Archive of Our Own ^beta

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A school for outcasts still has outcasts, so what’s the point? Hell if I know. It didn’t keep me up at night, I just wanted these four years to go smoothly and half way through my third year drama began to stir once again. Now, I was not one for drama- but who doesn’t love a good conspiracy? As Ann Radcliffe would say “A well-informed mind is the best security against the contagion of folly and vice.” And this conspiracy was the only thing the Nevermore students had been whispering about for the past few days. I had heard few things, all more intriguing than the last, “ a cannibal. ” whispered some sirens or “ a walking corpse .” hissed the gorgons. But all the hushed gossip stopped one morning, it was dreary, colorless and I loved it. Ophelia Hall was quiet and I wasn’t in a rush to step out of my grogginess, I laid there for a few minutes before deciding that it was probably best for me to finally shake the morning daze off. A yawn escaped my lips and my whole body shook from the stretch that took over my body before my brain finally took control and swung my feet off my bed and towards my wardrobe. The lack of a roommate making my room seem even more desolate. She had been expelled earlier in the semester making the huge room my own, sometimes it was almost intimidating being alone but I quickly gained an infatuation with peace and solitude. It made everything easier but sometimes I couldn’t help but miss thriving in the midst of chaos and continuous pressure. But, all of that was gone and it was just me, dressing myself in the nauseously blue and black stripes of Nevermore. A subtle black tie and vest laying on a plain white long sleeve button up to top off the notoriously preppy look. I huffed out some of my disgust before running my brush through my shoulder length of a rat nest that somehow always ended up as a brown wavy mess of curls. Seriously, no matter what I did it always ended up looking as if I never brushed it but it didn’t bother me too much. Making sure I had all my bearings and essentials I left my room, and not even a few paces down the hallway I see Enid’s room being invaded by luggage and a brooding Weems. I curiously sneak a peek into the room but not being able to make anything out, I continue to make my way through the infamous Ophelia Hall. My guess was that Enid had finally gotten a new roommate, maybe the epicenter of the conspiracies had finally arrived? I’m not going to lie and say that I wasn’t a tad excited about the new arrival of someone, I mean this person was shrouded in mystery and I was on the edge of my seat. I waited patiently for Enid as always, me and her had been close since the start of our freshman year due to the fact of us being outcasts of our cliques. Enid had a hard time transforming and I had a hard time controlling my magic, since attending Nevermore my progress has been at a stalemate but I try not to let it linger on my mind. And almost on queue my phone chimes repeatedly interrupting my thoughts with a flurry of spam texts coming from Enid. I don’t even get to read them before I’m interrupted by a tap on my shoulder, Enid staring at me with excitement gleaming in her eyes. “What is it..?”

