Quick as a flash, Annie says, ‘So if this is some special group for brainiacs, how come Ed King isn’t here?’

That was exactly what I was thinking.

‘The group is limited to four,’ says Sir. ‘I couldn’t invite everyone.’

‘Or Kani Nadar, or Elizabeth West …?’ continues Annie.

For a moment, Mr Curtis doesn’t say anything, so Annie leans forward on her chair and says, ‘I think I know why the four of us are here. It’s generally accepted that Kani, Ed and Elizabeth are all perceived to be a bit more “socially adjusted” –’ she pauses here to draw a couple of apostrophes in the air ‘– than us.’

She’s right, I think, looking from shy Rose to mouthy Annie. Just like me, I’m always seeing them on their own around school. I feel a prickle of irritation that, once again, Ed King is one step ahead of me, but this time it isn’t because he’s cleverer than me, it’s because he’s more ‘normal’ than me, and school has officially recognised this fact!

‘No,’ says Jackson, shaking his head and sending the polystyrene balls flying. ‘That can’t be why we’re here. I’m really popular.’

He’s right. He is. Everyone loves Jackson. He’s so good natured even I feel quite comfortable with him.

Annie’s eyes narrow. ‘You are popular, aren’t you …’ She looks directly at Mr Curtis. ‘Sir, I’m just going to come out and say what we’re all thinking: what’s Jackson doing in a group for “gifted” students?’

Rose’s eyes widen in alarm and down at our feet, Jackson abandons his polystyrene balls and looks up. ‘Because he’s a gifted student,’ says Mr Curtis, who is starting to look a bit irritated with Annie, ‘just like you.’

‘Nah, I’m not,’ Jackson says. Then he grins. ‘Is it because I’m exceptionally gifted in the looks department?’ He uses both hands to point at his face.

‘Unlikely,’ says Annie.

‘Jackson has a talent for languages,’ snaps Mr Curtis.

‘No he hasn’t!’ Annie bursts out. ‘Jackson Woods has a talent for languages. He can speak Cantonese. You’ve invited the wrong Jackson, Sir!’

Mr Curtis has gone pink. ‘Look, you’re here because Mrs Kinney handed me a list of names and told me to start mentoring you. It was that or I had to take 10E for sex ed. So I chose you lot.’ He stares at Annie. ‘Jackson Wood was on the list so he’s staying. Got it?’

Anne bursts out laughing like she can’t believe it. ‘So just because Mrs Kinney gave you some list I’m stuck here once a week –’

‘Three times a week,’ says Mr Curtis.

‘– I’m stuck here three times a week with a space cadet, an uber-nerd and a cat abuser?’

‘Am I the space cadet?’ asks Rose.

Annie laughs even louder. ‘Yes, you are!’

I feel my head start to ache. That must make me the uber-nerd.

‘Annie, you’ve gone too far,’ says Mr Curtis, tapping his folder on his knee.

‘I’m going to go now, Sir,’ Annie stands up. ‘Thanks for the invite, but unlike Uber-Nerd and Space Cadet here, I really don’t need any friendship mentoring. I’ve got loads of friends, they just don’t come to this school.’