Archive of Our Own

The faculty lounge at Abbott Elementary was a battlefield of dollar store Halloween decorations—cheap, rushed, and chaotic. Fake cobwebs were tangled on every chair, pumpkin cutouts leaned awkwardly on tables, and those flimsy cardboard gravestones wobbled every time the door closed. Janine Teagues, looking like she had been through a personal Halloween horror show, shuffled into the room with her Gomez Addams costume half-complete. She had a garment bag in one hand, a phone in the other, and a mustache hanging onto her upper lip for dear life.

Her phone buzzed.

Ava (6:29 AM): u ready for this, gomez? ;)

She stared at the message like it had personally offended her. A mix of dread and mild panic bubbled up as she collapsed into a chair, juggling her coffee while tugging at the crooked mustache. "Why do I do this to myself?" she mumbled.

Janine, standing in the hallway, was visibly stressed and still messing with that rogue mustache. She looks at the camera like it’s going to give her the answer.

“So, yeah... Ava talked me into this whole 'Morticia and Gomez' couple’s costume for the Halloween party…not ‘couples’, but, like, partners. Or-or coworker? Anyway, I was like, ‘Sure, I love Halloween!’ But... uh... I didn’t really think this through. Morticia? Perfect. Ava’s basically been preparing her whole life for this role. Me? I can’t even get the mustache straight. I’m supposed to be Gomez? The smooth, debonair one? I can barely handle a costume that cost me ten bucks and a prayer.”

Gregory sat at the lounge table, his costume fully intact—a military uniform that screamed "organized" with its medals and polished shoes. He flipped through a book on classroom management, looking like Halloween wasn’t even happening around him. Janine stumbled into the seat next to him, nearly spilling her coffee in the process.

“You alright?” Gregory asked, without looking up, his tone way too calm for the chaos surrounding him.

“Yep, totally fine,” Janine lied, her voice hitting an octave only dogs could hear. “Just, you know, Halloween stuff. Ava’s Morticia, I’m Gomez, no big deal.” She waved her hand as if that explained anything, clearly unraveling. “I mean, it’s just a party, right?”

Gregory slowly closed his book and finally gave her his full attention. “You’re panicking.”

“I’m not panicking,” Janine said, definitely panicking. “It’s just—everyone’s gonna be dressed to the nines, and I look like... like this!” She motioned to her half-done costume. “And Ava... well, she’s Ava. She’s gonna look like she stepped out of a Tim Burton movie, and I’m over here trying to keep a stick-on mustache from falling into my coffee.”

Gregory, deadpan, raised an eyebrow. “I planned this last month. Like I plan everything.”

Gregory looks into the camera, completely unfazed.

“Janine’s always stressed. This? This is just Tuesday. I mean, it’s a costume party. But Janine... she takes everything seriously.”

Janine blinked, finally registering Gregory’s outfit through her haze of nerves. “Wait... who are you supposed to be? You’re not dressed like a superhero or a monster like everyone else.”

Gregory sighed, already sensing the uphill battle. “I’m Lt. Col. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. He was a commander in the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. You know, the first African-American military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps? He went on to become a general in the Air Force.”

Janine’s brow furrowed. “I mean... I know who they are but... can you explain again? Like... slower?”

Gregory slumped, rubbing his temples. “The Tuskegee Airmen. They fought racial segregation in the military while flying combat missions. Davis was a pioneer, breaking barriers for Black pilots—”

The door swung open, cutting him off mid-sentence.

Ava Coleman stepped into the room, her presence almost electrifying the air. Janine, seated near the back, froze in place. She had seen Ava countless times, but this was different. This was… surreal. Ava wasn’t just entering the room; she was commanding it, making every eye follow her with quiet reverence.

The black dress hugged Ava’s figure with precision, its sleek fabric tracing the contours of her body like it had been crafted just for her. The double-breasted buttons, gleaming faintly under the soft lighting, gave the dress a regal yet fierce edge, making her look as if she had just walked out of a boardroom where she sealed the fate of empires. The pencil skirt cut of the dress accentuated her narrow waist, flaring slightly over her hips before ending in an elegant, asymmetrical hem that hinted at her long legs.

Ava’s skin glowed with its warm, sun-kissed hue, a perfect contrast to the deep black of the dress. Her hair—dark brown with golden highlights that caught the light just right—cascaded over her shoulders in soft, voluminous waves, the perfect mix of elegance and untamed beauty. Even from a distance, Janine could tell it was impeccably styled, each wave rolling into the next like a masterful painting.

But it was Ava’s face that left Janine breathless. The subtle hint of makeup, just enough to highlight her high cheekbones and almond-shaped eyes, gave her an effortless radiance. Her lips, painted a soft nude, contrasted the sharpness of her expression as her eyes, which held an air of quiet confidence, swept the room.

Ava glided toward the lounge's center, her movements deliberate and smooth, the click of her heels barely audible but somehow commanding attention with every step. Her posture was straight, shoulders back, exuding an air of confidence that bordered on royalty.

Janine's mind raced. She couldn’t stop staring—Ava was breathtaking, a force to be reckoned with. As the seconds ticked by, Janine realized she hadn't blinked or breathed. Her heart pounded in her chest, and her palms felt sweaty against her thighs. In that moment, Ava wasn’t just her girlfriend or her boss. She was an untouchable goddess who had just descended into the mundane world of the teacher's lounge, and Janine could do nothing but bask in her presence.

Everything else around her melted away as Ava approached, her gaze briefly locking with Janine’s. It was as if the rest of the world ceased to exist, and Janine, utterly starstruck, could only sit there, wide-eyed and in awe, completely mesmerized.

Ava’s heels clicked against the floor, each step a calculated, dramatic entrance. When she reached Janine, she paused, her eyes scanning her "Gomez" with a smirk that screamed mischief. The kind that left Janine’s brain completely malfunctioning.

Ava leans back in her chair, her confidence practically spilling over. She flips her sleek hair back and smirks at the camera.

"Morticia is an icon, and let’s be real—so am I. Who else was gonna pull this off? And, uh, obviously, I’m Gomez-ing Janine right now. Facts are facts."

Ava leaned in, her lips curling into that same smirk. “Oh, Gomez,” she purred, letting her voice linger in the air like a spell. Her finger gently traced down Janine’s cheek, slow and deliberate. “You’re not ready for tonight.”

Janine froze, her coffee nearly slipping from her grasp. Whatever swagger she’d tried to muster for this costume crumbled instantly. Gregory glanced up, his jaw tightening as Ava continued to circle Janine like a predator. He clenched his book, fighting back whatever words wanted to escape.

But how could he say anything? Not after Janine had insisted she wanted to be selfish, and he'd made the brilliant decision to "put a period" on their situation. So, he bit his lip hard enough to stay silent, watching Ava work her magic.

Ava straightened up, pulling out a compact mirror, checking her makeup with the same cool detachment she used to control the entire school. “You nervous?” she asked, amused.

“No!” Janine squeaked, the high-pitched lie betraying her. “Why would I be nervous? It’s just... you know... a costume! And a party! And... you’re... you’re just...” She flailed her hands toward Ava, words failing her completely.

Ava’s smirk grew. “Gomez, baby, all you gotta do tonight is be obsessed with me. Think you can handle that?”

Janine let out a nervous laugh, rubbing her neck like she was trying to reboot her brain. “Yeah, sure! No problem!”

Janine stands in the hallway, wide-eyed, still fidgeting with the crooked mustache.

“So, uh... when Ava suggested this whole Morticia-Gomez thing, I was like, ‘Sure! No big deal! I love Halloween!’ But now? Now I’m realizing... I am in way over my head.”

Ava looks at the garment bag then gives Janine a frown. “Give me that. You are not going to be walking around in a tacky, wrinkled, so big it will swallow you whole Spirit Halloween suit.”

“I don’t have another-“

“Don’t worry, you’ll have a suit.”

Ava gave Janine one last look-over before sauntering off to terrorize someone else. Janine’s heart rate slowly returned to normal, but only barely. She hadn’t signed up for this. Being Ava’s "Gomez" was more than just wearing a cheap costume—it meant keeping up with her, and that? That was a whole different challenge.

~AxJ~

Janine stood in front of the small mirror in her classroom, frowning at her reflection as anxiety gnawed at her. The suit she had bought from Spirit Halloween was cheap but now perfectly tailored by Ava to hug her frame. It looked good, objectively speaking. But Janine wasn’t feeling it.

Her curls, usually bouncing with life, were slicked back with an almost excessive amount of gel, trying to mimic Gomez Addams’ slicked, debonair look. But instead of channeling suave sophistication, she felt like a nervous kid forced into a school picture. And then there was the mustache. The cheap, fake thing stubbornly refused to stay in place, already beginning to peel off the corner of her upper lip. She pressed it back down, only for it to pop back up a second later.