I ask as she stands there quietly before stepping slightly to the side. I barely even notice the girl behind her, she’s small but the aura she gives off is intense, making my throat run dry and my eyes widen at the mere sight of her. The girl was drenched in black white and her hair was tied tightly into pigtails, her down turned eyes excentuated by her dark mascara. Even her skin was pale with her subtly protruding cheekbones. Her eyes were wide sparing me a glare as they hovered over me. The thickening silence in between us being interrupted by a hesitant Enid. “Y/N, this is Wednesday, and vice versa.” I nod at Enid giving her a brief moment of acknowledgement before turning my eyes back to Wednesday letting the tension fade. “It’s nice to meet you Wednesday Addams.” I rasp out. Enid gives me a curious glance before letting it go. “I would hope not.” Her monotone voice let’s out. “Ookay, let’s show Wednesday around.” Enid drags out before slowly pacing around the quad pointing at the groups of huddled people aswell as those who are drama-ridden. Nearing the end of Enids' personal tour, Ajax stumbles nervously towards us, Wednesday once again shrinking behind Enid as he approaches us "Enid! Have you met the new student yet? People having been saying all kinds of shit about her. I heard that she murdered a kid at her last school." He says it in a hushed tone but it's clear Wednesday can hear it and I can't help but muffle a laugh as Enid steps aside revealing the so called "murderer." At the reveal he steps back slightly before the words even leave Wednesdays mouth,"I tried." she says short and cold to which Ajax nods off, swallowing the knot in his throat and turning around swiftly to make his escape. After the brief run down aswell as the small interruption, Wednesday makes her leave to say her goodbyes and Enid confronts me. She gives me a sharp wack to the back of my head, “What the hell?” I say between clenched teeth, turning around to return the harassment, landing a more gentle punch on the dainty girls arm. “Fucking hell!” She says shaking her shoulder and running a hand over the reddening spot. “Why’d you slap me?” I say now satisfied with the blondes deserved pain. “I just wanted to know why you had a stare down with my new roommate?” She says exasperated, nursing the bruising spot on her arm. “She's just off..” I say to Edin, she lets out a low grumble “she isn’t even that bad!” she says dramatically, “Just give her a chance Y/N!” I roll my eyes at her before sighing and giving into the platinum blonde werewolf. “Okay..” I say dryly before walking back up to Ophelia Hall with Enid, respectfully waiting for Wednesday to finish her sendoff. I enter the color contaminated room and shake my head, Wednesdays side of the room being bombarded with matte black luggage. “She does know there’s only a semester left, right?” I say pointing at the mountain on her side before plopping onto the blondes bed, pushing her to sit on her desks chair “Stop being a hater.” She says pushing one hand under her chin before quirking a brow and questioning me “Have you met Wednesday before?” She asks in a “gotcha” tone. “No, her mother and father came here, Morticia and Gomez, I’ve seen them in some of the paintings aswell as her mother being a fencing prodigy.” I say sighing at the thought of the sabre weighing down my hand. I couldn't wait for tomorrow, the thought of fencing consuming my brain as I lie there motionless on the bed that seems to be consuming my body with its memory foam.

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I wake up to the sound of the door swinging open, a concerned Enid asking if Wednesday is fine and there is no response just an awkward and unsettling silence, my eyes are still heavily shut and my arms are curled around something especially fluffy and soft. I open my them curiously only for them to be met by a bright pink stuffed toy of Enids. I snake my arms out from under the toy and prop myself up on my elbows. I look around the room and notice the gothic girl taking down Enids stick and peal colorful window. I smile lightly as Enids eyes look at her wildly. “What are you doing!?” She shrieks out awfully. “There’s two of us, we equally get half of the room, what is so confusing to you?” She says it nonchalantly, not even turning to acknowledge Enid. I sit myself up, my elbows on my knees as I sit criss cross. Enid let’s out a frustrated sigh but the pitchiness of her voice makes it sound more like a muffled scream. I let out a low and groggy laugh still rubbing the sleep off of my eyes as Enid snaps her head towards me “Look whos finally awake.” She says with crossed arms. “Why didn’t you wake me up?” I say scratching the back of my head before letting my hand flop back down onto my lap, a loud yawn escaping my mouth. “I tried! You sleep like a goddamn rock.” She says sitting on the colorful sheets, making the foot the mattress dip down as I put my feet back on the cold hardwood floor. “It’s not my fault, your bed is just really comfy.” I say standing up and stretching to one side and then the other before making my way to Enids’ desk. I open up the drawers and rummage through them looking for any sign of a hairbrush before hearing the blonde let out a terrible screech. “What are you doing!” She says scrambling off of her bed and rushing towards me. “I’m looking for a brush.” I say shrugging as she looks at me and punches me in the shoulder, it didn’t really hurt but I know if I say that out-loud then she will make it hurt. I hiss out air as the punch hits me and rub it with my other hand before stepping away from the desk letting Enid look for the much needed hairbrush. My eyes wandering towards Wednesday as she continues to peal away at the window leaving the places she can’t reach untouched, I let my gaze linger on the girls turned back before breaking the silence “You need help Wednesday?” I ask as she gives me a brief and cold response. “No.” I nod my head at the failed attempt of trying to be nice before returning my attention to Enid who now has the hairbrush in her hand waving it infront of my face. I look at it in disgust as her blonde matted hair fills the brush. I make my way to her plastic trash bin and pluck the hair out “You shed just like a dog.” I say in a little bit of a disgusted tone, the hairbrush finally empty as I step away from the now hair-filled trash can. Brushing through my hair, my heavy curls bounce, and the waviness turning flat as the brush runs through it. I look at myself in Enids’ mirror before fluffing up my bangs. Turning my head away and putting the brush down gently. I look around the room for a few seconds before skeptically looking at Wednesdays’ side of the room. Something throwing off my senses, a lingering aura is over there, under her sheets, it’s light and airy yet still malicious.

