Chapter Text
Enid is late. More than half an hour late, to be exact. While this alone is not entirely unusual, Enid curses herself for being late on the very first day back at Nevermore already. Although, to be fair, it isn’t her own fault at all. Today they didn’t have any classes yet. The first day is reserved for unpacking, settling in and getting to know new students.
Once again, Enid is part of the student’s council, which is precisely the reason for her late arrival to the dining hall. They had their welcome meeting and the new principal was way too enthusiastic about everything and therefore rudely extended the meeting by no less than 45 minutes. Enid’s stomach growled all throughout it.
But now it is finally over. Enid rushes around the corner. She sincerely hopes that Wednesday is still at the cafeteria. She was looking forward to sharing the meal again, just like they always did last year. Enid pushes the door open and is welcomed by hundreds of excited voices chatting to each other. The cafeteria is always loud at mealtimes, but it seems like everyone needed to update their friends on happenings of the summer all at once tonight. Enid stands on her toes as she scans the room for a familiar face.
There - black braids, black outfit. Around her other familiar faces, like those of Divina and Kent. Enid gives Yoko a quick wave once the girl looks in her direction, then makes a small detour to collect her dinner. Unfortunately, there are only a few leftovers to be chosen from this late, but Enid would happily take anything. As long as it’s edible and satisfies her hunger - it’s perfect. Which is how she ends up with a plate of dry pasta, two large chicken filets, some ranch to dip, green beans which the man behind the counter made her get, an apple, a large glass of milk and two slices of chocolate cake. Yep, definitely an “all-over-the-place-dinner”, but who cares.
Enid weaves her way through the dining hall, trying not to trip over anyone or anything. Just as she reaches the table she aimed for, she stops in her tracks. Someone is already sitting in her spot.
Does she have an official spot? No.
Is the spot next to Wednesday unofficially always hers? Yes.
So why on earth is that specific spot already taken? And who is even sitting there? And why does Wednesday seem to be busy talking to that stranger? Enid narrows her eyes on the back of the unidentified head as her grip on the tray carrying her food hardens immensely.
“Girl, come sit next to me,” Divina calls out. Her friend is sitting on the bench opposite Wednesday’s. Enid huffs quietly as she walks around the table to take a seat at where Divina pointed to. Now, being on the other side, Enid finally gets a perfect front view at the uninvited guest. But other than realizing it is a guy with untidy dark hair and perfect olive skin, Enid still has no clue about what is happening.
She sets her tray down with a little more force than needed. “Who are you?” She asks him directly. The guy and Wednesday stop talking and both turn toward Enid.
“Oh, this is my new roommate, Gus,” Ajax says cheerfully from beside the guy.
“And Gus needs help introducing himself?” Enid’s voice is sharp as she raises an eyebrow. But Gus only keeps staring at her, before pushing his plate slightly away from himself.
“August Rivera, though I mostly go by Gus. Pleasure to meet you.”
Enid sighs deeply, knowing she has just been incredibly rude to a new student, for no reason other than him sitting in her seat. And technically, she can’t even blame him for this, since it is not officially her spot after all. Besides, how should he have known? Wednesday probably thought Enid wouldn’t even make it to dinner anymore.
“Sorry, Gus, I’m pretty hangry tonight,” Enid quickly shoves a bite of pasta in her mouth as to emphasize her explanation. “Our new principal is very…talkative, he totally went overboard with our welcome meeting. I’m Enid, by the way, Wednesday’s roommate.” She tries to smile kindly.
“Nice to meet you, Enid.” August’s facial expression gave absolutely no indication about whether or not this is true. Instead, Gus returned to Wednesday, to pick up their previous conversation again. Even with the increased consumption of food Enid’s irritation doesn’t lessen. Wednesday hardly ever engages in conversation during mealtimes, so how come she is now talking so freely with that new Gus guy?
“So, Gus, August, Mr. Rivera - what exactly brings you here to Nevermore?” Enid asks Gus loud enough to make sure he definitely hears her. And apparently, he does. Because once gain, Gus stops his conversation with Enid’s best friend to look at the werewolf instead.
“I’ve attended Reichenbach Academy in Switzerland up until now. But my father’s occupation has brought us back to the United States, at least for some time.”
“Isn’t this the same school that Xavier transferred to?” Enid asks.
“If you mean Xavier Thorpe, then yes. We have shared some classes last school year.”
Enid nods her head, not knowing what else to say now. Just as Gus is about to turn his attention back to Wednesday, Enid quickly throws another question at him.
“Come on, tell us something about yourself, so we can get to know you. Do you have any hobbies?”
August takes a deep, controlled breath. “I like to use my the majority of my time for academic advancements. But I do enjoy playing the contrabass for a creative outlet - a great balance.”
“Oh, is that the same one that Wednesday plays?” Ajax asks.
“I play cello,” Wednesday answers, as if it is ridiculous to confuse the two instruments.
“Really?” Gus inquires. When Wednesday only nods sharply, he adds, “Maybe we can play together at some point. We’ve had multiple cellists in our orchestra at Reichenbach, so I have various music pieces at hand that would work as duets.”
“Any specific composers whose music you prefer playing?” Wednesday asks curiously.
Before Enid can hear Gus’ reply, her attention is entirely drawn towards the suffocating feeling in her chest. Great, now she’s choking on a piece of chicken. Enid feels hard slaps on her back, Divina apparently trying hard to keep her friend from dying.
“I’m good,” Enid breaths out in between coughs. Out of nowhere, a cup appears before her face. Looking up she sees that Wednesday is holding out hers for her friend to take.
“Thanks,” Enid whispers as she takes a few large gulps of Wednesday’s ice cold water.
“Better?” Yoko asks in concern.
“Yeah, thanks,” Enid mumbles, feeling heat creeping up her neck as everyone around them keeps staring at her. “Don’t know how that happened,” she chuckles breathlessly. This, however, is not entirely true. She does know what rattled her so much that it ended with her inhaling a piece of chicken. “Wednesday-I-don’t-participate-in-trivial-conversations-Addams” has willingly asked another person questions about their likes and preferences. What is it about this guy and Wednesday suddenly becoming so talkative?
“Personally, I feel myself drawn towards Prokofiev’s work most. My psychic abilities are deeply connected to music, so it helps me manage those.”
“You’re a psychic too?” Bianca asks from Enid’s other side, looking at Gus somewhat surprised.
“Yes, I am.”
“Would you look at that, two psychics with their oversized instruments, you’d make a good pair,” Bianca smirks.
If Enid’s looks could kill, Bianca would probably suffer the most painful death right now. This is not what Enid needs right now. What Enid needs right now is to be back in the safety of their dorm, getting all cozy with Wednesday, talking about their summers and getting some more unpacking done.
“I was thinking, maybe we could use this evening to finish decorating our room? Then you can tell me everything about your time at your grandmother’s,” Enid suggests to Wednesday, trying to get her attention at last.
“Unpack, yes,” Wednesday says as she looks at Enid with her usual expressionless stare. “Decorate, no.”
“Aw, come on Wednesday, I promise I won’t overdo it,” Enid whines, then stuffs her mouth with more pasta.
Wednesday gives her roommate a skeptical look. “That’s what you said last year.”
