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The Nevermore bus arrived at the high school in Jericho shortly after nine in the morning, all of the students emerging facing the sunny day with sour faces. Another “outreach” project planned between Principal Weems and the Mayor Walker. Enid bounced off the last step and stood next to Wednesday before they joined the line shuffling towards the field and into the bleachers. Her companion seemed disinterested, though Enid had gotten used to the expression.
“My attendance is compulsory,” she had groaned to Enid’s excitement as she slipped into the seat beside her on the bus.
Enid sighed as they sat and glanced over, head tilting to state, “I can’t believe we have to do normie sports day against Jericho students.” She fiddled with her fingers in her lap, picking at her nails before turning sharply, hair swinging, “Wednesday, they don’t even have hockey. Weems said it was all track and field events, and then some team game to end before lunch.”
“How hard could it be, Enid?” Wednesday droned back, eyes scanning the bleachers across from them, seeing the students who had accosted Eugene in Pilgrim World. Seeing Tyler seated beside them. Seeing Sheriff Galpin off to the side observing, staring right back at her. Enid followed her gaze and then looked curiously back at her monochrome roommate with a sigh.
“I wonder what the game will be. Have you ever even played stuff like this? Like football, or basketball, or soccer?” She questioned curiously – she knew Wednesday had little knowledge of hockey. “I think the team game’s gonna be soccer, Weems is a big fan.”
Wednesday seemed indifferent. As indifferent as usual, Enid acknowledged, listening as she replied, “Pugsley and I did play Kick the Cadaver Skull, it can’t be much different.”
“Well,” Enid informed her. “I doubt the soccer ball sloshes when you kick it.”
“How disappointing,” Wednesday remarked.
“Good morning, students,” Weems announced, “Today we will be participating in multiple field activities and I expect these games will be conducted in the spirit of togetherness. Remember, it’s not a competition, it’s a learning experience.”
“They’ll learn to lose to Outcasts,” Bianca hissed from a row behind them, cackling with classmates as Enid curled her lip, leaning into Wednesday.
“Good to know she now has experience,” she whispered, proud smirk on her lips, hand absently gripping Wednesday’s arm.
Wednesday merely eyed her.
Standing with a clipboard, Weems began calling out to students, dividing them amongst sports and Enid found herself standing at the starting line of a relay, eyes looking out to find Wednesday across the field being prepared for a pole vault as Enid heard an instructor at her side state firmly, “Werewolves, try to stay on two legs.”
She watched Wednesday rush forward and plant her pole, sailing easily through the air and landing onto the bag on the other side, slapping aside the hand of a Jericho student who tried to assist her off. The gunshot beside her startled her and she took off easily, even on two legs, rounding the field back to the finish line and then skipping to the side to wait for her opponents, including Divina, who shook her head at her and offered a half-smile.
“Most of these events are pointless to pit Nevermore students against normies,” Wednesday told her as she came to her side, handing her a bottle of water to drink. Enid watched her cross her arms over her chest as she scowled at the field.
Twisting slightly, the pink skirt over her tights twirling, Enid reminding with a smile, “We’re doing outreach, it’s not a competition.”
“Everything is a competition, Enid,” Wednesday told her, turning to look her over casually before taking the water bottle to sip from. “That’s why werewolves are excluded from half of the events – you could throw a shot-put into the next neighborhood with a little effort.”
She hmphed in response, lips coming together tightly before offering, “I think your favorite barista is the goalkeeper in the soccer match, which, werewolves are allowed to compete in.”
“My favorite barista is Francesco, at La Fetta di Oscurità Café in Italy.” Enid felt Wednesday’s eyes turn slowly to look at her again before her head turned and she asked, “Will you be playing in the soccer match?”
Nodding, Enid stated, “Weems says my hockey knowledge will come in handy. She says it’s friendly competition, but she also thinks everything is a competition – you’re a lot more alike than you think.” Enid watched Wednesday’s eyes roll and she laughed lightly, looking out onto the field.