I step towards Wednesday, slowly, trying not to alert whatever is lurking in the room. She snaps her head towards me and I think I hear a hollow crack come from her neck causing me to jump back, her widened eyes the same as in the quad but her outfit a lot more casual, an oversized jacket practically swallowing her body like a blanket and a striped black and white shirt underneath. Her hair still tied into pigtails but now a little more loose with a few flyaways, she probably hasn’t been able to fix them with the busy day she’s had. I watch as she studies me, eyes unblinking before I lower my voice to a whisper, “There’s something on your bed.” She looks at me, eyes unchanging but I could see them flicker towards her bed just for a split second. She nods her head lightly and I take that as my queue to leave. “I’ll be back, I’m going to change into something more comfy, don’t kill each other” I say half jokingly as Wednesday glares daggers at me and Enid waves me off, her eyes never leaving her phone. I turn the doors cold knob and shut it behind me, making sure not to disrupt anyone in the hall or nearing rooms. The dark wood of Ophelia hall lightly illuminated by dim lights, if I hadn’t been here for the past few years I would have been slightly creeped out. But, the dim hallway was more of a comforting sight for sore eyes and almost instantly calmed any nerves I had been feeling. I make my way down the hallway, one specific topic on mind as I near my room. Wednesday was cold, the polar opposite of Enid, and I couldn’t fully determine if her intentions were good. Something about her lingered on me though, she was intriguing and I couldn’t help but want to learn more about her. I mean ignoring her rigamorotus-ly stiff body, corpse like voice, and shakespearean vocabulary she seemed pretty approachable but right now my main concern was making sure that her intentions with Enid were purely in good conscious, Enid may be a pushover but I sure as hell am not. Interrupting my thoughts I feel a light tap on my shoulder, I turn my head to see who it could be only to be met by nothing but empty air and the dark walls of Ophelia Hall. “What the hell..” I mumble out to myself before turning right back around and taking my room key out, opening my creaking door and shutting it behind me swiftly and quietly as I try to brush off the strange occurrence. I make my way to my bed, my feet slightly shuffling as I sit down and take my shoes off, leaving me in socks as I wander over towards my wardrobe picking out a more comfortable and casual outfit. More specifically a forest green sweater and black gym shorts, throwing my matching green converse on. I have an unhealthy obsession with converse and have about 6 pairs all in different colors to match with my outfits, now don’t get me confused, I am not some fashionista, I just really enjoy matching my shoes to my clothes in fact it feels immensely wrong when I don’t. I continue to mindlessly ramble to myself, subconsciously walking towards my door and locking it behind me as I walk back towards Enid and Wednesdays’ room. I knock softly on the door before opening it, both girls standing defensively in the middle of the room as I stare at them agape. “Seriously guys?” I huff out as I walk towards them. “I told you not to kill eachother.” I say standing behind them as they continue on, not acknowledging me in the slightest. “This is your last warning” Wednesday says intimidatingly to which Enid responds to by showing her sharpened claws, one of the only things shes actually able to do with her werewolf abilities. “Don’t mess with me, this kittys got claws and I’m not afraid to use them” I cringe lightly at that very ugly one liner of Enids. I open my mouth “Let’s-” We’re interrupted by the opening door as Mrs.Thorhill steps in, apologizing as she tracks in mud. I watch her face as she looks at the feuding fifty-fifty room, I never really knew what to think of Mrs.Thornhill her aura was well hidden and it made me skeptical of her, wondering what she had to hide. “Am I interrupting something?” She asks, looking at the scene in front of her, both girls bodies looking rigidly defensive with me inbetween them.

