absorbed

in each of their own worlds

the question stretches

like bubble gum

and

deflates

as some stir awake

with distant eyes, and minds

the answer is muttered

while chalk talks with the blackboard

proving whoever said x was wrong

it was y all along

but that was expected

the room is still quiet

though there are now smiles beneath the masks

knees bounce under the desks

as fingers text

slowly fill the chatroom with messages

til the teacher's voice fills the air

"today we'll be starting on..."

and papers rustle

pencils click

just in time for the anthem.