“Cara Mia,” she whispered to the mirror, attempting Gomez’s iconic line with all the charm she could muster. Her voice cracked halfway through, and she winced. The mustache slid further, practically hanging off her lip now. Perfect.

Janine sighed, glancing over her shoulder to make sure no one was around to witness her failure. The classroom was mercifully empty, leaving her alone with her growing regret about this whole couples’ costume idea. What was she thinking, agreeing to this?

As she fumbled with the mustache for what felt like the hundredth time, her phone buzzed on the desk. She already knew who it was before she even checked—Ava. Of course.

The preview showed a winking emoji, and her heart immediately started to race. She clicked it open.

Ava (3:02 pm): u ready for tonight, Gomez? don’t leave me hanging.

Janine stared at the screen, her thumbs hesitating above the keyboard. She turned back to the mirror, snapping a photo of herself in costume. The reflection staring back at her screamed anything but ready. The mustache was crooked, her hair looked like it was fighting back, and the suit, despite fitting perfectly, felt...wrong. Reluctantly, she hit send.

Janine (3:03 pm): I look ridiculous.

The reply came in seconds, almost as if Ava had been waiting for it.

Ava (3:03 pm): nah, you look hot, Gomez ;)

Her face immediately grew hot. Hot? Ava thought she looked hot? Janine blinked at the message, her brain taking a moment longer than it should to process. This was Ava being Ava, right? Just teasing her, like always. But the longer she stared at those words, the more her nerves twisted into a knot in her stomach. This didn’t feel like just a playful costume anymore. It felt like... more.

Janine dropped her phone on the desk, rubbing her temples. Her feelings for Ava had always been confusing—a mixture of rivalry and admiration that danced on a razor-thin line. But recently, there was something else. Something electric beneath their usual back-and-forth, and it scared the hell out of her.

And now they were supposed to show up at this Halloween party as Morticia and Gomez. The most iconic couple in television history, known for their intense passion and undying devotion. Morticia and Gomez weren’t just any couple. They were the ultimate romantic oddballs, with Ava’s flawless Morticia only making Janine feel even more out of her league.

Her phone buzzed again, snapping her out of her thoughts.

Ava (3:04 pm): don’t forget—gym by 7:00. and pipsqueak? you’re gonna knock ‘em dead.

Janine groaned, running a hand through her hair before realizing it only made the gel situation worse. Ava was effortlessly perfect, the kind of person who could walk into any room and have everyone’s attention without trying. Of course, she’d pull off Morticia with ease. Meanwhile, Janine was here, trying to stop a fake mustache from falling off.

“Cara Mia,” she muttered one more time to her reflection, her nerves still tightening. The mirror version of Gomez just stared back at her, reminding her that tonight was going to be anything but smooth.

“I don’t know why I let Ava talk me into this,” Janine says with a tight smile, eyes darting nervously. “I mean, Halloween is fun! Candy, costumes, kids hyped up on sugar—what’s not to love?” She chuckles awkwardly before her expression falters. “But...Gomez Addams? I’m... I’m not exactly what you’d call suave.”

She fidgets with the lapel of her suit jacket, clearly trying to make herself more comfortable. “Ava said it’d be fun, and when Ava says something’s gonna be fun... you kinda just nod and agree before you realize what’s happening. She has this way of... getting in your head.” Janine pauses, eyes widening as if she just realized something. “Wait, that sounds bad. I don’t mean—no, she’s not manipulative or anything...”

She sighs, rubbing her forehead. “I just mean... look at me! I’ve got this suit,” she tugs on her jacket again, “which, okay, it does fit me perfectly, thanks to Ava’s tailoring... but then there’s this mustache.” She pulls at the fake mustache that’s already half falling off her lip. “Like...why did I think I could pull off a mustache? I can’t even pull off a dramatic side part, and now I’m supposed to be some slick, charming, Latin lover type?”

Janine looks at the camera, deadpan. “Yeah. I’ve made a huge mistake.”

Janine paced frantically around her classroom, her heels tapping out a nervous rhythm on the floor. She muttered under her breath, trying out lines with a growing sense of panic.

“Cara Mia,” she whispered, pausing to frown at her reflection in the window. “You have bewitched me, body and soul.” She grimaced. “Wait, no—that’s Pride and Prejudice! Why am I quoting Mr. Darcy?!” She threw her hands up in frustration, her mind jumping from one thought to the next like a pinball. “This is Gomez Addams, not some...romantic candle-lit dinner proposal!”

She inhaled deeply, shutting her eyes for a moment. “Okay, focus,” she muttered to herself, pacing faster. “Channel Gomez. Be...smooth. Confident. Charismatic... and a little creepy—but in, like, a sexy way. Dark obsession. That’s it. Dark obsession.”

She stopped, planting her feet and throwing herself into a dramatic stance. “You are the moon, my dear. My everything.” Then she winced again, her whole face scrunching up. “Nope, that sounds like I’m writing a Hallmark card. Come on, Janine!”

Her phone buzzed on her desk, and she lunged for it, knowing exactly who it was. Of course it was Ava.

Ava (6:27 pm): u better not be chickening out, shortstack. i need my Gomez, and you know you can’t resist me 😘

Janine stared at the screen, her heart doing a weird little flip-flop. Can’t resist me? Oh no, her brain was spiraling. Why did Ava have to be so... Ava? The wink emoji wasn’t helping. And what if she did bomb this? What if everyone laughed? What if Ava—

“Okay, Janine, focus!” she hissed at herself, trying to shake off the wild thoughts ping-ponging through her brain. Her fingers trembled as she typed back a quick response.

Janine (6:29 pm): No chickening out here! 👍😅

Lies. Big, sweaty lies. She was totally chickening out. She could barely hold onto the fake mustache, let alone hold onto her dignity.

She turned back to the mirror, taking another deep breath and puffing out her chest. “I would die for you, Morticia. I would kill for you!” Her voice echoed through the empty classroom, dramatic and—okay, maybe a little too over-the-top? She cringed again, dropping her arms. “That sounded like I’m auditioning for a soap opera. Ava’s gonna laugh... she laughs at everything.”

But maybe that’s good? If she bombed, Ava would probably just laugh it off. Then it would be over, and she could crawl back into the safety of her classroom and pretend none of this ever happened.

“Yeah, no big deal,” she muttered, pacing again. “It’s just a costume. It’s just Ava. It’s just... Ava. Who... oh no, she’s gonna look incredible as Morticia and I’m gonna... be a mess.” She stared at herself in the mirror again, tugging at the suit Ava had expertly tailored for her. “I look like a kid playing dress-up. And this mustache! Ugh, why did I think I could pull off a mustache?!”

She pulled at the crooked little mustache, which had been trying to escape her face for the past hour. “Okay, Janine. You’re Gomez. You can do this. Right?”

Ava leans back in her chair, flashing a smug smile at the camera. “Oh, I know Janine’s nervous. She’s got that whole... jittery thing she does, like she’s about to explode over a paper jam.” Ava rolls her eyes, then grins. “She gets nervous ordering a latte, so now she’s trying to be all... suave and Gomez-y? Pfft, please. But she’ll be fine. She’s got that... you know, Janine energy,” she says, making air quotes and waving her hand vaguely, as if that sums it all up. “It’s cute. But, like always, I’ll carry the team. No biggie.” She winks confidently at the camera.

Janine’s classroom door creaked open, and she almost knocked over her stack of papers in surprise when Jacob Hill poked his head in. He was wearing a ridiculous half-finished costume—a onesie split right down the middle. One side was bright red, the other a bold blue.

“Hey, Janine! Just wanted to check if you were ready for the big couples’ costume reveal. Heard you’re doing the Addams Family? Love that!” Jacob grinned, clearly way too excited.

Janine gave him an awkward smile, still fussing with her suit jacket that Ava had tailored to fit perfectly... but that somehow still felt like it belonged to someone else. “Yeah, uh, just... you know, trying to get into character,” she mumbled, glancing at her reflection. The mustache was still slipping down her lip, taunting her.

Jacob, ever the bundle of enthusiasm, nodded. “Oh, for sure! You and Ava as Morticia and Gomez? Genius! Total opposites, but it just... works, you know?”

Janine’s stomach did a little flip at his comment. Opposites. Yep, that’s exactly what they were—Ava, all confident and commanding, while she was... her. It was like pairing fire with a nervous kitten. They shouldn’t work together at all, right? And yet, somehow, they always did.

Janine chuckled nervously, tugging at the too-smooth lapel of her jacket. “Yeah, it’s... uh, something.”

She squinted at Jacob’s costume again. “Wait... what are you supposed to be?” She gestured vaguely at his half-red, half-blue onesie, trying to piece it together.

Jacob beamed proudly, like he’d been waiting for her to ask. “Oh! I’m a Two-Party System! You know, ‘cause I’m always torn between my idealism and realism. Plus, it’s a clever nod to our failing democracy!” He threw in some jazz hands for effect.

Janine blinked. “Jacob... you’re dressed like a divided piñata.”

