Meet Wednesday Addams
Caspian quickly found out that Xavier usually skipped breakfast. When he awoke to an empty dorm, he assumed his roommate was more serious about getting his preferred food than he initially thought. Flash forward and he was standing in the middle of the dinning hall and Xavier was no where to be found.
He collapsed at the table they were sitting at the other night, willing his brain to stay awake. He thought it was absolutely criminal how his 1st period started at 7:50am (and he thought his 9 am history of magic class was early). He was very tempted to Rennervate himself to see if it would wake him up, however he ultimately decided against it. He reasoned that if somehow knocked himself out, there would be no one there to Rennervate him.
He scans his timetable once more as he stirs his second coffee of the day.
His first class was English literature, then A Social Study of the Odd and Outcasted, then an hour break (very generous). Then Alchemy, Botany another break, History II, Werewolf anatomy, lunch, then finally Fencing to round out his day at 4. He requested Weems switch out his Latin class. Merlin forbid he repeat a phrase and chairs start levitating around him.
The rest of his week was filled with other interesting subject such as Gorgon Anatomy, Strange Sciences, Mathematics, Witchcraft and Sorcery, Psychology, and Creative Writing amongst a couple spares sprinkled in. He signed up for the fitness club to get his work outs in, half scared and half keen to meet what literal beasts Nevermore's gyms had.
Speaking of beasts, his mind was still reeling from the lengthy conversation he had with Xavier last night. It was why he had trouble falling asleep and why he currently has even more trouble staying awake. From vengeful ghosts, terrifying beasts, prophecies of destruction, gut wrenching betrayal, to Domestic terrorism it had it all. Throw in a handful of dead students, school faculty, mayors and civilians and you got yourself the makings of a fucked up Shakespearean tragedy. It’s a miracle that the school remained open after all that. Caspian couldn’t believe he was saying this, but Nevermore almost rivalled Hogwarts when it came to its morbid shenanigans. The only thing missing was an evil forest in their back yard. Surely they don't have that…surely. And of course, at the centre of everything was the girl whose arrival started it all.
Wednesday Addams.
The way Xavier spoke about her, one would think she were some Demi-godess psychic detective sent by Hades himself. But the main take away Caspian got was, she could probably sue for a decent amount of money. But he guesses there would be equal amount of suing done both ways so it would all balance out in the end.
He was interested to meet her, mostly because he thinks Xavier was making her up. Who actually enjoys petting spiders and ripping animals apart? When he tried asking for a description, Xavier just smirked, saying “you’ll know her when you see her.”
Caspian wasn't sure what he meant by that, as he took a long sip from his cup. If he were a morbidly blunt goth girl, where would he go?
“Is this seat taken?” He glanced up.
Oh…
What first stuck out to him was her colour, or lack there of. She was in their school uniform but it was monochromatic. The purples switched out for greys and blacks. She was short, even from his seated position he could tell by her lithe figure standing with abnormally straight posture. Her hair was jet black, coming together in two twin braids slithering over her shoulders to rest on her bosom. She had a small, sharp deathly white triangle face. Accentuated by a meticulously placed fringe on her forehead. A fringe that came to rest just above her empty, dark brown eyes. So dark in fact, Caspian had to blink twice to make sure he wasn’t engulfed by it. Across her petite nose was what appears to be a light smattering of freckles, the only marks on her otherwise flawless face.
She looked ethereal, she looked gaunt, she looked like…
She looked like Wednesday Addams.
“Um…. no its free.” He said blankly, eyes following her as she settled down on the bench with a poise that no student their age should have.
There was a pregnant pause, Caspian wasn’t sure if he should go back to reading or if he should attempt to strike up conversation. He usually never found himself at a loss for words.
He would like to think he was outgoing and dare he say, a charismatic person. He could definitely hold his own in most social situations, even the more awkward ones. However, he's never been absolutely blind sided by a person's mere presence. He guesses there's a first time for everything though. Caspian ultimately opted for nibbling his blueberry muffin instead. She in turn, plucked a spoon from her tray and began assembling what appeared to be a rather complicated parfait.
He looked around aimlessly, trying to catch a glimpse of the girl. If people were staring he barely noticed as he was trying his best to appear as unbothered as possible. He briefly skimmed over her, as if searching for a face in the crowd behind her. He was too fast and didn't get a good enough glance. He waited a minute , suddenly very interest in unwrapping the rest of his muffin with as little crumbs as possible, before risking another peak. From under hooded eyes he glanced up.
Big mistake.
He found her staring directly at him.
He feels his cheeks burn, as he squirmed under her thousand yard stare. He briefly wondered if she’s been like that the whole time, waiting for him to start a dialogue. Did she notice all his stolen glance? He quickly quashed the notion for the sake of his mental health.