Enid just rolls her eyes at Wednesday. Her room last year really wasn’t that bad. She hardly brought any stuffed animals with her and the colors overall where a lot less intense than the year before. Enid’s style grows with her, after all.
But before Enid can think of anything else to say, Gus has already trapped Wednesday in another discussion about composers or whatever else it is they are talking about. Enid doesn’t fully understand the content. She doesn’t even want to.
The tip of the fork hits the ceramic plate hard, as Enid stabs her chocolate cake. Grumpily, one mouthful follows the other. Chocolate cake is usually one of Enid’s favorite desserts, but today she can hardly make out its taste. She’s too busy being annoyed by the new guy.
Enid feels an elbow hitting her side, and she looks up to see Divina staring at her. “All good?” The girl whispers.
Enid sighs quietly, then nods at her. Okay, she really needs to take a chill pill and relax. Don’t be so ridiculous, Enid thinks. Soon, dinner will be over and then she can finally go back to their dorm with Wednesday. And she will have her best friend all to herself again.
“Oh, come on Wednesday,” Enid begs her bestie, hanging on to her right upper arm. “Just one hour, it won’t kill you.” She tries to give Wednesday her very best puppy eyes, but the girl doesn’t even look at her. Instead, her lips a pressed together tightly and her eyes focused on the Tell-Tale-Cafe tucked into the corner of the Quad in front of them.
“Debatable,” Wednesday grumbles.
“Pretty please?”
“If you keep using that toddler voice I will find a way to switch the locks on our door.”
Enid laughs and squeezes Wednesday’s arm affectionately. “Nah, you wouldn’t lock me out.”
“Don’t tempt me any further.”
Enid rolls her eyes as they come to a stop behind one other person waiting in line for coffee.
“Black coffee,” a low voice orders. Huh, that voice does seem familiar to Enid.
“Finally someone with good taste,” Wednesday states, before the guy turns around to look at them. Gus. Of course. He takes the cup from the barista and moves to stand next to Wednesday as the girl orders their own drinks.
“A quad over ice and a furrochino with two pumps of strawberry, two pumps of chocolate and some steak sauce,” Wednesday orders without batting an eye. “And some extra sprinkles,” she adds for good measure. Enid is impressed how Wednesday seems to have lost all kinds of unease about ordering Enid’s sugary drinks. But thinking back on Wednesday complimenting Gus for his own bitter drink, Enid feels defensive about her favorite order. It’s undoubtedly the best drink available here, in her opinion.
“Thanks,” Enid says as she takes her colorful drink from the grumpy looking barista. Wednesday swipes her card to pay before Enid can even reach for hers. Damn, she must owe Wednesday a hundred quads by now.
“Thanks Wends, the next one is on me.”
Now that Wednesday has her drink as well, the girls turn around, intending on finding a spot to sit down. Enid had promised Wednesday to quietly do some homework, if they hung out here for it. Why teachers feel the need to assign homework on the very first day of classes is beyond Enid’s understanding. But, here they are.
As she steps forward, she almost bumps into Gus, who’s still standing right next to them.
“Wednesday, I heard there is a decent fencing club at Nevermore?”
Enid’s mouth works faster than her brain and before she can stop herself she answers, “Wednesday is not part of the fencing team anymore. Maybe it’s best if you asked Bianca Barclay about information on it.” Enid forces a smile, hoping it makes her comment appear a bit friendlier than it is.
“Actually, I was thinking about re-joining again this year. The first practice is at six pm tonight.”
Enid whirls around to stare at Wednesday. How come she hasn’t heard those news before?
“Since when have you decided to fence again?” Enid demands.
“I noticed that my movements have gotten a bit…rusty, when I was challenging my grandmother to duels this summer. I think it would be wise to get some practice in again.”
“Great, I guess I’ll see you in the gym at six then.” Gus has the nerve to openly smile at Wednesday. A full-on white teeth smile at that. Enid growls quietly, which startles herself. What is going on with her? And what is it about this guy that makes her act so rude? Usually she’s only too happy to welcome newbies to their school.
“Come on, let’s find a seat.”
Damn it, she is late. Again.
Her last class was werewolf anatomy, one of the few classes she doesn’t share with Wednesday or any of their friends. Wednesday enjoys a free period during that time. Hopefully her roommate managed to snatch good seats in the conservatory by now. Botany isn’t one of Enid’s favorite classes, she has never been particularly talented when it comes to caring for plants. She once had a little cactus which she got for her birthday - it lasted a month before it painfully died, despite Enid’s best attempts. Divina claims it’s because she drowned it. But Enid was so worried about not giving it enough water, that she decided to water it every single day. She now knows, that this was the wrong thing to do.
Enid sprints along the corridor as fast as she can. Stupid Professor Santos and his stupid lengthy explanations of their semester project. He forced her to stay in the classroom until he reached her, which was last of all. So now she has to try and make it to her botany class in time. Enid pushes the swinging doors to the conservatory open and makes her way to the desks.
Finding Wednesday isn’t hard. Her signature hairstyle and black clothes creating a wonderfully consistent look, easy to spot among their peers. Enid is about to head over to the table, when she notices that the seat next to Wednesday is not empty, as anticipated.
No fucking way. Gus just had to park his stinky bum there, hadn’t he? Enid freezes up, once again cursing to have been born as a werewolf instead of a DaVinci. Telekinetic abilities seem so much more appealing right now than claws and fangs.
“You can just sit next to me, you know,” a voice pulls her out of her seething thoughts. Enid whips her head around and sees Kent sitting at the table to her right, directly behind the one of Wednesday and Gus. Wednesday and Gus - argh, phrasing it like that is lowkey nauseating.
Grumpily, Enid throws her books on the table with a loud bang and drops her bag on the floor, before letting herself fall onto the chair rather inelegantly.
Wednesday doesn’t even seem to notice her, being too busy answering August’s tireless questions about who knows what. Thankfully, the teacher enters the room, so this would at least put a stop to their chattering. Enid takes a deep breath and pulls out a pencil, ready to take notes.
As she is not able to sit next to Wednesday, at least for today, she really must take detailed notes. But tonight, she’s gonna ask Wednesday to tell Gus to swap places with her. Everyone knows that Wednesday and her sit next to each other for every class they take together.
Enid’s hopes for a cease of conversation between the two students a table ahead are soon crushed like the dreams of every educator in this country. Somehow, they still keep going. And when they can’t talk, Gus keeps writing little notes and pushes them toward Wednesday. Sure, as far as Enid can tell the girl never replies, but she also doesn’t tell him off.
Enid tries hard to focus on what their teacher is saying. She really does. But after half an hour she could not even give you a single word related to today’s lesson if she wanted to.
She wonders if Gus’ head is burning up by now, given how she unashamedly stares holes into the back of it.
Enid keeps squeezing the pencil in her right hand. When Gus leans toward her best friend slightly, something snaps inside Enid. And outside. A cracking sound startles even herself, as she looks down to her hand. She snapped her pencil in two. Great, perfect.
“Wow,” Kent mutters next to her. “Easy, there.”
Swallowing, Enid lifts her head again, only to be met with surprised stares from all directions.
