Chapter Text
Wednesday had the most dreadful summer. She tried to distract herself by torturing her brother but that only brought her disappointment, he had grown weaker in her absence. She should have expected it, yet she was frustrated when he lost consciousness when she waterboarded him, not even half the time he used to withstand.
Her parents announced her she was to go back to Nevermore for the next term, she conceded. She had something to look forward to, a stalker; maybe even a murderous one.
None of that had managed to overcome what was troubling her, or to be more precise, who. Her roommate. Enid Sinclair.
The previous school year had not been what she had expected, with its ups and downs.
In the end it hadn't been so bad; reason why she didn't object when her parents told her she was enrolled for another year at least. But she had this tension in her gut, a terrible feeling at the mere thought of seeing Enid again.
Not because she didn't want to, on the contrary. She was looking forward to spending time with the werewolf. Part of her felt somewhat ashamed that it included her bubbly attitude and bright colors. Everything that made her Enid.
Enid was the one person, not that she couldn't understand, that's not something that interested her. Enid was one of the few people who actually made her feel something, something she couldn't grasp. Her heart would beat faster at the idea of solving that mystery.
A moment in particular had Wednesday reeling; after their encounter with the Hyde, his mistress and a run in with a resurrected pilgrim…she had been scarred by Enid's action.
The blonde had run to her and wrapped her arms around her. It was all Wednesday could think about. That hug. At first, she had pulled back without a thought, she had never been tactile, at all. Then she had really looked at Enid, tearful eyes, full of need. Wednesday had caved.
Worst than letting Enid hug her, she had hugged back and felt it, that strange sensation, warmth.
Wednesday was used to putting up with Pugsley's hugs, she powered through his neediness. Enid was different, she had done something to her, it was the only explanation why Wednesday had hugged her back, hard.
She had closed her eyes! How could have she closed her eyes?
It meant giving part of her control, being blind to the world. She knew. Wednesday took comfort in another human being. That thought horrified her.
The world had just been Enid and it was terrifying. Was she on her way to becoming one of these emotionally incontinent commoners?
Wednesday uncharacteristically kept in touch. She had enjoyed what felt like small and awkward interactions via texts. It made her feel awkward to seek-out another.
This was making her feel ghastly; Wednesday cared for Enid and had no idea what to do with it.
She didn't understand why Enid would like her. She didn't understand why she, herself, cared; they were antipodes.
There was only one thing Wednesday knew for sure; Enid meant something to her. Her question mark was on something. What exactly?
She knew they were about to be reunited for this new term and she felt a strange mix of happy anxiety. And maybe part of her simply wanted to run to avoid it completely.
Wednesday dreadful summer wasn't completely over since she was on her way to school, she had been stuck in the backseat of the Addams car with her disgustingly over-affectionate parents. She needed a break and required a coffee one. It was just her luck to be stuck behind two women gossiping about someone who had, it would seem, lost a child because it choked. This was getting long.
"Are you done talking about the wonders of natural selection because I'd really like to be able to place my order?"
They parted, eyes a little wide. Wednesday stepped forward between them and was able to finally order her quad over ice. She got back to the car and tried to look more at her coffee than at her parents.
Her bag buzzed and she knew it was the phone Xavier had given her; she considered it more like Thing's phone. He had taken over it after Wednesday made her disdain for it quite clear. She was still using it for her interactions with Enid. Eugene had the privilege of receiving a few texts too. And her stalker of course.
Thing had been living his best live that Summer, or so it would seem on his social media accounts. He had gained thousands of followers, most thought he wasn't actually a mangled hand but someone playing with visual effects. He kept on taking pictures or videos inside the manor, within reason. Wednesday had set rules about it if he wanted to keep using the device.
Wednesday looked down as her backpack opened, Thing pushing the phone out. It meant it was for her. Wednesday grabbed the pone and indeed it was a message from Enid announcing her arrival at Nevermore. Wednesday felt that queasy feeling in her stomach once more. She looked out the car's window and saw the school's gate. She chose not to respond to Enid. It would feel insipid on a screen and they'd see each over in a matter of minutes anyway.
The looks her mother was giving her, were getting annoying. She had to be aware something was wrong with her, yet she never spoke to her about it.
Lurch pulled out her belonging from the trunk.
"Goodbye." Simply said Wednesday.
Morticia smiled at her daughter. "We'll take you to your dorm room. It's tradition."
Wednesday knew better than to argue once her fate had been decided. She turned and led the way, followed by her parents, then Lurch, and Pugsley.
