As fate would have it, DJ’s relief was cut short when she discovered that Taylor was also in seventh-period PE. It just figured.
DJ tried to pretend she hadn’t seen Taylor, as she went over to a corner to dress down. It wasn’t that she didn’t want anyone to watch her undressing—since she’d done sports for years, she was totally used to all that. It was simply to avoid Taylor.
“Why are you over here by yourself?” asked Taylor as she joined her.
“It’s quieter over here,” mumbled DJ as she pulled on her old soccer shorts.
“Mind if I join you?”
DJ shrugged. “Whatever.”
Taylor set her oversized Burberry bag on the bench and dug through it until she pulled out a neatly rolled pale blue parcel, about the size of a loaf of bread. DJ tried to appear like she wasn’t looking, but she was curious. Then Taylor unrolled this little package to reveal a pale blue pair of micro-fiber shorts and matching tank wrapped around a pair of rather delicate-looking sports shoes with ankle socks tucked inside. Okay, maybe Taylor knew how to pack, but her taste in athletic wear was suspect.
“Those shoes don’t look very substantial,” said DJ as she pulled on her T-shirt.
“Looks can be deceiving,” said Taylor as she unbuttoned her top.
“Yeah,” said DJ, trying not to stare at Taylor’s lacy bra that was literally overflowing with what DJ felt certain must be silicone implants. Like how was it possible that someone that skinny could be built like that? “I know.”
“You don’t like me, do you?” said Taylor as she pulled the tank over her head.
“You’re not wearing a sports bra?” asked DJ in sincere alarm.
Taylor laughed in a cynical way as she smoothed the sleek tank top down around her slim midriff. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
DJ nodded and then focused her attention on tying her shoes. Whatever. Why should she care if Taylor didn’t?
“You don’t, do you?” said Taylor.
“Don’t what?” DJ looked up now. “Wear a sports bra? Sure, I do. I may not be as big on top as you are, but just the same I don’t like the girls bouncing all over the place.”
Taylor laughed in a way that actually sounded slightly sincere. “That’s not what I meant.”
DJ frowned. “What did you mean?”
“I mean, you don’t like me, do you?”
DJ put her clothes and things into her basket now, shoved it back into the rack and closed the lock with a loud snap. “It’s hard to like someone who’s always attacking you,” said DJ as she stood and faced her.
“Attacking you?” Taylor looked truly offended now.
DJ scowled. “Like you don’t know what you do.”
“I’ve never attacked you, DJ.”
“No,” said DJ with sarcasm. “I suppose not…”
“I’ll admit that I’ve jerked your chain a little,” Taylor said as she slipped on her shoes and closed the Velcro straps. “But that’s just because you’re fun to mess with.”
“Well, maybe I don’t like being messed with.” DJ put her hands on her hips and glared at her. “Maybe I don’t like being humiliated in front of my friends.”
“For someone who doesn’t like being humiliated, you seem to bring a fair amount of it on yourself. For instance the little love scene between you and Casey out in the courtyard today. Like what was up with that anyway?”
Okay, DJ really wanted to let her have it. She wanted to say something sarcastic and mean back, something hurtful and rude, but instead she paused and considered her response. And for a change she decided simply to speak the truth.
“I’ll tell you what was up with that, Taylor. Casey and I have been friends since we were babies. Casey’s mom was my mom’s best friend. Casey is like family. And right now Casey is hurting. I don’t know what’s happened or why she’s so different now, but I do know I haven’t been very kind to her. I decided it was time to change that.”
Taylor blinked. “Oh.”
“If some people want to make that into something that it’s not, it just shows how ignorant they are. I guess I’d hope that you’re not one of them.”
Taylor actually smiled now. But DJ couldn’t tell if it was sincere or one of those I’m-gonna-get-you-when-you-least-expect-it smiles. Perhaps it made no difference. Maybe what mattered most was that DJ had stood up to her, and she’d done it without resorting to meanness.
4
“GOOD GAME,” SAID TAYLOR. Then she reached over to give DJ a high five. DJ tried not to look too stunned as Taylor slapped her palm. They were walking back to the gym after an energetic soccer match that Mrs. Pandretti had called an icebreaker. As usual, Taylor had shone. But now that they were finished, she didn’t even look sweaty. How was that even possible?
“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that you’re good in soccer,” admitted DJ. “So far I haven’t seen anything you’re not good at.” Well, except for being nice, she thought, but had the good sense not to say out loud.
“Well, thanks,” said Taylor. “I take that as high praise coming from you.”
DJ frowned. “What does that mean?”
“It means you’re a pretty good athlete yourself.”
Okay, had DJ just been zapped into the Twilight Zone? Had Taylor really given her a compliment? Or was this actually some kind of setup? “Thanks,” muttered DJ, preparing herself for Taylor to jerk the rug out from under her.
“I know I give you a bad time about smelling like sweat socks and all that, but I used to do sports too.”
“Really?” DJ turned to study Taylor more closely as they walked. Was this girl up to something?
“Yeah, but then I sort of outgrew sports…or maybe I just grew into boys.”
“I don’t see why you can’t enjoy both,” said DJ.
Taylor shrugged as she removed the barrette that had been keeping her mane of dark curly hair back, giving her head a shake and fluffing her hair with her fingers so that it looked almost perfect. “Maybe some girls can.” Okay, there was definitely a jab in that statement, even if it was a small one.
“Well, I wouldn’t ever give up something that I loved doing just for a guy,” said DJ with heartfelt conviction.
“Neither would I,” said Taylor. “But I suppose that I just don’t love sports as much as you do.”
“What do you love?” asked DJ as they entered the locker room.
Taylor laughed. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
Well, maybe it was only baby steps, but DJ thought perhaps she’d made some kind of headway with this strange girl. At least she hadn’t been publicly humiliated again. Even so, DJ knew she needed to keep watching her backside when it came to Taylor. She might be acting civilized right now, but there was still a wild animal beneath that perfect veneer. And those claws were sharp.
“Why aren’t you getting dressed?” asked Taylor as DJ sat on the bench mulling these things over.
“Volleyball,” said DJ.
Taylor rolled her eyes. “Oh yes, I almost forgot.”
“I bet you’re good at that too,” said DJ.
Taylor gave her a look that was noncommittal, but DJ sensed the confidence beneath it.
“Oh, crap,” said DJ, slapping her forehead.