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Enid glared at her reflection wishing today of all days could be a good skin day. This was not in the cards as two days ago Enid made the rookie mistake in sleeping in a full face of makeup. All across her face angry red blotches covered her pale skin and her rosacea on her chin was the worst it had been in weeks. To top it off, her eyes had large dark bags underneath. Heaving a great sigh, Enid looked at her makeup box longingly only for Thing who was resting on top of it wave her away.
“Just a little concealer? I promise she’ll never know.”
Thing drummed his fingers impatiently. After Enid relented, Thing hopped off his guard position to fetch Enid her hair serum, a reliable pick me up. Enid laughed sadly at being known so well by a disembodied hand and put some on after considering whether it was worth it to take a shower (wet hair would be a dead giveaway of preparation for this supposedly carefree date). Still feeling decidedly unglamorous, Enid pulled out some of her sparkly hairclips she was gifted on her last birthday from her mom. A swift waterbraid was giving cute summer, even if the clips dug into her skull to match the doubtful voice clawing the inside of her brain. Next Enid took out her entire summer wardrobe for the next leg of this hellish endeavor (normally this was fun, what happened?). Feeling the fabric of each garment was the easiest part, between her and Thing there were quick vetoes on the comfortability part. Enid figured shaving would be judged so a dress and stockings was the mental template settled on. Dress after dress was tried on, Enid grew more frustrated with each attempt, seeing in the mirror her young self trying on her mother’s clothes rather than the effortlessly ethereal empress Wednesday dreamt of. Swallowing a scream Enid let her back hit the wall and she slid down to curl into a ball. Hot tears streamed down her face as her body wracked with quiet sobs. It was so stupid to be worried about looking good for Wednesday. She’d probably think Enid was childish and shallow for such worries. Thing tapped at her foot tentatively and signed that Wednesday wouldn’t care about semantics of what dress she wore, not really.
“That’s the neat part isn’t it Thing? Wednesday doesn’t even like girls like that. Or better yet it’s a lie to make me feel better about myself.”
A sudden pinch to the leg made Enid yelp. Thing waggled a finger disapprovingly.
“Sorry, that was harsh of me. I know how much she cares.”
Thing patted her leg comfortingly and then skittered off to wave and point near a dress Enid had originally dismissed. It was a simple blue sundress that ended flowingly right below the knee with short puffy sleeves and a v neck. After so much hassle it seemed like the perfect choice to not think very hard. Thing tapped her desk, where there was some jewelry he had picked out. Enid thanked him tearfully and put on the small studs and tiny charms he picked to match the blue. Staring into the mirror to assess a final product Enid couldn’t shake the dread she held at her own reflection. Thing stood diligently on her makeup box doing the lovely little sign that looked like voguing to communicate he thought she looked beautiful. Enid forced a smile and bid a hasty adieu to make a pit stop before going to meet Wednesday. Yoko was, as expected, still fast asleep. Enid crept around her sleeping friend to her closet for the one article of clothing she wasn’t allowed to buy at home and the emergency concealer she stashed here. A brief bathroom visit later and Enid was breathing easier (metaphorically, the push up bra was digging into her ribs). The feelings of inadequacy persisted, but at least Enid didn’t feel naked. With one last parting shaking breath, Enid departed from Yoko’s room to meet her girlfriend.
A glance at Yoko’s clock before exiting reminded Enid how early she was. The timing was supposed to be when she woke up naturally, but that didn’t account for the sleepless night she had worrying this wonderful new relationship would shatter at the slightest touch. She had seen, not heard, Wednesday soundlessly rise with the buzzing watch on her wrist rather than her alarm clock (an early fight during their time together, Wednesday woke up at the same time on weekends to ensure proper circadian rhythm while Enid liked to sleep til noon). The simple act of actually using the technology rather than disturbing Enid made her heart squeeze as Wednesday grabbed a duffle bag at the foot of her bed and left without a whisper. Enid gave up trying to sleep at 6am and had moped about getting ready for the better part of two hours. 8:42 still felt too uncharacteristic of her, so Enid wandered the school intending to take the long way to the lake. Arriving at the double doors much too early Enid hesitated at the exit rocking back and forth on her feet. With two requests already broken Enid decided she might as well break the third. With much less guilt, Enid turned around for one last errand before trudging her way to the lake by a quarter past nine.
