The Secret Talent

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Book: Read The Secret Talent for Free Online
Authors: Jo Whittemore
see.
    The subject line simply said, “Twinkletoes.” My stomach turned over.
    Brooke clicked on the message. “Looks like someone sent me a video link. Should I open it?”
    â€œNo,” I said in a horrified whisper.
    But Brooke didn’t hear me. A second later,a tambourine rattled and a woman sang, “I feel pretty! Oh so pretty!”
    â€œWhat . . .” Brooke’s face broke into a grin, and she started to giggle. “Oh my God. You guys have to check this out.” She held her phone up so we could all see.
    Heather and Vanessa started laughing at the antics of the guy on-screen. He was prancing about in a billowy white skirt, white tights, and shoes with pompoms on the toes. His face was blurred out, but I knew instantly who it was.
    Me.

CHAPTER
3
Going Viral
    T he video was slowed down and sped up in just the right places so it synced perfectly with the music. Dancing Me even paused in front of a studio mirror just as the woman sang, “See the pretty girl in that mirror there?”
    My friends were practically doubled over with laughter.
    I shrunk down a little in my chair. If I stayed quiet, maybe they wouldn’t notice.
    â€œI wish his face wasn’t blurred out,” said Brooke. “I wonder if he’s singing along.”
    â€œWait a minute.” Vanessa plucked the phone from Brooke’s hand.
    Uh-oh.
    â€œI’ve seen this outfit before.” V paused the video and stared at the screen.
    Leave it to our fashion expert to recognize my costume.
    A second later, she gasped and looked at me. “You!”
    â€œShhh!” I put a hand over her mouth. “Nobody else knows.”
    â€œKnows what?” Heather asked, wrinkling her forehead.
    â€œHold up.” Brooke took back her phone and gawked at the image. Then at me. “No way!”
    â€œOh!” Heather’s eyes grew wide as realization sunk in. “Why did you post this video online where anyone could see it?”
    â€œAnd someone clearly has, judging from that email,” added Vanessa.
    I gawked at both of them. “You really think—”
    â€œShhh!” Mary Patrick gave us a stern look.
    I lowered my voice and my entire body closer to the desk. “You really think I’d post a video of myself dancing to ‘I Feel Pretty’?”
    Brooke let out a laugh but quickly stifled it when she saw the murderous look on my face. “Sorry. But you did look pretty.”
    Vanessa snorted and Heather looked away, but I could see the smile tugging at Heather’s mouth.
    â€œCongratulations,” I said, scowling. “You’ve all gone from getting jars of peanut butter for Christmas to getting jars of nothing .”
    â€œOh, come on.” Brooke squeezed my arm. “You can’t even tell who it is.”
    â€œIf you didn’t post it, do you know who did?” asked Heather.
    The last thing I needed was my friends confronting Ryan and making things worse. Theother guys in school would think I couldn’t fight my own battles.
    â€œNo,” I said. “But I hope no one else—”
    I didn’t even get a chance to voice my hope before it was dashed. From across the room, I heard . . .
    â€œI feel pretty! Oh so pretty!”
    Followed by . . .
    â€œBa ha, ha, ha!”
    Everyone in class glanced over to where Stefan Marshall was sitting, one hand holding his phone, the other wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.
    â€œPhone away before I take it away,” Mrs. H warned him.
    â€œBut, Mrs. H, you gotta see this video someone just emailed me.” Stefan held up his phone, and several people crowded around.
    The laughter grew louder.
    â€œDude, send that to me,” said Felix, a guy whowrote for the front page.
    The front page.
    â€œPlease no,” I mumbled.
    â€œOh wait, never mind,” said Felix. “I got it in my email too.” He stared at the screen. “Aw, man! Looks like the whole

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