"Do you think you'll get to go on film sets with Helena?" Sophie asked eagerly.

"I don't know, maybe. I hope so. It'd definitely be cool to see what happens behind the scenes."

"Yeah, that would be cool," Brendan agreed, playing with a ball in his hand. "You must get to go to some exclusive events."

"Are you going to go to all her premieres?" Josie gasped excitedly. "I am so jealous. You'll probably meet loads of famous people. You HAVE to date someone from a boy band."

"Why does she have to date someone from a boy band?" Brendan asked, rolling his eyes.

"Because," Josie said, with an air of authority, "that's what It Girls do."

"I'm not an It Girl," I said quickly. "I don't know why the papers keep saying that. It's only because of Marianne. I haven't done anything differently."

"Except for have lots of dinners with a hugely famous actress who is about to become your stepmother." Jess smiled.

"Yeah." I grinned back. "Apart from that."

"I don't think you should date someone from a boy band," Brendan stated, looking at me.

There was a pause, and then Sophie laughed stiffly. "What does it have to do with you, Brendan? You can't tell her what to do."

"That's just not you, Anna," he said, looking at me intently before turning back to the boys at the other end of the table. "James, finish that story you were telling us earlier. I wanted to hear the end."

Danny raised his eyebrows at me as I sat there with my mouth open, ignoring the heat rising to my cheeks. What had just happened? I decided I wasn't going to think too much about Brendan's comment. Nope, not at all.

Obviously this was impossible, and I thought about it every second of the rest of the day.

Even in detention I was distracted. "You thinking about your new friends there, Spidey?" Connor said suddenly, waking me from my daydream about Brendan Dakers taking me to a premiere.

"What?"

"That's the first time I've said something controversial about Spider-Man and you haven't reacted. I was wondering if your expanding social circle had something to do with your short attention span today. What was the conversation like at lunch? I've always wanted to know what that group talks about."

"I didn't see you in the cafeteria. Where were you sitting?"

"I'm not surprised you didn't see me. You seemed pretty focused on your own table."

"They're nice." I shrugged, sensing that Connor was waiting for an opportunity to make fun of something. "You should have come and sat with us."

Connor went "HA!" and I scowled at him. He did have a point though-it was a stupid thing to suggest. The student population had already been thrown by the fact that Jess, Danny, and I had been sitting with Brendan and Queen Bee. If Connor had sat down with us, the school would have been thrown into a frenzy.

"I would be wary of that crowd if I were you," he said irritatingly, turning a page in his sketchbook. "Brendan, Sophie, and those guys who think they're too good for everyone else. They're not all that."

"Thank you for your opinion," I replied curtly.

"I'm just saying, Anna, you're smart. They won't get that."

I looked up. He didn't call me Anna very much these days.

"I'll have you know that Brendan said something along those lines to me this exact day."

"Did he really?" Connor chuckled. "Well, I hope he means it."

How rude. I frowned at him and returned to highlighting my chemistry notes. I don't know why his comments bugged me so much. Connor Lawrence is hardly an expert on these sorts of things. And it's not like he's even talked to those guys before, so he doesn't know what they are like.

Still, I felt angry at him. The fact that I was actually starting to make new friends at school could only be a good thing. For the first time maybe ever, I was being noticed by people who were popular and fun, and it felt good. I wasn't going to let people like Connor Lawrence, who have no idea what they are talking about, ruin it for me.

Hello! It's Anna here. Leave a message. Okay, bye!

*BEEP*

"Hi, Anna. It's Sophie, from school. I know you probably have a lot going on this weekend, but if you're free, you should come join us at the park on Saturday. Everyone will be there. Would be nice to hang out more. And you can bring your dog maybe. Have a nice evening! Bye!"

MARIANNE LOOKED AT ME WITH an expression of confusion. "What did you just say?"

I sighed and put my glass of seltzer down. "How do you make a boy like you?" I repeated slowly. Marianne blinked at me, and Helena chuckled. My dad leaned back in his chair with his eyebrows raised-but I resolutely ignored him. I don't know why they all looked so surprised. It is a perfectly valid question to ask a glamorous celebrity icon.

We were at Helena's favorite glitzy London restaurant. I wasn't that enthusiastic about the idea of another dinner with them; that's all we seemed to have done so far: dinners. I was starting to run out of conversation with Marianne. There are only so many times that you can comment on your meal. I couldn't think of any more adjectives these days. "Wow, this is delicious!" "Mine is scrumptious!" "Is yours as mouthwatering as mine?" "This is fantastic." "These ingredients are just so fresh!"

I suggested to Dad that we all do an activity together like Laser Quest or something. You can really get to know a person through Laser Quest. But Dad just chewed on the pen he was holding and went, "It's still early, Anna. I'm not sure we're ready for Laser Quest."

So there we were having another expensive and slightly awkward dinner. It wasn't all bad though-my steak and French fries were awesome. Dog would have been beside himself with jealousy. A bit like I suspect Marianne actually was as she sat and nursed a salad. Not wanting her to be distracted by my superior food choices, I tried again, reaching for a French fry and dipping it in some ketchup. "Seriously, I need to know. I'm twelve and I don't have a clue. Plus I'm not asking Dad."

"Hey, why not?" Dad protested. "I'd be a great help. You've just never asked."

"Oh really? Go on then-how do you get boys to like you?" I asked, humoring him.

"Cook them a steak," he announced proudly, pointing at my dish.

"Cook them a steak?" I sighed. "Dad, you expect me to stroll on into school and offer the most popular boy in class a steak? He already thinks I'm a loser. I don't want to look completely crazy."

