More than a Bromance: Big Nate's Awkward Affections

Chapter 4: Detention Drama

As the news of Nate's unexpected crush on Blade rippled through the school grapevine, the universe seemed determined to add another layer of complexity to his already tumultuous life. Unbeknownst to Nate, the ever-watchful eye of Mrs. Godfrey, the formidable seventh-grade teacher and enforcer of all things discipline, had fallen upon him.

It was a Thursday afternoon, and the air hung heavy with the anticipation of the weekend. Nate lost in his own thoughts, doodled absentmindedly in the margins of his math notebook. Little hearts and arrows adorned the page, a silent testament to his ongoing crush saga.

Ms. Godfrey, known for her hawk-like ability to spot even the slightest deviation from the norm, patrolled the aisles between desks. As she passed by Nate's desk, she caught a glimpse of his doodles and raised an eyebrow.

"Nate Wright," she called out, her voice carrying a stern edge that could send shivers down the bravest student's spine.

Nate looked up, his eyes widening with a mix of surprise and trepidation. "Uh, yes, Mrs. Godfrey?"

"What do we have here?" She snatched the notebook from Nate's hands, her gaze narrowing as she examined the heart-eyed sketches of Blade. "Doodling in class, are we? And inappropriate doodles, at that!"

Nate tried to stammer out an explanation, but Mrs. Godfrey held up a hand, silencing him. "Detention, Mr. Wright. This behavior is unacceptable. You should be focusing on your studies, not daydreaming about... whatever this is."

"But Mrs. Godfrey, it's not what you think! I—"

"No excuses, Nate. Detention after school today. Maybe it will give you some time to reflect on the importance of paying attention in class."

Nate slumped in his seat, defeated. He shot a desperate look toward Teddy and Francis, who exchanged sympathetic glances.

As the bell rang and the other students filed out of the classroom, Nate approached Mrs. Godfrey's desk with a heavy heart. "Mrs. Godfrey, please, you've got it all wrong. I wasn't slacking off; it's just that—"

"I don't want to hear it, Mr. Wright. Detention is your consequence," she interrupted, her expression unyielding.

Nate trudged out of the classroom, his mind swirling with frustration. Detention for doodling hearts and arrows? It was a new low, even for him. Little did he know that his detour into detention would be just another twist in the ever-entertaining narrative of Big Nate's middle school misadventures.