Free My Brilliant Idea (And How It Caused My Downfall) by Stuart David Page B

“Stop talking.” So I stop talking and let him think. I pick up this sort of dinosaur thing he’s got on his chest of drawers and start playing with it.
    â€œI hate your schemes,” he says suddenly. “They’re moronic. They always make me feel sick. But this one . . .”
    I keep playing with the dinosaur and ignore the insult. I can tell something’s starting to happen.
    â€œWhat if somebody comes forward and tells Bailey I wasn’t in the fight? What then?”
    â€œWho would do that?” I say. “Who would risk getting their head kicked in when the school trip’s already been saved? It doesn’t make any sense.”
    I put the dinosaur down and turn to look at him. There’s a slight smile making his mouth twitch at the corners.
    â€œOkay,” he says. “Okay, I’ll do it.”
    â€œYou will?”
    He nods. “I will. On one condition.”
    I feel a bit stunned.
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” I ask.
    â€œI’ll do it as soon as you get my iPad back,” he says. “The minute I’ve got that in my hand, I’ll march into Bailey’s office and tell him it was me who fought Cyrus McCormack.”
    â€œNo,” I say. “No. That’s not what’s happening here, Harry. I’m giving you this to make up for the iPad. You’re the one who benefits from this.”
    â€œSo you say.”
    â€œWhat the hell are you talking about?”
    â€œI’m on to you,” he says. “I know there’s something in this for you. I can feel it. I’m your cousin—I know how your mind works.”
    â€œWhat?”
I say. “That’s not even a thing. Since when do
cousins
know how each other’s minds work?”
    â€œSince now,” he says. “Since whenever. I know how
your
mind works—that’s all that matters. I know there’s something in this for you. What do you care about Yatesy? You don’t even go on school trips. You’ve got it set up so Yatesy has to give you something if you find a stand-in for him.”
    â€œNo I haven’t.”
    â€œOkay, then,” Harry says. “Fair enough. But I don’t think I’ll do it. It might not work anyway. Ray probably still won’t let me go to university, and I might end up getting expelled.”
    â€œNo you won’t,” I say. “I promise. You’ve got to try it, Harry.”
    He grins at me. It’s not a pretty picture. “Why do you care?” he asks. “What does it matter to you if I end up being a chef or a taxi driver? Don’t act it.”
    He’s got me. I hunt around in the back bit of my brain for something to help me out, but it’s completely empty. I give myself a little bump back there and try to knock an idea forward, but nothing happens.
    â€œSo what’s he going to give you?” Harry asks.
    I sigh. “He’s going to get somebody to help me with some programming, for this idea I’ve got.”
    â€œBingo,” Harry says. “I knew it. I knew you weren’t doing this to help me.”
    â€œI came to you first, though,” I tell him. “There are plenty of other randoms I could’ve gone to. I’m offering it to you to help you out of a jam.”
    â€œI appreciate that,” Harry says. “And I’m willing to do it. It might even work. But I’m only doing it if you agree to my condition. Take it or leave it.”
    I know I’m going to have to take it, but I try one more line of attack. “It’s a time-sensitive operation, though,” I explain. “Somebody could come forward and tell Bailey it was Yatesy who was fighting at any minute. Then we’ve both had it. You’re back to square one with your dad, and I’ve got nobody to help me with my idea.”
    â€œExactly,” Harry says. “So you’d better get a move on.”
    â€œBut surely