Work Text:
“Wake up, Enid. We’re going to be late.”
Wednesday feels like she’s basically the werewolf’s personal alarm clock at this point.
“Mmm five more minutes,” Enid grumbles.
“Seriously?”
Enid blinks open one eye to look at her roommate. “I say that every morning. Shouldn’t you expect that by now?”
Wednesday rolls her eyes and huffs but doesn’t push further. Enid grins in silent victory.
Their morning routine was a carefully crafted dance at this point. Always teetering on the edge of a razor blade due to Wednesday’s need to be punctual and prepared and Enid’s tendency to be fashionably late to everything. Yet after rooming together for nearly three and a half years, they had it down to an imprecise science. They made it work. Just like everything else in their relationship at this point.
Well, almost everything. More and more Enid finds herself staring at Wednesday and wanting to blurt out what the hell are we? She refrains though. She’s scared Wednesday won't know what she’s asking. Or worse, would know, and give an answer Enid couldn’t bear to stomach. So she forces herself to sit in this miserable purgatory of being Wednesday Addams’ best friend and nothing more. That could be enough, right? For her to just sit there and watch them go around in circles forever? Like two magnets staring at each other across the room but never getting close enough to snap together. Tragic, but fitting for them.
They barely make it to class on time. Wednesday says they’re late. Enid says they’re early. It works.
“Pay attention, Enid,” Wednesday mumbles under her breath as their botany teacher drones on.
The werewolf looks at the girl next to her, trying to pretend she hadn’t nearly just fallen asleep on the desk. “I am!”
“The drool on your chin says otherwise.”
Enid quickly wipes at her mouth, only to find there was no drool. She glares at her roommate who has the faintest smirk on her lips. The werewolf thought she’d grow used to the feeling after over three years, but nope, every time Wednesday even gives the smallest of smiles her heart beats so fast that she has to actively remind herself not to wolf out. It was truly cruel how the person that could calm her in any situation was also the only one able to rile her up with just the slightest twitch of the lips.
The smirk on the goth’s face only grows wider as Enid continues to give her an annoyed glare. Almost as if Wednesday knew exactly just how much she was riling up her roommate. “Pay attention,” the goth says again. “The mid-term is next week.”
The blonde glances at the board where the teacher rambles about plants she will never care about. “Ugh, I don’t care about the mid-term!” She whisper-yells back. “Besides, my grades are fine as is.”
“Debatable.”
“Hey! I have just as good of grades as you! ….Most of the time. Plus I have a way more robust social life on top of that so really I think I’m winning in this whole acing school thing.”
Wednesday raises an eyebrow, “I didn’t realize our studies were a competition. Though if they are, I must say your ridiculous involvement in every social club imaginable is far more of a detractor than promoter.”
“I didn’t hear you complaining when I arranged that school-wide fencing competition that you slayed everyone in.”
The goth’s mouth twitches, “I suppose that was an adequate use of your time for once.”
Enid grins a bit in triumph as she turns back to the teacher to try to listen to the lecture. Wednesday was right, she should probably listen. Her attention span lasts all of thirty seconds.
“Your lack of focus is astonishing, Sinclair,” Wednesday mutters again as she writes a note down on her parchment.
“Oh come on! I didn’t even do anything.”
“You started picking at your arm like it was suddenly the most interesting thing on earth.”
Enid huffs, “I can’t help it! I have werewolf restlessness!”
“Based on the numerous books I’ve read, that is not a thing.”
“Whatever! We both know you’re just gonna let me look over your notes anyway.”
The goth frowns in offense, “I will do no such thing.”
“Sure Addams,” Enid winks at the girl, then wonders why she’s trying to flirt with someone who has absolutely no idea how to. Especially in the middle of botany of all places.
Wednesday gives the werewolf a long hard stare before replying. “You’re taking your own notes the rest of the day.”
Enid squeaks quietly, “See! You’re the best roomie! Saving me from my awful senioritis.”
“Please refrain from continuing to make up ailments that do not exist,” Wednesday grumbles, still slightly annoyed that Enid could get her to fold so easily.
The teacher dismisses the class.
Enid gathers her things in a rushed hurry, “Senioritis does exist! We only have two months left of school! I don’t want to be doing actual school work!”
Wednesday looks at her incredulously as she gathers her things in an orderly fashion. “Doing school work at school. The horror.”
“Ugh, you don’t get it. Only two months left, Wednesday! There’s so many more important things we could be doing!”
The raven raises an eyebrow as they walk down the corridor, “Such as?”
Such as confessing our undying love to each other? Such as going to the senior ball together? Such as making the most of the last few months we’ll be roommates?
“I-I don’t know, like working on cases and stuff?”
Wednesday’s eyes narrow at the words, feeling as if her roommate is avoiding the question. “I’m always working cases, this time is no different.”
Enid huffs, “I know! It’s just, you’re going to Harvard next year and I’m going to Boston University and I know they’re sort of near each other but it won’t really be the same, you know?”
It’s the first time either of them has had the guts to call out the elephant in the room. The one that has been looming over them for three months since they both got their acceptance letters. The fact that soon enough they would no longer be roommates, and the carefully crafted balance of life they had established over nearly four years would suddenly vanish.
Blue eyes search brown for any sense of understanding. For any sense of the same sadness and desperation Enid feels over the situation. Of course she frustratingly finds none of that, just an impassive stare that for once she can’t read.
The silence draws out for a beat too long before Wednesday replies, “I fail to see how that has anything to do with your ability to complete your school work.”
