The ancient Camp Amelia uniform Hannah had dug up was a perfect fit. It looked like an old-fashioned Girl Scout uniform, except it was cardinal red rather than Girl Scout green. The thick cotton was cuffed into short sleeves and pleated in stiff accordion folds in the skirt. The waist was cinched with an ancient leather belt and the dress was topped off with a gray and red striped kerchief. There was even a matching red felt beret.
Poppy clasped her hands together. “Maisy! You look just like the girls did back when Nana Mary went here!”
Isa wrinkled her nose. “I didn’t know Nana Mary went to camp with a bunch of ghouls.”
Poppy playfully smacked Isa’s arm.
Hannah tied red ribbons on the ends of Maisy’s braids. “There. Now you have the full effect.”
Isa walked around Maisy like she was looking at a wax museum figure. “I can’t believe girls had to dress like this back then.”
“Only for camp ceremonies and visiting day,” Poppy said. “Nana Mary said they spent the rest of the time running around in shorts they stole from the boys’ camp laundry line.”
Maisy slid a bobby pin into the side of the beret. “Are you sure they overheard you guys talking?”
“Positive,” I said. “We waited until we knew they were behind us on the path to the lake. Then we talked about sneaking out tonight and meeting boys near the haunted woods.”
“How do we know they’ll take the bait?” asked Poppy.
Maisy slid another bobby pin on her hat, then moved it back and forth to make sure it was secure. “Because boys,” she said.
All the girls nodded in agreement. This was the first time I had seen the confident Maisy since we arrived at camp. We were finally doing something she was an expert in—tricking people.
“Okay, does everyone know what to do?” she asked.
“Yes!” we all said in unison.
“Let’s go scare the crap out of those Dandelion girls!” shouted Maisy.
Ainsley was so desperate for face time with her latest guy, she started making her way to the boys’ camp right after dinner. We waited until all of the surrounding cabins had gone dark, then walked quickly and quietly on the path that would lead us from our bunk to the haunted woods. It was quiet except for the buzzing symphony of the cicadas and the nonstop chirps of the crickets. The full moon served double duty, both as a light source and to add to the horror movie vibe that we were setting out to create.
When we got to the haunted woods, Maisy positioned Isa, Poppy, and Hannah on the perimeter spaced about three feet apart from each other. They were more than happy with their stations since they weren’t technically in the haunted woods and they were close enough to each other in case the real Amelia ghost made an appearance.
The girls had been shocked that the “Girl Who Is Afraid of Everything” wasn’t scared of the one actual scary place at camp. But being friends with Maisy all those years taught me that anxious people can surprise you sometimes with their bravery.
I automatically stopped as soon as we got to the row of rocks that divided the regular footpath from the haunted one. I felt a breeze on the back of my neck and involuntary shivers went up my spine and sent my teeth into chatters. Now I knew what Maisy felt like on the ropes course.
Maisy reached out and grabbed my hand. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
Holding Maisy’s hand actually did make me feel protected, even though she’s so much smaller than me. Her confidence was contagious.
The high grass scratched my calves as she pulled me deeper into the woods. I heard the swishing of bushes as the other three girls arranged themselves in their positions.
Maisy stopped when we got to a gnarled oak tree. “Look. There’s a face in the tree.”
I smoothed my hand over the knots and twists in the bark that did indeed form what looked like a face. You would think an old tree with a face would creep Maisy out.
But she held her hand there for a second and said, “It’s almost like you’re meant to tell the tree your secrets.”
Maybe it was her ghostly makeup, but she looked sad. Not the kind of sad when you find out you failed a math test. More like the deeper sadness when something bad is going on that is much bigger than you. Not for the first time I wondered what was going on at her house.
Maisy reached behind the tree and pulled out an old rope swing with a seat made from a wooden plank.
“There’s nothing scarier than a ghost girl on a swing,” she whispered, and climbed onto the seat.
