*SIX MONTHS LATER*

        Today was a great day. Almost as great as the first day of school. Today was graduation day. He wasn't going to be a first year any more. Instead, he was going to be a second year. Then he was going to get two months off for summer break!

        When Fang walked into the classroom that morning, he could tell that a big celebration was going to happen today. There were streamers everywhere. Treats and bones were on the table and each had a name tag. The treats and bones were for the dogs that graduated today. Fang already knew he had passed this year. The whole year he had gotten better and better, even Pumpkin had. Fang had worked and studied super hard for the final test of the year, and did everything with ease. Princess had almost gotten to pumpkin by saying that he wasn't going to pass the test because he was so small. But Fang had cheered him up and Pumpkin had done well on the test also. All three friends had grown and gained a lot of progress throughout the year, and were excited for today.

        Fang could hear Pumpkin's voice and smell him from the hallway. He was excited about something, and Fang could guess what.

        Pumpkin rushed into the classroom. He was super excited for today. He was going to graduate! At first, Pumpkin thought that he wasn't going to graduate. But Kati had called the night before and told Pumpkin's owner that Pumpkin was going to graduate. He had been so excited, that he could barely sleep! But then Pumpkin reminded himself that if he wasn't going to fall asleep or fall off the stage, he was going to have to get some rest, and he finally did.

        The first dog Pumpkin saw in the classroom, was Fang. Pumpkin could tell that Fang either took a bath last night or this morning from how nice and clean he looked and smelled.

        "Freshen up, buddy?" Pumpkin asked Fang.

        "Sure did!" Fang told Pumpkin. "Do you think that all three of us will graduate?"

        "I'm sure we will.", Pumpkin answered. "I just hope Rosy and Rusty don't graduate with us. Then we will never get away from them!"

        Rosy and Rusty are two Golden Retriever twins that like to always like to hang around Pumpkin, Bella, and Fang. They always wanted to be in the center of attention and claimed to not have 'any other friends' other than those three. Even though one time Bella, Fang, and Pumpkin avoided them all day and saw them hanging around a whole crowd of people that they seemed to know quite well. Luckily, they have also been annoying the teachers as well. So hopefully, They won't graduate this year.

        "You said it!" Fang exclaimed. Look, here comes Bella!"

        Bella walked slowly through the hallway. Last night had been the worst night ever. Bella had just gotten home from school, when she realized something was wrong. She could smell it in the air. Bella walked through the dog door, into the house, but no one was there. She had been home alone before when her family had to go somewhere or do something important. So Bella was used to it. So she walked into the kitchen and found her food bowl full. Well Bella ate a few bites, saving some for later. After that, she decided to go lay down to get some rest until her family returned. That's when Bella found out.

      Bella woke up to her youngest family member, Sasha, petting her. But something was wrong. Everyone was sad. But why? Bella walked up to put her head on Sasha's dad's leg. "Bella. I have something to tell you girl," Sasha's dad had said. "You might be upset, and we're here for you." He took a deep breath. "Bella, your mom died." That's when Bella's world fell apart. Bella and her mom were super close. She was the only one Bella could go to for her problems. And now, she was gone. Sasha's dad's voice snapped her back to reality. "She died in her sleep so she didn't suffer. She was old after all."

        Bella was still thinking about what happened the night before. Her mom, dead? This must be an alternate dimension or something and everything is actually the opposite of what it really is. No, this had actually happened. Bella's mom had actually died, and now she believed that she might not graduate. Bella kept telling herself to wake up and that this was all just a dream. But she didn't wake up, and that's when she knew, that this was all a living nightmare.

        Fang was excited that Bella had finally come. He thought that she never would! But Fang's excitement faded when he saw Bella's face. It was filled with sorrow. Bella walked in without noticing Fang and Pumpkin. So Fang went over to talk to her.

        "What's wrong Bella?" Fang asked her. "You walked in looking at the ground and didn't even notice us."

        "I'll tell you later," Bella said quietly. "Look, we're leaving to go to the theater for the graduation."

        Bella was right. The last of the adults in the room were leaving, and Kati was gathering the dogs together in a line. Fang wanted so badly to know what was bothering Bella, but he had to get in line so that he wouldn't miss the graduation ceremony.

        As Fang, Bella, and Pumpkin entered the theater with the class, they realized that they were the last class in the room. Because of this, they thought they had to sit in the back row. But apparently, the new class every year had the whole front row reserved for them. So Fang and his friends went to go sit in the middle of the front row. Then, they waited for the ceremony to start.

