Stealing Bradford

About thirty minutes into the movie, the pizzas arrived. DJ had asked them to hold her earlier order and deliver them both together, along with a selection of sodas. Fortunately, Eliza offered to cover the bill, and Taylor, probably just wanting attention, threw in a pretty generous tip. Conner helped DJ bring the order in, but when they got back, Taylor and Bradford had taken their spot and were now sitting together on the couch. As she set the food items on the oversized coffee table, DJ tossed Taylor a glance, which Taylor ignored. Then she and Conner made themselves comfortable on the big floor cushions.

The movie was actually pretty good in a corny, old-fashioned sort of way. One of the underlying themes had to do with prejudice, and DJ was surprised that a goofy musical made fifty years ago would contain such a strong statement.

“Don’t you guys think that Taylor should play Liat?” suggested Bradford.

“You mean because she’s so sweet and innocent,” teased Eliza.

“No, he means because my skin is dark like hers,” said Taylor.

“So is Bloody Mary’s,” said DJ. “Maybe Taylor should play her…or would that be considered typecasting?”

Taylor gave DJ a withering look. And DJ suddenly remembered she’d be sharing this girl’s room tonight. “Just kidding,” said DJ quickly. “Actually, Taylor does look a little bit like Liat.”

“Why thank you,” said Taylor.

“I think Eliza should play Nellie,” said Harry fondly. “Wouldn’t she be perfect?”

“That depends on whether she can sing or not,” said Taylor in a slightly snooty tone. She peered at Eliza. “Can you?” Eliza gave her a coy look then shrugged. “I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

“Bradford can sing,” said Harry. “Maybe he can play the Lieutenant.” Bradford grinned and slipped his arm around Taylor now. “Yeah, I’ll be Joe Cable, and you can be my Polynesian baby.”

“And by the end of the show, you’ll be dead,” she said as she stood up.

He made a sad face. “But you’ll be crying for me.”

“When are auditions anyway?” asked Harry.

“Next week.”

“Sorry to end the party,” announced DJ when she noticed the clock. “But we’re supposed to vacate this room by ten on school nights.”

“Not that Mrs. Carter would notice,” said Taylor with a yawn. “But I’m sleepy anyway.” That seemed to break it up. Eliza and DJ saw the guys to the door, but DJ could tell that Bradford was disappointed when Taylor didn’t do the same.

“Thanks for everything,” said Conner as they went down into the yard for what she suspected would be a more private good night.

“Thanks for coming,” said DJ.

Then he leaned down and kissed her. “See ya tomorrow.”

“See ya.” She stepped away from him and went back on the porch and waved. Eliza and Harry were still standing by the Jeep. Maybe Eliza planned to stay out there all night, but DJ did not. She went into the house and closed the door. She wished she’d thought to ask Conner who’d invited them here tonight, but she felt pretty certain it was Taylor’s doing. Just one more subtle way to ensure that she was stealing Bradford from Rhiannon. Well, at least Rhiannon didn’t have to sit down there and witness the whole thing herself. That’s probably what Taylor had intended.

Then, as DJ went up the stairs, she remembered that starting tonight she was Taylor’s new roommate. Oh, what had she been thinking? Of course, she’d felt sorry for Rhiannon, but surely there could be a better way. Perhaps DJ could sleep in the library. She could sneak a sleeping bag down there, tuck it behind the couch during the day and—

“DJ,” Taylor was leaning over the railing on of the landing, “I hear that you’re my new roomie.”

DJ rolled her eyes. “Yeah, so?”

“Oh, don’t get so excited,” said Taylor. “I’m only doing this for Rhiannon.”

“Whatever you say.” Taylor didn’t seem convinced.

“I am. It seemed totally unfair for her to be stuck with you after all you’ve done to her.”

“All I’ve done to her?” Taylor shook her head. “Like I’m the Wicked Witch of the West. Whatever.”

Out of habit, DJ started to go into her own room.

“Oops,” said Taylor. “Wrong room.”

“I need to get some things.”

“You sure?” asked Taylor. “Looked to me like Rhiannon got you pretty much moved.”

“Maybe I just want to check and make sure,” said DJ. This time she knocked first and then went in.

Rhiannon was sitting on what had been DJ’s bed. And Casey was sitting across from her. It looked as if they’d been in the midst of a serious conversation. “Sorry to interrupt,” she said uncomfortably. “I just wanted to see if there was anything else to move.” She glanced around at what had been her old room. First hers alone…then hers and Casey’s. Already it felt different.

“I think I got it all, but feel free to look around,” said Rhiannon. “Casey showed me what was yours in the bathroom. We just took the last of it over.”

DJ walked around and looked, but it did seem that every trace of her had been removed from the room. “You okay with this, Casey?” she asked. “We didn’t have a chance to warn you.”

“Yeah, it’s fine. You snore anyway, DJ.”

“I do not.”