Lina
Jake... why are you holding your pen like it's a grenade?
Jake
Because it might explode at any second.
Lina
That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.
Jake
No, seriously! I was trying to fix it, and now it won’t stop leaking ink. I think I broke something inside it...
Lina
Jake, it’s a pen, not a bomb. Just put it down!
Jake
I can’t. If I move, ink will go everywhere. I already got some on my shirt.
Lina
Let me see—oh wow, your shirt looks like a smurf sneezed on it.
Jake
Don’t laugh! This is my only clean shirt. I would have worn another one, but my dog ate my laundry.
Lina
Sure he did. If I had a dollar for every excuse you make...
Jake
I’m serious! Anyway, what should I do?
Lina
You should have asked me before you opened it. I had a brand-new pen!
Jake
That’s not helpful now. What will happen if the teacher comes back?
Lina
Oh no. If she sees your hands, she’s going to think you robbed a printer!
Jake
Wait—I’ve got an idea. We can say I was working so hard that my pen exploded from effort.
Lina
That’s the worst excuse I’ve ever heard. But weirdly... it might work.
Jake
Or maybe I’ll just say you did it.
Lina
Me?! I’m the innocent one here!
Jake
Exactly. That’s what makes it believable. Nobody would suspect you.
Lina
If you blame me, I will never lend you a pen again.
Jake
Okay, okay. I’ll take the blame. But... do you have any extra shirts?
Lina
Yes, because I always carry some shirts in my bag... Just in case a classmate explodes his pen.
Jake
Hey, it could happen to anyone! This is the most dramatic English class in history.
Lina
Well, if you survive this, you might finally learn to bring your own working pen.
Jake
Next time, I’ll just use a pencil... Or maybe write with invisible ink. Safer for everyone.