He laughed, clearly unfazed. “Exactly! The symbolism’s rich, right? I figured it was either this or go as a deconstructed burrito bowl. But the system spoke to me more.”

Janine let out a sigh, her brain officially fried from the chaos of the day, Jacob’s political piñata ensemble not helping at all. “Okay, well, good luck with that.”

Jacob gave her an enthusiastic thumbs-up before backing out of the classroom. “You’ve got this, Janine! Just channel that inner Gomez! Ava’s gonna love it.”

As soon as he was gone, Janine stared at her reflection again. The mustache was now completely crooked, and her attempt to slick back her curls just made her head look like a squashed pineapple. She sighed. Inner Gomez? She didn’t even know if she had one.

She glanced down at her phone, another text from Ava lighting up the screen.

Ava (6:40 pm): better be ready for tonight, Gomez! 😉

Her heart skipped a beat as she read it, hands already sweating. Maybe this was going to be a disaster. Maybe she’d trip over her own two feet trying to act like some smooth Casanova. Or maybe... just maybe... this was something more.

She took a deep breath and adjusted her suit one last time.

~AxJ~

The gym at Abbott Elementary was alive with chaos—kids running everywhere in their costumes, fake cobwebs and bats hanging from the ceiling, and way too many plastic spiders. Janine tried to focus on the decorations, the kids’ excitement, anything that would stop the growing knot of anxiety in her stomach. Her fingers fidgeted with the lapel of her oversized suit jacket, her slicked-back hair itched like mad under all that gel, and the fake mustache? Crooked. Again. She’d fixed it three times already, and it still insisted on sliding off like it was mocking her.

“Just breathe, Janine. It’s fine, totally fine,” she muttered to herself. “It’s a school Halloween party, not Broadway. No one’s expecting... an Oscar-worthy Gomez Addams. Right?” Her eyes darted around the gym as if the answer would magically appear. It didn’t.

Gregory stood by the punch bowl in his Tuskegee airmen costume, all serious and precise as if he was about to give a history lesson rather than just sip punch. Barbara was floating around the room in her sparkling Glynda the Good Witch costume, looking like she owned the place, while Melissa swaggered by in a pinstripe suit, waving an unlit cigar. Everyone else seemed to fit their roles perfectly. Why do I feel like I’m about to trip over my own feet?

She tugged at her mustache again and glanced at her phone. There it was. The text that had sent her spiraling:

Ava (7:01 pm): Get ready, Teagues. I’m about to make you look so good.

The second Janine had read that message, her brain went into overdrive. "Make me look good"? How? What does that mean? Is she teasing? Or serious? How am I supposed to compete with Ava dressed as Morticia? She’s going to look amazing. I’m going to look like a tiny man in a suit. I—

Suddenly, the gym doors swung open with a loud creak, and it was like the entire universe paused. Ava Coleman walked in, and Janine’s mind went blank. Completely blank.

Ava was stunning. No, beyond stunning. She was Morticia Addams, but, like, if Morticia also moonlit as a runway model. Her black gown hugged every curve, the fabric catching just enough light to shimmer as she moved. Her hair—long, silky, and jet-black—cascaded down her back, framing her flawless makeup: dark, sultry eyes and deep red lips that could kill a person in one glance. She moved through the gym like she owned it—slow, confident, like she was walking in slow motion, and everyone else was just background noise.

Janine’s heart was pounding so hard she was sure Ava could hear it from across the room. Her mind kicked into hyperdrive. Oh my God. Oh my God, she’s perfect. How is she this perfect? Is this a joke? Did I die and this is some weird, Halloween afterlife? No, focus, Janine, focus—

But it was no use. Ava’s presence was overwhelming.

“Damn...” Jacob whispered beside her, dressed in his red-and-blue split onesie. He had on two party hats, one red, one blue, and what looked like Monopoly pieces stuck to one side. “Now that is commitment. I thought my Two-Party System costume was clever, but Ava...”

Janine blinked. “Wait, what are you supposed to be again?”

Jacob beamed proudly. “A Two-Party System. You know, like politics? See—” He pointed to his onesie. “This side’s Monopoly, capitalism, and the other side’s The Game of Life. A metaphor for the divide in American democracy!”

Janine stared at him, still half-focused on Ava, who was now scanning the room with a self-satisfied smile. “Jacob... you look like a confused board game.”

Jacob didn’t miss a beat. “Exactly the point!”

Before Janine could fully process that, Ava’s eyes found her, locking in like a heat-seeking missile. Janine froze. Every coherent thought fled her brain, and all that was left was pure panic. Oh no. She’s coming over. She’s coming over, and I look like a mess. My mustache is slipping!

Ava strutted over with all the grace of a queen, her dark eyes glinting with amusement. She reached Janine and, without missing a beat, looped her arm through Janine’s.

“Well, well, well,” Ava said, her voice velvety smooth and laced with mischief. “If it isn’t my little Gomez, looking... cute.”

Janine’s brain officially short-circuited. Cute? Gomez isn’t supposed to be cute! Suave, maybe. Romantic, definitely. But cute? No! And Ava, what do you mean by cute? Is that a compliment? Is this a test? Why does my mustache keep sliding down?

“I... uh... I was just... y’know, warming up,” she managed to stammer, her hands nervously pushing the mustache back into place. Get it together, Janine! Say something Gomez-like!

Ava’s lips curled into a sly smile. “Warming up, huh?” She tilted her head, eyes twinkling with amusement. “Don’t worry, baby. I’ll carry us, as always.”

Janine’s knees nearly buckled at the word "baby." Was Ava just staying in character, or...? No. Focus. It’s Halloween. Everyone’s in character. She’s just playing along.

But the way Ava’s arm felt looped around hers, the way she looked at her, the way the entire room seemed to fade into the background—it all felt... different. And the fact that Janine was suddenly hyper-aware of her heartbeat wasn’t helping.

Ava leaned in, her voice low and teasing. “Ready to make ‘em all jealous, Gomez?”

Janine swallowed hard. “Yeah... uh, totally,” she squeaked, her brain doing somersaults. No, no, I’m not ready. Not even a little bit.

Ava smirked, her arm squeezing Janine’s. “That’s what I thought.”

As the chaos of the Halloween party continued around them, Janine stood there, still in disbelief, still grappling with how she was supposed to survive the night. But as Ava pulled her further into the gym, she realized something.

For once, even in her awkward, ill-fitting costume and despite the fact that her mustache was officially crooked again, Janine didn’t feel out of place.

Because Ava was right there, by her side.

And that made all the difference.

~AxJ~

Janine Teagues had never been the type to feel smooth. Sure, she was confident in front of her second graders, could handle a parent-teacher conference with minimal sweating, and even managed to get through those faculty meetings with Ava without melting down completely. But right now? Right now, dressed as Gomez Addams of all people, smooth was the last thing she felt.

Janine tugged at the sleeves of her tailored suit, trying to channel Gomez’s suave, debonair energy as she watched the Halloween party unfold around her. Parents mingled with teachers, kids ran around in a whirlwind of candy and costumes, and there she was, attempting not to hyperventilate every time Ava sauntered by, dripping in black velvet and dark lipstick like a real-life Morticia Addams. Janine had wanted to pull off this couples' (not couple's, coworkers) costume with Ava, she really had, but it was a lot harder in practice than in theory.

Her mind buzzed in rapid-fire thoughts, none of them helpful. Okay, okay, just act cool. Gomez is all about that romantic, old-school energy. You've got this. Just—wait, is that my mustache slipping? Oh no, don't touch it! Don’t draw attention to it—what if Ava sees? Oh no, she’s coming closer—oh God, look cool!

"Well, well, well. Look at you," Ava purred, her voice as smooth as silk as she sidled up to Janine, the faintest trace of amusement in her eyes. "I gotta say, pipsqueak, you’re really committing to this whole Gomez thing. Looking sharp."

Janine’s brain short-circuited immediately. Ava was right there—like, right next to her. Her arm brushed Janine's, sending little electric shocks down her spine, and that perfume Ava always wore, the one that was a little too fancy for school, wrapped around Janine like a cloak. She felt her hands go clammy, her heartbeat stuttering as she tried to process not just Ava’s proximity, but the fact that she was flirting.

"Uh—y-yeah! I mean—thanks!" Janine managed to squeak out, her voice an octave too high. She cleared her throat, attempting to deepen it, because Gomez Addams definitely didn’t sound like a squeaky toy. "I, uh, had to make sure I looked the part, you know? Can’t half-step when you're standing next to someone like... you."

Ava raised an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth twitching up in that way that made Janine’s knees weak. "Like me, huh?"

Oh no. Abort! Abort mission! Janine’s brain screamed at her. She hadn’t meant to say that last part out loud, but now it was just hanging there, out in the open. She tried to recover, tried to play it off like she was cool and totally in control, but Ava was looking at her like a cat that had cornered a very nervous mouse.

