From Geek to Goddess (Zodiac Girls) Read online

  A few girls in Year Ten started laughing.

  “Right, who’s next?” asked Mrs Hamilton. “Oh yes. The next award is for the pupil who has shown the most promise this term.”

  At the front, Sara smoothed back her hair and had another scratch.

  “This is the one I reckon Sara’s after,” whispered Ruth.

  “And the winner is… Gemma Whiting,” called Mrs Hamilton.

  “Oh my god!” I exclaimed. “That’s me.”

  Ruth beamed at me, pushed me off my chair and towards the stage where moments later, I climbed up and stood next to a smiling Mrs Hamilton.

  “I’ve chosen Gemma for this award,” she said, “because she’s only been here a term and despite a difficult start, she’s made excellent progress, and no thanks to many of you in this room according to what I’ve heard from Mrs Blain and some of the other teachers. It’s hard changing schools after Year Seven when you’re beginning together and all in the same boat. In future, I’m going to ask all of you to be more sensitive to the people around you who are new or don’t know the ropes as well as you do and that goes for the parents and friends here tonight too, whatever the situation you’re in. Don’t be selfish. Give out the hand of friendship or else… you’ll have me to answer to and I may be old but I can be tough!”

  A cheer came from the right and I looked over to see that it had come from Hermie who was grinning up at Mrs Hamilton.

  She beamed back at him. “As you know, a lot of the money raised this year will go to building the new science lab. But I thought of something else I’d like to see developed here. I’m going to have a new wing built for the Outreach programme where anyone who wants can go on a Friday afternoon and train in various skills. I’m going to invite all the leading experts in their fields to come and talk to you. You can train to do beauty so that you can take those skills with you into hospitals and homes… and,” she gave me a huge smile at this point, “I shall invite some of the experts from the animal-therapy programmes so that you can learn about taking animals in.”

  At the mention of the word animals, a soft groan came from the front row. I looked down and got the feeling that it was Sara who had made the noise. She was certainly looking unhappy.

  “Gemma was quite right in her idea that animals can give tremendous comfort to the old, the infirm, the lonely,” Mrs Hamilton continued. “In fact, I’ve already hired an expert in that field and he’s going to be here at the start of next term. All this was inspired by the girl standing here in front of you. She wanted to make a difference and I’d like you all to learn from her. And because of that, I’m going to call the scheme the Gemma Whiting project.”

  I felt myself going bright red but Mrs Hamilton hadn’t finished.

  “Now I know I’m an old lady and you probably all think I’m a bit barmy but I can tell you one thing. There’s nothing more miserable in this life than being lonely and feeling left out. People feel it in schools. People feel it in work. People feel it when they’re old. Be aware and do what you can. Take a little time out from thinking about yourself all the time. There’s a lot of suffering in the world and it’s not all in far off places. Be aware of what’s happening around you. On your doorstep. In your home, your neighbourhood, your school.”

  Everyone in the hall looked at each other, back at the stage and then a cheer went up, this time from some Year Elevens on the back rows. Soon the rest of the hall joined in with them. Rose, Grace, Imogen, Ruth and Tasha were all grinning like idiots and giving me the thumbs-up. I could hardly believe what was happening.

  “Would you like to say something, Gemma?” asked Mrs Hamilton.

  I shook my head but she nudged me towards the podium.

  I took a deep breath and looked out on the sea of faces in front of me.

  “I… I didn’t want to come here at first,” I said. “And it’s true, I found my first few weeks hard going, that first month in fact but… but, well, if my time here has shown me anything, it’s that, as Mrs Hamilton said, life is a rollercoaster. Up and down we go. New challenges, new obstacles. I’ve learnt never to give up because you never know what the future holds and what each new day will bring. Um. That’s all, I think.”

  A cheer rose again from the back of the hall and I looked out to see rows of smiling faces. Apart from Sara’s that is. She looked very strange. Like someone had blown her up with a bicycle pump. Her lips were swollen, her eyes were bulging out of their sockets and her face was covered in nasty red blotches and sweat, her hair had come out of its immaculate style and was sticking all over her face like wet straw. And she was clawing at her face as if it was on fire.

