The next day, Carrie came to school feeling very nervous. She should be excited, this was going to be her first ever party.

Who knew growing up could be so nerve-racking?

"Hey, Carrie!" Alyson called as she ran up to Carrie looking excited. "You pumped for tonight?!" She smiled wide, flashing her braces. Even her braces shined with excitement!

"Yeah! We are gonna par-tay!" Carrie said, thought deep down, she was terrified.

"Say, Carrie. There's something I've wanted to ask you." Alyson said. "Do you really live in Raven Manor? The one everyone says is haunted?"

Carrie flinched a little from Alyson's question. This could throw her new friendship off. But she couldn't lie, she knew lying would just make things worse.

"Yes," she sighed. "I live in Raven Manor."

But Alyson's smile got bigger. "Really?! Awesome! It'll be perfect for the party!"

"Come again?" Carrie said, dumbfounded.

"You never said you lived there! Major selling point!" Alyson was ecstatic. "We can even decorate the house to be all creepy! Like, maybe put up some black streams and stuff! It'll be a fright night party!"

Carrie Raven was at lost for words. This girl, Alyson Johnski, was the first person not to think she or her house was weird.

"So, what do you think we should do for the party?" asked Alyson. "After all, it's at your place."

Carrie smiled. She was no longer nervous about this party anymore. "How about we put up some plastic skeletons? I've got some in my attic!"

"Great idea!" Alyson said.

Carrie and Alyson bounced ideas back and forth. The more they talked about it, the more excited they were. But Carrie had to put there excitement on hold because science class was now in session.

Ms. Pennington was about to discuss today's lesson until Carrie raised her hand.

"Yes, Carrie?"

"Ms. Pennington, I was wondering if you'd like to come to a party at my house tonight."

Ms. Pennington looked quite surprised, but everyone else just laughed.

"Are you kidding me?!" Caitlyn said. "Scary Carrie is inviting a teacher?!"

"Carrie, you're such a dork!" Becky mocked.

"Can my grandma come too, Carrie?" Caitlyn said tauntingly to Carrie. "If you don't give her a heart attack, that is."

Carrie was so angry. She was gonna let Caitlyn have it until Ms. Pennington smacked her ruler on the girls' desk, nearly slapping Caitlyn's fingers. She managed to silence them and everyone else's insipid laugher in the classroom.

The teacher pointed her ruler a mere inch from Caitlyn's face. "I'll have none of that kind of talk in my classroom, Caitlyn." Ms. Pennington warned. "Perhaps you and Becky should stay after class and help me with the dead frogs we're going to dissect next week."

"EEYUCK!" Caitlyn and Becky said.

"No way! That's disgusting!" said Caitlyn.

"Then I suggest you two watch your mouths and pay attention!" Ms. Pennington turned her back on them and went back to the board.

"Whoa, that must've struck a nerve." Carrie whispered to Alyson. "I've never seen Ms. Pennington angry before!"

"I thought my heart was gonna pop out my chest when she smacked that ruler!" Alyson whispered back.


After science class, Caitlyn and Becky were the first to leave along with everyone else. But Carrie stayed behind. "Ms. Pennington."

"Yes, Carrie?"

Carrie fidgeted a little. "Thanks for standing up for me."

"Why wouldn't I?" Ms. Pennington told Carrie. "Teachers are second to parents. And you're one of my best students. So of course I stood up for you." She smiled. "And thanks for inviting me to your party. I never get invited to anything, especially by my own students."

"Does that mean you'll come?"

Ms. Pennington shook her head. "I'm afraid not. I have a lot of papers to grade. Besides, I'm not exactly a party girl anymore." She adjusted her glasses. "Now I'm a woman dedicated to science and education."

'Sounds like Dr. Davenport.' Carrie thought to herself.

Alyson popped her head in the doorway. "Hey, Carrie! You coming or what? The party train's leaving without you!"

Carrie laughed. "Okay! I'm coming." She headed out the door. "See you Monday, Ms. Pennington!"

Ms. Pennington waved goodbye. "See you later, Carrie!" she said. "And no running in the halls!"


As they walked down the sidewalk, Alyson talked with Carrie. "Look, Car. I know you mean well, but inviting a teacher to a house party is clearly a big fat no! Now everyone at school will never show up after that."

Carrie shook her head. "It doesn't matter if I invited Ms. Pennington or not. I don't know if anyone is going to show up at this party anyway."

"What makes you say that?" Alyson asked.

"Alyson, have you seen my house?" Carrie asked rhetorically. "My dad, Edgar Raven is a horror writer. He eats, breaths, and sleeps horror! He even built our house to be all spooky and haunted looking! And everyone thinks I'm weird because of that!"

"Well, if you ask me, our student body has bad taste." Alyson said. "I mean, who wouldn't want to party at the famous Edgar Raven's house? I've read every single one of his books!"

"You have?!" Carrie asked.

"You bet! Once I found out you're his daughter and you live in his house, I've been trying not to geek out!" Alyson squealed. "This is gonna be the most epic party ever!"

"Oh, yeah!" Carrie said as she and her best friend high-fived.

"Let's go to the store and get some eats!" Alyson said.

"Race ya there!" Carrie said.

"You're on!"

And the two friends took of like a couple of shots. They were ready for one extreme night.

"Hey, you think you're dad can sign some of my books?" Alyson asked as she ran.

"Actually, he's always out of town. So I'm always home alone." Carrie answered.

Alyson's jaw dropped. "For real?! You've got a haunted house all to yourself?! Carrie, you are the coolest girl on the planet!"

Carrie's smile couldn't be any bigger. It looks like she truly made a good friend.


Back at the school, Ms. Pennington had just finished grading her papers. "There, that should-"

The teacher caught something at the corner of her eye. She walked over to one of the desks and picked up a backpack. Carrie's backpack.

"Oh, dear. " Ms. Pennington slung the backpack over her shoulder. "Carrie must be missing this. I better head to her house and return it."