Gwen had a brilliant idea. A money making, life changing, genius level idea.
It all started when she visited her grandmother's house yesterday.
She had spent the afternoon sitting on the floor, nibbling on snacks, and half listening to her grandmother lecture about how kids these days didn't know how to make anything with their hands.
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Then her grandmother pulled out a box of beads and thread like it was some kind of magic treasure chest.
"Come here, Gwen," she said. "I'll teach you something useful."
Gwen had grumbled but sat down anyway. And surprisingly... it wasn't the worst thing ever.
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By the end of the day, she had five bracelets, sticky fingers from eating too many cookies, and a brain that was bursting with ideas.
She could sell these.
So, the next morning at school, Gwen was ready.
She marched into class, slammed her bag on the desk like she was announcing world domination, and turned to Mia.
"I'm starting a business," she declared.
Mia raised an eyebrow. "This is going to be a disaster, isn't it?"
Gwen ignored her. She pulled out the bracelets, held them up like she was a jewelry model on a runway.
"Handmade, stylish, and totally unique! Only three dollars each!"
A few classmates actually looked interested. Wow.
"This one's cute," a girl said, picking up a pink-and-blue bracelet.
Gwen beamed. "That one's our bestseller!" (It wasn't. But it sounded cool.)
"I'll take it," the girl said, handing over three dollars.
Gwen stared at the money in her hand like it was some kind of treasure. She had just made her first sale. She felt powerful. This was it. The start of Gwen's Business Empire. She was practically a millionaire already.
Well, at least, that's what she thought... for about two hours.
After lunch, the teacher made a horrifying announcement.
"The principal has reminded all students that selling personal items is strictly not allowed in school."
Gwen froze. Her stomach dropped.
Mia leaned over, looking at her with that "I told you so" face. "Told you this was going to be a disaster."
Gwen gulped. "Do you think they know about me?"
Before Mia could answer, the classroom door opened.
And standing there, staring directly at Gwen like she was a criminal, was the principal's assistant.
Oh no.
"Gwen," she said, pointing. "The principal wants to see you."
OH. NO.
Gwen slowly stood up. She could feel everyone's eyes on her like she was walking to her doom. Her short-lived business career was flashing before her eyes.
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She was led to the principal's office, where Mr. Gregson, the Principal of Doom, sat behind his desk, looking at her over his glasses like she was a bug under a magnifying glass.
"So, Gwen," he said, tapping his fingers dramatically. "I hear you've started... a business?"
Gwen gave him her most innocent, not-at-all-guilty smile. "What? Me? Business? Noooo. Who said that?"
Mr. Gregson sighed, holding up the pink and blue bracelet. Gwen's soul left her body.
"Ah, yes. I see. Well," he said, putting it down, "since you're so interested in business, how about spending the next week helping out in the library after school? Think of it as... a learning experience."
Gwen's brain exploded.
She walked back to class, feeling like a total failure.
Mia smirked as she saw Gwen return. "So... how's the business going?"
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Gwen dropped her head onto her desk with a thunk. "Shut up."
And just like that, Gwen the Businesswoman was shut down in a single day.
Maybe next time, she'd think her plans through... or not.
