Last Dance (11 page)

“Can I even do that?” DJ looked to Grandmother, but her expression was blank.

“Of course you can,” Mrs. Wilton assured her. “Eliza’s father is already negotiating something with the dean of admissions. We suspect they may have declined Eliza’s application simply to get us to up our donations. But I think if Eliza could go to visit there with you, DJ, you’re just a normal sort of girl…well, perhaps that would help Eliza to be seen in a different light.”

DJ blinked. “Seriously?”

“Absolutely. Are you willing?”

DJ glanced over to see Eliza looking at her with big blue puppy-dog eyes. “Sure,” DJ told Mrs. Wilton, “I don’t see why not.” She almost added that she didn’t really plan on going to Yale, so even if Eliza made a bad impression, it wouldn’t matter much. But, for Grandmother’s sake, she didn’t.

“Good.” Mrs. Wilton smiled at DJ. “Now, if you girls will excuse us, Mrs. Carter and I need to discuss some more details.”

“No problem.” DJ was eager to get out of there.

Once they were out of the room, Eliza threw her arms around DJ in a tight hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

DJ hugged her back. “I’m glad you’re back.” She laughed as they stepped apart. “And there was a time when I never would’ve guessed I would say something like that.”

“I know.” Eliza grinned sheepishly. “I’ve been a spoiled brat for most of the year. And I’ve gone out of my way to make you miserable.”

“Well…” DJ gave her a half smile.

“And I can’t promise that I’ll never go back to my old snooty-pants ways.” She made a face. “The truth is I really
like
being a princess.”

At least Eliza was being honest. DJ considered the whole princess thing. It had never appealed to her, but Eliza seemed to need it. “Maybe the problem isn’t in being a princess—but in being a
selfish
princess. I don’t think anyone would mind if you were a
nice
princess.”

Eliza nodded. “That’s exactly what I’m going to try to do.”

And for Eliza’s sake, DJ hoped that she’d succeed. After all, Eliza had mostly hurt herself when she played the role of entitled royalty. A spoiled princess stepped on toes and made enemies. Really, what was the point?

ELIZA’S MOTHER JOINED THEM FOR DINNER
that evening. And after Grandmother said grace, Eliza asked if she could say something.

“Certainly.” Grandmother smiled at her.

Eliza stood. As usual, she was the picture of elegant perfection in what must’ve been a new and probably expensive outfit, possibly from Paris. Even DJ could appreciate the chic simplicity of the perfectly cut sleeveless linen top and sleek pants in complementary shades of pale blue, accented with delicate jewelry that probably was the real deal. Eliza really could pass for royalty. “I just want to thank everyone for working on my prom queen campaign while I was gone,” Eliza began. “And I want to say that I don’t deserve the kindness you have all shown to me. I know I’ve acted like a spoiled brat for most of this year, and I know I’ve hurt everyone at this table. For that I’m sorry. And I’m going to try to do better. I really am.” She looked around the table. “Some of you might think I’m just saying this because my mother is here, but I’m saying it because I realize that I’ve been selfish and self-centered and, as DJ put it, ‘a selfish princess.’”

Several people, including her mother, laughed at this.

“The truth is I
like
being a princess, but I’m going to try to take DJ’s advice and be a
nice
princess. And for my first gesture as a nice princess, I’ve made all of you an appointment at Yo-bushi’s Day Spa on Saturday—pedicures, manicures, facials, the works…my treat. We’ll
all
be princesses!”

After the girls expressed their gratitude, Grandmother cleared her throat. “That’s very generous of you, Eliza, and I’m sure everyone appreciates it. But I hope you didn’t forget that we have a short modeling practice on Saturday morning.”

“I asked that all the appointments be scheduled for after eleven,” Eliza told her.

“Perfect.” Grandmother nodded to Clara to begin serving.

It seemed that all the girls were on their best behavior during dinner. Whether it was to impress Mrs. Wilton, or in gratitude of Eliza’s spa gift, or simply that they were relieved to have Eliza back, DJ wasn’t sure. But she could tell that Eliza’s mother was impressed. Even Casey, who’d been grumpy all day, seemed to be trying to act normal.

“I must say,” Mrs. Wilton declared as they were finishing dinner, “you are a lovely group of young ladies.” She turned to Grandmother. “It seems you’re doing a better job with your Carter House girls than I had thought.”

