Hannah Smart, Operation Josh Taylor by Melody Fitzpatrick Page A

off a helpless mouse. I’m waiting for her to start licking her lips.
    â€œCan you believe these disgusting bracelets, Eden?” Scarlett smirks, pointing her thumb at our display. “I mean, who in their right mind would spend a dime on these cheap, loser things?”
    If scowls were daggers, then Scarlett would be dead, because she just got nine very sharp daggers from nine very disgusted girls, each one holding out her arm, showing off her “disgusting” gift from Eden Payton-Patterson.

    â€œI would, Scarlett,” Eden says.
    â€œWait …” Scarlett stammers, “I don’t understand. You mean you bought a bracelet?”
    â€œNo, I didn’t buy one,” Eden replies.
    Scarlett looks immediately relieved. “I knew you wouldn’t buy one, of course you wouldn’t. I mean …”
    â€œScarlett,” Eden cuts her off, “I didn’t buy just one … I bought ten.” She points to her nine puppies’ outstretched arms, and then holds up her own.
    â€œBut … but they’re ugly,” Scarlett stammers.
    â€œThere is only one thing ugly here, Scarlett,” Eden says calmly, “and it’s not the bracelets.”
    The puppies all giggle. Missy gasps, and Anika bites her lip, staring at her feet, not daring to look at Scarlett.
    Scarlett, suddenly realizing that she’s the butt of the joke, narrows her eyes and turns toward us, glaring. Suddenly, her eyes shift toward our Wishbandz and a smile crosses her face.
    â€œHave a nice day, girls.” She turns on her designer heel and stalks off into the school with Anika and Missy trailing behind, looking confused.
    â€œHmmm … I wonder what she’s up to now,” I say.
    â€œI’m sure we’ll find out soon enough,” Rachel replies with worried sigh.

9
    Easy Come, Easy Go
    A wesome … that’s how I’d describe our display of Wishbandz this morning. We went crazy last night and braided and beaded around thirty more bracelets. We got a lot of promises yesterday from kids who said they were going to bring cash today, so we’re expecting a few more sales at least. Now that Eden Payton-Patterson (the closest thing to a celebrity in our school) and her fan club are wearing them, it won’t be long before everybody wants one. That’s what I’m hoping, anyway.
    We set up by the front doors of the school, and like yesterday, a group of girls comes up right away. Suddenly, the crowd around us starts growing and growing until we have what seems like half the school surrounding us.
    â€œI want the blue one,” one kid says.
    â€œI want three of those army-green beaded ones,” another girl says.
    â€œCan guys wear them?” a really cute dude from ninth grade yells out.
    Rachel looks at me in amazement. “Yeah, totally!” She shouts. “Hey guys, we need everyone to line up.”
    Suddenly, the whole group starts shuffling themselves into a lineup.
    â€œWow, they listened,” she whispers, flashing me a smile.

    â€œWe’re in the money, Rachel,” I whisper back.
    â€œStill trying to sell your crap, I see,” Scarlett says, snickering, as she, Anika, and Missy strut past the kids in line.
    â€œHmmm … I don’t think we’re trying to sell anything, Scarlett,” Rachel replies. “Our Wishbandz are selling themselves.”
    â€œNot for long,” Scarlett whispers to us with a satisfied smirk. “The principal wants to see you in her office, A-Sap.”
    â€œNow?” I cry.
    â€œThat’s what A-Sap means, loser,” Anika sneers.
    Rachel sighs. “She wants both of us?”
    â€œYes, both of you!” Missy snaps. “Wait … does she?” She looks at Scarlett for an answer.
    â€œShe wants to see both of you … now!” Scarlett looks positively blissful.
    Rachel shakes her head. “What did you do, Scarlett?”
    â€œLet’s go,