The It Girl: Superstar Geek. Katy Birchall

have a look.’

      ‘I didn’t want you to see,’ I complained. ‘How would you like it if I just leaned over and looked at your work?’

      ‘Feel free.’ He slid his notepad along the desk to the edge. ‘You might actually appreciate it.’

      I glanced at the open page and then pulled it closer to gaze down in awe. The notepad was littered with animation sketches. ‘You drew these? They’re good.’

      ‘Thanks. I’m thinking of doing my own graphic novel some day. I approve of point four. Personally I’ve always thought Batman the best creation of all time.’ He pulled his notebook away from my gaze.

      ‘Please, Batman? He’s amazing but Marvel have SO many cooler heroes. Look at Spider-Man, for example.’

      He raised an eyebrow. ‘I’m not going to take that seriously from someone who has learning to hip hop dance higher on their list than saving someone’s life.’

      ‘Who said these were in order of importance?’ Before he spotted point 3, I put a protective arm round my notebook and changed the subject. ‘Who would your superhero be?’

      ‘Sorry?’

      ‘In your comic?’

      ‘I’m waiting for inspiration.’ He grinned. ‘But me probably.’

      ‘How original.’

      ‘I’d have to come up with a superpower.’ He looked thoughtful. ‘What would yours be?’

      ‘It would be cool to control things with my mind, like Jean Grey in X-Men,’ I replied. ‘Before she was taken over by the Phoenix Force and became evil, obviously.’

      ‘Obviously,’ Connor agreed.

      ‘Also,’ I added, noticing him straighten up to try and peer over my arm that was hiding what I’d written, ‘Controlling things with my mind would mean I could make you STOP LOOKING AT MY LIST!’

      Mr Kenton grunted and shifted in his seat. I narrowed my eyes at Connor and continued.

       7. Get over fear of pigeons.

       Ugh, the flapping. Plus it is becoming increasingly difficult to live in London with this phobia.

       8. Invent something useful for mankind.

       So that I can be thought of as charitable and helpful at the same time. Like the clever person who invented that spray balsamic vinegar so that it doesn’t spill all over your plate and ruin your salad.

      ‘What about a pigeon-deflecting helmet?’

      ‘Excuse me?’

      Connor was leaning back in his chair with a biro in his mouth. ‘That covers points seven and eight.’

      ‘No, it doesn’t. Putting on a deflecting helmet wouldn’t cure my fear of pigeons. It would just keep them away from me.’ I sighed. ‘Don’t assume I didn’t already think about that one.’

       9. Have name engraved on a trophy.

       Unlikely to be for a sporting event so may have to think outside the box for this one. Do they give out trophies to people who hand out rice in Africa? (Note to self: research this.)

       10. Train Dog to high five.

       It took him ten months to learn that his name was Dog. This is probably the most ambitious life goal on this list.

      When detention finally finished, I stowed my list away safely into my bag and filed out of the classroom with everyone else towards the main school doors, ready for freedom.

      ‘Hey! Spidey!’ Connor was suddenly at my side. ‘Did you finish your list? When does the world get to witness the hip hop dancing? I’m gripped with anticipation.’

      I snorted. ‘Uh. Never? Forget the list, it is PERSONAL.’

      ‘All right, all right.’ He grinned as he opened the exit door for me and I marched past him. ‘Don’t get your Spidey senses in a twist.’

      ‘OK,’ I grumbled at him, stomping down the steps. ‘Just because I admire the superior skills of Spider-Man does not mean that –’

      ‘That you know anything about comics? Don’t sweat it.’

      ‘Hey!’ I held out my arm to stop him in his tracks as we walked out of the gates. ‘Do not insult my comic knowledge. I could take you on in a Marvel or DC face-off any time.’

      ‘If you say so.’ He smiled broadly.

      ‘Good,’ I said huffily and continued through the gates on to the road. ‘See you tomorrow then.’

      ‘Hey, Anna. Just so you know, about point three on that personal list I definitely didn’t see, I reckon you should have higher standards when it comes to the ideal person to take you on a date.’

      My mouth dropped open.

      ‘But as I say,’ he swung his bag over his shoulder with a mischievous grin, ‘I definitely didn’t see anything. See you tomorrow, Spidey.’

      He strolled off down the road and left me standing on my own, my mouth still hanging open.

      Note to self: stop writing lists.

       From: [email protected]

       To: [email protected]

       Subject: Come on

      Are you home yet? I’m bored.

      How was detention? I can’t believe you did something as selfish as set someone on fire. Now you have detention so I have no one to distract me from this French vocab.

      Danny is so annoying. He purposefully doesn’t reply to my emails so that I’m forced to do my homework.

      J x

       From: [email protected]

       To: [email protected]

       Subject: Re: Come on

      Hey, I’m home!

      Get this - Dad took Dog to the vet’s today for his annual check-up. Do you know what this so-called vet had to say? That Dog was ‘healthy’.

      Can you believe that?! I am tempted to march right up to that vet and give him a piece of my mind!

      Have you had supper, by the way?

      Love, me xxx

       From: [email protected]

       To: [email protected]

       Subject: Re: Come on

      I’m confused. Isn’t being healthy a good thing for a dog?

      I did have supper, yes. You are full of interesting questions. We had spaghetti.

      Do what you will with this information.

      J x

       From: [email protected]

       To: [email protected]

       Subject: Poor Dog

      It is fine for a dog to be healthy, Jess, but it is not fine for a stranger to call Dog ‘healthy’. Do you get it now?

      I was actually going to ask if you wanted to come over here for supper so you could jump in and save me if Dad tried to lecture me about the importance of bumble bees or something.

      So there.

      Love,