DJ suppressed the urge to laugh. And, to be fair, maybe Grandmother had done a better job than DJ had thought too. Or maybe the girls were simply growing up. Or both.

“I have an announcement,” Kriti said. “Daisy has asked for us to have an emergency campaign meeting for Eliza’s prom queen campaign at seven thirty. We’ll meet in the ballroom.”

“Well, it’s almost seven thirty now,” Grandmother told them.

So they began to excuse themselves, and before long they were gathered in the ballroom, where Daisy took center stage.

“We all have to do everything we can for Eliza’s campaign tomorrow,” Daisy told them. “I’ve just heard that Haley’s being dragged through the mud.”

“How’s that?” asked DJ.

“They’re talking about her on MySpace, reminding everyone about when she tried to kill herself last fall, saying she’s unstable now, and that she’s got an eating disorder, and all kinds of other things.”

“Isn’t that slander?” Kriti asked.

“Not if it’s true,” Taylor told them. “It’s only slander if it’s false.”

“Is it true?” Daisy asked. “Does anyone know?”

“Some of it’s true,” DJ admitted. “Not that it’s a reason to publicize it on MySpace. Or a reason for Haley to lose votes.”

“According to my sources, that’s what’s happening.”

“Who are your sources?” DJ demanded.

Daisy looked slightly embarrassed.

“Come on,” DJ urged her. “Who have you been talking to?”

Daisy made a weak smile. “My little sister is best friends with Madison’s little sister—they’re in middle school together.”

“You’re using your little sister as a spy?” Rhiannon asked.

“Not really. It’s just that my little sister is really yappy,” Daisy explained. “I mean, she just opens her mouth and everything comes flying out.”

They laughed.

“So anyway,” Daisy continued, “Madison is feeling really confident, and according to Lucy, my little sister, she is pulling out all the stops tomorrow. Lucy says Madison is going to win prom queen.”

“Lucy says?” DJ made a face. “No offense, Daisy but Lucy is in middle school…how can she possibly know who’s going to win?”

Daisy kind of shrugged. “I don’t know…but I just thought everyone should know.”

“The point is,” Eliza said, “I’m going to have to work hard to get votes tomorrow. And I appreciate any help you guys can give me. I had planned to have some really awesome giveaways for the last day, but because of, well, everything…that’s not happening.” She pointed to a couple of grocery bags. “But I did grab these things this afternoon.”

“What did you get?” DJ asked.

Eliza reached into the bag and pulled out some packages of candy. “Not very polished, but I thought it was better than nothing.”

“Hey, a lot of kids will think it’s perfect,” DJ assured her.

Then Kriti and Daisy began scheduling the girls to manage the campaign tables before school and at noon. After that, the voting would begin.

“I just want to thank you all,” Eliza said finally. “You have no idea how much your support means to me. And even if I don’t win, I’ll always remember that you girls were backing me. Thanks!”

On Friday morning, to help get things set up for Eliza, they all left for school earlier than usual. As she drove, DJ tried to ignore Casey’s complaints from the backseat. “I don’t see why we’re all suddenly doing backflips for Eliza,” she groused. “I mean, just because she’s all goodness and light now. You can bet she’ll return to her old spoiled self as soon as that crown’s on her head.”

“It’s just one day,” DJ told her. “Can’t you let it go?”

“I just don’t get why you’re all being so—”

“We understand that you don’t get it,” Taylor told her. “But why don’t you just chill, okay?”

Casey growled, but kept her mouth shut.

“That’s better,” DJ told her.

“Yes, little Miss Sunshine,” Taylor teased, “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”

The girls went into school together and immediately began setting up Eliza’s tables. Rhiannon arranged the colorful packages of candy, fanning them out to make a rainbow. Everyone had on an Eliza button and some of the girls were even wearing the pink Queen Eliza T-shirts. As students began to arrive, it was clear that they were surprised to see that Eliza was back in the running. Rumors had abounded that she was out of the race for good.

DJ smiled at Monica as she picked up a bag of M&Ms. “Eliza is back and she’s strong. But she needs your vote.”

“Don’t forget to vote,” Taylor told a guy who was pocketing a Snickers bar.

“The grocery store candy seems to be more popular than the fancy stuff,” DJ said quietly.

“You know what they say.” Taylor winked. “Ninety percent of the people have ten percent of the taste. And ten percent of the people have ninety percent of the taste.”