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The next day after Wednedays arrival she interrupts our fencing class with a touch of dramatics. At first I don’t even notice her entering the room until my fencing partner, Xavier Thorpe, abruptly stops and gawks at the smaller girl. Who wouldn’t though? Her outfit making her stand out and truly adding to her growing gothic signature. Being the daughter of Morticia I don’t expect her to be any less experienced than her mother, I watch in the way she walks, the pure confidence striking the ground with each step, the skill aswell as the experience seeping off of her body. She divides the class in two and everyone stops- half not wanting to injure her and half entertained as she walks all the way up to Biancas’ heels, who is fighting off a whining Rowan. I watch as they exchange words, taking my helmet off to watch the interaction further. “Oh, you must be the psychopath they let in” I slap my hand against my face loudly before looking at Xavier who seems to intensely staring at the back of Wednesdays head. “And you must be the self appointed Queen Bee- Bianca nods her head proudly- Interesting thing about Bees, pull out their stingers and they drop dead.” I let out a wince at that comment and quickly decide I’m happy to be on Wednesdays’ side- well kind of. Me and Xavier look at eachother for a quick second before turning back to the scene as the two girls stare one another down, Wednesdays intimidating persona never faltering as Bianca looks around hesitantly and a little… nervous after Wednesdays’ confirmation to the duel. They both get into formation, putting on their helmets and waiting for the coach to approve before unleashing a flurry of attacks on one another, both switching from offense and defense as they play an extremely aggressive match before Wednesday manages to sneak a touch in. “Goddamn.” I mumble under my breath as Coach announces the point. As soon as the words leave his mouth they start swinging and this time the round doesn’t last nearly as long as the last when Bianca gets a touch on Wednesday. Taking her helmet off, bragging about tying the game when Wednesday proposes much more dangerous rules. And when they both agree, they’re no longer playing just for bragging rights, I may not be the best witch but even I can tell when the energy shifts. Wednesdays aura gradually getting more wicked as Biancas just get’s more anxious, I swear in that moment I can feel the beat of both of their hearts. One thumping so hard I swear it’s trying to break out of their rib cage whilst the other remains steady and calm, ticking like a metronome. And I have a feeling that Bianca is not the one who is panicking. I study both of their stances and watch as the match finally continues. No longer taking up a singular mat, they use the whole room, dancing with the uncovered and razor sharp blades. The scene is breathtaking to say the least, as they take turns of blocking and then attacking. Flips and dodges I have never even seen be used in fencing before. And just when it seems like Wednesday may have the upper hand, she steps back and Bianca swipes the sabre across her forehead causing Wednesdays head to snap to one side.

For a second the room is silent and we all watch in disbelief as Wednesday reaches up to her forehead touching the dark red liquid before Bianca breaks the silence only to add insult to injury as she makes a snarky comment. I step slowly towards Wednesday and separate the space inbetween them, careful not to touch her but instead signalling for her to follow me as I show her the way to the nurses office. She’s quiet and her eyes are far off somewhere but I try to talk to her knowing she’s probably wallowing in her loss, “That was amazing Wednesday. I’m extremely impressed.” I say lowly but only get a strange look in return. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone use their whole body like that in fencing.” I continue on. “I lost, there’s nothing impressive about that.” She says it in the deadly cold voice, no emotions not even a tinge of sadness just truth, she wasn’t sad she lost- I mean she was probably thinking about everyway she could kill Bianca but she wasn’t sad about losing, nor was she embarrassed. “That doesn’t make it any less impressive Wednesday.” I say turning around to talk to her face to face as I push the Nurses door open and direct her to an open chair in the office. As she sits down a nurse immediately begins to tend to her, opening the first aid kit and retrieving a rectangular bandaid, pealing the adhesive off and pressing the corners down against Wednesdays head all in a matter of a few seconds. “You’re Wednesday, right?” Says an all too familiar voice from just behind Wednesday. She stands up immediately and turns around, walking towards the boy as he introduces him. I sigh and roll my eyes at whatever Rowan was getting at now. Rowan was a nice kid, sweet even up.. until he just wasn’t, I know the side effects that telekinesis can have on the brain and as his former friend I could tell he was losing it. Even as he sat there his manic and anxious aura surrounded me, squeezing me as he warmed his way up to Wednesday. “I know how you’re feeling”

