Gift of a Miracle

Chapter 6

Subsequent to what had happened in the woodlands, Father Benjamin strongly suggested a 'much needed talk' after school. Iliana vacillated the idea throughout the rest of the day. Yet, she still found herself sitting on one of the twenty odd empty chairs inside the priest's classroom. She'd yet to overcome the conquest of her fears and insecurities which had defined and confined her. Her actions today had been fuelled by curiosity and impulsion still surging through her like electricity. What she saw in the woodlands earlier was overwhelming... but not only had it fabricated more questions than answers, it enticed her to know more.

She turned to the double wooden doors when there was a scatter of footsteps, but then faded into the distance. Father Benjamin had mentioned he would be delayed... apparently, over taking her detention of lateness from her English teacher would be as much of a necessity as it would be a challenge.

As if her eyes had a mind of their own, she stole another glance at the sightly young man sharing the classroom in silence. He rested on the sill of the long multi- paned window, and was deeply engrossed in the tattered sleeved book upon his hand. He hadn't said a word since they'd met, or even acknowledged her arrival in the classroom. He combed back his dark macadamia brown hair which slithered back over the set of captivating, cornflower blue eyes.

He was dressed in the same uniform as boys at the Academy. Their uniform was the complete colour contrast to the girls. The blazer was black with white trimmings and two white buttons at the front and on the cuff of the sleeves. Under the collar of their white crease-free shirt, was a black and white tartan tie which disappeared beneath the blazer. A white strip lined down the length of their black trousers and fell over their dark shoes.

Iliana laid a hand over her chest as she recalled the instant her eyes met his... something unfathomable happened. The earth shook beneath her feet, the blue sky rumbled a thunderous beat and an unusual sensation from beyond the profundity of her self being, erupted from the inside out. It was like something from within her soul stirred from an extensively deep slumber. The familiarity she felt from behind the young man's eyes, not only seemed unnerving... it also felt strangely comforting. The sound of the door opening broke her gaze from him.

Father Benjamin walked in and pushed the door shut. "Sorry to have kept you both waiting... Mrs. Rawlins is a wonderful woman and a great teacher in the field of English literature, but she can certainly talk and unfortunately, I'm inept in parting ways efficiently and unmannerly."

Iliana smiled as he sat down on the oak table close to her.

"Your classmate Smithers was sent home shortly after visiting the nurses' office earlier. Apart from fatigue and headiness, she'll be fine." He added, returning a smile. "So, tell me Iliana D'coye... was the breakdown of L'Ange fountain in the South Square and the whole of the Academy's water pipes any of your doing?"

Iliana's facial expression must have given away the answer as the priest laughed, causing an echo around the large room.

"I thought so... that unusual mini earthquake couldn't have been the reason behind it as what everyone else believes."

Guilt seeped through her. When she needed a great amount of water and a river or lake or any other natural (or manmade) material wasn't nearby, water pipes were her only option. Although the water pipes were available in most places, she tried to avoid it, as it always required great concentration. Forcing out water from the pipes deep underground or the pipes in buildings, was not an easy task nor was it fair to whoever had to sort out the mess afterwards.

"I'm sorry about that... I can get carried away." She admitted timidly.

"That's something you don't need to apologise for... with a Gift such as yours... I expect nothing less but for it to be used immoderately... for good purposes of course." Father Benjamin responded, his warm hazel eyes studied her.