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The Nevermore Academy courtyard was painted white as a fine layer of snow covered the grounds. The once bustling area was nearly abandoned except for one girl sitting by her lonesome. Enid Sinclar sat on a snow-dusted bench, a pink mitten gently folded next to her as she scrolled through Instagram. She saw a post from Yoko of her Divina wearing a matching set of pajamas, a selfie from Ajax with his family all wearing red and green beanies, and a cute video of Bianca opening a handmade mug from her mom. Seeing everyone celebrate Christmas with the people they loved made Enid feel even more lonely. She heard a pair of boots crunching the snow and looked up to see Miss Piper.
“You’re going to freeze out here,” the professor said, wielding a steaming mug in each hand. “I made hot chocolate. Even put extra syrup peppermint in yours.” Enid took the mug and thanked her professor. A single sip made her feel all warm and fuzzy. It reminded her of the hot chocolate that her dad would make every Christmas when she was a pup. The bittersweet memory just made her miss home ever more.
“When I went here there was one winter where I was one of the holdovers,” Miss Capri said in between sips of hot chocolate.
“Really?” Enid asked. The two were the only people in Nevermore over winter break but so far, their conversations have only consisted of stilted small talk.
“I was a late bloomer like you. I didn’t wolf out until my freshman year of college,” Capri paused and turned to Enid. Sometimes it takes a while for you to find out who you are.”
“I know…” Enid’s mind turned back to the blood moon. It was a cocktail of adrenaline, destiny, and admiration for Wednesday Addams that caused her to wolf out. She was terrified that that night was a fluke because every full moon since came and went without Enid wolfing out. “I know why I am. I just wished my mom knew too.” Miss Capri put her hand on Enid’s shoulder.
“My mom was the same way. Born and raised in a traditional werewolf family. Tried her best to force her archaic values onto me” Capri said, staring into the bottom of her mug. “But I survived. And you will too.” Enid smiled. She had doubts but she desperately wanted to believe her teacher.
“I actually have a present for you,” Capri said, rising from the bench.
“Really?” Enid asked.
“Really.” The professor guided Enid out of the courtyard, through the gothic interior of Ophelia Hall, all the way to the exterior of Enid’s dorm. A string of lights was haphazardly strung above the doorframe while a dying leaf was hung on the door; Enid thought it was a perfect metaphor for how she felt this Christmas season.
“You are going to need to close your eyes,” Miss Capri said, with a smile emanating from the corners of her lips. “I couldn’t wrap this gift.”
Enid fought back the doubt and held her eyes wide shut. After a moment of fumbling around she grasped the doorknob and turned. A few steps into the dorm and Enid-thanks to her canine enhanced senses-recognized an all too familiar scent. It was a mix of charcoal and juniper that she immediately recognized as Wednesday’s perfume.
“Howdy roomie,” Wednesday said in her traditional deadpan affect. Enid’s eyes opened wide and standing before her was her roommate, wearing a black and white sweater. Enid fought every instinct to throw her arms around her and hug her until she couldn’t breadth but her consideration of Wednesday’s aversion to touch stopped her.
“I’ll leave you two be,” Miss Capri said, closing the door, giving the two roommates privacy.
“What are you doing here?” Enid stammered out. “I thought you were spending Christmas in New Jersey?”
“That was the plan, but at the manor I had a realization,” Wednesday replied. Her typical armor of a completely blank expression was shattered as her eyes softened as she gazed upon her roommate. “A Christmas without you is a Christmas not worth celebrating.”
Enid could feel her cheeks become red hot with blush.
“I wish I knew you were coming,” Enid said. “I would have gotten you a gift.” Wednesday smiled.
“Good thing I brought something,” Wednesday reached into her pocket and pulled out a bunch of mistletoe. Enid’s cheeks turned a shade of red that would have made Rudolph jealous.
“It is to my understanding that there is a certain ritual when two people stand under mistletoe,” Wednesday said, raising the plant above the pair of roommates. Without missing a beat Enid closed the distance and planted a short kiss upon Wednesday lips. Despite the brevity, the taste of Wednesday’s lips on her sent her into a state of euphoria.
“Merry Christmas,” Wednesday whispered in Enid’s ear before the roommates melded into one again.