Enid releases a deep breath. So that’s how this is going to go. “Yeah… I suppose it doesn’t.”
“Enid-”
She uses her werewolf speed to quickly get to her next class, leaving Wednesday to walk to hers alone. She misses the longing look on the goth’s face as she leaves.
They don’t talk the rest of the day, and Enid wonders if she’s ruined everything by shining a light on the situation they had both been avoiding all semester. Maybe it was better to just pretend like this would never end for the next two months. Like she wasn’t terrified that even though Wednesday would only be a short drive away, the distance would be enough for the goth to put her in the rear mirror. Wednesday had always been extraordinarily ambitious. It was one of the things Enid loved about her. But that meant she could never ask the goth to slow down for her. It wouldn’t be fair. Especially when they weren’t…anything really.
She’s not surprised Wednesday is missing when she gets back late after all her clubs. However, she is surprised to find that the botany notes already sit on her desk, as does her favorite pastry. Her chest warms at the sight. Wednesday may not have wanted to discuss their looming graduation, but at least she wasn’t avoiding Enid like she may have done in the past.
Thing barrels through the door a minute later and freezes when he sees Enid, not expecting her to be back so early.
“Hi Thing!” The blonde grins. Then she tilts her head when she sees that the hand is carrying something. An envelope. “What do you have there?”
The hand twitches as if he wants to make a run for it, but he knows it’s pointless to try to outrun the werewolf so he just sighs and holds up the envelope.
Enid takes it and reads the front. “A letter to Wednesday. From…Oxford?” She frowns, “Didn’t they already reject her?”
Thing nods. The seer had threatened to fly to England and personally burn down the iconic campus herself when she found out, but her Havard acceptance that followed soon afterward had assuaged a bit of her anger. Besides, Thing couldn’t help but feel that the girl was even a bit relieved she hadn’t gotten in, but he knew better than to suggest such a thing. Studying literature at Oxford had been a dream of the eldest Addams’ daughter since she was a child.
Just then the door bursts open and Wednesday comes trudging in, boots covered in mud.
Enid can only sigh, not even bothering to ask where her roommate has been, knowing she’d likely be horrified by the answer.
Wednesday glances back and forth between Thing and her roommate for a minute before eyeing the object in Enid’s hand. “What’s that?”
“This? Oh.” Enid holds out the letter, unsure why her hand is shaking. “It’s for you. From Oxford.”
The goth frowns and snatches the letter from the werewolf. She pulls out a knife from her boot, ignoring Enid’s eyeroll, and slices the envelope open.
Enid suddenly feels as if time has slowed in the upper room of Ophelia Hall as dread fills her core. Like one of those moments in a Shakespearean tragedy you know is coming but can’t stop.
Wednesday unfolds the paper and scans it. Her eyes betray nothing, but sharpen ever so slightly.
“Well?” Enid can’t bear the suspense. “What does it say?”
The raven holds out the paper.
The wolf grabs it.
Wednesday Addams,
We are pleased to inform you a spot has opened and you have been accepted to-
Enid doesn’t read further than that, for fear she may collapse if she does. Her lungs suddenly forget how to work properly. She forces her hand not to shake as she holds the paper back out.
“Wednesday!” Her voice sounds too cheery even to her ears, but she presses onward. “That’s amazing!”
The goth takes the acceptance letter back. “It is…something.”
“Something? You’ve always wanted to study at Oxford, right?”
“I have.”
“So why aren’t you excited?”
“I’m never excited, Enid.”
The blonde can’t help but roll her eyes, even if she thinks she can hear her own heart breaking if she listens close enough. “Fine, then why do you look…upset?”
The raven’s eyebrows furrow, and Enid curses her brain for thinking it’s cute despite the fact that she’s two seconds away from collapsing on her bed and bawling her eyes out.
“I’m not upset. I’m just…confused.”
“Confused?”
“I did not get in before, yet now they change their mind.”
“I mean, a waitlist is a thing?”
“It did not say I was on a waitlist.”
“I don’t know. Maybe they do things different in England.” England. Wednesday is going to England. She suddenly feels nauseous.
Wednesday considers it, “Perhaps. Though it does not make much sense.”
“Oh stop overthinking it,” Enid says as she grabs the pastry on her desk and holds it out. “Come on, split this with me and celebrate! I know you secretly love these too.”
The raven frowns, “Celebrate what?”
“That you’re going to Oxford! Your dream!”
“Who says I am going?”
That makes Enid hesitate for a moment. Hope blooming in her chest. “Do you not want to go?”
“I didn’t say that.”
There goes the hope. “Oh. Well, then what do you mean?”
Wednesday fidgets ever so slightly, a rare occurrence that Enid zeros in on. “Well, I have already stated to Harvard I would be attending there.”
“It’s just a deposit. It’s no big deal. I’m sure they’d find someone to fill your spot.”
The goth nods robotically. “I suppose.”
“Is that…” Enid inhales, “the only reason you’re not sure you want to go to Oxford?”
Sharp brown eyes meet hopeful blue ones. Time freezes again. The air suddenly feels heavy. As if this moment may very well dictate the rest of their lives.
Wednesday swallows and looks away. “Yes.”
Time speeds up again. Slamming Enid in the chest. It’s all she can do to remain upright. “Oh. Okay.” Her voice sounds wobbly at best. “Then you should go to Oxford. It’s your dream afterall.”
Wednesday’s eyes snap back to Enid who is looking at the ground. The seer stares at the werewolf in front of her, desperately wishing the wolf would just understand everything without her having to articulate it. “Yeah. I suppose it is.”