"He's the most popular boy in class?" Marianne asked quietly, her interest sparked.

"Yeah." I picked up my steak knife. "I know. He's never going to notice me. But I wondered if you might have any tips. You and Helena seem like the best people to ask."

"Well"-Helena smiled and placed a hand on her heart-"I am flattered, I have to say. Anna, I have several tips when it comes to winning the heart of the object of your affections. Would you like me to run through them?"

"I would very much." I nodded, digging into my perfectly cooked steak.

Marianne let out a long sigh. "Here we go," she said under her breath as her mom launched into a monologue on the art of male attracting. I wasn't sure, but I think Marianne might have caught my eye and given me a very slight, barely there glimpse of a smile.

It counts.

HELENA MONTAINE'S TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE A BOY LIKE YOU 1. First, one must look fabulous. Boys do not like girls who fall out of bed and decide that will do. That will most certainly NOT do.

2. Hair-must be always washed. The non-washed-hair look is for try-hards, and they are always a bore.

3. Nails-chipped? Absolutely not. Boys will not want to kiss a girl who can't stay on top of her hand maintenance. A quick coat of color, topcoat, and voila! The boy is yours.

4. Clothes-an expression of your personality, so wear what you wish. However, holes, scuffs, or rips, unless they are purposefully ripped by a designer, are unacceptable. Throw the item away.

5. Now that you're looking fabulous, it's time to focus on what you say-draw them in with your wit and charm.

6. If you don't have wit and charm, draw them in with your eyes. Eye contact is vital. Don't scare them of course.

7. Compliment them ALL THE TIME. I like to accentuate how masculine they are. For example, insist on him opening the stuck window or the tough jar lid and then, when he is victorious, look at him in awe and tell him how strong he is.

8. Act like you are good at everything without being boastful-in fact you are incredibly modest about being good at everything. If possible, get your friends to comment on your array of talents while you blush and say, "She's exaggerating." But we all know she's not.

9. Laugh-keep it dainty and feminine. A hearty laugh is for farmers.

10. Anecdotes-humor is essential, but never be the butt of a joke.

11. Until there is a ring involved, you should not eat indelicate food in front of him such as a burrito or hamburger. Remember, you are an elegant female, superior to him in every way.

"What happens if you've set someone on fire and your dog has peed on a picnic basket in front of him?" I asked when Helena was finished. "Hypothetically."

"If he really likes you, things like that won't matter," Dad said encouragingly. "Who is this boy you like?"

"Gross, Dad. I'm not talking about this with you."

Dad looked offended. "Why not?"

"Because you're my dad. And that's weird."

"Marianne, you must have some advice for Anna? You've constantly got boys after you." Helena smiled at her daughter, who was picking cautiously at her salad.

"Mom, that's not true." Marianne rolled her eyes.

"It is. She's being modest. Who's that boy in that band who's crazy about you? The one in that band that makes the loud music. You know, In the Rox, isn't it?"

"ON the Rox! And, no, he is not crazy about me." Marianne blushed.

"I've heard of that band," I said, sitting up straight. "My best friend, Jess, she loves them."

Marianne nodded. "Yeah, they're good." Her phone beeped. She bent down to her handbag and started reading her texts.

"Well, aren't you going to tell Anna how you caught his eye?" Helena frowned while Marianne typed away at her phone.

"You don't have to," I said as Marianne shot her mother a warning look. "It was a stupid question. And pointless anyway. No boys notice me. And this one definitely won't. Plus, he likes the most popular girl in the school, which makes sense. She's very beautiful."

"Nonsense," Helena stated firmly. "I'm sure you've got hundreds of better qualities than she has."

"No, really, I don't." I sighed. "It's like she's a beautiful, graceful swan, and I'm a clumsy newt."

"Don't worry, darling," my dad said, leaning over and giving my hand a comforting pat. "I've always been very fond of newts. I remember finding one in a pond as a boy. I named him Harold."

Comforting.

From: marianne@montaines.co.uk To: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk Subject: Hi Hey, Anna, Hope you don't mind me e-mailing.

I've been thinking about dinner. Sorry if I seemed rude when you asked for my advice on boys. It was a bit weird talking about it in front of our parents, don't you think . . . ? Anyway I thought I would e-mail you about it instead.

I've always found that if I feel good, then I'm more relaxed and confident, which boys like. So if you feel pretty, that will come across.

And don't worry about him being popular and you feeling like you're not. If he's nice, then none of that will matter. He'll notice you either way.

Anyway better go. I'm in the car on my way to an awards after-party.

Marianne x PS Would you like me to get tickets for you and your friend to go see On the Rox? They're playing in April. Let me know.

From: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk To: marianne@montaines.co.uk Subject: Re: Hi Hey, Marianne!

Thanks so much for the advice. I would LOVE to take Jess to On the Rox, thank you!

Have fun at the after-party, sounds like a hoot!

Love, me xxx From: jess.delby@zingmail.co.uk To: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk Subject: Yo!

How was your dinner?

What are you doing tomorrow? My parents want to go to this really boring exhibit. Think it has rotting animal parts involved.

Want to come?

J x From: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk To: jess.delby@zingmail.co.uk Subject: Re: Yo!

Wow, you've really sold that exhibit to me.

Actually, Sophie left me the most random voice mail about joining them in the park tomorrow, so I was thinking of going. You want to come? Should be better than a boring exhibit, right?

Love, me xxx From: jess.delby@zingmail.co.uk To: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk Subject: Re: Yo!

She called you? And invited you to the park?

That girl is on a mission. I'll pass if you don't mind. Don't think hanging out with Sophie on the weekend is really my thing.

Are you sure you want to do that?