In Over Her Head (3 page)

“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!”

I open the door only to come face to face with A.J., not Piper. I look behind him; she's not there either. Gabby pushes past me.

“Where is she?” she asks breathlessly.

“Oh yeah … um … Piper had to split,” A.J. replies, running his fingers through his hair.

Gabby's smile fades into sadness. I know she's devastated.

So far, Piper hasn't impressed me much.

Don't Make Me Laugh

W
ell
, I'm here; I'm on the boat, and now my only choice is to make the most of it — I have to confess, that after a bunch of bad dreams involving sharks and a weird pool floaty, I was tempted to chicken out. Sure, treasure hunting might sound exciting, but think about it … does it really? I mean, jumping into a treacherous ocean, packed with piranhas, giant squid, and vicious sharks (like, seriously, don't even get me started on those!) just to explore a rusty old ship, which is probably buried in a ton of gross, crusty barnacles — totally not the most fun way to spend a summer, huh?

But holy Neptune! When I arrived last night and saw
Piper's Prize
(seriously, that's the name of our boat … gag!) I realized that this might just be the most exciting summer of my life!

So, the boat is massive. Like a mini cruise ship that's not that mini at all! And I can't even exaggerate how beautiful it is. It's like total
LUXURY
, and best of all, I have my own room and everything. Piper, whom I still haven't met, has her own room, too. A.J. and this kid named Henry (who is my boss Phillip's nephew, visiting from Australia) will be sharing a room. Captain Steele (Piper's father) and the director both have their own rooms, as well. With the film crew, the dive crew, the cook, and the rest of the ship's company, it's amazing how many bodies fit on this boat!

For some reason, I pictured us on a big, stinky rust bucket with a crew of salty old fishermen. This is
so
not that! At this very moment, in fact, I'm lying here in the lap of luxury, all snuggled in my bed under a big, fluffy, white duvet, waiting for the day to begin. My room is small, but super cozy. Actually, this whole boat is pure luxury from top to bottom, bow to stern — the kitchen (aka the galley) is bright and modern, and off that is a stunning dining room with the most gorgeous chandelier. The dining room leads into a
BEAUTIFUL
living room with fancy leather couches and a huge TV, complete with the newest Sony Playstation that's not even out in stores yet! The boat has three decks and — get this — two huge hot tubs! Seriously! This is
NOTHING
like what I had expected. And best of all, I'm not even one bit sick! Maybe I've outgrown my seasickness after all, which would be so cool!

“Hannah!” I hear A.J. calling from the hall. Before I can reply, he starts banging on my door. “Hannah! You're late!” he yells.

“Late for what?” I call out. I don't know what he is worried about. I got a memo under my door last night that said Captain Steele wants everyone on the middle deck at 10:00 a.m. Right now, it's only 8:35 a.m. I've got loads of time!

“Hannah, the meeting started five minutes ago!” A.J. bellows. “Captain Steele isn't happy!”

“But …”

“Hannah, there's no time to talk about it. Just get out here. Everyone is waiting!”

“Okay, tell them I'll be there as soon as I can,” I call out, grabbing yesterday's clothes off the floor. Thank god I slept in my socks!

“Hannah, you're not getting it! The Captain is really ticked! If you're not fifteen minutes early, then you're late!”

“I'm not late,” I call back.

“Hannah! Look at your memo!”

“I don't know what memo you got, but mine said to be there at 10:00 a.m.,” I yell through the door. I grab the memo off of my dresser and shove it in my pocket. “Just give me a second to brush my hair!”

“Hannah, are you even dressed?”

“Yes, but —”

The door bursts open.

“Forget your hair!” A.J. says, pulling me out of my room. Rude!

“A.J., chill out!” I yell, yanking my hand free. I reach in and grab my brush off of the shelf. “Is it okay if I brush it on the way?” I ask angrily.

“Fine!”

“Wait! I didn't brush my teeth! Do you have any gum?”

With a groan, he pulls out a pack of Dentyne Ice and pops a couple of pieces into my hand.

“Will you just come on, please?” He frowns, grabbing my hand again.

“Don't worry,” I say, dragging the brush through my hair with my free hand. “I'm telling you, I'm not going to be in trouble. Just look at my memo!” I shake my hand free and pull the memo from my pocket.

He looks at it and frowns. “Hannah.”

“See,” I say with a satisfied smirk. “It says 10:00 a.m.”

“Oh my gosh, Hannah! Stop arguing and hurry up!”

