Chapter 45

• The instant the lunch bell rang, there was a sudden, chaotic eruption as every shifter kid in the classroom bolted for the door. It was as though they were all racing in a frantic competition to escape the confines of the classroom, eager to greet the freedom of lunchtime.
• I couldn't help but roll my eyes at their exuberance. Sure, I found Health and Wellness Studies mundane as well, but unlike my classmates, I wasn't frantically trying to shove my way through a throng of ten other students, all irrationally pushing and jostling to squeeze through the exit at the same time. Did they truly believe that by sprinting away, they could escape the boredom that gripped us all?
• Even though Mrs. Cain had seemed remarkably distracted today—just like all the teachers did throughout the entirety of that morning—the class wasn't all that bad. Surprisingly, I found myself engaged, especially when Alice, despite not being her typically animated self, delivered an intriguing explanation about the brain's capacity. I had never considered viewing the brain as a muscle before, but it suddenly made perfect sense. Just like any muscle in our bodies, the brain required regular "exercise" to maintain its fitness. For it to develop any kind of strength, or even just to stay in shape, a consistent regimen was necessary.