Read A Lot to Tackle for Free Online

banner for us and submit it online to the printer? Mrs. Gusman said you have access to the student council’s account with that printer.”
    â€œSure, I can.” Alex found herself agreeing before she stopped to think. Besides the student council Variety Show campaign she had to wage, the boy advice for Lindsey she’d have to fake, and the piles of homework and studying she had to tackle, she was agreeing to make a banner. The more she did, the more people seemed to ask her to do.
    â€œYou’re the best, Alex Sackett.” Mr. Hessgrinned at her before striding down the hall.
    â€œThanks!” she called, then turned to see Charlotte, Jack, and Logan heading out of the media center. “Where are you guys going?”
    â€œThe late bus is coming,” Jack said. “Besides, we finished the study guide.”
    â€œSorry I didn’t help.” Alex felt bad.
    â€œYou were busy.” Charlotte shrugged. “And we know you’ll do well anyway.”
    â€œI better get my backpack before Ms. Majumder locks the media center doors.” Alex reached for the door’s handle.
    Charlotte held up her packet. “Do you want to copy down our answers, just in case?”
    Alex shook her head. “No, I’m okay. I never use study guides. I’ll review on my own. I’ve got it all under control.”

    Ava glanced at the kids waiting for the late bus in the front hallway. She dropped her gym bag filled with gear and shifted her bulging laundry bag away from her body. It did not smell pleasant—probably because she’d waited until the end of the season to bring home the lastmonth’s worth of dirty football clothes from her gym locker.
    She groaned. Sometimes she wished she wasn’t such a slob. Alex would’ve cleaned out her locker every day. Alex probably would’ve ironed her uniform, then sprayed it with honeysuckle body mist!
    â€œHey, Sackett!” Corey headed toward her, followed by Xander and Bryce. They carried gym bags, but nothing like her overstuffed laundry bag. Whatever, she thought. My bag can’t smell any worse than they normally do. They won’t notice.
    â€œHey, yourself,” she called back. She dropped the bag to the floor and slid down beside it. The boys sprawled next to her.
    â€œUgh! I smell salt-and-vinegar potato chips covered in spoiled milk,” Corey said.
    I guess I was wrong, Ava thought.
    â€œYou must be remembering lunch,” Bryce joked. “That cafeteria odor is nasty.”
    â€œEspecially on taco day,” Ava added.
    â€œWhoa, Sackett, it’s you who reeks,” Xander said, holding his nose.
    â€œI’m trying out a new perfume. Scent of fermented football. Like it?” She reached out her arm.
    â€œGet back. I’m going to hurl!” Xander pretended to vomit.
    Ava rolled her eyes. “New topic. So are we doing that team pizza thing?”
    â€œNot happening,” Bryce said. “The football banquet is Thursday night. That’ll be our big party.”
    â€œCorey here already had his party.” Xander shot a braces rubber band at Corey.
    â€œHey, yeah, I heard about that. Heart cake, man!” Bryce guffawed.
    â€œLindsey is crazy into you.” Xander shook his head in amazement. Then he shot a second rubber band.
    â€œCrazy is right. She’s totally intense,” Corey said.
    â€œIntense?” Ava asked. As soon as the question left her mouth, she wished she could take it back. She didn’t want to hear about Lindsey and Corey’s relationship.
    â€œShe texts me nonstop. She texts me to say good morning before I even roll out of bed. She texts me when she brushes her teeth. She texts me when she leaves the house for the bus. She texts me to say she’s at the bus stop. Then when she’s on the bus. It never stops. All day long!” Corey said.
    â€œI guess she likes to text.” Ava shrugged.
    â€œAnd she’s always