Enid nods and swallows down the lump in her throat. She breaks the pastry in half and holds out a piece to the goth who hesitantly takes it.
“To your dream, Wednesday Addams.”
The goth can only nod in return.
They eat the pastry in silence.
Enid cries herself to sleep.
Wednesday knows, yet says nothing. Because all she wants to do is the exact same thing.
------------------------------------
Three weeks later and Wednesday has conceived approximately 19 different ways to tear the acceptance letter to shreds and forget it ever existed.
She has no idea how one simple piece of paper has somehow destroyed everything her and Enid had spent three and a half years crafting, yet here they were. Enid hardly spoke to her, and when she did, it was only when Thing or their friends were around.
Wednesday had learned enough emotional awareness from Enid in the last years to know why. She had been a coward. The moment was right there for the taking. Enid all but begging for Wednesday to finally put a name to everything that had been building between them since freshman year. Yet Wednesday had run away from it. Taken the easy way out. And Enid, wonderful and perfect Enid, had let her.
Wednesday wishes she could go back in time and change it. Or even better, go back in time and never apply to Oxford in the first place so this internal turmoil was never an issue. But it was too late now.
Enid had only continued to insist that she follow her dream. So much so that Wednesday knew that deep down she meant it because the werewolf was the most kindhearted person she had ever met. Wednesday didn’t want Enid to mean it. She wanted Enid to be selfish for once. To ask her to stay. Because god, did Wednesday want to stay. But she knew Enid would never do that. Enid cared too much about her. So much so that she would let Wednesday go. And Wednesday was too much of a coward to tell the blonde that she didn’t have to.
When Enid tells their friends, Bianca gives her a piercing look as if to say what the hell are you doing?
Wednesday doesn’t meet her gaze. Apparently she was too much of a coward for even that now.
She sits at her typewriter, writing nothing. A common occurrence in the last three weeks. Thing crawls over. “You don’t have to go,” he signs.
“I said we’re no longer discussing this.” It’s said in an icy tone that makes it clear she’s serious.
Thing disregards. “Just tell her how you feel. Maybe you guys can do long distance.”
The seer grabs the hand. “I said enough! There’s nothing to tell her. It’s done. Settled.” Over. “Besides, she wants me to go.”
The hand looks as incredulous as a hand can look.
Wednesday doesn’t budge.
Thing gives his best annoyed posture. “Fine. Be stubborn. But at least make the most of these last few weeks with her. You’ll never forgive yourself if you don’t.”
Wednesday bites her lip and looks over at the colorful side of the room. She swears she’s not being wistful. Just…pondering in a longing sort of way.
Thing hops down from the desk and pulls out a bag from under Wednesday’s bed. He looks up at her in expectation.
The raven tries to glare at the hand, though even she can tell it's a poor attempt as she stares at the bag. The senior ball was in two weeks. Just three weeks ago, Wednesday had purchased the suit with every intention of asking Enid to accompany her. Then she came back to the room only to find that she had been accepted to Oxford. In England. She supposes she should’ve asked Enid before purchasing the suit. Now it felt too late.
“It’s not too late,” Thing signs, as if reading her mind.
“It is.”
Just then Enid bursts through the door. Despite the cavernous distance that had grown between them the last three weeks, Wednesday suddenly feels a bit lighter, just as she always did in the blonde’s presence.
“It’s not. Ask.” Thing signs before scurrying away. Wednesday really had to dismember that hand one day.
Wednesday stands up rigidly. “Enid.”
“Oh, hi Wednesday.” The blonde says as she glances over. “I’m surprised you’re here so early.”
“I wanted to extend my writing time.”
The blonde tilts her head, “How’s that going?”
Poorly. I spent all of it thinking of you. “It…was not my most productive hour.”
Enid smirks and pretends to be shocked, “No. You don’t mean to say Wednesday Addams couldn’t focus?”
The seer bristles, though she’s secretly relieved that the banter between them which had been non-existent the last three weeks had made a reappearance. Banter. Wednesday had never liked to engage in such trivial nonsense before. What had Enid Sinclair done to her? “I don’t have that ridiculous senior sinusitis-”
“Senioritis-”
“-ailment if that’s what you’re implying.”
The blonde gasps. ‘“I would never.”
Wednesday rolls her eyes slightly, the weight from the last few weeks feeling lifted with just a few words spoken with her best friend. Then she glances at their split window as twilight sun rays filter through and everything crashes back down on her again. Three weeks and this would all be over. Three weeks and they would walk out of this room for good. Three weeks and Wednesday would suddenly be facing living not only in a different room, but a different continent than Enid Sinclair.
The seer gathers the courage that has been failing her recently and inhales. “Enid, are you planning to attend the ball with someone?”
The blonde doesn’t register the seriousness in her roommate’s voice as she unpacks her school bag. “Actually, Ajax asked me today.”
Wednesday flinches visibly, but Enid’s back is turned. “I see.”
It’s then that the werewolf suddenly realizes the weight of the conversation. She turns around quickly to face the goth who looks as stoic as ever. “I mean, he just asked me as a friend! I didn’t give him a response yet.”
The seer looks at the ground, all the courage she had gathered fleeing her. Her chest aches. It wasn’t just that Ajax had asked Enid, though that stung. But it was more so the fact that Enid could have anyone she wanted in her life. There would always be Ajaxes and Brunos, even Yokos and Biancas, that would be drawn to the bubbly blonde and be there for her when needed. Wednesday was replaceable to Enid. But Enid wasn’t replaceable to her. She was indelible. Inerasable. Permanent. And soon, she’d be gone.