When we arrive on the middle deck I see that A.J. wasn't exaggerating. Everyone is here — the dive crew, the boat crew, the film crew — like I said, everyone.
OMG
,
the film crew! They have their cameras out! They're filming already? Holy crud! Everyone looks great — hair done, makeup on, and me … I'm a mess! Even the boat crew is all decked out in their freshly pressed khakis. Why didn't anyone tell me we were filming this morning?

Everyone is frowning, probably annoyed that I've held up the meeting. Well, as soon as they see this memo, I'm sure they'll feel bad about the
less than warm
reception they've given me.

“Hey, everyone!” I say with my happiest smile. “I know you're all thinking I'm late, but I'm really not. I'm early, actually. You see,
my
memo said the meeting was at ten.”

A very large and serious-looking man, who must be the captain, shakes his head. “Show it to me.” He extends his hand, frowning.

A.J. looks at me, and then down at the memo in his hand. I shrug and nod, telling him it is okay to pass it over.

“Hmm …” Captain Steele says. “Piper, could you read this for us, please.”

Piper? She's here? Of course she is! Where else would she be? Which one is she?
A girl in a plain blue shirt steps forward.
Wow! That's Piper?

She's definitely pretty, but I wouldn't say she's drop-dead gorgeous like Gabby said. Gabby thinks Piper is amazing, like she can do no wrong, so maybe that's why she sees her as the most beautiful girl on the face of the Earth. They say that sometimes the way you act affects how people see you. I've seen a different side of Piper, a mean side. Maybe that's why I don't find her so stunningly beautiful. Or maybe it's just that awful jealousy messing with my head again. Either way, I guess time will tell.

Piper takes the memo from her father's hands, smiles, and clears her throat.

“Memorandum. To — Hannah Smart. From — Captain John Steele. Date — July fifth. Subject — information meeting for cast and crew. There will be an important information session tomorrow morning at eight thirty
sharp
. It is
imperative
that you arrive fifteen minutes early to ensure a prompt start. Please note there is a
zero-tolerance rule
in place for tardiness, and that lateness of any kind will constitute a
strike
. Of note, the film crew will be starting tomorrow, so ensure your appearance is professional.”

Piper looks up from the memo, smiles and hands it back over to her dad.

“Thank you, Piper.” The captain's voice is so loud it startles me. “Please give it to Hannah.”

Piper extends her hand forward, passing me the paper.

I look down at it, dumbfounded. “Wait! What?” I exclaim. “That's not my memo! Mine said to be here for
10:00 a.m. sharp.”

“Sure …” Piper smirks.

“It did!” I demand. “I showed it to A.J.!”

“Sorry,” A.J. replies, shaking his head. “That's what you gave me.”

“It is?” I look at him in disbelief
. This is crazy! My paper said nothing about being here fifteen minutes early!
“There must be some mistake!”

“No mistake, Hannah.” Piper snickers. “Nice try, though.”

“Piper!” Captain Steele bellows at his daughter. “This is no laughing matter. This is a strike!”

“Oh but, Captain Steele, it's only Hannah's first day. She didn't know.” A small, roundish man with a friendly face pleads on my behalf.

“Massimo, are you questioning me?” Captain Steele fixes his eyes on Massimo.

“My apologies, Captain.” Massimo lowers his head.

“Well then, in light of the fact that
already
this morning three very important rules have been broken …” The captain's eyes shift from Massimo to me, from me to Massimo, “… it seems the appropriate time to run through my expectations of you all while on board this ship.”

OMG
… I can't believe this is happening!
Aside from Piper, everyone looks terrified.

“Be advised,” the captain starts, focusing his eyes on me, “that while on board this ship, there is a three-strike rule, meaning three strikes and you're gone —
no
second chances,
no
exceptions!”

“So these rules, are they posted somewhere?” I ask.

Massimo bites his lip.

“Rule number one —
never
interrupt the captain.”

OMG!
Did I just do that?
OMG!

“Rule number two — always arrive fifteen minutes early. If you arrive on time, you're
late
. Rule number three — never, ever question your captain.”

Massimo rubs his nose and looks down at his feet.

“Rule number four — neatness is expected at
all
times.” The captain glares at me and then lowers his eyes to Massimo's shoes. They look like they're covered in flour or icing sugar or something.
Oh! I bet he's the cook!

Massimo opens his mouth to explain but then quickly shuts it again. A wise decision, I'm sure.