“You look like you belong on American Horror Story,” I said.
“That’s exactly what I was going for.” She smiled. “When we get the signal, give me a good push and stay down so no one can see you.”
I ducked behind the tree as Maisy sat stoically on the swing. She didn’t talk, she just sat there waiting. She looked so scary sitting there that I had to repeatedly remind myself she wasn’t a real ghost.
The minutes ticked by as we waited for the Dandelion girls to show up. It felt awkward sitting there with nothing to say to the girl who had known me better than anyone else for practically my entire life. The silence was killing me.
Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. I whispered, “My mom has a boyfriend.”
“Go, Heather!” Maisy whispered. “But why don’t you sound like this is a good thing?”
“It’s not the fact that she’s dating, it’s who she’s dating,” I said.
“Who is it?”
I scrunched up my face. “I’ll give you a hint. He wears bowties with matching socks and gives detention for chewing gum in class.”
“Your mom is dating Mr. Pembrook?” she asked. “OMG! I would never think to put those two together. He’s so straight edge, and she’s so… not.”
“I never thought my mom would date someone who has every single holiday-themed bowtie you can imagine. Remember his Groundhog’s Day one?”
Maisy laughed. “With the matching socks sticking out of the bottom of his too-short pants?”
“Does he seem like the kind of guy who would date a tarot-card-reading, tattooed single mom?” I asked.
“Maybe he’s a different guy when he’s not at school,” Maisy said. “Those dorky socks could be covering up full leg tattoos.”
I looked at her, and we both shook our heads at the same time.
Maisy’s tone turned serious. “Does he make your mom happy?”
“You know my mom. She would rather stay home and reread one of the Harry Potter books for the hundredth time than go on a second date with someone if they didn’t make her happy,” I said.
“Then it’s maybe worth her dating the dorky math teacher. Because unhappy moms have a way of making the whole family miserable,” Maisy said.
I turned this over in my mind, the first bit of insight into what might be going on at Maisy’s house, but then there was a rustling in the bushes, and we heard the Dandelion girls’ voices. I had forgotten for a moment the real reason we were here.
“Could they have picked a creepier spot?” Tinka asked. “What guys are gonna want to hang here?”
“They’re already gonna scare away the guys with their ugly faces,” said one of the A twins.
I prayed Isa didn’t jump out of her hiding spot. I gave Maisy a hard push and she swung through the air.
“What time did they say?” asked Kaya. “I feel like they should be here already.”
“Who cares when the Sunflower girls get here? The guys will take one look at us and it’ll be all over for them,” said Tinka.
“Shhhhhh,” said one of the A twins. “Did you hear that?”
“What? Did we hear what?” Kaya’s voice rose. “What did you hear?”
“OMG… OMG… OMG! I told you we shouldn’t come!” shouted Tinka.
Maisy pumped her legs harder so she swung high enough to be seen over the tall grass and weeds. Her braids swung in the slight breeze, but her hat stayed in place because of all those bobby pins.
I could practic
ally hear arms being grabbed. “Who is that?” yelled one of the A twins.
“What the…!” Kaya shrieked.
“OMG! Is that a ghost?” Tinka squealed.
Maisy’s perfect soprano voice broke through the crickets and cicadas to the tune of “On Top of Old Smokey” in a high, reedy rendition fitting for a horror movie.
The place to disc-o-o-o-over, your hopes and your dreams.
Camp Am-e-e-e-e-e-lia, become part of the team.
You’ll count d-o-o-o-own the days till you attend,
Camp Ame-e-e-elia, you’ll find friends to the end.
My mouth dropped open. I couldn’t believe Maisy had learned our camp song. Even I was terrified and I knew she wasn’t a real ghost. The Dandelion girls had to be scared out of their minds.
If you listened close enough, you could hear the click of all three tape recorders on cue. Suddenly the woods were filled with the sound of a swarm of bees flitting and flying around, as if someone had tilted over an entire hive of honeybees. I found myself swatting at my ears even though I knew there weren’t any actual bees.
