Chapter Text
Some say your first love is your purest. They were your dove, your savior, your grace.
Considering who her first love was and his true intentions she couldn’t help but be amused at that.
She thought he was her grace. His smile was enough to make her legs crumble. It was enough to make her drown in ecstasy. She thought that no matter what happened in her investigation, she would atleast have him at the end. She wishes she could've saved herself the emotional damage.
She was returning for her second year at Nevermore, she sat in the car across from her two entangled parents. She almost got déjà vu from it all, remembering her very first drive towards those ridged curved black Nevermore gates.
Gates. That name still stung a bit. That lastname seemed to ruin everything. Or atleast the people who owned it.
Wednesday was extremely glad she had the honors of kicking Laurel’s face until it left a wine colored puddle behind. She could never forgive her for what she did. That kick was for everyone Laurel had wronged. For outcasts and normies who were brutally murdered and or discriminated against, for the people she manipulated to complete her evil deeds, to the person who was just grieving his own mother.
Stop it.
We don’t reminisce over him anymore.
The simple truth was that Wednesday wanted to be mad. She wanted to be angry. Furious. Livid. She wanted to feel any emotion except the pity that consumes her being too often for contentment. Because pity is weakness. Addams don’t do weakness.
”Wednesday, Darling,” Mortica spoke.
She watched as her father and her mother laced their hands together until the warmth of their fingertips met eachother.
She knew this talk all too well. She memorized how it started and ended. She ignored everything in between though.
“Dearest, we have to discuss your first love. Your grandpa gave your father the first love talk aswell. It’s just to prepare you for the upcoming events ahead, we want to equip you with words of wisdom on what you should do,” Mortica started, glancing over to her husband.
“It’s true, my little viper. Your first love is the person you give your heart to first, and they’ll keep it until the day your soul passes along. The bond you two share is one of the most powerful there is. You'll think about them even when apart, you'll share their motives and goals, your only purpose will be wanting to be with them."
"That sounds like my so called 'fate' is to be a 1950's housewife."
"That's not what we meant Mija," Gomez said with a sigh.
"There's no way that there's not a way out of this unwanted love affair." Wednesday spoke, staring daggers right into her parent's eyes.
"Nothing can break it except one,”
That caught Wednesdays attention and it shouldn’t have at all. A bit of her felt guilty almost for even considering something to break this unneeded attachment, but she needed that boy out. Out of her head, out of her sight, out of her life.
“And that is?” Wednesday inquired.
Her parents exchanged glances before her, already having guessed she would try to get out of it somehow. Wednesday was determined and that was dangerous.
Determination outweighed sense.
“If you must know, your grandfather told me about it years ago. My memory might be slightly off but I’ll try to summarize,” Gomez spoke softly, must’ve been very private information then.
“There’s a book in the secret library that the nightshades use, pull it out and there’s a hidden door that appears. It looks like a basement almost. To enter through the door you need to find a key. The only problem is that no one knows where the keys hidden at. Even if you do manage to seek the key, your answer won’t immediately become apparent. From what I know of, the room consists of all the books that are forbidden due to curses, bad spirits, or just because their illegal or banned. You should find your answers in there.”
Mortica nodded but almost with defeat.
“But still Wednesday, there have been many Addams like you. Many that don’t believe in first loves, that want to fight against it,” she paused.
”They’ve all failed. Not one has successfully ended the bond.”
A challenge.
It sounded all too much like a trap, the information about separation slipping out of her parent’s lips a little too easily.
But then she remembered that they knew. They knew what happened to him. They knew he was a Hyde. They knew that he may have completed the worst betrayal to ever grace Wednesday Addams.
They knew what he did to their daughter, he brought out feelings she never thought she would’ve had the chance to experience. He doesn’t know he made her cry a few tears at the police station after he left. She struggled to breathe, it seemed like the entire world's oxygen supply had been cut off and everyone had an oxygen mask except her. Being so overwhelmed with such feeling was terrifying, it felt like she was about to die. She wanted to be wrong so bad about him being the Hyde because if she was wrong, in a way she still would've been right. Right about Xavier being the Hyde, right about choosing the right person to love, right about who she could trust.
He doesn’t know he was the first person she had ever given her heart to, he also didn’t know he was her last.
