Free Pretty Girl Thirteen by Liz Coley

said.
    “Living in a tree house, or a castle!” Greg suggested.
    Livvie squeezed her arm. “When you never came back to the tent that morning, I was the one who had to go wake up the grown-ups and tell them. I was completely freaked out. You know?”
    Livvie was freaked. How long had she waited to tell? Could they have found her faster? That was a terrible, terrible thought. Angie pushed it far from her mind.
    Greg had a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. He bonked her gently on the head with his palm. “Did that help? Maybe we can cure you. Hey, what’s the last thing you remember?”
    Angie wracked her brains. “Saying ‘total amnesia.’”
    Greg punched her lightly in the arm. “Before that.”
    “Nothing,” Angie said.
    “That is not an acceptable answer,” Liv chided. “You remembered us.”
    Angie sighed. “Here’s the whole story, as much as I know. Girl Scout camp. Woke up early. Talked to Liv. Remember? Snuck out to use the tree. Got lost in the woods. Three years go by. Presumed dead. Showed up in the neighborhood. Here I am… . Not terribly dramatic, is it?”
    “I, for one, am disappointed,” Liv said with a pout. “I expected a juicier tale of abduction and debauchery.”
    “What’s debauchery?” Angie asked.
    “No, seriously,” Liv said. “Do you think it was something awful? Like you were a slave or a harem girl?”
    Angie’s thoughts flew to the scars hiding under her socks. “I … no. I don’t remember.” Too serious. Change up. “Sure. Like this could be the body of a harem girl.” She drew exaggerated swells with her hands where she had these new curves and slim hips.
    Greg’s eyes followed her hands. His smile wasn’t mocking, though. Something else. “Hang on,” he said. “Maybe you
are
dead. I mean, maybe you’re a ghost. Let’s check.” He reached over and tickled her.
    Well, one thing hadn’t changed. She was still incredibly ticklish. She collapsed in giggles, nerves on fire all up and down her sides.
    Greg was relentless, his fingertips everywhere. “We’re the only ones who can see you, and you came back to haunt us because you have unfinished business on earth.”
    Liv grabbed his hands away. “Let the poor ghost breathe,” she said tartly. “Anyway, she looks solid to me.”
    “Then a zombie!” Greg announced. His hand slowly traced the writing stitched across the chest level of Angie’s sweater, and she pinged deep inside. “An Aberzombie!” He rolled over with his head in her lap. “Don’t eat me, Angie. Don’t eat my brain,” he pleaded. His curls tickled her arms. She suddenly wanted to lean over and kiss him, but not with Liv looking on.
    Liv pursed her lips. “Don’t be ridiculous, Greg. You’re being ridiculous.”
    A phone rang, and Livvie grabbed it out of her pocket. “What, Mom?” she snapped. “Shi—ooot. Be right there.” She scowled. “Forgot I’m babysitting. Hey, Angie, I’ll give you a ride home. The school bus is way gone.”
    Angie met Greg’s eyes. His face said what she was thinking. Unfinished business. “That’s okay. I can wa—”
    “I’ll drive her,” Greg jumped in. “No big. You’re already late.”
    Liv snatched up her book bag and jammed it on her shoulder. She hesitated at the doorway. “So, bye then,” she said. “Call me, Ange. As soon as you’re home.” She waved her phone in the air. “Same number. Remember it?”
    Of course. She’d only called it a million times. “Forever,” she said.
    “Then maybe the rest will come back. So yeah. Call.” Liv lingered another moment, glowering at Greg, before she whirled and left. A moment later, the front door slammed.
    The air felt thinner as soon as she was gone. Angie took a deep breath.
    Greg relaxed back against the pillows, his fingers woven behind his head. His legs stretched out in front of him, his feet huge and hairy. In a good way.
    “Is it true?” he asked. “What you said? Or did you just not want to tell Livvie? I wouldn’t