Class Is Not Dismissed! Read Free

in a children’s magazine. I believe the title of the story was ‘Bagel Boys: The True Tale of Children
     Addicted to Carbohydrates,’ ” Theo said softly, before Lulu erupted again in laughter. “It still counts as modeling!”
    “Schmidty, please tell me that Garrison’s returning for the summer,” Madeleine pleaded while watching Theo and Lulu bicker.

CHAPTER 3
EVERYONE’S AFRAID OF SOMETHING:
Erytophobia is the fear of blushing.

    M adeleine, Lulu, Theo, Schmidty, and Macaroni all indulged in a grimace as they waited impatiently for fourteen-year-old Garrison
     Feldman’s arrival. Although the boy was technically only ten minutes late, the robust humidity made it feel more like an hour.
     While waiting, Theo had squeezed his way onto Macaroni’s lawn chair, mimicking the dog’s position on his back with his arms
     and legs up in the air.
    Just as Lulu prepared to launch into a critique of Theo’sinane behavior, a Jeep convertible pumping reggae music rounded the corner, with none other than Garrison Feldman in the front
     seat. Much as one would expect to see at the cinema, the sunlight perfectly silhouetted Garrison as he exited the car. He
     had grown taller and a great deal more tanned in the year since Lulu, Madeleine, and Theo had last seen him. His once neatly
     groomed blond locks now hung in a shaggy mess around his face.
    Even dressed in surfer shorts, an old tee shirt, and flip-flops, there was simply no denying it: the boy was gorgeous. Fourteen-year-old
     Garrison grabbed his bag and boogie board, then cracked a magnetic smile at the group, instantly mesmerizing everyone. Even
     Theo was captivated by his striking appearance, or perhaps it was due to the fact that Garrison’s glistening skin reminded
     him of a McDonald’s French fry.
    “What’s up?” Garrison said warmly as he held out his hand for Schmidty to shake.
    “Welcome back, Mister Garrison,” Schmidty said with a smile.
    Garrison returned the smile before extending his hand to Theo, who charged full force, engulfing him in a mammoth bear hug.
    “My man, Gary! The boys are back together! Let the bro-mance continue!”
    “Don’t call me Gary,” Garrison said as he pushed away a perspiring Theo. “And definitely don’t use the word
bro-mance
. Ever. Not even when you’re alone.”
    “Eww, you left a face print on his shirt,” Lulu exclaimed, pointing to the sweat silhouette Theo had left behind.
    Luckily, Garrison didn’t notice, having already moved on to Madeleine, who was as red as beetroot, absolutely blushing with
     anticipation. While she hadn’t admitted it to anyone, Madeleine often thought of Garrison fondly, especially on cold, gray
     London days. But now that he was standing in front of her, she was absolutely overwhelmed by the sensation of her crush.
    “Maddie…”
    “Hello, Garrison. Did you have a relaxing journey from Miami?” Madeleine asked nervously, speaking at an exceptionally fast
     speed.
    Before he could answer, Madeleine gave him a quick hug and then averted her eyes in embarrassment. Lulu, sensing the awkwardness
     in the air, threw her left arm around Garrison’s shoulders and playfully ruffled his hair.
    “What’s with the hair? It’s almost longer than mine.”
    “I’m a surfer now,” the formerly waterphobic boy announced proudly. “This is how the guys wear it.”
    “Um, isn’t that a
boogie board?
”
    “Why do you always have to point out people’s shortcomings, Lulu?” Theo harped. “And don’t think I didn’t notice you hugged
     him.”
    “Whatever.”
    “Dear misters and misses, as much as it pains me to break up this highly intellectual conversation, Madame is waiting, and
     you know how old she is. She really could die at any time…” Schmidty trailed off.
    For the first time the students looked beyond Schmidty, to a large metal contraption at the base of the mountain. It looked
     somewhat like a grand metal birdcage or, perhaps more morbidly, an ornate prison