Enid’s eyes grow large and she feels her face and ears grow uncomfortably warm. It looks like everyone heard and everyone is currently focused on her and her broken pencil. Even Wednesday and Gus have finally stopped whispering to each other and are looking at her in confusion.
“Everything okay, Miss Sinclair?” Mrs. Beuyr asks carefully. Yikes. Big yikes. So even the teacher noticed. Great. Perfect. Maybe living in the woods as a lone wolf is not so bad after all.
“Sorry,” she squeaks. “I guess I just held on to it to energetically.” Enid tries to smile, but it awfully feels like a grimace. Mrs. Beuyr seems to be content with the explanation and resumes her lesson. Most of the others face the front again too, all except for Wednesday who keeps frowning at her.
“All good,” Enid tries to mouth to her friend. She can tell that Wednesday doesn’t believe her, but eventually decides to let it rest for now and slowly turns back too.
Life - 1.
Enid - 0.
Wednesday suggests to eat their lunch outside. The weather is beautiful and unusually warm for a fall day in Vermont. There’s burgers on today’s menu, and Enid’s mouth is watering at the mere thought of it. Enid loves the kitchen staff at Nevermore, they always allow you to choose all the toppings in your burger. Wednesday always has hers painfully plain. No cheese, no sauce, only lettuce and pickles. Enid, naturally, goes for the triple patty and any and all extras they have. Cheese, crispy onions, pickles, bacon, ketchup, mayo, mustard, veggies - name it and it’s on there. It always earns her a side eye from Wednesday, but she couldn’t care less. Especially knowing that Wednesday’s favorite family dish is roadkill pot pie. That girl really can’t talk.
Enid aims for the last free table in the corner.
“Oh look, that one is still - Wednesday?” The moment she realizes that Wednesday is not next to her anymore, Enid stops and turns around. Turns out, that Wednesday has left their shared path just a few steps before, having spotted a familiar head of short, black hair. Enid blows hot breath out of her nose as she glares at Wednesday talking to Gus. The boy is holding up a book, but Enid can’t see which one it is from this angle. Gus is smiling brightly at Wednesday. Enid knows that smile. This is unmistakably a “I-am-convinced-I-can-enchant-any-girl-with-my-flirting-skills-smile”.
“Wednesday!” Enid calls out to her roommate. She is most definitely not in the mood to walk over there and maybe having to interact with August herself. But Wednesday either doesn't hear her or ignores her. Hard to tell with Wednesday. The girl grabs the book Gus is holding out and starts reading the back of it.
“Wends, we need to grab the table before-“ Enid looks toward the intended seating spot and notices that it is not empty anymore. “Great,” Enid grumbles quietly.
Thankfully, she sees Yoko waving at her just two tables over. Looks like they are welcome to join them. Wonderful.
“Wednesday!” Enid tries again. When yet again no answer follows, Enid stomps over to her.
“I’ve read another one from this author in the past and must say that I’ve enjoyed it,” Wednesday states, her voice clear and steady.
“Wednesday, I’ve been calling your names three times now,” Enid grouches.
“You can have it once I’m done reading,” Gus tells Wednesday, completely ignoring Enid’s presence.
“I might take you up on that offer,” Wednesday says, before acknowledging her friend with a simple look.
“Oh, so you do still remember that we are eating lunch together?” Enid bites at her. Wednesday’s brows slightly furrow, like she can’t decipher why Enid is upset with her.
“Excuse us, we need to find a table now,” Wednesday says to Gus, while taking a step closer to Enid.
“No problem, I’m happy to exchange book recommendations about crimes any time. Or, you know, if you want to burrow any of my books, just let me know.”
Wednesday only nods once in appreciation. Enid balances her tray in one hand now, using the other one to link her arm to Wednesday’s to gently, but with enough force, pull her towards Yoko’s and Divina’s table. Enid only gets more irritated when she sees how the two girls are obviously trying to keep their laughter in.
What’s the physiological process of extending claws outside a full moon transformation?
Well, what is the physiological process? Enid has no idea. Looking down at her left hand, she can easily extend and retract her claws. Especially tonight, given how agitated she feels. Enid is sitting at her desk, trying to get some of her werewolf anatomy homework out of the way. But so far, she has been completely out of luck when it comes to her ability to concentrate on the words in front of her.
Her mind keeps drifting off relentlessly. Wednesday, the next full moon, Wednesday, Yoko and Divina laughing at her during lunch, Wednesday. Enid let’s out a frustrated growl. What is going on with her?
Enid throws her pen on the table, jumps up and paces around the room. She wiggles her hands, as if to shake out the unease sitting deep inside her. Enid’s eyes wander to the other side of the room, where a clock is sitting on top of the second desk. Enid’s heart rate speeds up when she sees the time. It’s almost seven thirty already! Wednesday’s fencing practice should have only lasted until seven, so how come her friend is still not back? Wednesday is definitely not one to linger after any club or class has ended, she works like a Swiss watch and comes back to their dorm at the exact same time. So why is she not here yet?
Enid feels like a storm is starting to form in her chest. Letting go of another frustrated growl she marches over to her bed and falls in it - face first. Enid grabs a pillow and hides her head underneath it. It takes only a few seconds before Enid feels a gentle tap to her shoulder. Slowly, she pulls the pillow away and sits up again.
“What wrong?” Thing signs.
“Nothing is wrong. Everything’s peachy.” Enid grabs the teddy sitting on her bed and hugs it tightly to her chest.
“She back soon.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Enid tries to deflect. She is not in the mood to discuss any of this with anyone right now. Even Thing, who has easily become one of her best friends she ever had. It’s not like she doesn’t trust him, it’s more…that she doesn’t really trust herself right now.
Thing pats her thigh, then, after a short hesitation, he adds, “Wednesday always put you-“
But what Thing intended to say will forever be a mystery as in that exact moment, the door is thrown open swiftly and through it comes Wednesday - with her braids messier than usual and her cheeks a soft pink color.
“Where have you been?” Enid demands and jumps up, the teddy long forgotten and both hands in fists now.
Wednesday walks straight to her desk to put down her sports bag, before making her way to her closet to retrieve her pajamas. Like she always did at night.
“I was at fencing, which I told you before I left,” she looks back at Enid over her shoulder, one eyebrow raised. Enid crosses her arms in a huff.
“Yeah, well, fencing ends at seven. It’s now seven-forty.”
“I wasn’t aware that I’m being kept on a leash.”
Enid, not knowing where to put her exasperated energy to, keeps shifting her weight from one foot to the other.
“That’s not the case, but as your best friend I’m allowed to worry when my roommate - who’s usually more on time than an actual clock - is forty minutes late!” Enid’s voice now louder than before. Wednesday places her pajamas down on her bed, before slowly straightening and turning toward Enid to meet the girl’s eyes.
“Gus turned out to be a adequate adversary, so we’ve decided to extend practice a bit tonight.”
Enid’s face scrunches up and she turns her head to look at the window instead. “Well, if wonderful Gus wants to fence then of course.” She can feel her eyes burning. For a few seconds, no sound can be heard other than Enid’s angry foot tapping.
“What’s wrong, Enid?” Wednesday asks, her voice unusually gentle.
