by Ellen Oh
“Are you okay, Michael?” she asked.
He nodded. “This place is bad.”
“But do you feel okay?”
“My head hurts a little, and I’m hungry,” he said.
“We’ll get you some food soon enough, kiddo!” Uncle Justin said as he walked over to them. He handed their father a pair of room key cards and ruffled Michael’s hair. “I sent your bags on to our house, but let me show you around the resort first.”
“Thanks, Justin—this is just the vacation we needed,” Harper’s mother said. She looked tired. Harper felt a pang of sympathy. She made a promise to herself to try not to upset her mom on the trip.
Justin smiled. “I’m glad you guys are here. It means a lot to us.” He then turned to Harper, Kelly, and Michael, pointing outside to where the pools were located. “Hey, there’s Leo. Why don’t you kids go talk to him while I show your folks the casino?”
“Harper,” her mother called out. “Be nice.”
Harper rolled her eyes as she and the others walked out of the darkened glass doors of the lobby and into the large pool area. There were multiple pools, the biggest of which even had a large slide that kids were hurtling down with huge splashes. Michael was jumping up and down in excitement as they walked across to where their cousin was sitting.
At their approach, Leo stood to greet them. Harper swallowed back a gasp. It had been only a few months since she’d seen her cousin, and he’d changed drastically. He’d always been thin, but he’d lost so much weight that his blue eyes had sunk deep into their sockets and his pale skin was sallow. He was glaring at Harper with eyes filled with anger, fear, and a frantic sort of desperation.
“What happened to you?” Harper asked.
“You did this to me!” he said. “And you need to make it stop!”
LEO’S PROBLEM
Friday, October 27—Same day
Kelly rolled her eyes. “So dramatic, as always,” she said. “Come on, Michael, let’s go take a closer look at that slide.”
“Oh boy!”
Harper stood awkwardly in front of Leo, unsure of what to do until Dayo gave her a nudge.
“Oh, yeah, so this is my best friend, Dayo Clayton. Dayo, this is my cousin Leo,” Harper said. “And I have no idea what he’s talking about.”
“You know exactly what you did,” Leo said through gritted teeth. “You cursed me, and now I’m haunted.”
“Haunted?” Dayo asked. “What do you mean by that?”
“The last time I saw her, she cursed me and said something bad would happen. And then a ghost attacked me.”
“No she didn’t,” Harper muttered.
“And ever since the summer, I see ghosts wherever I go. I can’t make it stop.”
Harper raised an eyebrow in surprise. “You mean you can see ghosts on your own now?”
“What do you mean, ‘on my own’?”
“You never really saw a ghost at my house,” Harper said. “It was just a floating clown mask.”
“I’m telling you, I see ghosts! And it’s your fault!”
He grabbed Harper by the arms. “You’ve gotta help me!”
The look of fear on Leo’s face was so strong that Harper felt a sharp pang of guilt.
“I don’t know how, Leo,” she said. “I don’t know if what you’re seeing is even a real ghost.”
“Of course it is! And it comes every night. I haven’t been able to sleep since we got here!”
Harper let out a pained sign. “So, describe the ghost to me.”
Leo ran a hand through his hair, making him look demented. “There’s this creepy little girl that shows up every night,” he said with a shudder. “I feel like she keeps trying to talk to me, but I won’t let her.”
“Well, does she talk to you or not?” Harper asked.
Dayo nudged him again. “She means how is she trying to talk to you?”
“I don’t know,” Leo said, throwing up his hands. “She shows up at my bed every night! I just shut my eyes and cover my ears and talk loudly until she leaves.”
Harper rolled her eyes. “So, you didn’t even try to see what she wants to say to you?”
“Why would I want to talk to a ghost?”
“To find out why she keeps coming!”
Leo poked Harper hard in her shoulder. “This is all your fault.”
Harper shoved his hand away and was ready to yell at him when Dayo stepped in between the two cousins.
