The Secret Talent by Jo Whittemore Read Free Book Online

interrupted. “Stefan, you’re the first. Congrats, bro.”
    â€œThanks, man.” He took a deep breath and sighed contentedly. “I should talk to Felix about getting this on the front page!” Stefan tapped Gil on the chest. “You can take my photo for it!”
    The two of them walked off, and I relaxed my body. Brooke pointed to herself.
    â€œBut I was the first person to see the video.”
    â€œ We know that.” I gestured around the square of desks. “But if anyone else knew, they’d wonder why you didn’t say anything, like Stefan did. They’d wonder if you were protecting whoever was in the video.”
    Brooke sighed. “Yeah, I see your point.”
    Heather bumped her. “Cheer up. Do you really want your fifteen minutes of fame to be that you were the first to see a silly dance video?” She widened her eyes and reached for my arm. “No offense.”
    It took several minutes for Mrs. H to regain control of the classroom, and when she finallydid, it was agreed that the dance clip should get a mention in Monday’s issue as part of a piece on how videos go viral.
    Great.
    After that, it was business as usual, with updates from the different sections and small group work. I must’ve had a look on my face that said I didn’t want to talk because the girls all worked quietly on answering their advice questions.
    When the bell rang I grabbed my bag and hurried out the door, making a beeline for the clock in the main hall. Ryan was already there, leaning against the wall with a cocky smirk on his punchable face.
    â€œWell, well. If it isn’t the video star,” he said.
    â€œShh!” I ducked and looked around to see if anyone had heard. “How did you even get that footage, anyway?”
    â€œMy aunt and I were walking into the storenext to the dance building when I saw you going in. Or rather . . . running in with your bag by your head. You don’t like people knowing you dance, do you?”
    â€œIt’s none of their business,” I said.
    â€œI get that.” Ryan reached into his back pocket. “So here’s what’s going to happen if you want it to stay none of their business.”
    He handed me a folded sheet of paper.
    â€œWhat’s this?” I unfolded it.
    â€œJust a few tasks I need you to complete,” said Ryan. “You know . . . if you want your identity to remain a secret. I still have the original, unblurred version of that video.”
    I stared at him, dumbfounded. “You’re blackmailing me?”
    He made a face. “Blackmail is such an ugly word. Let’s call it . . . an agreement between friends.”
    â€œYou’re not my friend; you’re disgusting.” Myfists clenched, the paper he handed me crumpling in one of them.
    â€œOh, careful with that,” he said, pointing to the list. “That’s your only copy.”
    Taking a deep steadying breath, I unfolded it and read the contents:
    Shovel my sidewalk
    Clean my room
    Do my homework
    Get me into Berkeley’s party
    Get Lisa Wheeler to go out with me
    I lowered the paper. “So basically I’m your servant,” I said flatly.
    â€œAnd matchmaker,” he added, indicating the item about Lisa Wheeler.
    â€œShe’ll never go out with you,” I said, shaking my head. “You call her Lisa Wheezer, and she’s out of your league.”
    Ryan pressed his lips together and took the list from me. Pulling out a pen, he scratched out the last task and scribbled something below it. “Fixed.”
    Make me the coolest guy in sixth grade
    â€œI didn’t put ‘in the whole school’ because I know there are some unbeatables,” he said.
    â€œHow humble of you,” I said, balling up the paper and shoving it into his chest. “But you can forget it.”
    Instead of responding, Ryan tapped the shoulder of a guy walking past with some of his buddies.