“I guarantee you don’t” she says it fast, shutting him down but I can tell she’s intrigued as he continues on telling her about how his mother sent him here, “I never thought it was possible to be an outcast in a school of outcasts- sounds familiar- but it looks like you’re giving me a run for my money.” He smiles cheekily and I practically wince at the thickening silence in between the two before she walks away. I scramble behind her sparing Rowan a glare before noticing her forgotten uniform laying on the chair and grabbing it for her as I continue behind her. Walking through the infirmaries door, a familiar aura peaking my clouding mind. I tap gently on Wednesdays shoulder trying to gain her attention as we walk through the graying hallway, “Hey, did you ever check to see what was on your bed?” I ask. “Yes, there was nothing there.” I huff, “Strange.. I just felt it again” I say only noticing the girls declining pace a moment after. “What do you mean ‘feel' ” I look at her for a second confused at what she could mean before realizing I never really did tell her what I was. “I’m a witch, I can feel and sometimes see everybody's auras as long as their emotions are strong enough.” She nods her head with a cold response “Odd.” The conversation dwindles as we reach the door and I open it for the both of us, Wednesday taking out her umbrella and holding it above her as I step away from her side yet still lingering. I focus my energy on creating a boundary above my head, stopping the rain from hitting me as we continue to walk, the heels of her shoes clicking against the wet cobblestone and the soft pitter patter of the rain hitting the umbrella calming me and sharpening my focus except for when It’s interrupted by the curious sound of cracking stone causing both me and Wednesday to turn our heads upward in the direction of a loosening gargoyle that immediately starts tumbling towards the shellshocked girl. My instincts and adrenaline taking my body hold as I push off the back of my feet, using my whole body to push her out of the hurdeling gargoyles path. Our bodies tangling together and flinging us from our previous position. The whole world spinning as I open my eyes and notice the ghostly pale girl underneath my weakening body and the gargoyle now shattered like glass against the rocky pavement. I huff out a breath I had never realized I was holding onto and stare at the girl in front of me. Her features no longer rigid and cold but instead soft and seemingly ethereal she was gorgeous even in my blackening vision, she seemed like a light. I try to blink my heavy eyes but when they stay closed I can feel my body give out and collapse, falling on top of the unconscious girl as I too am consumed into the slumbering state .

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My body jerks me awake, only slightly however as I struggle to open my eyes, my eyelids weighing me down significantly as I try as push myself to wake up. I haer the sound of fabric stirring around me and I begin to panic only now realizing that I have no idea where I am. A slight medicinal smell mixing with the warm yet blinding light of the sun that seems to be peaking through a nearby window. As my eyes slowly begin to open I move my hand up to block the sun from my eyes but before my hand even reaches my eyes, the light is blocked and I feel a sweet and subtleness of a nearby aura, it’s threatening yet sincere, calm… so very calm. I take a wild guess at who it may be as my eyes finally adjust to the bright sun. “Wednesday..?” I question as the small girl stands over my previously unconscious body. “You’re awake. That’s good..” she says trailing off towards the end of her sentence and I chuckle softly as her awkwardness. “You’re awake as well. How long have you been?” I question as I move to sit up, facing her as we continue to talk. “Only a few minutes, Xavier brought us here and was waiting when I woke up.” Now that I get a good look around I know where we are, the medicinal smell giving it almost completely away that we were back in the infirmary. “What even happened?” I ask, only remembering the few moments I had before falling into unconsciousness. “A gargoyle fell and nearly killed me- she pauses for a few seconds- but then you tackled me.” She say peaking at me from under her bangs as she continues questioning me further. “Why did you do that?” and as she says that I look at her a little slack jawed, “I wasn’t going to let you die Wednesday.” I say swinging my feet off of my bed and facing her “I didn’t want to be saved.” She says, “I couldn’t live with myself if that thing smushed you Wednesday.”

