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Enid laid in her bed, kicking her feet while doom scrolling through TikTok when a particular video caught her attention, “The true meaning behind names.” She watched with interest as a bubbly girl explained, when the video ended she threw her phone next to her and sat up, “Hey, Wends, I never asked you. Why were you named Wednesday?”
Wednesday sighed heavily, setting her book down as if she had answered this question a million times. “I was named after one of Mother’s favorite nursery rhymes.”
That peaked Enid’s attention, “Oh! Really? Can I…hear it?”
Wednesday rolled her eyes but recited it nonetheless, her voice as even as ever:
“Monday’s child is fair of face,
Tuesday’s child is full of grace.
Wednesday’s child is full of woe,
Thursday’s child has far to go.
Friday’s child is loving and giving,
Saturday’s child works hard for a living.
But the child that is born on Sabbath day, Is bonny and blithe, good and gay.”
Enid blinked once. Twice. Then stared at Wednesday, uncharacteristically silent.
Wednesday raised an eyebrow. “What? No snarky remark?”
Enid gulped, blushing bright red. “I… I was born on Sabbath day…”
Wednesday frowned, trying and failing to hold back a smirk. “Fitting.” She picked up her book again and continued reading.
Enid furrowed her brows. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Wednesday hid her blush behind her book. “It is a fitting description of who you are.”
Enid hesitated, then stood up from her bed, slowly making her way toward Wednesday’s side. The hesitation in her steps made Wednesday glance up. “Enid?”
“I just… I don’t know what ‘bonny’ and ‘blithe’ mean…” Enid admitted, fiddling with her hands. “Can you explain them to me?”
Wednesday recoiled slightly before sitting up properly, making space on the bed for her to sit. “Do you not have a dictionary?”
“I do, but… fine! Show me the poem, and I’ll look them up.” Enid huffed, plopping down beside her.
With a small sigh, Wednesday stood and walked toward the bookshelf, pulling out a small, leather-bound book. She flipped to the right page and handed it to Enid. “Here. Now, if you do not mind, I would like to continue reading.”
Enid took the book and went back to her side, opening her laptop to search for the definitions.
Her heart started racing. Her blush spread to her ears. Her throat went dry as she read the meaning…
“Beautiful, happy, good and gay.”
She knew “gay” meant something very different back then, but she decided that its modern meaning was…fitting as well.
Wednesday, still pretending to read, heard Enid gasp audibly, which was warning enough for her to stand up and make a beeline for the door.
Enid shot up just as Wednesday reached for the handle, slamming her palms against the door to block her escape. “Wednesday, wait!”
Trapped, Wednesday looked like a deer caught in headlights, though she quickly schooled her expression into a neutral one. She turned, arms crossed in front of her chest feigning annoyance, “This better be good.”
Enid exhaled slowly. “You… you think I’m beautiful, happy, good, and gay?” She asked, her voice a mix of hope and hesitation.
Wednesday blinked. A telltale sign she was nervous. By now, Enid knew how to read her like a book.
So she did something bold.
She reached out, gently caressing Wednesday’s cheek. “Because I don’t think you’re full of woe.”
Wednesday’s breath hitched. Her eyes fluttered shut for a moment. Enid felt her subtly lean into her touch.
“I think you’re beautiful, brave, and… might I say, gay too?” Enid whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
Wednesday’s dark lashes lifted, locking onto Enid’s eyes. Slowly, deliberately, she grabbed Enid’s uniform collar and pulled her down.
“If you tell anyone…” She threatened.
Enid didn’t let her finish. She closed the gap, pressing their lips together.
Wednesday stiffened for half a second, then melted into the kiss.
A quiet hum escaped her as she kissed Enid back, her hands gripping the fabric of Enid’s uniform, pulling her closer. Enid smiled into the kiss, wrapping her arms around Wednesday’s waist, deepening it.
Who knew an ancient nursery rhyme would be the push they needed?
Who knew they had been written in time as the soulmates they were meant to be?