The Aftermath: MPHFPC (editing)

T W O

J A C O B

Emma's jaw dropped open when what Claire said finally seemed to have registered. As usual, Emma glanced at me to make sure this wasn't some kind of joke. I faintly nodded my head once. Her eyes widened.

"Millard?" She asked seeming completely bewildered. Then, she seemed to have noticed that she was still on Millard's back and Horace still had his arms wrapped her arms around her waist. She quickly scrambled to regain her feet, and when she did, she tugged on the bottom of her blouse to straighten it. Her cheeks turned pink when she looked up and saw everyone staring at her.

Miss Peregrine must have sensed the awkwardness of the moment because she decided it was the perfect time to scold Emma, "Miss Bloom," Miss Peregrine said, flashing Emma a look that could freeze hell and waving her finger at her, "Young ladies keep their temper and certainly don't use any kind of offensive language. Young women don't launch themselves onto other people to brawl."

"But Miss Peregrine, I didn't know-" Emma started, but Miss Peregrine turned around and faced me, cutting Emma off, "Mr.Portman-"

"What did I do? Everybody came in my room. I swear I didn't do-" I started but Miss Peregrine cut me off.

"Mr.Portman, I do not appreciate it when I am interrupted!" She said, giving me a stern look. "I was simply about to tell you to clothe yourself. We aren't barbarians." I looked down, finally noticing my lack of a shirt. 

Miss Peregrine took a deep breath to regain her composure, "Breakfast is in ten minutes. I expect all of you to be there." She narrowed her eyes at Emma."With good attitudes." Miss Peregrine turned her back to leave, but she stopped as if she just remembered something. With her back still to us, she said, "I need you all to know at Mr.Nullings being able to be temporarily visible does make him different. He may have spasms, as you witnessed earlier with Miss Bloom. If Mr.Nullings does have a spasm or one of his limbs disappears, I need you to tell me. This certain remedy is used only for when you attend school, Mr.Nullings." She said, turning around to look at Millard. Everyone looked surprised except me.

"We're going to school?" asked Claire.

"Yes, Miss Densmore. You all are. You children do need your education, and I really don't feel up to homeschooling this year, not when there is a perfectly good school where my wards can learn. Maybe it will teach you all something new." Miss Peregrine said, meeting Claire's gaze. Everybody started talking at once. Miss Peregrine was trying to get everyone's attention but was failing. I got up from my bed, calmly got a shirt and put it on.

"Hey!" I yelled. "Will you all get a hold of yourselves? Miss P is trying to tell us something." I looked at Miss Peregrine and smirked. "Please do go on."

"Thank you, Mr. Portman." She turned to face the rest of the group. "Now, I understand the idea of school might make some of you very...well, excited. But you must know-for obvious reasons -not to be using your abilities. Your schooling starts in approximately a week." She turned around again saying, "As I said, breakfast is in ten minutes. Everybody clear out of room please and give Mr.Portman and Mr.Nullings their space." 

With that, Miss Peregrine went on walking towards the stairs.

As everyone started to walk out, Emma walked straight up to me, "Can you believe the nerve of that woman?" She made a sour face. "'with good attitudes.'" Emma rolled her eyes. "I didn't even-"

"I heard that Miss Bloom!" Miss Peregrine said in a singsong tone. Emma just rolled her eyes.

Emma's face softened. "Anyways, I think I know why Claire and Olive aged forward." She said quietly. I gave her a look that said Go on. "When the loop was closing and we all had our ages reset, the loop might have had a different effect on them. Like maybe there was a malfunction or something. But..." She trailed off when our faces started getting closer together. Our lips were just about to touch when Millard's voice interrupted us, making both of us jump and pull away.