Skipper was the only one who adored my plan. He said that he loves exploring abandoned and haunted places. I asked if he really went to a haunted place. He said no and added that he watches other explorers on the Web. His dream was to explore a haunted place and post it.

"Seriously? That is your dream? That is what you want to do when you grow up?" Samuel questioned. "You do realize that there is more to life than posting a video."

Skipper tapped his fingers on the table. "You think that I am posting just one video, huh? I plan to post more. I will make as many as I can. That is, if they are popular. You know. Reach that certain number."

Samuel snorted and crossed his arms. I could see those muscles poking through his jacket. "I know that people enjoy content like it. Even I find myself watching them from time to time. Depending on who does it, it can be entertaining."

"'Entertaining'?" Alice repeated. "More like a joke. The videos are nothing but a complete joke. Anyone who is smart knows that they are fake."

Skipper ran his fingers through his hair. "How can you say that? I mean, how are you sure that they are fake?"

She drank the rest of her drink. "Monsters are not real. They have never existed. No such things as monsters."

His eyelids lowered, and he cleared his throat. "So how do you know that they do not exist? How can you be so confident that they do not exist?"

"I—"

He interrupted her. "Do you have any proof?"

"Proof of what?"

"Proof that monsters are not real."

She squinted at him and hesitated. "...how in the world can I have proof of something that does not exist?"

He leaned forward. "Do you believe in God?"

"Of course I do. At least that He has the Bible. What do the monsters have? Nothing."

"They might have a monster Bible," I said. "And it is in their monster language."

"No such thing as some monster Bible. You know why? 'Cause there are no such things as monsters."

I frowned. "We will see about that tonight." Then I got another brilliant idea. "I say that we make things more interesting."

"Come on, Carly," Sammy commented. "What could be more interesting than a sleepover in the mall?"

I brushed my hair back. "We should make a bet."

"What kind of bet?" Eddie asked as he reached into the pocket of his pants. "I do not have that many valuables because...well, I have not won anything in my life."

"Oh, Eddie," Elsa spoke. She scooted her chair close to him. "I wish that you would not say stuff like that. You are a good guy. Such a great guy. No need to win when you are already a winner."

A tear rolled down his cheek. I think that he was about to cry. He looked at her and took his hand out from his pocket. "H-how am I a winner?"

She wrapped her arms around Eddie and laid her head on his chest. "You have us. You have awesome friends. You have a mom and dad who love you as much as I..." Her voice trailed off, and she pulled away.

Skipper chuckled and whispered to me. "Are those two dating?"

I shook my head and whispered back. "No, however, it is clear to us all that they have feelings for each other."

"I can definitely agree." He put a hand over mine. "Are you seeing anybody?"

I pulled my hand away and hid it back in my lap. I was uncomfortable with him touching my hand. Heck, I do not like when anybody touches or holds my hands. I do not know why, but it bothers me. Also, I loathe holding other people's hands. It really is an issue during prayer because folks expect you to hold hands while praying.

My writer does not hold hands during prayer. Holding hands is for losers.

"What is the matter?" Skipper asked.

"What are you talking about?" I said.

"Why did you pull away your hand? I was just touching it."

"Ooh," Sammy said. He shook his head. "Rule number one of this club. You should never touch Carly's hands. You do not want to see her face when you do. It is such nightmare fuel."

"My face is not nightmare fuel," I argued. I hopped out of my chair. "I need to use the restroom."

Alyssa got up too. "I will go with you."

"Thanks, Alyssa, but no thanks. I need to be alone. My brain and I need to have a long talk."

I wanted to be alone with my thoughts, so inside a mall like this, the restroom was the perfect place to be. With my list in my hand, I skipped towards the bathroom. It was not far from where we were. I vanished behind the corner and was now standing in front of the door. Said door that led to the women's bathroom. I pondered if I had to go and decided not to.

"I will just go in there and wash my hands and stare at my reflection," I said. "I need to figure out how to grab the key. Mom and Dad will never let us sleep here."

I pushed open the door with all my might and entered. I do not know how, but I never noticed a pair of feet in one of the stalls. Now that itself is not a big deal. There was this person who had to go. I did not think much of the person until I heard him or her talking.

"Not my fault that I accidentally slept in the bathroom, Mom. At least that I am in the women's bathroom."

I could not help but eavesdrop on the girl. I strolled up to the sink and closed my eyes.

"What if a human sees me?"