My Perfect Bird

Chapter 6-Progress

"Miss Grandala!" Emma said, rushing over to where you stood with Alma.

"It's very rude to interrupt conversations like that." Miss Peregrine scolded.

"Sorry Miss P." She apologized before turning to you. "I just have a quick question. Have you already got something to do during free time after lunch?"

"No, I'd originally planned to catch up on some reading." You replied with a shrug. "Why?"

"In a moment. Miss P, what about you?"

"I shouldn't be very busy then. Do you need something?"

"Oh. Well I'm not free, I promised I'd play with Bronwyn. Oh but have fun on your date you two!" She said, running off before Miss Peregrine could scold her again.

You went quiet, your face was red, glaring at the girl as she walked away satisfied. Alma was quiet too. You refused to let yourself look at her until you felt a hand on your shoulder and glanced over. Her cheeks were pink and she had also been glaring at Emma. "Ignore her. She hasn't a clue what she's talking about." She grumbled before leaving you standing alone on the porch, going inside the house.

You stood there confused for a moment as to why she'd just leave. You hadn't even finished your conversation which she'd seemed very invested in before Emma arrived. You sighed and instead of following Alma inside, went to go talk with Emma who was now speaking with Olive. "Why would you say that?" You asked her once you were close enough."

"It's very rude to interrupt conversations like that." She said, copying Alma's earlier words.

"Don't mock Miss Peregrine. Explain yourself please."

She sighed and rolled her eyes, much to Olive's amusement. "How do you not see it? Are you not a bird? Do you not have sharper vision than most people ever would? Are you, in truth, blind?"

"Sorry, I don't follow. Elaborate would you?"

"Will all due respect Miss Grandala, you need glasses." When you glared at her in reply she continued. "Miss Peregrine absolutely adores you. In a way she'd never feel for anyone else." She paused to see if you understood her meaning but was upset to find nothing but a confused look on your face. "She loves you!" You stood there for a moment, silent and shocked. "You bird brain." She didn't even bother to try and be quiet when she insulted you.

"Miss Bloom." Said a voice, now appearing behind you. You jumped despite yourself, it was just Alma. "How dare you refer to an ymbryne, as a 'bird brain'. It is incredibly rude and disrespectful. And you'll be having extra chores after lunch today." The girl groaned and stomped off either Olive close behind. Alma side and looked at you. "I'm sorry about her. What was that about?"

"No..." You said, still thinking  over what Emma had told you. "I'm afraid she's correct." On more than one account. Everything seemed to click into place. When Alma would stare at you when she thought you weren't paying attention. Or the way she often preferred to use pet names rather than your real one. Or the way she seemed to find any excuse to wrap and arm around you and hold you close to her. And worst of all, you finally realized how often you did those same things with her. "I am an absolute fool."

"You're nothing of the sort. Why on earth would you think that?" She took a step closer to you, upset you'd dare think of yourself that way.

"Never mind. It's nothing important. I just made a small mistake, but it's easy to correct. I shouldn't get so worked up over it." You lied. Falling for Alma was a huge mistake. And not one that's easy to correct. You couldn't just stop feeling for her. And you'd most definitely get very worked up over it. She didn't seem to believe you but let it slide anyway, nodding before heading back inside to prepare lunch.

In your mind you had two options. Do something to act on your feelings. Or do nothing and hope they slowly die away if at all. And knowing Alma felt the same, pushed you to chose the first of your two choices.

You walked into the house and stood outside the door to the kitchen for a brief moment while debating your next move. You then went inside and walked over to Alma who's back was turned to you. She stiffened a bit when she felt hands on her waist but relaxed when she realized it was just you. She leaned into you so her back was pressed against your front, smiling to herself because from your angle you couldn't quite see the expression on her face.

You rested your chin on her shoulder and moved one of your hands to hold hers. "Oh my, your hand looks heavy. Let me hold it for you." She leaned her head back to see your face. She wore a grin and had a bit of blush in her cheeks. You had on a matching smile, though somehow managed not to blush at your own stupid comment.

"I hope you know how cheesy that was, dear." She said, turning around in your arms, holding you close to her. You laughed a bit but gladly embraced her before separating when you heard someone clearing their throat in the doorway. It was Emma, wearing a smug face. She said nothing but gave a small wave then leaving. "What in the birds was that?"

You shook your head and moved around her to get to the stove. "Nothing. Now, how can I help with lunch?"

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I love the photo at the top lmao