“Nothing,” Enid grumbles. She really can’t look at Wednesday right now. “I’ll take a shower.” With that, Enid pivots on the spot, rushes to her closet to grab her own pajamas as well as a fresh towel and storms out of their shared dorm room.
The shower is wonderful - extra hot, like Enid likes it. But as her body relaxes under the heat of the water and wonderful smells of her soaps, her stomach hardens for a different reason than before. She was acting like a complete dick. Of course, Wednesday is completely free to extend her fencing practice with their classmate if this is something she wants to do. She doesn’t owe Enid anything, not even a heads-up or explanation. And Enid all but yelled at her for it. She covers her face with her hands and swallows another growl. What is it about this boy that brings out such childish territorial behaviors toward her best friend? Seriously, so what if Wednesday likes talking to him and spending time with him? Hasn’t Enid been telling Wednesday she should spend more time with others all along? So why does it feel so wrong now, that she actually engages is social interactions more frequently?
There’s a teeny tiny voice in the depths of her head, which whispers, “You’re jealous, Enid.” And even though she wishes she could, Enid can’t deny it. It is painfully obvious. She is jealous of this new guy that just shows up here and steals Wednesday from her. They’ve played a similar game last year, with Agnes. But somehow this feels…different. Even more threatening.
And even though that ugly jealousy is nibbling away on her intestines, she hates how unfair she has treated Wednesday the most. This is not the type of friend she wants to be. She’ll have to apologize as soon as she gets back to their dorm, and then try to be more civil with August Rivera as well.
Enid thinks about what to say to Wednesday on her way back to the room. But even before she opens the door, she can already hear the soft sounds of Wednesday’s cello. Enid enters the room and drops her towel and clothes on her bed. She’ll deal with those later - even if Wednesday will scold her for not hanging up the wet towel straight away. As she places her things down, she notices something laying on her bed, though. Her favorite chocolate bar.
How did this get here? She definitely didn’t buy it and she knows that she is out of her emergency chocolate stash already, since she had been desperately searching for a leftover treat among her things just an hour before. Nothing like sugar and cocoa beans to calm her nerves. Enid picks up the chocolate bar, as if it’s made of gold. Turning her head to the circular window, she wonders…
“Hey,” she quietly greets Wednesday once she steps out into the cold air on their balcony. Wednesday plays the last few notes of the piece she is playing, then faces Enid.
“Are you feeling better?”
“Yeah,” Enid nods, her cheeks warming up. “Sorry about earlier, I don’t know what…” She drifts off, feeling too silly about everything to continue. Instead, she holds up the chocolate bar and asks, “Did you leave this on my bed?”
Wednesday turns back to the music sheets and starts flipping through them, looking for the next piece. “Sugar always seems to help when you are in a foul mood. So I’ve learned to keep a secret stash of your favorite ones. And before you try - you won’t find them anyways, so don’t go raiding through my things.”
Enid smiles softly and finally rips the chocolate bar open to take a bite. “Oh, so good,” she moans. Chocolate really is the best medicine.
Enid lowers herself to the ground, her back leaning lazily against the wall beneath their window.
“Can you play Paint it Black?” She requests with her mouth full.
“You always want me to play this one,” Wednesday sighs.
Enid shrugs her shoulders. “It’s the first one I ever heard you play, guess I fell in love with you playing your cello then and there. So it will forever be my favorite.”
Wednesday takes a deep breath and says, “Alright.”
Three seconds later, the songs begins. Wednesday has played it so many times that she can play it by memory. Enid closes her eyes and listens, as a familiar feeling of warmth and safety sweeps over her.
True to her word, Enid tries to be more open about interacting with August in a suitable, friendly way. She tries not to glare him down every time he talks to Wednesday and even asks him questions here and there, like how he’s doing (fine - always) or what he thinks of the classes so far (acceptable - always).
Enid makes it a couple of days until her dislike toward him reaches new heights.
They are sitting in the Quad, all three of them. Gus, Wednesday and Enid. It had originally been Wednesday and her only, but then Gus joined them - not even asking, mind you, he just parked his bum next to Wednesday like it’s his right to do so. And here they are. Wednesday and Gus in a deep discussion about some serial killer attacking elderly women in the most brutal way down in New York. Enid tries not to listen to any of the details, but at the same time, she can’t not listen.
Enid tries to take deep breaths multiple times, to calm her boiling blood. She has tried to get into meditation various times throughout her teenage years before, but was never particularly successful. Moments like this one make her believe that meditation and her truly are not compatible. Enid tries to interject their conversation on several occasions, mostly asking Wednesday clarifying questions about the homework she is supposed to do right now. While her roommate answers each and every one of them, Gus wastes no time to sink his imaginary claws into Wednesday again and besieges the girl with more murder talks.
Eventually, the conversation moves on to which medieval torture devices they both find most useful and would use in interrogations for a case like the one in New York. Enid feels her neck muscles getting sore from how tight they have been for the past hour and her jaw is starting to pain from clenching her teeth as well.
Enid feels like the third wheel. She doesn’t know how to change the situation without causing a scene - something Wednesday most certainly would not appreciate. Besides, she has promised herself to not act so jealous anymore. She really doesn’t want a repeat of all those fights they had when Agnes tried to become Wednesday’s best friend last year. They are all good now, finally. She even considers Agnes to be a friend of hers. But still, the similarities between last year and this one leaves a bitter taste in Enid’s mouth. And Enid hates bitter more than anything. Okay, maybe she hates spiders even more. But she still hates bitter taste with passion.
When Gus, barely but definitely visible, moves to sit two inches closer to Wednesday, Enid feels herself draw in a sharp breath. But before she can say or do anything, a firm hand appears on her shoulders.
“Hello people, I fear I’ll have to steal our favorite werewolf for a bit,” Yoko says importantly.
Enid looks up to her friend, confused, before stating, “I don’t want to go.”
“Oh, yes you do, darling,” Yoko says sweetly, before pulling Enid up and away from the table.
“Hey,” Enid complains but Yoko holds her close, one arm around Enid’s back to keep her in place.
“Girl, you looked about a second away from attacking this boy in broad daylight,” Yoko whispers, her voice dripping with amusement.
“No, I didn’t.“
“Claws,” is all that Yoko says and Enid looks down to her hands. It is true, her claws are fully extended.
“Well, I don’t care. So what if I had attacked him,” Enid grumbles, even though she knows she could never forgive herself for doing something like that.
“Dude, you really need to chill. I mean, I’m sure Addams would drool if she saw your jealous animalistic ass rip that guy into pieces, but you and I both know that you wouldn’t survive jail for even a day.”
“I’m not jealous,” Enid pouts and crosses her arms before her chest. They have now reached the Tell-Tale-Cafe and Yoko orders Enid a hot chocolate, with an extra pump of steak sauce for good measure.
“You know you’re literally the only person allowed in Addams’ orbit, you don’t need to feel threatened by this loser. I know you’re wearing your love sick puppy glasses, but she doesn’t seem to replicate his attempts at flirting at all.”
Enid takes a sip from the drink, instead of answering first.
