Free Invisible by Marni Bates

protested.
    â€œYou mean you planned it?”
    â€œOf course not!”
    Mr. Elliot’s scowl never lessened. “Did he punch you first?”
    â€œWell . . . no. I was, uh, taking initiative?”
    I trailed off as Mr. Elliot began a deep-breathing exercise that sounded rather like the snorting of an outraged bull.
    â€œWhy did it happen, Smith?”
    I weighed my words carefully. “Irreconcilable differences? It was . . . personal. Although I could type some—”
    He slammed his hand down on a nearby table. “You are not writing about that for my newspaper!”
    â€œAre you sure? Because I thought maybe if I—”
    â€œFraser!” he bellowed, cutting me off. “Get over here!”
    I closed my eyes briefly. This isn’t happening, I told myself. This. Can’t. Be. Happening.
    Scott glanced up, then walked over without looking even slightly cowed. It was like he hadn’t noticed Mr. Elliot was practically foaming at the mouth.
    â€œCongratulations, Fraser. Due to Smith’s utter stupidity, you now get to consult on her piece.”
    â€œWhat?” I gasped. “Mr. Elliot, I can handle this!”
    But he just ignored me and continued speaking to Scott.
    â€œYou want to show me what you can do, Fraser? Go for it. From here on out, I give you complete authority to shape this story.”
    â€œBut this is my story! ” I protested weakly. It was my chance to prove that I could be more than Grammar Girl or Mackenzie Wellesley’s little friend.
    Mr. Elliot turned to me. “You should’ve thought about that earlier! Just be grateful I’m not making you cover the football team for the sports section, Smith.”
    I hate the whole girls don’t like sports stereotype. Plenty of girls are die-hard sports fanatics who would absolutely love to get that assignment. Then again, plenty of girls also hadn’t been on the receiving end of a football player’s fist.
    â€œI’m fine with sports,” I blurted out. “I’m happy to interview Logan Beckett about the hockey team. It’ll be a hard-hitting piece. Just . . . please don’t put Scott in charge.”
    Scott leaned back against a desk, as if he were perfectly content to just enjoy the show. Even though he had to realize that it would force us to work together even more closely.
    â€œNot going to happen, Smith,” Mr. Elliot told me coolly. “Consider this your punishment for making the school principal ask if I was encouraging my students’ violent behavior! ”
    Okay, I could see why he’d be mad . . . not that he ever needed an excuse to yell.
    â€œLook, I’m really sorry about that, Mr. Elliot. But please, you can’t—”
    The flash of a camera momentarily rendered me speechless. I blinked a few times to clear the blotches of color from my vision while Scott proceeded to snap another shot.
    â€œSay cheese.”
    â€œMr. Elliot, please don’t do this to—”
    He didn’t even give me a chance to beg. “The two of you better make an excellent team.”
    Then he marched off to lecture someone else, leaving me alone in my own personal worst nightmare. Scott lowered his camera, revealing a Grinch-like smirk.
    â€œWell, this is an interesting development, partner. ”

Chapter 10
    â€œWe are not partners.”
    â€œYou’re right,” Scott said, shocking me with his sudden acquiescence. “As the consultant, I’m really more of a boss than a partner.”
    Oh no.
    â€œYou are not my boss!”
    â€œSure I am. Although I’d be happy to call Mr. Elliot over if he wasn’t specific enough for you.”
    The thought of Mr. Elliot yelling at me in front of everyone again had my stomach flipping in tight little somersaults. “That’s okay.”
    His grin widened, and I knew right then that Scott Fraser had to be the devil. He must have had one hell of a time hiding