“You keep saying that,” she said. “But how can it be Harper’s fault that you see ghosts?”
“Because I never saw them before that ghost haunted me at her house,” he said, pointing at Harper.
“But how is that her fault?”
“She was laughing—I saw it!” he shouted. “And I saw the ghost wink at her before vanishing.”
“Wait a minute, you saw Rose?” Harper asked incredulously.
“Who’s Rose?”
“You saw her take off the mask?” Harper asked.
“At the very end, when you came to my room. I saw you laughing, and the ghost with the red hair winked before disappearing.”
Dayo turned to Harper in surprise. “But I’ve been around lots of ghosts, and I still can’t see them myself,” she said. “I wonder why he can see them all of a sudden.”
Harper shrugged, but felt a sinking sense of guilt as she realized her prank had caused real-life consequences for Leo.
“I’m sure we can figure out how to help you,” Dayo said. She nudged Harper, who grudgingly agreed.
“I don’t know how you got the ability in the first place. I could ask my grandma Lee, but without seeing you in person, I’m not sure what she could do.”
“What about Mrs. Devereux?” Dayo asked.
Harper made a face. “You know I hate bothering her—”
“You’d better do it, or I’m going to make your life miserable,” Leo cut in.
Harper glared. “You already do, maggot breath.”
She would have kept going, but Dayo gave her a look.
“For Rose’s sake, I’ll help him,” she muttered to Dayo.
They ate lunch at the hotel, and then Uncle Justin and Leo took them to their house. They rode in golf carts driven by hotel staff, and traveled down a long sandy road. The adults all rode in the first cart while the five kids all piled in the second cart. Kelly squeezed in between Dayo and Michael, leaving an unhappy Harper to sit with Leo.
“I guess Aunt Caroline is pretty important at the resort,” Harper said to Leo.
“She is the vice president and general manager of the entire resort,” Leo said proudly. “This house actually used to be where the Bennington family lived. But when Mr. Bennington deserted them, Mrs. Bennington took Olivia and moved to the other side of the resort. So, they gave it to us when we came here.”
Just then the house came into view, and Harper let out a loud whistle. “That’s a mansion, Leo.”
“Much nicer than your old decrepit house,” Leo smirked.
Harper counted to ten silently to avoid pushing him off the cart.
Inside, Aunt Caroline finally appeared and gave them all excited hugs. Harper was so glad to see her. Her aunt Caroline was a tall, attractive woman, with thick brown hair she kept in a short bob.
“For dinner, we are going back to the hotel. There’s a big banquet held for special guests on the private beach,” Aunt Caroline said. “Don’t worry, Kelly, there’s even a separate event for young adults. You’ll have a blast!”
Aunt Caroline then took them all up to their rooms. “This place is so big that you all can have your own rooms, but Harper, I thought you’d want to share with Dayo.”
Harper and Dayo nodded enthusiastically as Aunt Caroline opened the door to a large room with two full-size beds in it.
“And your parents are just down the hall from you.”
Michael immediately complained. “I don’t wanna sleep by myself,” he said. “Can I sleep with them, too?”
“Y
ou’ll be right next to them,” Aunt Caroline said. She opened the connecting door to a small room with a twin-size bed.
“Hey, we can leave the connecting door open!” Harper suggested. “Then it will be like one big sleepover.”
Michael beamed happily. “That’s even better!”
Harper and Dayo immediately went to unpack their bags, while Michael jumped onto a bed and stretched out. Leo stood hovering at the door.
“What?” Harper asked. He annoyed her just by breathing near her.
“My room is down at the other end of the hall.”
“Like I care,” Harper muttered.
“You promised to help me,” Leo whined.
“Dude, we just got here. Please chill!”
Michael jumped off the bed and ran over to him. “I wanna see your room.”
Harper rolled her eyes after the boys left. “Isn’t he the worst?”
Dayo chuckled. “I definitely see why you’re not friends, but I feel sorry for him. Don’t you? We need to help him.”
