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.
