Read Online On a Slippery Slope by Melody Fitzpatrick - Free Book Online Page A

my schedule is jam-packed as it is. I have no time to watch TV, let alone organize an entire fundraising campaign!
    * * *
    A s the days go by, this crazy-busy feeling only gets worse. Don’t get me wrong, I mean work is great, like really, really fun, and has been since day one!
    At first, I was sooooo nervous, but I found out pretty darn quick that when you’re working in a busy TV station, there’s no time for nerves. There’s always stuff to do from the minute I arrive until the minute I leave — things like getting coffee, delivering scripts, coordinating hair and makeup, and my specialty, taking care of important guests in the Green Room. Andy says I’m a lifesaver and that she doesn’t know what she did without me (she even gave me my own cellphone), but with all I have to do, I haven’t had a single second to work on getting ski gear or figuring out lessons or anything. It’s been school, work, and then homework every single day , except on the weekends when it’s homework, chores, and tae kwon do (Mom thinks I need a distraction to take my mind off working all the time — if she only knew!) and now, on top of everything, I have to think up brilliantly creative ways to fundraise for our club, and to make matters worse, Gabby is getting impatient. She keeps insisting that I buy gear! I have no money to buy gear.

    I know it would make sense to ask my parents for help, but trust me, it wouldn’t! I can’t get my parents involved. They’ll just start asking questions … questions I don’t want to answer. I have to do this on my own and just pray that Gabby doesn’t say anything. I’m pretty sure she won’t, though, because I told her that my mom was really stressed over the move and that we absolutely shouldn’t bring it up until Mom gets the house settled. So far, so good. She hasn’t said a word, which is great, but won’t help me with my problem — I need cash!
    * * *
    A fter two weeks of working, with only one paycheque in my pocket, I’m standing here at my locker doing the mental math to figure out just how many paycheques I’ll need to cover the crazy-long list of things Gabby expects me to buy. Do I even have enough time?
    â€œSo, what’s your plan?” A.J. demands, suddenly appearing at my locker.
    â€œYou shouldn’t sneak up on people!” I bark. Besides scaring the crap out of me, he’s totally thrown me off in my calculations, which I have to start all over again, plus I’m pretty positive he’s asking me about my fundraising ideas, of which I have zero.
    â€œWhat do you mean?” I ask, innocently.
    â€œFundraising ideas.” He grins. “You told Chloe you had tons?”
    â€œI have a few ideas.”
    â€œCool, like what?” he challenges.
    â€œOkay, here’s one — we call all the local grocery stores and tell them we’ll bag groceries for tips. Kids back home did it all the time and raised tons of money. It’s a sure thing.”
    â€œYeah, not a bad idea, but not doable this year.” A.J. shakes his head. “Chloe and I called every grocery store within forty miles and they all said the same thing — they need at least six months’ notice. So what else ya got?”
    Crickets … silence …
    â€œNothing?” He flashes another incredibly annoying grin.
    â€œIt’s been a busy week,” I reply, scowling.
    â€œOh yeah, by the way, did you get your gear? Gabby said the movers lost your stuff. Bummer!”
    â€œI’ll have some fundraising ideas soon.” I say, ignoring his question.

    â€œSuper, and Hannah, you don’t want to wait too long to get new gear. Ivy said they’re having a big clearance sale at her uncle’s store, and stuff is going fast.”
    â€œI’ve been doing some research,” I reply, honestly.
    â€œMe too!” he exclaims. “I just want to find that