"Yeah," Janine continued, forcing a tight smile. "You know, because... uh... you're so Morticia. So... Morticia-ish. Very... goth. In a good way!"

Oh, Lord, I’m bombing.

Ava chuckled, leaning in ever-so-slightly, her eyes never leaving Janine’s. "You seem a little... flustered, Gomez. Am I making you nervous?"

Janine’s entire brain seemed to freeze. It was like her internal monologue had just hit a wall and collapsed into a pile of goo. Nervous? NERVOUS?! She was barely functioning as a human right now! She opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out. Just air. Panic flooded her. Say something, Janine! Anything!

"I’m not nervous," Janine said, the lie tripping over itself as it left her mouth. "I’m just—uh—just channeling my inner Gomez. You know, like..." She tried to strike a confident pose, gesturing vaguely with one hand. "...'Cara mia,' right?"

Ava’s eyes sparkled with amusement, her lips curving into a wicked smile. "Hmm. You're gonna have to work on that delivery if you want to keep up with me."

Janine’s heart slammed against her chest, but before she could respond with any level of coherence, Ava looped her arm through Janine’s and pulled her into the crowd. They were moving through the gymnasium, but all Janine could focus on was the feeling of Ava’s arm resting against hers. Her whole body buzzed with nervous energy, her mind racing to keep up with the conversation while also spiraling into a thousand tangents about how she should be acting, what Gomez would say, how Ava’s perfume was somehow getting stronger the closer they were, and—oh my God, was Ava holding her tighter?

"Stick close, Gomez," Ava purred in her ear, her voice a velvet whisper that sent a shiver straight down Janine's spine. "Wouldn’t want to lose you in the crowd."

Janine’s breath caught in her throat. She tried—really, really tried—to stay in character, but every time Ava said something even remotely flirtatious, her brain just sort of... fizzled out. Like a TV with bad reception. She attempted a response, some suave Gomez comeback, but all that came out was a weird, breathless laugh. Ava raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the effect she was having on her.

Okay, this is fine, Janine’s inner monologue scrambled to catch up. This is totally fine. Ava’s just teasing you. You’re in control here! You’ve got this! Just play it cool.

"So," Ava’s voice slid in again, effortlessly interrupting Janine's attempts to calm down. "What's the plan, Gomez? Gonna sweep me off my feet?"

Janine swallowed hard. The temptation to panic was overwhelming. "Uh—s-sweep you off your feet?" She forced herself to laugh, the sound awkward and stilted. "Yeah, I was, um, definitely planning something... something like that."

Abort, abort, abort!

Ava smirked, tilting her head slightly as if considering something. "You know, Teagues, I wasn’t sure you’d really get into character for this, but I have to say, you’re... surprising me."

Janine blinked, caught off guard. "Surprising you? How?"

"You’re usually such a rule follower. But tonight? Well..." Ava’s eyes flickered down, taking her in with an almost predatory glint. "Let's just say you’re keeping me on my toes."

Janine’s brain might as well have exploded right then and there. Was this real life? Was this happening? Or had she somehow hit her head on something and was hallucinating all of this? Because there was no way—no way—that Ava was seriously flirting with her right now. Right?

Just then, Jacob appeared out of nowhere, breaking Janine's spiral by sliding up next to them in his ridiculous split red-and-blue "Two-Party System" costume. He grinned at them, clearly oblivious to the way Janine was currently malfunctioning.

"Hey, guys!" Jacob said brightly, adjusting his ridiculous onesie. "Having fun? I think my costume is a hit—subtle political commentary always lands well at these kinds of things, don’t you think?"

Janine blinked, grateful for the momentary distraction from her own inner chaos. "Y-yeah, Jacob, your... uh, your costume is definitely making... a statement."

Ava rolled her eyes, but Janine noticed her fingers still lingering on her arm, her touch warm and steady, grounding her even as Janine’s brain continued to run in frantic circles.

"Yeah, a statement about how annoying you are," Ava muttered under her breath, but there was a fondness in her voice that softened the jab.

Jacob either didn’t hear her or chose to ignore it, because he just laughed and launched into some story about how one of the kids had mistaken him for a superhero. Janine tried to focus on what he was saying—really, she did—but all she could think about was Ava standing so close, their costumes an odd contrast in the colorful chaos of the party.

But as much as she tried to focus, every glance, every smirk, every light brush of Ava’s hand against her arm sent her spiraling all over again. By the time Jacob finally wandered off to pester Barbara about her costume, Janine was teetering on the edge of a full-on meltdown.

Ava didn’t miss a beat, though. The second they were alone again, she leaned in closer, her voice soft and teasing. "You’re awfully quiet, Janine. What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?"

Janine’s heart did a backflip. Cool, she reminded herself. Be cool.

"I—uh—I was just—" Janine stammered, her thoughts completely scattered. She tried to focus, tried to say something smooth, but nothing was working. Her brain had completely checked out. Ava’s lips curved into a slow, knowing smile, like she could see right through her.

"Relax, Baby Sun," Ava whispered, her breath warm against Janine’s ear. "You’re doing great."

And that was it. That was the moment Janine’s entire brain officially shut down. Every last coherent thought evaporated into thin air. All she could do was stand there, mouth slightly open, as Ava gave her one last teasing grin before walking away.

~AxJ~

Janine stood frozen for what felt like an eternity, watching Ava disappear into the throng of costumed partygoers. Her heart was still racing, her brain trying to reboot after that intense interaction. She took a deep breath, trying to collect herself. Okay, she thought, just play it cool. You can still turn this around.

She grabbed a drink from a nearby table, hoping the small action would give her something to focus on besides Ava’s lingering touch and her velvet-soft words. But even as she sipped the punch, her mind kept replaying the way Ava had looked at her, the way her voice had dipped low in that teasing, almost affectionate way.

What did that mean? Was Ava just having fun, messing with her as usual? Or was there something more to it? Janine wasn’t sure what to think anymore. It was one thing for her to have a complicated mess of feelings for Ava—those had been bubbling under the surface for a while now—but for Ava to possibly feel something back? That was... terrifying.

She took another sip of punch and sighed. I have to stop overthinking this. Ava was just being Ava, teasing and playful, like she always was. It didn’t mean anything, right?

"Hey, Janine!" Melissa’s voice broke through her thoughts as she walked over, dressed in her signature no-nonsense fashion—though this time it was wrapped up in a black-and-red vampire cape. "You good? You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

Janine almost laughed at the irony. A ghost? No, just Morticia Addams herself, knocking me completely off balance.

"Yeah, I’m fine," she lied, offering a shaky smile. "Just... getting into character, you know? Gomez and all."

Melissa eyed her skeptically but didn’t press. "Right. Well, we’re about to do the costume contest if you’re interested. If faculty could join, you and Ava should have definitely entered—y’all look good together. Very Addams Family chic."

That last comment made Janine’s stomach flip. She bit her lip, trying to keep the flutter of nerves under control. "I don’t know if we’re really that good," she mumbled, though her mind immediately flashed back to Ava’s hand on her arm, her teasing words.

"Trust me, you are," Melissa said with a smirk. "Plus, Ava’s been talking you up all night, so you might as well ride that wave."

Janine blinked. "Wait—Ava’s been talking about me?"

Melissa chuckled, giving her a knowing look. "Girl, she’s been going on about how you’re all 'committed' to the look, how you’re surprising her with this whole Gomez thing. She’s into it."

She’s into it? Janine’s mind raced. Did that mean what she thought it meant? Or was this just more of Ava’s casual teasing? Either way, hearing that Ava had been talking about her—about how she looked tonight—made Janine’s heart do that weird little dance again.

Before she could ask more, the room suddenly dimmed as the music shifted, signaling the start of the costume contest. A spotlight flickered onto the small stage at the far end of the gym, where Ava was already striding to the front, somehow managing to look even more regal under the dim lighting. The black velvet of her dress shimmered faintly, and the confident way she carried herself drew every eye in the room.

Janine watched in awe, her throat dry. She’d never seen anyone command a room like Ava did—like she was born to be in the spotlight.

"Alright, y’all!" Ava called out, her voice smooth and authoritative. "It’s time for the costume contest! Get ready to strut your stuff and show these kids who’s boss."

The crowd responded with excited cheers, and Janine felt a nervous knot form in her stomach as Ava’s eyes flicked in her direction. There was a brief moment where their gazes locked, and Janine felt that magnetic pull all over again. Ava raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a sly smile, and gestured for Janine to join her on stage.

Oh no. No, no, no—

Janine’s brain went into overdrive. She wasn’t ready for this! She couldn’t stand up there next to Ava while everyone watched! She was not a stage person. She was a classroom person, a small, intimate setting person. But before she could protest, she felt herself moving, her feet betraying her as she awkwardly made her way through the crowd toward the stage.

