1.
Wednesday almost misses when Enid mentions that she's a werewolf.
She wouldn't have guessed it at first.
The girl has hair like cotton candy, nails painted like a rainbow, and the energy of a golden retriever hopped up on sugar. Wednesday could never picture her turning into a blood-thirsty monster every month.
But then again Wednesday knows better than to judge someone based on their appearance. It's always the most innocent-looking ones that you can't trust.
Wednesday realizes this could be a positive thing, though. She's always been fascinated by werewolves. When she was younger, she had consumed anything she could find about the beasts, spending hours in her library reading up on everything about them. She was so fascinated that she wanted to be one, because how thrilling would it have been to be such a powerful, terrifying creature that could tear someone limb from limb?
However, Wednesday doesn't exactly know how she'll get close enough to Enid to actually learn anything about her. She can't stand the girl. Her music is loud, she's always giggling on her phone, and she talks in lingo Wednesday can't even understand. It's barely been a day and Wednesday would rather dunk herself in a vat full of electric eels than interact with her new roommate.
Wednesday won't let her guard down against Enid, but she doesn't feel she needs to be as cautious as she thought she would.
Until she unsheathes her claws on their first night together.
It's impressive. Enid has more bite to her than she thought, not being afraid to threaten the girl who she believed had killed two kids at her previous school.
There's a glint in Enid's eyes as she stares Wednesday down, one that plucks at an unfamiliar chord in her heartstrings.
Luckily Thornhill bursts in before they can say more spiteful things to one another, and afterwards Enid seems to learn her lesson about playing her music out loud. She puts on a pair of headphones and retreats to her bed to go to laugh at her phone again, and Wednesday can’t decide if that’s worse than the pop music.
That night, Wednesday stays up on her side of the room, reading up on werewolves again until she hears Enid snoring in her own bed.
She's not afraid of Enid. She's just being proactive, which is what one does when there's a vicious beast sleeping a few feet away from them. With a full moon approaching, she has to be prepared in case something happens.
She glances over at the werewolf as she realizes she's now fast asleep. She's curled up on her side, facing Wednesday, and her phone is on and there's a video flashing on the screen.
Of course, Wednesday thinks to herself, That stupid device is glued to her hand.
Wednesday just wanted to confirm Enid was asleep before going to bed herself, but soon she finds herself staring for longer than she meant to.
She watches the slow rise and fall of Enid's chest and listens to the low growls she makes that come with each breath. The light from her phone flashes across her face, showing how her nose is scrunched up and her brow is furrowed as if she's angry at something in her sleep.
Wednesday's still in awe that this vibrant girl is a werewolf. That strange feeling rises in her chest again, that one from earlier that night when Enid was inches from her face with her claws out and teeth bared.
And then Enid stirs, and Wednesday's head snaps back down to her book.
She watches from the corner of her eye as Enid shuts her phone off and turns on her side, going right back to heavily snoring.
Wednesday doesn't like how Enid's making her feel right now. Is it fear? Intrigue? Something else? She doesn't know.
And Wednesday's never been one to be content with not knowing things.
2.
She knew Enid was hiding something.
Wednesday just didn't expect it to be something so disappointing.
She knew Enid wasn't capable of being so vicious. But as she pours her heart out to Wednesday under the light of the very moon that's rejected her, Wednesday realizes she actually feels bad.
She shouldn't feel bad about anyone, especially someone as annoying as Enid, but for some reason, she does.
She can see how much it bothers Enid. It's subtle, but Wednesday is good at picking up things that other people don't see.
It's in the glances she steals at the other werewolves hanging out together in the quad. It's in the sighs when she sees another text from her mother. It's in the determination of Enid exclaiming how badly she wants to win the Poe Cup, because it will give her the validation she so desperately needs.
The thought of helping her roommate lingers in Wednesday's mind like smoke after a fire. But Enid doesn't need the help. They have a full boat of capable students and seem to know what they're doing. There would be no reason to participate besides boosting her popularity, and Wednesday doesn't need any of that.
And yet somehow, she still ends up in that boat, in a catsuit, paddling up the river so hard her arms burn.
Mostly it's because she doesn't want to see Bianca win. She won't tell anyone it's also because she doesn't like when Enid cries herself to sleep.
Thankfully, she doesn't have to. Instead, Enid's curled up in her bed with her arms wrapped so tight around the trophy she's going to leave a dent.
Enid's sleeping as soundly as ever. She doesn't even growl this time, instead her breaths are soft and shallow, and for a moment Wednesday wonders if she's died because she's so quiet.