“So, you did it for yourself then?” Her eyes hard and glaring as I hover over every single detail and outline on her face, from her dark circles to her hollow cheeks, to her unruffled pigtails. “Sure..” I say sighing as I get up, wobbling only slightly before throwing my Nevermore coat over my shoulder, getting ready to leave as Wednesday follows closely behind me through the halls of the infirmary. Making the slow trek to Ophelia hall as the previous storm begins to pick up once again. I cast my magical barrier and Wednesday pops open her umbrella. “What’re you doing when you get back to your room?” I question to which she responds with “Writing. I’m currently falling behind on my time.” she gives me a pointed look and I raise my hand defensively, “God i’m sorry I saved you!” I say jokingly as I check over her, “You’re okay right?” I say just making an effort to double check. “Yes, the nurse told me I would only have bruises.” I sigh and nod along as we continue the walk in silence, nothing awkward but peaceful, I didn’t mind this type of loneliness. I listen closely to the sound of rain smacking the gray rocks on the ground and the dim illumination coming from the school as we near closer to the dormitories. Eventually making it back inside as the rain seemingly settles around us and Wednesday pushes her umbrella back into it’s smaller form and I unrelease the magic from around me. The warm air of the dormitories making me smile sweetly as we continue up to the room knowing full well that Enid may not be there yet. But, I didn’t have a problem with just sitting there in silence with Wednesday as she continued to type away. And like she said, as soon as I open the door for Wednesday she starts the process of her writing. I make a b-line towards Enid’s bed and sit there silently listening to the click of a typewriter followed by the ring of the typewriter moving down a space. I sit there silently to myself not contemplating anything, just focusing on the surrounding sounds. “Hey, Wednesday.” I say loudly for her to hear as she continues. She nods her head and I take that as a queue to ask my question
“What is your writing even about?”

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After a long winded explanation of what and how Wednesdays’ novel came to be, she then told me about every single one of her characters, and I swore that the more she monologged the more her eyes lightened, her shoulders eased, and her voice became soft yet still managing to maintain the same monotonousness. And when she got to a particular part that she found fascinating she would pause her writing just for a second before continuing once again. Sometimes my vision would flicker to her hands and the continuous motion of them flurrying over the keyboard but my eyes remained on her as I listened intently, wandering from her unmoving eyes, to her delicate fingers, the ridge of her nose, to her slightly opened mouth when she paused to think on a subject. Her novel sounded extremely intriguing but it was just so hard to focus when the person in front of me was unwrapping that hardened personality right in front of my very eyes.

When she stopped talking I mourned the loss of her voice, and thrashed in the silence as I sat there, still as stone, her aura overwhelming me as all of the malicious intent dissipated and was replaced with a much softer emotion, one that wrapped around me like a blanket on a cold day. It was the feeling of comfort and I could tell it apart from anything. “I’m impressed Wednesday.” I say breaking the silence and leaning back slightly in the chair. “Remember me when you're famous and touring the world alright?” I say glancing at her as she continue to press onto the keys of her typewriter. “I would never tour.” She says it so plainly it elicits a hearty laugh. And I swear just for a second I watch as her hands hover over her keys, completely still at the sound of my laugh.

My laughter fades into a smile and I can feel the light hum of my heart beating through out my body when a knock on the door causes both me and Wednesday to pause, our eyes both focused on the door as it cracks open and a tired looking Enid walks through the door frame, slamming the door shut right behind her before dramatically falling onto her bed with an obnoxiously loud sigh and squeal into one of her many pillows. Me and Wednesday share a quick look before I volunteer to talk Enid through whatever she may be going through. “Enid..?” I ask quietly as I gently walk my way to her side of the room. She lets out some form of muffled speech and I’m nearly afraid to ask her to repeat. “What was that Enid?” I tuck a wild strand of hair behind my ear as she takes the pillow off of her face and I sit beside her limp body. “Ajax!” She says once again. To which I let out a hum of acknowledgement. “What’d he do now?”

“It’s more like ‘what did he not do!’ “ She says exasperated as she clings on to me. “Y/N why won’t he just get the hint!” I sigh gently and put my hand atop of her hair, “He’s a guy Enid, he won’t get it until it’s in front off his face.” I say closing my eyes as she sits up in her bed, “Wednesday!” she cries. Wednesdays shoulders go rigid as she hears the desperation in Enid’s voice.

