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One look, dark room
Meant just for you
Enid’s always been the life of the party.
Especially here, at her college graduation, where she’s been flitting from group to group, exchanging congratulations and small talk about future careers and aspirations with her fellow graduates. And, as always, she can feel a pair of eyes watching her from across the room. She doesn’t even need to turn around to know it’s Wednesday, always observing from afar, happy to watch her girlfriend socialise from afar.
As she turns to speak to one of her classmates from English she locks eyes with Wednesday, sending a wink her way. In return she is greeted with a soft, albeit brief, smile before the shorter girl walks away and is suddenly lost in the crowds.
Enid knows she’ll never stray far.
Time moved too fast
You play it back
They’ve always seemed to have this deep understanding of each other, since they met at Nevermore.
But their intimacy only deepened while at college, while continuing their time as roommates. It was only logical to room with someone they were already close with.
As Enid proposed to Wednesday, their last night at Nevermore, “I’m sure there’ll be loads of cool new people to meet, but it’d be nice to come home each night to my best friend.”
Wednesday agreed - how could she say no? Not when this was the closing statement to Enid’s 50 slide powerpoint presentation. She tried not to look too hard into Enid’s use of the word ‘home’, but her ears were already tinged pink.
Buttons on a coat
Lighthearted joke
After a few months of rooming together at college they fell into a new routine.
Often, when Enid had an upcoming test she found herself unable to sleep, wracked with anxiety, and ended up sat at their kitchen counter. She was never alone for long, though, as it seemed Wednesday had a sixth sense for these things and always turned up at the right time to stop her friend from completely spiraling.
Tonight, Enid was more anxious than normal and was pacing around their small kitchen by the time Wednesday arrived. She was reciting one of Hamlet’s soliloquies under her breath, messing up every few lines. This time when she threw her head up in frustration she locked eyes with her roommate, who was leaning against the door with a miniscule smirk on her face, and she knew she was caught.
“Agh, Wednesday! How are you so good at sneaking up on me?!”
Enid dramatically clutched her hand to her heart and pouted. “We’ve lived together for at least three years now, any other person would've learnt their roommate’s footsteps by now. I certainly can hear you stomping about from a mile away.” She stepped around Enid to fill her glass of water from the tap.
“Excuse me, Miss Addams, I do not stomp.” Wednesday raised an eyebrow but said nothing. “I don’t! But it’s not my fault that you make zero noise when you move anywhere! Ugh, could you at least help me with my work if you’re gonna insult me?”
Wednesday shoved a glass of water into Enid's hands and made sure she finished the glass before speaking. “As much as I enjoy being tortured by the Bard as anyone else, perhaps some fresh air may help unclutter your brain. Also, is that perhaps my shirt you’re wearing?”
Enid glanced down and felt her face go red. She was in fact wearing one of Wednesday's oversized t-shirts. “Oh, I’m sorry, it’s just really comfy and it smells like you-”.
“Stop the rambling, Enid. It’s fine, I was merely curious. To get back to my previous suggestion, perhaps going outside would help remove your brain fog and return your face to a normal colour.”
At this, Enid grabbed Wednesday by the sleeve and tugged them towards the coat rack. “Great idea! It’s pretty chilly tonight so it’ll be the perfect time to break out our snoods again!”
Wednesday barely contained a groan. “I did not propose this idea as a group excursion.”
Enid apparently paid this no attention and continued to wrap up, gently placing Wednesday’s black snood around her neck and handing over her coat. “Nope. You’re coming with me. No choice here. But can you help me with these buttons? They’re so fiddly.”
“What have I told you about practicality over aesthetics?”
“But it’s just so shiny!” She spun around to emphasise her point, the low light catching both her coat and her eyes, shining like a dagger under a full moon.
“One day you will heed my advice. And it will be too late.”
Both girls noticed the slight catch in her voice. Neither mentioned it.
Small talk, she drives
Coffee at midnight
“If you’re going to drag me along at this hour I insist we at least get some coffee.”
Enid stopped where she had been skipping along the pavement and turned, “There’s only one place open at this time and it's a drive thru. One that only accepts cars, and after the incident at the Dunkin Donuts I don’t want to push my luck again.”
