Spring Breakdown
Page 17
Kriti gave Taylor a half smile. But DJ knew Kriti wasn’t concerned about graduating—that was a given. Kriti was obsessed with getting top honors at Crescent Cove High, even more so since she recently received her letter of acceptance from Harvard.
“Hopefully none of the Carter House girls need to worry about graduation.” Grandmother scanned the girls around the breakfast table. “I can only assume that all of you are maintaining your grades.”
“Of course,” DJ assured her. Naturally, she wasn’t going to admit what kind of grades that they were all maintaining. And DJ had actually been applying herself to her studies for most of the year. In fact, since returning to classes after spring break, it seemed that all the girls had gotten more diligent about school…and life in general. How long this sense of serious sobriety (both figuratively and literally) would last was anyone’s guess. But DJ was not complaining.
“Here’s a thought.” Eliza’s eyes lit up. “Instead of focusing on how long it is until graduation, why not focus on the fact we have only two weeks until prom.”
“Like it’s possible to forget,” DJ tossed back at her. “Everywhere you turn in school there’s a glossy, glitzy poster in your face—and half of them belong to Miss Eliza Wilton.”
“So you’ve probably noticed the rest of them belong to Madison Dormont and Haley Callahan,” retorted Eliza. “And I would really appreciate it if the Carter House girls would back me in my campaign a little more.” She looked hopefully at Grandmother. “Don’t you agree, Mrs. Carter? Shouldn’t we all support each other like a family?”
Grandmother gave DJ a frustrated look. She’d already questioned why DJ had no interest in running for prom queen, but DJ had adamantly answered, “No way!” Grandmother now smiled and nodded. “Yes, of course, Eliza, all the girls should be perfectly willing to help you. It would be wonderful to have a Carter House girl as prom queen.”
“Great. I’m going to have a campaign strategy meeting Sunday night and I’d like all of you to attend.” Eliza beamed. “And it will be catered.”
DJ suppressed the urge to say whooptie do!
“And I thought this weekend might be a good time for everyone to model their gowns,” Eliza continued, this time aiming her words at Grandmother. “We can have a fashion critique night with Mrs. Carter as judge. Doesn’t that sound like fun?”
Fun like a root canal, thought DJ.
“Not everyone’s dress will be ready this weekend,” Rhiannon protested.
Eliza nodded knowingly in DJ’s direction. “Yes, so I’ve heard. Some girls seem to be dragging their heels—as if they think the Fairy Godmother is going to show up and wave her magic wand…right, DJ?”
DJ laughed. “Yeah, that sounds like a good idea to me.”
Eliza had been pestering everyone about prom dresses for the past couple of weeks now—ever since her mom had shipped her a beautiful gown from Paris, which she’d already sent out for alterations. So far only Kriti had caved to the pressure, allowing Eliza to drag her out formal shopping last weekend. Kriti probably gave in just to shut Eliza up so she could study without interruption.
“But what will you wear if the Fairy Godmother doesn’t show?” continued Eliza. “Your soccer uniform perhaps?”
DJ rolled her eyes. “Give me a break, Eliza. I’ll have a dress in time for the prom.”
“I can only imagine what kind of lame dress you’ll manage to dig up at the last minute. And, please, don’t go to one of those rental places.” Eliza made an expression that strangely resembled Grandmother. “Honestly, DJ, why do you insist on waiting until the last minute for anything that’s remotely related to fashion? It’s like you get some kind of thrill out of being difficult.”
DJ just shrugged and picked up her coffee cup. She was tempted to remind Eliza that DJ wasn’t the only one without a prom dress. But what difference would it make? Once Eliza got stuck on something like this, she was like a pit bull. Sure, she might be a pit bull dressed in a pink Marc Jacobs jacket and lip gloss—but a pit bull all the same. Lately DJ had begun to suspect this fixation on prom was simply Eliza’s cover-up…a way to conceal the troubles that lay beneath. Even the fact that she and Lane had recently begun dating felt like a distraction device. It seemed that Eliza was so caught up in creating her “perfect” little world that she never had time to think about the traumatic kidnapping incident in Palm Beach a couple weeks ago. Like it had never even happened. And, according to Rhiannon (Eliza’s roommate), Eliza had lied to Grandmother, saying that she’d informed her parents about the whole thing when she really hadn’t.
“FYI,” Taylor announced lightly, “DJ and I will be going prom dress shopping this weekend.” She glanced at DJ. “Right, Roomie?”
DJ shrugged then noticed that Grandmother was eyeing her with interest. “That sounds like a good plan, DJ. Just don’t forget we have modeling class on Saturday morning. You girls all know that the Mother’s Day Fashion Show is only three weeks away, but you might not know it’s completely sold out. It could well be Crescent Cove’s biggest fundraising event ever. Just this week, Mayor Daschall told me how proud he is of the Carter House girls. He wants the newspaper to do a feature article on you girls the week before the fashion show. He’s actually calling you girls the future first citizens of the next generation.”
DJ held back the groan that was threatening to erupt as her grandmother droned on about how the Carter House girls were such fine examples. Was the mayor as delusional as Grandmother? Or were they all in deep, deep denial? Even so, DJ felt a tiny stab of pity for the old woman. She actually seemed to care about the girls…and she’d been a pretty good sport these past few weeks—especially in light of what they’d all gone through during spring break. DJ had honestly expected Grandmother to send all the girls packing once they’d gotten home. But, other than a rather lengthy lecture and stern warning about abiding by the house rules, she hadn’t. As a result DJ had been trying to be more positive and cooperative lately. But hearing the mayor’s praise of the girls made DJ want to scream. If only he knew the truth.
