Chapter 78 Careful
After Alina’s warm language lesson, she let her babies have a short break. The classroom door burst open with tiny squeaks and giggles as they all ran outside to stretch their legs. Boo floated after them, spinning like a little ghost kite in the breeze. Drake shouted about racing Luna, and she growled at him in return.
Alina stayed behind, letting the peaceful silence settle in the room. She tidied up the chalkboard, stacked the picture cards, and placed the leftover star stickers back in her desk drawer. She poured herself a small glass of cool water and leaned against her desk, sipping slowly.
They did so well today, she thought fondly, a soft smile on her lips. Little stars, every one of them.
She was just about to peek outside when she heard the faintest squelch of wet footsteps. She looked up and saw Kelpie standing in the doorway alone — his soft blue hair dripping tiny droplets onto the floor, his shirt damp around the collar.
"Kelpie!" Alina called out, her voice warm but surprised. She put down her glass and stepped closer. "Sweetheart, why are you back so early? Break’s not over yet."
Kelpie blinked at her, eyes wide like a startled baby fish. He hugged his tiny hands together in front of his damp shirt, shifting his feet shyly on the floor.
Alina tilted her head and gave him her softest smile. "What did you do on your break, sweetheart?"
Kelpie’s cheeks turned a bit pink, but his eyes lit up like the sun sparkling on water. He rocked on his toes and whispered, "I... I turned on the water in the sink... and I played around..."
Alina let out a tiny giggle, her shoulders shaking. "Did you make a whole puddle again?" she teased gently, brushing a stray droplet off his hair.
Kelpie’s lips curved into the shyest smile. "M-Maybe," he squeaked. "It was fun..."