Ms. Hardison asks me to stand.

“Edward? Edward!”

Jolted back into reality by Ms. Hardison calling my name, I looked up to see my teacher with her hands on her hips and tapping her foot.

“Uh, y-yes, Miss?” I stuttered out, as a few other students around the room started snickering.

“Well, I was going to ask you to read the next section,” she started, “but I’m beginning to think you haven’t been listening to a word that’s been said today.”

“No, of course I have, Ms. Hardison, I just... um...”

“Mm-hm. Where were we, then?”

“Well we were...” I started scanning the page frantically in front of me, looking for anything that sounded right.

“Top of the page on the right, Edward,” Ms. Hardison said with a sigh, “and I think I’d like you to stand up and read it for us.”

My heart sank. “Um, I would, uh, rather not stand, Ms. Hardison.” The few giggles here and there turned into a giddy murmur as Ms. Hardison’s frown deepened.

“I’m sorry, Edward?”

“I just, um, would like to keep sitting, if that’s alright.”

“I’m afraid it isn’t, actually. Stand up, young man.”

“B-but—“

“No buts! Stand up or you can stay to talk to me after class!”

I swallowed hard, took a deep breath and, clutching the side of my desk....