Enid stares desperately at Wednesday, suddenly wishing she had never mentioned Ajax. It feels like another shattered moment. Another missed opportunity. She desperately tries to claw it back. “Wednesday if you-”
“I have to go look into something for a case.”
“Wednesday wait!”
The door is slammed before Enid can even fully process what just happened. She considers running after Wednesday. It’s all she wants to do. With her werewolf speed and senses she could do it easily. But she knows that as much as the goth let her push her boundaries, there were certain times that if she did, the seer would only retreat further, and she knew this was one of those times. She wipes at her eyes and lets the raven go. She can’t help but think that will be written on her gravestone at this point. Here lies Enid Sinclair. Fool who let Wednesday Addams go.
Wednesday doesn’t return that night. Enid isn’t surprised in the slightest, though it doesn’t make it hurt any less. It feels like they’re back in sophomore year, running away from their problems. Except now they had very little time to figure it out. She only doesn’t freak out because Agnes texts her saying she’s with Wednesday. In the past, Enid would be upset and jealous about that turn of events. Yet over the years the goth had made it clear who was the priority in terms of her and Agnes. Plus she’s just glad Wednesday was letting someone keep an eye on her.
She gets a few fitful hours asleep. When she wakes, Wednesday is still gone.
---------------------------------
The next two weeks go by in a blur. Classes race toward final exams. Clubs have their end of the year parties. Students and staff alike plan the last minute details of the ball. Enid knows Wednesday is avoiding her, though she doesn’t think the goth even has to try very hard with how busy they both were.
Bianca once pulled her aside and asked what was going on between them to which she had only responded, England. The siren knew from the heartbreak in Enid’s voice not to push further.
She says yes to Ajax the day before the ball because she’s run out of time to ask Wednesday instead. Despite living in the same room, they never had a moment to talk. Wednesday was always either away or sleeping. Enid had briefly considered waking up the raven just to ask her what the hell they were doing, but she didn’t want to face the goth’s wrath at having been woken up. Even with her best friend/roommate privileges, she’s not sure she would’ve been exempt from a knife to the heart if she disturbed the seer’s slumber. Besides, the goth looked so cute and peaceful when she slept, Enid couldn’t bring herself to wake her up anyway.
That’s how Enid finds herself here, putting on the finishing touches to her makeup for the gala and wondering if it was enough to cover the heartbreak in her eyes. There was still a week left before graduation. But that was going to be filled with finals and family members and packing. Tonight felt like this was it. One last night to get it right. She glances at the empty dark side of the room. If only.
“You look gorgeous, Enid.” Agnes says from beside her. Over the years the younger girl had become quite the cheerleader of the two roommates.
Enid turns with a shy smile, “Thanks Agnes.”
The redhead smiles sadly. “I’m going to miss you guys so much.”
The blonde’s heart breaks a little and she pulls the younger girl in for a tight hug. “We won’t be too far.”
“You won’t be too far.”
Ouch. Enid tightens her grip on the younger girl to ground herself.
A knock on the door separates them. The blonde goes to the door.
“Ajax, hi!”
The two had long gotten over the awkwardness between them since they dated, though the gorgon can’t help but let his eyes appreciate his friend just a bit. He couldn’t believe how badly Wednesday was fumbling with the werewolf. “Enid, wow. You look great!”
The blonde laughs, “So do you. Is that a new hat?”
The boy grins, “Bought especially for the occasion!”
At that moment Wednesday suddenly appears in the doorway. Agnes, Ajax, and the rest of the world fades as the two roommates lock eyes.
Enid takes note of the goth’s casual clothes. So she’s not going to the ball. She bites back the disappointment. She shouldn’t have hoped for anything different.
Wednesday, for her part, feels like she has strayed into a daydream where the only thing she can do is stare. Her best friend is glowing. Her longer hair is curled to perfection. Her peach dress makes her look radiant. Her blue eyes sparkle in a way that makes Wednesday want to do something crazy like drop to one knee and ask if they can forget about Oxford and be roommates forever instead. In fact, that idea was seeming less and less crazy by the second. How could Wednesday do anything other than fall to her knees and beg this girl to be with her forever?
Ajax coughs.
The rest of the world comes back into focus.
Wednesday does her best to compose herself, standing rigid and off to the side. Her mouth feels like sandpaper and her chest feels like lead. She forces her emotions back behind her carefully crafted walls.
“Enjoy the ball.” It’s a dismissal as much as it is a courtesy.
The light in Enid’s eyes flickers ever so slightly, but she puts on a smile and takes Ajax's hand. “We will.”
When the door closes, Wednesday lets out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. She uncharacteristically runs her hands over her braids nervously.
“Are you just going to let her go?”
“Agnes,” Wednesday starts slightly as the girl pops into visibility.
“Well?”
The goth stiffens, “I have no idea what you mean.”
“Oh come on, you have one week left! Do something!”
“There’s nothing to do!” Wednesday raises her voice in a rare show of emotion. “I-I-I’m leaving! To England!”
Thing scuttles up on the desk at the sound of the commotion.
Agnes throws her hands up. “Then go tell that girl you love her!”
“I don’t!”
Silence falls over the room. Agnes and Thing share a glance before looking back at Wednesday who seems to be unraveling slightly. Her normally stoic eyes are wide and her fists are clenched in frustration.
The goth points at the door. “Just…leave. Both of you.”
No one moves.
“Now!”
The redhead and the hand scuttle out the door.
