Chapter Eleven

"Clu! What the hell are you doing!" I screamed, shoving him away and wiping my lips furiously.

He gave me a confused look. "What was I supposed to do? You asked me to come over. Remember?" I stared at him blankly. "Our code?"

Play it cool, play it cool. "But I'm dating Jack! And besides, you're gay!"

"That never stopped us before."

Ugh, I couldn't believe this. It made no sense. So Clu was Annie's boy-toy on the side. All I could think was one thing: Damn, Annie gets around.

"Wait," Clu said, looking rather perplexed. "I thought Carey was dating Jack now."

"Clu, you really shouldn't believe anything Carey says," I said bitterly.

His eyes lit up. "You mean Carey's not dating Jack!" Clu asked excitedly.

"No, you idiot, he's dating me!" I cried in exasperation. "And he's not gay, either!" Clu's already sad face quickly grew more sullen. "Carey just said that to make you jealous," I added.

"Does he like Jack too?" Clu asked worriedly.

"NO!" I screamed. Jesus.

"Well, even if you are dating Jack," Clu pointed out, "he's still fooling around. He's got that girlfriend, Gabe"—he spoke her name with marked disgust—"remember?"

Ah, right. Of course. The famous Gabe. How could I forget? It was amazing that Jack was still dating her, despite the fact that they hadn't seen each other in over three years, their only way of communication was the Internet, and she may or may not be dead. But somehow she always pops up. Incredible, really.

But I digress.

"Look, Clu—let's just forget about that. The real reason I called you to, um, visit, is that I have to talk to you about something really, really, really, really important." Clu's eyes lit up and he nodded anxiously. I took a deep breath. "Okay… a few days ago… something really weird happened."

Clu nodded enthusiastically. "Like paranormal weird?"

"Well… yes. You see… even though I may look and sound like Annie, I'm really not! I'm trapped in her body—she tricked me—she gave me a drink mixed with drugs and then we switched bodies!" I blurted out.

Clu's eyes grew wider. "Then like… if you're not Annie… who are you? Because you seem to know me and everyone else, and a lot about us…"

I inhaled sharply. This was it—now or never. "Clu, it's me! It's Carey! I've been trapped inside Annie's body for days, and she's in mine, and I need your help! You have to believe me!" Finally I exhaled, waiting for his reaction.

Clu stared at me, speechless. Then, suddenly, he started laughing. Soon his laughter turned into hysterical guffaws. "Oh, man! You really had me going there… good one, Annie! Hahahahaha…"

Okay. This was going to be harder than I thought.

"SHUT UP!" I screamed. The laughter ceased immediately. "Clu, you have to believe me. Please. Hey, I know. Ask me a question that only I, Carey, would know." This had to work.

"Okay." Clu eyed me steadily, ready for the challenge. "If you're really Carey, then what's my full first name?"

What! How is he in college and I'm not?

"Clu, no offense, but even Annie would know the answer to that one, and that's not saying much—"

"YOU'RE STALLING!" he screamed.

"CLUETT!" I screamed back at equal volume. "Jesus, ya happy now? Do you believe me, that I'm Carey?"

"Psh, of course not," he scoffed. "Even Annie would know the answer to that question."

"Clu, for christ sake. Would you ask me a real question then?"

"Hmm." He appeared to be thinking. Whether or not he actually was remained to be seen. "Okay, I got one. What is my most favorite thing in the whole world?"

This was too easy. "Your first surfboard."

"And what is its name?"

"The Wavemeister," I announced in my most sarcastically enthusiastic voice.

"And what color is it?"

"Purple, black, and gray."

Clu smiled. "Very nice. So, what is it, Annie, you're like, psychic or something, right?"

"What! No!" I was shocked. "You mean you still don't believe me?"

"Sorry, Annie. I know told you about the Wavemeister before. But wait a minute! I have an idea. Instead of asking something that only Carey would know about me, how about I ask something only Carey would know about himself?"

"Sure," I agreed, even though I didn't really follow. "Anything." I wasn't quite sure how this would help.

"Who does Carey like?"

I gulped. "Like?"

"You know, like, have a crush on." I bit my lip nervously. Clu snickered. "See, what Carey doesn't know is I read his diary. So I already know the answer to this. And if you're really Carey, so do you. So tell me."

I whispered my answer.

"What!"

I whispered a little louder.

"WHAT!"

"Molly!" I squeaked. "Molly, okay?" Jesus, I couldn't believe it. Everyone and their mother was reading my diary. I hope Jack doesn't find it…

"Ew, dude, really? Molly? I mean, I like her and all, but like a mother! Or, an aunt, maybe… or even an older cousin…" he babbled.

"Wait a second!" I interrupted. "Why are you acting like you didn't already know this?"

Clu blushed. "Oh. Well. I didn't actually read your diary…"

"What!"

"Dude, I had to know! After you answered that last question right, I knew you were Carey, so I had to make sure you didn't like Jack!"

He tricked me! I couldn't believe Clu was that smart.

"So Annie doesn't know about the Wavemeister?" I asked weakly.

"Dude, no way," Clu breathed. "Some things are holy. That remains a secret between us bros."

"So you believe me now?' I asked hopefully.

Clu nodded. "Don't worry. I'm not going to fall for any of Annie's stupid tricks." I breathed a huge sigh of relief. Thank god. That meant no coming out party. "One question though. What do we do now?"

I wish I knew. "I have no idea."

Clu nodded sympathetically. "This is like, so Freaky Friday." Then he grinned. "Awesome."