The Dandelion girls ducked and swatted at their faces, arms, and legs. Their piercing screams were so loud, you could barely hear the bees.
Maisy kept swinging, back and forth, and whispered, just loud enough for them to hear, “Don’t mess with the Sunflower girls!”
All four of the Dandelion Bunk girls ran through the woods, with Tinka yards ahead of the pack, the sound of their screams trailing behind them.
I ran over to the other girls.
“OMG! I am going to pee my pants,” said Poppy, clutching her stomach and hunching over laughing.
“Did you see the looks on their faces?” I asked. “I thought Tinka was going to have a heart attack!”
“That was the best prank ever!” said Isa.
“We never could’ve pulled that off without Maisy,” I said.
“No way we could’ve done that without her,” Hannah agreed. “That was sick!”
“So.” I folded my arms. “Does that mean we can keep Maisy in our bunk?”
No one answered. They just looked at each other, then at the ground.
Maisy ran toward us, her braids whipping behind her. Even with the ghost makeup, she looked like the old Maisy, hopeful and eager to make me happy. At moments like these, I had to remind myself that the past year really had happened.
Her words came out in a jumbled rush. “How did I do? Did you guys like the prank? Was it scary enough? I think Kaya peed her pants!”
The girls kept their eyes to the ground and my heart sank. I realized it was over. I was going to remain the ghost of Mapleton School.
But then, Isa looked up and said, “That was seriously the best prank ever, Maisy. Glad you’re in our bunk.”
I didn’t realize I had been holding my breath until just then. Maisy was in. I’d done it. And when we got back to school, I wouldn’t be alone.
CHAPTER TEN
MAISY
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Supplies shipped
Hi Mini,
Grandma thought I might be lonely with you girls gone, so she’s staying with me for a few weeks. She came to Michaels to help me pick out your friendship bracelet supplies. She was convinced Michaels would have better quality thread than Amazon. You know she doesn’t trust Amazon ever since the time she thought she ordered a dollhouse, and they shipped her a doghouse. I still crack up every time I think of that! She refuses to acknowledge it was time for a stronger pair of readers. That was a long-winded way of saying everything you could possibly need to make bracelets this summer is on its way to you. We also got you the requested hair-styling supplies and water shoes at Target. Grandma can’t believe how tiny your feet are! According to her, I was born with size 12 feet.
We sent everything overnight, so you should get this asap. Email me to let me know it arrived.
Grandma wanted me to remind you to eat enough. Consider that your reminder :). Don’t worry about Mom. I just talked to her last night and she sounded really good. How are the swim lessons?
Love,
Dad
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Supplies shipped
Hi Dad,
OMG! You sent enough supplies for Hannah and me to open up our own ETSY store. You and Grandma did a great job picking things out. I love the glittery thread and the silver beads, especially the ones shaped like dragonflies. Tell Grandma it was a good idea to go to Michaels.
Swimming lessons aren’t that bad. I thought it would be annoying to take lessons with the little kids, but they idolize me. They seriously think I am the coolest person they have ever met. They are so freaking cute too. This little girl named Hillary lost both of her front teeth, so she has a lisp. She calls me Maithy and it is so adorable I can’t take it. Wish I had my phone so I could video her to show you and Addy how cute she is.
Thanks for letting me know Mom is okay. Don’t tell her I was asking about her. I only wanted to make sure she was okay for Addy, so don’t get any ideas about me writing to her.
XOXO
Maisy
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Mom’s Fine
Hi Addy,
Dad said Mom is doing good. Don’t waste any more of your summer worrying about her. We already spent way too much time stressed out because of her. Just focus on your gymnastics and have fun.
Is Dad really going to let you homeschool? I’ve seriously never met anyone more serious about school than Dad. Remember the time I got a B- on that math test? I thought he was going to lose his mind.
