SPARK // Enoch O'Connor

chapter 3: Resfeber

"Ah, Adeira. I'm glad to see you've come to join us."

I nodded with a smile and followed Miss Peregrine towards Emma.

"Enoch, Emma. Mind pushing your chairs to the side for a moment?"

Great. She couldn't put me next to Emma and the girl with crazy hair. I just had to sit next to the annoying one.

Enoch and Emma shifted apart and made room for Miss Peregrine to place the chair. I awkwardly sat down in it, and quietly thanked the ymbryne. Emma passed me a plate and I began to scoop some apple flavored contents from large bowls in the center of the table onto my plate. Everyone began eating, and Enoch shifted strangely in his chair, as I myself began to eat. Before I could ask him what I possibly could be doing incorrectly, a nicely dressed boy cleared his throat.

"So what's your peculiarity?" Everyone began nodding and asking me questions. I started to shrink back in my chair. My hands folded nervously as Miss Peregrine glanced at me.

"Uh, well. I," I said, stuttering.

"Why don't you introduce yourselves, children," Miss Peregrine interrupted. She winked at me with a small smile, and I let out a breath of relief. The fancy-dressed boy across from me wiped his mouth and began to speak.

"My name is Horace Somnusson. It's a pleasure to meet you."

I smiled and looked to a girl to the left of Horace.

"Claire," she said lightly, with a shy smile.

"Hello," I grinned. Man was she a cutie.

"And you already know me," Miss Peregrine winked, at the head of the table.

People continued introducing themselves. After Miss Peregrine was Hugh Apiston, who was strangely wearing a bee-keeper's hat. Next to him was a girl named Fiona, then Emma and Enoch. When Enoch introduced himself, it came out more like a grunt than anything else. He avoided eye contact, and I shrugged it off. Next to Enoch was Millard, and Victor at the other head of the table. Following Victor was his sister Bronwyn, then Olive,who was tied down in chair fit for her small body, and 'the Twins' as Emma stated. Then it was back to Horace.

I smiled at them all and decided that it would only be polite to introduce myself as well.

"My name is Adeira Langston."

A few children said hello and I began to eat once more.

"Claire, why aren't you eating?" Miss Peregrine asked.

"She's embarrassed in front of Adeira," Hugh stated with his mouth full, chicken leg waving in his hand.

Before Miss Peregrine could scold Hugh, I took a sip of water and looked at Claire.

"You have nothing to be embarrassed about."

She smiled genuinely and lifted up her curls behind her head. I watched with round eyes as she began to eat with a second mouth. I raised my eyebrows, intrigued and looked back at my plate of food.

"Oh, Adeira," Horace began. "What is your peculiarity? I don't believe I previously received a response."

Why can't I just eat in peace.

I muttered a response and everyone leaned in. Someone asked what I said, and I repeated my answer. Again, nothing but a mutter escaped my lips.

"For bird's sake speak up will you!" Enoch said throwing his arms up. I glared at him and gritted my teeth.

"I said," everyone leaned in even further.

"I. Don't. Know."

~ ~ ~

It was silent for a minute before someone began to giggle. They muttered between each other. 'How can she not know her peculiarity?' 'She's a bit strange, don't you think?' 'She's probably just ashamed of whatever she can do.' Those were a few sentences I could pick out. My face grew into a dark red and I felt my eyes vibrate a small bit.

"Children!" Miss Peregrine raised her voice. "These actions are unacceptable at the table, and anywhere else in this vicinity. Adeira deserves your respect and I should expect that you will give it to her."

The children all muttered apologies, but my eyes remained fixated in space. My eyes continues to vibrate. My gaze was still, but a force of energy wrapped around both of my lenses.

"Wh-what's wrong with her eyes," Horace pointed out.

I looked down, embarrassed and felt a tingle of energy grow up my spine.

"I believe they were turning purple, if I saw correctly," Millard stated, intrigued.

My breathing began to pick up.

"Why did they do that?" Someone muttered.

Miss Peregrine opened her mouth to say something to the children, but like always, something had to interrupt.

And this time, it was me.

Standing up, I slammed my fists on the table, and every plate, every cup, every item on the table shattered. A wave of electricity bounced around the table, causing the children to push their chairs back and stare at me in fear.

A ring of electricity twisted around my body and my hands shook with anger. A light buzzing sound radiated off of my body and the table itself. I felt my eyes spark their purple anger until I realized what I had done. I straightened my back from my hunched position and looked at the faces looking at my own.

Some were fearful, others were fascinated or intrigued. I softened my face and furrowed my eyebrows. I was ashamed.

I ran out of the room, feeling something rip on my side during the excursion. I quickly found a large door and ran down the steps. The darkness of the outdoors welcomed me.

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