As she got closer, Ava reached out and took her hand, pulling her up onto the platform beside her. That single touch sent another jolt of electricity through Janine’s entire body. She glanced nervously at the crowd, then at Ava, who was still holding her hand like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"You’re up here now, Gomez," Ava murmured, her voice low enough that only Janine could hear. "Better make it count."

Janine swallowed hard, trying to suppress the rising panic. Her heart was racing, her palms were sweaty, and her brain was still a mess of tangled thoughts. But then she caught Ava’s gaze again—steady, confident, playful—and something inside her clicked.

Maybe Ava was teasing her. Maybe this was all just part of the fun. But right now, standing here in front of everyone with Ava beside her, Janine felt something shift. She wasn’t just the awkward teacher who couldn’t get her words straight. She was Gomez Addams. She could be suave. She could be confident.

She could be someone Ava wanted.

With a deep breath, Janine squared her shoulders and turned toward the crowd. "That’s right," she said, her voice coming out a little stronger than she expected. "Let’s show them what we’ve got, Morticia."

Ava’s eyes sparkled with approval, and for the first time that night, Janine felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.

~AxJ~

"Let me tell y'all something," Ava was saying, gesturing grandly to Melissa, Barbara, and Mr. Johnson, who were standing in a loose circle by the punch table. "This party is iconic. I'm talking, these kids are going to be telling their grandkids about the Halloween of '24 when Principal Ava Coleman threw the bash of the century. They’ll probably even build a statue of me. In marble, obviously."

Barbara raised an eyebrow. "Ava, don't you think that's a bit—"

"Too modest? Yeah, you’re right. They’ll probably need two statues. One for this and another for when I win the Nobel Prize for Awesomeness. Does that exist? If not, it should."

Janine, who had been hovering nearby, adjusted the lapels of her Gomez Addams suit and gave Ava a look. She had been trying to keep up her confident front all night, but standing next to Ava in her Morticia costume, who looked like she’d just strolled off a fashion runway in Paris, was making it tough. Ava had been all over her tonight, throwing flirty comments and little touches her way, and it was really starting to mess with Janine’s head.

She was still lost in thought—about Ava, of course—when Jacob came rushing out from behind the curtain at the back of the gym. His red and blue onesie was unzipped halfway, flapping dramatically as he approached Ava with a panicked look on his face.

"We have a situation," Jacob announced, breathless as he came to a skidding halt in front of Ava and the others.

Ava barely glanced up. "If you’re about to tell me the fog machine broke again, I will literally pretend I didn’t hear you. I'm too fabulous to deal with that right now."

Jacob shook his head, visibly nervous. "No, it’s... worse."

That caught Ava’s attention. She turned, fixing Jacob with a look. "Worse than the fog machine? What are we talking here? Did one of the kids stick their head in the punch bowl again? Because that was hilarious last year."

Janine blinked, suddenly snapping out of her thoughts. "Wait, again?"

Jacob shook his head furiously, his curls bouncing as he spoke. "The prize. It’s missing."

Ava frowned. "What prize?"

"The grand prize for the costume contest!" Jacob said, waving his hands dramatically. "You know, the giant basket with the new video game console, all the candy, and that gift certificate to the mall? The one we hyped up all night? It’s gone!"

Melissa groaned loudly, removing the unlit cigar from her lips and folding her arms over her chest. "And here we go."

Barbara sighed, massaging her temples like she could feel a headache coming on. "I knew something like this would happen."

"I told y’all," Mr. Johnson added, his “DAMN.” hoodie making him look suspiciously like Kendrick Lamar. "This is why we can’t have nice things. The moment you get the kids excited about something, they turn into little thieves."

Janine’s heart sank. Of course something had to go wrong tonight. It was just par for the course at Abbott Elementary, where chaos seemed to be a permanent fixture. And now, somehow, it was up to them to fix this.

Ava clapped her hands together, startling everyone. "Alright, listen up, team!" she said, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Someone has stolen the grand prize for the costume contest, and we are not letting these little sticky-fingered thieves ruin my party. This is my moment, and we’re gonna fix this now."

The teachers exchanged nervous glances, though none of them seemed to have a clue how to handle the situation. Except for Mr. Johnson, who looked entirely unbothered by the sudden turn of events, like he had seen way worse things in his time. He crossed his arms and nodded at Ava approvingly. "Now we’re talkin'."

"Wait, so the prize is just... gone?" Janine asked, feeling her pulse quicken. She could already imagine the disappointment on the kids’ faces when they found out they’d been robbed of their chance to win the big prize. And worse, what if they thought she had something to do with it? Ava did put her in charge of the contest.

"Yup. Gone," Jacob said, wringing his hands nervously. "I checked backstage, the locker room, under the snack table. Nothing."

Ava pointed dramatically toward the exit. "Well, it's obviously still in the building, right? Kids don’t just disappear giant baskets full of loot. So here's the plan: We split up, search the school, and find the thief before this thing turns into a full-blown mystery novel." She paused, then grinned at Janine. "You can be my Watson."

Janine blinked. "Wait, I thought I was Gomez?"

Ava waved her hand dismissively. "Details, details."

"But like, Gomez and Watson are two very different characters—"

"You’re missing the point, Teagues," Ava interrupted, flipping her hair dramatically over her shoulder. "The point is, we’re on the case. You, me, Melissa, Mr. Johnson, and... Jacob."

"Why did you say my name like that?" Jacob asked, frowning.

"Because I already know you’re gonna slow us down," Ava replied bluntly. "But you’re here now, so we’ll make do."

"Gee, thanks," Jacob mumbled under his breath.

Melissa sighed, adjusting her vampire cape. "Alright, let’s get this over with. I swear, if I miss out on the last of the candy corn because of this, I'm going to riot."

"Wait," Barbara said, raising a hand, "shouldn’t we just announce to the kids that the prize is missing? I’m sure if we explain the situation, they’ll understand."

Ava gave her a deadpan look. "Barbara, I love you, but that’s the worst idea I’ve ever heard."

Mr. Johnson nodded in agreement. "These kids? Understanding? Nah, you announce that prize is missing, and we’ll have a full-scale riot on our hands. I’m talkin' overturned snack tables and someone’s dad threatening to sue."

Ava clapped her hands again, refocusing everyone’s attention. "Exactly! Which is why we need to solve this discreetly. We’ll find the prize, announce the winner, and no one will ever know there was a crisis. Just like Beyoncé does it."

"Uh, Beyoncé doesn’t do... whatever this is," Jacob pointed out.

"How do you know? Do you personally know Beyoncé? No? Thought so." Ava gave him a smug smile before turning to the rest of the group. "Alright, let’s get this show on the road. You know your assignments."

The teachers exchanged resigned looks before splitting off in different directions, each taking a section of the school to search. Ava and Janine, naturally, stayed together, wandering through the maze of classrooms and hallways, their footsteps echoing eerily in the quiet.

"So... any idea who might’ve taken it?" Janine asked, trying to fill the silence.

Ava shrugged, her Morticia dress swishing dramatically as she walked. "Whoever it was is probably one of those fifth graders. You know the type—always acting like they’re too cool for school, but really, they’re just salty because middle school’s around the corner, and they peaked too soon."

"That... actually makes a lot of sense," Janine admitted.

Ava smirked. "Of course it does. I’m always right."

Janine shot her a look. "No, you’re not."

"Name one time I was wrong," Ava challenged, crossing her arms confidently.

"How about that time you thought changing the school to Ava Elementary was a good idea?"

Ava waved her hand. "That was an artistic choice and everyone knows it. They just weren’t ready for the vision."

"Uh-huh," Janine said, rolling her eyes. Despite herself, she couldn’t help but smile. This was Ava in her element—confident, a little ridiculous, but always entertaining. And as much as Janine tried to play it cool, she knew deep down that this was exactly why she liked being around her.

They reached the end of the hallway, pausing to peek into the darkened art room. "Nothing here," Janine said, scanning the empty tables. "You really think the prize could’ve been hidden somewhere in the school?"

Ava looked thoughtful for a moment. "Maybe. But you know what? I think it’s time we use our secret weapon."

"Secret weapon?"

Ava grinned mischievously. "Yeah. The art of the bribe."

Janine blinked. "We’re bribing the kids?"

Ava shrugged. "Works every time."

"Isn’t that a little... unethical?"

Ava rolled her eyes. "It’s not bribery if you call it an 'incentive.' Come on, let’s go find some kids who look like they know what’s up."

And so, they did exactly that. A few expertly placed “incentives” later (in the form of extra candy), Ava and Janine had gotten wind that a group of fifth graders had been spotted sneaking into the gym closet earlier in the night.

"Alright, here’s the plan," Ava said, standing outside the gym closet with her hands on her hips. "We burst in there, confront them with the cold, hard facts, and then we dramatically reveal the prize like we're on some kind of game show."

"I don’t think that’s how game shows work," Janine said hesitantly.

"Teagues, you're missing the point again."

They threw open the door to the closet, ready for a dramatic reveal... only to find the missing prize basket sitting innocently on a shelf.