Wednesday handed back the water and drifted away, walking towards their Principal as Enid eyed her curiously. She returned and stated, “She claims attacking midfielder sounded right up my alley.”
Enid squealed and turned to grab her shoulders, “This is literally the best day of my life.”
“You say that every day, Enid,” Wednesday countered, mildly amused as Enid released her and pulled her phone from her pocket. “Who are you texting?”
“OMG, only everyone!” She stated, clicking rapidly before pushing the phone away and looking up at Wednesday’s furrowed brow and listening to her exhale of frustration. “Wednesday, it’s only the most important moment of the day.”
Wednesday nodded, then stood quietly with Enid, watching the other events happening on the field. She shifted into Enid, nudging her lightly with her elbow before asking, “What are the rules of soccer?”
“You can’t stab or punch anyone, if that’s what you’re asking,” Enid sighed, hands clasping behind her back as she tilted on the balls of her feet. “Mostly, kicking the ball between players across the field and into the net of the opposite team.”
“No kicking players,” Wednesday confirmed.
Enid shook her head and frowned, “No, no kicking players. Also, no hands on the ball.”
“Kick the Cadaver Skull included the use of a mace, I presume that’s out of the question,” Wednesday stated, looking to Enid.
Eyes wide, Enid spat, “I’m not even going to ask, but yes, presume any sort of weaponry is out of the question.”
Wednesday huffed.
Enid smiled and reached to take her shoulders, “It’s about having fun, Wednesday, not maiming people.”
“I’ve found maiming can be the pinnacle of fun.”
Patting her shoulders, she raised her eyebrows and allowed, “Not today, ok?”
Weems approached them and Enid pulled her hands away, letting them fall at her sides as she beamed up at the woman, feeling Wednesday’s frown at her side. “Are you girls ready, the match is set to begin in ten minutes.”
“Always ready for a good game of soccer,” Enid stated brightly.
“The anticipation is killing me,” Wednesday deadpanned.
“Miss Addams, it is understood that no child should leave this field injured, correct?” Wednesday nodded and Weems turned to walk away before stopping to give her a look of suspicion before questioning, “Why have you volunteered to play?”
Gesturing to Enid, Wednesday offered, “She claimed it would be torture, I’ve been sorely lacking in the endeavor.”
“Do not torture children, Miss Addams,” Weems told her pointedly before going towards Galpin, making his way across the field.
Wednesday eyed him as he glared at her, telling Enid, “He’s like a gnat.”
“Speaking of gnats,” Enid sighed, bowing her head slightly as Tyler jogged towards them, stopping before Wednesday with a too-wide smile they both simply stared at.
“Hey, Wednesday, I didn’t take you for a soccer player,” he began lightly.
“I didn’t take you for the athletic type either, yet, here we are,” Wednesday countered.
His smile remained, his brow dropped. “Just, uh, wanted to wish you luck, and to warn you that Scotty likes to ‘accidentally’ kick shins.”
“Thanks for the tip,” she told him blankly. “We’ll try not to make your embarrassment too severe.”
Tyler’s shoulders stilled and he looked between them – Enid’s narrowed eyes and smug grin; Wednesday’s even stare – and he nodded, telling them simply, “Alright, see you out there.”
He jogged back towards the other normies, all boys, Wednesday noted, and she felt Enid lean into her, asking her quietly, “We’re gonna kick his ass, right?”
Nodding, she turned, faces mere inches apart as she assured, “I set, you serve.”
Wednesday moved onto the field as Enid called, “I think that’s volleyball?”
Nevermore students were given a quick rundown of rules before being guided to their places, listening to the chuckles of the Jericho boys and Enid quickly looked to Wednesday, seeing the determination in her features. She uttered a quiet noise of concern already knowing that look too well. She’d never asked Wednesday if she had played any sports, but knew from her spar with Bianca on the fencing piste that she was highly competitive. Her stomach turned nervously, thinking about Wednesday’s penchant for chaos and when the match started, she was distracted as the ball rolled passed her and a boy shoved her aside.
