A Type of Peculiar

Chapter three: A Type of Greeting

I jolted out of bed, my headache diminished to a dull pain in my temples. I was fully rested and wondered how long I. had been asleep. I rubbed my forehead trying to ease the pain. I knew I needed to hold my peculiarity in. I was holding back, I knew I was going to be in a lot of pain, but I couldn't hurt anyone. I would rather I suffer than them. I fully sat up looking around the room, one that I hadn't fully been able to see last night. It was barely morning, the sun not yet tipping over the horizon and spilling over the ocean of blue skies. I pushed myself out of bed, I had never gotten much sleep and judging by the grand clock in the corner of the room 10 hours made up for the three days I forgot.

I walked over to the dresser and grabbed the pair of gloves I left there last night. I slipped them on, along with my stockings. I looked to my right and noticed the closet was open, a dress hung off the small hanger in the back. It was cream colored and lace covered the bottom. It fell past my knees and covered my arms. There was a beautiful lace neckline which was modest yet lower than many things I wore. I picked the dress up and changed my outfit. The fabric was soft and comforting.

I walked to the bathroom hoping to find both a comb and toothbrush. I found both and cleaned my appearance up, looking somewhat presentable I decided to head to the kitchen and make a small breakfast.

Then I silently stepped downstairs, careful not to disturb any of my fellow roommates. I mutely grabbed fruit from a bowl and began cutting up the ripe treats, hoping to please the people in the house. I was on my last apple when I heard someone come up behind me. "Why are you preparing fruit?" the voice muttered.

Even though I knew someone was behind me I didn't expect them to notice me. Therefore the sounds of their voice resulting in me dropping the knife and slicing my finger open. I hushed my gasp, trying not to aggravate whoever walked in. I spun around and came face to face with a grumpy teenage boy. "I'm terribly sorry to disturb you, I really didn't mean to wake anyone." My voice was quiet and I wasn't sure he heard it until he responded.

"That's not what I asked, why are you cutting up fruit?" He huffed. He was much taller than me, his dark curls crowded his head. Creating an effect of a crown upon his head. His beautiful brown eyes shown down on me. They glistened with mystery and age. Most importantly his glare directed towards me indicated he was mad, very mad.

"I wanted to make some breakfast for whoever wanted some." I stated looking down. "I really do apologize for waking you. I'm Thea, Thea black." I looked up and offered a smile.

His mouth turned up slightly before a frown grew on his face. "Enoch O'Connor, dead-riser. You're bleeding."

I looked down at my hand, my thumb was cut open from the tip of the finger to my wrist. It was bleeding decently, and dripping on the floor. I dropped to the floor with a small older looking towel. I scrubbed at the tiles, hoping the blood would come off. "You're welcome to take the fruit, if you want any." I told him while cleaning up my mess.

He grunted before grabbing the bowl and walking into the other room. I could hear him mutter a thank you as he exited. I smiled to myself, if there's only a few people and they're all like him I won't have a problem with contact. I wrapped the towel around my hand, sealing the wound. I finished wiping away my mess and cleaning the counter before I grabbed forks and plates and walked where I saw the boy go. I found myself at the head of a table and set the silverware down. It made a gentle clinking noise as I set up the table. I put a plate by every chair. Granted there was a lot, but I could easily carry a stack of plates back and forth. I finished and looked at my work.

Just as I finished a small girl skipped into the room. Her light blonde curls bounced around her head as she hummed to herself. Once she spotted me the small doll she held fell to the ground before she screamed, loudly. I froze unsure of what to do until a worried ymbrne ran into the room closely followed by a taller blonde girl, and a shorter invisible boy, who wore some clothes to indicate he was there. The kids ran to the girl, protecting her from me, while Miss Peregrine walked over to me. "I'm terribly sorry dear, I only told Mr O'Connor of your arrival. The other children were asleep."

"It's alright. Thank you for everything. I cut up some fruit if anyone wanted any." I said with a smile.

"Thank you dear, and normally I would make breakfast so let's not give you an extra burden, please feel free to sleep in tomorrow. However I believe before we eat this delicious fruit I must introduce you to the other children." She stated before turning around. "Kids, this is Mrs Black she is our newest peculiar and will be living with us, if she wishes to."

With this the three heads popped up to look in my direction, while Miss Peregrine called the rest of the  children down for breakfast. "Hi, I'm Emma. It's truly a pleasure to meet you." The taller girl practically bounced over to me. Her icy blond hair was chopped above her shoulders and the pieces wove together like puzzles. Her eyes were a beautiful blue, so light they were almost white, it looked as though the ocean flowed into them. She was taller than me, although her heavy lead boots really added to her height. "I'm an aero kinetic, which is why I need these boots you see. Otherwise I'd float away." She giggled, her words broke the silence.

"Nice to meet you as well, my names Thea." I spoke softly.

"Woah you're so quiet!" The small girl from earlier yelled. "I'm Claire, I love your dress. I'm sorry for screaming earlier as well, I didn't know who you were." She smiled up and me and in return I offered her one back. Her blonde curls bounced with every movement she made, her dress was covered in lace that swung like wind chimes whenever she turned. Her big eyes were on me the whole time. Almost as if she was fascinated by me. I played with the ends of my hair nervously aware of more kids entering the room. As I looked at the boy who hadn't said a word he glanced up.

"I'm Millard, pleasure to make your acquaintance." He bowed and looked back in what I assumed was my direction. "I'm invisible as you can tell, which is why I must wear these clothes."

As soon as he finished more children stepped into the room. Mrs peregrine announced that everyone must sit at the table and told me to take any open seat. I sat in a chair to the left of Emma. And an older boy sat to my left. He offered me a hand to which I shook politely.

Once everyone had sat down I looked across from me and found my eyes staring into those beautiful brown ones. I smiled at him, his frown melted slightly before his demeanor shifted and the scowl appeared again. Miss peregrine finally began to speak. "Good morning children as many of you may have recognized we now have another child who has joined us. If she wishes to stay with us she may. Please be kind towards her and we should be very thankful she has cut up some delicious fruit for us this morning." She paused for a moment, "do you wish to introduce yourself dear?"

All eyes faced me and fear built up in my chest. I had long since known I had social anxiety, it was unpreventable mostly due to my peculiarity. My hands shook slightly and I clasped them together forcing a smile on my face even though all I wanted to do was curl up and cry. "I'm Thea Black it's wonderful to meet you all and I hope to become friends with everyone." As soon as I finished a roar of questions arose the hot topic being what my peculiarity was.

"Now children let's not bombard Ms Black with questions, you may ask her after breakfast." Miss Peregrine stated

' No' I thought, if I was going to be bombarded by people they might touch me. I looked at the sleeves of my dress. They seemed long enough. I glanced up at Miss Peregrine who was staring back at me, her smile faltered for a second before she held on. As Millard passed her the fruit she took a spoonful into her plate before passing it on to Claire. My hearing aids were turned on full so I couldn't hear what she had to say. How I wish though I could listen to what she had to say. Alas I knew it was better to mute the voices. I was handed the bowl of fruit, which I took gratefully and scooped a small amount before passing it on. Emma turned her body to face me before she began to speak. "Maybe later I could show you around the house, if that's alright with you and Miss peregrine of course?"

I smiled up at her happy to meet someone so friendly, "I would be delighted." I responded. She grinned back at me before we finished up our plates. The clinking of silverware sounding like music as people passing cups of water and the bowl of fruit.