Then, tired of the noise, Conner and DJ slipped out.

“What did you think of what the youth pastor said?” DJ asked as Conner drove them through town. “I mean the part about how God can make even the messy parts of our lives into something good?”

“Interesting…”

“Yeah. Kind of gives a person hope.”

When they got to Carter House, they sat outside in Conner’s pickup for a while, just talking. But after awhile, they saw Bradford’s car pulling up behind them and Taylor and Rhiannon hopped out and went inside. Then Conner walked DJ to the door, gave her a quick hug and a kiss and said good night.

“I saw that,” teased Taylor, when DJ came in.

“Saw what?”

“That little peck on the porch.”

“Someone pecked the porch?”

Taylor rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”

“You shouldn’t be spying on people.”

“I couldn’t help myself.”

“Where’s Rhiannon?”

“Upstairs…” Taylor frowned.

“What’s wrong?”

“Rhiannon’s mad at me.”

“Rhiannon? Mad?” DJ shook her head. “Somehow I find that hard to believe.”

“It’s true.”

“Why?”

“She thinks I’m trying to get Bradford.”

“Are you?”

Taylor just shrugged. “I can’t help it if guys like me.”

“Right.” DJ shook her head as she went up the stairs. Conner was right. That girl was a man-eater. But why?

9

AS IT TURNED OUT, Rhiannon wasn’t mad at Taylor as much as she was hurt. She explained the whole thing to DJ the next day as they walked to drama together.

“I guess I’m a sucker,” she admitted. “But I actually thought Taylor just wanted to go to youth group.”

“But she really just wanted to put a move on Bradford,” finished DJ.

“I don’t want to judge her, DJ. Besides, it probably doesn’t matter now anyway.” Rhiannon looked the other way, like she wanted this conversation to end.

“Why not?”

Rhiannon turned and looked at DJ with tears in her eyes. “Because it seems that Bradford really is interested in Taylor.”

“No!” DJ grabbed Rhiannon’s arm and stopped walking. “That can’t be true.”

“It is.” Okay, now DJ thought she heard a trace of bitterness in Rhiannon’s voice. Like maybe this wasn’t as okay as she was trying to make it seem.

“How do you know that for sure?”

“To start with, they were joking around a lot last night, and I tried to make myself believe he was simply being nice, making her feel welcome at youth group and all. But then I couldn’t help but notice he was really looking at her, you know, in a way that gets your attention. But then I told myself that I was just imagining things.” Rhiannon let out a long sigh and looked away again. DJ could tell she was fighting to hold back the tears.

“You’re probably right,” proclaimed DJ, “he was just being nice.”

“No!” Rhiannon firmly shook her head.

“What do you mean no?” But even as she said this, DJ observed Taylor coming out of the courtyard toward them. So she grabbed Rhiannon by the elbow and started walking again. “Come on,” she said. “We can walk and talk. First off, I want to know how you can possibly think that Bradford likes her. And then explain to me, if he does, why you and Bradford went off by yourselves during lunch.”

“Because he wanted to tell me—privately—that we’re just going to be friends from now on.” Rhiannon’s expression was grim.

DJ got the picture. “Oh, Rhiannon. I’m so sorry.” She frowned. How could this be happening to someone as sweet and kind as Rhiannon? “What about God?” she demanded suddenly. “Have you prayed about this? Maybe he can make Bradford come back to you.”

Rhiannon kind of laughed, but there was no happiness in it. “I don’t think God works like that.”

“But you told me—”

“It’s okay.” Rhiannon made a very forced smile. “Besides, do you remember what Rod said last night?”

“Rod who?”

“The youth pastor.”

“Right.” DJ frowned as she tried to remember.

“Were you paying attention?”

“Yeah…but it’s kind of cloudy.”

“Rod talked about how God wants to use the junk in our lives to make something fresh and alive and new.”

“Oh yeah, his theory was that it takes stinky manure to make things grow.”

“It’s not a theory, DJ. It’s in the Bible…well, sort of…and it’s a fact of life too.”

“Even so, I can’t help but be ticked at Bradford. That is so low on his part. And I thought he was a Christian. Shouldn’t he act differently?”

“Let’s drop it for now.” Rhiannon looked over DJ’s shoulder and waved. “Hey, Taylor,” she called in a voice that sounded tight and forced, like she was going all out to be nice when she really wanted to smack that girl. Or maybe DJ was imagining things. “Going to drama?”

“Where else?” said Taylor as she joined them.

DJ couldn’t believe that Rhiannon could be this civilized to Taylor of all people. And DJ was determined not to do the same—she wouldn’t even give Taylor the time of day.

“What’s your problem?” Taylor asked DJ as they entered the auditorium.

“What do you mean?” DJ gave her an innocent look.

“I mean why are you acting like such a grumpy girl? Did you get kicked off the volleyball team or something?”

DJ just shrugged, but didn’t answer. Out of respect for Rhiannon, she was determined to keep her mouth shut. Still, she was fuming.

“Hey, girls,” said Eliza as she joined them. “It’s the big day.”

“Big day?” asked DJ, confused.

“Mr. Harper’s going to announce which play we’ll be doing.”

“Oh, right.” Not for the first time, DJ wondered why she’d taken drama. Oh, sure it was sort of fun, but when it came to acting, DJ felt fairly certain she would make a complete fool of herself. Hopefully, she could get a backstage assignment and avoid the limelight altogether. Rhiannon had mentioned that she primarily wanted to work on sets. Maybe DJ could be her assistant.

“Okay, class,” said Mr. Harper from the stage. “It’s time to unveil the choice for the next CCH production, but first I’ll give you some clues. For starters it’s a musical.”

Some of the kids, including DJ, groaned.

“Second, it’s written by Rogers and Hammerstein.”

“Is Harper gay?” whispered Taylor and those close enough to hear it laughed, although DJ did not. Fortunately, Mr. Harper didn’t seem to hear, not that he’d care, since most kids knew he was married, and that his pretty wife, Mrs. Harper, taught English.

“Third, it’s a war story.” He paused and looked out over the class now. “Any guesses?”

“White Christmas?” shouted a girl.

“No, but that’s a good guess…although White Christmas was an Irving Berlin production.”

“Sure he’s not gay?” said Taylor a bit more loudly, followed by more laughter.

“No, he’s not gay,” said Mr. Harper. “Did you have a guess, Miss Mitchell?”

“Did Mitzi Gaynor star in it?”

He looked surprised and then nodded. “Care to wager a guess?”

“That’s okay. I don’t want to spoil your surprise.”

“Okay, my fourth clue is that it’s set in an exotic location.” Now he pantomimed a drummer as someone behind the scenes played the audio for a drum roll. “We will be performing South Pacific!“

Some of the kids cheered, some clapped, but most of them seemed unfamiliar with the choice. Taylor feigned a yawn. What an actress.

“Okay,” he said, pointing toward the movie screen, which was already in place. “Let’s roll some film.”

The movie was actually sort of interesting once they got into it, but DJ wasn’t too sure about all that singing and dancing. She, for one, couldn’t carry a tune in a wheelbarrow. Then, when the movie stopped in the middle of an exciting scene, everyone moaned and complained.