“You’re Caspian Lee.” Her deadpan voice gave nothing away.
He drew his eyes up to meet hers, suddenly unable to leave her void like gaze. Her eyes were breathtaking blank. There was a beauty in the blank. If something was empty, then your mind runs wild with ideas of what it was staring at. It’s like if you stood in a dark room for too long, your mind starts playing tricks on you. You start seeing shadows, the faintest tricks of the light, movements out of the corner of your eyes.
That’s what is was like staring into Wednesday Addam’s eyes. Was she amused? Interest? Maybe she was bored or annoyed? You’ll drive yourself crazy before you find the answer.
He cleared his throat, managing to tear his eyes from her gravity. “And you’re Wednesday Addams.”
She arch a singular brow.“You’ve heard of me?”
“Your reputation proceeds you.”
“As does yours.”
Silence again, he risked a glance back at her eyes. Did this girl ever blink?
“I’ve heard many rumours about you, I’m wondering if there’s any shred of truth to them.”
“As did I.” He heard himself say. He was going solely off of instincts at the moment. Hoping years of chatting up Grynfindors at parties and smooth talking his way out of trouble would be enough to carry the conversation. “I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.”
She narrowed her eyes at him before finally glancing away to mull over the offer.
He took the opportunity to regain some semblance of composure. The caffeine helping as he felt it jump start his senses.
“Is it true you suspended a car in Jericho two days ago?” She resumed their little staring contest.
She did not play around, going straight for the meat of things.
Caspian gave a purposefully strained, but polite smile. “No, I had nothing to do with that car spinning out of control. I was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and everyone blam-”
“I didn’t ask you if you tampered with the vehicle. I asked if you suspended the van in mid air.” She abruptly cut in, her voice an even monotone.
He hesitated, his mind flashing back to the memories of that day before quickly discarding them. “No I did nothing to that car…As I was saying it was wrong place, wrong time, wrong witnesses.” He affirmed, forcing himself to meet her eyes. He was pretty sure she wasn’t an legilmence, but the way she was staring so intently at him made him think twice. It was like she was watching each of his thoughts play across his forehead.
He fought the urge to squirm.
Maybe she was a mind reader? No, Xavier spent half their dinner yesterday going over everything Wednesday related. He wouldn’t have left out important detail such as that.
She opened her mouth. “I was under the impression that this agreement we had required we tell the truth.”
Well shit.
Caspian insides turned over as he shifted in his seat, reaching for what was left of his blueberry muffin. He heard himself chuckle dryly. “I am truly sorry, to have fallen short of expectations my dear, but that’s the big reveal. As they say, There’s-”
“Nothing more boring as the truth. Charles Bukowski. An avid poetry reader are we?”
“You don’t look like you read much poetry yourself.” He automatically shot back.
“Looks can be deceiving. As can quotes.” She responded in a cool monotonous voice. Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly, he swear he saw a hint of light flash across them, but it was quickly gobbled up by her greedy irises.
“My turn.” He quickly said, in hopes to gain the upper hand.
“Did you really defeat a reincarnated pioneer ghost that was resurrected by you’re teacher, a bastard ancestor of said ghost, who used you’re ex boyfriend to manipulate you into said resurrection, a boyfriend who so happen to be a blood thirsty monster terrorizing the town in order to enact said resurrection?
He took in a breath.
She raised both her brows. “That seems like an excessive amount to ask in one turn don't you think?”
“What can I say, you’re obviously the more interesting person.” He flashed his award winning half grin, which appeared to have no affect on the girl.
She appraised him carefully before starting. “First off, you’ve gotten your facts wrong in some key areas. He was not just a pioneer, he was a pilgrim, there’s a significant religious difference between the two. Second, Marilyn Thornhill being Laurel Gates was a surprise, but what wasn’t a surprise was Laurel Gates existence. It was merely thought she drowned. And finally.” She sighed, her nostrils flaring ever so slightly. “Tyler Galpin was never my boyfriend. Laurel used his nature against him. Yes, he successfully coerced me enough to complete the resurrection process, but he did not succeed in that regard.”
She took a breath. “How did you arrive in Jericho?”
“My father dropped me outside of town. Told me to stretch my legs as he went to fill up the tank. Before I knew it, I was was whisked away in a police cruiser. My father was infuriated when he found me behind bars. But we got everything sorted with the help of Weems. Quite a dramatic way to start the term no?”
“I’ve had more dramatic.”
Caspian lips mischievously curled for his next question. “What does your father’s criminal history have to do with any of it?”