  “Oh Lord. Oh dear. Oh heck,” cried Mrs Woods getting to her feet when she saw Sara fall to her knees and start groaning. “Quick someone, get the matron! Get the doctor!”

  It seemed like everything went into fast gear. The matron and the doctor were called and rushed to the front. Someone brought a bowl of water and began splashing Sara’s face. I got down from the stage and went back to join Ruth. An ambulance was called for. Guests were ushered off into the dining area for pre-show drinks and Mrs Woods started dancing about like she had ants in her pants trying to get the rest of the cast backstage.

  A stretcher was brought from the sick room and four Year Elevens picked Sara up and laid her on it. They carried her down the aisle with the doctor and matron following behind. Just as they reached where Ruth, Tasha and I were sitting, Sara peered out at me through bulgy toad-like eyes. She looked awful. Nothing like the pretty girl she was. She looked like a monster. She raised a swollen finger and pointed. “All your fault,” she moaned as she was carried off.

  “Me? What did I do?” I asked the others.

  “Nothing,” said Tasha stepping forward and linking my arm. “Take no notice. I think I know exactly what’s happened. She’s allergic to animals. That boa around her neck was the real thing. Genuine ostrich feathers.”

  “Allergic to animals?” Ruth repeated. “Ohmigod! Bertie!”

  “Bertie?” I asked. “What’s he got to do with it?”

  “Remember that day your dad brought him and I found him?”

  “Yeah. So?”

  “Do you remember where I found him?”

  “Er… oh! Yes. In the drama room!”

  “In the costume department to be precise and now that I remember, he was curled up very comfortably on a pale pink boa.”

  “And come to think of it, Boris the cat likes to sneak in there for a sleep too. I’ve seen him a few times. It’s next to the boiler room so it’s cosy. Feathers, dog and cat hair! No wonder she had an allergic reaction.”

  “But will she be all right?” I asked. “She looked terrible.”

  Tasha nodded. “Not in time for the show but she’ll be fine as soon as they’ve given her an anti-allergy injection. Same thing happened last summer when she came to stay with my family and our cat slept on her pillow one afternoon when we’d gone out. She blew up like a balloon when she got into bed later that night.”

  Ruth started giggling.

  “What’s so funny?” I asked.

  “She said it was your fault and well… you are the Lady of the Beasts,” she said then put on a spooky voice. “Beeeeewaaaaare the Lady of the Beasts. Her power must never be unleeeeeeeshed or eeeeeelse she will set her dog onto you.”

  Tasha started laughing too. “She did look awful, didn’t she?” she asked. “And I know I shouldn’t laugh but she’ll be okay, really she will… but in the meantime, she’s turned from goddess to geek. Serves her right. I hope someone got a photo of her.”

  At that moment, Mrs Woods came flying into the hall and looked around frantically.

  “Gemma, Gemma,” she called.

  I raced over.

  “You’re on. Five minutes. Oh Lord. Oh dear. Oh heck. The show must go on.”

  “Me? On? And do what?”

  “Tallulah of course,” said Mrs Woods as she beckoned me into the backstage area. “You’re the onl
y one who knows the part except for Sara!”

  Behind her, I saw Hermie leaning against a pillar. He looked over at me and winked.

  And so I got to play out my fantasy. All those days memorising Tallulah’s words and driving Mum and Dad mad finally paid off as I took centre stage. The show was a terrific success. I gave it my all and had the most brilliant time ever and afterwards, everyone said it was one of the best shows that the school had ever put on. As I got changed back into my normal clothes, Mrs Woods took me aside and said that I had “saved the day”.

  After the show was over, guests began to drift out towards the car park and I walked Mrs Hamilton out to the front to say thank you and goodbye.

  “Where’s your car?” I asked as I looked around the courtyard for her Rolls Royce.

  “Oh I sent it on,” she said as a familiar figure roared up the driveway on his bike.

  A few seconds later, Hermie drew up besides us.

  He winked at me. “Had a good evening?” he asked with a grin.

  “The best,” I smiled back.

  Hermie then pulled a helmet out of his carrier box on the back of his bike. I thought he was going to hand it to me and ask me to go for a ride but he handed it to Mrs Hamilton.

