The It Girl - The It Girl Part 25
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The It Girl Part 25

I'm not asking you.

Well, that's where you're going wrong in life.

9. Have name engraved on a trophy. Be more grateful for my wonderful family, appreciate Dad more, and welcome new members.

What were you going to have your name engraved on a trophy for? For being the world's biggest dweeb? AHAHAHAHA. I'm hilarious. Though your amendment is very sweet. I like it.

Are you being sarcastic?.

No?.

Seriously?.

Yes!.

Oh. When you're nice to me, it throws me.

Don't worry, it's weird for me too.

10. Train Dog to high-five.

I truly do not know what to say to this. You've taken your love for your dog too far.

He is very talented. You never know.

Is this the last point? Can we do something INTERESTING now?

Yes, that's the last point.

WAIT. I have one.

This is not your list! You can't keep adding points.

I've got a really good one.

Let me guess. Is it something like . . . "stop being weird"?

No! It's really good and meaningful. Please?

Okay fine. Go on. You can add a point 11.

Cool. Here we go. The most important, meaningful point on your life goals list.

I'm quivering in anticipation.

Now who's being sarcastic?! Stop throwing me off my vibe.

Fine, fine. Go.

Here it goes.

11. Stop being weird.

How unexpected.

HAHA. Let's go make tea now.

From: rebecca.blythe@bouncemail.co.uk To: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk Subject: So proud of you!

Hello, darling!

Mommy again. I know I spoke to you on the phone this morning, but I just wanted to reiterate how proud I am of you. I know this semester has been a difficult one, but you've come out alive.

Have a lovely day tomorrow . . . you know, it's funny, I can't really imagine Helena at Laser Quest. But such a wonderful idea of yours, darling! Do be nice, sweetheart-you and your dad tend to get a little competitive when it comes to things like that.

Remind Nick that he's not actually in the army and his gun is just shooting light beams. There's no need to do any forward rolls.

Lots of love, Mom xxx From: dantheman@zingmail.co.uk To: jess.delby@zingmail.co.uk; anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk Subject: Question Quick question, Jess, why are we going to Trafalgar Square?

And why did you want me to bring bird seed and my BB gun?

Danny From: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk To: dantheman@zingmail.co.uk Cc: jess.delby@zingmail.co.uk Subject: Re: Question Ignore Jess, Danny. The Trafalgar Square thing is not happening.

Come over to my house when you can though. We're going to have a Lord of the Rings marathon!

This is the BEST day.

Love, me xxx From: jess.delby@zingmail.co.uk To: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk Cc: dantheman@zingmail.co.uk Subject: Re: Question Seriously, Danny, come as quick as possible. Anna has started acting out scenes from the films.

She's currently doing some sort of cheesy speech that little person, Samwise Gangee (or whatever his weird name is), says. Dog is playing the part of Frodo.

He looks as freaked out as I am.

J x From: marianne@montaines.co.uk To: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk Subject: You're It Okay, so Mom is way too excited about this whole Laser Quest thing we're doing tomorrow. She went out this morning and bought camouflage gear. I'm not kidding. She's making me wear a bandana.

A BANDANA.

Lord knows what she's going to make us wear for the wedding.

More importantly, have you seen the papers today? Looks like you were photographed with your dad on the way to that land mine thing your dad kept going on and on about. I told you you'd look good in that hat. Spy chic.

Check this out . . . quote from one of the papers: "While other socialites tend to be seen out and about at lavish London parties, Anna Huntley has been spotted attending military lectures with her father, renowned journalist and author Nicholas Huntley. A fellow attendee of the talk, who did not want to be named, remarked that Ms. Huntley had 'sat there happily with the rest of us' and had even 'asked a couple of questions at the end.' Lectures by day, premieres by night? Now that's an It Girl with attitude."

Hey, you must be a natural.

See you at Laser Quest!.

Love, Marianne x.

From: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk.

To: marianne@montaines.co.uk.

Subject: Re: You're It.

Well, let's be fair here. I am learning from the best.

See you in battle.

Love, me xxx.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

First and foremost, a massive thank-you to Lindsey Heaven, Jo Hayes, and the teams at Egmont and Bell Lomax Moreton. Thank you for believing in Anna.

Thank you to all my colleagues, teachers, my amazing friends, and my wonderful family. I couldn't have done this without your relentless support and encouragement.

Huge thanks to the Rapoports, the Claytons, the O'Reillys, and the Briants. I am so grateful for everything your families have done for me over the years. I hope this makes you proud.

Special thanks to the two rocks in my life: Chloe and Lizzie. Your friendship inspired this book.

Finally, thank you to my mum, my dad, my brothers, and my dogs. The best family anyone could ask for.

KATY BIRCHALL is the debut author of the It Girl series. She also works at Country Life magazine as their deputy features editor. Katy won the 24/7 Theatre Festival Award in 2011 for Most Promising New Comedy Writer with her very serious play about a ninja monkey at a dinner party. Her pet Labradors are the loves of her life, she is mildly obsessed with Jane Austen, and one day she hopes to wake up as an elf in the Lord of the Rings. She grew up in Essex and currently lives in Brixton.

ALADDIN.

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