Eliza smiled stiffly at DJ as she placed a hand on her shoulder. “You know . . . despite what Casey or the others might say, I really was happy for you last night.”
DJ blinked at her. “Seriously?”
“I really did think it was sweet.”
Sweet? That word put DJ’s teeth on edge. “You actually seemed kind of shocked at the time.”
“Well, naturally, it was pretty surprising.” Eliza flipped a silky blonde strand of hair over her shoulder and laughed. “I mean, only days ago, you weren’t even a finalist. If memory serves, I think you actually put down the whole thing. I’m sure you didn’t even want it . . . not like others might have.”
“Like you, you mean?”
She shrugged. “I invested myself in the campaign. I thought it would be fun. My parents came to . . . well, you know.”
“So, you think it’s unfair that I won?”
“Oh no, DJ, I’m not saying anything like that.” Another sugary smile. “Like I said, I think it’s very sweet that you won.”
She nodded down to DJ’s walking cast and cane. “I mean, you obviously got the sympathy vote.”
DJ pressed her lips together and nodded. “Obviously.”
“So, no hard feelings then?” Eliza smiled again. Such a perfect smile. Perfect teeth. Perfect hair and skin. Even perfect words. And yet DJ could never be too sure what lurked beneath the surface.
“No hard feelings from me,” said DJ lightly. She grabbed the stair railing with one hand and maneuvered her cane with the other. Then she paused and looked at Eliza. “And your parents are really okay with it too?”
“Other than being a little shocked, they are perfectly fine. Like I already told everyone, they only came up here to show their support for me.”
DJ began maneuvering up the stairs. “Well, that’s a relief.”
“Don’t worry, DJ. They’re still glad they came up. And, naturally, my mother cannot wait to see me in the fashion show today. Speaking of which, we better get moving.”
“Right.” DJ grimaced as she took another step.
“Do you need any help?” asked Eliza from behind her.
DJ continued clumping up the stairs. “No, I’m fine.” She took in a sharp breath to block the pain shooting through her leg. “Just slow.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll be the hit of the fashion show today. Not everyone gets to see a ‘crippled’ girl going down the runway. Very sweet.” With that Eliza passed DJ and gracefully jogged up the stairs.
DJ clenched her teeth tighter now. She was determined not to respond to that obvious slam. Really, what was the point? What difference did it make? Still, it was weird how some girls, like Eliza, could knock the wind out of you with just a few sweet-sounding, harmless words and a fake smile. And yet it hurt more than being punched or slapped. Freaky.
“Ready to get beautiful?” asked Taylor as DJ limped into their bedroom.
“Yeah, right.” DJ made her way to the bed and dropped her cane as she eased herself down with a long sigh. “Do you really think anyone would miss me if I skipped it?”
“Your grandmother for starters.”
“Maybe not . . .” DJ actually considered this. “I mean, she’s really got her eye on you and Eliza. You guys are the ones with a future in fashion.”
“You’d have a future too, DJ. If you wanted it.” Taylor kind of laughed. “And if you weren’t so handicapped.”
“Those are big ifs. But, seriously, my grandmother will be so busy with everything else, she might not even notice my absence.”
“Maybe not at first, but eventually she would realize you weren’t there, DJ. And, think about it, then she would make you miserable for a few days. Is it really worth it?”
DJ shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Come on. Just play along and get it over with.”
“Fine. But first I’ll take a pain pill and a nap.”
“But I thought those pills wiped you out?”
DJ grinned at her. “Will it be my fault if I sleep too late?”
Taylor rolled her eyes as she headed for the bathroom. “It’s your funeral.”
Carter House Girls Series
from Melody Carlson
Mix six teenage girls and one ‘60s fashion icon (retired, of course) in an old Victorian-era boarding home. Add boys and dating, a little high school angst, and throw in a Kate Spade bag or two .. . and you’ve got the Carter House Girls, Melody Carlson’s new chick lit series for young adults!
Mixed Bags
Book One
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71488-0
Stealing Bradford
Book Two
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71489-7
Viva Vermont!
Book Four
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71491-0
Lost in Las Vegas
Book Five
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71492-7
New York Debut
Book Six
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71493-4
Books 7–8 coming soon!
Pick up a copy today at your favorite bookstore!
Visit www.zondervan.com/teen
A Sweet Seasons Novel
from Debbie Viguié!
