Northanger Alibi

by Jenni James

  “Jaden, seriously. Get a life.”

  “Why?” He chuckled. “Watching you try to live yours is way more exciting.”

  I muttered a series of unintelligible words, sounding more like a Tasmanian devil than an actual human being, but I didn’t care. Jaden is so going down.

  “You know you’re cute when you’re mad.” He laughed again.

  I nearly threw the phone. Instead, I took a deep breath and vowed to find the positive in this situation. “Okay, okay, look. You’re right. I’m not going to freak out unless there’s a reason.” I took another deep breath while he chuckled in my ear. “You just better not have given me any reason to flip out, you got that?”

  “Man, get over it. Everything will be perfect, you’ll see.”

  ***

  Later that night, I wished I’d had the foresight to invite Jaden over—that way, he’d be right next to me when my fury broke loose. Which it did, right about the time Jaden told the pretty newswoman I thought he was a werewolf when I first met him. Oh yeah, they both had a good long laugh about that. It was so hilarious, you have no idea. Even Roger and Darlene thought it was funny and joined in. Only Cassidy looked a little freaked out and even slightly worried for me.

  I didn’t understand the extent of her stress until Jaden announced, “Yeah, that’s not all. She totally thought Tony was a vampire, too, just like Edward in those Twilight books. I’m serious. She really, really did—she thought he could read her mind and everything!”

  Oh. My. Gosh. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, he continued, “Yeah, the only way she found out he wasn’t a vampire was when he kissed her!” He chuckled obnoxiously. “Can you imagine her shock when she realized his lips were warm instead of cold?”

  Roger and Darlene burst into more laughter. She looked like she was about to have a seizure, she was laughing so hard.

  My head began to buzz, and my vision was starting to fade. One quick glance at Cassidy and I knew she was as sickly stunned as I was. Without saying a word, I scrambled off the couch and ran up the stairs to my room.

  This can’t be happening to me! Oh my gosh! This can’t be happening! I wondered briefly how long I’d actually have before Tony heard about the news story. He was going to freak out—I knew it. I took a deep breath and willed myself not to have a heart attack. Too late. My vision only became more blurry and my breathing more labored. In fact, I wondered briefly if I was going to pass out again. Then I felt my cheeks grow wet, which was almost a relief because crying was way better than fainting, in my opinion.

  After kicking off my shoes, I curled up on the bed. Was this ever going to get any better?

  About ten minutes later, I learned it wasn’t getting better any time soon. My cell phone rang. Dang. What if it’s Tony?

  It wasn’t. It was Nora.

  “Hey, Claire?” She sounded uncomfortable and nervous. It was the first time I’d spoken to her since the mall incident.

  “Yeah?”

  “Um, my dad wants to talk to you. Is that okay?”

  Her dad? Tony’s dad? What does he want? “Um, okay.” I tried to take the scared tone out of my voice when he picked up, but it didn’t work. I was terrified. “What can I do for you?”

  “Claire.” He heaved a sigh into the phone. I knew before he spoke that it wasn’t going to be good. “Ilene and I have been talking it over, and we’ve come to the conclusion that you should head back to Farmington.”

  What? “Why?”

  “We feel it would be in the best interest of everyone involved if you did.”

  “But—but I don’t understand.”

  “Anthony won’t be thrilled to hear that you’ve been calling him a vampire. In fact, knowing Tony’s aversion to anything vampire related, we suggest you leave before he finds out. We are only thinking of you, and even though the image of our son has been greatly hurt because of your dealings with him, we feel that if you go now, he may have a chance to rebuild what little of his character he has left.”

  “I don’t know what to say . . .”

  “If you truly love Tony, you would’ve already said that you’re leaving. The fact that we’re discussing the issue this long tells me you’re only concerned about yourself and not him at all.”

  “That’s not true!” I love him.