Wednesday remembers that event clearly, Enid suggesting they try to get past the rules by having the shorter girl ride on her back while transformed. All that came from this was a lifetime ban, and walking away coffee-less. While Enid cried, Wednesday typed an extremely threatening letter to the CEO which resulted in the no cars ban being lifted. She never told Enid, as they both could do better than that business.
“I do not want a repeat offense, as fun as that sounds. However, we could take my car.”
Enid bounced up in excitement, Wednesday thought that if the girl had a tail it would be wagging. “But you never let anyone in your car! Oh, this is so exciting!”
“Don’t try me Enid, or I’ll leave you on the sidewalk."
She says, "Look up." And your shoulders brush
No proof, one touch But you felt enough
They’re sitting on the hood of Wednesday’s car, each huddled under a blanket, cradling their hot drinks.
“I still can’t believe you lured me out here under the guise of coffee and yet you refuse to drink something with even a drop of caffeine.”
Enid takes a long sip of her drink and narrows her eyes. “Um, at least a hot chocolate actually tastes nice, unlike straight espresso.”
“That much sugar in a drink could kill you. At least espresso clears your mind.”
“Well, if your mind is as clear as you say, maybe you can help me with my English assessment.”
Wednesday sighs and places her empty cup on the car and turns. “What’s plaguing your thoughts tonight?”
“The English prof is actually evil, I’m convinced. For extra credit we’ve gotta recite a Shakespeare soliloquy - and God knows I need the extra credit in that class, So I picked the ‘To be or not to be’ speech, because it’s so well known. But it turns out that was a mistake because it's soooo long. And so frickin complicated.”
“As much as I despise Shakespeare’s work, I read all of his plays by my eighth birthday, so I am unfortunately well-versed in his words.”
“Of course you did. I’ve nearly got it down but there’s this one line I keep struggling on. Something about his conscience, I think?”
“‘Thus conscience does make cowards of us all.’ It is his needlessly complicated way of saying that our inner thoughts prevent us from acting on what we truly want.” She glanced up at Enid, who was watching with interest. “It is a sentence I can relate to.”
Enid went to speak but was interrupted by Wednesday’s shoulder brushing against hers in an attempt to change the subject.
“Look up.”
Following Wednesday’s hand pointed upwards she found a sky full of bright stars blinking back at her.
“Whoa. You know, sometimes looking at the stars, it makes me grateful for being where I am and who I am. Because if I was anyone, or anything else, I might miss out on the opportunity to see the stars myself.”
“Ancient humans used the stars as roadmaps, storytelling tools, and a way to describe the predicament of being alive. Perhaps, thousands of years ago someone was sat in this place looking at the stars as we do now.”
Enid nudged Wednesday slightly. “That’s an awfully positive statement coming from you. If I didn’t know better I’d say that sounded almost wistful.”
Wednesday jumped off the hood and rolled her eyes. “Just get in the car, Enid. The sun’s gonna rise soon.”
“Okay, but you’ve so gotta point out some of those constellations to me later.”
You can hear it in the silence
You can feel it on the way home
They drive back to their apartment, the journey oddly quiet, Enid seemingly content to just look out the window. This gave Wednesday time to think, which she usually enjoyed, always thankful for a moment of peace.
But tonight, her brain was focused on one thing, one person. Wednesday glanced over towards the girl in the passenger seat, a warm fuzzy feeling settling in her stomach. This feeling was familiar, ever present around her roommate, but for the first time she had an inkling of what it meant.
There was a sudden urge to grab Enid’s hand where it sat palm up on her thigh, which she resisted and instead grabbed the steering wheel tighter.
The blonde noticed her sudden movement, “Hey, are you okay?”
Wednesday cursed the girl’s sharp perception, “Completely average, Enid. Continue staring out the window.”
Enid narrowed her eyes but said nothing, while Wednesday’s traitorous heart thumped in her chest. She prayed Enid wasn’t listening to her racing pulse, or her feelings would be easily given away.
You are in love
Oh no.