“I’m not love sick, I just-“ Yoko’s eyebrows are now high above her sunglasses, “Don’t give me that look, Wednesday and I are just friends. I…I just don’t like feeling so excluded. He seems to know everything about what Wednesday loves, so somehow it’s easy for him to draw her into these long conversations. I’ve fought so hard to get her comfortable with talking to me and he just shows up and - and…talks to her.” Another angry sip. At least the hot chocolate tastes amazing as always. Again - sugar and cocoa beans can always be trusted.
Yoko sighs deeply and puts her arm around Enid’s shoulders once more. They are both looking at the pair in question on the other side of the Quad. Enid notices, how Wednesday’s searching eyes fall upon her own, then gets up and walks toward them, her expression hard.
“Just talk to her, Enie,” Yoko whispers, before squeezing her once again.
“Tanaka, your daily rental time of Enid has exceeded its limits. Let her go,” Wednesday says, her tone as sharp as her eyes.
Yoko just laughs and drops her arm. “Don’t worry, I wasn’t planning on kidnapping your girlfriend.” “Yoko, we are not-“ Enid starts in annoyance, as Yoko just walks off with a shit eating grin on her face.
“You will get diabetes one day, Enid, if you keep up this sugar consumption.”
Enid rolls her eyes and finishes her cup of hot chocolate. A satisfying warmth spreads in her tummy, knowing that Wednesday has chosen to follow her instead of staying with Gus.
“Come on, let’s go on a little walk, bestie,” Enid suggests before linking her arm to Wednesday’s, guiding her to the school’s entrance. Just before they turn around the corner, Enid looks back over her shoulder to see Gus glaring at her. Ha, there you go, sucker. Enid will show him, that she can be just as capable as a conversation partner to Wednesday for all her interests as he can.
Her first order of business is fencing.
Truth to be told, Enid has dropped fencing the moment it wasn’t mandatory anymore. And that was last year. She thinks it’s an okay sport, but she really has no talent for it whatsoever. Back when she still had to fence, she usually paired up with some of the other rather bad students and they half-heartedly pretended to fence, all while trying to just not hurt each other or themselves.
Enid loves watching Wednesday fence though. The girl was insanely talented and flexible, jumping and turning, making it look like art instead of sport. Maybe she at least gets to see Wednesday in her element again today.
Enid hasn’t told Wednesday about her plans to join the fencing team. She has caught Bianca, the student leader of their club, during one of their breaks and asked if she could join. Bianca seemed surprised, but said yes nonetheless.
This is why, now at 5:59pm, Enid walks into the gym, dressed up in her usual fencing gear, her helmet tucked underneath her arm and foil held in the other hand.
It’s not hard spotting Wednesday from afar, as she is the only one dressed in all black. As expected, Gus is already hogging her, standing way too close for Enid’s liking. With her head held up high, she determinedly marches over to them and stops right next to Wednesday, who looks at her confusion.
“Howdy roomie,” Enid grins at her. “And Gus,” she adds, hoping it sounds friendlier than it does in her head.
“Hello, Evie,” Gus mutters, obviously just as happy to see her as it is the other way around.
“Her name is Enid,” Wednesday clarifies matter-of-factly. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve decided to join the fencing team too,” Enid chirps, bouncing on her feet.
She doesn’t miss the judgmental look Gus gives her, as his eyes traveling down her body. Enid tries to stand up even straighter, not letting his look get to her.
“Why didn’t you say something?” Wednesday asks and Enid wants to wipe that wrinkle between the girl’s eyebrow away with her thumb. But she doesn’t - of course she doesn’t. Even if her thumb might have already twitched.
“I wanted to surprise you.”
“Alright everyone, get into position and start your warm-up,” Coach Vlad calls out to all of them as he enters the gym.
“I’ll take this side,” Gus states importantly, walking to one end of the section that he and Wednesday are standing in.
“Actually,” Enid begins and places a hand on Wednesday’s upper arm, “I was hoping I could fence with you today? You know how I sometimes struggle with it, maybe you could show me a thing or two?”
Wednesday’s eyes bore into hers, as if she is trying to break an enigma. But then she nods in agreement. “August, I’m afraid you’ll have to find a different partner for today’s practice. I will be fencing with Enid.”
Gus shoots Enid a pissed off look, before stalking off toward Bianca. Enid takes the side opposite Wednesday and can’t help but smirk broadly. Oh, how wonderful victory tastes.
This high lasts approximately three minutes and thirty seconds. Which is all it takes for Enid to get breathless and start sweating. Wednesday shows her no mercy, drilling Enid to bend and jump and move and run and crouch down again. Enid starts counting down the minutes until this hell on earth finally ends. She feels the pearls of sweat rolling down her back, her body is overheating so much that she has to keep herself from ripping her fencing overalls off her body then and there. But she wouldn’t even have time to do so, because Wednesday Addams doesn’t take breaks. And if Wednesday doesn't take breaks, neither does Enid. For the entire hour. Enid contemplates throwing her foil away multiple times throughout practice, but then she spots Gus, on the other side of the gym, eyeing the girls with a sour face and it reminds her of why she is even here. So she stays. And lets Wednesday torture her. And Enid is well aware of the fact, that Wednesday absolutely loves torturing her roommate right now.
“Aw, everything hurts,” Enid complains, though most of it is swallowed by the pillows in her face. She is lying face down in her bed, already wearing some comfy sweatpants and an oversized T-Shirt after a well-deserved shower in the changing rooms. What she had just said is true. Everything hurts already, all her muscles are sore and she is utterly exhausted.
“I’d like to remind you that fencing is an extra curricular activity, one which you chose to do entirely on your own accord,” Wednesday says dryly, looking as fresh and half-dead as always.
Then something light hits Enid’s back. Surprised, she pushes herself up enough to see what the object is. Another chocolate bar.
“Eat it, otherwise I’ll have to endure your whining all evening,” Wednesday says as she gathers some of her music sheets.
“Thanks,” Enid says in appreciation. Wednesday might nag about Enid eating so much sugar, but she certainly encourages it by spoiling her with chocolate bars and sugary drinks on a daily basis.
Enid watches Wednesday putting her sheet music into her backpack, before putting it on. “Where are you going?” Enid asks, perplexed.
“I still have orchestra tonight,” Wednesday explains.
Damn it, Enid had forgotten about that. Suddenly her heart shrinks one size again. She was expecting to spend the rest of the night with Wednesday, maybe even convincing her to watch a movie together. But now she will be here alone, knowing that Gus gets to spend time with Wednesday after all. And there is nothing Enid can do about it. Sneaking into fencing might have worked, at least somewhat, but there is no way she can show up at orchestra, demanding to join when she doesn’t play a single instrument.
“I’ll be back in an hour,” Wednesday says as she walks to their door.
“Have fun with Gus, then,” Enid mumbles quietly, not daring to look at Wednesday. Her finger nails a lot more interesting anyways. She really needs to redo them, they already look pretty bad. The door falls shut behind Wednesday, and Enid lets out a frustrated sound as she falls back onto her bed. She hears the soft sounds of Thing climbing to the top of her bed and turns her head so she can see him.
“You look tired.”
“Yeah, I feel like shit.”
