Chapter Sixteen..

As the first warning bell rings, my little Care Bears start to line up outside the classroom door in pairs. I'm standing at the door, and I quickly scan the lines, hoping to spot Ryder. My eyes roam over my Care Bears once, twice, three times before I accept the fact that he is not going to attend class today.

Deflated, I look at Sanz from the doorway and discreetly shake my head. Sanz shakes his head furiously as he runs his hands through his black mass of hair. Ryder is missing from the line, and my heart instantly drops with worry.

“Alright, Care Bears. Let's count in twos as you enter the room, please.” I plaster a smile on my face just for them. “And… I hope last night you all took the time to write your first entry in your new journals that you were given?”

“Yeeesss!” They cheer with enthusiasm.

“You are all so clever! I must be the luckiest teacher in the entire world. Am I right?” I smile at them.

“Yessss…” They cheer again in unison.

I clap my hands together, “Okey-d