ТОП просматриваемых книг сайта:
Hannah Smart 3-Book Bundle. Melody Fitzpatrick
Читать онлайн.Название Hannah Smart 3-Book Bundle
Год выпуска 0
isbn 9781459738188
Автор произведения Melody Fitzpatrick
Жанр Учебная литература
Серия Hannah Smart
Издательство Ingram
No one seems to notice that I’m in a state of shock. Why would they care? They have exciting news to talk about. What’s so exciting about a stupid promotion anyway? I mean a promotion is just … well, a better job and more money and … wait a second … I think I may have possibly found a silver lining to this grey cloud of information.
“Hey, Dad,” I say, flashing a big smile, “congratulations on your promotion. So I guess that means you’re going to be making, like, tons of more money, right?”
He smiles back. “Well Hannah, it means a lot of things, and yes, a nice boost to my salary is one of them. It also means that there’s going to be a few changes around here. I’ll be working a lot and so I won’t be home as much as I am now. Your mother is going to need you to help out more.” He reaches over to give my mom’s hand a squeeze. For some reason she isn’t smiling back. Weird … you’d think she’d be crazy happy about a nice fat paycheque! Instead, she gets up and starts clearing the table.
“So, Dad,” I say in my sweetest voice, “I heard some exciting news today, too. Josh Taylor is coming to Glen Haven. Isn’t that exciting?”
“I’m sure it is for you, Hannah,” he says.
“Yeah, so I really want to go to his concert,” I blurt out.
“That’s nice,” he replies, totally not taking the bait.
“Well, Dad, with your new raise and everything, do you think you’d have enough money to buy me a ticket?” I half whisper.
“Yeah, I think I could manage that,” he whispers back, smiling.
“Really! You could manage it?” I say in a hushed squeal.
He nods. “Yup, I think I can definitely manage it.”
Wow, that was easy! He said yes! It’s totally official! I am going to see Josh Taylor, live in concert, breathing the same air and …
“Manage what?” says my mother from across the kitchen.
I shove a piece of pizza in my mouth.
“Hannah just asked me …” Dad starts.
“Mmmmm,” I say loudly, with my mouth full, “this pizza is so good!”
My mother’s eyes narrow. “Hannah, what did you ask your father?”
“Oh, Mom,” I scold her, “this is Dad’s night, not mine. Let’s not talk about me.”
“Hannah, I know what’s going on here,” she says, frowning, “and it’s not going to happen.”
Great, and just like that another soccer ball slams me right in the gut.
My stomach hurts.
4
Two Plans Are Better Than One
When I arrive at school the next morning, the volume level is louder than usual, especially with the girls; every one of them is wearing an ear-to-ear grin as they chatter away in their little groups. One of them is holding a newspaper. She points to something on the front page, lets out a little squeal, and then clutches it to her heart.
I need to find Rachel!
I scan the hallway. I peek in her classroom for the third time, and then check the hallway again. I’m desperate to find her. When I called her back last night she was still banned from the phone and the Internet. She probably doesn’t even know yet!
I spot her just as the bell rings. She’s actually sticking out like a sore thumb because she appears to be the only girl in the whole school who is frowning. Actually, this is great! She can’t possibly know. I’ll get to tell her myself!
I run in her direction, ignoring the bell.
“So, Josh Taylor,” I say breathlessly.
“Yeah I know,” she replies.
“You know?”
Hmmm … honestly, at this point, I am a smidge worried. I mean Josh Taylor is coming! Why is she not jumping for joy over this monumentally amazing news?
“Yeah, your mom called my mom last night.”
“She did?” I gulp.
“Yup, she did.” Rachel purses her lips.
“What did she say?”
“Well, she told my mom about the concert.” She puts her finger to her chin. “Oh, and she might have also mentioned something about us buying our own our own tickets, and how it would be a great opportunity to teach us some responsibility.”
“Responsibility?” I say closing my eyes. “Oh no, don’t tell me …”
“Yeah,” she blurts out, “I have to buy my own ticket, too.”
“Sorry,” I say, secretly relieved that we’re both in the same boat. “My mother … you know how she is. Sometimes she can be so … motherly.”
“That’s okay,” Rachel says, hunching her shoulders. “We’ll figure something out.”
Suddenly, we hear the familiar cackle of Scarlett Hastings. She’s coming down the hall with Anika and Missy, who are her “yes-girls.” They trail behind her everywhere she goes and agree with everything she says. She pushes them around constantly, but they never seem to notice.
Strutting towards us, the three of them look like they’re auditioning for America’s Next Top Model.
“The bell rang you know,” Scarlett snarls, flicking her long, glistening, black hair over her shoulder. On cue, Anika and Missy follow suit with the stupid hair flick. As usual, they are on either side of Scarlett; they look like a couple of hair-flicking bookends.
“After school. My house. Planning session,” Rachel says with a quick nod, as she turns toward her classroom.
“Planning session? Ewwww, sounds serious!” Scarlett says, rolling her eyes. “Spill,” she demands, flashing the fakest smile ever.
We both know better than to tell Scarlett anything, especially this.
“It’s none of your business Scarlett,” Rachel replies.
“None of my business?” Scarlett raises an eyebrow. “As if I actually care,” she huffs.
“Well you asked,” I say under my breath.
“Whatever the two of you are up to, I’m sure it’s …” she pauses a second and narrows her eyes, “um … totally lame.”
“Lame,” Anika adds with a nod.
“Yeah, totally,” Missy adds, looking confused.
“Well, it’s been fun, Scarlett, but we have to get back to class,” I say.
“Whatever …” Scarlett yawns, walking away, motioning for the bookends to follow.
* * *
After school we head over to Rachel’s house to devise our plan.
“Hey, would you girls like a snack?” her mom asks as we come in the kitchen. “I just got back from the grocery store so there are lots of goodies in the fridge.” She points to their massive refrigerator.
“Goodies?” I whisper to Rachel.
“They’re