Morning, her place
Burnt toast, Sunday
Enid woke up the next morning with an ache in her neck. She tried to stretch but was stopped by a weight on her chest. Blinking her eyes open, she realised it was Wednesday.
Briefly she remembered arriving home after their impromptu excursion and collapsing on the sofa. However, she had no recollection of Wednesday joining her. Not that she was complaining - the shorter girl was warm, and surprisingly cuddly for someone with such a standoffish vibe.
Miraculously, she managed to escape from the sofa without waking the other girl and started making some breakfast.
Wednesday was woken twenty minutes later by the sound of the smoke alarm and the smell of burning. As much as this was an ideal way of being awoken, Enid’s panicked whimpering made her nervous.
As she stood and walked into the kitchen, she was greeted by a plateful of blackened toast on the counter and an apologetic looking Enid.
“I’m so sorry! I was trying to make your breakfast the way you like it - overdone. But I got distracted by some K-pop twitter drama and, uh, well this happened.”
Wednesday tried (and failed) to stop a smirk, “I appreciate the gesture, but in future I will handle any toaster-related recipes. Got it?”
Enid’s upset expression brightened a little, and Wednesday knew she’d said the right thing.
You keep her shirt
She keeps her word
“But for the time being,” Wednesday continued, “Perhaps stick to cereal? And I will take over the toasting.”
Enid winked, and Wednesday felt her knees buckle slightly. “Yes, Chef!”
“Don’t call me that.”
The blonde stuck her tongue out, but turned to get some milk from the fridge.
And for once you let go
Of your fears and your ghosts
Wednesday couldn’t help but be captivated, dumbfounded by Enid’s beauty - even at 8am in their kitchen, standing in a pair of boxers and Wednesday’s shirt.
Enid noticed the gaze, “You okay? I know you’re always up for a staring contest but you seem like you’re off somewhere else.”
“The shirt. It suits you. Keep it.”
Both girls blushed slightly, but kept the gaze, the kitchen suddenly becoming thick with tension.
One step, not much
But it said enough
Wednesday took a step forward and suddenly felt the full force of Enid’s arms wrapping around her. It takes her a second to realise what’s happening, but she doesn’t pull away. She gently puts her arms around Enid’s waist and tucks her head into the crook of her neck.
They stay like that for a while until Enid finally breaks the silence.
“Well, I’m glad I didn’t put anything else in the toaster because there’d be a house fire by this point.”
Wednesday pulled back and lightly shoved her shoulder, but the soft look in her eyes told Enid everything she needed to know.
One night she wakes
Strange look on her face
When they were still at Nevermore Enid had started the tradition of Friday night movie nights/ Most evenings were spent arguing between a 90s rom-com or a horror classic and often ended up settling on a film somehow in the middle.
But after several years of watching films, they occasionally agreed to watch something out of their comfort zone.
Tonight, Enid had won, and she eagerly munched on her popcorn while Elsa belted Let It Go on the TV screen. Enid was waiting for some snarky common to be made, but when none came she turned her head to find Wednesday asleep, curled into the opposite side of the sofa. The blonde smiled fondly and turned down the volume so as to not disturb her roommate.
Enid would have felt embarrassed to be caught getting emotional over a disney film at 20 but was too busy crying when she felt a light tap on her shoulder. Wednesday, suddenly awake, looked at her with such a fond look that her tears immediately stopped.
Pauses, then says
"You're my best friend."
Time seemed to slow as Wednesday gently placed her hand on Enid’s arm and they both leaned into each other.
Enid reached a hand to cup Wednesday’s face and just as they leaned in the popcorn bowl slipped and crashed onto the floor sending them both scrambling away from each other.
The floor was now covered with popcorn and so Enid got to the task of clearing up.
As she glanced over to the sofa Wednesday gently spoke, “Enid, you’re my best friend.”
And you knew what it was
She is in love
Enid’s face broke out into a grin, “I know that silly, now help me with this clearup pretty please.”
The other girl rolled her eyes but helped nonetheless.
Later that evening Enid tried to sleep but she couldn’t stop thinking about the way Wednesday had spoken, like it was a confession, and not something they had said to each other already a thousand times.
There was a look in her eyes that was so new, and yet so familiar, and it set her heart racing.
