Stealing Bradford

“She’s been hurt,” Taylor said lightly. “Same old story. Girl gets hurt and puts on a tough act to protect herself. No big deal.” She leaned down now, putting her face just inches from Casey’s. “Right?” Casey nodded.

“Well, everyone gets hurt, Casey. It’s just part of life and growing up.”

“I hate to admit it,” said DJ. “But Taylor’s right.”

“But, Casey,” said Eliza. “Can’t you see that you’re just setting yourself up for more hurt? When you go around looking like…well, you know, like—”

“Like Goth Girl meets Rebel Chick meets Punk Rocker,” said Taylor.

“Yes, whatever.” Eliza sighed in exasperation. “It’s like an invitation to get picked on.”

“You saw what happened today,” DJ reminded her. “You were targeted just because of how you looked, right?”

Casey nodded again, wiping the tears with her hands. “But people shouldn’t judge you by appearances. That’s not fair.”

“Life’s not fair,” said Taylor. “Get over it.”

“So you guys are saying I have to conform myself into a cookie-cutter image—a Barbie doll wannabe—just to avoid taking a little heat.”

“No,” said Rhiannon firmly. “Look at me, Casey. I think I’m living proof that you don’t have to do that.”

Taylor snickered.

“What?” demanded DJ, staring at Taylor. “Why do you think that’s so funny?”

Taylor just shrugged, but amazingly kept her mouth shut.

“Go on,” DJ urged Rhiannon. “You were making a good point.”

“It’s okay to be different,” continued Rhiannon. “You need to be yourself. No one is asking you to become a cookie-cutter clone.”

Kriti nodded. “Rhiannon’s right, Casey.”

“But you guys are saying I need to change,” protested Casey.

“Maybe we’re asking you whether or not this costume you’re wearing is really yourself?” said DJ quietly. “I mean I’ve known you for…like forever. And I don’t think this is who you really are.”

“I don’t know you very well,” admitted Eliza. “But I have to agree. It seems like there’s a sweet girl underneath.” She pointed to a safety pin that was pierced through Casey’s eyebrow. “Well, underneath this.”

Kriti pointed to the small diamond stud that was pierced through one of her nostrils. “Even I have a facial piercing,” she said. “But I don’t think it detracts from who I am.”

“Yes,” agreed Eliza. “I’m not generally in favor of piercing anything other than ears, but I think it gives Kriti a rather exotic charm.”

“No one is telling you that you can’t be you,” said Rhiannon. “I mean if you look at us, we’re all fairly unique and different. Kriti is very academic. DJ is into sports. Eliza is quite social. I’m into art. And Taylor…” She peered curiously at Taylor. “Well, she’s just one of kind, isn’t she?”

They all laughed, and even Casey almost cracked a smile.

“Okay,” said Casey. “If I were to agree to this—this whatever it is—where would I even begin?”

“Lose the safety pins,” said Taylor.

“And the skull T-shirt,” added Kriti.

“And the army boots,” said Eliza.

“I don’t know,” said Rhiannon. “I think the army boots are kind of cute…maybe you just need something different to go with them. Have you ever tried them with a skirt?”

“Oh dear,” said Eliza.

“Come on,” urged Rhiannon. “She gets to be herself, right?”

“And maybe you could tone down your hair,” suggested DJ. “Unless you’re really into the punk-rocker thing.”

Casey ran her hand over the longer strip of blue down the middle and shrugged. “It’s kind of high maintenance to keep it up. My roots are already starting to show now, but at least I know how to color it myself.”

“What is your natural color?” asked Eliza.

“She’s a strawberry blonde,” said DJ. “She had the most gorgeous hair you’ve ever seen. Soft natural curls. I would’ve gladly traded my hair for hers any day.” She laughed. “Well, not her current hair. She can keep that.”

“Thanks a lot,” said Casey.

“Sorry.” DJ held up her hands. “Just being honest.”

“Well, you guys have made your point.” Casey stood.

“But you could care less,” said Taylor.

Casey sighed deeply. “No, that’s not it…but I need to think about it.”

“Yes,” said Rhiannon. “Sleep on it.”

“I have homework,” announced Kriti.

“I think our little meeting is adjourned,” said Eliza. She turned to Taylor. “And thankfully, no one was eaten.”

The girls began trickling out of the living room until only DJ and Rhiannon were left. “You wanted to talk?” said Rhiannon.

“If you don’t need to do homework or anything?” asked DJ.

“I didn’t have any today.”

“Lucky you.”

“So, what’s up?” asked Rhiannon.

DJ told Rhiannon how she’d been trying to remember that she’d made a commitment to God and how she’d even prayed several times today. “But I’m just not sure if I’m doing this thing right.”

Rhiannon laughed. “I don’t know if there is a right way, DJ. I mean, you just do it, you know.”

“That’s all?”

“Well, no…I mean you do need to read the Bible, and you should start going to church…but I don’t think it’s really too complicated, but it is hard—it takes some conscious effort. Although I’ve only been doing this for a year myself. I’m not exactly an expert.”

“I don’t even have a Bible,” pointed out DJ.

“Get one.”

“Right.”