Wednesday sighs as she collapses on her bed. She closes her eyes, trying to recenter herself, but all she sees is brilliant blue eyes staring hopefully back at her. She pulls out the suit from under her bed and bites her lip.
“Maybe I am cursed.”
-----------------------------------
Enid is enjoying the ball for as much as someone completely heartbroken can. Which is to say, not much at all. Ajax and her friends are the only ones that make it slightly tolerable, and she puts on a smile and dances for them. But they all know what she’s feeling, and no one pushes her to be the life of the party she typically is.
She’s sitting on a bench nursing some punch she’s sure is more than punch when a hush sweeps through the room. The music still blares, but almost everyone stops and turns toward someone that had just entered the ballroom. Enid frowns, trying to see over the crowd, yet the hairs on her neck stand up because deep down, she already knows who it is. Only one person at Nevermore had command over a room like this without even trying.
She stands as the crowd seems to part in front of her, opening up to reveal the enthralling girl who had just entered. The girl who simultaneously drew everyone in and pushed everyone away. The girl who the werewolf would follow to the depths of hell if she asked.
Enid forgets how to breathe. She forgets how to think. She forgets how to do anything but stare.
She’s vaguely aware of their entire class’ eyes on them, but she can hardly bring herself to care. Seconds later Bianca hollers for all of them to go back to their own business and the dancing resumes, but she still doesn’t notice.
The only thing she sees is Wednesday Addams in front of her. In a perfectly tailored dark suit and white shirt. Her red bowtie is the first thing Enid has ever seen her wear that has ever had color. It fits her. Her hair is out of its braids but done up elegantly. Everything put together like devastating perfection incarnate. Enid wonders if Wednesday’s vision from all those years ago was still accurate. Because truly, this girl would be the death of her.
“Wednesday, you look…” For once Enid is at a loss for words.
“Not nearly half as good as you, I’m sure.” For once Wednesday fills in the silence.
Enid’s eyes flicker and she wants to have all the answers now. Did the raven mean that like it sounded? Did she feel the way Enid felt? Not just admiration or affection, but all-consuming, gut-wrenching love? If so, did it even matter if they were leaving in a week? She doesn’t get to ask any of these questions though, because Wednesday Addams is holding out her hand.
“Care to dance?”
Enid’s eyes flicker to Ajax for a second. The boy chuckles and nods because he’s not even offended. Just happy for his friend. This had been a long time coming.
The werewolf smiles at the raven and takes her hand. “I’d love to.”
Wednesday leads them to the dance floor confidently. Classmates stare, but the two roommates are used to being the center of attention at this point.
The song changes to a waltz, as if Wednesday had timed it perfectly. Which is ironic considering nothing else about their timing ever was. Wednesday pulls her closer and settles her hand on her waist and Enid wonders if she’s fallen asleep in the punch bowl and is dreaming all this up. But then Wednesday starts moving in time with the music, and Enid knows this is real because even her imagination couldn’t conjure up something this perfect.
Despite her awkward and stilted dance at the Rave’N, Wednesday knows how to waltz with perfect elegance, because of course she does. Enid is glad she has a dancing background, else there is no way she would’ve been able to keep up, even with the seer leading. Wednesday moves them flawlessly around the room and spins her to perfection. People part around them, but they take no notice, locked in their own world.
They dance and dance through waltz after waltz, until finally the music fades back into upbeat pop. Enid is breathless by the end, though she thinks it’s more from her partner than the actual dancing. She rests both hands on Wednesday’s shoulders, wondering if she could hold the raven there forever. Brown eyes stare into blue for a long moment before they flicker around, as if the seer is just realizing they aren’t alone.
“Come on,” Enid tugs the girl out to the hallway. She briefly considers stopping there, but it’s still not private enough, so she continues to lead them through the halls and up to the steps they knew by heart. The steps that they would never climb again in less than a week.
Once in the room, Enid tugs Wednesday to the window and out onto the balcony. She reluctantly lets go of her hand so they can both lean against the railing, looking out onto the school grounds which shines in the moonlight.
A heaviness settles back inside them as reality slowly creeps back in. In one week all of this would be gone. The balcony. The window. Nevermore. How had the time flown so fast? How had they not committed every single moment to memory? How had they let slip so many moments with the roommate next to them?
“Wednesday?”
The goth stiffens, because she already knows what is about to be asked.
Enid, somehow always the braver one of the two, asks anyway. “What are we?”
The seer glances at the blonde, but never quite meets her eye. She wants to just say the truth for once. But considering what they were about to be facing in less than a week, she fears the truth will break them. For all the courage she had on the dancefloor, she finds none remains now.
“We are…this weird friendship anomaly.” It’s the best her head can allow her to say, though her heart protests against it.
Friendship.
Enid bites her lip, forcing back the tears from her eyes. She knows it’s a lie. Which somehow hurts even more. So this is what they're destined for.
“Do you think…” She wants to ask for the truth. God does she want to ask for it. But she settles for a slightly safer, yet no less vulnerable question. “Do you think our friendship anomaly can survive a six hour time difference and an ocean between us?”
The raven finally actually looks at the wolf now. “We’ve survived far worse, haven’t we?”
Enid lets out a watery chuckle because it's technically true. They’d survived near death experiences, hyde attacks, body switches, even the scare of Enid being stuck as a wolf forever. And yet, this seemed like the most daunting task of all. Because the only reason they had survived any of those things was because they did it together.
She looks over at Wednesday who shines in the moonlight. She’s never wanted to kiss someone so bad in her life. Yet she refrains because she thinks that may just be the thing that shatters the last remaining fragment of her heart. Instead, she takes her hand, and the seer lets their fingers lace together.