Thing moves to grab the chocolate bar Wednesday has thrown at Enid a few minutes earlier and holds it out to Enid, who grabs is with a frown. The wrapper is opened easily and Enid takes a large bite. As soon as the sweet, smooth taste of chocolatey goodness melts on her tongue, Enid feels her pulse slow down too.
“Wanna do our nails?” She asks Thing.
“Yes!” Thing replies enthusiastically and climbs down Enid’s bed to get his own nail polish bottles.
Enid ends up with orange and pink nails - except for her ring fingers, those are reserved for black as always.
Enid hears some voices in the far distance. She can’t hear what they are saying, and she also doesn’t want to. She just wants to be alone, hidden away in the comfort of complete darkness which hugs her so perfectly. Her body suddenly starts to shake a bit. No, wait, someone is shaking her body. The voice becomes clearer by the second.
“Enid!” It’s Wednesday. Wednesday is calling her name and shaking her. But why?
Slowly, the darkness around her is replaced by light, as she slowly opens her eyes. “Wends?” She asks groggily, her voice breaking. She notices that Wednesday is leaning over her, her face concerned and her eyes wider than normal. Why is Wednesday leaning over her? Only then does Enid realize, that she is lying on something exceedingly hard - the floor. Enid tries to push herself up quickly, only to be stopped by Wednesday’s hand holding her down.
“Easy, sit up slowly.”
Enid does as she is told. Looking around the room, Enid tries to remember how she ended up sleeping on the floor.
“You fainted,” Wednesday explains as she must have noticed Enid’s confused look.
“Damn it, not again,” Enid sighs. For a big, scary alpha werewolf her nerves are sometimes exceptionally unstable.
“Thing, get her water bottle,” Wednesday instructs their third roommate. Thing returns just a moment later. Wednesday removes the cap and helps Enid take a sip of water.
“Thanks,” Enid says, her chest slightly tingling with embarrassment.
“What happened?” Wednesday asks softly.
Images of before start returning to Enid and she most definitely does not want to tell Wednesday the truth.
“Oh, um - well - I just - it was,” Enid chuckles breathlessly. “I guess I was just feeling dizzy and then next thing I know, I’m on the floor.”
She knows that Wednesday doesn't believe her one bit. Enid hears the sound of Thing’s fingers snapping from somewhere behind her. She turns around and follows Wednesday’s gaze.
Thing, the little traitor, is sitting on top of Enid’s desk and points to her open laptop. The desktop shows the results of her google image search about that serial killer in New York that she has heard Wednesday and Gus talking about. Enid wants to get familiar with the basics of it too, so next time it comes up, she can smoothly enter the conversation as well. But it only took a single look at bloody crime scene photos for her eyes to turn backwards and the darkness swallowing her whole. Who even puts those images on the internet for everyone to see? Enid had only expected to see sweet photos of the victims, not a granny’s old lazy boy covered in what must have been gallons of blood.
Wednesday slowly gets up and walks to Enid’s laptop. “Why have you been looking for pictures of The Big Apple Stabber?”
“Oh, um, I thought it sounded intriguing. Very mysterious, you know. So I wanted to learn more about it,” her voice loosing power towards the end. Wednesday gives Enid a calculating look. Enid swallows loudly. Then her roommate walks over to her own desk without a word. She pulls out one of the drawers and rummages through it. Once she finds what she is looking for, the drawer gets pushed shut again and Wednesday walks straight back to Enid, crouching down in front of her.
“I’ve managed to secure some unauthorized photographs of the murder victims, it looks like they have been stabbed an average of twenty-five times-“
Whatever else Wednesday is saying gets lost. One look at a grandmother lying on the floor, covered in blood is enough for Enid to faint again. Damn it.
“Sorry, sorry!” Enid yells, as she runs through the crowd in the dining hall. She is fifteen minutes late, having lost track of time as she was looking for something in the library.
Wednesday has already joined their other friends at their usual table. There are two trays of food in front of the girl. Perfect, so she has already gotten Enid’s dinner too. Unfortunately, Gus is already sitting next to Wednesday again. This time though, Enid doesn’t give up this easily and simply squeezes herself in between them - despite the lack of available space.
“Hey!” Gus complains, as he has to move over to make room.
“Thanks for getting my food, bestie,” Enid grins at Wednesday and squeezes the girl’s knee once.
“What caused your delay this time?”
“Oh, I totes lost track of time reading this,” Enid says, slightly out of breath and retrieves a book from her bag. Wednesday takes it and looks at it curiously.
“The big book of serial killers?”
“Yep, totally fascinating. Couldn’t put it down, actually.” Enid feels her chest puffing out a bit, satisfied with herself.
“Oh, is this the one by Jack Rosewood?” Gus asks from her other side.
“Yes,” Enid answers shortly, before popping a grape into her mouth.
“Ah yeah, I’ve read that one a while ago. Which murder has been your favorite?” He asks Enid, the challenge in his eyes clearly visible.
“Oh, well, I actually only just started reading it, so I can’t pick a favorite one before I’ve read about them all, can I?”
Enid has not started reading it yet. She has only borrowed it from the library five minutes ago, but August doesn’t need to know that. An uninteresting little detail, not worth mentioning.
Wednesday puts the book down on the table, in between them and opens it. Right away the page shows gruesome murder scenes. They pictures may be in black and white, but it’s enough to make Enid feel dizzy again.
“Hm, I’ve never heard of this one,” Wednesday mumbles quietly, visibly more interested in the details than the friend beside her.
“Hm, yeah, it’s- it’s really interesting,” Enid forces herself to say, trying to look at the written text only. Wednesday’s hands still as she turns to look at Enid.
“You look pale again,” she states, like she is describing today’s weather.
Enid quickly shakes her head and chuckles breathlessly. “Nah, you must imagine it.”
Wednesday’s eyes stay fixed on her as she shuts the book again. Now, with the view being safe again, Enid looks down on her food. But her appetite is definitely gone.
Today they had a team building day. A new addition from their current principal. All students had various activities planned for the day, which supposedly encourages team work and helping each other out. Enid, along with the rest of her grade, is currently at the archery station. Just like with fencing, archery is not part of Enid’s repertoire of hidden talents. If it’s hidden, it stays hidden and doesn’t peak through the shadows at all. Like, zero percent.
And if Gus doesn’t stop talking any moment now, the arrow in Enid’s hand will be relocated to his head. Not wanting to commit any crimes herself though, Enid opts for a different path instead.
“Did you know, that it’s estimated that you’d get away with murder about 40% of times in the US?” Wednesday and Gus stop talking momentarily and look at her instead.
“Where have you learned that?” Wednesday wants to know.
“Oh, you know, in one of the true crime podcasts I like to listen to,” Enid tries to sound light hearted. The fact does not come from a true crime podcast though, she has simply googled “fun facts about serial killers” the night before. Though googling “fun fact” in combination with “serial killers” somehow felt wrong. “Kinda crazy, don’t you think?” Enid adds.
A moment later, Gus is back to talking Wednesday into the ground about something. So Enid tries again.
“I heard that strangulation is the most common form of murder, alongside shooting. Kind of surprised me, to be honest. I guess you can create some emotional distance if you shoot someone from afar, but strangulation? Man, that takes some serious commitment.”
