Operation Josh Taylor
“Hannah is full of 13-year-old-girl energy; her plans, despite good intentions, don’t always turn out as she imagines, but there is no questioning her heart.” — Booklist
“A delightful plot-driven tale of perseverance that explores themes of bullying, friendship, persistence, and creative problem solving.” — Quill & Quire
“The story is able to provide life lessons about friendship, resourcefulness, and responsibility.” — Canadian Materials
“Teachers and librarians could also use Operation Josh Taylor to introduce readers to other books about strong girls and loyal friendships.” — Resource Links
“This sweet story about friendship and growing up never lapses into heavy-handed moralizing. An engaging, fun read, sure to please many teens.” — Canadian Children’s Book News
On a Slippery Slope
“This lightly amusing first-person tale delivers a smoothly entertaining ride ending with a deft setup of the final book in the series.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A lively, funny series with a lovable heroine who keeps getting herself into impossibly wacky predicaments.” — AtlanticBooksToday.ca
“Hannah Smart: On a Slippery Slope is a rollicking read … entertaining, with astutely observed dialogue.” — Canadian Materials
To my amazing mom, Ruth, and to my dad, Jim, the best storyteller I’ve ever known.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Acknowledgements
Prologue
So this happened …
I’m lying there at the bottom of a ski hill, in a battered and beaten heap waiting for someone to rescue me, after somehow surviving the wipeout of all wipeouts, when a guy who looks just like Santa arrives to save the day. (This isn’t that interesting, so I’ll skip ahead to the good part.) So, then A.J., in all of his sweet, dimple-faced gorgeousness, arrives on the scene, filled with worry after witnessing the entire horrific event. Once he knows I’m okay, he, like, shockingly, starts telling me how he feels, using words like “awesome,” “great,” “cool,” “brave,” “smart,” and “crazy” (totally in a good way, though), then, he asks me, well, more like starts to ask me an epically important question. I remember it like it was yesterday: “Someday … um … I hope maybe that you and I, I mean that you might want to be … my … um …” And then his stupid phone rings, ruining everything! On the other end is Piper, his old crush, who moved away, probably breaking his poor heart into a million pieces. Sad, I know, but even worse than that, she says she’s coming back!
* * *
Then, three and a half months later …
“Hannah, come on in,” Phillip, my boss at the TV station, says, pointing toward a chair. “Sit down. Let’s have a little chat.”
I look at him questioningly and plunk myself down in the armchair across from him.
“So, I’ll get right to the point, then.” He folds his hands in front of him and rests them on his desk. “As much as I love having you at Channel Nine, I think it’s time you took a break.”
“A break?” Great, what did I do now?
“Yes, a break.” He nods seriously.
“But I thought ratings were up?”
I can’t believe this is happening! I was in the zone. Life was good! Except for the fact that “perfect Piper” is coming back, I was so happy!
“Yes …” he says, pausing to find his words. “You’re right, Hannah. Our numbers have been fantastic. Our TV audience has doubled, and on Fridays, thanks to your Be Awesome with Hannah segments, it’s actually tripled!”
I’m so confused. If I’m so wonderful, then why does he want me to “take a break”?
“Quite an astounding feat for a fourteen-year-old, wouldn’t you say?”
He doesn’t wait for my answer. “People adore you, Hannah! So, I think it’s time we take it to the next level.”
“The next level?” I look into his smiling eyes, wondering when he is going to get to the point.
“I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but lately I’ve been looking into some exciting projects outside of the news.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Okay …”
“I’ve always wanted to try my hand at reality TV.”
“What? You mean like Big Brother or The Real Housewives of —”
“No, no, no.” Phillip laughs. “Nothing like that. Think adventure, Hannah!” He looks off into the distance, spreading his hands out in front of him.
“Adventure?”
“How would you like to be part of a treasure-hunting reality show? We could tie it into your Friday segments, but instead of filming in the station, you would be doing check-ins while on location.”
“So, by on location do you mean, like, on some tropical island where I’d be searching for pirates’ treasure?” Wow, that would be exciting!
Phillip’s eyes crinkle at the corners as he laughs heartily. “No, you’d be, like, on a boat searching for treasure under the sea.”
“Under the sea?” I gulp and shift uncomfortably in my chair.
“Yes, under the sea.”
“Um …”
FYI — I hate water! Believe it or not, I just learned how to swim last summer, and only because my parents forced me to. I’ve been afraid of pools, lakes, rivers, oceans … pretty much any body of water (I don’t even really like bathtubs) since a near-drowning incident when I was five years old. I stupidly decided it would be a great idea to do a running leap into the deep end of a swimming pool.
