SPARK // Enoch O'Connor

chapter 19: Sillage

I blushed lightly and shoved Millard. He laughed at me and I opened my mouth to respond.

"Do you really think Enoch could have feelings for me?" I asked softly.

"I believe so, and I'm hardly ever wrong," Millard chuckled.

I gulped and looked up at the sky with a small smile.

"We should head inside, Milly."

"Don't you dare call me Milly."

"Sorry Mill. . .y."

Millard shoved me and I laughed.

"Come on then, bestie. We've got a table of grumpy peculiar children waiting for us inside before they begin their dinner."

"Bestie?" he asked happily, walking beside me.

"Yes. I think it's safe to say that you're my best friend," I stated.

Millard laughed and high-fived me.

"Well what about Emma?"

"She's my best friend too," I smiled.

Millard chuckled cheerily as we continued our walk inside.

~ ~ ~

I was sitting on the couch next to Enoch, listening with a smile on my face as Horace practiced a beautiful piece on the piano. I gently placed my head down on Enoch's shoulder, feeling his muscles contract at my sudden touch. Quickly, though, Enoch's muscles relaxed. A light pink brushed my cheeks and I smiled cheekily.

As the placid melody of the piano continued endlessly, my mind wandered wonderful thoughts. I closed my eyes and imagined a cherry tree, as it was what Horace's music reminded me of. I felt Enoch begin to shift slightly, as if he were going to drape his arm over my shoulders, but a loud knock made us both jump up in surprise. Horace was startled too, as he basically slammed his hand down on the keys of the vintage piano. Miss Peregrine quickly ran over to the door, an excited expression plastered on her face.

"What in the-" Enoch began. His train of thought was interrupted though, as I pulled him up from the couch to the entryway of the living room. Horace was following as well.

My head tilted curiously as Miss Peregrine hugged an unknown visitor. I managed to hear a few things...

"Oh it is so good to see you. I'm pleased that you came to the decision of moving in here with us, for as long as you need that is."

"Moving in?" I whispered. Horace and Enoch peered around me with interest.

As Miss Peregrine pulled away from the visitor, I caught a glance of the person. Of him. He looked around sixteen years of age, with dark-brown hair and tattered clothes. My eyes widened as I noted the Star of David sewn onto his disheveled coat. Scrapes glided across his face and dirt rested upon his skin, darkening his appearance.

"Now, I haven't exactly told the children that you will be living with us, let alone visiting," she laughed lightly, "but I gaurentee that they will be very welcoming of you! Are you up for meeting with the children at this time?" Miss Peregrine seemed genuinely delighted that this boy was joining us. I overall, was just was surprised with the sudden appearance of him.

"Yes, ma'am. Should be fine," the boy responded in a thick Polish accent. He seemed to not know much English.

Miss Peregrine smiled and called out for the children. Everyone appeared in the hallway after a few seconds and I stood in between Enoch and Horace, looking at the Holocaust survivor. He caught my eye and sent me a smile. I waved and as if on cue Enoch snarled, glaring at the newcomer. I wrapped my arms around a singular arm of Enoch's and looked up at him reassuringly. I felt my heart pound as I watched his eyes soften.

I knew immediately that the new peculiar wasn't really interested in me, but interested in Emma, thankfully. As she glided down the stairs, the boy's eyes followed her with passion. I smiled as Emma locked eyes with him. They look like they would be cute together. Victor saw the two of them staring at each other and lowered his head like a sad puppy. I felt a pang of empathy poke my heart.

"Children, we have a new peculiar joining our household."

The children started muttering and the little ones squealed with excitement.

"Would you like to introduce yourself?" the headmistress asked the handsome boy. He nodded and slightly stepped forward.

"My name is Abraham Portman. I escape from Poland. From bad men in Germany."

Though his speaking wasn't perfect and was the slightest bit humorous, another pang of empathy shot through my heart. The poor boy was escaping prosecution.

Millard quickly stepped forward and provided a hand.

"My name is Millard Nullings. Pleased to meet your acquaintance."

"Y-you're,"

"Invisible, yes. I get that a lot."

Everyone laughed, but Abraham remained dumbfounded. I shook my head with a laugh and unwrapped my arms from Enoch's one arm.

"Adeira Langston. I can some-what control electricity," I introduced myself with a laugh.

The children continued to introduce themselves and Abe seemed fairly happy. Though, the most shocking part of the introductions was the fact that Enoch had said hello to Abraham and Victor never did.

Emma offered to show Abe around and everyone eventually continued on with the rest of their late-afternoon.

Claire pulled Enoch and I into the library and had us each read to her for almost three hours before Miss Peregrine announced that it was time for the reset. I tiredly stood up from the comfy sofa and rubbed my fatigued eyes. Claire hugged Enoch's waist and skipped out of the library.

"That child exhausts me," Enoch retorted.

"But you love her anyway," I yawned.

"The only thing I love is nothing itself. Love is an awful waste of my time."

"Well it sure doesn't look that way," I smirked up at him.

Enoch's mouth gaped open and I laughed. After a short moment, I tugged at his sleeve.

"Come on, it's time for the reset," I giggled.

"Y-yeah, whatever," he muttered as we made our way out to the front yard.

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