The Frights of Fiji by Sunayna Prasad (books to read for self improvement .txt) 📕

forgets.”

“Aw, that’s terrible,” said Alyssa.

“I’m going to miss him when he goes,” said Hailey.

“I’m sure you will,” said Kathleen. “Now before you go to bed, do you girls want some cookies?”

“Yeah,” said Hailey.

“Sure,” said Alyssa.

The girls each ate a cookie and then brought their stuff upstairs. Kathleen and Donald showed them the guest room where they’d sleep.

“Where’s my dad sleeping?” asked Hailey.

“In the extra bedroom,” responded Kathleen. “You want to say hi to him?”

Hailey nodded. Alyssa followed her and the grandparents into that room. Uncle Bruce slept in the bed, but Kathleen strode over to him and whispered to wake him up. He lifted himself up and opened his eyes.

“You two look familiar,” he said. “What are your names?”

They told him.

“Right,” he said.

Hailey and Alyssa walked over to him.

“We’re going to miss you, Uncle Bruce,” said Alyssa.

“Where am I going?” he asked.

“To a special home—where you can be happy,” said Alyssa.

Hailey hugged him. “I love you.”

“Bruce, wrap your arms around her too,” said Donald.

“Oh.” He hugged her back.

Alyssa did the same. Then she and Hailey walked into the guest room.

“It’s so great to be back here,” said Hailey.

“Yup,” Alyssa said.

 

18

 

Nine days had passed since Alyssa and the other four had returned to New Jersey. Today was April third and Hailey and Alyssa had adjusted to the current time on Monday. Ever since, Kathleen and Donald had given them workbooks to do during the mornings. Because they still didn’t have legal custody over Hailey, they couldn’t obtain homeschooling licenses. In fact, Donald had said that he, Kathleen, and Hailey might move back to the old house either at the end of this month or the beginning of next month. That way, Hailey could return to school in Bursnell. They’d also taken down the missing-persons flyers.

Kathleen had just dropped Hailey off at her friend’s house in Bursnell. She drove Alyssa to Bessie’s Burger Shack, where Alyssa would meet with Jasmine and Madison for lunch. Alyssa sat in the front and listened to her iPod. Yesterday Kathleen and Donald had taken her and Hailey to the mall to buy cell phones and iPods. Because she loved hers so much, Alyssa had listened to every song until evening. She’d only bought twenty under Donald’s iTunes account. She listened to the final song and noticed Bessie’s Burger Shack outside her window. Kathleen turned into the lot and parked.

Stepping inside, Alyssa compared this place to a fast-food restaurant. People walked up to the counter to order their food, pay, and pick up their meals when the staff announced their order numbers. Kathleen and Alyssa purchased their lunch and waited while the chefs cooked.

The place had booth tables with cushioned seats, a polished floor, and a sign that said the burgers were cooked with fresh meat.

“Hi, Alyssa,” Madison said.

Alyssa turned around. Madison walked with her mom.

“Hello.” Alyssa waved.

“I’m coming to your birthday party, by the way,” said Madison.

“Cool,” said Alyssa.

“Are you guys waiting?” asked Mrs. Jennings.

“Yep,” answered Alyssa.

Earlier in the week, Alyssa and the Flynns had checked out a restaurant in Bursnell called Cardinal Forest Diner to have Alyssa’s birthday party. She also wanted to get her nails done after.

As Madison and her mom bought their food, a staff member called Kathleen and Alyssa’s order number, and they picked up their meal. They selected a booth table and sat down. Alyssa watched the door open to reveal Jasmine and her mom.

Jasmine and Madison purchased their food and sat down. Kathleen and Mrs. Wilson left, but Mrs. Jennings stayed.

“Mom, don’t you have to pick up Kaitlyn from karate?” asked Madison.

“She’s not going to be done for about twenty minutes,” said Mrs. Jennings. “Plus, home is out of the direction from Kaitlyn’s karate class.”

Alyssa swapped cell phone numbers with Madison and Jasmine. Jasmine’s phone beeped, and she texted on it. She looked at Alyssa and Madison. “Did anyone listen to the news this morning?”

The two shook their heads.

“Well, my mom just did now,” said Jasmine. “She said that last week, some scientists were on their way to this island in Fiji called Taveuni, and they stopped at Dermand on the way.”

“And they announced it on the news today?” asked Madison.

“Yes,” answered Jasmine.

“Why would they stop there?” Madison asked.

“Well—they saw Master Beau’s and his workers’ bodies,” said Jasmine. “But they just described one as really heavy and the other three as thin. What’s even scarier was that some white gas was rising out of Master Beau’s body.”

Alyssa clapped her hand over her mouth. “Could that be a ghost?”

“M-maybe,” said Jasmine.

Alyssa sipped her Coke and thought about that “white gas” being a ghost. What if his spirit functioned like a living being? What if it wanted to find and kill her? Maybe she could figure out how to defeat it. Other methods besides the seashells Rosaline and Penelope had given her had to exist.

Alyssa finished her cheeseburger and fries and considered different ways to defeat Master Beau’s possible spirit. But maybe it had no human functions at all. Maybe it’d just roam in random directions.

“Hey, Alyssa, what’s your new house address?” asked Madison.

Alyssa said it.

“Can I also have your new home phone number?” Madison asked.

“Same here?” asked Jasmine.

Alyssa told them the number, and they programmed it into their phones.

“I wanted to invite you guys to my housewarming party tonight,” Madison said to Jasmine and Alyssa.

“I’ll come,” said Alyssa.

“Me too,” said Jasmine.

“Let’s see if we can find more information about that gas,” said Madison. “The party starts at six and ends at midnight.”

Mrs. Jennings’s phone made a texting sound, and she answered it.

