He Who Calls
Chapter 17
Journal of Odd Della Robbia
Sick Blackmail, Our Turn
Milo and Aelita are depressed on the day before Aelita's birthday. I got her old, vinyl records of really great bands, the kind that are really good for scratching. Xana's been quiet lately. But back to the depression. They told the others and me why. That sick kid Tamiya got a bunch of photos of Sissi trying to ask Milo to the dance, (she's going to make it sound like she's meeting him to go with her,) Aelita hugging Jeremy, (she's going to make it sound like Aelita and Milo were already dating at the time,) and last but not least the picture of Aelita and Milo kissing on his birthday. She's demanding that either Milo breaks up with Aelita and dates Milly, or Sissi, Milo, and Aelita pay her four hundred dollars each. Every month.
Milo has helped us all out to no end. He urged Jeremy, Yumi, Emily, and Ulrich to start dating, succeeding well. He got Sam back for me, spending ten thousand dollars in the process. And he's made Aelita the happiest anyone's ever seen her. Now a twisted news reporter is blackmailing him and Aelita, ruining her birthday and screwing Milo's life. Aelita is staying faithful to him completely, but she's miserable and that makes him miserable. A lot of his life is centered on keeping everyone else well. Because of that his guard was down, and his life was attacked. He doesn't care about the money. He cares because he's been faithful to Aelita and tried to keep her happy, and now she's miserable, and he's on the verge of looking like a cheater. So is she, and I think he cares more about her reputation then his.
I won't let it happen this way. Milo is a great friend, and he's been great to Aelita, and it's our turn to help him. Yumi, Ulrich, Sam, Emily, Jeremy, and I are all going to stop Tamiya. The only problem is, we have no idea how to do that. Aelita and Milo can't be in on it. If Tamiya is arrested the photos will get published. Aelita and Milo wouldn't even let us try.
So we have to destroy the photos by Aelita's birthday. After that the first payment is due, and Aelita doesn't have four hundred dollars. If we can't do it by her birthday, Milo and Aelita will have to break up or let the photos get published. Whichever one they choose is an unacceptable outcome.
Journal of Ulrich Stern
Odd and His Plan
Odd is determined to get Milo and Aelita out of this. But he also admits to having no clue. I have a plan, though. All we have to do is find out something about Tamiya. Then we can give it to Milly unless she gets rid of all the copies of the photos. Milly would do it. They're still angry at each other from that time they tried to interview Jeremy. Tamiya is doing this whole thing to make it up to her by getting her a date with Milo.
Journal of Jeremy Belpois
What's Tamiya Hiding?
Ulrich's plan is good. But what is Tamiya hiding? Everyone has secrets. What are hers?