CLARA CONTINUED TO FULFILL HER MISSION. She was Barron's informant and she continues to be. Jacob, without knowing it, was helping her accomplish to this goal. Before, when they were in the living room, Clara asked him.

"C-could you do something for me?" She asked Jacob, placing her hands onto his, "If they talk about me.. Will you let me know what they say?" She hoped he agrees. "If they think I'm suspicious. Or what they think of me. Anything."

"Sure. I will." Jake said, looking at her, and giving her a comforting smile "Promise me, Jake?" She asked him, "Please, Jake."

"I promise." He said, "I'll try my best, Clara."

"And also, let's keep this to the both of us only. We're both new, so we have to stick together." 

He kept his word. Clara felt bad about this, nonetheless she continued, but she was more determined this time. She's already wasted a lot of time thinking she can't do it, but now she knows, she can and she will.

Enoch and her wasn't talking for more than a week now. The day she almost got killed by a hollow, he was drinking and passed out in the living room. Miss Peregrine confiscated his stash of liquor and gave him thrice the chores he used to have. All of the peculiars have noticed and wanted to know what happened between them. They were only starting to get close and then stopped.

The two of them faced each other inside Miss Peregrine's office. "I want both of you to resolve the conflict you have. I will leave both of you here for your privacy. Refrain from hurting each other please." But that's what we'll do to each other. Cause pain to the both of us.

Miss Peregrine left the room, and Enoch avoided her gaze. There was nothing but silence. Clara gulped, "I don't know what exactly made you mad, but I'm sorry, Enoch. I don't mean it the way you think I did." I'm sorry about what I'm doing and will be doing to all of you, too, Enoch.

"Why do you have to fuck up everyone every time?"

✧ ✧ ✧

  EMMA TOLD ENOCH HE WAS MEETING WITH CLARA LATER THIS AFTERNOON. "Miss Peregrine consulted me and asked what we can do to resolve this problem of yours. I told her to let you two talk inside her office so you both can have your own privacy."

"I don't want to talk to her, Emma." Enoch sighed exasperatedly, "I've got more to do. The bird won't do what you told her to. I still have to make up for what I did."

"This is a perfect timing. Reconcile and she'll be much gentler and careful with you. It means it's working, Enoch. Don't leave me behind. Please." Emma told her, "I promise you, if she ends up keeping a secret all this time, it'll all be worth it."

Enoch, this time, sighed in defeat. "Alright. If you're wrong, I'll make sure I have Portman do this." He told her, making her roll her eyes but she agreed. 

"I don't know. All I know is I'm sorry. I won't ever do it again." So, Emma was right. Now, Enoch wasn't the one to be nervous, but he was. He was hoping this strategy works exactly as they planned it.

"That time, take it as an advantage. She's slowly letting her guard loose. Without her knowing." Emma told him, "You have to pretend to confess of liking her. Right there." 

"WHAT? NO WAY!" 

"I accepted your apology." Enoch said, "Promise me you won't ever do something as fuck up as that. Or any of the fucked up things you've done." Clara looked down. He looked at Clara, "Look at me, and promise me." 

Clara looked at him, "Okay, Enoch. I promise." It's working. Emma was right. She was loosing her guard. "One more thing, Clara." 

"Now, this is the most important thing you have to do to get her to believe you actually like her..." Emma started, "You need to do this later. That time or never." 

✧ ✧ ✧

  "WHAT IS IT?" Clara asked Enoch. Enoch cupped her cheek and leaned in to kiss her. She was surprised, but she placed a hand over his, and kissed back. She hasn't kissed anyone since Augustus, but the kiss felt the same to her. Sweet and genuine. She felt her heart melt. She remembered Augustus from this, but she knows that the guy who kissed her now was Enoch.

Enoch pulled away, "I like you." He said, "And I hope that proves it." He gave her a short smile. Clara, this time, stood and sat on his lap, after that, she placed her arms over his shoulders and kissed him again. She felt Enoch pull her closer with her waist. She never expected his lips were something she'd craved for. She pulled away, "I guess you know what that means?" She smiled.

For the first time ever, Enoch let out a sniffled laugh, but failed. He smiled to her, "I do. Crystal clear. Although you should get off me now, Miss Peregrine might barge in anytime. We won't want to let her see us like this." He told her, making her laugh, "Right, right." 

Clara stood again, straightening her dress. "We should go and tell her we're alright now."

"Before anything else, I.. I don't want them to know about this for now. I want us to be a secret for now. Everybody knows and they'll spoil it." She couldn't think straight. This felt like a dream to her. Enoch was so different in front of everybody and in front of her. For once, she felt special.

"Okay then. You're probably right." Clara said, "Come on then, let's go." 

By that, Clara forgot the mission. The mission of causing destruction to them. She cared about the curly-haired boy in front of her and the kisses they shared in a office. It was a short time but felt like forever to her. Maybe she was wrong-- this isn't the beginning of her win. It was the beginning of her loss, and she was more than ready to surrender.