by Kylie Key
It wasn’t a silly remark. There had to be an underlying element of truth.
“Maybe they’re going to reinstate the Raymond Farms contract?” Jack said, his eyes back on the screen. “Blaire? Did they ever look at the video footage in the hallways?”
Blaire shrugged. “I don’t think so. The evidence was clear, wasn’t it? Heaps of kids witnessed the opening of my locker. I don’t think they bothered.”
“Were you found guilty without a trial?” Bella asked.
“Pretty much,” Blaire said.
“I should’ve done something earlier,” Jack said, logging off the computer. “We need to get video evidence that you were never at the scene of the crime.” He stood, and with a hard-nosed intent pulled open a few drawers until he found a pen and paper.
He drew up a timeline, and using both of their phones they were able to deduce that the crime had happened within a sixty minute timeframe. All that was needed was a copy of the security footage.
“What if it’s wiped?” Blaire wailed. “It was over a month ago.”
“Nothing is ever wiped,” Jack said. “It’ll be there somewhere.” He was confident that the truth would be found.
Blaire hugged him, her face on the verge of crumpling into an ugly cry. “Thanks, Jack. You’re the best. I love you.”
My heart fluttered. Wow, Blaire’s words weren’t for me, but I went weak thinking that one day they might be. I took a step back, not wanting to encroach on a family moment. I mused over the ornate features of the ceiling.
“And you...” Blaire’s arms had taken me in a suffocating embrace. “You believed me, Alex. You were the only one who did.”
“Hey, I knew there was no way you stole it,” Jack interjected.
Blaire turned her head back to him with a pout. “But you were too busy to do anything about it. Until now.” She poked her tongue out at him.
“Am I missing something?” Jack asked, his eyes now directed at me.
“And me?” Bella piped up.
Blaire released me, but I swept my arm around her. Being separated from her was not an option. This girl belonged in my arms, but I held my breath as I waited for her explanation.
“Alex and I have been hanging out,” she said, her smile coy as I emptied my lungs.
Jack raised his eyebrows, but Bella was puzzled, her eyes narrowing. She looked to Jack for clarity.
“I haven’t been at boarding school,” Blaire said, and she tugged on my shirt. “Bella, I’ve been at RV High this past month. Undercover.”
Bella’s mind was blown to know that she’d watched Blaire in the Winter Concert without recognizing her. “That’s crazy,” Bella said. “How could I have not known? You did a Superman impersonation and wore glasses and cut your hair and nobody recognized you?”
“It’s amazing how people look at you differently,” Blaire said, “Or rather how they don’t look at you because you dress a certain way or look like a certain type. I don’t mean you, Bella, because I purposely kept out of your way. But it’s interesting to see how you’re instantly dismissed because you’re a bit geeky and not cool.”
Blaire was speaking from the heart and a pang of guilt surged through me knowing I’d initially judged her that way. Well, the girl had thrown her backpack in my face and nearly sat on me that first day!
“But I found a friend in Alex, who started the same day as me, and Lily, a girl in my Theater Arts class,” Blaire continued, “and I’ve made friends with others from the Winter Concert. And nobody has any idea of who I am. And I kinda like it like that. In fact, I love it at River Valley High.”
“Still, I wish I had known,” Bella said, her sincerity genuine.
“It was better that you didn’t,” Blaire said, as they hugged. “You didn’t need the pressure of harboring an outcast!”
“Hey, we need to get to the party,” Jack said, “and get this sorted.”
“But I can’t go in this,” Bella protested, pointing down at her jeans and hoodie. Jack was dressed similarly.
“Of course you can,” Blaire said. “It’s just clothes, and if people judge you on it, they’re not worth knowing.”
“Says the girl in a designer gown,” Bella laughed, playfully nudging Blaire in the ribs.
“Let’s go,” Jack said, and he grabbed Bella’s hand. “You look gorgeous,” he said, placing a kiss on her forehead, “and I love you, even in your pajamas.”
“I love you too,” Bella said back, clutching Jack’s arm.
