Aubrey clears her throat. “Here’s the thing about ghosts, Amelia. It takes a lot of energy for them to make contact. So if you think you saw a ghost, you probably won’t see her again. She’s probably exhausted!”

Amelia tilts her head. “Really? Is that true?”

“Totally. I’ve read a lot on ghosts. I know all about how they work.”

I almost ask Aubrey if this is true too. But then, I notice that my best friend has her fingers crossed behind her back. Uh-oh. Aubrey has a habit of telling little white lies to either make people feel better, protect them, or—in this case—protect our show.

But lying to Amelia might be dangerous. Like a true Aquarius, Amelia is all about things being fair and truthful. I bet she’d be furious if she found out we were just telling her things to keep her quiet.

And yet, Amelia nods like this makes total sense. “If you say so.” She rises and heads back to Stage Five. As she passes the curious crowd of actors, extras, and staff, she gives them all a smile. “All good, people! Let’s get back to work.”

My shoulders slump with relief. “We’re safe,” I say to my friends. “For now.”

But how long will it last? And what’s up with this ghost, anyway?

Chapter Seven

Usually, hair and makeup is my favorite time. I get to sit in a big comfy chair and zone out for a while. Peter, the hairstylist, gives great scalp massages. And Vee, the makeup artist, rubs a cleanser on my face that smells like birthday cake but somehow makes my skin glow.

But today, I feel like there are bees buzzing under my skin. I can’t stop thinking about Betty the ghost.

“You’re scrunching your nose, honey,” Vee says as she brushes my cheeks with an oversized brush. “Are you practicing being the Easter Bunny, or is something on your mind?”

I open one eye. Vee has laughing eyes and a pile of light hair on her head. As she flits around me with her wands and brushes, she reminds me of a mama bird. Her desk is littered with eyeshadow palettes, creams, mascaras, trays of fake eyelashes, and concealers in every skin shade you can imagine. I don’t know how she keeps track of it all, but she says clutter is how she works best.

I slump my shoulders. “If you want to know the truth, I’m kind of panicking.”

She drops her makeup brush and walks around to face me. “Wanna talk about it?”

I don’t know what I’d do if Vee hadn’t come along with us in the move from the Valley to Silver Studios. She’s kind of like a mom, a friend, and a guidance counselor all rolled in one.