"You are an Author." She put simply. I heard the others gasp, but most of all Millard.

"Yes, I know that, but what does that have to do with peculiarity?" I asked, hoping she would stop being so cryptic.

"Us Peculiars have… a library of sorts. It's where peculiar souls are kept, in the time they are not occupying a human."

"So…" My mind raced to figure out what was happening.

"There are 'Librarians' and 'Authors.' They are the only two types of peculiars that can see and handle souls. Librarians, however, only handle these said jars. Every two thousand years, these souls expire. They become obsolete and must be replaced. Souls that occupy a human during this time period are the only ones left from the original."

"Do you know any other Authors?" I asked quietly, hoping I wasn't the only one that had to deal with being this lesser sort of person.

"No." Millard said, and I looked down. This was even more outrageous than I had imagined.

"So, I'm only here to write souls? How the heck is I supposed to do that?"

"You already have. Your stories? Of peculiar children? They will manifest into renewed spirits. And so far we will have a soul who can manipulate water to their will, another with the head of a pig, and everything else you wrote."

"So, I write stories? That's my part in this crazy world?"

"Indeed, and unfortunately, a time consuming one. Most Authors have been trained since they were seven, but you will have to make-do being eight years late."

"So, am I off to be whisked away like Harry Potter?" I asked, hoping the answer was no. I hated moving.

"No, you will train under Miss Avocet, who is in Devil's Acre." She ushered the other kids out. "You will begin training next week, at 7:12 A.M."

Now that the other kids were gone, I felt suddenly unnerved. Like nobody understood. I felt this way all the time. But I detected someone else's presence.

"Amaya?" Millard said, "Are you okay?"

"Of course I am. The question should be, are you okay?"

"Yes, a bloody nose never stopped me before. Besides, serves me right for trying to stop you." He laughed, almost like a melody,

"I'm sorry." I said, hoping that Millard didn't notice the tears in my eyes, "I have never felt this alone before, Mill. I was always invisible to others, but now that I stand out, I want my invisibility back."

"Being invisible is a pain. You know, I wanted to be a teacher, before this." He sat next to me, my hand slightly brushing against his. "Something's bothering you. I saw it since you came here. If you have anything you need off your chest, you let me know."

"Millard, I-" My words were caught in my throat. What was this extraordinary pleasure I got whenever he was near? "Thank you." I kissed his forehead, or his cheek maybe? He jumped back a little at my touch.

"Mill, you are so charming and witty. I'm delighted to be your friend." I smiled at his direction and squeezed his hand. "I heard dinner was going to be ready in about thirty. Would my knight in shining armor escort me to the library until then?" I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I couldn't see him, but his presence was enough.

"Oh, just kiss already!" groaned a cockney voice from outside the room, as if launching a wave through the air and separating us two. Enoch grinned like a Cheshire cat, and said "You lovebirds better, or else I'll have grizzled hairs before Millard convinces a girl to kiss him.."

I was so embarrassed. How could Enoch say that? I barely even thought about Millard romantically.

"Enoch, have you gone witless? We just met three days ago." Millard said, his accent giving way to a unique one, like a mix of Irish and Scottish with a British cherry on top.

"And my mum met my dad on their wedding day." He grinned.

"Really? Dang is that why you are so kind to everyone? Or is it just that you like being an arse?"

"Millard and me, kissing?" I laughed, trying to play it off. "I don't even know why on earth you would say that?"

Ridiculous! It sounded like those icky romance stories that I hated. "A boy meets girl! Three days later they kiss! A week later, he proposes! They get married and live happily ever after! (Then the boy's crazy Ex returns and slaughters them both. My addition.)" Absolutely out of the question!

I had to get out. Now, or else I would go mad.

"Maya, don't you fret a singular thing about Enoch; he's just not the sharpest tool in the woodshed." He put his hand on my shoulder, and I thanked him for it. "You don't look too good."

"I just need some fresh air." I realized I had been staring at Millard, what was I looking for?

I walked past the invisible teen, then charged up the stairs, skipping steps along the way.

"Hey Maya, you wanna…" Claire said, before I ran past her and Olive. I saw Hugh and Fiona in the garden, and I walked calmly past them. I sat under my now favorite bridge. Only Fiona knew where it was, so it was absolutely perfect for me to sit and think.

I liked Millard. There's no way he admires me back. A friend, nothing more. I was too dark. Too different. I was prejudiced against myself. I constantly wanted to get creams to whiten my skin, going so far as to not step foot outside without a hat and long sleeves.

I scribbled Millard's name on the ground. Millard Nullings. Then, on a whim, I wrote Amaya Nullings. Something sounded right about it, as if It called to me. I rubbed the sand back over the names, scolding myself for such thoughts.

"So, if it isn't the Author." A man in a very nicely trimmed suit said. He had black hair and grey eyes, almost like Enoch's, but duller and terrifying. "What are you doing here all alone? Shouldn't you be with some ymbryne, cowering under her skirts?"

"No. I am completely capable of taking care of myself." I said "Shouldn't someone like you be more of a gentleman and leave girls in their thoughts?"

"Ah, but I have a proposition for you! He said, sitting next to me on the bank.

"Go jump in the river." I said

"Titus!" A man's deep voice roared, making me jump. It was the only time I was ever glad that someone found me. "Do you not have any self respect anymore?"

"Sharon, I was just..."

"Now." He said quietly. Somehow his quiet voice was way scarier than his normal voice.

Titus did not need anymore prompting. He left, muttering some curses I wouldn't dare repeat.

"So, Little Lady, are you alright? Did Titus bother you?"

"No, I needed a jolt back to reality. What time is it?"

"Almost seven-thirty, judging by that normal walking by that shop." I turned my head to see a person in rags begging for coins.

"Thanks, I need to get back to Miss P." I said, "I'm in debt to you."

"Never say that to someone you just met. They will take that debt."

"Well thanks for the advice as well. Good-bye!"

Walking back to the house, I felt a sense of calm unlike any other. Millard was near.

"Maya?" Millard said softly, I'm guessing not to frighten me. "Did what Enoch said upset you? I'm sorry he can be so thick headed."

"No, no. It's okay, I needed a walk."

"About escorting you to dinner, may I?"

"It's about time." I said, and he held my hand as we walked. No one could see Millard walking with me, so it looked like I was alone.

But I knew as long as Millard was here, I was never alone.