“Yes?” She questions, only sparing us a glace over her shoulder, I could tell she was listening the whole time based off of how little the dinging of the typewriter could be heard but I knew she couldn’t avoid the blubbering mess that was now Enid. “What do I do?” Enid says shakely. The deep scrape of Wednesday’s chair echoes through the room as she stands up and makes her way towards Enid’s puffy red face. “I don’t care about this little petty drama- I raise a brow at Wednesday, getting ready to stand up to her but luckily for her, she continues- but I believe you should tell him.” She sits back down on her side of the room and I continue to talk to Enid, watching as her eyes take slower blinks, her breathing calms and eventually her body sleeps. She lays in her bed curled up into the previously used pillow, I look at the scene in absolute adoration as I take her shoes off and put them at the foot of her bed, proceeding to cover her in her nearby blanket. I walk away trying not to wake her as I make my way towards Wednesday’s side of the room.

Hesitantly hovering my hand over her shoulder before deciding it’s probably best if I don’t push her boundaries today. “Goodnight Wednesday. I’ll see you tommorrow.” I say before leaving their shared room. Letting out a relatively long sigh asI lean against the wall feeling my knees almost completely buckle from the amount of pressure that had just been released from me. My eyelids screwed shut tightly as I think of those dark brown eyes staring into mine, practically burned into my brain and seeing them everytime I’m left in the darkness of my thoughts. I somehow managed my way to my room and shut the door behind me and lock it as I go to retire onto my bed. Plugging my phone in and putting my headphones on as I play music, not leaving my brain alone for a second, scared at what thoughts it may be able to brew up at this hour.

The overwhelming musc doesn’t stop the interfering thoughts though and I’m forced to remember Wednesday’s entire being as I trace the structure and line of every single detail in my brain over and over again until theres nothing left but scribbles. I cover my eyes with my forearm and push myself to sleep as the moon trails it’s light into my room.

And, just like that I’m awake again, the sun maliciously peaking through my window as I roll over trying to fall back asleep but with no avail, and now I’m forced awake. My ears feeling numb and my wild hair indented with my heaphones. I run my hand through it and only snag a few knots before convincing myself to finally stand up to go grab my brush. I look in the mirror at my previous outfit before slipping my way out of it and into a nice warm shower. Closing my eyes as the warmth of the shower swallows my body whole.

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I was still quite dazed even after stumbling my way in and out of the warm and embracing aroma of my shower. However, today, was different than the usual block classes and extracurricular activities. Today, I went to my weekly- court-appointed -therapy sessions. Today was probably the worst for me emotionally but, I found it rather relaxing after all the “necessary” and “healthy” conversations. Dr. Kinbott was always warm and welcoming to me, her aura, while very secretive, never scared me. Maybe that was the reason why she was so damn good at her job. After my prolonged internal rambling, I hastened my speed, and the usual and absolutely gaudy colors of Nevermore dawned on my body once again.

I grabbed my usual black Converse and sighed at the rough and weathered shape of the souls, I’d have to replace them soon, I thought. For now, however, they would do. I peeked at the large circular window and noticed the flourishing sun slowly diminishing as some rogue gray clouds compiled into one. I smiled. And with that, I grabbed my phone and headphones from my bedside table. Feeling rather indecisive today, I pushed shuffle on one of my playlists and waited patiently as the song slowly filled my ears with the slow tempo of a guitar and a drum. It felt rather perfect for today and I stuffed my phone into my pocket as I headed down the creaking stairs of Ophelia Hall.

I headed out of the lounge and to the gated exit of Nevermore. Looking at my phone, I determined that Weems was running a bit over her usual schedule. I didn’t mind, today felt peaceful. I sat down on a nearby bench, closing my eyes as music filled my ears and my lungs inhaled the earthy smells and tones around me. Suddenly I was reminded of the lingering thoughts of last night. I had no idea why even through all the noises of the world she was still there, clear as day, I swear if I focused hard enough I could hear the dinging and clacking of her typewriter, even the smell of fresh parchment. Before I even got to finish my thought, someone took the empty space beside me, presence strong and confident. I could tell who it was with my eyes closed- literally- “Wednesday.”