She wondered what his reaction would be. To find out that despite the betrayal, despite the hatred, despite the torturous feeling of love,
they were still spiritually tied to one another.
And she would be the scissors that cut it.
———
Their arrival at Nevermore was a fairly smooth one, aside from Pugsly entrapping her in a hug for too long, her dad causing a scene by bawling, and her mother making her uncomfortable with the goodbye speech she liked to poison her ears with.
She walked up the stairs with Thing safely resting inside her backpack. About two months back she put a little blanket in there since he stayed there most of the time and whether she admitted it or not, she wanted him to feel comfortable after assisting her against his will for months straight last year.
She walked into her and Enids dorm room with her typewriter’s case in hand. Everything felt the same. The window still reflected its colorful light on Enid’s side and the plain sunlight on hers. It smelled the same too. The room's aroma consisted of Wednesday's Dark Vanilla candle and a touch of Enid's artificial cotton candy scented unicorn.
Still being struck with the wave of nostalgia, she didn’t initially notice how Enid seemed to sneak up on her and strangle her in one of her unpredictable hugs. What was with the hugging today?
Her face made an emotion of pure disgust as Enid pulled away. The other girl only laughed at this.
“Miss Addams is still presumably not a hugger?” She tried to make herself sound proper. “I’m glad things when it comes to you never change,” she giggled.
“Don’t bet on it.” She said stepping away from Enid and making her way to her beloved desk to sit down her typewriter.
She could feel Thing unzip her backpack and crawl out towards the ground below where Enid stood.
“THING!” She heard the other girl squeal, carefully picking him up off the ground and holding him up to her cheek to give him a “hug”.
When she sat him down on her bedside table he signed “It’s been too long, I missed our manicures.”
“I missed our manis too buddy,” she said with overdramatic sadness tracing her vocal cords.
”BUT, I have a surprise for you!” She grinned, walking away towards her bed where everything she owned was messily spread out. Wednesday didn’t dare to peer over at the mattress, for if she did she would’ve had one of Enids “attacks” that she always claimed to have.
Enid pulled out a small light pink bed, small enough to fit Thing’s size with a few extra inches of space just in case. It even had little pastel blue pillows and a blanket that looked like one of Enid’s stuffed unicorns had died on it, maybe that's why it stank like candy and rainbows in here.
Wednesday remembers the bed’s origins. A few months back Enid suggested that she buy Thing a bed so that he didn’t have to constantly be sleeping on random uncomfortable surfaces and to her surprise, Wednesday Addams complied. It really shouldn’t have been such a shocker though, most were already aware of Wednesday’s almost motherly instinct towards him, despite thing being tens of years older than her.
Enid set the bed next to Thing on the nightstand and he immediately launched himself towards it, wiggling around and making himself comfortable.
“Do you like it? I sewed the little pillows and blanket myself!”
Wednesday could hear the big smile on her face as Enid spoke. Whether she’d like to admit it or not, Enid was her closest friend and she missed the bright girl’s personality clashing with her dark one.
By the time the black haired girl finished setting up her typewriter, Thing was already asleep, being tucked in by Enid.
“I guess he likes it,” Wednesday said staring at him.
”I’m so glad, I worked forever on those bed sheets. You know I chipped my nail polish TWICE!” Enid said, holding up her hands to showcase her finger nails.
“What a tragedy.” She replied dryly.
The remainders of Wednesday’s luggage would be dropped off a little later during the day. This place finally got some staff (which was probably due to some controversial events that took place) to have it delivered and while she would’ve liked to carry it up herself, she knew she brought her entire house with her so she let someone else take care of it.
———
She decided to explore the school with Enid, it was 5:42 and the sun was going to set in an hour or so, Enid thought it was better to go early for “aesthetic” purposes.
After last years…events…destroyed some of the structure due to the fire, they rebuilt some of the rooms and or added some. With the death of the principal, multiple students injured, the building on fire, the Crackstone statue destroyed, hundreds of parents sueing the school, and the hundreds of thousands of dollars that were lost, let’s just say the school board didn’t trust Nevermore anymore.