This time, Wednesday doesn’t even say anything but sends Enid a strange look. Enid tries to smile back at her as if there’s nothing unusual about her talking about the way people kill others.
“Have you been studying random facts about murders?” Gus asks, arrogance dripping from his voice like a soggy wet wipe.
“No, of course not,” Enid huffs, even though this is exactly what she has been doing. She tries to shoot another arrow toward the target. It makes it halfway before falling to the ground pathetically.
“According to statistics, the US has the highest number of serial killers worldwide. Lucky us, that we get to live in a country full of action,” Enid grimaces herself as she hears herself talking. Lucky to live in a country of serial killers? Seriously Enid, you couldn’t come up with anything better?
Now Wednesday openly smirks at her. Gus on the other hand, completely ignores Enid as he keeps talking about a murder case while getting his bow ready for another shot.
Damn it, those are all the facts that Enid can remember. With nothing left but to listen to Gus’ endless chatter about the case he’s been reading about, Enid reaches a breaking point and turns toward him, wanting to tell him to finally shut his mouth before she does it for him.
Unfortunately for Enid though, she had already placed another arrow in her bow, and as she turns around, accidentally lets go of it. And of course out of all of her attempts to shoot an arrow today, this is the only one that flies of with enough speed to travel a longer distance. Right into the back of one of her classmates, who is collecting his arrows.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry!” Enid yells at him in horror. Thankfully, the arrows they are using today don’t have a sharp pointer, but getting hit by one is not a pleasant experience nonetheless.
“Watch what you’re doing or I’ll show you what it feels like to get shot,” the guy snarls at Enid.
“She already apologized,” Wednesday defends her immediately. “I’d advise you not to threaten my roommate, or the next arrow will not just hit your back but go up your-”
“Okay,” Enid says and drags Wednesday away before she can complete her threat.
At least Wednesday is always there to defend her.
Finally it’s Saturday. Wednesday and Enid have planned to spend the day at Jericho together. A little roomie-bonding-day. Enid has been looking forward to it all week. She even woke up an hour earlier than usual, because she can’t wait.
The girls decide to walk instead of taking one of the overcrowded shuttle buses. They take the scenic route, which might last a good fifteen minutes longer, but takes them along beautiful forest paths instead of the busy road.
“Here, you wanna listen to some music while we walk?” Enid asks, holding out one earbud of her wired headphones. They have recently found out that they can both settle on listening to 80s rock music together. Wednesday accepts it and puts it in her ear. Enid drops her phone into pocket of her coat, then wraps an arm around Wednesday. They need to walk closely together, since the wire isn’t that long, after all.
Life really is beautiful, Enid thinks as she takes a deep breath of cold, fall air and walks contently next to her favorite person.
Wednesday decides that she wants to go to Uriah’s Heap first. That place is still not on Enid’s list of favorite places in town, but she has been there so many times by now that she doesn’t get as creeped out by it’s content as she did before.
Wednesday instantly dashes off, looking through everything in record speed. Enid takes her time instead, strolling through the cramped aisles. Ever since Dr. Kinbott’s brutal murder by Tyler the amount of creepy stuffed roadkill has reduced drastically. Enid never thought that their absence could evoke a feeling of sadness within her. Sure, she had never met Dr. Kinbott in person, but it is still a horrible story.
Then, the bells at the door jingle again, signaling that another customer enters the building. Enid lifts her eyes to see who it is. You’ve got to be fucking kidding. Does that guy have a secret radar to sniff out Wednesday or what?
“Hello there ladies, what a pleasant surprise to see you both here.” He greets them once he sees Wednesday and Enid. He even flashes his stupid white teeth, as if that is anything special. Maybe she should show him her fangs in return?
“Gus,” is all that Wednesday says in return, before proceeding with her search for unique objects. Preferably of the torturous kind, Enid presumes.
Gus shamelessly walks up to Wednesday and leans against the counter lazily. “I heard there’s some pretty good coffee in town, you want to grab a cup with me?”
Okay, this is it. No way in hell is Enid going to let him drag Wednesday off on their roomie-bonding-day, just to flirt with her like an idiot. Enid stomps toward them, grabs a hold of Wednesday’s hand and grits through her teeth, “Wednesday doesn’t want to drink any coffee right now. Or later. Goodbye, August.” Then she pulls Wednesday out of the shop.
Enid can feel her heart racing as they keep walking along the street. Surprisingly, Wednesday just goes along and lets herself get dragged forward. She even squeezes Enid’s hand for reassurance.
“I do want some coffee though,” Wednesday eventually says and the tables turn as she pulls Enid into the Weathervane, never letting go of Enid’s hand until they grab their orders from the counter.
The next few days pass with little drama. Gus seems to be around a little less than before, much to Enid’s satisfaction. Apparently she’s not the only one who’s annoyed by his presence by now. Judging from his looks, Ajax isn’t too fond of his roommate either. When Enid asks him if everything is okay, Ajax just sighs defeatedly and tells her that he is over August’s arrogance and how he keeps talking down to him. Enid pats him on the shoulders in solidarity, telling him to not let it get to him. Though Enid knows how she really isn’t one to talk, given her reactions to Gus attaching himself to her best friend all the time.
It all comes down to a final showdown one Tuesday afternoon, when Enid walks down the stairs from Ophelia Hall toward the hallway of multiple classrooms alongside Divina and Yoko. She’s supposed to meet Wednesday just outside their next class. And Wednesday is there, but so is Gus. Not only is he talking to Wednesday with a slimy, fake smile on his face, but he actually proceeds to put a hand on Wednesday’s shoulder. A hand. On Wednesday’s shoulder. A hand on Wednesday’s shoulder.
And in that moment, Enid sees red. Dropping her books, she runs to them at full speed, grabs Gus by his uniform and pushes him hard against the wall.
“Don’t touch her,” Enid growls through her teeth. She can feel her extended fangs. “Wednesday doesn’t like to be touched, and if I see you put another finger on her, I will personally-“
“Miss Sinclair!” The shrill voice of Miss Capri yells out. Enid keeps her grip on Gus as steady as before, as the boy looks at her with large eyes. Obviously he has neither expected Enid’s reaction, nor her strength. Enid has hardly ever been so grateful to be a werewolf.
“You are touching her all the time too,” Gus tries to argue.
“Well I am allowed to,” Enid snarls and increases the pressure with which she pushes Gus against the wall.
“Miss Sinclair, let go of Mr. Rivera at once!” Ms Capri scolds her and stops right next to them. “What are you thinking, attacking your classmate like that?”
“He touched Wednesday, Miss Capri. And you know that Wednesday doesn’t like to be touched,” Enid growls, before reluctantly letting go of Gus, who quickly runs into the classroom.
“True as this may be, I think Miss Addams here is more than capable of defending herself. Preferably with words instead of violence.” Miss Capri smooths down her skirt, visibly rattled from what she has just witnessed.
“I was about to get my knife out, actually,” Wednesday supplies easily, like telling their teacher about her favorite color. Miss Capri just stares at Wednesday for a moment, before shaking her head to clear her mind.
“Detention tomorrow night, Miss Sinclair. Eight pm, my office.”
