"My name is August," I said, and yeah, I kind of mumbled it.

"Oh, interesting," answered Ms. Petosa, looking at me. "So, are you into Star Wars, August?"

"What's a Padawan thing?" said Ms. Petosa, smiling at me.

"It's from Star Wars," answered Julian. "A Padawan is a Jedi apprentice."

"My name is August," I said louder, forcing myself to look up. "I, um… have a sister named Via and a dog named Daisy. And, um… that's it."

"Like a lamb to the slaughter": Something that you say about someone who goes somewhere calmly, not knowing that something unpleasant is going to happen to them.

"Wonderful," said Ms. Petosa. "Anyone have questions for August?"

I Googled it last night. That's what I was thinking when Ms. Petosa called my name and suddenly it was my turn to talk.

"Wait, I have a question for August," said Julian, raising his hand. "Why do you have that tiny braid in the back of your hair? Is that like a Padawan thing?"

"Can you speak up, honey?" said Ms. Petosa.

"Okay, you're next," said Ms. Petosa to Jack.

No one said anything.

"What?" said someone.

"Yeah." I shrug-nodded.

"Jango Fett."

"Okay, guys, you can talk about Star Wars stuff at recess," said Ms. Petosa cheerfully. "But let's keep going. We haven't heard from you yet," she said to Jack.

I peeked at Julian and he was looking at me. Yeah, he knew what he was saying.

"I guess." I nodded, not looking up because what I really wanted was to just slide under the desk.

"What about Darth Sidious?" he said. "Do you like him?"

"Who's your favorite character?" Julian asked. I started thinking maybe he wasn't so bad.

Now it was Jack's turn to talk, but I admit I didn't hear a word he said. Maybe no one got the Darth Sidious thing, and maybe Julian didn't mean anything at all. But in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Darth Sidious's face gets burned by Sith lightning and becomes totally deformed. His skin gets all shriveled up and his whole face just kind of melts.