“Promise you’ll keep in touch?”
Wednesday, for once, reads the subtext. “I told you the mark you left on me is indelible, Enid. You have no need to worry about me forgetting you.” She looks back out at the sky. “If anything, I should be the one concerned about that.”
“What?” Enid startles, “I could never forget about you, Wednesday! Never! You’re…” Everything. “...Unforgettable.”
The seer looks meaningfully at the blonde. Perhaps I should be though, she thinks. Enid Sinclair deserved so much better than to be tied down by the memory of Wednesday Addams. She doesn’t say this though, because she knows it will start a fight. And for one once in her life, Wednesday wants to pretend there’s nothing wrong in the world.
They stand in silence on the balcony holding hands for a while. Eventually Thing comes and joins them. He brings them chairs and the roommates sit shoulder to shoulder, Thing on the railing between them.
They don’t mention the heaviness in the air again. Because there’s nothing like shared delusion at 2am to bring people together. Instead they simply talk. About anything and everything. Previous cases. Near death experiences. School pranks. How much they still annoyed each other. As if they’re trying to commit the last four years to permanent memory.
It’s everything Wednesday thought she would hate about a conversation. Reminiscing and nostalgia was for the weak. Yet as she looks at the girl across from her, she can’t help but imagine what would happen if she stayed. If she let this be the rest of her life. It didn’t seem so bad. In fact, Wednesday couldn’t picture anything better. She doesn’t say that though. It wasn’t the time. Perhaps it never would be.
All too soon, the sun starts to rise. A new day dawns. Their time of pretending was over. It was time to get ready to say goodbye.
Wednesday slowly stands and looks out on the horizon. “Enid?”
The werewolf stands too, wiping at her eyes. “Yes?”
“I still think you’re weird as shit.”
Despite everything, the blonde laughs. It rings out over the silent campus and echoes through the chambers of Wednesday’s tortured heart.
“The feeling is incredibly mutual.”
--------------------------
Just as anticipated, the next week moves by at lightning speed. Finals are taken. Graduation is prepped. Bags are packed. Before they know it, the two roommates are staring at their mostly empty room, dressed in their caps and gowns, waiting for the ceremony.
They hadn’t talked about the night of the ball. It was easier that way. Less painful. Enid had resigned herself to the fact that Wednesday would always be her biggest what if. That maybe years from now, if the timing worked out, they could be everything. But that time wasn’t now.
Wednesday had not come to any such resignations herself. In fact, she was increasingly more desperate to change the outcome. She knows she’s missed so many opportunities. Most recently the other night on the balcony. Yet she finds herself hoping for the universe to give her one more. One more chance to get it right.
The principal calls for the students for the ceremony. The chances are gone.
After they walk, the two roommates say their obligatory goodbyes to their friends. Of course Enid is crying, though Wednesday doesn’t begrudge her that. She finds she’s sadder than she expected when nodding to Bianca and Ajax and especially Agnes. Bianca and Ajax were also going to Boston University, so at least they would all be close. She was the one walking away. At one point in her life she loved doing that. Now she wonders if it may just break her.
They make their way up to Ophelia Hall one last time, their families luckily giving them some space (though Wednesday had to glare at Esther Sinclair to do so). The room is empty now, the only thing left is the window. They each stand in front of it, looking out of their side.
“I’ll miss you, Wednesday,” Enid’s lip trembles and she wipes at her eyes.
Wednesday is as still as ever. “I will regret your absence too, Enid.”
Enid sobs and flings her arms around her roommate. Wednesday doesn’t hesitate to return the embrace.
Ask me. Wednesday thinks. Ask me to stay and I will. The words are stuck in the lump in her throat though. For once Enid doesn’t read her mind, because the wolf doesn’t ask.
They stand like that for a long time. Until Thing reluctantly crawls in and says it’s time to go.
Enid’s embrace tightens and her breath tickles Wednesday’s ear. The next words are said so quietly, she almost misses them.
“I love you, Wednesday.”
Then Enid Sinclair is gone from Ophelia Hall.
Wednesday stands there frozen in the window until Morticia herself has to come to retrieve her. The dove doesn’t have to ask what is wrong. She sees the entire story played out on her daughter’s emotionless face. She almost wishes she was the type of mother to meddle. To put her foot down and say she can’t go to Oxford because everything her daughter needs is here. But she has always let Wednesday make her own mistakes, and that won’t stop now. Even if she fears this is her biggest one yet.
In the back of the family hearse, Wednesday turns on the phone Enid had given her. She’s immediately flooded with energetic messages from the blonde, and it temporarily soothes the gaping wound in her chest. She types a response back, and lies to herself that this could be enough for the next 4 years.
--------------------------------
Summer goes by dangerously fast, yet torturously slow at the same time.
Wednesday continues her own personal investigations, chasing down the most recent Chicago murderer. She texts with Enid often. Constantly if she’s honest. Agnes as well. Though she can hardly keep up with their obnoxious group chat.
She even calls Enid from time to time, with this stupid thing called FaceTime she can never get right and always results in Enid laughing at her. She really should’ve just given the blonde a crystal ball. Still, it’s thrilling to hear Enid’s laugh. To see her face. Even through a screen.
They never talk about the words Enid whispered before she left. Wednesday continues to tell herself this is enough. It isn’t.