XOXO
Maisy
From: @maisywintersiscoming
To: @madisonave
Miss you sm!! Camp still sucks. Counting down the days till I’m back home. ILY!
From: @madisonave
To: @maisywintersiscoming
Meghan’s being mean to me again. I didn’t even do anything wrong. She keeps making faces at everything I say and whispering to the other girls right in front of me. Wish you were here.
I was the last one added to the M & Ms, which was bad enough, but Madison didn’t have it much better. She’s been in the group since the beginning, but only because she and Meghan were family friends. Meghan’s mom and Madison’s mom grew up together in Mapleton, and they’ve been best friends for pretty much their whole lives. So, the moms decided back when they were both pregnant at the same time that their girls would be best friends too. Since the moms never asked the girls if they actually wanted to be friends, Meghan reminded Madison all the time that she’s a pity friend. I think being a pity friend is way worse than being the new friend. Holding up my end of the pact was going to be even harder if my best friend in the M & Ms was having trouble with her spot.
To: @madisonave
From: @maisywintersiscoming
Meghan always does this, then she gets bored of being mean after a few days. Just smile and be nice and pretend not to notice. Whatever you do, DON’T get in a fight with her about it. It will just make drama for you with the other girls. Miss you sm!! ILY!!
I yawned as I handed the laptop back to Dr. Beth.
“I heard you guys running past my cabin last night,” she said. “It was after eleven. No wonder you’re so tired this morning.”
“We got the Dandelion girls back,” I said. “But that’s not why I’m so tired.”
Dr. Beth leaned in so close I could feel the steam rising off her giant mug of tea. “Then, why have you been yawning nonstop?”
“Besides the fact that you made me meet with you before breakfast today… I’ve had the same nightmare every night since I got here,” I said. “I’m back from camp and my mom comes home. She runs right over to Dad and Addy and gives them super big hugs and tells them how much she loves them. But she can’t see me. I keep calling her nam
e and waving my arms at her. But no matter how loud I yell, or how close I get to her, I’m invisible to her,” I said.
“Hmmm,” Dr. Beth said. “It’s interesting that you’re the only person that she can’t see. Why do you think that is?”
“How should I know?” I shrugged. “Didn’t they teach you how to analyze dreams in therapy school?”
Dr. Beth leaned back in her floor pillow. “Unfortunately, Princeton didn’t offer dream analyzing in the curriculum. But, if you ask me, I would say to try to think about what makes you different from your dad and Addy when it comes to your mom.”
I didn’t have to think that hard. “They forgave her already and I’m still really mad at her.”
She nodded slowly. “I see.”
“And I don’t think I’m ever not going to be mad at her,” I said.
Dr. Beth took a long sip of tea. “Looks like we have a lot to talk about today.”
“BZZZZZZZ. BZZZZZZZ,” we all said, as we walked past the Dandelion Bunk an hour later on our way to the dining hall.
Ainsley narrowed her eyes. “I’m not sure what that means and I have a feeling I’m better off that way.”
“You said we should bond with Maisy,” said Isa. She was walking and bouncing a soccer ball on alternating knees the whole way.
“True. Just make sure that bonding doesn’t get us all kicked out of camp,” Ainsley said.
Can I just say the best thing about camp is the dining cabin? Bath & Body Works could make loads of money bottling up the pancake and syrup smell coming from the building every morning.
“The usual?” asked Mary Anne, my favorite camp cook. She kind of reminds me of my grandma because she wears her readers on a fancy chain around her neck, she always has perfectly painted nails, and she’s always trying to fatten me up.
“I love having a usual!” I held out my plate while she loaded it up with the fluffiest blueberry pancakes in the universe with a thick, melty slab of butter on top. Then she piled on three slices of bacon.
“If only my grandkids had the same attitude when they visit. They think all food needs to come frozen, prepackaged, and filled with enough chemicals to make it last till the next century,” she said, passing me a glass of orange juice.
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