Hannah Smart, Operation Josh Taylor Read Free Page B

hen 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.
    â€œSo, Josh Taylor,” I say breathlessly.
    â€œYeah I know,” she replies.
    â€œYou 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?
    â€œYeah, your mom called my mom last night.”
    â€œShe did?” I gulp.
    â€œYup, she did.” Rachel purses her lips.
    â€œWhat did she say?”
    â€œWell, 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 .”

    â€œResponsibility?” I say closing my eyes. “Oh no, don’t tell me …”
    â€œYeah,” she blurts out, “I have to buy my own ticket, too.”
    â€œSorry,” 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.”
    â€œThat’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 .
    â€œThe 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.
    â€œAfter school. My house. Planning session,” Rachel says with a quick nod, as she turns toward her classroom.
    â€œPlanning 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.
    â€œIt’s none of your business Scarlett,” Rachel replies.
    â€œNone of my business?” Scarlett raises an eyebrow. “As if I actually care,” she huffs.
    â€œWell you asked,” I say under my breath.
    â€œWhatever the two of you are up to, I’m sure it’s …” she pauses a second and narrows her eyes, “um … totally lame.”
    â€œLame,” Anika adds with a nod.
    â€œYeah, totally,” Missy adds, looking confused.
    â€œWell, it’s been fun, Scarlett, but we have to get back to class,” I say.
    â€œWhatever …” Scarlett yawns, walking away, motioning for the bookends to follow.
    * * *
    After school we head over to Rachel’s house to devise our plan .
    â€œHey, would you girls like a snack?” her mom asks as we come in the kitchen. “I just got back from the grocery store