-
Wednesday was sitting on a black and white picnic blanket staring stock still at the lake. Enid took the time to appreciate her girlfriend, worried thoughts quieting at the perfect posture, the way the cool breeze shifted the small hairs at her ears that escaped her braids. Wednesday had opted to wear a sundress as well, a black square neck with spaghetti straps that as she got closer could see small embroidered white flowers across the fabric. Enid stood awkwardly at the edge of the blanket as Wednesday didn’t turn to greet her, instead opting to tilt her head backwards squinting into the sun as she looked at her love above her.
“Good morning darling, how are you feeling today? Up so early?”
“Better now that I’m with you. Too excited to sleep Winnie!”
Wednesday looked skeptical. Enid tried not to panic, opting to dig in the pocket of this dress (she had judged the dress too harshly before).
“I know you said to bring nothing, but I brought a treat for you.”
Enid presented the dark chocolate bar in her hand hopefully. Wednesday hummed pensively and reached to where Enid rested it on her shoulder only to curl her fingers and send a gentle squeeze through the crackling candy wrapper.
“I suppose that is acceptable.”
The small bit of delight in her stoic features was adorable and it was all Enid could do to not kiss her silly. You had to be methodical with Wednesday, and Enid was determined to do this right.
“Can I kiss you Wednesday?”
“Yes dear, thank you for remembering.”
It was not the heart pounding kisses they shared when they first discovered their feelings were reciprocal. This was dry, somehow sweet as Enid detected a faint taste of blackberries as she broke away to nuzzle at Wednesday’s neck. Wednesday hummed once more and stroked the side of her face in that perfect way to make her eyes flutter.
“Come sit by me Enid, I have plenty to show you but first we have to take off that silly facepaint of yours.”
Wednesday had no anger in her voice, but an element of finality to it that made Enid freeze.
“Its- its just sunscreen I promise.”
“I know how sunscreen tastes. I also brought extra.”
Enid slumped beside Wednesday as she handed her a makeup wipe (how embarrassing that she brought them in the first place). Wednesday squirted a dollop of sunscreen into her palm and looked at Enid expectantly.
“What SPF is it Wednesday? You’re much darker than me.”
“Not if I can help it. SPF 100.”
Enid sighed dramatically and scrubbed her face of the liquid concealer she applied less than an hour ago. Staring at the dirty wipe, Enid was surprised at how much she had put on. She swore it was only touchups! Her abused skin flushed further at the memory of her skin state at the start of the morning, feeling awful all over again. Wednesday took the wipe and tucked it into the strap of her basket with the air of a scientific finding; not judgemental but curious. Enid closed her eyes to wait for Wednesday to apply the cream but after a few moments of nothings she opened her eyes to see Wednesday looking at her. Really looking at her. The hand that held the cream had stopped on its path and lowered. Wednesday took her free hand and took Enid’s chin tilting it this way and that as Enid imperceptibly hunched her shoulders.
“Mon Cherie, can I kiss your face?”
Enid took Wednesday's hand and lowered it away from her face, feeling the creases her pained expression was making, enhancing her flaws. Wednesday relented but tilted her head just so for that lovely look of adoration that absolutely undid Enid.
“I would like to make you feel good, feel loved. You like to kiss my scars, I would like to do the same.”
Wednesday was completely earnest in this. Enid only could melt under her gaze. With a little nod, Wednesday leaned in and gradually peppered gentle kisses all over her girlfriend’s face. She started on her right cheek pressing a lingering one to her nose before crossing to the other cheek. Wednesday kissed across her jawline and then up to press two deeper kisses to either temple before a long heavy kiss to Enid’s forehead. Each kiss let a bit of anxiety chip away and Enid thought she was relaxed before the cool cream of the sunscreen covered where Wednesday’s warm kisses had left tingling skin. The abused skin from the scrubbing of the wipe, a lifetime of being forced to be pristine was permitted to be just skin, and loved at that. Wednesday was tender with her touch, smoothing the product over natural, flushed, textured skin. Wednesday had that intense look she only did with something or someone she loved as she ensured the product got behind the ears of her love and across her middle part where the scalp was red from previous burns. It was here Wednesday paused and examined the plait of Enid’s hair.
“Those are the clips your mother gave you aren’t they? Didn’t you say they hurt you?”
Enid couldn’t bring herself to speak, only nodding dumbly.
“Can I take them out, love?”
Enid stared at the girl before her, such fondness in her gaze.