“What?” Enid squeaks horrified. She has never ever gotten detention. She has never even really been in trouble at all! “That’s not fair!” She tries to argue, but Miss Capri stops her with a hand held out.
“You have manhandled one of your classmates in front of my eyes. I can’t let that slip,” Miss Capris answers, before sighing and continuing in a softer voice, “I know you were trying to protect your friend. But there are better ways to do that. I won’t make you do anything horrible during detention, but you still need to be in my office at eight tomorrow.” Miss Capri smiles kindly and Enid nods in defeat.
“Your books,” a smirking Yoko says as she thrusts the books Enid had dropped earlier into the girl’s arms.
“Argh, this is horrible,” Enid sighs, her head thrown back in frustration.
“I guess Addams here loved your performance,” Yoko snorts and playfully bumps her elbow to Wednesday’s arm. Wednesday gives the vampire one of her famous death-glares but Enid swears she saw a certain sparkle in Wednesday’s eyes just before. Huh, interesting. Maybe she did like the way Enid pushed Gus against the wall after all. She shouldn’t be surprised, given how obsessed Wednesday is with playful violence. Somehow, that leaves her with a strange heat pooling in her stomach…
“Everyone, get into class,” Mr. Fernando announces as he walks up behind them. He ushers them inside, where they take their usual seats. Enid swears Wednesday sits a little closer to her than she normally does.
Enid stabs her the peas on her plate like they have personally offended her.
“Hey, guys,” Ajax greets them cheerfully as he sits down across from Enid.
“Enid, is it true that you got detention because you beat up Gus?” He grins.
“I didn’t beat him up,” Enid grumbles.
“She only pushed him into a wall until the poor guy thought his last minute has arrived,” Yoko laughs.
“Why?” Ajax asks, clearly amused by the news too.
“He touched Wednesday,” Enid says, the anger returning to her voice. She feels Wednesday’s hand brushing hers, a silent sign to relax. Ajax looks at Wednesday, obviously confused by what “touched Wednesday” means. He then moves his eyes to the laughing Yoko, who just waves her hand at him, indicating that it was nothing dramatic.
Wednesday exhales sharply as she puts her fork down to face Ajax. “Enid was just trying to make sure that I was protected. Even if it was unnecessary, as I had just been in the process of telling him in unmistakable detail what would happen if he didn’t remove his hands right away.” Then she picks up her fork again to continue eating.
“You did?” Enid asks her dumbfounded. Thinking back, she was so overwhelmed by her own rage that she didn’t even notice Wednesday’s expression or actions in the moment.
“Of course,” Wednesday huffed. “You are well aware that I do not tolerate physical contact with anyone.”
“Except for Enid,” Ajax throws in, smirking.
“Yes, Enid is the only exception to that rule. But even she knows when to keep her hands to herself and when and where touch is permitted”
Yoko snorks into her drink and therefore sprays water all over herself and Divina.
“Yoko!” Divina scolds her.
“Sorry, babe,” Yoko apologizes and gives her girlfriend a quick kiss.
“Well, hopefully this has taught him a lesson,” Wednesday continues.
“Give the poor fella a break, Addams, he was trying so hard to flirt with you,” Bianca chimes in as she takes a seat next to Ajax.
“He did not flirt with me,” Wednesday argues. This earns her one of Enid’s looks that can only be translated to “are-you-fucking-with-me”.
“He did not flirt with me,” Wednesday repeats, entirely aimed at Enid.
“Yes he did. All the time,” Enid says exasperatedly. If she’s honest with herself, she never thought that Wednesday was actually interested in his flirtations, but she didn’t think that Wednesday didn’t even pick up on him flirting all along.
“It’s true, Wednesday. He really did. It’s been painful to watch,” Bianca says as she is cutting up her food.
“That’s ridiculous. But even if it were true, it would have been an obvious waste of time. He already has two strikes in my book now.”
“Are you really not interested in dating another guy?” Ajax questions, his mouth full of fried fish. Wednesday gives him a disgusted look when a bit of fish falls out of his mouth.
“Not that it is any of your business, but I can confidently say that I have absolutely no desire to ever engage in any kind of intimate relationship with a male.”
Enid’s ears ring as she tries to make sense of what Wednesday has just said. But then the girl next to her stands up abruptly and steps over the bench to stand halfway behind Enid.
“Wait,” Yoko says quickly, her tone dangerously smug. “You just said no males. Does that mean, you’d be open to dating a girl?” Yoko obnoxiously wiggles her eyebrows.
Wednesday just looks at her, tilts her head for a second but keeps silent. Then Wednesday pivots on the spot and starts walking off. She only makes it three steps though, before stopping and looking back at Enid over her shoulder.
“Follow me, Enid. We need to finish your botany presentation tonight. Despite you claiming to have started on that days ago I know you well enough to know that this is a lie. So with the entire presentation yet to complete we will need to make progress if you still want to watch a movie together tonight.”
Enid swallows loudly and quickly drops her utensils on the tray, before jumping up and following her best friend with a little puppy whine. As they create distance from the table, Enid can unmistakably make out Yoko’s never ending barking laughter from behind.
Enid sinks further into the cozy, warm bed of Wednesday. Both girls are already dressed in their pajamas and lounging in Wednesday’s bed, ready to watch a movie together.
“I got to chose last time, so your choice tonight. Please pick something sensible,” Wednesday says. Enid scrolls through Netflix, on the hunt for the perfect movie. Her eyes fall upon a documentary about a gruesome murder case where the son killed his entire family. Enid swallows, before saying, “What about this one?”
Wednesday’s brows furrow slightly, as she stares at her friend. “I don’t need you to faint again. Three times this week has already been enough.”
Enid lets out a breathless laugh, trying to sound convincing. “Nah, it’s - I like it, I wanna watch it.”
Wednesday’s hand move to the laptop in Enid’s lap, and closes it in one swift movement.
They both look at each other, their noses only a few inches apart. Enid thinks her heart stops, or maybe it’s her lungs that stop working. Or maybe her brain all together? Her breath hitches as she notices how Wednesday’s eyes move down to her lips for just a second, before they snap back up to her eyes again.
“I don’t know where your newfound desire for murder cases comes from, but I want you to know that you don’t have to pretend liking things that scare you.”
Enid feels caught like a deer in headlights, as she can hear her heart beating in her ears. She can’t find her voice, wouldn’t even know what to say, so she just nods.
“Don’t ever try to change for anyone, Enid. Even though I can’t understand your obsession with anything pink and K-Pop and unicorns, it’s those things that make you…you. Your confidence is one of the things I like most about you. You don’t care about what other people think, it’s a rare gift in this sea of insecure comparison.” The girls keep staring into each others eyes and Enid thinks she might die in this very moment. Where even is she? Does anything else even exist in this world besides that girl with the most gorgeous, dark eyes next to her? Enid feels her eyes flutter.
Then Wednesday’s hand moves, and for a moment Enid expects to feel it on her cheek any moment. But unfortunately for her and her heart, the target of Wednesday’s movement is the laptop in Enid’s lap, as she opens it up again. “Now, go find a movie you’ll actually enjoy.”
“Right,” Enid squeaks breathlessly. She really needs a cold shower before bed.