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"𝗪here's garaboski?" elle asked, squinting toward the front of the room. class had started ten minutes ago, and their english teacher old, cranky, and somehow still kicking had yet to appear.
"uh-oh," lucas muttered, sinking back in his seat like he'd just realized something terrible.
"did we do it?" riley asked, almost hopeful. "did we finally break him?"
"you broke him!" mr. matthews exclaimed as he swept into the room, his voice booming with fake outrage. the class erupted into cheers, some clapping, some whistling like they'd just been handed early summer vacation.
"quiet!" he snapped over the noise, holding up a hand. "mr. garaboski retired yesterday." louder cheers followed, and frankie shook her head at how easy it was for everyone to be excited about something they hadn't seen coming. "quiet!" mr. matthews repeated, louder. "the guy survives vietnam and mrs. garaboski, and he can't get past you."
he pulled out a piece of paper from his folder and gave it a glance. "now, he left a letter here that expressed his feelings. 'dear you little...' okay, i can't read this." he folded the letter back up with a chuckle, tossing it aside.
"he always talked about the good old days before 1985," lucas said, shaking his head like he'd heard garaboski's rants one too many times.
"what happened in 1985?" riley turned to her dad.
"that was the year the new york board of education said you couldn't hit a kid with a ruler," frankie said before farkle could open his mouth, and he glared at her from across the aisle.
"'bored' of education? i do believe i am," maya said, resting her chin in her hand with a smirk.
mr. matthews smiled. "well, now you're gonna need a new english teacher."
"that's okay, thanks." maya gave a lazy wave like she was declining a salad at dinner. "we're good."
"uh, i don't know, maya. you may want to consider this one." she stepped inside. "ladies and gentlemen, please welcome ms. harper burgess."
the door opened, and a woman walked in leather jacket slung over her shoulders, motorcycle helmet tucked confidently under one arm. her boots made a soft thud on the floor as she walked toward the front of the room.
"you got a bike that goes with that outfit?" lucas asked, clearly impressed.
"1800 cc twin cam fat bob fuel tank wide glide," she answered without missing a beat, strolling up closer to his desk. "what do you ride?"
