Chapter 205: Chapter 205 Heart (3)
When they were gathered, Alina pointed at the open space. "We’re going to play in groups today! Teacher has divided you into teams of three. You’ll do activities together, help each other, and see how strong your hearts are when you work as one."
The babies exchanged glances, some excited, some suspicious, but all curious.
Alina announced the groups with a smile:
"Group one: Luna, Drake, and Sable."
Luna immediately crossed her arms. "Teacher! Why with him?? He’s too slow!" she pointed at Sable, who shrank a little under her glare.
But Alina only smiled gently. "Because I know Luna is strong, and Drake is brave, and together you can help Sable show his strength too."
Sable’s eyes widened at her words, a tiny flicker of hope lighting inside him.
"Group two: Vlad Jr., Boo, and Lucien."
Boo cheered and tried to hug Lucien, who stiffened instantly, his face pink. Vlad Jr. raised his brows like he had just been handed an impossible challenge.
"Group three: Rocky, Kelpie, and Felix."
Rocky blinked his big stone eyes. "But teacher, what if I turn into rock? They’ll have to carry me..." he muttered nervously.
"Then we’ll roll you like a ball!" Kelpie giggled, splashing a little water.
Felix smirked. "Don’t worry Rocky, I’ll supervise. I’m good at supervising."
Alina chuckled at all their reactions. "Alright, little ones. Today’s activity is about heart—how to care for each other, how to listen, and how to share your strength. Because our hearts aren’t just for us... they beat stronger when we are together."
The babies went quiet for a moment, as if the words sank deeper than they expected. Even Boo tilted his head thoughtfully, though he ruined it by whispering, "Does that mean if I hug teacher forever, my heart will never stop?"
Alina blushed and waved her hands quickly. "Boo!" she scolded, though she had to bite back a laugh. The other children immediately broke into giggles, some nearly falling over.
She clapped her hands to regain order. "Alright, everyone. It’s called the Heartbeat Chain."
The name alone made them curious. Drake’s eyes shone as he leaned forward on his desk. "What’s that??"
"It’s simple," Alina explained with a gentle smile. "First, put one hand on your chest and feel your heartbeat. Then, with your other hand, tap your friend’s shoulder in the same rhythm. They’ll copy it and pass it along until the beat comes back to you. Our hearts will be like one big circle."
She glanced around, her eyes warm as the children leaned closer to listen. "So today’s heartbeat game will be played in your groups. Each of you will make a small circle with your group and pass your heartbeat around until it returns to you. Ready?"
The babies shuffled into their groups. Drake immediately puffed his chest out like he was king of Group One, slapping his hand against his ribs so hard it echoed. "Mine is loud like dragon drums!! Boom boom boom!" he announced proudly. Luna scowled. "Idiot, that’s not heartbeat, that’s earthquake." Sable, stuck between them, tapped timidly but smiled shyly when his beat went through without breaking the circle. His little face lit up like he’d just won a cookies.
Group Two was chaos from the start. Boo floated upside down and insisted, "Boo heart goes boo-boo-booooo..." until Vlad Jr. hissed, "Stop acting like an idiot and follow the rhythm." Lucien, patient as ever, tapped calmly and kept the chain steady, his quiet smile making Boo actually focus for once. "Fine! Boo has handsome heart like Lucien!" Boo declared, sending everyone into giggles.
Group Three was the slowest but the cutest. Rocky curled halfway into pebble form, mumbling, "What if my stone-heart makes me too heavy to tap properly?" Kelpie splashed little water droplets with each tap until Felix whined, "You’re making my sleeve wet!" But when Felix’s turn came, he wagged his tails so happily the rhythm still worked, and all three of them laughed.
Once each group finished, Alina brought them together again. "See? Even in small teams, your hearts can beat together. And when we join them all, we make one big family heartbeat."
The bell rang and Alina watched as the babies dashed out in a flurry of laughter and chatter. Her gaze lingered on Sable, who looked happier than she had ever seen him. He practically bounced as he hurried forward, his little shadows flickering behind him like wagging tails.
"You’re not slow at all," Luna declared proudly, patting the top of Sable’s head with a firm little hand. His eyes lit up at her words, a rare brightness glimmering there, and he walked beside her with a smile that tugged at Alina’s heart.
Meanwhile, Drake pouted, wings twitching in irritation. He had wanted to race with Luna, to show off his speed and fiery dragon pride, but instead, she was walking slowly with Sable. He stomped the ground with his chubby foot, muttering, "Unfair..."
After everyone left, Alina lingered by the door, smiling softly. Just then, a faint whoosh brushed past her ear. She didn’t even need to look.
"Techeeeeer..." Boo’s voice whispered in a chilling, drawn-out tone right by her shoulder.
Alina turned her head, laughing. "Boo, really? You’re not even trying anymore. Teacher’s not scared."
Boo’s mouth fell open so wide it looked like a gaping O. "Not scared?? How?? Boo tried his creepiest voice!" He floated in circles, dramatically clutching his head.
"You’re too cute," Alina teased, reaching out to tap his round cheek. "How could teacher be scared of you?"
"Ooooooo..." Boo groaned like a disappointed ghoul, before suddenly perking up when she leaned closer with a conspiratorial smile.
"So, Gossip King, what’s your exclusive gossip about the principal today?" she asked playfully, expecting another silly story.
Boo’s expression turned oddly serious. "Ohhh... no gossip about principal this time. Boo found something else."
Alina blinked, startled by his tone. "Something else? What do you mean?"
He floated closer until his pale face was right in front of hers, his eyes glowing faintly. For a heartbeat, she couldn’t breathe. Then—images flickered inside her vision.