        When the ceremony started, Connie started out with a big speech about how all of the students had grown that year and stuff like that. It was super boring though. Even Pumpkin was starting to nod off until Fang nudged him awake. Then finally, she got to the end of the ceremony.

        "...So I give to you now, these dogs that will be graduating!  Abigail, Abby, Agatha, Alex..."

        The a's went on forever! Fang just wanted to get out of there and run around outside for a bit. But Fang knew that after a's came b's and Bella's name started with a B. He didn't want to miss seeing Bella receive her certificate and hat. Especially now that she's in such a glum mood. Finally, Fang heard her name.

        "Bella!" Connie called into the crowd. Bella stood up with a surprised expression on her face. Fang couldn't see why though. She had done a wonderful job with everything over the year. Why would she doubt graduating? Bella smiled at the crowd as she received her reward. But Fang knew that smile. Bella was still upset about something and was using a fake smile to fool the crowd. Fang wanted so badly to know what was going on. Why couldn't Bella tell her best friends about her problem? Bella must have seen Fang's pleading look. Because she mouthed 'later', to him and walked off stage.

        Fang tried as hard as he could to stay awake. This was so boring! He would go outside, but then he might miss them calling his name. He fell asleep right in the middle of the d's. So many names! The next thing Fang knew, he was being shaken awake by Pumpkin.

        "Come on buddy!" Pumpkin said. "I know you're tired, but they won't wait for you forever!"

        So Fang walked up to the stage. Finally, his certificate and hat to show that he had graduated today. Wow. Fang thought. There sure were a lot of dogs in the crowd. Watching his every move. Waiting for this whole thing to be over. Fang shook himself. He shouldn't be thinking that way. It was his graduation day after all!

        After Fang sat down in his seat, he decided to get some fresh air. After all, it would be awhile until Pumpkin's name was called.

        As Fang walked outside, he saw that today was the perfect day. There were no clouds in the sky, and the birds were singing. Fang saw a squirrel and chased it. After chasing it, he realized that he should be getting back.

        When Fang returned to the theater, he heard Connie finishing the n's and starting the o's. He had made it just in time! Fang walked down the rows of chairs until he reached the front row.

        "Finally!" Pumpkin exclaimed. "I thought you wouldn't get back in time."

        Fang sat down right as he heard Princess's name. Everyone cheered for Princess as she walked up onto the stage. Well, everyone except for Fang, Pumpkin, and Bella. They were definitely not looking forward to seeing Princess next year. But who knows? She might change.

        The next name that was called, was Pumpkin's. He walked confidently up to the stage to receive his reward. Pumpkin looked super excited to have finally moved up to the next class. Fang knew how much he had grown that year, and how much he has learned. Pumpkin must be so proud.

        Fang was anxious to hear the r's. He really hoped that Rosy and Rusty didn't graduate. That would mean that Fang and his friends might have to break it to the two Retrievers that they were annoying. Rosy and Rusty would be heartbroken! Even though they are annoying, doesn't mean Fang would actually enjoy upsetting them.

        "Now for the R's," Connie announced. "Raccoon, Raisin, Rascal, Raspberry, Reba, Red, Ricco, Ripple, Rosa, Rosy, Roxy, Rudy, Ruffles, Russel, Ruth, and Ryder."

        "What?!" Pumpkin exclaimed. "Rosy and not Rusty? I just hope if Rosy still decides to hang around us, that it will be better than both of them."

        Fang couldn't believe it either. Rosy graduated and not Rusty. Fang wondered how that would affect them. Rosy and Rusty did everything together. But who knows? Rusty might make new friends, and not bother Fang, Pumpkin, or Bella anymore. He just hoped that Rosy would too. Even though Rusty makes friends easier than his sister.

        After the graduation, Fang was so relieved. His class was going to eat as soon as they returned from the graduation ceremony to eat. Fang was starving! He also couldn't wait until Bella told him and Pumpkin what was bothering her. Why was she so troubled?

         As Fang entered the classroom, he let out a yelp of excitement. Today was the best day ever! But then he remembered Bella. Fang looked around and spotted her beside Pumpkin. She still looked down. So he walked over to them.

        "Do you want to tell us what's wrong now?" Fang asked.

        "Sure," Bella answered. "Let's go over to our food dishes to talk."

        Fang nodded and walked over to his dish. He was finally going to find out why Bella was so upset.

        Bella cleared her throat. "It all started last night..."