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I glanced over at Carson to see if he was as outraged as I was, and of course, he just sat there, looking like he hadn’t a care in the world When his eye caught ie We’ll do it”

I opened ree, but I stopped myself There was no point I was stuck—cornered And he knew it, too There was no way I could have a suspension on my permanent record

I grunted and snappedin my head what this meant in terms of ti their tiathering supplies, garnering donations, putting the tree up, shopping, and organizing everything Then there was the delivery of presents and supplies a few days before Christmas

Ugh Not only would thistime with him outside of school these next couple weeks, but I’d have to see him over the break as well I preferred to avoid hi since his younger brother was my best friend It took a lot of skills—ones I had perfected over the last nine years—to carefully navigate his house with minimal interaction

I realized too late Mrs Parks had been giving instructions during , so I tried to catch up and pay attention

“Everything you need to know about the current budget is right here,” she said, handing a folder to Carson “Of course, any added donations you can get froet the s for needy members of the co Home, but we also adopt five families and provide a full Christ the kids presents, but also everything the families would want or need for Christmas dinner and breakfast—ested list in there” She pointed toward the folder in Carson’s grubby paws, and I glared at him

The second we exited her office, it wasI was anized, the responsible one

Mrs Parks cleared her throat, eyeing me as I star

ed a hole through hiarnering donations, then the tree needs to go up You’ll want to get the food for the families last, just before delivery on the twenty-second I’ll touch base then, over the break Any questions?”

I forced a smile “No, ma’am”

Mrs Parks glanced to Carson, who lazed back in his seat “Nope We’re good,” he answered

“Good” Mrs Parks steepled her hands on her desk “I’ out between you I hope you’ll learn so on this project, maybe make amends”

BlahBlahBlah

I shot to my feet “May we be dismissed?”

Mrs Parks nodded and waved toward the door, so I hightailed it out of there Once I was outside, I waited for Carson The second he shut the office door behind him, I snatched the folder fro it and skih the contents