TAYLOR WASN’T ANY WHERE TO be seen at lunchtime. Not that DJ blamed her. She couldn’t even imagine how she would react if something like this had happened to her. Naturally, it was the hot topic at their table.
“Were those photos really of her?” asked Bradford with a seriously freaked expression.
“We wanted to ask you the same thing,” teased Harry. “You’ve probably seen more of Taylor than anyone here.”
“Shut up,” said Bradford.
“Where’s Rhiannon anyway?” asked Kriti. “I haven’t seen her since this morning.”
“Do you think Rhiannon could have done this?” asked Harry.
“No way,” said DJ.
“Absolutely not,” added Bradford. “Rhiannon is not that kind of a girl.”
“I’d have to agree,” said Conner. “That is totally out of character for her.”
“Who then?” asked Bradford, glancing around the table with suspicion.
DJ noticed that Casey was being unusually quiet during lunch. And she couldn’t help but remember how Casey had been extra protective of Rhiannon lately, almost acting as if Taylor had offended her as much as she had hurt Rhiannon.
“How did everyone find out about the website?” asked DJ.
“Good question,” said Eliza. “I found out from you, DJ.”
“And I got the address from Conner.”
“Harry showed me the site in chem class,” said Conner.
“I saw it there too,” admitted Kriti with a severe frown. “Not that I wanted to see it. But the whole class was looking while Mr. Skinner was out.”
“How did you find out about it, Harry?” demanded Eliza.
“The same way most of the guys in school found it,” he said. “In the restroom. Someone taped a poster on the wall.”
“A poster?” DJ tried to imagine this.
“Not a poster-poster. It was just a piece of white paper with a photo of Taylor, obviously taken from the website. Then at the bottom were these tear-off pieces for the address so that it would be easy to find online. It reminded me of those posters you see on bulletin boards, like someone selling a car or looking for a roommate.
“This person is slick,” said Eliza.
“You mean sick,” said DJ.
They continued to kick it around and speculate, but no conclusions were made. And no accusations either, although DJ was getting more and more suspicious of Casey.
“How do we get it shut down?” asked DJ as they started to leave.
“Why bother?” asked Harry. “I’m sure the whole school has seen it by now anyway.”
“Because it’s wrong,” said DJ.
“It is wrong,” added Kriti. “Not to mention cruel.”
“That’s right.”
“But it’s not really your problem,” said Casey, probably the first thing she’d said during the lunch hour.
“Not my problem?” demanded DJ. “Taylor happens to be my roommate. I’d say that it’s a little bit my problem.”
“Has she been coming onto you?” teased Harry.
“No,” said DJ, now flustered. “But she’s hurting.”
“Yeah, right,” said Casey. “That girl has a heart of stone.”
“She was crying today,” said DJ, “when she saw the photos.”
“Really?” Kriti actually sounded concerned now.
“She was,” admitted Eliza. “It surprised me too.”
“Well, maybe it’s about time she got some of her own medicine,” said Casey.
“I can’t believe you, Casey,” said DJ. “I’d think you’d know how it feels to be hurt like that. I’d think you’d have a little more empathy.”
Casey shrugged. “You know what Eliza said—what goes around comes around.”
DJ just shook her head as she stared at her old friend. Then she turned away from the group and headed straight toward the office. Taylor might be mean and selfish, but she didn’t deserve this. No one did.
“I’d like to see Mrs. Seibert,” she told the receptionist.
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No, but this is an emergency.”
“Let me see if she’s back from lunch.”
DJ had to wait about five minutes, but she was eventually allowed in the counselor’s office. She quickly explained her dilemma, and Mrs. Seibert took careful notes and finally, using her own computer, checked out the website.
“Oh my!”
“Yeah, pretty disgusting, isn’t it?”
“Let me make some calls,” she said quickly. “We’ll see what it takes to shut that thing down, and then I’ll get some legal advice.” She picked up the phone and then turned to DJ. “Do you know who might’ve done this?”
DJ considered the question and then just shook her head. She knew she couldn’t accuse Casey. She honestly didn’t have a shred of evidence; it was only a hunch. Hopefully, she was wrong. But even if she discovered that Casey was the creator of this mean hoax, DJ didn’t know if she could turn her in.
“Thank you for coming forward with this information,” said Mrs. Seibert as DJ stood. “I’ve heard of incidents like this before, but never in our school. I guess it’s about time we created a harassment policy that covers the Internet.”
DJ nodded. “Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.”
“Pick up a note from the receptionist to excuse you for being late to class.”
“Thanks.”
By the time DJ got to drama class they were in the midst of auditions. Eliza was onstage and doing a pretty good job of singing “I’m Gonna Wash that Man Right Out of My Hair.” Not surprisingly, Taylor was nowhere to be seen. DJ had already tried Taylor’s cell phone, which went straight to messaging. DJ took a seat in the back of the auditorium, wondering if there was something more she should do. Was there someone else she should contact? Her grandmother perhaps? But what good would that do? Maybe it was best to simply wait for this whole thing to blow over.
