She manages a small curtsy by pulling her plaid skirt away from her chair and bowing her head. “Yeah, I’m an under-the-radar genius.”

“Okay,” Evelyn says loudly. “Everyone, get out of Caligula.” She glowers at the clock. “We have lots to do before the volunteer-trip assembly this afternoon.”

While everyone rustles through their bags for their books, I scan the pages of Abigail’s copy, paying special attention to the pages that have sticky notes on them. The door opens quickly, then slams shut, and Brendan comes in, humming loudly.

“Hey, Cham,” he says, and his purple tutu grazes my desk as he passes.

“Hey,” I squeak, not because I’m nervous, but just because I sometimes keep a mouse in my throat.

Abigail looks behind her as he passes. “That was random,” she says.

“Uh-huh.” My stomach is doing this weird thing. I’m probably just hungry.

Evelyn puts her piece of chalk down and turns to face us. “Okay, before we dive into Caligula, I want to discuss your final project,” she begins, twirling Caligula in her hand. “All I want is one speech to the class in which you formulate your beliefs into a coherent philosophy that answers this question.”

She turns to the board.

WHAT MAKES LIFE WORTH LIVING?

She smiles at us. “Back up your answer with examples from your life. This is a chance for you to connect experience with theory. Plus,” she says, like we’ve truly won the jackpot, “you get to talk about yourself!” She smiles, and the bright lights in the room illuminate the stubble growing past her buzz cut. “Any questions?”

Josie raises her hand and everyone turns to look at her. “I don’t get it.”

“Me either,” one of the hockey guys in the corner says. Evelyn sighs and pulls the Smart Board out. When she turns it on, a more cohesive project description pops up. There are phrases like Explore what makes us most human!, Determine your convictions!, and Present your theories to the class!

I glance behind me at Brendan, and he widens his eyes at me. I hide a smile and look back at Evelyn. “We’ve been reading all these different philosophers in class over the last few weeks,” she says, leaning on her desk. “Now I want to hear from you. What do you think about this life situation?” She waves her arms over her head, I guess to denote life. “No need to write a play or a book or a hypothetical situation; just examine your own life. It’s important that we start to bridge the gap between what we study and what we live,” Evelyn continues. “Especially before you go off to college.”

I look over at Abigail and she blinks dramatically. Cremate me now, I communicate to her.

“Now, let’s talk Caligula!” Evelyn turns the Smart Board off and holds her book up with both hands like a judge giving a score. “Let’s start with personal reactions. Go ahead, Josie,” Evelyn says, nodding to Josie’s incredibly straight arm, which shot up before Evelyn really started her sentence.