Chapter 204: Chapter 204 Heart (2)
Drake slapped his chest with his chubby hand. "Yes!! Teacher, mine is like BOOM BOOM BOOM!! Maybe I have two hearts like dragon??"
"Dragon? But you’re dragon right???" Boo asked, tilting his head upside down in confusion.
"Stupeeeeed!" Drake groaned, covering his round cheeks with both hands. "Yes, I am dragoooon but I heard somewhere different dragon’s have two hearts!!" He peeked between his fingers, whispering dramatically, "Old Granny Dragon who works at my home told me story..."
Alina raised her brows, curious. "Oh? What kind of story, sweetheart?"
Drake straightened proudly, his wings twitching. "She said looong ago, great fireee dragon warriors had TWO hearts—one for fire and one for love!" He spread his arms wide, nearly knocking Boo off who is floating near him. "Fire heart go BOOM BOOM BOOM when they fight! And love heart go BOOM BOOM BOOM when they see shiny treasures... or cake!!"
Boo gasped loudly, floating in circles. "Waaaahh! Then teacher, does that mean Drake’s second heart is already stolen by cake??"
"Cake???" Luna made a face, her ears flicking. "No way. If dragon’s love heart is for cake then that’s silly!"
Drake crossed his arms with a serious pout. "Not silly! Granny said dragons need BOTH hearts to be strongest! If you lose love heart, then your fire heart becomes lonely and you can’t breathe fire properly!"
Kelpie blinked, droplets splashing from his hair. "But Drake... you burned teacher chair just fine last week..."
Everyone burst into giggles, and Drake’s cheeks turned red. He waved his arms furiously. "That was accident!!! My fire heart was too excited!!!"
Alina pressed her lips together, struggling not to laugh at his proud little face. "Alright, alright. One heart or two, they all go BOOM BOOM to keep us alive. No more burning chair or anything, okay?"
Drake puffed his cheeks and muttered, "Hmph... but teacher, dragons are special. Maybe I really have two..."
Alina walked over towards Drake..bent slightly so her eyes were level with his, her lips twitching into a smile. "Sweetheart, you only have one heart, just like everyone else. But—" she tapped his chest gently, right where his little hand was resting, "—it’s such a strong dragon heart that it might feel like two sometimes."
Drake’s amber eyes lit up instantly. "See!! Teacher admit dragon hearts are stronger!!" He flapped his wings proudly, nearly smacking Boo in the face.
"Hey!! Boo’s ghost heart is stronger! Boo’s heart is invisible, no one can touch it!" Boo spun dramatically, clutching at his chest and floating upside down. "Boom boom of Boo is... spooky."
Everyone giggled, and Alina shook her head, amused. "Alright, alright. Each one of you has a heart, and all hearts are special. Now let’s do something fun—put your hand on your chest, right here." She pressed her own hand over her heart. "Can you feel it?"
The classroom grew quiet for a moment as tiny hands pressed against chests. Luna’s ears twitched in wolf form, her golden brown eyes blinking wide. "Teacher!! Mine is really going boom boom!!" she said proudly.
Rocky hand resting on his stone-patterned skin. "Mine is... quiet... but I feel it! Like little pebble rolling inside!"
Kelpie tilted his head curiously. "Mine is splashing... like tiny wave inside tummy!"
Felix leaned against his desk, grinning with his sharp little fox teeth. "Mine is racing because sweets are still inside!"
Alina laughed softly, her chest warming at how innocent they all looked. "Yes, yes! That’s your heart working. It goes faster when you run, slower when you rest. But no matter what, it never stops."
Drake puffed again, raising both arms dramatically. "Teacher!! If mine is super strong dragon heart, maybe it’s so powerful it goes faster than everyone else! Listen, listen!!" He grabbed Boo’s hand and pressed it against his chest.
Boo’s eyes went huge. "Ohhhhh!! Teacher!! Drake’s heart is trying to beat out of his chest!! Maybe he really has two!!"
The whole class burst into laughter, Alina included. She shook her head helplessly, smiling at their antics. "One heart or two, dragon or ghost... all of your hearts are precious. That’s why teacher wants you to eat well, play well, and love each other well."
"Eat well! Yes teacher!!" Drake shouted, slapping his chest proudly.
"Play well!!! Yes teacher!!!" Boo echoed, wiggling his ghostly body in a dramatic spin, making his classmates giggle.
"Love each other well..." Sable’s voice was soft, almost shy. His small fingers played with his shadow, which curled protectively around him. His eyes, usually calm, flickered with something deeper. Every time Luna bragged about her daddy, a part of him ached. He didn’t have a daddy. He didn’t have a mommy either.
He lowered his head, hiding behind his bangs as he thought—why not him? Why did he not get parents who would pat his head or tell him they loved him? Still, in the corner of his heart, there was hope. Boo sometimes laughed with him, and lately even Vlad Jr. had started talking to him more. Maybe... maybe one day, he could be friends with everyone. Maybe one day, they’d love him too.
And right then, Luna ruined the moment with a huff, crossing her arms. "Teacher! Boo never loves anyone! He only loves gossip!!"
Boo gasped so loudly he floated up in mock outrage. "Nonsense!! Boo loves many things—snacks, naps, and... maybe gossip, a little bit!!" He clutched his chest dramatically, and the whole class burst out laughing.
Even Sable giggled softly, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.
Alina noticed Sable’s little face looking lonely while the rest of the babies chattered happily with each other. His eyes followed them, but his hands only played with his shadows. The sight tugged at her heart.
"Everyone come here!!!" Alina clapped her hands, her voice cheerful and inviting. The babies blinked in confusion, then curiosity won them over. One by one, they shuffled toward the front, Luna bouncing on her feet, Drake dragging his wings noisily, and Boo floating upside down as usual.