No I will not put the gang on a literal cargo ship they did that in The Llama Incident already. The Cargo Ship trope is when a character is shipped with an inanimate object.
There are references to Backwards to School Night and Some Like it Yacht so just a warning if you want to see the episodes first before reading.
1. Introducing a Friend
Mrs. Murawski patted the wooden chair she'd spent the entire weekend smoothing out (her classes were used to never getting tests back on the dates she promised anyway). She hoped Oakley would like his new friend. The poor dear always got lonely when the school locked up for the night and on holidays.
It was a shame Oakley couldn't fit into her car so she could take him home. He would've loved the fresh forest smell of her study.
She unlocked the door of her classroom, carefully wheeling the wooden chair inside. "Hello, Oakley," she purred, running her finger up his leg. "Miss me, big guy? Of course you did. I have a surprise for you."
She wheeled the chair behind him, grinning. "Oakley, meet Annie. Annie, meet Oakley. Oh, and Annie, sweetie, if you try to steal Oakley from me I will personally take you to the chainsaw and feed your remains to the woodpeckers."
2. How to Mourn an Inanimate Object For Socially Awkward Boys
"I will never love again," Bradley groaned. "The way her levers shone in between my fingers, the gentle curve of her pink swirls, how her cold exterior hid a creamy, delicious delicacy..."
Good thing it was her free period.
"Your romance was short-lived, huh?" Mrs. Murawski asked. She'd debated taking Oakley along, but it was for the best that he had remained at the school. Otherwise he probably would've ended up as tribute.
"She was too beautiful for this cruel, unforgiving world," Bradley slammed his head on his desk, his angsty love poem crumpled in his hand. "Carla! Please come back!"
"You really loved her," Mrs. Murawski said softly. "I can't imagine what I'd do without Oakley myself. I don't imagine I'd ever love another desk. Not even if it was made out of the most expensive mahogany. Tell me, what do you think Carla would want?"
Bradley sniffed. "For me to enjoy an ice cream cone. But I can't even look at dessert right now. They all remind me of her."
She offered a tiny smile. "These things take time. Maybe you won't be able to eat dessert today, tomorrow, or even next week. And that's fine. I'm sure Carla would understand. One day, you'll be able to do these things again."
"You really think so?" Bradley asked.
"I know so," Mrs. Murawski nodded, then flinched when she spotted Bradley's fingers covered in tears and ink stains. "I'll come over with the tissue box. Please don't touch Oakley with those hands."
3. Backpack Always Has My Back
Mrs. Murawski was on her way to the teachers' lounge when a display of posterboards outside an English classroom caught her eye. The prompt was to put together a posterboard that described an object with sentimental value to the student.
Some were standard, such as a collection of stamps and trading cards.
Naturally, she found Milo Murphy's project towards the end. The material was slightly singed at the corners, but still usable. A photo of Milo holding his backpack was displayed in the middle of the board.
My old babysitter Veronica gave me this backpack, which I never leave home without! While I don't get to see her that often because her job at Ye Olde Pizza eats up a lot of time, my backpack will always remind me of the fun times we had when I was little!
I keep everything in here because my backpack has proven time and time again that it's trustworthy, reliable, and contains twenty homes away from home! Maybe more than that! I don't know what I'd do without it, because it's gotten me out of a lot of pinches.
Here's hoping that my backpack will be my loyal partner, friend, and family for a long time. And to my backpack, I know you probably can't read this, since you're inanimate and all, but please know that you're the best backpack a boy could ask for.
Let me know if you come to life so I can tell you that to your face!
Mrs. Murawski smiled, and continued on her way. She wasn't the only one who appreciated the inanimate objects in her life, it seemed.