“Yeah, I’d like to take out your hair too then.”
Wednesday seemed surprised at this, but not entirely displeased at such a notion.
“Alright then.”
Having once seen Wednesday fully gut a fish with the razor blade from a pencil sharpener, Enid was reminded of how gentle Wednesday could be. Previously the sparkly diamond clips would only stay in the hair if the strands were pinched and snagged. Enid swore she got bald spots the last time she used them for a school dance. Wednesday was patient, ensuring not a single hair was torn from her lover’s head. Each clip being removed was a relief on Enid’s tortured scalp made into actual pleasure when Wednesday would run her fingers through her hair to release the tension. Having almost fallen into a sleepy stupor, Enid shook off her trance to return the favor. Wednesday’s hair was thick and curly, it was deeply satisfying to unravel the braids that had stayed a stubborn part of Wednesday’s walls. The girl in question sat quietly as Enid did her work turning slightly to observe. When at last both girls had loose hair Wednesday tilted her head fully to bless Enid with the magnificent view of her girlfriend with her hair down. The curls gave her a lion’s mane appearance, both fierce and unguarded simultaneously. Enid leaded against her resting her chin on Wednesday’s shoulder and simply breathed in the aloe scent of Wednesday’s shampoo. Wednesday indulged in this moment for a second and then pulled away with a frown. Enid sat up with anxiety coursing through her veins again.
“Enid, are you wearing that medival torture device again?”
“It’s just a bra Wednesday!”
“I beg to differ. I’d argue this breaks my comfortability requirement for this date.”
“Wednesday…”
“Enid.”
A brief staring contest later and Enid relented with a sigh. Carefully Enid withdrew her arms into her dress, removed the offensive garment and put her arms back through her sundress before pulling it over her head holding it awkwardly. Wednesday had no such trepidation, taking it and putting it in the basket without a thought.
“Can I hug you Enid?”
Hugs from Wednesday were already a once in a blue moon deal that Enid typically jumped at but this time it felt off-kilter, like given the context suspicion was warranted. Regardless, Enid accepted such after a moment of hesitation. Wednesday gave the best hugs when she wanted to, pressure that felt like love, and tucking in her head in the crook of Enid’s neck to be that much closer. What felt different this time was the incredible warmth between the two. Enid registered rather dumbly that Wednesday wasn’t wearing her typical athletic bra underneath her dress as evident by the singular spaghetti strap. Thus the body heat typically trapped by the clothing meant to enhance or conceal said curves was freely shared between the light fabric of the two sundresses. Wednesday might have cold hands, but she was a warm-blooded creature like any other (not a werewolf blood pressure but still). The closest two heartbeats could be Enid thought. Anxiety melted away once again and Enid relaxed into the soft embrace. It was a longer hug than typical for them. It felt like exhaling after holding your breath for eternity. Although Enid wanted nothing more than to stay there forever, she didn't want her clingy reputation to persist. With a small squeeze, Enid broke away and tried to collect herself with the sudden cool sensation of being away from so much body heat, brushing her hair anxiously. Wednesday let her go with a soft expression watching her love for a second before turning to the basket beside her to rummage for something. Curiosity bloomed in Enid as she watched Wednesday rearrange for some nefarious purpose. With a little knowing look, Wednesday withdrew what looked like plain white pastry paper from the culinary class, item after item of wonderfully smelling breakfast items.
“Winnie, did you make these?"
"Of course, an Addams always makes food homemade.”
A werewolf sense of smell was too good, Enid’s sweet tooth battled her loathing instinct to not eat something that would make her bloat. Wednesday was not ignorant to this, having seen Enid’s Pinterest feed. What a trickster chef, to bait her girlfriend into eating by pressing a long warm kiss into the palm of her hand and placing an equally warm cinnamon roll in its place before guiding her fingers to hold the goodness. A day of indulgence, Enid tried to remind herself as Wednesday took a bite of the chocolate she got, closing her eyes in bliss before returning to the basket once more. Evidently Wednesday had brought items to her liking as well, the chocolate croissants Enid inhaled had ordinary counterparts with egg and cheese. Wednesday paused briefly to wipe the chocolate smudges from Enid's face endearingly before licking it from her thumb and diving again into this Mary Poppins basket for two thermoses. A white one was for Enid and a dark one for Wednesday. Wonderfully once more Enid smelled the lovely scent of Wednesday's work via the sugary coffee within, made just to her liking. With a single careful sip, Enid was reminded with the force of a monsoon just how known she was. The little rainbow sprinkles at the top of the cream (that didn't add much more taste but always ensured one extra smile in the mornings) filled Enid's heart with love. Enid drank a little too quickly, knowing it would speed up her heart soon, and didn't notice the papers Wednesday had in her grasp.
