Viva Vermont! by Melody Carlson

team.”
    â€œSwim team?” Taylor frowned now. “Don’t tell me …”
    â€œYeah. I joined the swim team. Aren’t you proud of me?”
    â€œYou’re nuts, DJ.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œOkay, here’s my best tip for you.”
    â€œA swimming tip?” DJ looked curiously at Taylor. “Do tell.”
    â€œNo, not a swimming tip. Get real. A beauty tip.”
    DJ rolled her eyes.
    â€œCondition your hair before you swim.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œCoat your hair with a heavy conditioner, then put your cap on over it.”
    DJ nodded. That actually made some sense.
    â€œThe conditioner will help to protect your hair from the chlorine and then you can rinse it out, shampoo, and recondition. Understand?”
    DJ laughed. “Or what? You’ll refuse to be seen with me?”
    â€œYeah … maybe.”
    â€œHey, DJ, where are the rest of the girls?” asked Marcus Wakefield. He was captain of the team and actually a fairly nice guy.
    â€œThey did morning practice today,” Coach Reynolds answered for her.
    â€œWhy?” asked Marcus.
    The coach peered curiously at DJ now. “I’m not sure why. I thought maybe they had some girls’ event going on this afternoon. You know what’s up, DJ?”
    â€œNot really,” said DJ. Okay, not totally true, but not a lie either.
    â€œWell, looks like you’ll be queen for the day.” Coach Reynolds laughed then pointed to the pool. “Get busy, Queenie.”
    It was rather nice not having the other girls around to stare at her or make “Turtle Girl” comments. And the guys pretty much treated her like an equal even if most of them were faster. Still, it was a good challenge trying to keep up with them, and by the end of practice Coach Reynolds seemed pleased.
    â€œLooking good out there, DJ.”
    She thanked him then hurried to the locker room where she rinsed the conditioner (Taylor’s recommendation) out of her hair, taking her time to shower and shampoo and condition again. Then she had the locker room to herself, and she decided she didn’t care if the girls all continued to practice in the morning for the whole season. This wasn’t half bad. She even decided to dry her hair for a change, taking advantage of having the whole mirror to herself. She took time to put on a little bit of makeup—just blush and lip gloss and mascara—but Taylor and the other girls might appreciate the effort since they’d all been on her case lately.
    She took her time walking to her car. It had been one of those fine, crisp, clear fall days, and she knew they were limited.
    â€œHey, DJ!” called a guy’s voice. She looked over to see Conner getting out of his old red pickup and waving. “I was hoping to catch you here.”
    â€œWhat’s up?” she asked as she walked over to join him.
    â€œNot much. But I was wishing for someone to grab a cheeseburger with me. You game?”
    â€œYou’re talking my language.”
    He nodded. “I know the way to your heart is through your stomach.”
    She frowned now. “And you’re trying to get to my heart?”
    He looked uncomfortable. “No … I was just kidding.”
    They decided to drop her car off at Carter House, then she got in with him and he drove them over to a new diner called Heathcliff’s. “Have you tried it yet?” he asked as they went inside.
    â€œNope. But it sure smells good.”
    They had just gotten seated and placed their order when DJ saw some girls coming in. “Oh no,” she groaned and slumped down slightly in her seat.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œDon’t look now, but trouble’s heading our way.”
    â€œWhat kind of trouble?”
    â€œHaley and Bethany and Amy.”
    He just shrugged. “No big deal. It’s a free country, and there are plenty of tables.”
    â€œWell, look who’s