Flashtober, 2026

Teacher

Flip it over your knuckles. Tap tap tap your fingers on the side. Wedge the wood between your teeth and bite down hard. Dig the graphite into the table. Let the tip grind down, crumble into silver dust. Rap the wood on the edge of the desk. Once LOUD. Twice quiet as the heads turn to look. Does the lacquer peel off if you scratch hard enough? Is there still yellow paint under my nails?

You can take away my toys and erasers. You can ban my slap bracelets, fidget spinners, and stickers. But I need my pencil to learn.