DJ considered that. “I guess that puts me in the ninetieth percentile.”

Taylor just laughed.

“Oh, oh.” DJ nodded toward Madison, who was approaching. “Trouble this way comes.”

“What are you guys doing?” Madison demanded.

“Campaigning.” DJ gave her a big smile.

“But Eliza’s out of the race.”

“What made you think that?” Taylor asked.

“The fact that she left town and wasn’t coming back.”

“Well, she’s baaa-ack,” DJ said in a bad Schwarzenegger imitation.

“She might be back, but she’s not on the ballot.” Madison smiled smugly and walked away.

DJ and Taylor looked at each other.

“She’s not on the ballot?” Taylor frowned. “How can that be?”

“I don’t know.” DJ stood. “But I’m going to find out.”

Taylor nodded. “And I’ll stay here and keep giving goodies to the kiddies.”

DJ hurried down the hall to the table that Daisy and Eliza were manning and told them what Madison had just said.

“No way!” Daisy stood up and clenched her fists.

“That’s what she said.”

“But that’s not fair,” Eliza told them. “I never asked to be removed from the ballot. How can they take my name off just like that? I’m going to get to the bottom of this.”

Eliza had a fair amount of people gathered around her table, so DJ told her to stay put. “I’ll go to the office and try to find out what’s going on. You keep campaigning.”

“Thanks.” Eliza gave her a bright princess smile.

DJ ran into Conner on her way to the office. “Hey, what’s the hurry?” he asked. She quickly explained, and he offered to come with her. Soon they were standing in front of the vice principal’s desk.

“Can we speak with you, Mr. Van Duyn?” DJ began.

“Two of my favorite students.” He smiled. “Of course. Take a seat.”

They sat down, and DJ quickly explained the situation, trying to give enough details without giving away too much.

“I was aware that Eliza Wilton’s name had been removed from the ballot,” he admitted.

“But why?” demanded DJ.

“It was brought to our attention that she has been truant.”

DJ blinked. “Truant?”

“She has quite a number of unexcused absences.”

“You mean this last week?” asked DJ.

“I couldn’t say for sure.”

“Well, that has to be it,” DJ told him. “Because Eliza hasn’t missed any school until now. And those should be excused.”

“Apparently, they’re not.”

“But what if they were?” Conner asked.

“I’m afraid it’s too late for that.” Just as he said this, the first bell rang. “And speaking of late…” He stood and smiled sadly. “I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.”

DJ and Conner both stood. DJ felt like screaming at the thick-headed vice principal, but she knew that wouldn’t help. “Thanks anyway,” she told him crisply.

“What now?” Conner asked as they left the office.

DJ thought for a moment. “I’ll talk to Mrs. Seibert,” she said. “You go ahead to class and I’ll see what I can do.”

Fortunately, Mrs. Seibert was much more reasonable. DJ had barely begun to explain the dilemma when Mrs. Seibert got the whole picture. “Of course Eliza will be excused. Under the circumstances, it’s completely understandable.”

“And her mother is here in Crescent Cove,” DJ told her. “I’m sure she could write a letter.”

“I’m not even sure that’s necessary. A phone call should be sufficient.” Mrs. Seibert looked puzzled. “In fact, I’m surprised
that Eliza’s absences even made it onto the radar…” She paused to look out the one-way glass window, then chuckled.

DJ turned to see Tina Clark working the front desk. Her first class must be as an office assistant. That’s when the light went on. “I get it!” DJ smacked her forehead. “Tina must’ve turned Eliza in.”

“We don’t know that for sure,” Mrs. Seibert said. “But don’t worry, Eliza’s name
will
be on the ballot.”

“Thank you!”

Mrs. Seibert smiled at DJ. “Eliza is lucky to have such a good friend.”

DJ just shrugged. “I haven’t always been such a good friend.”

“Friendship is one of those things…where there’s always room for improvement.” She handed DJ a slip of paper. “Here’s your tardy excuse. You better scoot off to class.”

DJ thought about what Mrs. Seibert had just said about friendship. It did seem to be true. It was like you could never really get being a friend down pat—probably because people were always changing. As a result, friendships changed too. In fact, it seemed that the friendships that didn’t change, the ones that remained stagnant and old…they were probably the most at risk of disintegrating.