August comes quickly and soon she’s standing at the airport, ready to fly to England. When she was younger, Wednesday wasn’t sure if she ever experienced happiness except in the delight of other people’s downfalls. She thought back then maybe she would experience it when she got to study at Oxford. Yet now that she’s met Enid Sinclair, now that she’s experienced real happiness, she’s not sure how she ever thought Oxford would ever compare.
Enid’s texts are fewer today. And Wednesday wonders if it’s because she can feel the gap between them. She certainly can.
The blonde still does message though.
Have a safe flight. Text me when you land.
8 hours later Wednesday texts back.
I’ve landed.
She only receives a thumbs up.
She spends the next few days unpacking and settling in. She has a single room which she’s grateful for. She’s sure if she had another roommate she’d pitch herself off a balcony, for no one could come close to Enid.
She still texts the wolf, but it’s less frequent now that they’ve both moved into dorms and have a six hour time difference. Wednesday always thought she enjoyed feeling hollow inside. Yet now she feels as if she’s not even truly living.
The first literature class is riveting, she’ll admit. The type of quality education and mental challenge that Wednesday loved. But there was only one thing on her mind as she walked into her empty dorm room and sat in silence.
She had made the worst mistake of her life.
-----------------------------------
Enid was enjoying college. It was a breath of fresh air to get away from her house and her mother that’s for sure. Plus it was nice to see her friends. Bianca lived in the same dorm hall, and Ajax was around as well. She had good classes, met new people, joined new clubs. Yet there was a giant Wednesday Addams sized hole in her life that she wasn’t sure would ever mend.
Her dorm room felt too empty. It was a double room, but she was the only one there. She was glad for it though. She hated living alone, but she hated the thought of living with anyone other than Wednesday more.
Three days into classes, she’s considering dropping out and moving to England. That wouldn’t be too crazy, right? She forces the ridiculous fantasy from her head. Wednesday had made her decision. She had left. She had said it was only friendship. She had avoided bringing up what Enid said that last day in Ophelia Hall. So Enid would stay put, because this was how it was meant to be. Even though everything felt wrong.
When she gets to the dorm entrance after the fourth day of classes her RA is there. “Oh Enid hey! I was hoping to catch you.”
‘“What’s up?”
“I know it’s very last minute, but…you have a new roommate.”
Enid’s blood runs cold. No. No no no. “I…what?”
The RA puts her hands up apologetically. “I’m sorry! It was all very unorthodox. She’s a last minute transfer student. I have no idea how she ended up getting assigned to your room.”
Now Enid is very much considering moving to England. “That’s….great.”
The RA presses on, “I hear she’s quite the character. Scared half the people shitless when they saw her. If you ever are in trouble let me know.”
Enid’s lips twitch despite herself as they walk toward her door. “Don’t worry, I have experience with difficult and scary roommates.”
The RA shakes her head, “Not sure if you’ve ever had one like this one, but good luck.”
“I’ll be okay, thanks.” Enid waves the RA off, hoping to wallow in peace.
She opens her door, and time does that thing again where it seems to freeze.
The girl in front of her is facing away, but she’d recognize that braided silhouette and stiff posture anywhere on earth.
“W-Wednesday?” It comes out as a breathless squeak, as if the girl will disappear if she speaks too loud.
The girl turns as the door slams shut behind Enid with a clatter.
“Hello Enid.”
The werewolf gapes. “What…How…What are you doing here?”
“Unpacking.”
“Okay yes I see that. But why are you here? What happened to Oxford?” Enid feels like the room is still spinning. Was this real?
The seer looks up from where she’s just placed her typewriter. “I left Oxford.”
“What?? Why???”
“So many questions.”
“Wednesday!”
The seer sighs and folds her hands in front of her to hide her fidgeting. “If you must know, Oxford…didn’t suit me.”
The werewolf is pacing now, “Didn’t suit you? How? It seemed like the perfect school for you.”
“Yes, well. It wasn’t.”
“Explain Wednesday!” Enid’s not sure why she’s so upset. The girl she’s been missing the last 3 months who she thought she would never see again just showed up in her room. She should be elated. But overall she’s just confused, and doesn’t want to bring herself to hope. Not yet. Not when there was still so much left unsaid between them. So much Wednesday had left unsaid.
The goth looks around the room briefly before settling back on the wolf. “Oxford was…too far from here.” She inhales. “From you.”
Enid’s heart pounds as she stares at the braided girl. “What? I-I mean. You could’ve just gone to Harvard.”
The seer hesitates, looking suddenly unsure. Had she read everything wrong? “Do you not want me to be here? If so I-”
“What? No!” Enid scrambles. “I’m glad you’re here. Thrilled actually. I-I missed you so much. I just, I don’t quite understand? You always wanted to be in the Oxford literature program, or at the very least Harvard’s.”
“I assure you I am perfectly capable of writing my novels without such programs.”
“No! I mean, of course! You’re brilliant. You don’t really even need college. That’s not what I mean.” Enid flounders.
“Then what do you mean, Enid.”
“I mean why are you here, Wednesday? At this specific school? In this specific room? When you could be anywhere else? Out there following your dream!”
“Who says those other places were my dream?”
Enid scoffs, “Oh come on. I know you Wednesday, I know Oxford was. Is!”
The seer tilts her head and shuffles slightly closer. “You’re correct. You do know me Enid. But in this case, you do not see.”
“I don’t see what?” The wolf throws her hands up in exasperation. 5 minutes in and she’s already being driven insane by this girl she somehow can’t live without.
“That my dream has changed.”
“To what?” The blonde asks incredulously.
A beat of silence.
“To you.”
