This is chapter four and five of a series. It will make a lot more sense if you read them in order.
Thursday (Sophie is missing)
He walked into his classroom on Thursday, looking forward to the day. He had remembered his umbrella today and good thing as the rain had not let up since yesterday. He hung his slightly wet raincoat up in the closet. He realized he was smiling as he walked back to his desk.
His new outlook was invigorating, he liked feeling this way. He couldn't remember why he had fallen into such despair before. He found it so much easier to have a positive outlook and look for the goodness all around him. The bad stuff would be there, he knew that, but now he just didn't seem to care about it as much.
He was early again so he went to his door. He exchanged smiles and greetings with many students as they passed in the hall. Why were they all of a sudden so friendly to him? He couldn't believe such a simple change of outlook could change everything else so drastically. He heard a male voice next to him and he turned to see a boy holding up his hand. He gave him a high five and the student smiled and continued into the room. Doc Smith followed him with his eyes and wandered back to his desk.
The class flew by as they had started to do for him. He almost wished they were longer as he felt he had so much knowledge to share with them. The time expired and they filed out. He sat behind his desk and started to gather up his materials. He looked up to see an empty classroom. She was probably delayed in her other class, he thought and picked up his folder.
He looked at his watch and saw it had been 10 minutes since the end of class. He walked to the door and the hallway was light with students. A few of them greeted him but the one he was looking for was not there. He felt a small surge of sadness as he looked desperately down the hall. He saw a young girl standing at her locker with shoulder-length brown hair. She was wearing a cute schoolgirl outfit and his heart lifted.
He stared at her as she worked in her locker. She closed the door and started to walk towards him. His heart felt heavy as he saw the pretty girl look at him and smile. She said hello to him and he responded. It was not her. He confirmed it as he watched her ass swing under the short skirt. An evil thought crossed his mind and he diverted his eyes before he got too creative.
He made it to the door again and saw the rain still falling. He felt like he may have to start looking for an ark soon. Two women approached the door and he heard them groan. He turned to them and saw they only had briefcases and purses.
"Ladies, please take this." He said to them, holding out his umbrella.
"No, no, that's ok. We will be fine." The first one said.
"Don't be silly. My name is Doc Smith and I am in room 134 right down the hall. Use it and bring it back tomorrow." He said, putting the umbrella in her hand.
"Thank you so much. You are so kind." They said and smiled wide at him.
He watched them scramble to their car with his umbrella keeping them dry. He thought of their smile and a surge of happiness hit him. Sophie would be proud of him again. The thought of her made him smile but then he felt a little darkness enter his heart as he realized he had not seen her bright eyes today.
He began to walk towards his car. He was fighting the sadness, she would want him to be stronger than that. He took a deep breath and held the door open for two women. He smiled at them as they thanked him. He felt a resurgence of lightness in his heart. He continued to his car and vowed to himself he would make it to tomorrow. She would be back then and all would be well.
