Waiting to be Perfect

Christmas Meal

        It was Christmas Day. 

       Enoch knew this to be true when he left the dorm to use the loo, not expecting a small package of festive candy awaiting outside his door. He nearly tripped over it! The package was tied with a small note saying, "Merry Christmas! ~ Miss Peregrine's School for Children 

       Way to call it personal... 

      When Enoch walked into the cafeteria for his dose of caffeine, the room was filled with wonderful aromas. The children were even in better moods, despite their family (or lack of) leaving them behind for the break.  The young boy sat in his usual spot, sipping the hot liquids carefully. One of the professors present walked over to Enoch, a cheery grin plastered onto his face that Enoch so badly wanted to slap off. Enoch could not even register who this professor was, though he knew he taught him English a few years back. 

      "Merry Christmas, Enoch!" 

      Enoch grunted in reply. 

     "There will be a Christmas meal with all the students and staff. It'll be at seven tonight, and the festivities will last through the night. We'd all like for you to come. We have not seen you since the break begun, and--" 

    "Okay, cool." Enoch interrupted nonchalantly. "I'm going to enjoy my coffee in my dorm." And with that, the boy took off, leaving a very confused (and maybe worried) professor behind to watch him exit the cafeteria.  

       SHIT!!! THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE ME EAT! THEY'LL RUIN MY STREAK. THEY WILL HAVE TO WATCH ME EAT!!! I'M SCREWED!! 

       Another understatement about Mr. Enoch O'Connor: Enoch was just having a bad day. No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

       Enoch O'Connor was having a full-blown meltdown!!!!! 

       It did not occur to the anxious boy that he will have to eat on Christmas Day. There will be lots of delicious foods set out. He could tell just by walking through the cafeteria that morning. People might even expect him to take seconds. Don't even mention the dessert. 

      The poor boy thought all he would do today was go on the internet some more, watch some movies, probably Christmas films, and brood about being left behind by his family, because he was the peculiar one out of them, and his parents wanted nothing to do with him. They could not even be bothered with messaging him a Happy Christmas or a letter. Whatever. 

      Enoch flopped onto his bed, crying his eyes out till it stung. It was not pretty cries either. He was never a pretty crybaby anyways; this he knew. He tried in vain to wipe out the tears that longed to stay. He observed his reflection in the mirror, taking further note of his flaws, and how people who don't really care for him are trying so hard to destroy all his progress. He vented out some on his account, and then scrolled through tumblr, particularly thinspo. Then he put on his movie on his laptop. It did not take long for the blonde to fall asleep halfway into the film. His body was constantly aching and his mind a never-ending numbness. About time he rested. 

Knock. 

knock. 

knock. knock. 

knock. knock. knock. knock. 

      Enoch did not hear the tiny knocks vibrating through his door. In his groggy state  of mind, Enoch forgot where he was and what just happened. When the boy opened his door, he was greeted by one of his professors. 

     "Hello, Enoch! The meal is about to begin. I expect to see you there promptly. All students are supposed to come. Ta!" Enoch slammed the door shut as soon as the teacher left. He was contemplating as to whether he should come. I mean, his grades were already falling and he knew it was hard for people to get to like him. He would avoid more trouble with the school if he just showed up. In the end, Enoch decided to come. 

     This choice he immediately regretted.

       There was too much food, and too many people. Too many pairs of eyes to watch him. Enoch froze. His body did not want to move. As predicted, everyone turned to look at him. "Merry-- Christmas," Enoch said aloud rather hesitantly when he was able to get his body moving again. A chorus of "Merry Christmas"s followed after. 

      As people were conversing amongst  each other on their Christmas and all the presents they got from family and friends, Enoch stared down at his empty plate and shaky fingers. The students and teachers started filling their plates with savory food, and Enoch almost convinced himself to do the same. The smells were just too tempting. 

      Control yourself, Enoch!!! 

      People began eating, and all the while, Enoch's plate was still empty. 

      "Aren't you going to eat anything, Mr. O'Connor?" Miss Peregrine asked when she noticed the boy. 

       At first, said boy continued looking down at his plate, frozen in time. Then he stood up abruptly, his chair screeching as it was pushed back. "I don't celebrate Christmas." Enoch said this with such bitterness. He quickly paced out of the cafeteria (he seemed to do this quite often), with no intent on joining with the festivities afterwards. Everyone just watched him go in shock, mouths open like codfish.