Emma Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice Read Online Free Page A

drive, you know. It’s a new campaign; they need more people to donate blood, so they’re really going to play up the sympathy aspect. So they want to show a kid receiving blood, but they don’t want to use a real sick kid, because that’s too sad and may be too taxing for the child. So . . . it would mean sitting in a chair . . . in a hospital gown . . . with a bag of blood that looks like it’s going into your arm. I’m sure it will be fake blood, though.” My mom spoke quickly at the end.
    Oh no.
    â€œUm. Wow,” I said.
    I felt faint just thinking about it. I sat down on a stool at the kitchen counter.
    â€œI know,” my mom said quietly. Obviously, she knows how I am about all this stuff. “Do you want to think about it? Or should I just call back and say ‘no, thanks’?”
    I thought for a minute. First of all, I needed themoney. Second of all, I really didn’t want Olivia Allen to get the job. Third of all, maybe I’d set a good example for Jake.
    I sighed. “I’ll do it,” I said. “I’ll try out.”
    â€œAre you sure, sweetheart?”
    I took a deep breath. “Yes. Thanks.”
    We hung up, and I sat at the counter for another minute, trying not to think about a bag of blood—real or not—dripping into my arm.
    â€œHey, are you okay, Em?” asked Katie. She came over and put her hand on my arm. “You look pretty pale.”
    I smiled wanly. “I’m trying out for a modeling job, but . . .” I was embarrassed to admit my weakness; after all, only Alexis really knew about my superqueasiness.
    Katie looked at me in concern. “But what?”
    I took a deep breath. Might as well fess up. “It’s for the hospital. For a blood drive. And I’m superqueasy. I kind of faint at the mention of blood, never mind the sight of it.”
    Mia looked up. “You kook! Don’t do the shoot, then! Just say no!”
    â€œBut I need the money,” I said.
    Alexis stood and came to my side. “If this is about the money you lost, don’t worry about it. You canhave an extension. I don’t want you fainting just to get money for us,” she said.
    â€œThanks.” I sighed. “I guess part of it is that . . . well, I just hate to be weak, you know? And let my fears rule my life. Like, I should be able to do this! I mean, I’m not Jake! I’m tough!”
    â€œYou go, girl!” said Mia.
    â€œWell, you know they won’t actually put the needle in you for the photo shoot, right?” asked Katie.
    â€œNo, I know. It’s just the idea of it. And being in the hospital. And do you think they’ll use real blood?”
    â€œNo way!” said Mia.
    â€œI just . . . I mean, I can’t even deal with shots. Like, not even Novocain at the dentist.” I grimaced.
    â€œA shot is only a couple of seconds, Em,” said Alexis kindly. “Remember when I went with you? You thought they still hadn’t done it, and it was over.”
    â€œI know. I guess I just work myself up,” I said.
    â€œWant us to have a cupcake party for you, too, after the shoot?” asked Alexis with a grin.
    But Katie was thinking. “You know,” she said after a pause. “My mom is known for being really great with people who are really nervous aboutgoing to the dentist. Do you want me to see if she’d give you some advice or whatever? Tips on how to cope? Then you could use them at the shoot, but also maybe in real life?”
    I couldn’t imagine it would help, but it was nice of Katie to offer, so I had to say yes. “Thanks. Sure. That would be great.”
    Katie nodded her head briskly. “Good. Let’s do it this weekend. You can come over on Saturday afternoon, after my mom’s morning office hours, and she’ll work on you.”
    Work on me?
    I gulped.