"...Oh," Janine said, blinking in surprise.

Ava let out a sigh of relief. "There it is. I told you we’d solve this case."

"So... what now?" Janine asked.

Ava smirked. "Now, we walk out there like the heroes we are. And then you can thank me with a round of applause."

Janine laughed. "You know, you're impossible."

"And yet, here you are, still standing next to me," Ava replied with a wink. "Must be my charm."

And with that, they returned to the party, prize in hand, ready to finish the night with Ava’s signature brand of flair—because at Abbott Elementary, even the simplest events had a way of turning into something... memorable.

Gregory stood in the gym, his expression as deadpan as ever. He blinks slowly before speaking, arms crossed.

"Yeah, so, Ava and Janine found the prize... sitting in the gym closet."

He pauses, glancing off-camera as if rethinking the whole situation.

"It was... just there. On a shelf. The same shelf that gets dusted once a week."

Gregory raises an eyebrow, unimpressed.

"I’m not saying I knew it was there the whole time... but if I had been looking for it, you know, it would’ve been the first place I checked. I’m thorough like that."

He adjusts his tie, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Meanwhile, everyone else spent half the night running around like a Scooby-Doo episode. But... good for them. They solved the mystery."

He gives the camera one last dry, almost sarcastic look before the scene cuts.

Melissa stood in the hallway, arms crossed and a look of pure skepticism plastered across her face. Her fedora was tipped low over her eyes, adding a hint of theatrical flair to her otherwise no-nonsense demeanor.

“Missing prize? Yeah, that’s the least surprising thing I’ve heard all year," she said dryly. "You give these kids a sniff of something valuable, and they turn into a pack of wolves. Honestly, I’m impressed it took them this long. Ava’s all, ‘let’s make this the party of the century,’ and I’m sitting here like, ‘yeah, right—something’s gonna go missing, or someone’s gonna puke.’” She paused, rolling her eyes with a sigh. "Turns out I was right. Again."

Melissa glanced directly at the camera, deadpan. “But hey, at least I got some candy corn out of it. Win-win.”

Barbara sat serenely in the library, her tiara settled in her lap, as if it were just another book to put in order. She was the picture of composure, her gaze steady, her tone even, with that familiar patience she reserved for explaining things to her students.

“Look, this is what happens when you let chaos run rampant," she began, her voice steady. "I tried to tell Ava that we should keep things simple. Just a nice, wholesome Halloween party. But no, she had to go overboard. And the result? A missing prize, frantic children, and stressed-out teachers. I mean, who really thought that offering a video game console as a prize was a good idea? It’s like putting honey in front of bees—you can’t be surprised when they swarm.”

With a soft sigh, Barbara adjusted her glasses and glanced toward the camera, a stern yet motherly expression in her eyes. “Next year, we’re going back to the basics. Maybe a nice pumpkin-decorating contest. No more of this extravagant nonsense.”

Mr. Johnson lounged back on the school bench, arms folded, the word “DAMN.” emblazoned across his hoodie like a badge of honor. He nodded confidently, his expression carrying the seasoned calm of someone who’d seen it all.

“Ah, yeah, I saw the whole thing coming from a mile away,” he said, his tone easy. “You see, when you’ve been around as long as I have, you know how these things work. Kids get wind of a big prize, and boom—chaos. I had my eyes on a couple of them who looked a little too excited, if you know what I mean. I wasn’t worried, though. Just figured I’d let them make their move and then step in to save the day. But Ava and Janine found it first. It’s whatever. I let them have this one. I’ll take the next crisis.”

He leaned in toward the camera with a knowing smile. “And trust me, there’s always a next crisis.”

Ava stood with her arms crossed, the hum of the Halloween party still pulsing behind her. She wore a triumphant smirk, completely pleased with herself.

“Listen, I knew we’d find the prize. It was only a matter of time,” she said, basking in the afterglow of her success. “And honestly, the whole thing just made me look even better. These kids will be talking about how Principal Ava saved Halloween for years. They might even write songs about me. Could happen.”

She grinned at the camera, clearly savoring the moment. “And next year? Oh, we’re going even bigger. If you thought this was epic, just wait until Halloween 2025. I’m thinking... haunted rollercoaster in the parking lot. Yeah, I’m a visionary.”

Jacob stood there, his onesie still unzipped and his face a shade paler than usual.

“Wait, did she just say haunted rollercoaster? No, no, no, no,” he muttered, looking genuinely stricken. “I’m not mentally equipped for that. I’m barely surviving the fog machine.”

He turned, staring straight into the camera, eyes wide and pleading. “Please. Someone stop her.”

Janine sat back in the teacher’s lounge, more relaxed now, cradling a warm cup of coffee between her hands. Still dressed in her Gomez Addams suit, she looked thoughtful, a soft smile playing on her lips.

“You know, for all the stress, it was... kinda fun solving the mystery with Ava,” she said, almost as if admitting it to herself. “I mean, I didn’t think it would be, but... yeah, it was. And the kids had a great time, so it was worth it. Plus, I’ve always liked Halloween. It’s a chance to, you know, be someone else for a night.”

She paused, her cheeks coloring slightly as she glanced down, a little embarrassed. “Not that I want to be someone else or anything. I’m just saying... costumes are fun.”

The gym was buzzing with energy, kids running around in a chaotic mix of excitement and sugar-highs, and teachers desperately trying to keep things under control. In the midst of it all, Ava Coleman stood tall, exuding her usual brand of confidence, her Morticia Addams costume drawing as much attention as her personality usually did. She wore it like she was born to wear it—long, elegant, and mysterious, moving through the crowd as though she owned the night.

Which, let’s face it, she did.

Janine, on the other hand, was a wreck. She adjusted her Spirit Halloween Gomez Addams suit for the umpteenth time, tugging at the sleeves nervously. It didn’t matter how much Ava had assured her that she looked "perfect" or that Ava had personally altered it to fit her better. The moment Janine stepped into the school gym, she had felt out of place and self-conscious, like her clothes didn’t belong on her.

But there was something more going on tonight, something Janine couldn’t quite put into words. Every time Ava brushed past her or leaned a little too close while playing up their Morticia and Gomez routine, Janine’s heart skipped a beat. And as much as she loved Gregory—and she really did love him, right?—something about being with Ava tonight felt... different.

Gregory was sweet as always, standing beside Janine near the snack table. He was complimenting her on the detail of her costume, but she was only half-listening. Her mind was somewhere else, fixated on Ava’s elegant form as she made her way through the crowd, the flowing black fabric of her dress almost hypnotic.

"Janine, you okay?" Gregory asked, waving a hand in front of her face.

"Huh? Oh! Yeah, yeah. Just, um, thinking about... the punch. It’s really... red," Janine stammered, giving a forced laugh as she stared down into her cup.

Gregory smiled kindly, ever the supportive friend, but Janine could barely meet his gaze. What was wrong with her? Why did it feel like tonight of all nights she was on the edge of something, something that had nothing to do with him?

Then, as if summoned by the sheer force of Janine’s internal spiral, Ava appeared beside her.

"There you are, Gomez." Ava’s voice was like silk, her lips curling into a teasing smile. She rested her arm on Janine’s shoulder, leaning in close enough that Janine could feel the warmth of her breath against her neck. "Why don’t we get some air? This party is getting a little... stale."

Ava’s eyes sparkled with mischief, and Janine’s throat went dry. She managed a nod, her voice nowhere to be found as Ava took her by the hand and led her toward the doors. Gregory had already drifted away, caught up in a conversation about fire safety or something equally Gregory, and Janine was too caught up in her own whirlwind of emotions to feel guilty about leaving him behind.

They stepped out into the cool night air, the temperature a welcome relief from the stuffy gym. The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the school grounds. For a few moments, they walked in silence, their footsteps crunching against the gravel of the garden path.

"You okay, Janine?" Ava asked, her voice softer now, losing the playful edge it had carried all night. She stopped walking and turned to face Janine, her dark eyes searching her face.

Janine swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Ava’s gaze. "Yeah, I just... It’s hard to keep up with you sometimes," she admitted, laughing nervously. Her hands fidgeted with the hem of her suit jacket. "But... I kind of like it."

Ava’s expression softened, and she took a step closer, the distance between them shrinking to almost nothing. "You should know by now, Janine," Ava said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper, "you’re the only one I wanted to do this with."

Janine blinked, her heart skipping a beat as the weight of Ava’s words sunk in. Was this... was this really happening?

Ava reached up and brushed a loose strand of hair behind Janine’s ear, her touch lingering just a little too long to be casual. "Have you figured it out yet?"

Janine opened her mouth to say something—anything—but words failed her. She was frozen, caught in the intense pull of Ava’s presence. And then, without warning, Ava closed the gap between them, her lips meeting Janine’s in a soft but electrifying kiss.

