Harris - Class 12B Fights Back

Miss Frost

Miss Frosts first day at Blue Valley School was a remarkably horrible day. The fifteen students of room 12B entered the classroom after the bell to find their new teacher listing rules on the board. Although her handwriting was stylish, the message in her perfectly-shaped words was anything but pleasant. Dreadful warnings such as no speaking, dont be lazy, and there will be severe punishments quickly filled the board. As the students took their seats, the briefest smile flickered across Miss Frosts face before she dumped eleven pages of handwriting worksheets on each of their desks.

The students looked from the worksheets to Miss Frost with hesitation and mistrust. Her teaching methods, it appeared, were without comparison to the classs previous teacher. In his short time in room 12B, Mr. Bambuckle had completely and utterly charmed the students with his surprising tricks and fantastical lessons.

Despite her icy disposition, Miss Frostin her sleek, wintry ensemblewas beautiful to look at. Her long, silver hair was brushed neatly into a high bun that she secured with a diamond bobby pin. The diamond glinted and glimmered in the light. Her eyes were deep gray-blue, and the students soon discovered that a single stare from their new teacher would send frightful shivers down their spines. They feared her from the get-go.

Hey, new teacher, whats your name? said Vex Vron, a dark-haired boy who dared to poke danger with a stick.

Miss Frost paced silently to the back of the room where Vex sat and tapped a fingernail on his desk. You speak with such little respect I pity your type. Her voice was nothing more than a whisper, though very much in command.

Vex scowled. Whatever.

Miss Frost lingered briefly at Vexs desk, her icy stare forcing him to look away. Such a troubled child, she sniffed. She walked back to the front of the room and picked up a marker, adding another rule to the board.

Any student who speaks out of turn from this point on will write two hundred lines at lunch. Discipline is the new order.

Miss Frost

Overcome by fear, the students in room 12B began working on their handwriting worksheets in silence. The only sound was Evie Nightingale chewing her fingernails. Evie was a small girl, and today, she was feeling even smaller.

Miss Frost moved stealthily around the students as they wrote.

What a ghastly K .

Have you never heard of sharpening your pencil?

Your G s are atrocious.

Your pencil grip is as poor as your attitude.

Do that beastly W again seventy-five times.

Miss Frost stopped at the desk of Victoria Goldenhorn, a girl whose handwriting was as immaculate as her long, blond hair. The teachers lips twitched as she inspected Victorias work. She couldnt fault it, and she didnt like the feeling of not being able to criticize. She tightened her lips and moved on to the next desk.

Who sits here? said Miss Frost, pointing to an empty chair.

Not one of the students was willing to risk an answer for fear of saying something wrong.

Miss Frost repeated the question, her whisper putting goosebumps on Evie Nightingales arms. I expect an answer. Where is this student?

The room was silent.

If you students had a brain between you, you would know when to speak and when not to.

Nobody spoke.

You there. She pointed to an orange-haired boy on the other side of the classroom. Who is missing today?

Peter Strayer, said Carrot Grigson, owner of the orange hair. In an attempt to soften the mood, he added, I like your bobby pin.

Miss Frost glared at Carrot. She raised a hand and gently touched the sparkling diamond with her fingertips. For a moment, she looked as though she was lost in thought, but she soon snapped out of it. You will never, ever , under any circumstance, mention my bobby pin. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.

Carrot gulped.

Miss Frost lowered her hand and stared fiercely at Carrot. To ensure you get the message, see me at lunch for detention.

Carrot gulped again. Louder this time.

Let that be a warning to all of you, said the teacher. Anyone who mentions my bobby pinor shows any disrespect, for that mattercan join me at lunch.

Damon Dunst, who had a strong sense of humor and wanted nothing more than to impress Victoria Goldenhorn, longed to say, Miss Frost, will you pay for my meal if I join you for a lunch date? He thought better of it and kept quiet.

With the students in room 12B frightened into submission, Miss Frost went back to prowling in search of a handwriting error.

Sit up straighter, or youll become a hunchback.

Rewrite that Z until it is perfect.

Your capital letters are disgraceful.

It was not until five minutes before morning recess that one of the students dared to put their hand up and speak. It was Victoria Goldenhorn.

What could you possibly want, young lady? said the teacher.