Page 125 of Their Little Ghost

“I don’t know…”

“Did you hear about the party on Friday night?” I ask, getting an idea that could be advantageous for us both. “A final blowout to celebrate the end of the semester.”

Her eyes narrow in suspicion. “What about it?”

“You should go,” I say. “Everyone’s invited.”

She shakes her head vigorously. “No, I can’t.” Her eyes almost pop out of their sockets. “And neither can you! What if Dad finds out? The cameras will see you. He’ll be watching.”

“Relax,” I say. “First, he’s out of town. And second, I’m not going to the party.”

“I can’t go alone,” she says. “I never go to parties. I don’t know what to say to people.”

I flick through the many outfits hanging in my closet and pick out a dress I know Max likes. It’s a navy slinky bodycon. I wore it on our first date, as it’s the hockey team’s color. That’ll draw his attention. I hold it up against Erin. It’ll be perfect.

“Do you remember the game we used to play when we were little?” I ask. “Twin switch?”

Back then, it was almost impossible to tell us apart. Since I started dying my hair blonde and wearing makeup, it’s made it easier.

“Yeah.” Erin giggles. “That was fun.”

Sometimes, we’d switch places. Mom and Dad never noticed. For a wallflower, Erin did a great job of coming out of her shell when she pretended to be me.

“Why don’t we play it again on Friday?” I wiggle my eyebrows. “You pretend to be me at the party and see Max?”

“That’d never work.” She gasps. “Plus, we have different hair. People will know.”

I rummage around in the back of the closet and find a box of bleach.

“We have time to give you a makeover before then,” I say. “We can pull it off.”

“But I’d be lying,” she says.

“So what?” I roll my eyes. “We’re moving to Pasturesville. This will be the last time we ever see these people. What’s wrong with having a little fun for one night?”

“What do you get out of it?”

Erin’s not stupid.

I bat my eyelashes innocently. “What do you mean?”

“I know you, Sarah,” she says. “If I’m at the party pretending to be you, I know you’re not gonna stay home and do homework. What are you planning?”

“What I’m doing doesn’t matter,” I say. “Let’s just say it’ll be mutually beneficial.”

“If I agree, and that’s a big if,” she says. “How will we get out? The front door’s alarmed and your window’s locked.”

“Your bedroom,” I say, excitement bubbling in my stomach. If Erin agrees to break the rules, this will work. “He hasn’t locked your window. We can climb out onto the garage, then shimmy down. Mom will be busy drowning her sorrows with a bottle of wine and won’t notice we’re gone, and we’ll be back by morning. Easy-peasy!”

“I don’t know…”

“Live a little!” I shake the blue dress enticingly. “You could be making out with Max in a few days.” I thrust the dress into her hands. “At least try it on.”

She beams, and her entire face lights up. “Fine. I guess trying it on won’t hurt…”

It’s been a long time since she’s smiled like that. Maybe we should spend more time together. Dad’s constant comparison game has created a divide between us. This is the first step to rebuilding our relationship.

When she’s dressed, I wolf-whistle. “You look hot.”