Scintilla of Aberrant

Chapter 9: Awkward Dinners

Believe it or not, Annora had never once been in an awkward situation before, unless she counted the numerous mornings when she had unfortunately met with her father's latest flings. Some of the women even had the gall to upright get snooty with her. Annora was tactless when it came to situations involving those idiot women. Most of the time she outright ignored them until she needed to get involved. Annora seated herself across from Aunt May, and next to Peter. The man from the picture, Peter's uncle, Ben was next to May. After a brief introduction, May brought out the food. Annora smelled the steamy pork chops aroma and sighed. It's been awhile since she ate a regular family cooked meal such as this one.

"Get we are, Pork chops with mash potatoes and sweet corn." May said smiling. She put all the food in the middle in everyone reach. Peter and Ben were already trying to reach for the food but May slapped their hands away. She gave them a stern look. "Ladies first boys."

Ben laughed while Peter gave a sheepish grin. He didn't look at her though. The dinner was tense and seemed like it would stay that way until May asked, "So, how long have you been here Atria?"

Annora looked up from her chewing. She considered the question before answering. "Been here for a couple of months but just recently started school a week ago. Then I uh, met Peter here and we just…hit it off I guess you could say."

"How are your grades?" Came Ben's question.

"Ben!" May reprimanded.

"Best in the school." Annora said with a little haughtiness.

Ben hummed, giving Peter and glance. Both seemed to communicate in some weird man telepathic way. Annora decided to ignore it for now. She would and probably never would understand men and their ways in certain areas. Ben continued his prying. "Do you live around here?"

"Yes, a couple of blocks away," She replied.

"You have a job?"

"Don't need one."

"Ah, your parents right?"

"No, I support myself." Annora gritted out. She was getting tired of his stupid questions. She knew what he was doing. He was testing her. She was happy he would do such a thing for Peter —how much he cared for him. But she didn't like it when it happens to her. Annora hates it when people test her. It makes her feel like she had to do the best when she doesn't need to.

"Alright," May interrupted. Ben still seemed as if he wanted to ask Annora what she meant. May clapped her hands together and strained a smile for both teenagers. Obviously, Ben's little questionnaire was irksome to her. "I'll bring out the dessert. Everyone's finished right?"

"Actually, May, I think it's time I leave." Annora said getting up and pushing the chair in.

"Oh, are you sure?" May said unhappily, her lips twitching downwards.

"Yes," Annora managed to whisper and she stormed out the house. She shut the door as quiet as she could but only managed to close it harder than she intended to.

Annora only got to walk a couple of strides before the door banged open and she heard footsteps stomping on the sidewalk trying to catch up to her. A warm hand grasped her arm and jerked her back. "Wait."

Annora paused from trying to get out of Peter's hold. She looked up into his eyes and regretted it. His eyes held confusion and worry in them. Annora bit her lip. Peter's eyes flicked down to her lips then back to her eyes. He sighed. He ran a hand through her hair messing it up in the process. "I'm sorry about my uncle. He um, is usually a nice person."

"Its fine," Annora muttered.

"It's not," Peter stressed, his eyes apologetic. "He's just having a bad day."

"Apology accepted alright?" Annora laughed. She playfully punched his shoulder. "Don't worry about me. How are you anyways?"

Peter's eyebrows scrunched in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Well, it's only polite to ask if you did." She rolled her eyes.

"I'm fine," he answered hesitantly at first then he smiled. The tension was still in the air. Both not knowing what to say or do. Annora was thinking about the almost kiss. How her body seemed to like his leaning over her. His smile doing all kinds of things to her. She wanted to slap herself out of those thoughts but they kept reappearing every time.

Annora stepped back from him and smiled innocently like she wasn't thinking about kissing him. The cold breeze blew across her face. It was getting colder but the icy air felt like nothing to her. She jerked a thumb behind her shoulder. "I should probably go now."

Peter nodded on agreement. "Yeah, you-um you should."

Annora waved. "Bye then."

"Bye."

When Annora made it to the building, she immediately wanted to just lay down and sleep the rest of the night. All she managed to do was shrug off her shoes and backpack. They fell to the floor and she flopped onto the couch. Relaxing into the smooth leather, she smiled pleased with the comfortable couch. This was what she needed since this day was not in her favor. Annora's smile got wipe off her face then. She knew when she was being unreasonable. She wasn't going to apologize because Ben was nosing into her life. She was just glad she didn't do or say anything that would have caused Peter and her friendship to collapse.

Now that she was thinking about that. She didn't like the normal life as much as she thought she would've. All her life was full of life threat's and fighting and on the good occasion—when life decided to not give her lemons—rest. Annora hated hiding. It was just like undercover operations and she hated those. She was more of the bomb, bullets, and fight type of girl. Then at the same time she loathed it when some got injured or…worse. Annora groaned. She needed some to occupy her before she gets depressed and have Pepper come by all Mamma bearlike. Gods know, if that happen her father would most likely stop by. She still hasn't been talking to him.

A sharp ring, followed along by a very uncharacteristically startled Annora falling off the couch, sounded. Annora quickly got up and an audible slinkt alarmed Annora just how startled she was. Warmth pulsed from her wrists and Annora sighed. Luckily, she didn't harm herself unintentionally. Annora glared at her pocket before yanking her phone out of it. Her glare switched to an almost ecstatic expression as she read the text message.

We need you to come in early –W

"Finally!" Annora exhaled in relief. The most unexpected expected message for her particular predicament was now cured.