A Lot to Tackle by Belle Payton

Author:Belle Payton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon Spotlight

CHAPTER

Seven

“You’re still in your pajamas?” Mrs. Sackett’s voice registered her surprise. “Do you feel okay?”

“I feel fine,” Alex said. She clicked randomly through design websites on her computer. “It’s still Saturday morning.”

“Technically, for five more minutes.” Mrs. Sackett motioned to the clock hands nearing noon. “You’re usually up and at the library long before now.”

Alex shrugged. “Not today.”

Her mom stepped into her room. She surveyed the clothes draped on Alex’s chair and dropped on her floor. She raised her eyebrows at the pages ripped from magazines littering her daughter’s unmade bed. “Something’s up. Messy and lazy do not describe the Alex I know.”

“Maybe they do.” Alex clicked on directions to decoupage a keepsake box. Earlier she’d spent two hours helping Lindsey design her online scrapbook for Corey. Alex still thought the whole thing was a bit much, but Lindsey wouldn’t budge. She said it was important that Corey see how happy they were. She’d promised to forward Alex a copy when she sent it via Buddybook to Corey. What will I do with a copy? Alex wondered. Hey! She could decoupage a box with photo after photo of the smiling, happy couple.

Just what she needed.

Her mom smoothed the edge of Alex’s comforter and sat. Normally Alex would cringe if her mom touched her bed with her black sweatpants, which crackled with dried clay—Mrs. Sackett had started a ceramics business in their garage—but today she barely registered it.

“You’re awfully quiet. Let’s talk,” her mom prodded.

There’s nothing to talk about, Alex thought. How could her mom possibly fix all the things she’d messed up? Maybe my time for greatness has come and gone, Alex realized suddenly. She’d read an article online a few weeks ago about girls who were super popular in high school and then went downhill from there. The article warned girls not to peak too early. Maybe I’ve peaked at age twelve, Alex thought. Maybe her schoolwork and her leadership skills were now on a downward spiral. She groaned.

Then she remembered the French test waiting for a signature in her backpack. Coach and Tommy were at a practice at the high school, and Ava was at the park with Jack. She braced herself as she handed the test to her mom without an explanation. She kept her head down so she wouldn’t have to see the disappointment on her mom’s face.

“I’m surprised,” Mrs. Sackett said, watching Alex closely.

“You need to sign it. Okay?” Alex asked.

“Okay.” Her mom reached for a pen and scrawled her name.

“Okay? That’s it? No lecture or yelling?” Alex asked, looking up to see that her mom’s face remained calm. Alex’s cell phone buzzed, but she ignored it.

“Did you want a lecture?” Her mom smiled. “You’ve always worked hard, and your grades have been spectacular. One C is fine, sunshine. Do you need me to help you with French?”

“No.” Alex shoved the test into her backpack. Maybe the C was fine to her mom, but not to her.

“Is this why you’re moping?” Mrs. Sackett asked.

“I’m not moping,” Alex said.

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