Wednesday figures she should make sure Enid is still alive though, not because she cares or anything, but because she'd be the number one suspect in the girl's murder. And as enticing as it sounds, she's already got another mystery to deal with right now.
She watches Enid's shoulders rise and fall like waves on a beach, so calmly that Wednesday finds herself matching the werewolf's breaths.
Wednesday realizes that this is the most peaceful she's seen Enid sleep since they've started living together. Every other time, Enid's growling and tossing and turning and gripping her stuffed animals so tight her claws will come out and tear right through them.
You can't even escape from your problems when you're unconscious, Wednesday thinks to herself, and the thought makes her feel an uncharacteristic wave of pity.
Thing tugs at her pant leg, and she knows she can't stay staring at Enid all night long. She has a lead to follow.
At least this time, she leaves knowing Enid isn't going to wake up with another headless stuffed animal.
3.
Wednesday doesn't think too hard when Enid tells her about her date with Ajax.
Ajax isn't the brightest, but he's nice. And Enid deserves someone nice.
And Wednesday knows that if Ajax does anything to hurt Enid, even if it's so much as leaving her texts on read, she'll be after him with her freshly polished nail gun.
So when Enid comes back to their dorm only an hour later, Wednesday stops typing. She had expected Enid to come home much, much later in the night, so the fact that she's already here is setting alarm bells off in her head.
And then it’s the fact that Enid isn't making a sound that gets Wednesday to turn around. No matter what Enid is feeling, she always has to be vocal about it, ranting so loud Wednesday wishes her ears would fall off.
Wednesday's already reaching from her knives when she sees the tears staining Enid's face, glinting in the light of the full moon shining through their window.
"Wednesday, wait no-" Enid says, frantically reaching her arms out to stop her. Wednesday just brushes right past her.
"I don't care what he did-"
Enid steps in front of her again, fist clenched.
"Please don't hurt him," she begs, "Please."
"He hurt you," Wednesday replies sternly, "It's only fair that I return the favor."
"No, Wednesday!" Enid grits her teeth, "It's fine, okay?"
Enid's bright blue eyes are now a dull, stormy gray. Her cheeks are red from the cold, and her chest heaves as she catches her breath. It's so jarring from her usual behavior that something stirs deep inside Wednesday, something that makes her even more upset.
"It's not fine if you came back looking like this."
"Wednesday," she growls, "I don't need you to do anything."
Wednesday's eyes flick to the full moon outside of the window, and then down to Enid's hands, wondering if this is going to be the moment she finally transforms.
But Enid just sighs, looking down at the floor, and Wednesday retreats to her desk before things escalate any more.
Enid disappears to the bathroom, and she's in there so long Wednesday thinks she should check on her, but eventually she comes out and goes straight to her bed. Wednesday wants to ask if she's okay, but that's not something she's supposed to care about.
Besides, Enid said she didn't need her to do anything.
It's embarrassing that Enid out of all people had stopped her from torturing someone. Wednesday's never been one to let someone tell her what to do or how to act, and yet a few words from Enid had her backing down quickly.
Wednesday feels the bile rising in her throat at the thought.
It's not long before Enid's snoring, and so Wednesday stops typing so she doesn't wake her up. The werewolf is passed out on her bed, curled up in a ball and still in her clothes from earlier.
She watches Enid for a moment, the colors from her window scattered across her face, and then signals for Thing to cover her up with one of her dozens of colorful blankets.
Wednesday stays up a little while longer, glancing between Enid (who's growling in her sleep again) and the dozens of books scattered across her desk.
And as much as she wants to focus on all of the murders, the bigger mystery is whatever is going on with her and the girl sleeping across from her.
Wednesday Addams is not supposed to care for anybody. She's not supposed to be concerned with the feelings of others because it's dangerous and makes you vulnerable. In fact, seeing someone else sobbing is something she would usually enjoy.
Yet seeing Enid crying and hurt had invoked some kind of mix of feelings Wednesday couldn't describe. Anger? Sympathy? Concern? All of it makes her shake her head in disgust.
Enid stirs, pulling her blanket closer to her, and Wednesday decides it's time for her to go to sleep too.
4.
Wednesday thought she was the one dreading parents weekend the most. But it turns out that distinction would go to Enid.
Wednesday had heard bits and pieces about Enid's family from both herself and others around the school, and how she has four older brothers and comes from a pack in San Francisco that's desperately trying to uphold their crumbling reputation.