“Madison, we need to go,” said Mrs. Jennings. “Kaitlyn’s karate class ended early.”

“Why?” asked Madison.

“Some kid fell down and hurt his nose,” said Mrs. Jennings. “He actually bled.”

“Oh my god.” Madison followed her mom outside.

Alyssa called Kathleen and told her to pick her up and if she could drive her to Madison’s house for the event. She agreed to both.

 

*      *      *      *

 

That afternoon, Madison had also invited Alyssa to bring her family as well. Alyssa had told Hailey about the gas, but had also said that everything would be okay.

Donald drove onto Orion Street, and Alyssa looked out the window, seeing her and Hailey’s old house. That brought Uncle Bruce into her mind, and she frowned about how he must feel in the assisted-living home since he’d moved in on Tuesday. She missed him and disliked the fact that she’d never see him again unless Kathleen and Donald could arrange a time to visit him. Even then, he may or may not recognize them.

The family parked outside of the Jennings’ house on Draco Drive. Donald turned off the car and led everyone out. He rang the doorbell.

Mr. Jennings answered. “Hello.”

The Flynns and Alyssa greeted him and stepped inside.

“Hey, Tara, have you seen Madison?” Mr. Jennings turned to Mrs. Jennings.

Mrs. Jennings poured potato chips into a bowl. “She must be looking for her cell phone.”

“She can’t find it?” asked Mr. Jennings.

“I’m not buying her another one.” Mrs. Jennings shook her head.

“Mom, have you seen my dolls?” Kaitlyn ran into the kitchen.

“Now’s not the time, Kaitlyn,” said Mrs. Jennings.

Kaitlyn turned to Alyssa and the Flynns. “Hello.”

“Hi, Alyssa!” Madison rushed down the stairs. She hugged her.

“Hey, Madison,” said Alyssa.

“You’re here kind of early,” Madison said. “I don’t even think it’s six o’clock yet.”

“It’s actually five fifty-five,” Alyssa stared into her phone.

“Well, do you want to see if anything about that white—”

“Madison Christine Jennings, you are not doing that right now,” said Mrs. Jennings.

“But, Mom, no one else is here yet,” Madison said. “Plus, I promised Alyssa that I’d show her.”

“You can call her tomorrow and talk about it with her privately,” said Mrs. Jennings.

“Why can’t I just tell her before anyone else comes?” asked Madison.

“Because I said so,” said Mrs. Jennings.

“Madison, parties are supposed to be fun,” Kaitlyn said. “You’re literally being a party pooper.”

“Shut up, Kaitlyn,” muttered Madison.

The doorbell rang again, and Mr. Jennings answered it while Mrs. Jennings walked toward the counter. Alyssa turned around. Jasmine and her mom stood outside.

“Come on in.” Mr. Jennings opened the door. “Janine, if you want to stay here, you’re welcome to.”

“I actually have to pick up my son from a friend’s house,” said Mrs. Wilson. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” said Mr. Jennings. “Goodbye.”

“Jasmine, I’m sorry, but I can’t show you anything about the white gas,” said Madison.

“Why not?” asked Jasmine.

“My mom won’t let me,” said Madison.

“We’re not allowed to use the computer during parties,” said Kaitlyn. “And Madison can’t find her cell phone.”

“Kaitlyn, stop telling them everything.” Madison turned to Alyssa and Hailey. “You guys want some food or something?”

“Sure,” said Alyssa.

They walked toward the kitchen, where various snacks and drinks rested on the counter. Alyssa helped herself to some Sprite, tortilla chips and salsa, fruit, and finger sandwiches. She sat at the table and ate but exhaled at what Mrs. Jennings had prohibited for Madison.

Whether the “ghost” could appear or disappear at will or not, it may still discover her. Maybe it wouldn’t function. Still—Alyssa wanted to know its status as soon as possible.

After several people showed up, Alyssa, Jasmine, and Hailey threw their plates and cups away. Mr. and Mrs. Jennings mingled around and spoke to the guests. Kaitlyn walked with a girl around her age toward the basement.

“Guys, let’s follow Kaitlyn,” said Madison.

“Why are we doing that?” asked Jasmine.

“I’m going to turn on the TV and see if they talk about the white gas on the news,” Madison said.

“Do you think they’ll do it on a Saturday night?” asked Jasmine.

“I don’t watch the news that much,” said Madison. “So maybe.”

The girls walked down the stairs and heard the TV. Kaitlyn and her friend watched Phineas and Ferb on the Disney Channel.

“How much longer is the episode?” Madison asked.

“I don’t know,” said Kaitlyn. “I just turned the TV on.”

“So can we have a turn with it after Phineas and Ferb is over?” asked Madison.

“Can’t you wait like Mom said?” asked Kaitlyn.

“I want to know now, though,” said Madison.

“Too bad,” said Kaitlyn.

Madison sighed and led Alyssa, Hailey, and Jasmine upstairs.

“Are any of our other friends coming?” asked Alyssa.

“No,” said Madison. “They couldn’t come.”

“Who else did you invite?” asked Alyssa.

Madison listed the names.

“Madison?” Kaitlyn called from downstairs.

“Yeah?”

“You want to use my cell phone?” asked Kaitlyn.

“To look up more stuff about the white gas?” asked Madison.

“Yes. Go into my room.”

“Why didn’t you tell us earlier?” asked Madison.

“I don’t know,” said Kaitlyn. “I must’ve forgot or something.”

“Let’s go to Kaitlyn’s room.” Madison led Alyssa, Hailey, and Jasmine up to the second floor.

Kaitlyn’s room had candy-pink walls, a daisy-shaped carpet, and Barbie dolls and stuffed animals all over the floor.

“Kaitlyn keeps forgetting to clean her room.” Madison shut the door. She picked up