Ryan chased her from the living room to the study. In a panic, he had no choice but to lock the study door.
"If you've got the guts, stay in there for the rest of your life!" Trey pounded on the door to no avail, then stormed off after leaving him with that parting shot.
It was just a little butt-grabbing. Did it really warrant all that?
Ryan opened his computer. He wasn't making music today; he was checking how the versions of the Harlem Shake already released were being received online.
The results were pretty good. Most people were just there for the laughs, and the replies were all things like "Lol," "Lul," "Lmao," and "Lmfao." There were very few critics.
Ryan opened his email next and saw that Elizabeth Olsen had sent him another message. It mentioned three more versions of the Harlem Shake filmed by New York University students, in a girls' dorm, a classroom, and the cafeteria.
The email also said that five other universities had agreed to film their own versions.
Pi Beta Phi had so many chapters across the country that, with the vice president putting Ryan in touch with them, a few chapters were bound to agree in exchange for gifts or cash. Sororities were an important part of campus Greek life and often had connections with student representatives in charge of university publicity. That was how Ryan's Harlem Shake could end up on the universities' official YouTube accounts.
Even if you ignored all that, the Harlem Shake was already spreading through America like crazy, to the point where even stray dogs on the street were sick of hearing it. All Ryan had done was bring it forward by a few years.
As for Elizabeth Olsen, she had practically become Ryan's liaison with the sororities. The vice president only had to collect the gifts and meet Piero; Elizabeth Olsen did all the actual work.
After interacting with her for the past few days, Ryan had come to think more and more highly of this college student with a rich older sister.
After thinking it over, Ryan wrote back, "Would you be interested in managing my social media?"
The people Taylor had introduced him to at Big Machine charged far too much. Ryan couldn't afford them right now, and since a college intern had practically landed in his lap, he might as well make use of her.
Ryan then opened Facebook with practiced ease. Unfortunately, this "Leg Girl" hadn't posted any new updates in the last couple of days.
The reason Ryan called her Leg Girl was, of course, her unbelievably long legs. In Florida, he'd estimated she was around six foot three, but she listed her height as six feet—182 centimeters—on her profile. She probably thought she was a little too tall. She also had a cool, pale complexion that seemed almost dazzling under the lights. Her face was square, and she seemed even more reserved than Elizabeth Olsen. She was perfect for those serene, artistic photos.
If she had any flaws, it was that she had the same tiny chest as Taylor, though she was still better endowed than Taylor.
This time, Ryan didn't spend long thinking it over. He sent her a message right away.
[Calling LEG GIRL]
Ryan immediately felt as though each second lasted a year. A few minutes later, he finally got a reply.
[?]
[So that's what you call me?]
[I don't know your name.]
[I'm in class.]
[Then go to class first.] Ryan figured he was asking her for a favor, so he should wait until she was free.
[If you need something, just say it now.]
[Well, let me see your legs.]
[...]
She actually sent Ryan a photo of her legs, taken from above while she was sitting. But today she was wearing loose wide-leg pants, so there wasn't much to see.
[I was just kidding. Actually, I wanted to ask if you and your classmates would film a music video for me.] Ryan told her what he had in mind, then explained the video.
This time, he waited a few minutes before she replied.
[No problem. Anything else?] She often posted selfies on Facebook herself, so she wasn't opposed to the idea.
[Could you wear short shorts in the video? Please.]
[Are you crazy? It's autumn!]
[Never mind, then.]
[Elizabeth] she replied.
[What?]
[You can call me Elizabeth.]
Ryan felt like he'd heard that line somewhere before.
[You'd better tell me your last name.]
[Elizabeth Debicki]
With Elizabeth Debicki on board, along with Joel and Deadmau5, whom he'd contacted earlier that day, there was only one person left to recruit.
Ryan had saved the hardest one for last. He dialed her number, and this time it wasn't her voicemail.
"You're calling me this late? Did you spend all that time talking to Abigail?"
Ryan had meant to deny it, but at the last second, he changed his mind. "Of course I had to talk to her. She's right here with me. Want me to put her on?"
"I'm going to bed!!" Taylor snapped angrily.
Already getting worked up? Ryan sneered inwardly.
"I want to ask you for a favor. Have you heard my new song?" Ryan asked.
"It's so good! You're going to be famous tomorrow!" Taylor turned into a hype girl.
Ryan didn't banter with her. He got straight to the point.
"Now you remember me? You didn't ask Trey?" Taylor chuckled.
"Trey already helped me get in touch with Miley."
"Miley Cyrus?" Taylor's voice changed.
"Yeah. She's been making videos and posting them online with her friends. What's the name of it again? 'The Miley and Mandy Show.'"
"You've already got Miley, so why are you asking me? I'm just a little country singer. I can't compete with her." Taylor's tone instantly turned cold, with a distinct note of jealousy.
Getting worked up again.
"One more won't hurt," Ryan said.
"What do you mean, one more won't hurt? I'm the extra one, aren't I?" Taylor's voice suddenly rose.
"Of course not. I've already asked everyone around me who might help, and you're the only one left. I saved you for last because you matter to me. As for Miley, she's just an unexpected bonus. I don't even know her," Ryan hastily explained.
"That's more like it. In that case, don't let Miley make a video."
"No way," Ryan immediately refused.
"Her or me? You can only pick one." This time, Taylor wouldn't budge.
"Pick what? A wife?" Ryan thought she was making a mountain out of a molehill.
"Ryan, you have to understand that we don't just represent ourselves; we also represent the people who support us. If I do this, her fans will say I'm copying her. That won't do. I don't care about it myself, but I don't want my fans to be treated unfairly." Taylor explained.
You Teen Idols sure have a lot of drama.
"In that case... I choose Miley. She's more famous." Ryan made his choice without hesitation.
"No! You have to choose me!" Taylor shouted.
"If it really won't work otherwise... you can let me film mine first and upload it right away. Then I won't be copying Miley; she'll be copying me! That'll get you the best results, too. How's that for a plan?"
You really are a clever little thing.
"I thought you said you were going to make a cameo in Hannah Montana's big movie, Good Girl is a Big Star. Why bother with all these little schemes?"
"I'm appearing in a Disney movie, and I'm dealing with Disney. What does she have to do with it? And what does it have to do with you? It's none of your business!" Taylor shot back immediately.
Ryan had clearly hit a sore spot again.
"There's no time to get ready. Just come to my place first thing tomorrow morning. The sooner you upload it, the better!" Taylor hung up.
Before you continue