And anytime Enid's parents come up in conversation, specifically her mother, her face would turn sour and the girl would try to change the subject as soon as possible. In fact, she asks Wednesday if there's somewhere on campus for her to hide the whole weekend so she doesn't have to see them. She can feel the anxiety radiating off of Enid growing stronger as each day passes.
Wednesday wants to meet them for herself. She wants to see why Enid is the way that she is, what makes her tick, and see if there's anything that might make sense as to why the poor girl can't wolf out and insists on dressing like a walking rainbow.
But Wednesday gets so caught up in her own family drama that she hardly sees Enid during the whole event. It isn't until late Sunday night that she's back in their dorm.
"Where have you been?" Enid asks frantically, standing up from her desk and pacing over to meet Wednesday in the middle of the room.
"Jail," Wednesday responds without a thought.
"Wait. For real?" Enid looks confused, but then she realizes who she's talking to.
"Yes. My mother and I were taken in for grave digging while working to prove that my father was innocent."
Enid sighs, her shoulders drooping.
"Still sounds more exciting than my weekend."
Wednesday tilts her head.
"Did it not go well?"
"Of course it didn't!" she barks, "All my mom cares about is when I'm going to wolf out. She doesn't care about my grades or my relationships or the fact that I won the freakin’ Poe Cup!"
Whenever Enid starts to rant, she'll pace back and forth so hard she wears down the floorboards. She's doing it now, fists clenched tight as she spills out her frustrations to Wednesday.
"She's trying to send me to a Lycan conversion camp," Enid says, her voice cracking. Enid looks away from Wednesday, embarrassed, and wipes her eyes.
Wednesday realizes Enid's relationship with her parents is more than just some teenage angst. Her own family shuns her when they should be supportive, and suddenly Wednesday realizes she should be thankful for how her parents treat her.
"I hope you know that you are much greater than what they think of you," Wednesday says, and Enid looks up at her with those ocean blue eyes, and for a second she's caught in a riptide.
"I'm trying. But it's so hard. They’ve never cared about what I think. All my life they've left me behind."
Enid starts pacing again until she ends up sitting on the edge of her bed to try and calm down.
"How foolish of them,” Wednesday comments, “I would never think of doing such a thing."
Enid's eyes go wide. "Seriously?"
"Yes. You've proven yourself to be a worthy ally."
Enid takes a second to soak in the compliment, her face in disbelief.
"Wow. That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."
Enid's smile is as bright as the stars at night. Wednesday's flustered for a moment, searching for something to say to get herself back on track.
"And I won't ever say it again," she replies sternly, "So you'd better savor this moment."
Enid just laughs, messy blonde hair falling around her face, and Wednesday rushes back over to her typewriter.
Wednesday keeps an eye on Enid throughout the night. She's growling again, flexing her claws on and off, Wednesday watching with a heavy heart.
Now she gets why Enid is so desperate for attention. She's never had it all her life, when someone like her was someone who deserved it the most. Wednesday's thoughts waver between wanting to declaw Enid's mom one finger at a time and learning how to brew a proper wolfsbane potion.
And that's when the thought hits her, that she cares about Enid enough to want to torture someone for her. And because of that, she realizes she’s in too deep, drowning in Enid and those ocean-blue eyes of hers.
5.
Wednesday is an idiot. She's a complete and utter idiot.
She doesn't realize how terrible it was to have put Enid and their friend's lives in danger until Enid is out the door with her things and she's sitting in front of their window with tears in eyes.
She had told herself that if anyone were to hurt Enid, she'd be at their doorstep with a freshly sharpened knife. And then it turns out she would be the one to hurt Enid the most. How ironic.
Luckily her Uncle Fester stops by and cheers her up, and then after a mess that ends with Thing nearly dying, Enid ends back up in her room. Wednesday doesn't believe it.
We work, Enid says, and the thought makes Wednesday's head spin.
They do work. It's such a strange thought, but then again Wednesday is an expert when it comes to strange.
So when Enid smiles back at her while she unpacks her things, Wednesday is just glad she's finally going to get a good night's sleep so she can get back to actually solving this mystery.
She wasn't going to admit it, but she had missed how Enid's snoring would help lull her restless mind to sleep, how knowing Enid was safe across the room from her would let her even fall asleep in the first place.
But then Enid suggests she should go talk to Tyler. And she does, and they end up kissing and that's when she learns that he's the real Hyde.
She rushes back to her dorm, mind flooded with thoughts about why she didn't see it before and why she let her guard down around him and why this has to be happening right now out of all times.
When she gets back, Enid is fast asleep, not waking up to Wednesday throwing the door open. Then again, Enid sleeps like the dead. Maybe it's why Wednesday has grown to like her so much.