  “Then prove it and leave. If you’re out of the state, and he comes to visit you, the media won’t get wind of it. Farmington is a lot smaller than Seattle. Tony could probably hide much better there. With you still here, nothing will ever die down—it’ll just be a continuous mass of confusion.”

  I could actually see where he was coming from. “But what about Darlene and Roger? He isn’t finished with his training.”

  Jonathan Russo sighed into the phone again. “His training has been put on hold anyway. There’s no way he can show up at the college right now—there are people everywhere waiting to get a glimpse of anyone who knows Tony. Look, I wanted to give you a heads-up. We will be speaking to Roger about this shortly. I’m just hoping you can do the wise and mature thing and leave without a fuss. Tony’s whole life has been disrupted since meeting you, and now with this gruesome vampire story, it’s only going to get worse. The media is already laughing at you two like this was the biggest joke in history. Can you imagine how much more damage it will do to his career if you stay? Do you even have any idea how much that boy has risked for you as it is?”

  “Probably not. I mean, I have an idea, but probably nothing compared to the whole story. I’m sorry about the vampire thing. I—I didn’t know it was going to become public knowledge.”

  “Well, welcome to the world of celebrity, the world from which we have tried to shield our son. It’s vicious and brutal, and only cares about getting viewers and making money. Feelings don’t count.” Jonathan groaned. When he spoke again, he sounded about twenty years older. “Poor Ilene has not been taking this well. This media circus has not helped her at all. In fact, the stress has been . . . Uh, look, I don’t know why I’m talking to you about this. I need to get a hold of Roger now. I hope you will take our suggestion to heart and not put up a fuss, okay?”

  “Uh, sure. I promise to think about it.”

  “You do that.”

  The phone clicked in my ear. For a good ten minutes I just sat there, absorbing everything he’d said. As much as I hated to admit it, Tony’s dad was right. With an exhausted moan, I walked over to the closet and pulled out my suitcase. Maybe it was time I got out of Seattle anyway. The whole celebrity thing was way more than a typical sixteen-year-old could cope with.

  While I was emptying my side of the dresser, Cassidy came up to tell me Mom was on the phone. The look my sister gave me spoke volumes. It’d only been three days since Tony had sung to me under the balcony, but it felt more like thirty.

  I sighed, placed my hand over the receiver, and pointed to the dresser. “Better start packing. Jonathan Russo is calling Roger now to convince us all to leave.”

  Cassidy nodded. “Figures.” She didn’t even blink. She just walked over to the closet and grabbed her suitcase. By the time I said hello into the phone, she had already began to pack.

  “I want you home, right now!” Mom declared. “What in the world has been going on, anyway? The last time we talked, everything was perfect, and now this!”

  “Look, Mom—” I didn’t have the heart to really protest.

  “No, you look! I have to find out on the cover of a tabloid that my daughter is sleeping with some rock star!”

  What? Holy cow! “No way, Mom! Not even! That’s just the stupid tabs lying. You have to believe me.”

  My mom snorted in the phone. I heard her hand move across the mouthpiece as though she were muffling it.

  “Mom? You do believe me, right?”

  All pretense gone, Mom cracked up and removed her hand. “Duh, I totally believe you.”

  “You know, you could’ve told me you were just messing with me.�
� I crammed a couple more shirts in the suitcase. “It hasn’t been exactly easy around here the last couple of days.”

  “It’s a good thing I know you’d never do anything like that. It’s the only reason your butt isn’t getting busted right now. Still doesn’t make it easy to read. Thank goodness they don’t have all the details—and that picture was blurry—or we’d be getting hounded right now.”

  “Well, count yourself lucky. Seattle has been buzzing like their nose hair is on fire since Tony first came and sang to me.”

  “Tony? As in the friend of the Hadleys? I thought the paper was saying his name was Johnson or Justin or something—”

  “Jackson is his middle name. He goes by that when he’s playing, so no one knows who he is.”

  My mom didn’t seem too interested. Instead she asked, “So missy, what are your plans now that you’ve left your mark on Seattle? Are you planning to descend on Portland next?” She chuckled.