It was a really hot day, and I had been eyeing this huge whale floatie in the pool that was staring back at me, like he was daring me to jump on. A minute or so into our stare down, I was suddenly filled with all the courage and determination in the world. I was gonna do it! I figured that if I built up enough speed by running across the pool deck, I could jump on that whale’s back and he would take me zooming expertly across to the shallow end, where I would hop off, triumphant. In that utterly magnificent moment, I would throw my hands in the air and then bow and blow kisses to the cheering crowd, who would be wildly applauding after witnessing such an amazing feat of bravery.
Of course, I missed the whale altogether and immediately sank. Thank god my mom was watching and was able to jump in and save me. Anyway, point being — I HATE WATER!
“Hannah …” Phillip wags his finger. “‘Um’ is not the answer I was expecting from my brave, adventure-chasing, take-life-by-the horns Hannah Smart! This is the chance of a lifetime. Probably one of the most exciting things you will ever do! Imagine, being out there on the open sea, with an entire crew of professional treasure hunters! Haven’t you always been fascinated by sunken treasure, Hannah?”
“Um …”
“Hannah! I’m surprised that you’re not more excited about this!”
“It’s just that I’m not much of a boat person.”
“Well, maybe you’ll be more of a boat person when I tell you who else is going.”
“Who?”
I can’t imagine
anyone who would make me feel like more of a boat person.
Phillip grins. “Your good friend, A.J., actually.”
“What?”
“Oh, and a young lady around your age,” Phillip adds, his smile broadening. “She’s quite an accomplished sailor, from what I’ve heard.”
I have a sick feeling in my stomach.
“I believe she used to live in your house. I think her name is … Piper?”
My sick feeling was right. “Piper …” I say grimly. “Fine, count me in.”
1
Invasion of the Green-Eyed Monster
The doorbell rings.
I know who it is without looking. It’s Gabby … and Piper. Hooray … not!
For the last three and a half months, it’s been Piper this and Piper that, and Piper everything! I’m so sick of the name Piper that it’s hard not to cringe every time I hear it. Gabby sometimes gets stuck on things, and right now it’s on her old friend, Piper. Seriously, she talks about her so much, I feel like I could write her biography if I had to.
I remember the first time I heard her name I actually shuddered, which was kind of weird ’cause I didn’t know a thing about her. Maybe it was the way the girls called her Piper the Viper, like they were almost afraid.
According to Gabby, Piper is good at everything; things always just seem to go her way. I once heard a girl say that if Piper wants something, she gets it … no matter what. (Whatever “no matter what” means.)
Anyway, I wonder how many girls were secretly thrilled when Piper’s dad struck it rich on an expedition, sold everything, bought this huge boat, then took off with Piper and the rest of the family to sail the Caribbean — especially the girls on the ski team. They actually had a shot at winning for a change. Not to mention the chance to finally get a little attention from the boys who were all gaga over her, apparently.
But now she’s back, waiting outside my door, and, according to Gabby, “dying” to meet me.
I know I should be excited, too. Gabby thinks the three of us are going to be the best of friends. She says it’s impossible not to like Piper. In fact, Gabby has a million reasons for exactly why. Here are just a few of them:
Her “magnetic personality” — everyone loves her. EVERYONE.
Her intelligence — she’s a total straight-A student.
Her beauty and gracefulness — she’s won the title of Junior Miss Maple Ridge at the Maple Ridge Maple Syrup Festival the last three years in a row — a huge honour, apparently.
She’s an ah-maaazing singer, with an ah-maaazingvoice and plays the guitar ah-maaazingly. Last year she almostwon in the TV talent show Young America Sings, but lost to some freckle-faced eleven-year-old kid with a banjo. The whole thing was rigged … according to Piper.
She can fish — she caught not one, but two big mouth bass on a catch-and-release fishing trip with her dad last summer. This really impressed A.J. Whatever.
She can cook a full turkey dinner, all by herself, from start to finish. Oh, and that includes stuffing, gravy, and homemade apple pie.
She reads gigantic novels, like War and Peaceand Gone with the Wind.
She has her junior lifeguard certification in swimming.
She is a certified scuba diver.
She’s a junior sailing instructor at the Maple Ridge Harbour Yacht Club, and she’s also on their elite youth racing team.
She’s a great snowboarder.
She’s a ski champion, winning every race she’s ever been in.
She’s crafty! She knit “the most adorable” mitten, scarf, and hat set for Gabby last Christmas (the rest of the class only got mittens). Who knits mittens for their entire class, and where’d she find the time?
And last, but not least, Gabby says she’s got the mostgenerous heart in the world; she even volunteers at a homeless shelter. Although, when I asked Gabby which one, she said Piper never mentioned it because she doesn’t like to brag about her good deeds. Hmmm …
Piper sounds pretty fantastic, as you can see. This is the reason why I’m truly embarrassed to say I am not looking forward to meeting her. And, on top of everything, I still can’t get it out of my head that A.J. probably still has a crush on this girl. I mean he has to! She’s perfect! Gabby said she thinks they only kissed once. I told her I didn’t need to know the details. Can you imagine? A KISS between A.J. and Piper! Seriously gross and sickening!
