expression. “You’ve changed, DJ.”

She tried not to feel exasperated. “So I’ve heard.”

Then without saying another word, he kissed her. Then he kissed her again. And she kissed him back, and before long they were going at it just as vigorously as Harry and Eliza had been. And for a brief blurry moment, DJ wondered if she was still imitating her friend. Then she blocked that thought out and simply got lost in the arms and kisses of Conner. She felt her heart racing and all sorts of amazing sensations that she had never felt before. And, although it was a little scary to feel like this, it was exciting too. And, although she wanted him to stop, so she could come up for air and gather her wits, she wanted him to just keep going too.