teacher reminded Tess of Abraham Lincoln, with less facial hair and no mole. Jenna liked to joke that Mr. Carpenter was apparently still waiting for his last growth spurt after she saw him at orientation. His clothes didn’t fit him right; they hung loosely from his body.

He made it to his desk at the front corner of the class just as the bell began to ring.

“Alright, everybody,” Mr. Carpenter said, “Welcome to Algebra 1. If you aren't supposed to be in Algebra 1, please find your way to your correct class now.”

One of Kelly's clique gasped, grabbed her things, and dashed from the room. A round of laughter erupted, mostly from her friends and Jeremy's troop.

Mr. Carpenter shook his head. “There's one every year.” He walked over to the board a...

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