Mom and Dad say Melinda is "too old to go trick or treating" (19.1).
Melinda is quite happy about this. She won't have to reveal her shame to her parents: nobody has invited her to go. But, she pretends to be upset and goes to her room.
She watches the trick or treaters from her bedroom window.
The year before, Melinda's group (the Plane Janes) all went as witches. They looked awesome and got oodles of candy. That night they tried to see their futures in a mirror at Ivy's house.
She knows Rachel is partying at some exchange student's house, and that she won't be asked to that party, or any others.
It's OK though – Melinda has plans. She'll be reading Dracula by Bram Stoker.