My heart jolted again. Declarations of love all around me. I looked at Blaire, my heartbeat feverish. Whether she was covered in makeup or natural, she captivated me, and the words were on the tip of my tongue, longing to be said.
But Alex Lord was a fraud.
Yeah, Alex Lord wasn’t real.
And how can you fall in love when you’re not a real person?
Chapter 18
The music was thumping and my mother was in the middle of the dance floor, swinging her hips, hands raised overhead, surrounded by my Covington Prep friends. Jack made a beeline for his father, who happened to be on the balcony with Dad, both of them far away from the dancing. Whiskey glasses in hand, they waved at us dismissively, as if it was neither the time nor place to be trying to prove my innocence.
But it was Alex who stated my case. The boy who had never met my father, and had only just learned of my true identity, addressed Uncle Matt and Dad, his English accent commanding their attention. And I don’t know, but I think it changed a bit, like he spoke in an aristocratic manner, as if he was running an investigation. He insisted there needed to be urgency and was shocked the security tapes had never been viewed. Uncle Matt made a move then, making a phone call, but we knew nothing more could be done until the next day.
The four of us went outside by the pool area, but not before Jack got into Zara’s face, a threat that the truth would crush her. We all chastised him—the Raymonds would have a lawsuit out for intimidation if he wasn’t careful! But I loved my cousin for it, I may have been isolated and alone, but Jack would always have my back.
And Alex, I couldn’t express how much his loyalty meant to me. Finding out I’d been concealing my true identity hadn’t fazed him, and the fact that he was trying to save my reputation when others had given up, that meant the world to me.
I got up early the next morning to catch Dad before he left for work. He said he’d be in touch as soon as he heard from Principal Porter. Cleaners arrived to tidy up after the party and Mom emerged later in the morning, downing coffee, headache pills and copious amounts of vitamins.
“What are your plans for the day?” she asked, nursing her head between her hands. “Ugh, too much dancing last night.” I was pretty sure dancing didn’t give you a hangover.
“I’m waiting to meet up with Dad,” I said.
“Oh?” She perked up. “Are you two planning something special for me?”
“No. We’re going to see Principal Porter,” I said, somewhat abruptly. Had my mother always been so self-centered? “Are you going to work today?”
“I have a lunch meeting,” she said, “and I think I’m going to have to get a foot massage. My feet are killing me.” I had a wild thought that I had no idea what my mother did at Whittaker’s. ‘Running the company’ was a rather vague title. Dad had a business degree but I wasn’t sure what Mom had majored in. Facetiously, I wondered if she ordered the company’s coffee supplies. Or maybe she filled her days with beauty treatments.
“I’m going to take Peppy for a walk,” I said, getting up from the table.
“Did you enjoy the party?” she asked. “It was great, wasn’t it? And catching up with your school friends?”
Mikayla and Ginny had flashed fake smiles when Mom was with me, then ditched me as soon as she disappeared. I was still branded a thief in their eyes, and having no gossip and being out of the social media loop for a month made me a bore. When they’d raved about the gorgeous, personalized stockings Zara Raymond had give
n out, betrayal rang loud and clear. Designer perfumes and expensive makeup were a far cry from candy, notepads and ice cream vouchers.
“I have new friends at River Valley High,” I stated, that English accent appearing in my repertoire again.
“I saw you talking to Shelby’s guest, the English boy,” she said, her voice flirty. “He was so cute. But I didn’t get to dance with him!”
Ugh...is there anything worse than your mother calling teenage boys cute? No. There isn’t. Why couldn’t she act her age?
“Okay, see you, bye,” I said, rushing to get Peppy’s coat and lead, and a jacket for myself. I didn’t want to go too far in case Dad called, so I looped the grounds a couple of times. I had taken for granted how much space we had, the magnificent view of the river that could be seen from the front garden. Lily’s house was down there, on the other side, with Margaret’s and Olivia’s and Chloe’s.
