Leading Ladies #2 by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

was haunted, which guaranteed me a little peace and quiet.
    The screen read: YOU HAVE NINETEEN (19) NEW POSTS.
    Wow.
    I pulled out half a Twizzler I’d been saving and gnawed on it thoughtfully as I began to read. The first nine posts were a continuation of the back and forth argument going on about what qualified as an actual vampire movie. A random Harry Potter fan had jumped in. I sighed, only half reading them. It was more of the usual: This is best ever/worst ever. I adore/detest this character. The movie is never as good/always better. Someone always started harping on
Twilight
again. The same people saying the same things. What did any of this have to do with
4 Girls
?
    But there were a few new posts. I opened one.
    ----
    Blogpost: New Issue??
    Posted by: SonicSanity99
----
    Hey, Four, how’s the new issue coming? Can’t wait to see it! Is it true people can take pictures of their Homecoming Decade outfits and submit them?
----
    Oh, great idea
, I thought. I typed a quick response.
    ----
    Re: Blogpost: New Issue??
    Posted by: 4Girls
----
    Thanks, SonicSanity99! The new
4 Girls
is coming along great—I’m sure you’re going to love it! And absolutely, submit your Decade photos here. And tell your friends!
----
    The subject of photos reminded me of Ivy’s shots for the cover. I fired off a quick text reminding her to bring her camera tomorrow and telling her I was going to Tally’s to do some research on Gideon Barrymore.
    â€œPaulie? Paulina? Are you down there?
Paullllliieeee?
”
    I sighed and walked to the foot of the basement steps.
    â€œYes, I’m here, Kevin,” I called. “Come on down.”
    â€œNo way! I’ll get possessed and be levitated to another planet. I can’t find my green marker. Can you come help me look?”
    If I said no or asked him to hang on a few minutes, he’d just stand at the top of the stairs calling my name. I sighed.
    â€œOkay,” I called.
    â€œMake sure there’s nothing attached to you,” Kevin added anxiously. “You might accidentally bring a demon up here.”
    â€œOkay,” I called again. It was easier just to humor him.
    And just to be safe, I gave my jeans a quick check. If I had any demons stuck to me, I couldn’t see them.

Tally lived way out on the edge of town. Like Tally herself, the house was adorable on its own but was given a unique look by the bits of extra splash on the outside. The shrubs by the driveway were draped with little orange lights in the shape of chili peppers. A green-and-white flag with a red dragon in the center fluttered above the front door. A roomy-looking tree house was wedged precariously in the
V
of a huge, old tree in the front yard.
    Wow
, I thought.
It must have been so cool to grow up here
.
    I rang the doorbell while my mother waited in her car to make sure that I got in okay. The door opened, and I took a second to register Tally’s outfit—a stiff-looking red dress that looked about two sizes too small, white kneesocks, and a pair of scuffed patent leather shoes.
    â€œI think it’s just
stupendous
the way you’re always on time for everything,” Tally said.
    I waved to my mother and followed Tally into the house.
    â€œWhat can I say—I am known throughout the world for my punctuality,” I said.
    Tally led me into a small, cluttered living room. It was a room that seemed designed for comfort—huge, mismatched armchairs flanked an overstuffed sofa piled with pillows. Tally flung herself into one of the chairs with a sigh. I noticed she was holding a bedraggled-looking teddy bear, which she clutched to her chest.
    â€œAre you okay?” I asked, taking a seat on the couch. Tally seemed a little out of sorts . . . even for her.
    â€œI am so hungry I could faint dead away,” she replied.
    â€œHaven’t you eaten?” I asked. “I already had dinner.”
    â€œIf you can call one tiny bowl