“How are you doing?” whispered Rhiannon as she slipped into the seat next to DJ.
DJ shrugged. “Frustrated.”
“You mean because of the thing about Taylor and the photos?”
“Have you seen it?”
“Barely. I could hardly stand to look.”
“I just got through telling the counselor. They’re going to try to get it shut down.”
“Taylor didn’t really post those herself, did she?” asked Rhiannon.
“No, of course not. She might be selfish and thoughtless, but she’s not an idiot.”
“I actually feel sorry for her.”
“Me too.”
“Do you think she’s coming for auditions?”
“I think she’s got other things on her mind.”
“Mr. Harper suggested I try out for the role of Liat, but I think it’s only because I’m short.”
“Do you want to?”
“Maybe…but I don’t know if I can pull it off.”
DJ flipped one of Rhiannon’s red curls. “Maybe with a wig.”
“And makeup.”
DJ considered mentioning that Taylor had planned to audition for Liat, but then she wondered why bother bringing it up? For all DJ knew, Taylor might not want to live here now. With almost everyone turned against her and people making fun of her, she might be on her way back to California right now.
The afternoon seemed to go more slowly than usual, and in seventh period Taylor wasn’t in PE. Not that this surprised DJ. But it did concern her. Everyone was still talking about the photos and making tacky jokes at Taylor’s expense. Even during volleyball practice, some of the girls, including Casey, took their potshots at her. Then, as DJ drove them home after practice, she actually quizzed Casey to see if she might’ve been involved.
“Come on,” she urged Casey. “Just come clean if you did it.”
“I don’t see why you even care who did it,” Casey told her. “Taylor deserved it, didn’t she?”
“That’s not the point. Were you involved?”
“What difference does it make who was involved?”
“I just want to know.”
“What’s going on here, DJ?” demanded Casey. “Are you feeling sorry for Taylor now?”
“I just think that it was wrong to do that—I mean, to use MySpace to hurt someone like that.”
“How about how Taylor hurt Rhiannon? Was that right”
“No, but—”
“I don’t get you, DJ. You act like you care about Rhiannon, and then it’s like you’re obsessed with helping Taylor.”
“I just wanted to know if you were involved.”
“It feels like you’re turning against me.” Casey let out an exasperated sigh.
Of course, Casey’s defensiveness only increased DJ’s suspicions. Not that she’d know what to do if she discovered that Casey was the culprit. Still, she felt badly for Taylor. And when she got home, she felt somewhat reassured to know that the other girls at Carter House were starting to feel a little uneasy about Taylor too.
“So you guys didn’t see her at all this afternoon?” Eliza asked DJ and Casey.
“Not since US History,” said DJ. “Same as you.”
“Maybe you should check in your room,” suggested Kriti. “See if it looks like she’s packed up or taken anything.”
“Good idea,” said DJ. “It had occurred to me that Taylor might’ve called her mom and gotten on the next flight to LA. By the way, has anyone mentioned this to Mrs. Carter yet?”
They all said no.
“We thought we’d leave that to you,” said Eliza.
“Thanks a lot,” said DJ. Then she went to check in their room. But everything looked pretty normal—no signs that Taylor had taken anything. All her things seemed to be in place.
“How about her Vespa?” asked DJ when she came out of her room. “Did you check to see if it’s still here?”
“Good idea,” said Rhiannon.
So they all hurried downstairs and went outside to look, but the Vespa was gone.
“It’s not very nice motor-scooter weather,” pointed out Kriti. The sky was dark with clouds now, and a few raindrops were just beginning to fall.
“I’m going out to look for her,” announced DJ. “If I’m not back in time for dinner, make an excuse to Mrs. Carter for me.” As she went upstairs to get her bag and her keys, she hoped that someone might offer to join her in the search. But no one did. Although they did seem somewhat curious as to Taylor’s whereabouts, DJ didn’t get the sense that they were overly concerned with her welfare. And perhaps she shouldn’t be either. If anyone could take care of herself, it was Taylor. But then DJ remembered that sad, lost look on Taylor’s face today. And she remembered what Taylor had confided to her last night. And, despite not wanting to care, she was worried.
“I’ll be praying for you,” said Rhiannon as DJ came down the stairs. “I’d come with you, but if you found Taylor, she might prefer that I wasn’t around, you know?”
DJ nodded. “You’re probably right.” So she got in her car and drove around town, checking at the coffee shops and even the nearby mall, and finally along the docks and down by the beach, but she didn’t spot the lime green Vespa anywhere. She tried Taylor’s phone again and, as before, it went straight through to voicemail. Either Taylor’s battery was dead or her phone was turned off. By the time DJ got home, it was raining hard.
“Don’t worry, DJ, she’s probably perfectly fine,” said Eliza as she and the other girls met DJ in the foyer to find out whether or not she’d had success.