Lily and Olivia had texted, checking up on my ‘ill’ mother. Guilt flooded me, regretting all the lies. None of it had been in malice, but I’d deceived my friends. I’d falsified my identity, pretended to be someone I wasn’t.
Or had I?
Blair P was popular and pretty and stylish and had the best clothes, the best car and was invited to all the parties, or indeed, hosted them.
Blaire with an E hid behind glasses, wore chainstore clothes, sewed and didn’t drive. A fun time was playing boardgames with her friends and sharing brownies and hot chocolate.
As Peppy yapped at my feet in a bid to get me moving from my daydream, my phone beeped—Dad would meet me at Covington Prep in one hour. I looked up to the sky, the forecast for snow flurries looked unlikely as the clouds were dispersing and a tiny slither of blue sky peeped through. I despaired that Lily’s Snow Party would be a flop, not that I would be there.
I arrived back at the house as Mom was leaving for work. She bemoaned her sore feet, but they were jammed into four inch heels nonetheless. I watched her stop at the mirror and adjust the silk scarf around her neck, ensuring it hid none of her newly boosted cleavage. She fluffed at her long hair, now curled into loose waves. What did she look like without makeup, I wondered. Had I ever seen her with a clear face?
I texted Alex and Jack to let them know that I was going to meet the school principal, and then I ran upstairs to shower and dress. I stood in the middle of my closet for a long time, deciding what to wear. Mom’s final words before walking out the door had been Dress to impress, but what would impress Principal Porter? My school uniform, a blazer and skirt, a designer dress?
I walked through the empty hallways of my old school with a heavy heart. I’d spent most of my life in these walls, had been royalty here—once—but now reduced to Klepto-girl, the girl who had stolen the bracelet. The pristine corridors and shiny clean lockers were a far cry from the scuffed floors and dull walls of River Valley High, where every second locker and desk seemed to be faulty and at least one toilet stall had an Out of Order sign on it.
“Oh, there you are,” Dad stood from the plush chair he’d been sitting on. His eyes cast over me, from my beanie to my black puffer jacket and jeans to my purple Converse—the only item of clothing I’d brought from Margaret’s house. He squeezed me in a quick hug and said, “You’ve got this, sweetheart. We’ve got this.”
His words surged through me, and I knew he believed me. A month too late, but he did.
Security footage showed Zara and three other boarders enter the hallway the moment first period had begun. Zara stood at my locker and the three girls formed a row behind her. Zara spent less than twenty seconds at my locker door, it opened a crack, and then closed. The four of them scattered in different directions, all of them walking quickly.
A lawyer might argue that technically Zara hadn’t actually been seen opening the door because the girls were shielding her, therefore video evidence was unreliable, but Principal Porter was apologetic and reinstated my position at Covington Prep, my suspension revoked. Zara Raymond was the one who would now be suspended.
“We need to celebrate, Blaire,” Dad said, after hands had been shaken and I’d been welcomed back into the Covington fold. “Follow me to Spencer’s Cafe.” I’d never done much with Dad on my own. He was a workaholic, and if he had free time it was spent on the hobby he shared with Uncle Matt and Theo, racing cars and motorbikes. Mom and I were never included, Mom said it was a noisy and dirty sport.
Sitting across the little table from Dad in the classy eatery was a treat. I mean, in that Dad had made the time for it. I’d half expected him to rush back to the office. But maybe because Christmas was two days away, he was starting to wind down.
“You know, I missed not having you around,” he said. “It was quiet without you.”
“Really?” Like I said, Dad worked long hours, and our paths only crossed at dinner time, sometimes not even then.
“Yes, and when your mother was away last week, I was rattling around in that big old house not knowing what to do with myself.” I laughed. “But with my little girl going off to college next year, I guess I’m going to have to get used to it.”
“Yeah, I guess,” I said. I brought my mug of hot chocolate to my lips, instantly reminded of Alex. “Dad, you and Mom didn’t believe me. You said I’d disgraced the family name.”
