Tá Mé An Siren

Chapter 8

(Jeff's POV)

Breakfast was awful. The pancakes were sloppy, and not made with the perfection all of us were used to. Once we had sunk our teeth into it, I swear everyone cringed slightly. It was soft inside, but what made it soft wasn't the fluffy goodness we usually had. This was... a little gooey, a little mushy... Uncooked, maybe? I raised curious eyes to Slender, who was casually stirring a mug of coffee and lifting it to his lips (or where his lips would have been).

"Uh, Slender...?" I began, uncertainty wavering in my intonation. Slender put down his cup and looked at me, as if gesturing me to continue. I gulped, "Did you make this?" while poking a pancake with a fork. A ceramic mug was forcefully put down, causing our metal cutlery and porcelain plates to jump and clatter back noisily onto the dining table. We turned to look at the user of the glass sitting at the corner of the table in between Slender and Sally. An awkward cough came from the user, the Siren, and she shook her head.

"Well I'm sorry guys, I suck at cooking," she said, her ears turning a light shade of pink. The subtle shade contrasted incredibly well with the bright red of her hair, making it very obvious. Everyone's eyes went wide, with the exception of Slender. Clocky snorted unladylike, rolling her eyes, "Slender would never have made something taste so bad." Stares drifted in her direction, including mine. I didn't say anything to deny it, though. What she said was true. Clocky continued, giving Sirena a levelled gaze, "You shouldn't have tried so hard." Sirena tilted her head in defiance, "You shouldn't be so rude." But her tone was light and uncaring. They continued to stare at each other, unblinking, until Clocky asked with mock disbelief, "Why not?" "Because it isn't nice," came Sirena's reply. I let out a small laugh, one that I was aware sounded rude. "Girl, you've got a long way to go. We're all mean here," I said. She shook her head, "I've met some really nice people here."

"They're just faking it, dumb-ass. Like I was yesterday," I replied coolly, not really caring that a flash of hurt had crossed her eyes. Then Jane's ear-piercing screech came, "JEFFERY WOODS! How can you be so rude to people! I don't mind, because I know I'm always rude to you, and you deserve it, by the way, but why are you so mean to her out of a sudden? She's a really nice girl!" I rolled my eyes, "Quit the charade already, Jane. You don't like her too." Jane's eyes flickered over to Sirena's shocked ones, offering a sort of unspoken apology. Sirena just shook her head.

"So what if I do like her? You can't stop me!" Jane yelled back. I swore under my breath. Then a mug came in contact with my face, somehow. Hot liquid splattered everywhere, mostly on where the mug had first landed.

"Jeffery Woods. Jane is right. Clockwork, you too. What is with you today?" Slender spoke, raising his voice above normal volume, "No one disrespects anyone. No matter how many times I try to tell you, Jeff and Jane, you still go on and on. I don't want another rivalry here, get it?!" His tentacle came sailing across the table to collect his now-empty coffee mug. There was silence for a moment before BEN spoke up, "Well, actually, Sirena, those pancakes weren't bad at all... it's just that they have exquisite tastes. You'll be able to satisfy them soon, if you work on your cooking!" Sirena just shook her head, "I'm not nearing the culinary industry now." BEN cocked his head, asking her why not.

"Cooking's not my thing."

"Come on, don't be discouraged! It's your first time, isn't it? It's okay actually... I would do much worse."

"I'm not discouraged, it's just... fine, maybe I am. It's okay, you don't have to concern yourself over me." She flashed a smile, trying to conceal her disappointment. Dislike rose strongly in me. There she was, getting attention and then turning it down, trying to act all humble. She wanted the attention, I could tell. I really didn't like this type of people. Exactly like Jane. No wonder Jane liked her. Or even if she really was discouraged and not putting up an act, that made her weak-hearted. She couldn't even stand a little bit of insult? She was really pampered in her fourteen years, then. She had no clue what people like me had to go through in their lives, and yet she expected herself to be babied. And now that was like Sally. Babying her - not happening. At least not happening from me, and Clocky, I could tell. At least Clocky wasn't blind. But, BEN...? He actually took to comforting her. I thought he wouldn't care. He wasn't exactly the type to care about people's emotions. Unless...

No. That could not be. BEN, of all people, had better tastes. Much better tastes. Much, much, better tastes.

"Hey, and actually... you look really nice in that dress," my best friend said, reaching past his green cap to rub his neck. Colour rised to his fair cheeks, tainted with blood flowing from his black eyes, save for that shining red pupil. His words made Sirena smile, grateful for the change of subject, and the compliment.

On the other hand, his words made my world spin. No.

He actually liked her in that way?
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Bonjour, mes chers lecteurs!

For people who don't understand French, that means "Hello, my beloved readers!"

Yeah. That's it, the 8th Chapter explaining parts of why Jeff doesn't really like my OC, in case any of you were wondering why. I'm sorry if you found the dialogue annoying. She actually isn't my most developed OC; in fact, she's the least developed one. So I hope in this undeveloped state she is in, not too many people feel the same about her as Clocky and Jeff. That would kind of be a bummer, but I guess I could take it? ;__;

Thanks so much for the reads guys, and stay tuned for (real) action in the next chapter and consequent ones! I promise! Comment, vote, share and follow if you feel like it! Bye for now!

~Sugar
<3 <3 <3