DJ FELT EVEN MORE FOOLISH after she got outside. What was wrong with her anyway? Why did she let Taylor get the best of her again and again? So what if Conner didn’t like her. She didn’t have to let the whole world know that she cared. DJ kept walking until she reached the girls’ locker room. She had no idea why she went there. Maybe it was one of the few places in school where she’d felt comfortable last year—almost at home. Stinky sweat socks and all. She stood in front of a sink in the bathroom and just stared at herself in the mirror. Despite the lightened hair and haircut, touch of makeup and expensive clothes, DJ knew that the same girl lived underneath. The same insecurities, same fears, same worries. Despite the pretty veneer, DJ was just the same as always.

Or perhaps not exactly the same. Suddenly she remembered that she had changed last night…she had given her life to God. But if that was real, if that was true, why did she feel so miserable right now? Shouldn’t life be going a little more smoothly? Or maybe she just needed to be patient. She took in a long deep breath, said a little prayer, and then went back out. Then just as she was walking through a breezeway that went around the west side of the gym, she heard girls’ voices, loud and angry. DJ paused at the corner and just listened.

“You are such a loser,” said one.

“What a total freak.”

“What makes you think anyone wants you here?”

“What makes you think I care?” DJ recognized this voice—it belonged to Casey.

“You better care, loser. We can make you care.”

DJ stepped around the corner in time to see three girls surrounding Casey. These weren’t mean girls like Tina and Madison, the kind who try to look good, but say cruel things and simply walk away. These were the tough kind of girls who dwelled somewhere low on the high-school food chain, the kind who thought physical violence was an acceptable form of social interaction. DJ had actually wondered if Casey might’ve tried to fit into their group, although that didn’t appear to be the case here—unless this was some kind of creepy initiation.

She quietly approached them now, wondering what she could possibly do to deter them. The thug girls’ backs were to her and Casey’s back was up against the wall. And, although her expression was fierce, her eyes looked frightened. And that’s when DJ felt a chill of fear shoot through her as well. No way did she want to end up in a street brawl with these girls, or anyone else for that matter. Not only would it be painful, it would be extremely humiliating. It was one thing to get beat on the tennis courts, but it was something altogether different to get beat up behind the gym.

She swallowed hard and pulled out her cell phone, opened it up, and pretended to be in the midst of a conversation. “Yeah, I’m out on the west side of the gym right now,” she said loudly, and the girls all turned around to see her. “It looks like my friend Casey Atwood is about to get beat up—yes, right now, even as we speak, Mrs. Seibert. There are three girls…no, I don’t know their names, but hang on, I can take their photos. That should be solid evidence.”

Then, as the girls stared at her with surprised expressions, she directed her phone at them and pretended to snap their pictures. Of course, she still had the cheapy phone that her stepmom had “splurged” on for her last year. Naturally, it wasn’t equipped with an actual camera, but what these girls didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them. She put the phone back by her ear. “Yes, they’re still here…no, they haven’t hurt her yet, but you better send help now or this school is going to have a lawsuit on its hands.”

The three girls took off, heading around the corner of the gym that led to the street, as DJ continued to have this fake conversation. When the coast seemed to be clear, she went over and grabbed Casey by the arm. “You’re coming with me,” she said firmly. And to her surprised relief, Casey didn’t even resist. “What on earth are you trying to do?” demanded DJ when they were walking through the courtyard outside of the commons, safely away from that isolated place by the gym.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, why are you hanging in places where you’re making yourself an easy target for girls like that?”

“Having a smoke.”

“Oh, Casey!” DJ sat down on a cement bench now, pulling Casey down next to her. “You are such a fool. If you really need to smoke, go out on the sidewalk in front of the school where the other smokers go. It’s not like anyone cares when you’re not on school grounds. And at least you won’t get beat up out there since it’s in plain sight of the office.”

“Oh.”

“I just do not understand you.” DJ could hear the exasperation in her voice. She knew it was partially due to the adrenaline which was still rushing through her, but she didn’t really care. Maybe Casey needed someone to yell at her just now. “You were never like this before.”

Casey frowned at her. “Neither were you.”

“Yes, but my changes are mostly on the surface, and they’re not the kind of things that put me in harm’s way. I cannot say the same about you.”

Casey just shrugged. “Hey, it’s my life.”

“But your life affects others.”

“So…”

“So, don’t be so selfish, Casey.”

Casey laughed in a cynical way. “Yeah, right. Look who’s talking.”

“Fine, I suppose I do seem selfish, but I’m just trying to get by.”

“Me too.”

“Yeah, well, you almost got beat up just now. That doesn’t sound like you’re getting by too well.”

Casey shrugged again, and this made DJ seriously irritated.

“Well, thanks anyway,” said Casey as she stood.

“Would you be a little more careful?” asked DJ as she stood. “At least go out in front of the school next time you have a nicotine fit.”

“Yeah…” Casey’s voice broke slightly now. Like maybe DJ had actually gotten through to her. In fact, she looked on the brink of tears—now that could totally unravel her tough-girl act!

Suddenly, DJ felt genuinely sorry for Casey, and she did something that she probably should’ve done on the day Casey had arrived in Crescent Cove; she reached out and hugged her old friend. At first it felt like Casey was pulling away…and then she sort of gave in to it.

“I do not know what your problem is,” said DJ as she continued to hug her, “but I still love you, Casey. You were like a sister to me, and I’m not willing to just let that go now. When you’re ready to get real and talk, I’m ready to listen.” When she finally released her from the bear hug, DJ noticed that Casey’s eyes were glistening with tears.

“Yeah, right,” said Casey in a gruff voice. “Thanks, DJ.”

“Get a load of the lesbians,” said a slightly familiar girl’s voice. DJ looked over to see Tina pointing at them now. “Why don’t you two dykes get a room?” she teased, making Madison and several others laugh.

“Why don’t you get a life?” DJ tossed back in anger. As Casey slipped off, DJ noticed that some of her friends, including Conner, were also in the crowd of onlookers. Well, it just figured. Still, DJ held her head high as she turned and walked away. What difference did it really make what they thought of her anyway? Why should she even care?

Her next class was drama, which seemed appropriate, although she wondered why she’d taken it—probably because it sounded easy. Now, despite the ravenous growling in her stomach, she kept walking toward the auditorium where the drama class was supposed to meet. Too bad she hadn’t had the sense to take her cheeseburger with her when she’d made her hasty exit from the cafeteria.

“Hey, wait,” called a voice from behind her. She turned to see Rhiannon jogging to catch her.

“What’s up?” asked DJ as they walked together.