ornery

Wednesday, Reena, and Thing had been up all night creating their plan for the next day. Bright and early, Wednesday and Reena passed Bianca on their way to meet up with Enid.

Enid leaned close to them. "We're all set."

"Good," Wednesday approved. "Thing's in position."

"Wanna tell me what you three were up to?"

"And spoil the surprise?"

"Trust me, it's gonna be glorious," Reena promised.

Enid smiled big. "Speaking of surprises, your costumes are in the tent."

"Costumes?" Wednesday questioned.

Twenty minutes later, Wednesday and Reena were leaving the tent, dressed up in black cat costumes. Reena had to admit, she felt cool in a weird way.

"OMG, you look purr-fect!" Enid exclaimed when she saw them. "Only thing, where are your whiskers?"

"Ask again, and you'll be down to eight lives," