He glances over to her when she agrees with him about maths, more because of the way she speaks quickly than the words she uses. It surprises him, and he's very rarely surprised even at this age. People don't usually want his approval, or maybe they've just learned it's next to impossible to gain. So this is new, and he finds himself offering a quick smile in response, completely unbidden.

And then he's surprised at his own reaction, and looks away. It's reassuring when the thought comes to him that yes, if they were both in her school then he'd get classes on his own too, but he still thinks he'd be better.

'I've never climbed a tree. What's the point?'

This is not a no - he might be persuaded to try - but it seems a bit of a waste of time.