Rattled Read Online Free

didn’t look very pleased.
    A few weeks before, Jilly had gone to an end of exams bash. It had been the party all future parties would be compared to. The number of groundings that were handed out the morning after broke a new neighbourhood record. Vicki, William, and I actually managed to crash the party for all of twelve minutes. That was until some of Jilly’s friends spotted us. We weren’t officially in high school yet, so there was no way we were allowed to stay. The party thrower and quarterback of the West football team immediately escorted us to the door.
    Then later that night, Vicki’s dad had been out walking the dog and found Jilly, arms wrapped around the stop sign, puking her guts out. He brought her home. Man, I would have donated a kidney to have been awake for that one—you can’t put a price on entertainment like that.
    â€œWhat’s Phase Two again?” Dad asked.
    â€œHour off the curfew. Then comes probation, then maintenance.” If I didn’t know better, I’d think Mom consulted Weight Watchers when she developed her punishment pyramid. Come to think of it, she is a lifetime member.
    â€œMust keep an eye on that girl,” Dad said to himself, then looked at me. “So…speaking of summer jobs…”
    I narrowed my eyes. “We weren’t.”
    â€œMom said you’re bored, might be looking for work.”
    â€œUmmm.”
    â€œI’ll need someone when Kelley goes on vacation. It would just be answering phones, taking appointments, that kind of thing.”
    I tugged on my lower lip, trying to think of a response. I had kind of always hoped when I landed a summer job it would be a bit more glamorous, not working in my dad’s dermatology clinic where the only boys I’d meet would, let’s face it, have complexion issues.
    â€œI thought I might check up at Northcliff Tennis Club.” I’d always thought that would be sort of a glam place to work.
    â€œWell, Pumpkin…you don’t play tennis,” he said gently.
    â€œThere’s always Kearney Lake. They might need lifeguards.” Another awesomely glam job.
    â€œI think you have to have lifeguard training,” he pointed out.
    â€œRight,” I nodded. I was running out of glamorous job options. “Okay, Dad. Guess I’m your girl.”
    He beamed. “Great! You can make your own schedule, a couple mornings, maybe an afternoon, still lots of time to do your own thing.”
    That wouldn’t be so bad. And I was going to be needing a whole new wardrobe for starting high school. I should have been grateful. “Thanks, Dad. I’m psyched.”

Chapter 4
    I kept Dad company while he ate his eggs. I tried not to laugh when he gasped for water on the last bite.
    â€œToo much salt,” he puffed, slamming his empty glass down on the counter. He’d burst into flames before he’d admit he made the eggs too hot.
    â€œSure, Dad,” I smirked. “Where’s Mom?”
    He flipped open the dishwasher. “She forgot it was Nana Mary’s birthday, so she’s out in the driveway spray-painting some old planters. She’s going to throw in some plants from the garden, pass them off as new. Is it any wonder I love that woman?”
    I smiled. Dad totally cracked me up.
    I went outside to check on Mom’s progress. “Those look great!”
    â€œThanks. Let’s face it, she’s ninety-six, she probably won’t even be able to see them clearly.”
    I heard the smack of the basketball hitting the pavement and looked up. Sam and Megan were playing one-on-one. I waved and walked over.
    â€œHey. Who’s winning?”
    â€œMe, for once,” Megan said, pushing the hair out of her eyes.
    â€œI’m letting her,” Sam whispered.
    â€œSam.” Mrs. Swicker magically appeared, as usual. “I told you, I’m not too crazy about you playing so much basketball. Your hands,