Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

taught because he absolutely loved it. Some of the other students

didn?t get him and said he was a wannabe British snob, but Helen

thought he was one of the best teachers she?d probably ever have.

?Miss Hamilton,? he said broadly as Helen stepped through the

door, the bell ringing at exactly the same time. ?Punctual as usual.

I?m certain you will be taking the seat next to your cohort, but first,

a warning. Any exercise of that talent for which one of you earned

the sobriquet Giggles and I shall separate you.?

?Sure thing, Hergie,? chirped Claire. Helen slid into the desk next

to her. Hergie rolled his eyes at Claire?s mild disrespect, but he was

pleased.

?It is gratifying to know that at least one of my students knows

that ?sobriquet? is a synonym for ?nickname,? no matter how impertinent

her delivery. Now, students: another warning. As you are

preparing for your SATs this year, I shall expect you all to be ready

to give me the definition of a new and exciting word every

morning.?

The class groaned. Only Mr. Hergeshimer could be sadistic

enough to give them homework for homeroom. It was against the

natural order.

?Can impertinent be the word we learn for tomorrow?? asked

Zach Brant anxiously.

Zach was usually anxious about something, and he had been

since kindergarten. Sitting next to Zach was Matt Millis, who

looked over at Zach and shook his head as if to say, ?I wouldn?

?t try

that if I were you.?

Matt, Zach, and Claire were the AP kids. They were all friends,

but as they got older they were starting to realize only one of them

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