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Kids jumped up from the lunch tables and poured into the hall.
Good luck, Ganke said.
Credit: Marvel Press
Cue the ominous organ music.
When he finished writing, Mr. Chamberlain turned to face the students, still filling in their desks.
He assumed his normal meditative stancehands together, woven fingers, his face a tight fist.
War means fighting, and fighting means killing, he said softly.
Miles refused to look him in the face.
Actually he refused to look anyone in the face, still embarrassed about how the suspension went down.
Alicia, who also had this class with Miles, sat in front of him.
Right in front of him.
War means fighting, and fighting means killing, Mr. Chamberlain repeated, the students settling into silence.
He was referring to the quote hed scrawled on the board behind him.
he started again, now closing his eyes.
There was a hush in the room.
For a few, it was because they were amused.
For others, like Miles, it was out of respect .
But for most, it was from boredom.
War means fighting, and fighting means killing, he repeated for the last time.
It could be argued that the country as we know it wouldnt even be here.
Slavery was the building block of our great country.
We shouldnt just blindly write off the argument for the Confederacy wanting to keep it.
While Mr. Chamberlain was yapping, Miles squirmed in his seat.
There were so many things to consider.
The most obvious was .
Human beings enslaved, mistreated, killed.
Maybe he was trying to make them angry so they would engage.
He never paid attention in any class, but especially not in Mr. Chamberlains.
And that was enough to make him put his hand up.
Then he brought it up to his temple.
His head was buzzing.
Its nothing, anyway.
But Mr. Chamberlain was really digging in now.
Mr. Chamberlains voice distorted in Miless ears.Dont get up.
But seriously, what if someones hurt?
Miles Morales was having a full-on meltdown.
The ladies, scratching their heads and forearms, trying to remember how to get home.
Trying to remember when they left the house in the first place.
They going through it, Miless father would say to explain the withdrawal, the sickness.
Hang in there, hed say to them as he and Miles walked by.
Miles needed to hang in there.
To resist the urge to save someone other than himself.
But he was getting lightheaded.
Blink the blur away.
Block out the droning wah-wah-wah of Mr. Chamberlainsvoice.
Perhaps it could be argued that the enslavement of our criminals is still keeping our great country alive.
Then
Chamberlain closed his eyes, steeled his face, and finished his statement.
That is, in the minds of our Confederate forefathers.
Smirked, her cheek dimpling deep enough for Miles to want to dive in.
And then, finally .
Chair legs scraped against linoleum as people jumped up from their desks.
Miles slowly stood, a ring of sweat around his T-shirt collar, relieved.
You think hes serious, or is he baiting us?
Alicia spoke softly to Miles as she packed her books away in her bag.
I dont know, Miles said, wiping his forehead, then zipping his bag.
Mr. Chamberlain was erasing the quote hed written at the beginning of class.
Miles scowled at his back.
Why you looking like that?
Alicia uttered, studying Miless face.
Miles caught himself and turned his grimace to a grin.
But Alicia seemed doubly confused.
Now, why you looking likethat?
What, the class?
Miles looked down for a moment to gather himself.
His head still buzzing, his stomach still churning, sweat still leaking from his skin.
He probably looked like he had pneumonia.Dont pass out,he thought.
But not about the way she looked or smelled or the slightthshe substituted for everys.
He needed to say something that would offset the creepy look on his face.
Then it hit himhed tell her how much hed liked her poem.
He swallowed it back down, and tried again, no longer smiling.
Alicia cocked her head to the side.
Miles covered his mouth to block belch breath.
I was saying I His words caught again.I was saying I enjoyed your .
Suddenly it was more than just hiccups or burps.
Alicia took a step back, stared at him, a look of concern on her face.
Sorry, sorry, I .
He put a hand over his mouth, lurched forward.
