And Then We All Stared At Her

A conversation in my creative writing classroom:

Me: Okay, so we have several workshop pieces for today's class. Are we ready?

Girl: Wait. Wait a second. SEVERAL? We have SEVERAL?

Me: Yes. Several.

Girl: SEVERAL?

Me: Yesssss... why?

Girl: When did we get that many?

Me: They were on the schedule.

Boy: What's wrong with you, Girl?

Me: Wait just a second. What's your definition of several?

Girl: Several is seven.

Everyone: --Blank stares--

Girl: Several doesn't mean seven?

Boy: NO!

Me: No.

Other Girl: Several is like three or four.

Girl: Really? It's not seven?