For a moment, time seemed to stop. The noise of the party, the chaos of the night—it all faded into the background as Janine leaned into the kiss, her hands instinctively moving to Ava’s waist, pulling her closer. The kiss deepened, and suddenly the tension that had been building between them all night broke loose, like a dam bursting.

Janine let out a tiny groan as she pressed Ava against the nearby wall, her hands gripping Ava’s thighs as she pulled her closer, causing the taller woman to loose her balance and slide down the wall to be face to face with her. Ava let out a small gasp, her fingers tangling in Janine’s overly-gelled hair as the second-grade teacher hikes up the hem of her dress. The kiss became more urgent, more intense, and for a few wild minutes, they were completely lost in each other.

But then Ava pulled back, her breathing ragged as she tried to regain some semblance of composure. "Janine—" she started, but her words were cut off by a soft moan as Janine’s lips, tongue and teeth found her neck.

"Janine!" Ava gasped, a little more forcefully this time. "Hold on—oh god—hold on a moment!"

Janine froze, pulling back just enough to look up at Ava, her eyes wide with concern. "Did... did I do something wrong?"

Ava let out a soft laugh, shaking her head as she brushed a strand of hair out of Janine’s face. "No, you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just..." She sighed, her lips curling into a playful smile. "I have a rule about... doing things on school grounds."

Janine blinked, confused. "Wait, you mean—"

"Yes," Ava interrupted, still smiling. "I know I’ve been enforcing the rule for everyone else, but I can’t break it either. Plus, the last thing I need is some nosy kid wandering by and then having to explain why their principal is…" She trailed off, giving Janine a pointed look.

"Oh," Janine said, her face flushing with embarrassment. "Right. Right. School grounds."

Ava chuckled, stepping back and smoothing down her dress. "So, how about this? We ditch the party and head to your place."

Janine raised an eyebrow. "My place?"

Ava frowns slightly. "No...there is no way I'm wearing anything in your closet and I will not repeat outfits. So, my place."

Janine grinned, her heart pounding in her chest, the thrill of the moment washing over her. "Whatever you wish, Cara Mia."

Ava laughed, her usual confidence back in full force. "That was a terrible line, Shortstack."

"Like the others tonight weren’t?" Janine shot back, grinning sheepishly.

Ava leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Janine’s cheek. "Yeah, but for some reason, I find them... endearing."

"Does that mean I can tell you puns?"

"One pun a month," Ava replied, her tone teasing.

"A week?" Janine tried, raising an eyebrow hopefully.

Ava laughed again, shaking her head. "Twice a month. But you get an extra one if we’re far away from anyone who might see me actually enjoying them."

Janine’s heart soared as she smiled wide, pulling Ava close. "Deal."

As they started walking back toward the parking lot, Janine couldn't help but feel like this was the start of something new, something real. And for the first time that night, her nerves were nowhere to be found.

~AxJ~

The sun was just peeking over the rooftops, casting a sleepy glow across the front lawn of Abbott Elementary. Students streamed in through the front doors, backpacks bouncing, shoes squeaking, and energy levels at a 10, despite the early hour. Teachers were doing their best to corral them into classrooms, most of them still in the pre-coffee haze. On the surface, it was a normal morning at Abbott, but for Janine Teagues, it was anything but.

Janine slipped through the door with her usual nervous energy but carried something new, something no one could quite put their finger on. It wasn’t just the leftover Halloween spirit lingering in the air. No, this was different. She felt different. Like there was some invisible glow around her, though, knowing Janine, she probably imagined it like one of those auras you hear about in yoga classes. Except this one didn’t come from meditation, it came from something—or rather, someone.

"Teagues! Did you just walk into that kid?" Melissa Schemmenti’s voice rang out from across the hall, pulling Janine out of her thoughts.

"What? No!" Janine quickly corrected herself, eyes darting around for the nearest innocent student to blame her awkward moment on. "I mean, yes, but he was running! Very fast, might I add. Very dangerous. I should really talk to him about hallway safety."

Melissa smirked, stepping up beside her with a knowing look. "Yeah, okay, ‘hallway safety.’ That's what we'll call it. Something you wanna share with the class, Janine?"

Janine blinked, her cheeks warming. Melissa was sharp, too sharp. "What? No! There's nothing to share. Absolutely nothing happened last night," Janine said quickly, almost tripping over her words. She immediately knew she'd overshot it. Rookie mistake.

Melissa gave her a sly grin. "Last night, huh?"

Janine stammered, "I—I didn’t say anything about last night!" She let out a nervous laugh, but it was already too late. Melissa was locked in like a hawk spotting a mouse from miles away.

"Uh-huh, sure," Melissa said, crossing her arms. "Must’ve been some party. You and Ava looked real cozy in those costumes, by the way. Gomez and Morticia? You couldn’t have gotten any closer to on-the-nose without taking out a billboard."

"That was just for fun!" Janine protested, though the defensiveness in her voice only made it more obvious. "Ava and I—we're just… co-workers!"

Melissa’s eyebrow quirked. "Right. ‘Co-workers.’ Sure thing, kid. Tell me, do all your co-workers call you ‘Cara Mia’ while draping themselves over you?"

Janine’s face flushed beet red, and she opened her mouth to say something, but then the bell rang, and she jumped at the sound. "Oh! The bell! Gotta go—students, learning, you know how it is. Bye!" She rushed off down the hall, disappearing into her classroom with the grace of a baby giraffe on roller skates.

Melissa chuckled to herself and shook her head. "Poor kid," she muttered, heading toward her own classroom.

~AxJ~

As the day went on, the buzz in the air seemed to only grow louder. Not literally—though with the noise the kids made, you’d think someone left a window open during a locust swarm—but more in the way people kept throwing Janine glances. The usual office gossip was at an all-time high, and it seemed like no one could stop talking about the Halloween party the night before.

Janine managed to keep her head down for most of the morning, though it felt like she was on trial for some sort of unspeakable crime—like when she accidentally used the staff lounge microwave to reheat fish one time (and she swore it was just a one-time thing). But there was no avoiding it, not at Abbott Elementary, not with these teachers.

She found herself in the teacher’s lounge during lunch, hoping to blend in and act like nothing had changed. But it was no use. The second she stepped inside, it was like all eyes were on her.

Jacob was the first to break the silence, his face lit up in that eager, curious way it always did. "Janine! You look… different today. Did you get a haircut? A new glow-up serum? Wait, no! I bet it’s a metaphysical shift in your aura brought on by a meaningful life event. Am I close?"

Janine’s eyes darted around the room, searching for an exit, a trap door, anything. "No! It’s—I didn’t get a haircut! I mean, I did, like, two weeks ago, but no one said anything. So, it’s not that."

Before Jacob could launch into a full explanation of the latest skincare craze he'd discovered, Melissa strolled in with her cup of coffee and, without missing a beat, chimed in, "I’ll tell you what changed. Someone had themselves a night last night."

Barbara Howard, sitting at the table with her tea, lifted an eyebrow at the sudden burst of gossip. "Melissa, now we don’t need to be spreading rumors about our colleagues."

Melissa leaned against the counter with a smirk. "It’s not a rumor if it’s true."

Barbara shot a look over her glasses. "Janine, is there something you’d like to share with the rest of us?"

Before Janine could even stammer a reply, Ava Coleman burst into the room like she owned the place—which, technically, she did, being the principal and all. "Oh, you mean the part where Janine couldn’t keep her hands off me last night?"

Janine nearly choked on her water. "Ava!"

Ava just grinned, completely unbothered. She glided across the room with the kind of confidence that could rival Beyoncé stepping onstage. "What? Am I lying?" she asked, throwing an exaggerated wink in Janine's direction.

Jacob gasped dramatically. "Wait—what?!"

Janine flailed her arms. "That’s not—it’s not like that! It was just a party thing! A... costume... thing!"

Ava slid into a chair, resting her chin on her hand. "Sure, Janine. Keep telling yourself that," she teased. "I know when someone’s caught feelings. I am very attuned to these things."

Janine blushed so hard she thought her face might combust. "Caught feelings? What are you even talking about?"

Ava gave her a once-over and smirked. "Girl, please. Everyone in the building could see it. You were all heart eyes last night. Don't be shy now."

Gregory, who had been quietly observing the conversation from the corner, shifted in his seat. His eyes flicked between Ava and Janine, and though his expression remained neutral, something about the way his jaw tightened didn’t go unnoticed by Melissa.

"Oh, look at that," Melissa whispered to Barbara with a mischievous grin. "Even he’s clocking it."

Janine, meanwhile, was losing her battle with maintaining a normal heart rate. "We were just in costume! You know, like role-playing… Not like that! Just… acting. It’s like a play! We were in character. That’s it!"

Ava leaned back, crossing her arms. "Right. So, no feelings involved? You're telling me if I asked you to go out tonight, you'd say no?"

Janine’s brain short-circuited. "What? Go out? Like… like… a date?"

Ava raised an eyebrow. "You sayin' it’s a bad idea?"