A blur of black shifted around her and Enid jumped, rushing towards the ball as she watched Wednesday deftly kick it away, back towards her with a small nod of her head. She squeaked pitifully and moved it towards the goal, avoiding Jericho players more out of fear than any sort of talent, and she heard Wednesday call out, “Enid, pass it!”
Looking to the other girl, she obliged and slowed to a stop, watching Wednesday juggle the ball between players and towards Tyler who stood ready, hands out. She kicked and he blocked it, slapping it in Enid’s direction and she let out a small oh of surprise, foot settling on the ball to pull it back from an approaching player and guide it around him, trying to remember games she played out in the yard with her brothers. She passed it to a Nevermore student and they kicked it towards Tyler who blocked the shot again, smile flashing over his features before a teammate brough the ball back in the direction of Eugene, standing at the other goal nervously.
“Eugene is our goalie?” Enid shrieked, but Wednesday was already running towards him, stopping only when the ball flew passed the small boy and crashed into the net, sending all the Jericho boys shouting in circles.
“Sorry guys,” Eugene called, shuffling to retrieve the ball to begin play again.
Wednesday pushed into her side and huffed at her, “If you get the ball, kick it towards the net as hard as you can.”
“But Tyler…” she began.
“As hard as you can,” Wednesday repeated, moving forward. Enid watched her, and then a Jericho player tapped her shoulder and gestured.
“Right,” Enid stated, “Still playing.” She jogged towards Wednesday and watched her wrestle with a player for the ball, eventually kicking it towards Enid who winced and swung her leg back, kicking roughly and seeing that ball sail directly into Tyler’s gut, knocking him backwards onto the ground, the ball rolling calmly into the net.
The field stood silent a moment before Tyler sat up, nodding slowly as he looked to Enid – standing with her hands cupped over her mouth – and he gave her a small thumbs up before wincing. Nevermore erupted and Enid looked to them, heard the other furs howling, and she dropped her hands slowly as she felt her teammates huddle around her to cheer for a moment before they went back to playing, her eyes finding Wednesday to see her devious smirk.
They fell into a pattern, searching each other out, using other Nevermore students to pass the ball across the field, each time, Wednesday offering Enid the kick, each time Enid rocking Tyler with her strength, the ball left open for another player to kick into the net. Jericho players threw up their hands when a seventh ball smashed directly into Tyler’s forehead and fell back onto the grass for Wednesday to tap into the net with a passive kick.
“It’s not even fair!” One shouted.
“She’s a werewolf!” Another added.
Tyler stood slowly, one hand at his forehead, the other rising to wave Enid over. She obliged, skipping to stand before him, hands behind her as she nodded. “You mind lightening up just a bit?”
Wincing, Enid gasped, “I’m so sorry, totally easing up.” She threw her hands out and gave a hop, turning to take her place back on the field amongst her classmates, all grinning back at the Jericho boys.
Wednesday looked to their faces and the way they all stared at Enid and she straightened with understanding just before the game began again. Rushing to her right, she stripped the ball and kicked it away towards Kent, who drove it back to Enid with a confused shrug. Wednesday scrambled towards it and caught the ball, taking it down the field and passing it to another student who, once again, diverted it towards Enid.
Seeing the Jericho players running in, Wednesday moved at full speed, colliding with a boy twice her size just before he could tackle Enid, taking him onto the ground with a grunt. Enid shouted and Wednesday glanced up to see another boy driving her into the grass before he stood, uttering a sarcastic, “Sorry, Wolfie. The pink was kind of blinding.”
Standing, Wednesday threw a punch knowing immediately it was the wrong right thing to do as adults swarmed the field. A half hour later she sat on the bottom step of the Nevermore side bleachers, Enid at her side, Weems, several teachers, Galpin, and the Mayor all standing in front of them, arguing over punishment. The field had been cleared of all students, their own busses having been sent back to Nevermore and Wednesday stared angrily at her feet, feeling the blue eyes staring into her from her side.
“Come on,” Galpin interrupted. “I’m not fan of Miss Addams, but you could clearly see those boys were gunning to take out her friend because they were mad they were losing the game – anyone would have reacted that way.”
