I walk inside the classroom the next day with a big smile on my face. “Good morning!”
They wave in return as their greeting. I look around and notice Annalise’s absence. I put my purse on the table and move around it in the front to start the class.
“Hello!” I flinch at the loud voice entering the class. I look at the curly brown-haired intruder.
All the children clap their hands excitedly and smile widely. He winces when he notices me. “I’m so sorry. I thought Annalise was gonna be here. I really didn’t know.”
I shake my head and offer him a small smile. I pick up a sheet of paper and write on it. ‘She wasn’t here when I arrived.’
He looks at the paper intently."Oh, that's weird. Maybe she'll be here later."
I nod and write again. 'Do you need something?'
He reads it with a slight