Dad’s eyes drooped. “Yes, I’m sorry,” he said. “It’s unforgivable, but there was so much going on at work. And Jack and your friend were right about Raymond Farms. They were threatening to sue us and basically blackmailing us back into restoring their contract.”
“Is that why the Raymonds were invited to the party?”
“Yes, your mother thought she’d try to sweet-talk them out of it, smother them in kindness, so to speak.”
“At my expense, though? Knowing I’d be there?” I wasn’t hiding my exasperation at the situation.
“Yes, it wasn’t one of her better decisions,” Dad acknowledged with a sigh. “You know your mother, though.”
I wondered if I did.
“Dad, I don’t know that I want to go back to Covington,” I said, realizing it was a spur-of-the-moment comment.
“What? Don’t be silly! Of course you do.”
“I don’t think I do,” I said again, pushing my glasses up.
“Look, this will all be forgotten by the time winter break is over. In the New Year no one will remember any of this,” he scoffed.
“I will, Dad,” I said. “I will.”
Dad’s phone rang, and he looked at the screen. “I have to take this,” he said. “I’ll see you at home tonight, okay?”
I nodded and he brushed a kiss against my cheeks and headed out the door, his coffee cup still half full.
I sipped on my hot chocolate, then picked up my phone. Alex and Jack would want to know the good news. I texted Jack first, who replied immediately with: Congrats! Catch up later?
Then I selected Alex’s name, pressed the call option,
And waited,
And hoped.
Chapter 19
Alexander
I pretended to doze on the forty minute drive back to the Cutter’s house. Shelby hadn’t been drinking but was driving extra cautiously with the slippery roads, hence the extra time it took. I hadn’t wanted to answer questions about where I’d disappeared to during the evening, but I was prickling at the conversations around the Raymond family. Grant had been highly irritated by their presence, their unpaid fees continuing to stack up as they refused to acknowledge or address the situation, and I was equally riled after learning of the stunt that Zara had pulled on Blaire.
Even though it was the reason we’d connected.
If it hadn’t happened, I would never have met Blaire,
never have
f
a
l
l
e
n
in love.
I hadn’t realized my jaw was clenched until I had to stifle a yawn. I feigned a stretch as Shelby crept the truck along the w
inding driveway.
“All right, Alexander?” she asked.
“Uh, yep,” I said dopily, as if I was waking up. “We home?”
“Yes, thankfully,” Grant said dryly. Not one for social pretense, he was happier at home on the ranch.
“We were just saying that you seemed to disappear for a while,” Shelby said, though I’d heard every word of it. “We hope you weren’t bored.”
Grant was quick out of the vehicle, Barney his dog running up to greet him. I waited for Shelby to grab her purse and walked with her to the house, glad he had gone ahead; I knew he wouldn’t like anything I had to say.
“I know Blaire,” I said. “She was in the winter show with me. One of the elves.”
“Wait, what?”
I gave Shelby the shortened version of Zara Raymond’s stolen bracelet, how Blaire had been accused and suspended from school and sent to River Valley High under a cloud of shame. Even though it was late, we both needed to unwind, so she made hot chocolate and we sat in the living room to drink it. Grant had gone straight to bed.
“Blaire’s the girl I told you about,” I admitted, “the one I said I liked. I had no idea she was part of the Whittaker family.”
“Uh-huuuuhh,” Shelby was drawing her own conclusions, well it didn’t take a rocket scientist to work out my dilemma. “So, the two of you like each other, but unknowingly you’ve both been hiding your true identities.”
“What’s she going to think when I tell her who I really am?” I said.
“Are you shocked by who she is? I mean, let’s face it, in River Valley the Whittaker family are like royalty.”
“Well, yeah, I am shocked. I mean, the Blaire I met is so...so awesome.” I felt kind of exposed revealing my feelings to Shelby. “She’s kind, she’s...so genuine.” I huffed out an ironic laugh. “Except, she’s not.” Yeah, the girl who wore big glasses and purple shoes was a billionaire’s daughter who attended a prep school and lived in the lap of luxury. And drove a brand new Mercedes to boot.