“What's that?”
"A medium to better articulate my affections for you.”
"Is that the paper I gave you?”
"Yes, the rose petal and newspaper blend you recycled. I found it charming for this purpose.”
Enid leaned over curiously to see Wednesday’s beautiful calligraphy (she had lovely handwriting when it wasn't her botany notes) in a glittery black. Enid close to burst to tears at the sight of Wednesday using her gel pens to write her love for her, instead busying herself with drowning a blackberry jam bagel with an ungodly amount of coffee. Wednesday either didn't notice or didn't mention as she offhandedly spoke as she arranged her writings.
"I know you like to chug liquid anxiety normally, it's decaf so you don't have to face the normal consequence.”
Staring at the abyss of the white coffee before her, Enid felt warmth spread through every limb. Looking back at Wednesday, she appeared to be tracing her old words with some trepidation. Enid was curious, both of the words on the page and the thoughts in Wednesday’s mind.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Wednesday brightened at the old expression before glancing back at the papers in her hand and sighing.
“I think I’ve written with truth and honesty, but I’ve always been poor at delivering tone. I’m worried this won’t articulate what I want it to.”
“I’m sure they’re lovely. If I don’t understand I’ll ask. Can you read them to me?”
Wednesday moved so that her back was pressed against the nearby tree, knees tucked to one side. Crawling Enid joined her, hovering awkwardly for a second before Wednesday patted the spot on her lap. Enid motioned circling Wednesday’s waist and looked up for a nod before snuggling close with an exhale that was almost weary release. Lowering the papers for a second, Wednesday stroked Enid’s hair for a moment, brushing loose hair to the side and smoothing out an eyebrow with a quiet sort of reverence before returning to the task at hand.
“I wrote you a sonnet.”
This was said with the trepidation of admitting there was a spider lost in the bathroom. Enid encouraged Wednesday with a pleased hum and nuzzling deeper into soft thigh and lower belly. The sensation made Wednesday stutter out a laugh making Enid feel the stomach muscles jump beneath her. A nearby crinkled clued Enid that Wednesday was prepared. A small sigh from her love and then she read with a voice slightly quieter than usual:
“An open book, an open mind, soothing
Under bubbles there is multitudes, yes
A lady constantly goodness proving
Warrior in a fabulous pink dress
Vivaciously cares to such a great length
Fools discard loving Midas touch, heart stops
let blood fall, a bleeding heart is great strength
she no longer has to catch the blood drops
If only she knew she was loved in turn
Wholeheartedly, enchantingly, indeed
Late night oil not needed to be burnt
Golden heart valued implicitly, see?
She’s not a held breath, tolerated so
She’s a deep breath of spring virtuoso.”
Gradually Enid’s arms around Wednesday’s waist tightened. When the end of the sonnet was reached Enid let out a long stuttering exhale as she hid her face. Wednesday gingerly put down her words of love to embrace Enid in turn, resting her chin on top of Enid’s head lightly.
Long minutes trickled by with no words spoken, only warmth exchanged. The tightness of the grasp eventually relaxed to Enid laying on her side to breathe and Wednesday leaning back against the tree drawing lazy circles on Enid’s shoulder. Time became a hazy bubble of pleasant nothingness as Enid watched how the light from the leaves above danced on Wednesday’s face. The sun was warm above them but the breeze was cool and damp from the lake beside them shimmering like a jewel. The pressures of the world faded away, Enid had set aside time for this date putting on pause the extreme pressure she put on herself to improve. Plans for a vigorous exercise routine, a black hole of languages to learn, and the hellscape of entry level jobs so Enid could move out as quickly as possible, all of these felt like distant blips. The only thing that existed now was the chirps of faraway birds and the quiet breathing of the wonderful girl near her. There was all the time in the world for this drowsy stupor. Indeed Wednesday, who typically was still the way a cobra was before striking was blinking slowly, like how a cat would indicate love, staring at nothing specific but aware of Enid as Enid was aware of her. The weather would eventually become too hot to be comfortable but for now there was a bubble of tranquility. Easy boredom invited wandering minds of pleasant things occasionally interrupted by a chirp of a bird or a splash from a fish in the lake. The buzzing of insects was a little annoying, prompting Wednesday ever the overachiever to snatch a mosquito before it landed on Enid’s arm, scowling and flicking it away. Enid couldn’t contain her giggles.