She blinked, slightly taken aback. “I don’t particularly feel like talking about family secrets, but since it is pertinent to the discussion I’ll reveal what I can. My father had an unfortunate entanglement with Laurel Gate’s brother back when he attended Nevermore. It lead to the fatal stabbing of the Gate’s heir, but it wasn't the stabbing that killed him. It was a poison he was clutching that broke during the strike. He was planning to kill all the Nevermore students and faculty that night.”
Caspian popped the last piece of blueberry muffin into his mouth, chewing in thought.
“Where did you get this information?” She suddenly asked.
He arched a playful brow. “That counts as one of your questions you know?” For the first time that morning, he saw a clear emotion from her. Mild irritation as she rolled her eyes.
“Fine.”
“Xavier Thorpe.”
“As I expected.”
“So why did you ask?”
“Confirmation.”
Caspian wasn’t sure if Xavier was in any real danger, but he’s quickly finding out you just never know with this girl.
He clenched his jaw, forcing his mind back to the task at hand. “So you’re a psychic. Like how Rowan was? The boy who’s bed I know occupy?”
Wednesday paused before answering, “Yes, but Rowan wasn’t the psychic. He was a telekinetic, his mother was a psychic. She was the one that had visions of me. I don’t know how to control my powers just yet.”
“How does it work? You’re abilities that is” He leaned in.
She offered the faintest hints of a smirk. “It’s my turn now.”
He smiled a little, leaning back in his seat. “Of course.”
All traces of that smirk vanished instantly, she leaned in as if telling him a secret. “Why are you at Nevermore Academy Caspian Lee?”
He froze, mind going blank. It was such a simple question, an innocent one at that. But the way she phrased it, the intensity behind her eyes.
Why are you here Caspian?
You aren't suppose to be here.
What are you?
It was almost like she was seeing right through him. It sent a shiver down his spine. He reached for his water, conjuring up his best attempt at a grin given his precarious situation. “All my life, I’ve never stayed in one place long. My father moves around for work a lot, busy man he is. It just so happens he found a job in America so…” He gestured to himself. “Here I am.”
“Here you are…” She responded dully, her deep eyes going unfocused as they yet again captured his gaze in a vice like grip.
“And there you are.” They both snapped their head to the sudden voice.
Xavier stood there, hands stuffed in his pocket as he eyed the two suspiciously.
Caspian felt like he could breath again. Interacting with Wednesday was like being slowly constricted by a snake. You never feel like you’re running out of air until you're gasping for your last breath.
Xavier offered him a thin lipped smile before turning to Wednesday, who was just now picking at her parfait.
“I didn’t know you came for breakfast Wenya?” He flashed her a knowing grin.
Honestly, Caspian was still reeling from their conversation to even acknowledge the odd pet name as he hurried to finish the rest of his meal. Caspian was many things, but he was never one to waste food. Wednesday said something along the lines of ‘I have severe disproval for the name’ which caused Xavier’s face to twist in disappointment.
“I see you’ve met the newbie.” Xavier sighed. “Saved me from introducing him for the umpteenth time.”
She shrugged, carefully spooning a bit of yogurt into her mouth before swallowing. “It was the first day of classes, I decided to come down here. Then I saw Caspian sitting alone. I was curious as to his…sudden appearance at the school and the many rumours I've heard. I couldn't help but ask him a couple of questions.”
“Seems like I’m the last one to greet you then.”
“I wouldn’t think much of it, it’s a small school Xavier, it was only a matter of time before I bumped into you.”
Caspian could tell Xavier did not like that response. If it was unclear to him before, its alarmingly evident now.
Xavier Thorpe fancies Wednesday Addams…Like a lot.
The two of them spoke about their break and the starting of classes like Caspian wasn't there. He wasn’t complaining though. He was currently wolfing down his banana pudding as fast as humanly possible without looking too obvious. He didn't even like bananas, so he wasn't sure why he grabbed it in the first place.
After a couple minutes he was stuffed but finished. He rose, tray in hand and bag slung on his shoulder. “Well I’m off now. Xavier, I’ll see you in history later today right?”
Xavier nodded as he took Caspian's seat. “If you get lost just…Wait, I don't think I got your phone number?”
Caspian waved it away. “I'll give it to you later I don't have it on me.” He made a mental note to get a phone with a number.
He forced himself to turn to the girl. “It was nice meeting you Wednesday. I can definitely say you live up to your reputation.”
She eyed him curiously before speaking. “It was very… Informative our talk. And I too can definitely say that you live up to your reputations.” She bowed her head, her doe eyes going deathly serious . “Every, last one of them.”
With that totally non ominous sounding threat, he turned to leave, careful to keep his pace a casual stroll.
So that was Wednesday Addams. Caspian only hopes he’s never caught alone with her again.