Song of the Peculiars

Chapter 5

*aight so the timeline in my head is that this all starts a year and a half before Jake goes to the loop. I know that the phone in the photo for Cassidy isn't made yet, and some of the songs that are in here aren't made yet. But it's all about imagination- so let's pretend they are*

My singing became a daily activity, much like movie time with Horace. Everyday after lunch we'd either go to the sitting room or the piano. Sometimes I'd bring down my guitar or cello (yes, I brought one) and perform with them. The only constant was my earbuds.
Luckily there was an outlet in the house, so I was able to charge my phone. The smiles on all the kids' faces made any stage fright or anxiety melt away. I could just let go for a while.
And most of the time the songs I chose corresponded with my mood. The best part was when I sang a particularly sad song, the kids would all try to help cheer me up. It was better than any pity party thrown in Florida.
It's been about two months since I've moved in, and there was still one little issue on my mind: Enoch. He's always closed off in his room working on his dolls- which I now know to be homunculi. Besides the few words that are exchanged when one of us knocks into the other, we hardly talk.
I decided that today is the day that changes.
"Cassie, where are you going?" Claire whined when I stood from playing dolls. The nickname was curtesy of Bronwyn, but I didn't mind.
"I'm going to see if Enoch wants to come outside," I told her. She sighed heavily.
"He's not going to," she insisted. I playfully rolled my eyes at her.
"We'll see about that," I mumbled. I trekked up to the house, ignoring the protests of the children. I marched up to Enoch's door (which was right across from mine) and found myself frozen.
What was I thinking?! I shouldn't intrude on him. He wants to be alone!
Oh goodness, just knock already!
A door snapping open ended my inner turmoil. I stood face to face with the dead riser himself.
"What do you want?" He asked bluntly. He looked me up and down, something that seems to happen often. I assume it's him judging me.
"I came to ask if you wanted to go outside." I crossed my arms to cover the small bit of skin between my skirt and top.
"And why would I want to do that?" Enoch sneered.
Time to pull the puppy dog face, I thought to myself. I looked up at Enoch through my bangs, jutting out my lower lip slightly. I knew it was hard for people to resist my big sapphire-colored eyes.
"Please?" I added sweetly, moving my hands to clasp behind me. I could see his resolve fading, and I knew he would cave.
"Ugh, alright, fine. But only for a little bit," Enoch finally agreed. I grinned happily, catching the front of my tongue in my teeth.
"Yay! The kids will be so excited!" I exclaimed. I grabbed his arm before he could change his mind and dragged him outside.
"Claire! I got grumpy pants outside!" I shouted once I knew she could hear me. I saw her gasp and nudge Bronwyn. The two girls and the twins ran over to meet us.
"How did you manage to get him out here?" The curly blond asked breathlessly. I could feel Enoch glaring holes into the back of my head.
"I have a very convincing face," I bragged and put my hands on my hips.
"She bribed me." Enoch knocked the triumphant smirk off my face. I stuck my tongue out at his back as he walked toward the shade of a tree. I knelt down next to Claire.
"Don't listen to him. Enoch definitely fell for my puppy dog face," I not-so-quietly whispered. Claire giggled loudly and Enoch sighed dramatically.
"I heard that," he teased.
"I know! Now, where is Horace? He agreed to play soccer with us today," I thought aloud.
"He's taking a nap. Says the sun was making him loopy," Millard grumbled.
"Well, we can just play without him," I stated.
***
Enoch was only outside for a little while, but the rest of us were playing until almost supper. We all got cleaned up and took our usual seats.
"Enoch went outside today," Hugh 'casually' mentioned.
"Did he now?" Miss Peregrine asked after a pause. I put my hand over my mouth to hide my laughter. I was failing miserably.
"Yes! He only came outside cus he fell for Cassie's puppy dog face!" Claire quipped. Enoch glared harshly at those who laughed.
"I did not fall for anything," he growled. I spared a glance at him and noticed that his ears and neck were red as a lobster.
"Alright, alright. I think that's enough. Let's just eat," I defended for the poor boy. With that, the laughter died down and we finished and sat for movie time in 20 minutes.
Oddly enough, tonight Enoch sat next to me on the couch. I has Claire on my lap, Bronwyn on my right, and the twins at my feet. We all quieted down as Horace set up his monocle. With a small twist to the left, his dreams were once again projected onto the wall.
It started off normally, with Horace trying on yet another suit. This once was silk and a deep blue, with a matching top hat. Dream Horace brushed off invisible dirt and straightened the coat.
"Superb. I'll take it," dream Horace said as the scene changed. Nothing too special, just the children playing soccer and getting the ball stuck in one of the hedges. It changed again.
I was in the frame. My hair was matted and my clothes ripped up. I looked like I was crying. About what, I had no idea.
It panned over to Enoch, who was in no better condition than me. Instead of tears, however, he had rage in his eyes.
"I swear, I will always protect you," dream Enoch whispered. Dream me choked back a sob and turned toward the ground.
"Hey, look at me." dream Enoch gently brought his hand to dream me's cheek. The dream us stared at each other for a heartbeat before leaning in.
"That is quite enough, Horace," Miss Peregrine ordered sharply. The others whined in protest, but I was highly grateful for the interruption. I'm sure my face resembled a tomato at this point.
Without even a glance in Enoch's direction, I herded the younger children up to bed. Once they were all tucked in, I all but ran into my room. I very badly needed to do laundry, seeing as my only pajamas were a cropped hoodie (reading 'bad girl' embarrassingly enough) and shorts.
I flopped onto my bed and tried my very best to fall into a dreamless sleep, but I was plagued with the dream Horace had.