“Okay Mr. Miyagi.”
“Who?”
“Karate Kid? Have you never seen it?”
“I don’t believe I have.”
“We have a date tonight then.”
“I presume this is a so-called classic that supports some fragile boy’s ego in a lame coming of age theater production with cultural appropriate to boot?”
“Doesn’t pass the Bechdel test I think, or at least not well. You’ll hate it.”
“Wonderful. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
With the vague nothingness broken by speech, Wednesday finally stirred from underneath Enid and expressed the desire to change positions. Enid sat up and watched as Wednesday proceeded to pop what felt like far too many joints. What drew Enid’s attention was the lines of muscle in Wednesday’s arms and the way her hair flowed like water as she moved. Enid tried not to think too deeply about such, biting her lip. Nothing could escape Wednesday’s notice.
“What now mi amor?”
“Um-”
Touch between the two was different from any boy Enid had dated. Typically it would be Enid’s relentless enthusiasm towards kissing and gradual uptightness about anything further. Now with a woman, with Wednesday, desire felt wholly different but still overpowering. This was confounded by Wednesday’s boundaries in which Enid would throw herself off the highest tower before overstepping.
“You can tell me anything Enid.”
“Can- can you lay on me?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Sorry, it’s- it’s like cuddling but with more pressure. Like a weighted blanket.”
Wednesday considered this, blowing a hair out of her face in a way that made Enid swoon.
“I suppose I could indulge you. I imagine- well- lets see, I think in such a position I would not want to be held back is that alright?”
“Of course.”
Against the soft blanket Enid could smell grass and the surprisingly nice smell of coffee on Wednesday’s breath. Wednesday brushed her hair off to one side and placed her head in the crook of Enid’s neck with gentle pressure. Somehow it was both silly and comforting to lay like this, arms uselessly limp at her sides. Wednesday was gently stroking the side of her face but on a whim took Enid’s hand with her free one and guided her with languid motions showing what would be pleasant for herself, namely tracing up and down her sides. Humming contentedly, Wednesday pressed her head against Enid’s, temple to temple. A sigh that turned out more like a hiss made Enid’s heart rate spike as Wednesday turned her head to whisper sweetly and dangerously into Enid’s ear.
“I’m afraid your neck is a blank sheet of paper waiting to be marked, may I assist?”
A small squeak of surprise and furious nods later Wednesday pressed gentle kisses before getting progressively more intense. Warmth turned to heat with no small measure of panic as Enid processed these sensations. Wednesday was confusing like this sometimes, Enid had learnt that while she was a no until yes kind of person there was quite more than surface level touch avulsion for Wednesday. Unintentionally Enid was tensing up with the worry that this would spiral out of control. Sitting up Wednesday looked curiously at Enid.
“Do you want me to stop?”
“Well- it’s-”
“Wednesday moved to lie on her stomach beside Enid, head in her arms looking back alert.
“Talk to me.”
“All good things, all touch I like, I’m just worried about your level of comfort. I know there’s some things that are too much for you and I- I don’t know it felt like it was getting close to that maybe.”
“Oh, right. This is probably different from what you’re used to.”
Wednesday’s features looked mostly impassive, but Enid caught the distraught look in her eye.
“It is different; it's better. We’re teenagers! If the basis of our relationship is eroticism then it would fall apart speedily like most puppy love is, but I don’t want that! I want to savor you, savor us!”
Uncertainty replaced Wednesday’s expression but there was an element of hope to it.
“If this is what you truly want, this clothes-on romance-”
“Of course. I’ve never cared about anyone the way I care about you.”
Wednesday smiled her special Wednesday smile.
“So all that boy-craze, that was comphet dramatic fanaticism?”
“Men are the absolute worst, you only had a week with one before coming to your senses. I had a good few wasted years Wednesday!”
Wednesday giggled which prompted Enid to snort out a laugh and the two laughed themselves silly in the secluded sunny spot, dark thoughts of calories and overcompensation a million miles away as the two were unabashedly in love.