So, now perfect Piper is anxiously waiting outside my door, and I’m trying to force myself to go downstairs to answer it. I have to meet her sooner or later; after all, we’re going to be spending half of the summer together filming this stupid reality treasure-hunting show that I’m still freaking out about. Hopefully when the show is over she’ll disappear again, Gabby will find something new to obsess over, A.J. will snap out of his weirdness, and I’ll never have to worry about this girl again.
I know … I sound terrible, right? I’ve been envious before, but never one-hundred-percent, from-top-to-bottom jealous. Just so you know, I’m not proud of myself right now, not one bit. Jealousy is an AWFUL feeling and I don’t recommend it.
I’m usually a pretty positive person, so maybe it’s time I start thinking like one, right? Who cares if Piper is wonderful? She’s only here for the summer and Gabby says she is dying to meet me; she actually used the word dying! That says something, doesn’t it? It’s possible that I’ll like her, right? For all I know, we just might become bosom buddies, inseparable amigos, besties for life! Yes! I need to think positive. I can do that; I’ve done it a thousand times before.
I suck in my breath and pull open the door.
“Took you long enough!” Gabby bursts in, kicks off her shoes, and leaps up the stairs. “I would have let myself in, but you had the door locked, which is weird, ’cause you knew I was coming and I always let myself in. Why’d ya lock the door?”
“Where’s Piper?” I ask, ignoring her question.
“Oh, hmmm …” Gabby says, frowning. “I’m … oh jeez … I’m really sorry. I mean, I told her you were dying to meet her and …”
“You did what?” My forced smile disappears.
“I knew you wouldn’t mind me saying that ’cause, I mean … well … she’s Piper, and who wouldn’t be dying to meet her?”
“Um … sure,” I say, trying not to roll my eyes. “So, where is she?”
Gabby looks through the window and sighs. “Well, she was talking to A.J. about the show you guys are doing this summer, and she said they had lots more to discuss, and that I should come over here by myself … without her.”
“Without her?” I raise an eyebrow. “So, she’s not really dying to meet me, then, is she?”
“Of course she is! It’s just that she hasn’t seen A.J. in so long and she said they needed some alone time.”
“Alone time? Seriously?”
“Yeah, I thought that was weird, ’cause I mean, after all, I am her best friend.”
“So, what did you say?”
“I told her how excited I was for her to meet you, but then she shushed me and told me to come over on my own.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, I guess whatever they were talking about must have been pretty important. Don’t you think?”
She wants me to agree with her? Well, that’s not going to happen. There is no excuse for that girl not coming over here. It’s just rude. Obviously she’s not that excited to meet me. She’s probably over there kissing A.J. right now! Ew!
“Yeah, super important,” she repeats. “Like mega …”
I shrug, secretly wanting to run across the street, bang on the door, and give Piper a piece of my mind! Friends don’t come any better than Gabby. She’s sweet, she’s funny, she’s freakishly loyal, and she deserves way better than this!
Gabby stares back at me, wide-eyed.
Finally, I nod my head in agreement. “Um … yeah, pro
bably,” I say, managing a smile.
“If I wasn’t already going to Paris this summer, I’d be super jealous of you guys,” Gabby blurts out, trying to change the subject, which is just fine with me.
“A whole summer in Paris … le sigh … I’m actually super jealous of you,” I reply.
“Really?”
I pull a face. “Um, yeah! Gabby, you’re going to Paris! The City of Light! With beautiful clothes, handsome boys, and … the food! Who doesn’t love French food?”
“I didn’t know there was a difference.”
“Oh my gosh, Gabby! French bread, French toast, French fries! And think about how much fun you’re going to have hanging out with your aunt in her pastry shop.” I’m picturing Gabby in this cute little black-and-white polka-dot apron, standing in the doorway of a pretty little pastry shop, with a pink-and-cream-striped canopy, on a quaint little cobblestone street in Paris.
“I’ll probably gain ten pounds this summer.” Gabby laughs.
“I’ll probably lose ten.” I grin. “I’ve been on a boat exactly three times in my life, and every single time it’s the same — I’m okay for the first half hour, but then my stomach starts churning and then my head starts spinning and I’m over the side, tossing my cookies.”
“Hannah!” Gabby exclaims, pulling her phone from her pocket. “I got a message!”
“Is it from her?”
“Yeah! She must be on her way over.”
No sooner does Gabby have the words out of her mouth when the doorbell rings.
Gabby bounds down the stairs so fast that I’m afraid she’s literally going to break her neck! She runs to the door and squeals, “You open it! I want her to see you first!”
In Over Her Head Page 1