She dismissed the whole thing, but somewhere in her, where there was hope, she knew what it really meant.
And so it goes
You two are dancing in a snow globe 'round and 'round
For the next week, the atmosphere in their apartment was awkward.
They were unconsciously avoiding each other, quickly vacating a room if the other walked in. Even their weekly movie night felt weird, with no real argument over the film choice and the feel of an imaginary barrier between them, with the knowledge of what almost happened at their last watchparty.
Frankly, Enid was fed up, she couldn’t stand the sudden tension and was determined to break it. And after a sleepless night, she had a plan.
After a trip into town to get supplies, she was able to put her plan into action.
She knew Wednesday had a late class and wouldn’t be back until late, so she wanted to surprise her with an impromptu film night - even though it was a Tuesday. She had closed all the blinds and made sure the only light in the living room came from either the TV or the small skull-shaped fairy lights she’d bought.
The sofa was piled with blankets and several of Wednesday’s favourite snacks littered the floor.
While in town, Enid had spotted a bouquet of black roses and felt a pull towards them. As she placed them into a vase, she decided it would be a nice surprise to leave them on Wednesday’s desk.
It’s not that she was banned from entering Wednesday’s room, just that she was very aware of the other girl’s boundaries and personal space. So, when she opened the door, she was pretty much seeing the room for the first time.
And she keeps a picture of you in her office downtown
The decor was very dark and dim - “Wednesday-chic” as Enid had called the shorter girl’s half of their Nevermore dorm.
When she turned towards the desk, she almost dropped the roses entirely.
On Wednesday’s desk, next to her prized collection of knives and her manuscript was a framed photo of Wednesday and Enid.
Enid was speechless, so many feelings running through her veins, and quickly vacated the room, just in time for Wednesday herself to walk through the front door.
And you understand now why they lost their minds and fought the wars
“Enid? Are you here?” Wednesday certainly appreciated the darkness of the apartment, but it was a stark change from its normal brightness.
Enid appeared from the shadows with a shy smile on her face, bright clothes contrasting with the rest of the room. “Hey roomie! I know things have been quite awkward between us lately but I thought you might just appreciate a chill movie night. I’ve got your favourite snacks and I made a list of horror movies that I’m willing to put myself through for you to choose from.”
Wednesday only stared, eyes wide, in awe. Enid had gone to all of this effort, and was willing to watch her worst nightmares in film form, just for her. Wednesday knew she’d do anything for Enid, that she’d go insane just to be near her, but it all hit her again at once.
She moved forward, on pure instinct. And without letting herself overthink she leaned up and kissed Enid.
And why I've spent my whole life trying to put it into words
Enid knew Wednesday would like her plan, but didn’t think she’d be this appreciative.
It wasn’t until one of Wednesday's hands came up to cup her face that she truly realised what was happening and she eagerly kissed her back. Those feelings she’d been suppressing, the looks Wednesday sent her that she couldn’t decipher - it all suddenly made sense.
The only thought she had was to pull Wednesday in closer.
'Cause you can hear it in the silence
When they finally pulled back to breathe, they didn’t speak.
The only sound was the beating of their hearts.
But Enid didn’t need any words to confirm what was happening, the sight of Wednesday with her eyes still shut, clinging to the front of Enid’s jumper was enough.
You can feel it on the way home
Wednesday opened her eyes tentatively and was greeted with Enid smiling, albeit with smudged lipstick, but with a light in her eyes that she had never seen shine so bright.
She suddenly felt that same urge to hold her that she had felt in the car on their way home that one night weeks ago. This time, she let herself feel and wrapped her arms around Enid’s neck, and leaned in again.
You can see it with the lights out
Enid eagerly kissed her back again, pulling Wednesday as close to her as possible.
Suddenly, she started smiling uncontrollably, and she didn’t need to pull back to see Wednesday’s gentle grin, she could feel it against her lips.
You are in love, true love
That night, Enid cowered against Wednesday’s side as someone was brutally murdered on the screen, burrowing impossibly closer to the other girl.
Wednesday let out a fond sigh, and kissed Enid’s temple.
You are in love