This year extra precautions were placed, they provided the school with more cops, doctors, teachers, staff, and they got stricter with the rules aswell. Curfew is earlier, someone’s always monitoring the halls, windows and balconies can be watched, each student had badges that had to be scanned when they entered, Jesus Christ this school really was a purgatory now.
But stricter rules just created sneakier kids.
Lucky for Wednesday and Enid, they would let them ease into these regulations as the year progressed, so for now it was pure freedom.
The two girls walked side by side, Enid talking up a storm and Wednesday pretending to listen, just like the old days.
They roamed the halls, peering into the different rooms that caught their attention which just translated to Enid looking into all of them and Wednesday taking a simple glance and moving her eyes ahead. None of them seemed too special until she met eyes with ballet barres in one of the rooms.
Her curiosity got the best of her and she found her head tilting to the side as to get a better view. Enid caught on quickly and tugged on Wednesday's arm to drag her over.
“The dance room? Miss Wednesday Addams is a dancer? How did I not know this? How many more secrets do you have?” Enid inquired with a shocked but somehow excited expression on her face.
“Too many to remember.” She replied, going through the wide doors walking over to one of the barres.
Her fingertips grazed on the wood below. It felt slightly powdery and new.
Enid stood in the middle of the room in awe just like she had done with every room they’ve seen so far. It’s size compared to the fencing room was a few feet smaller but still huge. The walls were decorated with vintage style pink flowers but made space for the huge windows that extended to the ceiling. The room relied on the natural light that seeped through the glass but it had overhead lights for late night sessions. The floor looked to be plywood, to which Wednesday didn’t mind.
“So what’s it you do?”
”Hm?” Wednesday took her attention off of the barres and to Enid.
”What kind of dancer are you?” Enid said through a smile.
Wednesday shifted her gaze from Enid to the barre where her hand was resting again.
“Ballet,” she paused. “I’ve been doing it since I could walk. I've always preferred it due to its reputation as one of the most beautifully torturous art forms.”
“WHAT? But I never saw you practice last year?” Enid said clearly confused.
“Last year my parents thought it would be best if I took a break. Shifting to a new environment and all. I was going to go against their words as usual but then I got wrapped up in an investigation," Wednesday turned to face Enid.
"And this school didn’t have shiny new ballet barres back then.”
Enid jumped up and down, her hair bouncing in return. “OMG you HAVE to let me come watch you some time, are you good?”
“Of course I’m good.” Wednesday spoke with the smallest smile that anyone would've missed if you had never spoke to the girl.
”Classic Wednesday,” Enid said walking back into the hallway, Wednesday following suit.
———
It was now dinner time and Wednesday and Enid were sitting on their dorm room floor. The rest of Wednesday's stuff had been delivered an hour ago so she was just relaxing from unpacking.
Since it was technically an orientation day for the incoming grade and the first week of getting adjusted, most parents stayed with their children the first day to enjoy dinner with them before they departed. Wednesday’s parents would’ve loved to come, but they knew to back off, and high tension still surrounded Enid and her mother so that was off the table aswell.
So the two girls sat together eating little bowls of microwaveable Kraft mac and cheese.
Wednesday was not used to the taste of artificial powdery processed “cheese” as the label allegedly claims or the thought of boiling small noodles in the microwave rather than a stove but it’ll have to do for now. A struggle meal was a struggle meal.
But the meal wasn’t the only struggle to deal with as Enid ranted about one of her usual retail adventures.
”so then Ajax was like but didn’t she literally already tell you to get the pink colored socks and I was like EXACTLY THATS MY POINT, so then I obviously went to her and I was like — Wednesday are you even listening?”
“I stopped listening the minute you said ‘listen to this, Wednesday,” she answered, poking the noodles in the bowl with her plastic fork.
”Okay but at least pretend so I could have SOME peace of mind.” The other girl answered bitterly.
The two ate in silence for a little while until Enid interrupted the silence.
“Wednesday?”
Her voice sounded nervous, it actually startled Wednesday from how unexpected it was. There were hints of concern and seriousness laced in as well and Wednesday couldn’t help but listen.
“Do you ever think about him?”
Him.
She ignored the way her stomach seemed to drop at the association of his name. She hadn’t talked about him with anyone since the day her world was tilted. It hurt. And not the good hurt the bad hurt.
