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"𝗚andhi. what'd he do?" mr. matthews asked the class, arms crossed, waiting.
"freed ireland," maya blurted out from the front row, smug like she had it in the bag.
"try again."
frankie opened her mouth, glancing at the empty seat beside her. farkle wasn't here to shout the answer in his usual enthusiastic frenzy.
"freed ireland," maya said again, doubling down like a dare.
cory matthews sighed and turned toward frankie. "he freed india."
"before or after he freed ireland?" maya asked, tilting her head like it was a real question.
frankie rolled her eyes. "when are you going to grow up?"
maya whipped around, staring at her old best friend. "what?"
mr. matthews cleared his throat, redirecting. "jackie robinson. what'd he do?"
"first guy to play in the major leagues after gandhi freed 'em," billy answered proudly from the back.
frankie pinched the bridge of her nose, shaking her head. "i... i quit."
"but you can't quit, sir!" farkle's voice rang out as he appeared in the doorway. his usual turtleneck was gone, replaced by something bland, unfamiliar. he looked different—subdued.
"and you need to be in my class, farkle. how long are you gonna be out sick?" cory asked, squinting at him.
"don't know." farkle coughed dramatically. "pretty bad cold, sir."
"okay. feel better." cory turned back to the chalkboard, pointing at a new image. "what about her?"
"that's malala. the taliban doesn't think that women should be educated. she stood up to them and became the first teenager ever to be nominated for a nobel peace prize," riley said confidently.
"don't forget she was shot in the head because of it, and shes still standing till this day." frankie added.
the class fell silent. cory's expression softened. "sometimes the world presents you with opportunities to show who you really are. will you have the courage to stand up to someone who tries to take your spirit away?"
frankie didn't say anything. she was staring at the floor, something turning over in her chest. she stood up suddenly, eyes sharp with decision.
"i have something i need to do right now, if you don't mind."