  It was a relief to hear that she was amused. At least someone could see the ridiculous side of this whole thing. “No, I think I’ve done enough damage for one summer. I’ll save Portland for next year. I’m coming home.”

  “When?”

  “Well, Tony’s dad is hoping the sooner the better. He’s talking to Roger right now, so it looks like it’ll probably be tomorrow.”

  “Ah.” Mom snorted. “Yep, their son must have it bad. I can see why they’d want you out of there as soon as possible. What does he say about all of this?”

  “Who? Tony’s dad?”

  “No. Tony.”

  “Oh, he’s in California right now, with his agent and publicist and record label. They’re trying to figure out some way to use all the publicity to their advantage. Tony has called me a few times since he left, and e-mailed and texted me.”

  “And? What’s he saying?”

  “Oh!” I blushed. That I’m the most wonderful girl in the whole world, and he loves me like crazy. Of course, that’s what he was saying about me before tonight’s vampire episode. “Ugh!”

  “He’s saying ugh?” my mom teased.

  “No.” I chuckled. “He’s saying all the right Prince Charming sorts of things he should. You’d really like him. I mean, he did go ahead and stick around, even after your stupid Dating Ritual. Thanks a lot for that—it was humiliating!”

  My mom started laughing hard. “You liked that, did you? Hee hee hee! I knew you’d get a kick out of it.”

  “Ha ha.” Mom’s idea of “kicks” and mine were not even on the same planet.

  “Well, hurry home. Call me when you find out what’s going on, okay?”

  “Sure, Mom. I will.”

  “M’kay. Love you.”

  “Love you too, Mom. Bye.”

  Twenty-Four

  Home Sweet Home

  Twenty-four hours later, our plane landed in New Mexico. It was kind of rough dodging the paparazzi in Seattle, but with Tony’s family to distract them, we were able to pull it off. That’s all I needed—someone tailing me to Farmington.

  Mom and Dad were waiting for us and had a large meal on the dining room table when we walked in. It was such a comfort to come home to enchiladas after the ordeal we’d been through. Even Cass, who’d spent the flight finishing the last book in the Twilight series, was eager to just relax at home.

  As soon as I could, I ran to an outlet and plugged in my cell. It had run out of power halfway through our trip, and I hadn’t heard back from Tony yet. I’d sent him a text last night saying we were heading home, and since it’d been almost twenty-four hours, I expected there to be a text waiting for me.

  While the battery was charging and the messages loading, I filled up my plate and sat down to eat with the family. Cassidy and I were bombarded with questions about Seattle and our trip home. I answered as best I could, skipping over all the kisses I’d gotten. I might tell my mom later in her room or something, just between us. Instead, I used the opportunity to paint Tony in a wonderful light so my parents would give him the chance he deserved. I made sure to talk about his soccer team and his incredible musical talent, and also how nice he was and how much he loved kids. I think by the time I was done, even the curtains were in love with the guy.

  “Wow.” Mom chuckled. “He sounds like a perfect boyfriend.”

  “Well, I for one can’t wait to meet him,” my dad said. “Let us know when he plans on headin’ this way.”

  I giggled at the thought of Tony coming here. Oh my gosh—Tony! I jumped up to check my cell and see what he’d said.

  There were no messages from him.

  Huh?

  There were, however, a couple of “I’m so sorry” texts from Jaden, but I just skimmed over those. Even my e-mail inbox was suspiciously empty. I tried not to let it bug me while I helped clear the table.

  By the time I finished loading the dishwasher, I’d already come up with six or seven good excuses why Tony hadn’t texted, or e-mailed, or anything.

  But three hours later as I was climbing into bed, I began to doubt those excuses completely. Instead, I found myself facing the reality that something could be seriously wrong. I didn’t like that reality. I would much prefer to think happy thoughts as long as I possibly could, until proven differently.