When she reached her room, the door was ajar; she stopped on the threshold. Enid was inside, her mother talking and making her roll her eyes while her father stayed a few steps behind.
Of course, Wednesday family had to make some noise and alert them to their presence.
"Look your werewolf is already here." Said Gomez.
The Sinclair family turned to them as a whole, then Enid came running to her roommate, a huge smile on her face, squealing with joy. "Wednesday!"
No one, had ever said her name like that. She tensed but didn't step back. Enid stopped a foot away from Wednesday, arms slightly spread without overstepping.
They looked into each other eyes for a second before Wednesday sighed and gave Enid a curt nod.
Enid jumped in, closing the remaining distance separating them to take the smaller girl into her arms, holding her tight. Wednesday didn't recall consciously making the decision to lift her arms around the blonde. It didn't last long.
Wednesday resisted the urge to look behind her at her family, she could feel the back of her head burn from their stares.
Enid leaned back on her heels, raised her shoulders as she introduced: "Mom, dad, this is my friend Wednesday." It was said so naturally, and like it would mean something more to her parents.
Wednesday actually blinked. No one had ever called her a friend, never to her face. Was it what this was? Was it friendship she was feeling? Then why did it feel different from her relationship with Eugene? Maybe it was different because one was female and the other male. Maybe it was simply because Eugene reminded her of her little brother.
Before coming to Nevermore, Wednesday never had that problem. Friends.
Enid…Enid was everything she usually abhorred, logically she should loathe every interaction they had. She really should…
Maybe it was like when she had a terrible song in mind, one she couldn't stand, yet she couldn't get it out of her head. Thinking about it, it sounded like Taylor Swift.
Enid's parents came to stand behind her, Esther putting her hand on Enid's shoulder.
"So nice to meet you. We heard you somehow helped Enid turn." Wednesday could tell that smile was superficial, fake.
"There is nothing like mortal danger to see what people are truly made of." Stated Wednesday as she was staring down Enid's mother, wondering what kind of woman she would be in dire circumstances.
Esther Sinclair cleared her throat, her smile dimming while Enid's got a little wider.
"Did Wednesday willingly hugged someone?" Pugsley whispered in the back; he got a groan from Lurch.
Wednesday slowly turned until she was glaring over her shoulder at her brother.
"We don't have time for a proper murder my little scorpion. We still have luggage in the car." Said Gomez as he spread his arms, trying to push his daughter a little forward, inside the room. Wednesday didn't move a muscle for a moment, then she slowly reached into her backpack, Thing crawled along her arm until he rested on her shoulder as she pulled out a small cattle-prod.
Thing jumped from the young Addams to Enid, who joyfully exclaimed. "Thing! I've missed you so much." He landed on her outstretched hands and immediately started to sign. Enid's mother had promptly taken a step back while her father had frowned.
Morticia walked towards her daughter; Wednesday didn't move until her mother obviously went for her prod. She took a step back, moving it away but Morticia easily grabbed it. "Why did you take your good cattle prod to school?"
"Experience."
Lurch walked past them to put down some bags and a cello case, then immediately walked back out, his job wasn't done.
"Is that all you took?" Asked Morticia.
"Of course not."
Morticia sighed at her daughter's response. "I think we can expect less drama than last year."
"I live with Enid, there will be drama."
"Hey!" Objected a peeved Enid. "You and me were running for our lives and nearly got mauled because you went looking for trouble that one isn't on me. I'd never cause drama." Said Enid with the sweetest voice she could use. Thing signed something to her and she nodded. "True, I didn't tell her about Ajax and me."
"You and I." Corrected Wednesday as she gave her mother a look. They just stared at each other until Morticia handed back the prod to Wednesday. "Leave your brother alone, we don't have time."
"Fine." Agreed Wednesday as she went and put down the cattle prod on her nightstand.
Gomez had stepped up to Enid's father and was talking to him, who seem to only nod back. Pugsley went to stand beside his mother while Enid was starting to catch up with Thing. Wednesday started to put her belongings in order.
It didn't take long for Lurch to bring all Wednesday had packed up to her room, and so it was time for them to go. "Father, Mother. Goodbye."
"We'll call you soon." Said Morticia as she handed the box containing the crystal ball to her child. Her Father stepped up to her next. "Don't get caught."
"I know the school's layout now." Responded Wednesday and Gomez nodded.
Pugsley was pouting in the back.
"I'll put up with it." Told him Wednesday before he went in for his hug, for a second it looked like she was going to hug him back, then he jumped.
"Always have a backup plan." Said Wednesday as she revealed another electric prod up her sleeve. She had shocked him. Gomez laughed and Morticia smiled.
