Transparent by Natalie Whipple Read Free Book Online Page A

It just means you need to learn in a different way.”
    “A slower, stupider way. Because I’m stupid.”
    He grips my worksheet, making it crinkle. “Will you quit it? I never said that—don’t put words in my mouth.”
    I fold my arms, taking sick pleasure in seeing him squirm. “Why not? Maybe you should know how you sound to other people, because I have this feeling you don’t realize what a jerk you are.”
    He opens his mouth, but then closes it again. The air goes silent. I can barely hear him breathe, and I refuse to look at him because all my anger seems to be pooling in my fists. If he flashes one more sneer, I might actually hit him.
    “I’m not doing remedial courses,” I say.
    He sighs. “Then you’ll fail, which would land you there anyway.”
    “I won’t fail.” I can’t believe I’m saying it, but I don’t have many other options. “You’re gonna teach me.”
    His eyes go wide. “What?”
    “Bea says you’re the best, and it’s not like everyone in that class is there for your charming personality.”
    His eyes narrow. “And why would I teach you?”
    I smile. This is too easy. I already have Seth pegged. “I’d be a challenge, which you need because this whole place is too boring for your big brain. And it’d look good on your résumé, wouldn’t it? If you could help me pass, you could teach anyone. Colleges would be impressed with that.”
    “Are you bribing me?”
    “No.” I smooth out my dress, confident he’ll take me on no matter what. “I’m just pointing out the advantages, in case you don’t see them. Bribing involves actual payment.”
    “Then extortion?”
    I shake my head. “I’m not threatening you.”
    “So blackmailing.”
    “No!” I roll my eyes. “Blackmailing would be ‘Teach me or I’ll tell everyone you wear pink panties.’ And besides, I don’t have anything on you. Yet.”
    “Wow, you sure have your criminal terminology down.” He sits back against the tree, smiling. “You really are Jonas O’Connell’s daughter.”
    I about swallow my tongue. How did we get on this topic? “Don’t say his name.”
    “Wh—”
    “Just don’t.” I suppress a shiver. I am not like him. I’m not. “Will you help me or not?”
    “Fine, but don’t expect me to give you any special treatment. I’m not afraid of you like everyone else. I don’t give a damn about abilities.”
    “Whatever. I could strip down, break into your house, and kill you before you even woke up.” Not that I would, but I could.
    Seth bursts out laughing. Not just a chuckle, but a full-on rolling-in-the-grass laugh. It doesn’t sound right—too warm, kind. When he gets control of himself, his eyes run over my dress and back to my glasses, as if he’s checking me out. “Are you saying you’ll sneak into my room naked? Because that’s what I heard.”
    My jaw drops, and my face burns way more than I want it to. I so regret thinking he was cute. “You’re dead.”
    “Yeah, right.” He stands, holds out a hand for me. “I have a feeling you wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
    I get up on my own. “You have no idea.”
    His smile turns smug. “So you’re saying you’re a criminal and not some spoiled syndicate princess?”
    I freeze.
    “You know, I always wondered why people assumed Jonas wouldn’t use such a valuable power, even if it meant manipulating his own daughter. Yet the way you avoided talking about him makes it seem like you’re not exactly Daddy’s little girl.”
    “That’s not true,” I say, though all I can think is, Crap, crap, crap.
    “No?” He comes in too close, sending an unwanted tingle down my spine. “You know what I think? You’re on the run.”
    I can’t seem to find air. How could he guess that? Was I that obvious? I’ve been working so hard to keep up appearances, but I was distracted with Graham and the learning disability stuff. I let my guard down. But I can recover—he can’t see my face.
    “Why would I run?”
    He shrugs.