Ann Martin - Mystery At Claudia's House

But Janine wasn't. "Mom, Dad, I just want to let you know I'll be late for dinner tonight," she said. "I have to go to the college library to work on a paper."

"That's fine, honey,” said my mom. She glanced up at Janine, and I saw the shock in her eyes when she noticed my sister's makeup. But she didn't say anything. And she shot a Look at dad, warning him to keep quiet, too. My parents are pretty good that way; they don't make rules about what we can wear, and they hardly ever comment on the wild outfits I've been known to come up with. I guess my mother sensed that Janine didn't want to hear anything about the makeup she was wearing.

"Fine, honey," echoed my dad.

How about that? My parents trust Janine so much she doesn't even have to ask permission to be late for dinner. She just announces it. And they accept it. I don't think I could get away with that. But then, I don't have Janine's spotless record.

I got up to put my plate and glass in the sink. "You know I'll always stay, 'cause I love it when you look at me that way," I sang. The song was stuck in my head. It would be with me all day.

Janine looked at me and frowned. "Why are you singing that song?" she demanded.

"What?" I asked.

"What do you mean by singing that song?"

"I —nothing," I said. "I heard it on the radio this morning, and I can't get it out of my head. It's really catchy. Especially the part that goes, 'So I'll love you forever, forever I'll love you.' I like that part, don't you?"

Janine was glaring at me. She didn't answer. I guess I had been rambling a little.

"Well, I have to catch a bus," I said quickly. I grabbed my stuff and headed out the door without looking behind me. " 'Bye, everybody!" I called over my shoulder as I left. Out on the sidewalk, I shook my head. What a weird morning.

That day, at lunch, I told Stacey about Janine's strange behavior. "... and she was wearing nail polish!" I said as I peeled an orange.

"So what's the big deal?" asked Stacey. "I mean, I know Janine doesn't usually wear makeup, but after all, she is sixteen. Maybe she finally decided to look a little more sophisticated."

"It's not just that," I said. "She was late for breakfast, too."

Stacey giggled. "She's just going wild!" she said. "I'd call the cops if I were you."

"It's not funny," I said. But suddenly, it was. I imagined the police taking mug shots of Janine and booking her for "incompetent

makeup application,” and "meal tardiness." I giggled. Stacey giggled. Soon we were completely hysterical.

That night, I helped my mom make dinner, something I hadn't done in a long time. I'm often busy with art lessons or a sitting job, so. Janine usually helps out in the kitchen. "This is fun," I said, as I scraped carrots for a salad. "It reminds me of how I used to help Mimi make dinner." Mom and I smiled sadly at each other. Mimi was my grandmother — mom's mother — and she used to live with us. She died not long ago, and I miss her all the time.

Dinner was ready by six-thirty, but we waited until past seven to start eating. We were waiting for Janine. Finally, I couldn't wait anymore. "I'm starving," I said. "Is it okay if I have just a little stew?"

"Go ahead and eat," replied Mom. "I'd join you, but I don't seem to have much of an appetite. I'm worried about Janine."

"I'm sure she's fine," said my. father, helping himself to a bowl of stew. "She did tell us she was going to be late, remember?"

"Of course I do," said my mother. "I just didn't think she'd be this late."

Guess what time Janine finally got home? Eight thirty!

"Where have you been?" cried my mother,

when Janine walked in. "I was just about to call the police."

I thought of my lunchtime discussion with Stacey, and a giggle flew out of my mouth before I could stop it. My father frowned at me. Then he turned to my sister. "Janine, your mother was very worried about you," he said to her. "Please assure us that this won't happen in the future."

Janine apologized and promised she'd never be late again. I thought she'd be upset since our parents were so mad at her, but it didn't seem to bother her much at all. Humming that silly song from the radio, she rummaged around in the fridge and found some food. Then she headed upstairs to her room.

I stayed downstairs and watched TV for a little while since I had finished my homework, but soon I decided I was sleepy and ready for bed. As I climbed the stairs I noticed some movement at the end of the upstairs hall. It was Janine. She was walking quickly toward her room — and she was coming from the direction of my room.

"Hey!" I said. But she didn't seem to hear me. She hurried into her room and shut the door firmly behind her. I ran to my room and looked around. Once again, it looked messy — different messy. But I couldn't be sure that someone had been in there. And I couldn't

figure out why Janine, of all people, would be sneaking around in my room. Something weird was going on, but I was too tired to figure it out that night. I fell asleep, and — would you believe it? — that song kept playing through all my dreams.

Chapter 5.

When I woke up the next morning, the sun was streaming through my window. "Oh, no!" I cried, throwing off the covers. I jumped out of bed, grabbed my clock and shook it. "Eight o'clock! Why didn't the alarm go off? I'm going to be late for school."

I was in a total panic. I looked wildly around the room, trying to figure out what I should wear. This was no time for fancy outfits; I just had to get dressed as quickly as possible. I grabbed my jeans, which were draped over a chair. Then I turned to my bureau and started to open drawers and slam them shut. I was looking for my favorite red sweater, but it was nowhere to be found.

"Whatare you doing?" asked Janine. She was standing in the doorway, staring at me. She rubbed her eyes and yawned. She was wearing pajamas and a robe.

"What do you mean, what am I doing?" I

asked. "What are you doing? You're not even dressed yet. Oh, I don't believe it. How did we both manage to oversleep? You never oversleep." As I was talking, I was racing around my room, grabbing socks and shoes and trying to French braid my hair, all at the same time.

"Claudia," said Janine quietly. She had a funny little smile on her face. "There's something you may not realize." She paused for a moment.

"What?" I asked, as I hurriedly applied some mascara, smearing it in the process. "What?"

"Today is Saturday."

"Saturday?" I said, staring at her. I put down the lip gloss I'd just picked up.

"Saturday," Janine repeated. Then she cracked up, and so did I. "You should see yourself," Janine said. "You're wearing one red sock and one pink one. A big piece of hair is sticking out of your braid. You have black rings around your eyes, and your pajama top is still on."

"Hmm," I said. "All dressed up and nowhere to go." I threw myself on the bed, laughing. "I don't believe I just did that," I said. "All that running around for nothing." Then I remembered something. I had a sitting job over at the Pikes'. And I was supposed to

be there at nine-thirty. So at least I hadn't gotten up early for no reason.

Janine was still standing in the doorway. "Um, Claudia," she said, sounding a little nervous. "I was wondering. Do you think I could borrow your red sweater?"