  “Your carriage awaits, Ma’am,” he said.

  She blushed and for a moment looked like a coy teenager. She put on the helmet and hoisted herself up on the back of his bike with surprising agility then she put her arms around Hermie’s waist.

  “Hang on in there, Zodiac Girl,” she smiled at me.

  “You too, ZG,” I smiled back.

  “And I’ll be watching out for you,” said Hermie as he revved up his engine. “Just don’t forget, the magic’s all around you Gemma, inside and out. Make the most of it. It’s your choice what you do with it. But for now, it’s over and out.”

  “Yes sir,” I said with a salute.

  And with that, they roared off down the drive and out of sight.

  The Gemini Files

  Characteristics, Facts and Fun

  May 22 – June 21

  Whether it’s nattering on their mobile, gossiping with their friends or firing off emails, Geminis are great communicators and they love to talk, talk, talk! Persuasion is their middle name and they often charm people to get their way. They are multi-faceted, strong-willed and independent.

  Geminis push themselves to the max with their sense of adventure and fun, but as a result can end up biting off more than they can chew. This can lead to confusion – but that’s not surprising as their star symbol is the twins – showing a dual personality.

  Element:

  Air

  Colour: Yellow, silver

  Birthstone: Crystal, agate, emerald

  Animal: Magpie

  Lucky day: Wednesday

  Planet: Ruled by Mercury

  A Gemini’s best friends are likely to be:

  Aries

  Gemini

  Sagittarius

  Aquarius

  A Gemini’s enemies are likely to be:

  Scorpio

  Taurus

  A Gemini’s idea of heaven would be:

  Hosting their own prime time talk-show.

  A Gemini would go mad if:

  They were grounded without their phone and computer.

  Nessa’s Top Makeover Tips

  Accentuate your best feature; it will draw attention away from those you don’t like as much!

  It’s fun to straighten your hair if it’s curly, or curl it if it’s straight, but it’s much better to make the best of it as it is.

  Bring out your eyes! If you have green eyes, purple will make them look greener, and green makes blue eyes sparkle.

  Try a new hair colour – get a friend to help you dye your hair using semi-permanent colour for a whole new look!

  Keep your nails looking neat, and paint them a great colour – it will brighten your day!

  Look through magazines to find a look you like, and copy it!

  Are you a typical Gemini?

  It’s the weekend! What are you planning?

  A) Shopping, plain and simple.

  B) Anything, as long as it’s outdoors!

  C) You love reading and writing in your journal.

  You’re planning a holiday with some friends. What kind of break do you choose?

  A) Relaxing by the pool, somewhere hot so you can work on your suntan.

  B) Something sporty, like skiing. You love being active.

  C) Somewhere with lots of interesting history, where you can learn and explore.

  What’s your favourite subject at school?

  A) You hate them all except dance and drama, where you can show off.

  B) English is your favourite by far – you have a way with words.

  C) Honestly, you like them all. You really like learning new things.

  You’re going to a party and you need to look fabulous. What outfit do you choose?

  A) Something simple, a black dress maybe.

  B) Lots of bright colours – you like to stand out in a crowd.

  C) Your outfits are always a mixture of loads of different styles, patterns and colours.

  What do you get into trouble for most at school?

  A) Being late – you take so long to get ready in the morning, you lose track of time.

  B) Chatting and gossiping. You love to talk, even in lessons!

  C) You never get into trouble. Teacher’s pet? Moi?

  You have a French exchange student staying with you and her English is rubbish. What do you do?

  A) Ignore her. You have better things to do with your time than hang out with her.

  B) Use the international language of mime to get your point across. So what if you look silly?

  C) Chatter away to her in French, of course. You don’t care what language it is, as long as you get to communicate.

  How did you score?

  Mostly As – gentle Gemini

  Are you sure you’re a Gemini? Get gossiping!

  Mostly Bs – gorgeous Gemini

  Hmm, it sounds like your Gemini side is fighting to get out. Set it free!

  Mostly Cs – gossipy Gemini

  Chatty and outgoing, you’re Gemini from head to toe.