Wednesday watches Enid while she tries to catch her breath, hesitating to wake her up when she sees how peaceful Enid looks.
She isn't choking her stuffed animal. She's snoring quietly, not one growl. Wednesday thinks it's because she's finally back in her own bed. She doesn't know it's because Enid's glad they've made up.
For a moment, Wednesday wishes they weren't after some blood thirsty monster right now. She wishes it was just the two of them, in their room together on a chilly fall night, Wednesday typing away while Enid giggled at her phone. And even if they weren't talking to one another, they'd just be enjoying one another's company without a care in the world.
But they don't have much time. And Wednesday knows she wants Enid by her side if she’s going to do this. She's not going to leave her behind.
"Enid," she says, shaking the girl awake, "I know who the Hyde is."
Enid blinks the sleep out of her eyes as Wednesday tells her everything and they come up with a plan.
And Enid doesn't even think twice about following Wednesday out into the unknown, into the danger.
+1
Ten seconds. Ten seconds was the amount of time that Enid believed Wednesday was dead, until she saw her silhouette appear through the fog.
But to Enid, those ten seconds had felt like an eternity.
And an eternity is how long she had wanted to keep Wednesday in her arms. She didn't care that Wednesday had finally given her a hug, she just pulled the girl so tight she was going to rip through her blazer.
But then Enid feels the adrenaline wearing off, and then she's stumbling and Wednesday has to drag her back to their dorm where she props her up against the bathtub and gets to work.
She wipes the dirt and blood off of her face so gently that it feels like a breeze blowing across Enid's skin. She can see her wince every time she moves her arm, and Enid's eyes notice the blood staining her shirt.
"Wednesday," she gasps, "Your shoulder."
"I know," she replies, placing a bandage on one of Enid's many scars, "I'll be fine."
"But-"
"I'll be fine, Enid. Rest."
And so Enid closes her eyes and lets Wednesday wash the mud out of her hair and helps her change into her pajamas and lead her to bed.
She notices Wednesday heading back to the bathroom, probably to tend to her own wounds.
"Wait, let me help you," Enid argues, sitting up so quickly it hurts, but Wednesday shakes her head.
"You saved my life. That's more than enough help."
She can see the fear in Wednesday's eyes. She didn't think Wednesday Addams was afraid of anything. Seeing this sends a chill through Enid, and she realizes how close the two of them were to dying.
Wednesday stares Enid down for a second more, and then disappears into the bathroom.
Enid lays there under the moonlight, listening to Wednesday muttering curse words every few seconds, eyes shut tight as she tries to will herself to get the sleep she so desperately needs.
But it's hard for her to fall asleep because her mind is racing. Her body feels like it's on fire. She's still not over the fact that she's finally wolfed out. And when she thinks she's finally drifting off, she's greeted with a vision of Wednesday's dead body in the forest with the Hyde looming over it.
"Enid?" Wednesday's voice breaks her out of the nightmare, "Are are you still awake?"
"Yeah," she replies, turning around so that she doesn't have to deal with Wednesday scolding her, "I'm having trouble falling asleep."
But Wednesday is silent, and then suddenly Enid feels the mattress sink under her.
She lifts her head up slowly to see Wednesday laying next to her.
"Oh, um, okay," Enid stutters, blinking nervously and staring at Wednesday trying to figure out if she's dreaming or not. There's something about the way the moonlight illuminates the features of Wednesday's face that makes Enid's breath hitch in her throat.
"Go to sleep, Enid," Wednesday says with a huff, closing her eyes, and it doesn't take long for Enid to see that she's fallen asleep.
Enid takes a deep breath, but with Wednesday's arm stuck against hers she's more awake than ever.
And she stays awake. She stays awake to make sure that Wednesday can sleep peacefully after spending hours taking care of Enid and making sure she was okay.
Wednesday's always been making sure Enid was okay, from the first night they met, even if she didn't outwardly show it. It makes Enid feel butterflies swirling in her stomach, that Wednesday Addams out of all people cared about her.
Then suddenly Wednesday shifts, moving from her usual crossed-arm pose to bury her face in Enid’s shoulder.
Enid freezes. Both because Wednesday is always cold, and because she can’t believe this is actually happening.
And once her buzz dies down, and she realizes Wednesday is alive and safe next to her, she finally closes her eyes and leans her head towards Wednesday’s.
Enid knows Wednesday would skin her alive if she told anyone about any of this.
But she doesn't plan to. This moment is something she's going to keep for the two of them.