Harper pouted. She didn’t want to do anything for him.
“It’s what Rose would want you to do.”
Harper heaved a big sigh. Dayo was right. Rose had felt so bad about how badly she’d scared him. She would feel terrible if she knew that their prank had left Leo so traumatized.
“Fine,” Harper replied. “But you have to help me.”
Dayo grinned.
A SURPRISE NEW FRIEND
Friday, October 27—Evening
They arrived to find the party was already going strong. Long picnic tables were filled with food and drinks. Hotel employees served the buffet, and there was even a large pavilion area with a dance floor. Kelly disappeared with a group of other teens wearing matching bikini tops and bright patterned skirts.
Harper and Dayo wandered over to the food table, which was covered with a vast array of island specialties. Grabbing two plates each, they loaded one up with pasta and meats, and the other with fresh seafood.
“Try the stone crabs—they’re an island specialty,” a voice said. “That is, if there’s any room left on your plate.”
Harper looked over to find a pretty girl with copper-red hair and bright blue eyes smiling at her. She reminded her of Rose so much that a pang of loneliness shot through her.
Dayo grinned back at the girl. “Our motto is that there is always room on our plate for good food, isn’t that right, Harper?”
Harper nodded enthusiastically.
The redheaded girl raised her hand for a high five and then flushed, her pale freckled skin turning as red as her hair. “Okay, that was silly,” she said. “Your hands are full.”
Harper stuck out her elbow. They all knocked elbows before bursting into a fit of giggles.
“I’m Olivia Bennington,” the redheaded girl said.
Harper’s eyebrow raised. “As in the hotel?”
She nodded. “You’re not going to hold that against me, are you?”
“Only if the food is bad,” Harper said.
Dayo laughed. “And you have to eat as much as we do.”
Olivia grinned at them. “I’ll put you to shame.”
“You’re on!”
Olivia pushed back imaginary sleeves, grabbed two plates, and began to serve herself a mountain of food. Harper and Dayo shared a look of admiration before piling on even more for themselves. When there was no more space on any of their plates, Olivia led them to a quiet side table away from the festivities. As they sat, waiters served them drinks and separated them from the party, behind a large folding wall.
“Mmmm, this is so good!”
“Oh good, then you have to like me,” Olivia replied.
“I wish I had grabbed more of these shrimpy things,” Dayo said wistfully as she ate the last one.
Olivia called over a waiter and asked for more shrimp.
“Nice to be a Bennington,” Dayo remarked.
“I’m not special. I’m just like you guys,” Olivia replied.
Harper laughed. “Yeah, just like us, but with power!”
“So, are you here for the holiday?” Dayo asked.
“No, I live here,” she replied.
“All year round?”
Olivia sighed. “Yeah, all my life. I’ve never been off the island, not even for a vacation. I’ve always wanted to go to New York City and see a real Broadway musical.”
“How old are you?” Harper asked. “Your family owns hotels all over the world—how could you not have left?”
Olivia shrugged, resigned. “I don’t know, my mom’s been a bit paranoid. I don’t think she trusts the world. I’ve never really gotten a good reason out of her. And I’m thirteen.”
“Me too!” Dayo beamed. “And at least this place is really nice.”
“Now it is,” Olivia sighed. “You should have seen it before this summer. The hotel has been under renovation for ages. I live in a private house on the beach. I’ve been homeschooled all my life. The only friends I have are the ones that come on holiday. The village kids won’t have anything to do with me because I’m a Bennington. And I have constant babysitters.” She pointed out a few hotel employees who seemed to be standing around watching the scene. “It is the worst sort of prison you can imagine.”
Harper and Dayo looked at each other, appalled. It didn’t sound good at all.
“What about your dad?” Dayo asked. “Can’t he take you off the island?”
Their new friend looked really sad. “My dad abandoned us before I was born.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Dayo said. She reached over the table to pat Olivia on the hand.
Olivia smiled. “But I’m so glad I met you two. And for dessert there’s a huge chocolate fountain that you can dip anything you want in.”
