But when you’ve had the flu for three days and all you’ve eaten is soup, toast, and a little ice cream, getting through a Monday can feel like crossing the Sahara Desert. On foot. With no sunblock. And no Gatorade. And a very heavy book bag to drag around. The only good news was that Ms. Zangeist had apparently come down with the flu herself. And so did Mr. Sadler, the English teacher. I guess it sounds heartless to call that good news, but really—who hasn’t secretly celebrated when they learn a teacher is going to be out? Not only were our regular classes canceled, but we were being sent to the library for an extra free period. I walked to the library by myself. A note had been posted on the door. 1ST PERIOD ZANGEIST SOCIAL STUDIES 7 AND SADLER ENGLISH 7: SIGN IN WITH LIBRARIAN AND CONTINUE CLASSWORK. Someone tugged at my sleeve. I turned, and there was Tally, with a superlong, striped scarf wrapped around her neck so many times it looked like she was being attacked by a rainbow-colored boa constrictor.
