“What do you mean?” Tom asked.
“The old guys tell stories,” Laine said casually. “Things they’ve seen in the woods…stuff like that.”
“Oh,” I said. “Thanks for encouraging us to move here.”
Laine waved a hand. “Just old guys seeing things. You want more, honey?”
Emma nodded and he scooped some potatoes on her plate and gently kissed her forehead. He might have looked like a bear, but I’ve never seen a more affectionate parent than my uncle Laine. I knew he’d do anything for his kids, which explained why potentially losing his job was having such a big impact on him.
The rest of the dinner was normal enough, and when we all stood up at the end, I felt my belt straining. Thanking Aunt Sandra profusely, we all went to get our coats on. I stopped at the bathroom on the way, which was just beside the kitchen. On the way out, I heard a quiet conversation and stopped at the door, listening.
“I just don’t know why you have to work again tonight,” Aunt Sandra was saying.
“I told you,” Laine replied. “We need the money.”
“Well, why am I not seeing it?” she asked, her voice rising just a little.
“It’s a bonus at the end. I explained all this. It adds to the severance payment.”
“I just wish you’d stick around a little more. The kids miss you. And look at this place. I’m embarrassed to have your family over.”
“It looks fine! They had fun—”
Feeling rude, I loudly opened the door and hurried to the front. The conversation stopped immediately. Throwing on my jacket, I joined Tom and my parents just as my uncle and aunt came to say goodbye. Peter and Emma were already watching TV.
My uncle gave me a big hug. “Good luck with the haunted house.”
“Thanks,” I muttered, hugging my aunt. “See you guys soon.”
We went out to the car and waved to them as we drove down the road.
“That was awkward,” Tom said.
“Yeah,” my mom agreed quietly. “I’m a little worried about them.”
“They’ll be fine,” Stache said. “Laine will figure out something.”
“I hope so,” I murmured, staring out the window.
—
Later that night I sat in my room at my brand-new desk and looked at a picture of Liam R. Kelp online. That sounds bad. I just glanced at it, really. His profile picture was him standing with his arm around his mom. Literally asking for someone to make fun of him. It was official.
I really did love him.
I’d exchanged cellphone numbers with Mia and Shal, but I didn’t actually expect them to call me. As a result I almost fell off my chair when my phone rang at 10:15, and I quickly closed Liam’s page, as if whoever was calling could see what I was doing.
“Hello?” I said tentatively.
“Hey, Laura,” Shal said. “What’s up?”
“Uhh…” I replied.
Anything but staring at Liam. Anything but staring at Liam.
“Cleaning my room?”
“Are you asking me?” Shal said. “Never mind. Mia’s on the line.”
“Hi, Laura,” Mia said brightly. She actually kind of sounded like a mouse too.
“Hi,” I said. “What are you guys doing?”
“Just talking,” Shal replied. “Were you thinking about Liam when we called?”
“No,” I said way too quickly.
They both giggled.
“She’s in love,” Shal said. “You can tell.”
“I am not in love,” I replied sternly.
Shal snorted. “Don’t be so embarrassed. Mia can’t even look at a boy without blushing.”
“It’s true,” Mia said sadly. “And Shal likes Carl.”
“Mia!” Shal said. “That was classified.”
“Isn’t Carl the guy who always talks to Allison Black?” I asked.
“Maybe,” Shal murmured. “Your crush doesn’t have to be realistic.”
I clicked on Liam’s page again and smiled. “I guess not.”
“Are you looking at Liam’s profile?” Shal asked.
“No,” I said quickly, closing it again. I knew that was going to happen. “Besides, you could get Carl. You’re just as cute as Allison and three hundred times nicer.”
“Don’t lie to me,” Shal said. She paused. “You really think—”
Then I heard it. Rattling. I slowly turned to my closet, tuning out Shal as she talked about a possible love affair with Carl. The rattling grew louder.
“Sorry, guys, my mom needs me,” I said distractedly. “I’ll see you guys in the morning.”
I didn’t even wait for them to respond. This time the lights were on, and I wasn’t curled up in bed. There was no excuse. I wanted to see what was making the noise.
I crept toward the closet door and gently pulled it open. The rattling grew even louder. I nervously scanned the closet and froze. One of the white wooden panels was shaking back and forth. It was the one with the message carved on it.
I crouched down and slowly ran my fingers along the edge, and I was halfway down the side when I felt a sudden catch. A little square on the side of the panel popped inward if you pressed on it. Well, I’d gone this far. I pressed the square all the way in, hearing a click, and then pulled the panel open. My eyes widened.
“I’m really starting to dislike this house,” I whispered.
Chapter Six
I was looking into a tiny wooden room, tall and narrow and unmarked except for what looked like a crude lever on the opposite wall. The walls were made of a light wood, and I realized that the room must have been built inside of that overlarge, fake chimney that dominated the living room downstairs. I just crouched there for a moment, trying to wrap my head around what I was seeing. There was a room in my closet.
I knew I should probably go wake my parents, but I was a bit hesitant. For one, I’d seen enough movies to suspect that this door would somehow disappear by the time I got back here, and my mom would just pat my shoulder and tell me how the stress of moving was causing me to hallucinate again. I was really getting sick of those comforting pats. Besides, a secret room in my closet might come in handy if I ever managed to
