Alina began the lesson.
The class responded well, as always. They answered questions. They wrote in their notebooks. They followed along with the exercises. It was a good lesson, a solid lesson, the kind of lesson that Alina would normally be proud of.
But something felt off.
Alina noticed it almost immediately.
Boo was not paying attention.
At all.
Usually, even when he talked too much or interrupted or floated in circles while she was explaining, he was still present in his own chaotic way. He absorbed things while pretending he wasn't. He listened while making noise. He learned while causing chaos.
But today, he sat unusually still, his floating form slightly lower than usual, hovering just above his desk instead of his usual bobbing height. His chin was resting on his hand, his elbow propped on the desk, his whole posture drooping.
His eyes drifted toward the empty seat.
Drake's seat.
