The Secret Talent by Jo Whittemore Page B

perfect?” He practically spat the words. “And with all that, you still have to make the coolest kids in class laugh at me?”
    â€œGeez, let it go!” I threw my hands in the air. “You were being a jerk. You deserved it.”
    Ryan’s calm demeanor returned. “And you deserve this.” He waved the paper in my face. “This is for all the ordinary kids like me who never get justice.”
    I shook my head. “No. Forget it. This time I’m—”
    â€œTimmy, let me paint a picture for you,” said Ryan, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. “You’re in sixth grade now. You’ve still got two more years at Abraham Lincoln MiddleSchool. If I reveal your dance video and the fact that you can be blackmailed, how well do you think the next few years are going to go?”
    I clenched my jaw but didn’t say anything. The kid was an evil genius.
    â€œLet me help you see it,” he continued. “Because of the video, you’ll lose all your admirers. Because of the blackmail, you’ll be running favors for anyone who can dig up dirt on you. Your best bet is to keep working for me.” Ryan placed a hand on his heart. “I will personally guarantee things don’t get worse for you than this.”
    There haven’t been many times I’ve wanted to cry. The last occasion, four years ago, was after my aunt Rose, Uncle Theo’s wife, had died, and it was more out of sadness for Uncle Theo. Right now, though, I had to fight back tears of fear, frustration, and rage.
    Ryan had complete control of my life.
    All the mocking images came back again, complete with laugh track, until Gabby’s voice busted through.
    â€œWhoa! That’s not . . .” She approached us, V grinning beside her. “Ryan Durstwich?” She reached out and tentatively poked him in the shoulder.
    Ryan gave a chuckle that sounded friendly enough, but to me should’ve included flames and him holding a pitchfork. “Impressed?” he asked.
    â€œUh . . . yeah!” Gabby turned to Vanessa. “You did all this?”
    Vanessa giggled and blushed. “Well, I didn’t do that much.”
    â€œDon’t be modest,” said Ryan. “I was a mess; I’ll admit it.” He checked his phone. “But I should be getting home.”
    I snorted. “Like anybody there misses you.”
    Vanessa and Gabby stared at me.
    â€œTim! That was really mean!” said V.
    â€œWhat’s gotten into you lately?” asked Gabby.
    Ryan placed a hand on both of their shoulders. “It’s fine,” he said, smiling at them. But when he looked my way, there was murder in his eyes. “I’m sure he’ll make it up to me.”
    â€œWell, let me just grab Uncle Theo,” said Gabby.
    â€œI’ll do it,” I said. I had no desire to be around Ryan any longer than necessary.
    Gabby didn’t seem to mind. In fact, she vaguely nodded and went back to marveling over Ryan.
    I caught up with Uncle Theo, who was talking to a couple of the female dancers, and when he saw me, he excused himself and hurried over.
    â€œIs everything all right?” he asked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
    Yeah, the Ghost of Poor Choices Past.
    â€œIt’s fine,” I said. “Is it okay if we leave soon, though? My classmates need to get home.”
    â€œOf course,” said Uncle Theo. “Just let me grab my things.”
    He disappeared for a moment, and the dancers he’d been talking with walked over.
    â€œYour uncle has been telling us what a sensation you are!” one of them said. “And we have to agree.”
    â€œIt’s a pleasure to watch you dance,” the other chimed in.
    My insides warmed a little, and I couldn’t help grinning. “Really? Thanks!” After being mocked for my dancing, it was nice to hear something good for a change.
    â€œAre you excited