There was silence before she could piece together a worthy response. She carefully set her mac and cheese bowl on the floor with the fork still in it. She placed her hands in her lap and kept her gaze studied on the floor.
“I wish I didn’t.”
Enid nodded reassuringly even though Wednesday couldn’t see.
“He was your first love Wednesday, it’s normal to feel some sort of pain after your guy’s falling out. Especially because of what he did to everyone and you,"
"but,” she paused, attempting to choose her words carefully.
”I don’t know Wednesday,” she spoke in a low tone, very different and serious compared to her usual tone. “Seeing how you were around him, seeing how you acted, seeing how you changed…he brought out a light in you and that’s pretty impossible to do in such darkness.”
She didn’t want to be reminded. She didn’t want to know what he did for her back when he was around. She didn’t want to hear it. She was over him, it was done. No point in letting his memory stay.
“and don’t get me wrong, I’m still hurt over what he did to everyone and I can’t forgive him just yet…but it wasn’t all him. From what you told me, wasn’t Ms. Thornhi—Laurel… to blame for everything?” Enid was now rambling trying to properly connect each thought.
Wednesday rubbed her thumb over her left hand, she was fidgety but didn’t want to show it.
”I’m trying to let him go, Enid. I can’t handle the heartbreak all over again.”
Enids eyes widened at the self incrimination. For Wednesday Addams to admit a heart break was rare and unusual.
The room was silent for what felt like eternity, both girls struggling with what to say and what to make of this conversation.
”My parents said he’s my lifelong soulmate. In the Addams family bloodline, an Addams’ first love is also their last. The tale claims that both souls are connected forevermore.”
Enids eyebrows furrowed and her mouth hung open.
“So basically you’re stuck with him for the rest of your life!? Wednesday that’s crazy!”
”Unless I somehow find a way to kill myself or kill him unfortunately we’re ‘destined’…my parents said there is a way out though, it’s just that no one’s ever successfully managed to complete it. I’m assuming they died in the process.”
“Okay not to be a party pooper but all of those options have to do with dying so I’m not really following,” Enid said with uneasiness in her tone.
“That’s what makes it fun.”
“Shouldn’t you tell him about all this?”
”What’s to tell?” Wednesday felt uncomfortable at the thought of confronting him. He would bring out unwanted emotions in her; emotions that she never wanted to feel again.
”Wednesday, you said both souls are bonded. Meaning he felt the same way you did.”
“...I was kind of just hoping to keep it under wraps.” Wednesday mumbled.
“Word on the street is that apparently, Tyler’s dad managed to get him out of serious trouble and he still got to keep his job at the Weathervane. Only a few people knew about him being the Hyde and most of them are powerful people so no one mentions anything because it’ll risk their jobs. He’s got the entire town under his fingertips and he doesn’t even know.” Enid crossed her arms and shook her head smirking.
”As much as I hate to admit it, getting the head of the police department to cover up the murders his own son committed is a smart move.” Wednesday said with her eyebrows slightly raised. She honestly respected the hustle because she would do the same thing.
“You should go see him, Wednesday.” Enid spoke quietly and slowly, almost testing her words incase Wednesday had a negative reaction.
Wednesday didn’t respond, only getting up to throw her mac and cheese cup away and sitting at her desk for her sacred writing time.
As she wrote she couldn't help but replay their conversation.
She hadn't seen him in what felt like forever. She was terrified. She would never outright express it, but she was truly terrified. She didn't know what she would even ask him, how she would get there without her therapy excuse, and how he would react to the entire thing. Wednesday wasn't usually this anxious, but then again she was never really anything.
Her novel was getting nowhere and her mind was making her more annoyed than usual so she decided to call it quits and at least attempt to get some shut eye while she still could.
As she carefully removed the paper from the typewriter to organize her space, she glanced over at a peaceful sleeping Enid and a passed out Thing. Thing sleeping looked very weird to anyone who didn't know him, considering how he always looked like a dead cockroach.
She changed into her black nightgown with lace on the collar like she always did. Before she went to sleep she always liked to listen to soft Spanish music, it reminded her of the music her father used to play for her when she napped.
That night Wednesday went to sleep with only 3 things on her mind: how gross artificial cheese tasted, breaking the first love curse, and a trip to Jericho.