“That’s what happens when you don’t study,” Derek said, trying not to rub it in too much. “Nobody told you to chuck the booklet and play computer games the whole time.”

“I underestimated you, Jeter,” Gary said, losing the robot voice. “You must have spent every waking minute cracking the books. That’s the only way you could possibly have come close, let alone come out ahead.”

“Oh well,” Derek said with a shrug and a smile. “I guess you can try again in the spring. Meanwhile, we had a bet. And now, it’s time to pay up—Mr. Monster.”

“Huh?”

Derek chuckled. “You’ll see. Don’t worry—you’re going to be the star of the show!”

“Omigosh! Gary Parnell?”

“That’s right,” Derek said. “I got him good, too.”

“This is great news, Derek! He will be the perfect monster. And the worse he dances, the better for our story—it is a no-lose situation!”

“I told you I’d get someone,” Derek said with a grin.

“Still, it must have been difficult—I mean, Gary, of all people! Who would have thought he would agree to do such a thing?”

“Yeah,” Derek agreed, folding his arms across his chest in satisfaction. “Who would have thought it?”

Chapter Nine PAIN IN THE NECK

“Show me again how you do it, Sharlee.”

Sharlee clucked her tongue and rolled her eyes. “Derek, I already showed you a million times! It’s so easy!”

“You showed me exactly twice. But never mind, just show me one more time. Please?”

He gave her a quick tickle under her arm, and she squealed with laughter. “Okay, okay! Stop!”

“Now, here we go,” said Derek, getting in position. “Stand next to me so I can do it like you.”

“Okay—so if you’re going left, you put your weight on your left heel and your right toe. Got that?”

“Okay, now what?”

“You swivel on your left heel, and turn the toe out to the left. At the same time, you move your right heel to the left, pivoting on the toe. Then you just keep switching, in and out—like this. It’s easy!”

“Sheesh,” Derek said, making an awkward attempt as Sharlee glided effortlessly to the left. “Wow, Sharlee, you sure are a good dancer.”

“You can do it, Derek! Just keep practicing. But I have to go now. Daddy’s taking me over to Ciara’s for a play date.”

She ran out of the living room, calling, “Daaad! We have to go!”

Derek blew out a breath and tried the move again—slowly. Eventually, he got the hang of it. When he was done, he went on to perfect his moonwalking.