  Except that’s the thing. Since the day we went to the movies together, Tony had never gone a full day without contacting me somehow, and with the rising media and craziness in our lives, he’d been really good about touching base at least two or three times a day. Just not this day—the day after Jaden announced in an exclusive interview that I thought Tony was a vampire.

  I was worried. Okay, so I was more than worried. I was downright terrified that Tony hated me. He’d made it pretty clear that the thought of vampires creeped him out—even his family knew that, so he must’ve been really vocal about it.

  I tried to keep my rising panic at bay as I typed out another text that night. It wasn’t easy.

  Hey u, got hme safe. miss u like crzy. wsh u were here. luv, me

  By the time I pushed the “send” button, I was gasping for breath. I knew I was totally being melodramatic, but I couldn’t help it. The thought that Tony hated me was more than I could bear. Never mind the fact that we’d had an extra-dramatic relationship to begin with—all this drama was killing me. I needed reassurance—a lot of reassurance—and no one was there to give it to me. All I wanted to do was say I was sorry. I really couldn’t explain much, because, well, what Jaden had said was the truth. So it wasn’t like I had a million good excuses for why I’d thought it. I just wished Jaden hadn’t said anything to begin with. Not that it would’ve changed anything. I’d thought Tony was a stupid vampire until just a few days ago.

  Why was I ever so blind? Could there be a bigger dork than me anywhere?

  Clutching my phone, I pulled the covers up over my head and lay there, trying to will myself into breathing normally. When Cassidy knocked on my door a little while later, I pretended I was asleep. The last thing I needed was my sister bugging me about Tony.

  I couldn’t sleep, though. As much as I pretended to, and later even wanted to, I couldn’t. Instead, my eyes watched the clock on my phone, waiting for Tony to answer me, while my mind replayed over and over again all the moments we’d had together.

  9:51

  10:07

  11:26

  12:33

  1:18

  2:42

  3:02

  I finally zonked out sometime after four.

  ***

  Five mornings later, I realized this was becoming a late-night ritual. I groaned. Then I rolled over in my bed and looked at my alarm clock. It was ten forty-five! Sheesh! I jumped out of the covers and searched frantically for my phone. When I found it, the battery was almost dead because I’d used the light so much the night before. Scanning quickly, I could see there were still no texts from Tony. It had been a week. A whole week and I still hadn’t heard from him.

  In dejection, I tossed the phone on my desk and curled
up in bed again. No one even bothered to check on me for at least another hour. I tried to use that to my advantage and sleep some time away, but it wouldn’t work. My happy memories were replaced with mean, angry imaginings.

  I was positive Tony hated me. I was positive he was mad—really mad. His silence was more ominous than any tear-jerking letter he could’ve sent. It was the most horrible, cruel way to treat someone. Especially someone like me, who used words for everything. Even when my friend Emma had railed on me in front of a whole Christmas party full of people—that didn’t hurt as much as this did. And that was saying a lot, because eighteen months ago, I thought that was the worst thing I could’ve ever gone through. Now, I would take Emma chewing me out eight times over one silent Tony any day.

  Just tell me off, already! I get it. I’m a horrible person who’s completely naive and gullible and prefers living in an imaginary world more than reality.

  Except that wasn’t who I was anymore. I wasn’t the same Claire Hart who’d traveled to Seattle. I was different and more mature and everything. I just needed a chance to prove that to Tony.

  How can I be given that chance when he won’t even acknowledge me? Who am I trying to kid, anyway?

  I sat up in bed and pushed down the covers.

  Tony Russo is a rock star, for crying out loud! A huge, highly paid rock star who has loads of girls throwing themselves at his feet. He doesn’t need me. And if I’d actually think about it and listen to his parents, I’d see what he must see—that I’m bad for his career. I mean, isn’t it a law or something that when a band starts out, it’s really good for the singers to be single? I’m sure I’ve heard that somewhere.

  I tried to think about it for a minute and make that thought work into my subconscious, except all it did was remind me of every famous singer I knew who was either married or going out with someone.