“A chocolate fountain?” Harper began shoveling the rest of her food into her mouth as fast as she could. The girls laughed as they raced to finish their meals and then rushed over to the elaborate dessert table.
“It’s beautiful,” Harper sniffed, wiping away fake tears as she took in the enormous fountain of flowing chocolate surrounded by fruit, pieces of cake, cookies, and all sorts of other edible treats. “I have to show Michael.”
Her parents were eating dinner with him in the dining room. Harper, Dayo, and Olivia wove their way inside, to find Michael sitting at the table with Leo and the adults. Michael looked terribly bored. His face lit up when he spotted Harper.
“Where were you?”
“There’s a buffet area with a chocolate fountain!” Harper said. “We came back to get you!”
Michael hopped down and grabbed Harper’s hand.
Before they could leave, Harper’s aunt and uncle noticed who was with them.
“Oh Olivia, it is so nice to see you,” Aunt Caroline said. “I see you’ve met my niece and her friend.”
“Yes, thank you,” Olivia answered with a polite smile. “I’ve been having a marvelous time with Harper and Dayo. We are going to gorge ourselves on the desserts, which look amazing, as always, Mr. Richmond.”
Uncle Justin looked pleased. “Thank you, Olivia. All of you must tell me what your favorite dessert is.”
“Will do,” Harper chimed in. Then, before she could drag everyone away, she heard her mother say, “Leo, why don’t you go with them?”
Leo shot Harper a dirty look, but reluctantly got up to join them. Harper looked at Dayo and rolled her eyes.
Michael chatted brightly with Olivia, telling her how much he loved chocolate, and all the things he hoped he would find to dip into it. Olivia listened politely and responded with seriousness. Harper and Dayo shared an approving look—they both liked Olivia a lot. It was just too bad Leo had to come, too.
After filling up on chocolate-dipped treats of strawberries, pineapple, cookies, cakes, and other amazing delicacies, they were all given long sticks with marshmallows and sent out to roast them over bonfires manned by waitstaff.
“This is great!” Michael said. “I wish I cou
ld eat like this every day. You’re so lucky, Olivia.”
“Oh, this is special-occasion stuff,” Olivia said. “I don’t get to eat like this every day. That wouldn’t be very healthy.”
“Yeah, but it sure would taste good,” Michael said.
“But you wouldn’t be happy, because you’d get a stomachache every day,” Leo retorted.
Michael glared at him. “You’re just a grump.” He stuck his tongue out at him as he made a loud raspberry sound.
The girls laughed. “Seriously, Leo, you need to lighten up,” Harper said.
“Easy for you to say,” Leo snapped. “You’re not the one being haunted.”
“Haunted?” Olivia said sharply. “What do you mean?”
Harper and Dayo traded looks. Harper didn’t want Leo to scare Olivia off, but they couldn’t stop him from launching into his story. He ended with telling them about the little ghost girl who was haunting him, appearing each night in his bedroom.
“Why don’t you just talk to her?” Michael asked.
“Why would I want to talk to her?”
“To find out what she wants,” Michael said. “Most ghosts just want to talk. They’re lonely.”
“Most ghosts?”
“Well, except for the ones that want to hurt you or take over your body,” Michael continued.
Leo’s face fell. He looked so appalled and shocked that Harper had to laugh. But then she noticed that Olivia looked upset also.
“Hey, guys, enough ghost talk,” Harper said. “Look out on the beach! They’ve got light-up beach balls!”
“Can we go play, too?” Michael asked, jumping up and down.
Olivia smiled. “I’ll get some,” she said. Within a few moments, they each had a light-up beach ball and were seeing how long they could keep them in the air. They were all having a great time, even Leo, when a hotel staff member approached them.
“I’m sorry, Miss Bennington, but the sun is setting, and you know your mother wants you home by sunset.”
“But it’s only seven!” Harper replied. “Do you have to go so soon?”