Work Text:
Tonight unfolded much like any other evening at Nevermore. Annabel sat in front of her vanity, unraveling her ribbons and curls while Ada went on about her apparent "love life".
“I can’t believe I ever had eyes for Prospero. Honestly, what did I ever see in that snob? To think all the efforts I made to impress him, even letting that brute Lenore put her hands on me."
Annabel snapped her head back, “Lenore did what?”
"Oh, I never did get around to telling you what went down at Mystery Manor. So, there I was, alone in the dark with no one to defend me. Well, Lenore was there, but you know what I mean. We entered a room, and I stumbled upon this amazing red dress with the most wonderful bows. Alas, I was still just a naive girl then, so I thought that jerk Prospero would appreciate the effort I put into getting ready for him. Thus, I decided to wear it. Naturally, with Lenore being the only one around, I had no choice but to ask for her help with the corset and getting dressed. You should have seen the way she gawked at me; I bet she was jealous of my womanly features."
Annabel’s eye twitched, her mind racing with reasons not to end Ada at this moment.
"Why, that is quite intriguing. I never deemed Lenore to be of such a disposition. Thank you for sharing this information with me, love."
Ada, oblivious as always, smiled and puffed her chest with pride, “Why, of course, you can always rely on me to be your right-hand, my Queen.”
Annabel was too absorbed by her thoughts to pay any more attention to Ada. “Hands on another woman and lacing her up none the less! Pet how could you?”
Lenore had no idea why Annabel was being so distant.
Normally they would try to get in a private conversation here and there or share secret smiles during class but today was different. Annabel didn't cast a single glance in her direction, not even the occasional brush of fingers in the hallways.
While grabbing breakfast this morning, Lenore tried asking Annabel how she slept last night only to be brushed aside by Annabel's dry response of "fitfully".
In class, she attempted to grab Annabel's attention with a paper airplane, but it ended up landing on Montresor's desk instead. In turn, making the idiot think she was making a move on him.
"What else are ya aimin' to send my way darlin'?"
"A bullet up your—" Lenore got 5 demerits taken away before she could finish that sentence.
In the hallway, she tried to sneak Annabel into a nearby broom closet. Annabel decided to scream bloody murder, triggering each other's gangs into a full-blown brawl. The fight wrapped up with Prospero having a meltdown after Duke compared his hair to a failed attempt at folding a croissant. Somehow, Lenore was deemed responsible for this by the deans and gained 100 demerits.
That night, Annabel woke to a gentle tapping at her chamber door. She looked over to the left side of the room and noticed Ada was still deep asleep and snoring like a cow. Annabel slid out of bed and tiptoed to the door, where she found a note slipped underneath.
"Meet me at West Commons broom closet in 5 minutes
-L"
A small smile formed on Annabel's lips, but she quickly regained her composure. After all, she was still cross with Lenore. Wrapping herself in a robe, Annabel headed towards the broom closet.
"Thank goodness you came; I was beginning to think you'd ignore me again," Lenore admitted.
"Are you aware of the hour? Or is this how you rendezvous with all the ladies for your amorous pursuits?" Annabel snapped.
"What on earth are you going on about, Annabel?"
"I don't know. Perhaps you should ask your dearest Ada?"
"Dearest? ADA? You're not making any sense."
Annabel scoffed and began to turn away, but Lenore caught her arm before she could reach the doorknob.
"Annie please, you haven't given me the time of day since morning. If I've done something wrong, allow me to at least properly apologize."
Annabel crossed her arms and pouted, "Ada informed me that you watched her undress and laced her corset. Do you fancy her? Or perhaps find her body more... enticing?"
"Of course not! No one could rival you in a corset; I've only ever had eyes for you, Annabel Lee."
A rather mischievous thought popped into Annabel's mind, and she smirked at Lenore. "And precisely how do you know how I look in a corset, pet?"
Lenore froze, the weight of what she just said settling in. She instinctively took a step back with each menacing stride Annabel took toward her, until her back hit a shelf.
"It was in a dream... I remembered something," Lenore stammered, averting her gaze in a blush of embarrassment.
Annabel placed her hand over her mouth dramatically, "Oh my, how scandalous"
Annabel wrapped her arms around Lenore and giggled, burying her face in Lenore's neck.
"Annabel"
"Yes, pet."
"I'm sorry," Lenore murmured, her flushed face and her signature puppy eyes fixed on Annabel as she looked up.
"I've forgotten all about it," hummed Annabel.
Lenore let out a sigh, only to feel Annabel press chest closer.
"So... enlighten me about this dream of yours," Annabel purred.
Lenore loosened her cravat. It was going to be a long night.