As Grandmother wound down her little pep talk, Casey quietly excused herself. It seemed that everyone at the table was subdued now. Perhaps they all felt a bit of guilt. Future first citizens of the next generation…with the kinds of problems these girls had experienced this past year? It was psychotic.
And, unless DJ was mistaken, their problems weren’t over with yet. DJ watched as Casey silently exited the dining room. It felt like Casey was trying to slip beneath the radar, like she had something to hide. DJ honestly didn’t know what to make of her anymore. Despite the fact that Casey had retracted the confession she’d made at Palm Beach, DJ still had a feeling that it could be true.
Oh, she knew it made no sense, but she still had this nagging fear that Casey really could be pregnant. And yet Casey had firmly denied this possibility. She’d explicitly told DJ that she’d been mistaken—false alarm, no harm no foul, end of story. And after that she refused even to discuss it. And, really, why would Casey lie? DJ just needed to let it go and forget about it.
Of course, it didn’t help matters that Casey had started dating Seth again. Oh, like the other Carter House girls, she’d definitely calmed down her social life these past few weeks, but DJ had been disappointed to see Casey and Seth still together. Didn’t Casey get that Seth was bad news? Didn’t she see the way he treated her, how he took her for granted, and how he was after only one thing? Still, just like Taylor had hinted more than once, maybe DJ needed to back off. “All you can do is warn her and wait,” Taylor had said. “You start pushing her and she’ll probably just go the other direction.” And Taylor should know since she’d been there herself not so very long ago.
Just the same, DJ found it hard to give up on her old friend and that’s why she excused herself and hurried off in hopes of catching Casey. She’d invite her to shop for prom dresses. But Casey had already grabbed her bag and was on her way back down.
“Hey, Case,” DJ
said as she casually blocked the way. “Why don’t you come shopping with Taylor and me on Saturday?”
Casey’s brow creased. “Well, for one thing, I’m just about flat broke.”
“But I thought you were going to the prom with Seth—don’t you need a dress?”
“I do. But Rhiannon offered to help me with it.”
“Oh…that’s nice of her.”
“Maybe…” Casey’s scowl deepened. “In exchange I have to go to youth group with her for the next three weeks.”
DJ grinned. Score points for Rhiannon!
“Yeah, it figures that would make you happy.”
DJ heard the other girls coming out of the dining room. They’d be heading for the stairs and their last-minute grabs before school.
“It’s just that I care about you,” DJ said quickly. “And I’d really like to talk to you—”
“Later.” Casey cut her off, pushed past her, and hurried down the stairs.
Carter House Girls Series from Melody Carlson
Mix six teenage girls and one ‘60s fashion icon (retired, of course) in an old Victorian-era boarding home. Add boys and dating, a little high school angst, and throw in a Kate Spade bag or two…and you’ve got the Carter House Girls, Melody Carlson’s new chick lit series for young adults!
Mixed Bags
Book One
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71488-0
Stealing Bradford
Book Two
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71489-7
Homecoming Queen
Book Three
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71490-3
Viva Vermont!
Book Four
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71491-0
Lost in Las Vegas
Book Five
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71492-7
New York Debut
Book Six
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71493-4
A Sweet Seasons Novel from Debbie Viguié!
They’re fun! They’re quirky! They’re Sweet Seasons—unlike any other books you’ve ever read. You could call them alternative, God-honoring chick lit. Join Candy Thompson on a sweet, lighthearted, and honest romp through the friendships, romances, family, school, faith, and values that make a girl’s life as full as it can be.
The Summer of Cotton Candy
Book One
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71558-0
The Fall of Candy Corn
Book Two
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71559-7
The Winter of Candy Canes
Book Three
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71752-2
The Spring of Candy Apples
Book Four
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71753-9
Other Books By Melody Carlson:
Carter House Girls series
Mixed Bags (Book One)
Stealing Bradford (Book Two)
Homecoming Queen (Book Three)
Viva Vermont! (Book Four)
Lost in Las Vegas (Book Five)
New York Debut (Book Six)
Girls of 622 Harbor View series
Project: Girl Power (Book One)
Project: Mystery Bus (Book Two)
Project: Rescue Chelsea (Book Three)
Project: Take Charge (Book Four)
Project: Raising Faith (Book Five)
Project: Run Away (Book Six)
Project: Ski Trip (Book Seven)
Project: Secret Admirer (Book Eight)
Books for Teens
The Secret Life of Samantha McGregor series
Diary of a Teenage Girl series
TrueColors series
Notes from a Spinning Planet series
Degrees series
Piercing Proverbs
By Design series
Women’s Fiction
These Boots Weren’t Made for Walking
On This Day
An Irish Christmas
The Christmas Bus
Crystal Lies
Finding Alice
Three Days
Grace Chapel Inn Series, including
Hidden History
Ready to Wed
Back Home Again
Copyright
ZONDERVAN
Spring Breakdown
Copyright © 2010 by Melody Carlson
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Zondervan.
ePub Edition May 2010 ISBN: 978-0-310-42949-4
Requests for information should be addressed to:
Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530
* * *
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Carlson, Melody.
Spring breakdown / Melody Carlson.
p. cm.—(Carter House girls ; bk. 7)
Summary: The wealthy fashion students in Mrs. Carter’s boardinghouse spend a
quiet spring break in Florida until the boys from Crescent Cove arrive and heiress
Eliza goes missing.
ISBN 978-0-310-71494-1 (softcover)
[1. Boardinghouses—Fiction. 2. Interpersonal relations—Fiction. 3. Spring break—Fiction. 4. Kidnapping—Fiction. 5. Conduct of life—Fiction. 6. Christian life—Fiction. 7. Florida—Fiction.] I. Title.
PZ7.C216637Bg 2010
[Fic]—dc22
2009013983
* * *
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