In Over Her Head Read Free Page B

startles me. “Please give it to Hannah.”
    Piper extends her hand forward, passing me the paper.
    I look down at it, dumbfounded. “Wait! What?” I exclaim. “That’s not my memo! Mine said to be here for10:00 a.m. sharp.”
    â€œSure …” Piper smirks.
    â€œIt did!” I demand. “I showed it to A.J.!”
    â€œSorry,” A.J. replies, shaking his head. “That’s what you gave me.”
    â€œIt is?” I look at him in disbelief . This is crazy! My paper said nothing about being here fifteen minutes early! “There must be some mistake!”
    â€œNo mistake, Hannah.” Piper snickers. “Nice try, though.”
    â€œPiper!” Captain Steele bellows at his daughter. “This is no laughing matter. This is a strike!”
    â€œOh but, Captain Steele, it’s only Hannah’s first day. She didn’t know.” A small, roundish man with a friendly face pleads on my behalf.
    â€œMassimo, are you questioning me?” Captain Steele fixes his eyes on Massimo.
    â€œMy apologies, Captain.” Massimo lowers his head.
    â€œWell then, in light of the fact that already this morning three very important rules have been broken …” The captain’s eyes shift from Massimo to me, from me to Massimo, “… it seems the appropriate time to run through my expectations of you all while on board this ship.”

    OMG … I can’t believe this is happening! Aside from Piper, everyone looks terrified.
    â€œBe advised,” the captain starts, focusing his eyes on me, “that while on board this ship, there is a three-strike rule, meaning three strikes and you’re gone — no second chances, no exceptions!”
    â€œSo these rules, are they posted somewhere?” I ask.
    Massimo bites his lip.
    â€œRule number one — never interrupt the captain.”
    OMG! Did I just do that? OMG!
    â€œRule number two — always arrive fifteen minutes early. If you arrive on time, you’re late . Rule number three — never, ever question your captain.”
    Massimo rubs his nose and looks down at his feet.
    â€œRule number four — neatness is expected at all times.” The captain glares at me and then lowers his eyes to Massimo’s shoes. They look like they’re covered in flour or icing sugar or something. Oh! I bet he’s the cook!
    Massimo opens his mouth to explain but then quickly shuts it again. A wise decision, I’m sure.

    â€œRule number five — bananas are strictly prohibited, which means that under no circumstances should I ever see a banana on this ship!”
    The Australian boy, Henry, starts shuffling away from the captain. Once he gets to the railing, he stops and holds up a banana. No one seems to notice except for me … thank god! What is he trying to do, get himself kicked off this boat? He throws me a devilish wink, pretends to use it like a telephone, and then chucks it overboard. An unexpected snort escapes me.
    Henry sprints back into position directly behind the captain, where he was standing just a moment before (a weird choice of spot, if you ask me).
    â€œRule number six —” the captain says, now glaring back at me again “— no shenanigans!”
    My hand shoots up in the air and instantly I regret it.
    â€œRule number seven — questions are to be asked at the end of a meeting, never during. Is that clear, Miss Smart?”
    I nod, sheepishly lowering my hand. I was going to ask what he meant by “shenanigans” but I’m pretty sure he just meant anything fun.
    â€œRule number eight — no whistling. Rule number nine — no chewing gum.”
    OMG! … my gum! Was I chomping? Could he tell? What am I going to do? Maybe I should swallow it? No, then it’ll stay in my stomach for seven years. That’s like three hundred and sixty-four weeks! Or is that a myth? Doesn’t matter, I’m not