“...What?” Enid whispers. Surely she must’ve misheard. Or perhaps she’s misunderstanding. There’s no way Wednesday Addams dropped out of freaking Oxford just to go to Boston University with her.
The seer shifts uncomfortably, but presses on. “I…have known this a long time, and run from it even longer. Yet after everything. The ball, the balcony, the…hug goodbye. The incredible isolation I felt in my single dorm at Oxford without your presence. I can no longer deny it.”
“Wednesday-”
“Do you want me to follow my dream Enid?”
“Yes…” She breathes quietly.
“Then that is what I am doing. That is why I’m here right now. With you.” Wednesday forces herself to keep her eye contact with the blue eyes shining back at her. “Because you are that dream.”
“Wends-I-god is this real?” Enid hardly breathes, worried that if she does she’ll wake up and come crashing down to reality.
The seer bristles, “I should hope so. I didn’t spend all night on a redeye for this to be fabricated.”
At that Enid throws her arms around her roommate who accepts the hug with a low grunt. The raven’s eyes close, lost in the sensation of finally being home again. How had she ever thought she could live without this?
When Enid pulls back after a while she’s already rambling. “My gosh Wednesday, I missed you so much. I couldn’t stop thinking about you and your stupid typewriter and your stupid frowns and your stupid obsession with being right. It felt like the other half of me was missing you know? Like I can’t explain it, but I just didn’t feel whole without you. Even though you drive me insane half the time, I felt even more insane without you here. And I’ve thought about asking you to stay a million times in the last few months. But I told myself I couldn’t, that you were chasing your dream. That I was being selfish. But Wednesday, all I’ve ever wanted is to be with you. Wherever that is.”
The seer swallows thickly to push down the emotion in her throat. For once, she’s the one that intertwines their fingers. “You should have asked me to stay. I wanted you to ask me.”
Enid shakes her head and gives the shorter girl a watery smile as she rests their foreheads together. “Stay.”
“Always.”
They stand like that for a minute, basking in the feeling of finally being whole again after so long. Two magnets that had finally found their way back to each other.
“Wednesday?” Enid whispers. “...What are we?”
The seer pulls back ever so slightly to look into blue eyes. She finds herself raising her hand automatically to wipe away the tears that stain precious cheeks. Every missed opportunity, every cowardly lie from the last four years flashes across Wednesday’s mind. Not this time. Never again.
“We are indelible, Enid. We are…everything.”
Enid’s breath hitches, “You mean it?”
“Enid, I’ve spent the last four years running from what we are and almost lost you because of it. I don’t plan on spending the next four years making that same mistake.”
That’s when Enid finally, finally, kisses her roommate.
She’s only lived 18 years, but somehow she knows her whole life has been leading to this. Because Wednesday kisses like she does everything in her life. With purpose and precision, and that mix of affection reserved just for Enid. The wolf pulls the shorter girl impossibly closer by her coat, and gasps when Wednesday runs her tongue along her bottom lip. They kiss how they coexist. Dangerously. Like a hot and cold front colliding and creating the perfect storm. Positive and negative charges building until lightning strikes and everything around them bends to their will. On the brink of blissful chaos.
“I love you, Wednesday.” Enid says breathlessly as they pull away for air. “I’ve always loved you.”
The raven’s only response is to tug the wolf in again, trying to pour in four years worth of unspoken words and missed opportunities into the kiss. They kiss until Wednesday becomes frustrated with the need for the human body to actually inhale air, and only then does she pull back.
Enid rests her forehead to Wednesday’s and grins. The seer can’t help herself, she smiles back.
The hole in the werewolf’s heart finally has mended. “I can’t believe you dropped out of Oxford for me.”
Wednesday’s response is quick. “I didn’t do it for you, Enid. I did it for me. It seems I cannot function properly without you by my side.”
“Aw Wends,” Enid grins and gives the goth another lingering kiss. “That’s got to be the most romantic thing anyone has ever said.”
“I highly doubt that,” Wednesday grumbles, looking down to hide the heat rising to her cheeks. She’s saved from her complete embarrassment by Thing climbing out from her bag.
“Thing!” Enid exclaims, picking up the hand excitedly and twirling around the room. “I missed you so much!”
The hand dances happily with the werewolf, just as elated to see her. Their room was complete again.
Eventually Enid stops spinning and sets the hand back down. She watches Wednesday continue to unpack and glances at all the familiar objects. The typewriter, the cello, the ridiculously large knife collection. All of it finally made the room feel like home.
“I can’t believe how much I missed your ridiculous habits.” Enid starts mindlessly chattering as she runs her hand absently over the typewriter keys. “Sometimes I swore I heard your footsteps in the hall at 2am when you’d usually come traipsing in from the woods covered in mud. I found myself turning down my music from 7-8pm because I know that’s your writing time. I even listened to cello music some evenings because I missed you playing. And somehow even these professional pieces weren’t as good as you. I mean how are you so ridiculously good at everything? Seriously I-”
“Enid.”
“Yes?” The wolf squeaks, just now realizing she’s rambling.
“I love you too.”
------------------------
“Wake up, Enid. We’re going to be late.”
The werewolf blinks her eyes open and looks across the room. Her chest fills at the sight of Wednesday braiding her hair. She takes a moment to bask in the warmth of finally feeling whole again.
It wasn’t the same. The window was gone. The balcony was gone. Nevermore was gone. But Enid had found her pack. Her home. And this time, she was never letting her go.
“Five more minutes,” She murmurs with a smile, fully awake.
Wednesday meets her gaze and her lips twitch up ever so slightly.