Free Gabby Duran and the Unsittables by Elise Allen Page B

turn into something
you’re pretty much just like that thing, so breathing isn’t really an issue. Or maybe breathing isn’t an issue for you anyway. You know what, Wutt? When we get some time,
I’d love to learn all about your planet.”
    “Are you talking to your math book?”
    Disgust dripped from the all-too-familiar voice, and Gabby looked up to see Madison Murray right in front of her. Madison also wore concert dress, but her black skirt and white ruffled blouse
looked so impeccable it made Gabby feel small and rumpled. Madison’s arms were folded and her mouth curled, and Gabby found it highly annoying that even like that, she still looked really
pretty.
    “Talking to my math book?” Gabby laughed. “No! That would be ridiculous. More than ridiculous. Ridonculaciallous.”
    “That’s not a word,” Madison said. She pulled a small notebook and a pen from the purse slung over her shoulder. “I’m afraid as second period hall monitor
it’s my duty to write you up. One slip for loitering in the halls during class time, one for disturbing the peace by talking out loud to your textbook, and one for massacring the English
language.” Madison efficiently ripped off all three sheets, then handed them to Gabby. “I’ll escort you to class to make sure you share these with your teacher. I do hope you
don’t get after-school detention. That would keep you away from the concert, and you can’t possibly play a solo at a concert you don’t even attend.”
    Madison’s smug look made it very clear that she would
love
it if Gabby got detention.
    “You really don’t have to walk me to class, Madison. I promise I’ll show Ms. Wilkins the notes.”
    “Citations,” Madison clarified. “And of course I’ll walk you. It’s my duty.”
    Madison clip-clopped down the hall on low heels that matched her skirt and looked far more formal than Gabby’s own black canvas sneakers. For Wutt’s protection and her own sanity,
Gabby stayed two steps behind Madison and willed Wutt to remain still.
    Yet the longer Wutt
did
stay still, the more Gabby worried.
Should
the girl be flipping her pages? Was she all right? Did she need anything?
    Gabby fell back a couple more steps and held the book to her mouth. “You okay, Wutt?” she whispered. “If you are, give your pages a little flutter.”
    Madison wheeled around as they arrived at Gabby’s class…and saw Gabby with her lips pressed to the math book. Madison’s eyes narrowed, and she again pulled out the notebook and
pen. She scribbled a note, then ripped it off the pad and handed it to Gabby.
    “‘Citation for Inappropriate Public Display of Affection with a Textbook,’” Gabby read. “Is that even a thing?”
    Madison pulled open the classroom door and cleared her throat loudly. Gabby’s entire science class turned in their seats and stared. Satchel waved.
    “Yes?” Ms. Wilkins’s eyes bugged behind her glasses. “Bugged” was a general theme for Ms. Wilkins. In addition to the thick lenses that magnified her eyes and the
endless creatures buzzing around the room’s apiaries, ant farms, and terrariums, she always wore bug-themed clothing and jewelry. Today’s theme was apparently cockroach.
    “Ms. Wilkins,” Madison said officiously, “since Gabby Duran is fifteen minutes late, I have delivered her to you personally, along with multiple citations for ill behavior in
the halls. Gabby?”
    Gabby held out the sheets of paper. Ms. Wilkins took them and crumpled them into a small ball. “Thank you so much, Madison,” she chirped, “but I already received written
permission for Gabby to arrive late.” She tossed the citations in the trash.
    Gabby would have enjoyed Madison’s drop-jawed horror more if she had any idea how it happened. How did she get written permission to be late?
    Ms. Wilkins leaned in close. “That was so kind of you to run to the flower store and have a bouquet sent to the hospital. I do hope your aunt Edwina gets better