Lurch groaned making Gomez turn towards him. "You are right. We must go." With one last look they made their way out.
"Enid we really should go too." Said Esther. She moved in as if to get a hug but stopped as she eyed Thing warily. "Don't forget to eat enough meat." She patted her on the shoulder.
"Yes mom, I know." Talked back Enid, annoyed, until her frowned turned into a smile as her father walked up to her. He didn't stop, and Thing had to crawl up to Enid's shoulder while they hugged. Her father sighed as he looked at her adoringly.
Enid's mother was already by the door. "Come on, we have a long road."
Enid's father looked at thing. He put his hand out, as if to shake a hand, he ended up shaking Thing's index and middle finger. "It was nice to meet you. I hope you'll keep an eye on them." Thing signed a salute.
Enid's father turned to Wednesday. "It was nice putting a face to the person Enid couldn't stop talking about over break."
Enid then practically pushed her father out the room before turning back to Wednesday. "I didn't talk about you that much."
"I'm starting to know you, Enid."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You talk a lot. About everything."
"True. True." Enid awkwardly walked back to her bed and started to unpack while talking to Thing who went to stay on top of her bed. Both girls were settling in.
Wednesday realized how easy it was to fall back into their shared routine, it felt comfortable.
"I'm going to see Yoko." Said Enid as she made her way out.
Wednesday didn't stop what she was doing, no one needed her approbation.
They had a few free days before classes actually started, enough time to reconnect or get to know the place for the first time.
Wednesday was sitting outside, reading, she had been joined by Enid and Yoko. She didn't look up as Yoko sat while talking to the werewolf. "I can't believe I'm seeing you eat an apple as a snack."
"I'm trying to eat healthier. Everyone agrees that apples are good for your health."
Still not looking up Wednesday interjected. "Apple seeds contains cyanide."
Enid froze mid bite before pulling her mouth away from the fruit. "What?"
"Just don't eat them." Told her Yoko.
"Obviously, but I mean, for real?"
Wednesday didn't raise her head. "One apple isn't enough to kill. You'd need at least twenty to be sure and it'd depends on the apples, the weight of the person you'd want to poison, and of course you'd need to properly crush the seeds too."
"That's…not exactly reassuring." Said Enid as she took another bite of her apple. She leaned closer to Wednesday and raised the book cover that was on her side to see what she was reading. This got Wednesday to actually raise her head and look at Enid when the blonde asked: "Since when are you interested in acupuncture?"
"I like to branch out on the things I can do with needles."
Yoko watched the two girls carefully; she was surprised when Addams let Enid touch her book like that and disturb her. Yoko knew if it had been her, she might have been stabbed or something. Yet Enid seemed to be allowed this kind of behavior towards Addams.
"Can't you read more normal things, like fiction?" Asked Enid.
"It's normal to me. Unless by normal you mean to your level?" Asked back Wednesday as she lowered her eyes once more to the line she had just left.
"Hey! That's not common to find teenagers reading books about acupuncture or psychology." She moved her hand in Yoko's direction for the last part.
"I like understanding people, know why they do what they do." Explained Yoko.
"Really? What was it again? If a trolley is heading down the tracks toward five people but if you flip a switch that can divert the trolley onto a different track you can save them but kill that one person on the other tracks, what would you do?" Enid paused and Wednesday actually answered. "I'd bring popcorn."
Enid rolled her eyes before looking back at Yoko. "What's the point?"
"It questions how we work, why we make the decision we do."
"Frankly Yoko, it makes me question more about ever getting a self-driving car."
"What?" This one Yoko didn't expect.
"I don't know what I'd choose, but would I be okay with a car choosing for me?"
"What?" Repeated Yoko.
"She wants a car." Said Wednesday, dry as ever.
Divina joined them, taking a seat across the bench. "We are sitting with Addams now?"
"Enid." Was all Yoko answered and it seemed to make sense to Divina who simply nodded. Bianca was right behind her but she didn't take a seat. She cleared her throat so the girls sitting there would pay attention to her. Wednesday didn't budge and was seriously considering leaving to read in peace, she had never asked all these people to crowd her. She had been fine on her own. Enid was one thing. Enid and co, no.
Bianca handed an envelope to Enid with a flower drawn on it, a nightshade. "We'd like to make it official."
Enid squealed as she opened it. She was officially invited to join the Nightshades. "Finally. I didn't think it would be that simple."
"It usually isn't, but with what happened last year we decided you'd be the exception." Explained Bianca.
