“Like we would come to your party anyway,” Fina says. “We’re having our own party. It’s way more exclusive, and it’s going to be so much more fun.”

Maybe it’s just my imagination, but I think I see Ruby sink an inch in her seat.

Edie smirks. “You keep telling yourself that—”

“Everything all right, girls?”

Ms. Singh is suddenly standing behind Edie. Edie turns on her heels and pastes on a sweet smile. “Of course, Ms. Singh,” she says. “Emma was just telling me she won’t be able to make it to my party, and I was saying what a shame that is.”

“Oh, yes,” Ms. Singh replies. “I’m sure they’re really missing out. Better get back to your table and finish up now. The bell’s about to ring.”

Edie flashes another fake smile. I may be hiding my spots beneath my makeup, but Edie could be hiding anything behind that smile.

And I kind of hope I never find out what it is.

24

Halloween is on a Saturday, and all day, my stomach flutters with excitement when I think about the sleepover.

Finally, I see Fina’s car pull up outside, and I bound through the door to meet her. She gets out and looks around like she’s just been dropped off on Mars or something. Dad walks over to say hello to Mr. Ramirez as Fina meets me in the drive.

“This is where you live?” she asks, staring up at Morning Glory Cottage. I see her take in the white fence and the messy garden, then the rusted weather vane atop the ever so slightly lopsided roof.

“Yeah,” I reply uncertainly. “I know, it’s really old.”

“Yeah. Like something out of a fairy tale,” she says, grinning.

I try not to smile too big. Even though lots of people say that same thing about Lanternwood, I feel pride lighting me up inside. I want Fina to think it’s as great as I do.

“My dad got us those to carve if you want,” I say, pointing to the three pumpkins squatting on the doorstep.

“Nice,” she says. “We can do them when Ruby gets here.”

Except Ruby never texted me back this morning when I asked if her mom had said she could come, and I’m kind of starting to worry.

Finally, we decide we have to start our jack-o’-lanterns if we want to get done before dark.

“Oh, I brought sugar skulls we can decorate, too!” Fina says as we carve. “I make some for Abuelito every year.”

By the time we’re putting the final touches on our jack-o’-lanterns, little bands of trick-or-treaters have started pinballing around the village. But there’s still no sign of Ruby.

“Maybe she has the flu or something,” I say. “She seemed kind of quiet on Friday.”

“Does she have thumb flu?” Fina asks. “Because otherwise she should still be able to text us.”