They’re fun! They’re quirky! They’re Sweet Seasons—unlike any other books you’ve ever read. You could call them alternative, God-honoring chick lit. Join Candy Thompson on a sweet, lighthearted, and honest romp through the friendships, romances, family, school, faith, and values that make a girl’s life as full as it can be.
The Summer of Cotton Candy
Book One
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71558-0
The Fall of Candy Corn
Book Two
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71559-7
The Winter of Candy Canes
Book Three
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71752-2
The Spring of Candy Apples
Book Four
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71753-9
Pick up a copy today at your favorite bookstore!
Visit www.zondervan.com/teen
Forbidden Doors
A Four-Volume Series from
Bestselling Author Bill Myers!
Some doors are better left unopened.
Join teenager Rebecca “Becka” Williams, her brother Scott, and her friend Ryan Riordan as they head for mind-bending clashes between the forces of darkness and the kingdom of God.
Dark Power Collection
Volume One
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71534-4
Contains books 1–3: The Society,
The Deceived, and The Spell
Invisible Terror Collection
Volume Two
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71535-1
Contains books 4–6: The Haunting,
The Guardian, and The Encounter
Deadly Loyalty Collection
Volume Three
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71536-8
Contains books 7–9: The Curse,
The Undead, and The Scream
Ancient Forces Collection
Volume Four
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71537-5
Contains books 10–12: The Ancients,
The Wiccan, and The Cards
Echoes from the Edge
A New Trilogy from
Bestselling Author Bryan Davis!
This fast-paced adventure fantasy trilogy starts with murder and leads teenagers Nathan and Kelly out of their once-familiar world as they struggle to find answers to the tragedy. A mysterious mirror with phantom images, a camera that takes pictures of things they can’t see, and a violin that unlocks unrecognizable voices … each enigma takes the teens farther into an alternate universe where nothing is as it seems.
Beyond the Reflection’s Edge
Book One
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71554-2
Eternity’s Edge
Book Two
&n
bsp; Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71555-9
Nightmare’s Edge
Book Three
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71556-6
Book 3 coming May 2009!
Pick up a copy today at your favorite bookstore!
Visit www.zondervan.com/teen
The Shadowside Trilogy
by Robert Elmer!
Those who live in lush comfort on the bright side of the small planet Corista have plundered the water resources of Shadowside for centuries, ignoring the existence of Shadowside’s inhabitants, who are nothing more than animals. Or so the Brightsiders have been taught. It will take a special young woman to expose the truth—and to help avert the war that is sure to follow—in the exciting Shadowside Trilogy, the latest sci-fi adventure from Robert Elmer.
Trion Rising
Book One
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71421-7
The Owling
Book Two
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71422-4
Beyond Corista
Book Three
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71423-1
Book 3 coming May 2009!
Pick up a copy today at your favorite bookstore!
Visit www.zondervan.com/teen
The Rayne Tour
by Brandilyn Collins and
Amberly Collins!
A suspenseful two-book series for young adults written by bestselling author, Brandilyn Collins, and her daughter, Amberly. The story is about the daughter of a rock star, life on the road, and her search for her real father.
Always Watching
Book One
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71539-9
This daughter of a rock star has it all — until murder crashes her world. During a concert, sixteen-year-old Shaley O’Connor stumbles upon the body of a friend backstage. Is Tom Hutchens’ death connected to her? Frightening messages arrive. Paparazzi stalk Shaley. Her private nightmare is displayed for all to see. Where is God at a time like this? As the clock runs out, Shaley must find Tom’s killer — before he strikes again.
Coming May 2009!
Last Breath
Book Two
Softcover • ISBN: 978-0-310-71540-7
With his last breath a dying man whispered four stunning words into Shaley O’Connor’s ear. Should she believe them? After two murders on the Rayne concert tour, Shaley is reeling. But she has no time to rest. If the dying man’s claim is right, the danger is far from over.
Coming October 2009!
Visit www.zondervan.com/teen
About the Publisher
Founded in 1931, Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Zondervan, a division of HarperCollinsPublishers, is the leading international Christian communications company, producing best-selling Bibles, books, new media products, a growing line of gift products and award-winning children’s products. The world’s largest Bible publisher, Zondervan (www.zondervan.com) holds exclusive publishing rights to the New International Version of the Bible and has distributed more than 150 million copies worldwide. It is also one of the top Christian publishers in the world, selling its award-winning books through Christian retailers, general market bookstores, mass merchandisers, specialty retailers, and the Internet. Zondervan has received a total of 68 Gold Medallion awards for its books, more than any other publisher.
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