Chapter 81 Trial ends
However, just as Alina was about to help Kelpie with his upside-down numbers, she heard the door click open behind her. She paused mid-sentence, chalk still in her hand, her heart doing a tiny somersault in her chest.
Standing in the doorway were Principal Dante, tall and dark like a midnight storm, Gabriel beside him with his soft, radiant smile, Miss Kelly clutching her clipboard tight to her chest, and Professor Hobb peering in over his glasses like a curious old owl.
The babies all froze. Boo stopped floating mid-spin and squeaked, nearly falling onto Sable’s desk. Drake sat up so fast his chair screeched against the floor. Lucian, who had been writing neat tiny numbers, perked up the tiniest bit, his eyes softening when he saw Dante. He bit his lip, trying so hard not to smile too wide, but his ears turned pink and gave him away.
Alina quickly set pressed her palms together to stop them from trembling. "Sir, you’re... here?" she asked Dante, trying not to look directly into his sharp, unreadable eyes. Calm down, she scolded herself. It’s just the principal, your angel co-worker, the scary Professor Hobb, and Miss Kelly — calm down!
Gabriel stepped forward first, his voice so gentle it felt like warm sunlight after a storm. "It’s the sixth day, Miss Alina," he said with a kind tilt of his head. "Tomorrow is Sunday, so your trial period ends today."
Alina’s stomach flipped. Trial... the trial ends today? She hadn’t even realized how tight she was gripping her chalk until she felt the dust on her fingertips.
She forced a shaky smile. "I... I see. I see," she breathed out, but her pulse was drumming loud in her ears.
Gabriel saw it, he always did. He reached out and brushed his hand gently over her shoulder. He looked so soft and bright in that moment, his smile glowing like an angel’s halo. "Don’t be scared," he said, his voice so calm that even the babies leaned forward to listen. "We’re not the ones judging you, Alina."
He turned then, his long hair brushing against his shoulder, and faced the little ones. "Your students will decide if you stay in this kindergarten or not."
Alina’s eyes widened. She blinked, her mouth parting in a tiny squeak. They... they decide? She looked out at her babies — each tiny face staring back at her.