“It was aggressive,” a coach stated, a tilt of his head towards Wednesday.
“Have you seen Sinclair’s back?” Galpin shouted back, gesturing at Enid, who remained focused on Wednesday. “Had the wind knocked clean out of her, could have been concussed. We had to have paramedics clear her. You’re lucky they’re not getting her parents involved here.”
“She’s a werewolf,” the couch hissed.
“So that makes it ok for one of your brutes to put her into the ground, look at her!” He stepped into the man, waiting for him to glance sideways at Enid to huff.
“I don’t care how tiny and pink she is, Galpin, you take a good look at the bruises she left on your son.”
Enid turned then, looking up at them to ask them quietly, “Can we go now?”
Weems stood beside them, hand coming out to wave them up to stand and she told the group, “All parties have been reprimanded appropriately, Miss Sinclair has recuperated, and this has gone on long enough – I’d like to get my girls back to Nevermore.”
Nodding, Galpin raised an arm and told Weems, “Go on, get them home, I’ll give you call if I need anything further.”
“Thank you, Sheriff Galpin,” Weems offered politely, looking to Wednesday and Enid, “Addams, Sinclair, let’s get this show on the road, shall we?”
They walked together towards Weems’ car, both climbing into the backseat together to snap their seatbelts on and quietly sit as they travelled down the road towards the school. Enid looked to Wednesday, seeing how she wrapped her left hand over the knuckles of her right and she frowned, wanting to unravel them to see the damage done on her behalf, but she waited, lowering her gaze to her knees of the remainder of the ride and only looking up when the car came to a stop in the front driveway.
Emerging, she waited for Wednesday to come around to her side, but the girl went forward without her, travelling towards the infirmary as Enid trailed her, Weems calling out to them – something, Enid made out, about not worrying too much about the boys in town. They’d always been trouble, she affirmed, going towards her office. Enid chased after Wednesday and pulled open the infirmary door just before it shut, seeing her walking towards a cabinet where she plucked out an ice pack, snapping it and pressing it into her knuckles.
“How bad is it?” Enid questioned.
“Doesn’t hurt at all,” Wednesday told her bluntly.
Smiling, Enid slowly closed the distance between them and bowed her head slightly to catch Wednesday’s eyes, telling her, “That’s not what I asked. I asked how bad is it?” She reached for her hand, surprised when Wednesday removed the ice pack and let her look. The skin was broken on two knuckles and she could see the bruising starting to spread from them.
“Doesn’t hurt at all,” Wednesday told her again.
“I bet it doesn’t,” Enid said softly. “You should still disinfect it and bandage it before you ice it.”
She nodded, and Enid looked to the cabinet, bringing out a few items to set on the bed beside them. Enid held out her hand and Wednesday set hers within it, watching as Enid cleaned the wound slowly, carefully, before she spread a small amount of antibiotic and picking up gauze to wrap it around her palm knowingly. “You’ve had experience dressing wounds,” Wednesday surmised.
Smiling, Enid shrugged and huffed a laugh, “I have four brothers, of course I do.”
“You’re delicate about it – I’d have been callous.”
“Nah,” Enid breathed. “You’d have been clinical, that’s different.”
Wednesday’s chin lowered slightly, watching Enid tape down the gauze, seeing the way she simply started at the hand held within hers for a moment before releasing it to throw away packaging and replace items. After a moment’s silence, Wednesday asked, “Are you ok?”
Nodding slowly, Enid turned to her and breathed, “We won.”
“I thought you said it wasn’t a competition.”
She smiled. “It wasn’t.”
Wednesday reached out to touch her shoulder, turning her around and lifting her shirt, seeing the way her pale skin had been painted in purples and greens, yellowing in places. “I should have hit him harder,” Wednesday stated, bringing her shirt back down.
“We make a good team,” Enid allowed, brow rising, hating how it sounded like a question.
Eyes roaming over her slowly, Wednesday nodded once, agreeing with a quiet, “We do.”