Girl Meets Ghost by Lauren Barnholdt Page A

himself a little more. I’m turning out perfectly fine. I don’t need a woman role model. Although, if my dad was relying on himself tomake the decisions, he really might have said no. So I guess I shouldn’t complain too much.
    I survey myself in the mirror. Skinny jeans. Boots with a low heel. White sweater that’s off the shoulder. Very cute, but also casual. “Okay,” I say after smoothing my hair one more time. “I’m ready. You?”
    â€œYes.” Ellie and I look at each other and squeal.
    We walk out to meet the boys, and Brandon looks sooo cute in his jeans and black sweater. We stand in front of the concession stand, having a huge discussion about what to eat. Kyle wants to get Junior Mints, Swedish Fish, nachos, ice cream, and a hot dog. Which he does. And it comes to, like, fifty dollars, which is crazy. (Also, where did Kyle get all that money? My dad gave me a twenty and told me to bring back the change.)
    But the real problem comes when Brandon and I order our snacks. A medium popcorn and a soda for me, a red slushie and a package of Reese’s Pieces for Brandon. Which isn’t the problem. The problem is that since it’s Friday night, the theater is so packed that there’s this huge long line, and so when it’s our turn to order, the girl working the stand rings us up together. And then there’s this totally awkward moment when Brandon hands her twenty dollars and I don’t know if it’s supposed to be for my stuff and his stuff or just his stuff.
    So then I reach into my purse and hand over twelvedollars, but then Brandon says, “Don’t worry. I got it.” Which makes me blush, and makes the girl behind the counter smirk, like I have no idea what I’m doing. So then I start to think that maybe Brandon thinks I have no idea what I’m doing, or worse, that maybe he thinks that I don’t think this is a date. And then I remember how Ellie said that he said doing homework together was just okay, and I realize I still haven’t gotten to the bottom of that, which makes me nervous.
    So by the time we get into the theater, I’m kind of on edge. The only good thing is that Daniella isn’t here. I’m not sure exactly where she went. Maybe she figured the night would be boring. Not that I’m complaining. The last thing I need is her here, making her little comments and getting me more anxious than I already am.
    â€œWhere should we sit?” Brandon asks.
    â€œI usually sit halfway up and to the side,” I say.
    â€œI like sitting in front,” Kyle says. He takes a bite of his nachos. “That way you’re closer to the action.”
    â€œWe always sit in the middle and to the side,” Ellie says firmly.
    â€œWhatever.” Kyle shrugs.
    When we sit down, somehow it works out that I’m sitting closest to the wall, followed by Brandon, followed by Kyle, followed by Ellie. This seating arrangement is horrible for a few reasons. One, because Ellie and I aren’tsitting next to each other, so we can’t whisper to each other about anything scandalous that might happen. And two, because now I’m stuck near the wall. Which means that if I have to go to the bathroom, I have to climb over all three of them. And I know it’s not a big deal, that everyone goes to the bathroom, but something about it just seems super-embarrassing, you know?
    I don’t think I’m going to make it through the rest of the night, but once the lights go down and the first preview starts, Brandon leans in close and says, “I love the previews.”
    â€œReally?” I say. “I’ve never really been a fan.”
    â€œReally?” He seems shocked. “Why not?”
    â€œToo much like commercials,” I whisper, and take a handful of popcorn.
    â€œYeah, but you get to see what movies are coming out,” he says. “So you know what to see.”
    â€œTrue,” I