“Probably holed up in some cozy spot just wanting to get everyone all worked up and freaked out,” added Casey.
“Or maybe she did fly home,” said Rhiannon hopefully. “Maybe she’ll send for her things later.”
DJ hoped they were right. The image of Taylor riding around in the rain on her Vespa seemed pretty dismal, not to mention dangerous.
“Where is Taylor?” asked Mrs. Carter when everyone was seated at dinner.
All the girls admitted that they didn’t know, and then Mrs. Carter simply shrugged. “I do not mind if you girls miss dinner. I only ask that you exercise good etiquette and let us know accordingly.”
Dinner was unusually quiet, and DJ wondered if they were all waiting for her to tell Mrs. Carter the news. But DJ had already decided that it would be best to wait until after dinner. Plus, that would give Taylor more time to get back, that is if she planned to return.
“May I speak with you privately?” DJ asked her grandmother as the table was finally beginning to clear.
Mrs. Carter looked surprised and then nodded yes.
When they were both seated in her office, DJ told her grandmother the whole story, starting with the boyfriend-stealing incident, the website smut, and eventually, the fact that Taylor and her Vespa both seemed to be missing.
“No one has seen her since noon,” DJ finally admitted.
“Oh my.” Mrs. Carter looked seriously worried now. “Do you think she’s all right, Desiree?”
DJ considered this. “Probably, but I don’t know for sure. She did seem upset.”
“Where could she possibly be?”
“I drove all over town looking for her, and I’ve tried her cell phone several times, but she’s not answering.”
“Do you think I should call the police?”
DJ wasn’t sure what to say. “How about calling her mother first?”
Mrs. Carter sighed deeply. “I don’t know…I hate to alarm her if it’s nothing.”
“I actually wondered if Taylor might’ve called her mom already,” said DJ. “Maybe she’s on a flight home right this minute.”
“Goodness, I hope not. But surely her mother would’ve informed me if that were the case.”
“You’d think so.”
“I don’t believe one can file a missing person report unless the person has been gone for twenty-four hours.”
DJ felt shocked. “Are you really going to call the police?”
“Not tonight.”
“But what about her mother? She has a right to know.” DJ felt extremely frustrated now. Why didn’t her grandmother know this? And why was DJ feeling so responsible now? This wasn’t really her problem. It was her grandmother who was responsible for the welfare of the girls who were under her care. Didn’t she get it?
“I suppose…” Still Mrs. Carter didn’t seem convinced.
“Look,” said DJ with all the authority she could muster. “If something is wrong, like if Taylor’s been in an accident or something, and you don’t call her mother, don’t you think she’ll be angry?”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
“Or, if Taylor is on her way home, wouldn’t you like to know before you embarrass everyone by calling the police?”
“Yes, Desiree, you are probably right. I will call her mother immediately. Thank you.”
DJ took this as her cue to leave, but because she felt invested in this dilemma, she decided to stay. “Go ahead and call her,” she said. “I don’t mind waiting.” And she waited as her grandmother looked up the number and finally called. She could tell she was uncomfortable dispensing such unfortunate information, but, as always, she handled it gracefully and carefully, and DJ could tell by her responses that Taylor’s mother had no idea what was going on or where Taylor might be.
“Of course, Eva. And I’ll let you know as soon as she comes in. Yes, you are probably right. I’m sure she’s simply taking some time to cool off.” She paused to listen. “Yes, I understand how teen girls can be. It’s a difficult time.” Then she thanked her and hung up.
“So, she’s not on her way home?”
“Apparently not.”
“But her mom’s not too concerned?”
“She said that Taylor’s been known to take off like that before when something upsets her. But she always comes back.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t worry, Desiree.” Mrs. Carter stood now. “I’m sure she’s perfectly fine. Probably at a friend’s house.”
“A friend?” DJ tried to imagine who could be Taylor’s friend. Then she thought of Bradford and his mother. Maybe Taylor was with them. Back in her room, DJ tried his number, and he admitted that he hadn’t seen her since morning.
“And you haven’t talked to her on the phone?”
“I left a message.”
“Oh.”
“I told her that I thought it was best if we broke up. I don’t think it was really working anyway.”
“Really?” Now, despite everything, this made DJ really angry. Talk about flaky!
“I know what you’re thinking, DJ. But the truth is Taylor was probably too much for me. I mean she’s fun and smart and everything, but she sort of makes my head spin, you know? I’ve actually already talked to Rhiannon about this. She seems to understand.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning Rhiannon and I are getting back together.”
DJ couldn’t help but let out an exasperated sigh.
“You’re not on Taylor’s side now, are you?” asked Bradford. “It’s not about sides,” she said in a tired tone. “This isn’t a war.”
“No, I didn’t mean that.”
“Well, if by any chance you hear from Taylor, will you let me know?”
“Sure. But I doubt that she’ll be calling me.”
“Right.” Then she told him good-bye and hung up.