And with that, my eyes opened wide, no further tiredness residing or being lost in my thoughts. She was seeming all there was. I took my headphones off, letting them wrap around my neck, laying against my collarbone. She looked at me, “What?” I chuckle softly, “Usually, you say good morning, you know?” I playfully say. “No morning is good.” Her tone is dry as usual. “That’s what I love to hear.” Our conversation nearly dies out but I quickly counter the silence with an obvious question. “I’m guessing you’re going to therapy as well?”

“Yes, Weems and my parents believe it’s a necessity.” She says it with a hint of rebellion, to which I chuckle. “Seems like therapy get’s under your skin Wednesday.” She gives me a pointed look, which I quickly take as a hint to shut my mouth. I guess she’s not much of a morning person or a day person at that. I have to say though, even in the early mornings she seems to be gleaming with elegance and beauty, and for a few seconds, I catch myself staring a little too long. Her hands wringing and picking gently at the hem of her skirt. I cough awkwardly and am about to apologize before the sound of a honking horn catches my attention. Weems!

Saved by the bell I guess. As Wednesday and I both get up from the bench, I open the side door for her, letting her climb into the seat of her choice. Weems spews some nonsense and excuses before I close the side door and buckle myself in. I sit across from Wednesday, leaving an uncomfortable amount of legroom for us both, I try to ignore it for the most part and watch as the green and brown scenery passes us by, “Have you ever been into Jericho?” I ask her.

“No, but Mother tells me to stay as far away as possible,” I nod my head in agreeance. “That’s probably the best thing to do for most Nevermore students, they have a tendency to dislike us..” with that, the van comes to a halt and I’m the first appointment. “Meet me at the cafe down the street when you're done, I’ll wait,” I say before waving to both her and Weems. I open the doors to Dr. Kinbott’s office and listen as the bells chime as a welcome. She greets me almost immediately and asks me the standard procedure questions, “How’s your magic” “How are you feeling.” “Are you feeling any strange presence.” etc. Of course, my answers are typically the same and it’s only a few minutes before we get into the actual questions, I sigh with each question and feel my body sag as she berates me with questions. By the time we’re done, about an hour has passed and I feel absolutely drained of all energy and emotion.

I walk out of the office and open the van door for Wednesday, her presence calm and stoic as I help her down. “Good luck,” I say curt, almost coldly. I’m always reminded of how bad these days actually are after I’ve already gone through them. I walk away, my whole body hollow as I make my way to the Cafe. It wasn’t busy, then again it was only a weekday. I order a hot chocolate- coffee never did much for me- and soon, my name is called to come to pick it up from the counter. I take it and am immediately relaxed. Sipping on it slowly and carefully, making sure not to burn my tongue. I wait for Wednesday, lost in thought the entire time, and by the time she arrives my hot chocolate is reduced to nothing but chocolate syrup at the bottom of my cup. She walks in and I watch as she hurriedly heads toward me. “I need to leave Nevermore.”

I shake my head at her, I had probably given a similar response to Enid when I had my first appointment. “No way.” I move my body to align with hers. My eyes followed hers. “Look, I can’t stop you from leaving but, I’m telling you Wednesday, that leaving Nevermore is not the way to handle things.” My eyes never leave hers, even when she abruptly stands up and I think she’s going to leave. They follow her as she walks up to a barista and engages in an oddly vocal and seemingly intriguing conversation. I swear I see the ends of her lips quirk up and a familiar pain runs through my chest.

My heart was squeezed by every single emotion I felt at that moment. I clenched my hands around my empty cup so tight my knuckles turned white. I felt awful, why would I feel this way, she deserves the right to talk to whomever she wants. But, something about the way that she was preoccupied with him. It made my lungs tighten and throat dry so badly I thought I tasted the grossly copper taste of blood. I felt sick to my stomach. I couldn’t watch but every time I looked away, my thoughts were filled with the situation, I couldn’t tell if it was worse to stare or worse to imagine. I felt guilty, I’d known Wednesday for a few days, a week at most. She shouldn’t have this much control over my thoughts and emotions. I felt the need to distance myself from her, but- god- did she make it incredibly difficult.