Ajax joined them next, taking a seat opposite to Enid; he dropped a small paper bag on the table. "Did I miss it?"
Wednesday had enough, she slammed her book shut and stood up. "Nothing interesting."
"Where are you going?" Asked Enid.
"To find a dark corner." With that Wednesday turned her back on them and walked towards the building.
Enid turned to Yoko. "Isn't she a Nightshade too?"
"Nope."
"Addams is… Addams." Bianca wasn't sure what to say. Wednesday Addams had been quite a surprise and she knew the Nightshade would welcome her with open arms should she change her mind. Enid wasn't being kidnapped to introduce her to their secret society partially because Addams' reaction was a question mark, a dangerous one. Enid herself had turned and taken down a Hyde, no one wanted to attack her, even if it was a mock attack.
When Wednesday made her way back to her room for her writing time Enid was already there, sitting crossed legs on her bed filing Thing's nails.
"I didn't expect to find you there." She said as she managed to get the life-sized mannequin she was carrying through the door. It was a little small, so more of a Wednesday-sized mannequin.
"Where else would I be?" Asked Enid as she had stopped moving and just looked at her roommate as she put the mannequin against the opposite wall. "What are you doing with that?"
"I might need a decoy." Wednesday straightened up, brushed down her clothes and made her way to her chair. "I would have expected you to disappear somewhere with your boyfriend. To do unspeakable things." Wednesday told her as she stood next to her chair, hand on its back.
Enid's voice rose as she repeated. "Unspeakable things?"
Wednesday sat down without looking at her. "Things I do not want to hear about."
"I…hmmm…okay, actually we broke up."
Wednesday stopped mid movement as she was inserting a sheet into her typewriter.
"Do I need to take out my Bond Arms Snake Slayer?"
"Your what?!"
"My snake gun." Simply answered Wednesday as she turned the right cylinder knob until the paper came up under the guide.
"I think I'm going to stop asking, and no, no violence needed. I'm the one who broke up with him. During the summer I realized we didn't have that much to talk about, not that much in common. I mean, I was enjoying my time chatting with Thing way more."
Wednesday twisted in her chair until she could look at Enid and Thing over her shoulder, still on the other bed. Thing tensed under the murderous glare and slowly started to slip away from the blonde, he then jumped on the bed's headboard and started to sign furiously.
Enid who didn't understand why Thing was getting away until he defended himself turned pale. "No! Not like that. Nothing happened. Nothing is ever going to happen." She said eyes wide as she looked at Wednesday, before looking at Thing. "No offense, but he is a mangled hand. I prefer people with an actual body." Thing wasn't offended at all but was wholeheartedly agreeing. Enid and him were just friends. He'd never cross that line with someone he pretty much considered a baby, and he had a pretty good survival instinct that was telling him Wednesday could do terrible deeds, to him in particular.
Wednesday looked at them for a moment, both Enid and Thing had frozen, hanging on her next words. The young Addams turned back to her typewriter. "I'm no judging. For some people that's all that's needed, a hand."
"Wednesday!"
Thing jumped off Enid's bed and walked across the floor and climbed on Wednesday desk and signed.
"Preposterous. You and Enid can do whatever you want." She lowered her face. "I am not…" She stopped before saying the world jealous as a light went on in her mind. She indeed didn't want Thing to have that kind of relationship with her friend. She was ready to admit it, she considered Enid a dear friend, maybe even family after what happened with Crackstone.
Jealous wasn't the right word for it, she just didn't want Thing and Enid to…she shuddered. "We'll find you a place to sleep tonight." Somewhere I can see you, was implied.
Wednesday started typing like she always did, focused on her work, and after a few long minutes Thing went back to Enid, his manicure wasn't finished.
Wednesday found herself writing slower than she usually did, having a harder time getting into her story. She was listening in on what was happening behind her. She powered through her hour of writing; this was not something she could forego.
As soon as she was done, she did what she had been wanted to do for a while. She got her cello out of its case. "Do you mind?" She asked Enid. They had set rules on noises and disturbances; she had to respect them if she didn't want to be exposed to cringy pop music at any possible time of the day. The worst being Enid's morning alarm. Black Pink.
"Of course not."
Wednesday got lost in her music, she never knew how long it was until she'd look at her watch. This time when she looked up, Enid was still in the room and they shared a look. Next to Enid, Thing signed. "Not jealous, my stump."
Wednesday felt dread pool in her stomach, the worst she could have ever imagined.
She thought about her time with Enid, what she did and allowed her. Gestures.
If her mother had been right, she'd never hear the end of it.