Janine blinked, her heart doing somersaults in her chest. "I—I didn’t say it was a bad idea."

The room went dead silent. Even Jacob stopped talking, his eyes bouncing between Ava and Janine like it was the final showdown in a rom-com.

Ava smirked and leaned forward, voice dropping into a smooth purr. "Then it’s a date. 7 PM. Dress cute."

Janine’s eyes widened as her mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air. She could feel everyone watching her, waiting for her response, but all she could muster was a tiny nod.

Ava stood up, brushing imaginary dust off her sleek outfit. "Alright, folks. I’ve got an entire school to run, so let’s keep the rest of the gossip to a minimum. After all, I’ve gotta keep some secrets for myself."

As Ava sauntered out of the lounge, leaving a trail of curiosity and confusion in her wake, Janine slumped into a chair, her mind spinning in a million directions.

"Did that just happen?" she whispered to herself, still trying to process what exactly had just transpired.

Melissa clapped her on the back. "Oh, it happened, Teagues. And trust me, we’re gonna need the details after that date."

Jacob was practically bouncing in his seat. "Oh my gosh, this is like a real-life rom-com! I’m so excited for you, Janine!"

Barbara just sipped her tea, her expression unreadable, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. "I trust you'll keep things professional, Janine."

"Of course!" Janine squeaked, though she didn’t sound very convincing.

Gregory finally spoke up, his voice quieter than usual. "So... uh, yeah. That happened."

Melissa, always ready to stir the pot, grinned at Gregory. "You alright there, Mr. Eddie?"

Gregory shrugged, though his eyes stayed glued to the table in front of him. "Yeah, I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?"

"Just checkin’," Melissa said with a smirk.

And as the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, Janine knew one thing for sure—nothing was ever going to be quite the same again at Abbott Elementary.

Janine looked flustered, her gaze darting to the camera with wide, almost panicked eyes. She shifted nervously, rubbing her hands together as she tried to collect herself.

“So, last night at the Halloween party… I was Gomez. You know, from The Addams Family?” Her voice wavered, a nervous smile tugging at her lips. “Ava convinced me to do a couples' costume, and I thought, ‘Sure, why not? It’ll be fun!’ I mean, Gomez and Morticia—they’re iconic, right? I figured it’d just be a goof.”

She gave a shy, slightly awkward smile before glancing away, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. “Turns out… it was more than a goof. I don’t know how, but suddenly I’m standing there, and she’s calling me ‘Cara Mia,’ and there were hands, and… well, people saw things. Melissa saw things. I didn’t expect it to get… you know, so… intense.” Her cheeks flushed deeper as she covered her face with her hands, her words muffled by her fingers. “I thought it was just for fun, but now everyone’s talking, and… oh God.”

Peeking through her fingers, she continued in a soft, nervous voice. “And then—then—she asks me out. Like, on a date. In front of everyone. Just… casually! Like that’s something that happens. To me. And now I have a date with Ava. Tonight.”

She let out a sharp breath, waving her hands frantically as if trying to shake off her nerves. “Wait, wait—do I have a date with Ava? I mean, yes? I think yes? Am I supposed to dress fancy? Am I supposed to bring flowers? Wait, is that weird? Should I just act cool? I don’t know how to be cool!”

Suddenly, Janine froze, blinking at the camera with a hesitant, nervous smile, as if realizing just how much she’d let slip.

“Why is this happening to me?”

Ava leaned back in her chair, grinning like she owned the world, every bit as self-assured as she was glamorous.

“Let’s get one thing straight: I don’t do half measures,” she declared, a glint in her eye. “You want me to show up in a Halloween costume? I’m gonna own that costume. So, when I rolled into that party as Morticia? You bet I went full Morticia mode. Gomez? That was Janine. I dressed her up real nice, got her looking sharp.”

She winked at the camera, a mischievous gleam in her eye. “And you know what? Turns out she pulls off that whole ‘dark suit, doting husband’ vibe pretty well. So yeah, I leaned into it. Called her ‘Cara Mia,’ threw in some moves. I mean, why not? She ate it up.”

With a laugh, Ava crossed her legs, tossing her hair back with an effortless confidence. “Everyone saw it. It was a vibe. Don’t blame me if Janine gets a little flustered. But let’s be real—this is me we’re talking about. Everyone gets a little flustered around me.”

She leaned forward, voice lowering to a teasing whisper. “So, I figured, why not make it interesting? Ask her out. Get a little date on the books. The girl deserves a break from her usual level of stress—plus, who wouldn’t want to date the best-dressed woman in the room? And I’m not talking about Janine.”

Ava paused, raising an eyebrow, clearly reveling in the effect she had. “You think she’s nervous? Psh, girl’s terrified. And I love it. We’re gonna have a great time.”

Melissa stood with her arms crossed, a smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth.

“You know, I could smell this coming a mile away. Ava and Janine? Something’s always been going on with them. Like, who would’ve thought, right? It’s like watching one of those teen dramas where the nerdy girl gets noticed by the queen bee, except in this case, the nerdy girl is Janine, and the queen bee... well, that’s Ava.” She chuckled, shaking her head with a knowing look. “I knew the moment Ava threw on that Morticia outfit, things were about to go down. I’m Italian; I got instincts about these things.”

She laughed, the smirk widening. “The best part? Watching Janine turn into a human tomato. I’ve never seen anyone blush that hard in my life. Girl didn’t know what hit her. But you know what? Good for her. Maybe she needs someone to shake things up a little. Better Ava than some other clown.”

Melissa leaned in closer to the camera, her gaze sharp, voice low. “But if Ava messes with her? I’ll handle it. Nobody makes Janine cry on my watch. Not unless I’m the one causing it.”

She winked, grinning like she’d already planned her next move.

Jacob’s grin stretched from ear to ear, his whole face lit up with excitement.

“Oh my gosh, did you see it? Did you see what happened?! I love love stories,” he gushed, nearly bouncing in place. “The moment Ava showed up at the party with Janine on her arm—it was like something out of one of those old rom-coms I always tell my students about! Gomez and Morticia? Classic power couple! And they just… fit together. There was tension, there was chemistry—it was electric!”

He gestured wildly with his hands, eyes wide with enthusiasm. “Now, don’t get me wrong, I was a little surprised! I mean, Janine and Ava? Who knew?! But then I started thinking, and you know, they kind of balance each other out. Like, Janine’s all about order and doing things right, and Ava’s... Ava.” He laughed, shaking his head in amusement.

“I think this could be a real ‘opposites attract’ situation, and honestly? I’m rooting for them! I cannot wait to hear about their date tonight. It’s going to be epic. Maybe they’ll go somewhere fancy, or maybe Ava will surprise her with something spontaneous. Either way, this is going to be the start of something beautiful. Mark my words.”

With a dreamy sigh, Jacob clasped his hands together, his gaze faraway. “Love is in the air, folks. Love is in the air.”

Gregory stared blankly at the camera, looking deeply uncomfortable.

“Yeah, I heard about what happened at the party. Ava and Janine. I mean, I... I didn’t expect that.” He shifted in his seat, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly at a loss for words.

“They were... together, or at least, it seemed like they were. You know, couples' costumes and all that. Ava went all out as Morticia, and Janine... well, Janine was there too. She’s... nice.” His words trailed off, leaving an awkward pause hanging in the air.

He cleared his throat. “I guess it’s fine. I mean, whatever makes them happy. It’s not really any of my business. I’m just here to teach.” He looked away, his attempt at a casual tone betrayed by something deeper flickering in his expression.

“Good for them,” he added, almost too quickly, another pause stretching out before he finally stood, muttering, “I gotta go.”

Without another word, Gregory abruptly got up and walked off-screen.

Barbara took a slow sip of tea, raising an eyebrow with a look that said she’d seen it all before.

“Well, I suppose it was only a matter of time before this... development happened. You can’t put two very different, yet equally intense personalities in the same room without some sparks flying eventually.” She paused, her voice calm and even, but with a trace of amusement. “Now, whether those sparks lead to a fire or burn out remains to be seen.”

Setting her teacup down gently, Barbara’s expression remained composed. “I have to admit, I was... skeptical about this ‘couples costume’ situation. Janine has always been the type to follow rules, and Ava... well, Ava writes her own rules. But last night, it seems Janine got swept up in Ava’s whirlwind, and now, here we are. A potential romance.”

Her gaze turned directly to the camera, her look as firm as it was fair. “I just hope Janine knows what she’s getting into. Ava is not someone you can take lightly. She’s smart, and she’s quick. But sometimes, quick doesn’t mean thoughtful. And I’ve seen what happens when Ava plays her games. So, while everyone else might be looking at this like some rom-com, I’ll be keeping an eye out for the real story.”

Barbara tilted her head, her expression softening just a bit. “Love is all well and good, but at the end of the day, I just want Janine to be happy. And if that means a date with Ava, so be it.”