Super Awkward (34 page)

Hang on, so all along MIAGTM had been chatting to me on
PSSSST
and I'd thought he was a general randomer, as opposed to a non-random major hottie?

“But you do realize I'm in my pyjamas, right?”

“Erm, yes,” he looked me up and down. “I can
still
see that. . . Anyway, despite the fact your mum thinks I'm insane, your dog thinks my, er, trousers smell, and not forgetting, I made you think you had an online stalker for the last couple of months . . . would you be up for hanging out with me? Maybe tomorrow? Maybe at six?”

Can. Not. Deal. Was he asking me out? To HANG.

“Tomorrow? Six?” All I could muster was repetition. I needed an interpreter. If only Benny was real. I couldn't speak. “I'm in my pyjamas.”

Wow, Bella. If your knockout style hadn't impressed him enough, your grade-A chat will really seal the deal.

“Yes, I still,
still
know that. So, how about I come and call for you? Would you be around?”

There was only one thing I could say. Quite literally – I could only remember ten words.

“Yes. Cool.” I tried to think of more words. “One thing though. . .”

“
Yup?” Concern flashed across his freckled face.

“Please don't ask me to catch any footballs.”

“Agreed. And you – can you maybe not wear that teddy print in public again? It's a bit . . . last season. Though the horse slippers? They can stay.”

BUMFLAPS. I hadn't even noticed those! I thought horseshoes were meant to bring you good luck?!

“So, see you here tomorrow? Same place – different outfits?”

I nodded, trying to hold back what I think was a one hundred per cent mega dreamy smile that was trying to invade my face.

MIAGTM turned to leave, but stopped in his tracks.

“Oh, one last thing before I go.”

What? Please don't tell me now this was all a joke?! Please no. I couldn't flee whilst wearing these slippers; the fake horse tails on my heels were too much of a trip hazard.

But instead he just put his left hand out towards me, his blue eyes looking straight into mine.

“I'm Adam. Pleased to meet you.”

MIAGTM finally had a name.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Books are weird – because there's a name on the cover, it seems like they might be the work of one person. But it's ALL LIES. They're a team effort. But, if all the names of all the amazing people who made it happen went on the cover, then book covers would be a whole lot less fun to look at. So I shall try and put some of them here instead.

To my real life MIAGTM/MIDMBITHMHGCATW TATETM (Man I Did Marry, Because I Think He Must Have Got Confused And Then Was Too Awkward To Ever Tell Me), Chris. You are a bottomless pit of wonderfulness (and emergency tea), and my calm in any storm. Thank you for making me know love at
first
sight is real, and for still making me cry-snort with laughter every day.

And an indescribably huge thank you to the person who began it all when they believed in this book when it really wasn't one. You make me (and everyone) feel non-stupid when I don't have a clue what I'm doing (AKA all the time). Your patience is a thing of wonder – as are your nails, and well, just you. Gemma, thanks for loving love, and loving Bells, and letting me be a part of the amazing world you help create for so many people. And thank you for introducing me to Team Cooper. How can such talented people be so nice?

Lucy Rogers – ERM, WHAT? Have you actually made this happen?! How can someone so wonderful and wonderfully together ever identify with such awkwardness? You are a person of too many talents (and most excellent imaginary timekeeping). Fishy Balls and I couldn't have found an editor who gets us more than you do. Thank you for knowing exactly what was needed EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. What a total HELL YEAH-ditor (does that work?!) (no). And thank you for welcoming me into the world of the Scholastic crew (Jamie Gregory! Cover designer of dreams!), who
have
been amazing every awkward step of the way.

A big massive dollop of love to my first reader, who ALWAYS makes time, even though she's busy overachieving on all fronts, Jessica Hitchrod/man. You're more excellent than you will ever let me say. And an over-familiar body hug to the insanely talented Ali – the best person I could have ever learnt from (thanks for helping me reign in all the exclamation marks!!!!!).

And thank you to all my incredible friends for waiting for me to un-hermit/inspiring me with life disasters. You are too funny, too smart and too good-looking to hang out with me. But if I write your names here, YOU CAN NEVER LEAVE ME. Pam (we NEED a character called Escherichia), Tina Bean (where is Australia anyway?), Rosanna (Brit and I can't WAIT to read your book), Becky and Sarah (I know April Fools is the first of one month…), James (housemate for life), Yasmine, Anna, Vicki, Trev (thank you for reading way back when & making it real), and the whole Switch crew (HIGH FIVE!) (Tom B, I'm probably crying right now). And of course NYC BG Julie (bet you don't make it this far), Dan (take it easel, baby), the rest of the N-Unit – Matt, Mikey, Lyndon, Jono, Katie, Vivek and
David
– team MTV ISR (more stories please VM), and the Gornell crew (I won a whole new rad fam!).

But none of this could have happened without the people who were there when I was Bella's age (and way more awkward that she will ever be). My amazing family who always believe anything is possible; Moomin, Daddles and the best big sister imaginable, Becca. I couldn't be more overjoyed that Chris, Ian and Rose have joined the club too. Thank you for being my wall of arms and bringing so much magic into the everyday.

And finally, finally, a massive shout-out to anyone who has ever felt like Bella does, AKA the best people in the world. Because being super awkward means you're super awesome – and one day you might get to write a book about it.

Scholastic
Children's Books

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First published in the UK by Scholastic Ltd, 2016

This electronic edition published by Scholastic Ltd, 2016

Text copyright © Beth Garrod, 2016

The right of Beth Garrod to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her.

eISBN 978140717026 8

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, incidents and dialogues are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

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