After that, the class settled down as much as they ever could. Their chatter didn’t stop, though. Between every few seconds, soone whispered, "Teacher shouldn’t leave again," or, "Next ti, we’ll protest even louder!"
Alina pretended not to hear, though her cheeks ward as she turned toward the chalkboard. Ten minutes before recess, she decided to shift the mood.
"Alright, class," she began softly, tapping the chalk against the board to draw their attention. "Today we’ll learn sothing important, how to respect our elders."
Boo groaned dramatically. "But Teacher, we already respect you!"
"I know," she said with a patient smile. "But I’m talking about everyone—your parents, your teachers, and even people you don’t always agree with. Sotis grown-ups make mistakes or say things that sound unfair, but that doesn’t an we stop being kind."
The class went unusually quiet. Little heads tilted, eyes round with curiosity.
She continued gently, her tone soft and thoughtful. "And rember when I told you I was away because soone in my family was sick? Do you all know what sickness ans?"
A few shook their heads, while others hesitated uncertainly.
Alina knelt so they could see her face clearly. "It ans the body or mind isn’t feeling well. When that happens, we don’t get angry or scared. We take care of each other. That’s what being strong really ans."
Drake raised his hand hesitantly. "So when I cough fire, am I sick?"
Alina bit back a laugh. "Only if you cough on your howork," she teased.
The classroom filled with giggles once more, the sound so full of life that it made her chest ache in the sweetest way. Even the shy ones like Rocky and Sable couldn’t help but smile, their eyes glinting with quiet warmth. When the laughter finally began to fade, Alina clasped her hands together and spoke again, her voice gentle but steady.
"You see," she said, looking around the room, "sickness isn’t sothing to be afraid of. Everyone gets sick sotis—humans, dragons, wolves, vampires, even ghosts."
Boo gasped. "Ghosts can’t get sick!"
Alina smiled. "Maybe not with fevers or coughs, but even ghosts can feel tired or sad, right?"
Boo hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Hmm... sotis I feel heavy and float lower."
"Exactly," Alina said softly. "That’s what I an. When soone doesn’t feel well, whether in their body or in their heart, it’s our job to be kind to them. We don’t laugh, we don’t get angry. We help."
The class grew quiet again. Drake’s wings folded neatly behind him, and even Luna, usually so angry, lowered her ears thoughtfully.
Sable raised his tiny hand, his voice timid but sincere. "So when Teacher was away, you were helping your family feel better?"
Alina’s heart lted. "Yes," she said with a warm smile. "Soone I love wasn’t feeling well, so I stayed to take care of them. But now they’re better, and that ans Teacher is back."
Drake’s hand shot up next. "If you get sick next ti, can we co and take care of you?"
Her breath caught softly at his earnest expression. She blinked, touched. "That’s very sweet, Drake," she said warmly. "But you’d all probably end up setting my house on fire or turning my pillows into treasure chests."
A chorus of giggles followed, but behind it was a wave of affection so pure it filled the room like sunlight.
Alina smiled and continued softly, her voice carrying over the gentle hum of their laughter. "Always rember, being kind doesn’t make you weak. It makes you brave. It ans you have a heart that can heal others."
The children listened quietly, their small faces glowing with understanding. Even Boo, who could never stay still, hovered silently for once, as if soaking in every word.
Then, the bell rang, its chi echoing through the corridor, and in an instant, the room exploded with motion. Chairs scraped, tails wagged, wings flapped, and within seconds every single baby had vanished out the door, except one.
Boo floated in the middle of the room, his ghostly glow bright with excitent. "Teacher!" he squealed, spinning in the air. "Finally! After so long, we’re going to do gossip, right?"
Alina laughed softly, resting her hands on her hips. "Oh dear, gossip, is it?"
Boo nodded so fast his little puff of hair swirled around like cotton candy. "Yes, yes! Very important business, Teacher! Gossip keeps the soul healthy!"
She chuckled, shaking her head. "I agree," she said with a small smile, humoring him.
"Teacher gossip is very important today," Boo whispered dramatically, floating closer like he was about to share a royal secret.
"Oh really?" Alina teased, raising a brow. "More important than all the other gossip you’ve told before?"
"Ah, nu nu!" Boo said quickly, waving his tiny hands. "All gossip is important! Boo’s gossip is like daily vitamins! If no gossip, Boo will vanish from sadness!"
Alina laughed so hard she had to lean against the desk for support. "You and your vitamins? Little one, do you even know what that is?" she said between giggles.
"Of course I know!" Boo puffed up proudly. "Elder ghosts talk about vitamins all the ti! Or potions! They say it keeps Boo shiny and strong!" He spun midair, glowing brighter in excitent.
Alina covered her mouth, laughing softly. "Alright then, my Gossip King. What’s the great royal news today?"
Boo puffed his tiny chest and lowered his voice to a whisper so dramatic that even the empty chairs seed to lean closer. "Well, do you know the Principal?"
Alina looked at him flatly. "Boo," she said in a warning tone.
"Hehehe," Boo giggled, slapping his own forehead. "Of course you know! Silly Boo! Sotis my brain floats away before I do!"
"Don’t do that," Alina said gently, catching his little hand midair before he could hit himself again. "You’ll hurt yourself, even if you’re made of glow."
Boo nodded solemnly for exactly two seconds. Then his eyes sparkled again. "So! Today’s gossip is that the Principal wants your attention because he thinks he needs your knowledge more than us babies!"
Alina blinked. "Excuse ?"
Boo nodded so hard he twirled in the air. "Yes, yes! I saw him standing by the window with a notebook! He was listening to your whole lesson about kindness! His face was like this—" Boo puffed up his cheeks and crossed his eyes dramatically.
Alina burst into laughter again, her voice bright and warm. "Oh, Boo," she said, wiping her eyes. "I’m sure the Principal was just checking on the class, not spying for wisdom."
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