how i scared a very nice student

Completely unintentionally, of course. I assure you, it was all very innocent.

Elena (in a desperate attempt to distract me so I would not start class): Ms. Reed, when was the last time you plucked your eyebrows?

Me: Yesterday. I do that practically every day.

Which terrified Matthew, he having been only halfway paying attention, and therefore having heard "when was the last time you plucked", only without the P and the L. Which led him to substitute an alternative letter in their place. Yikes.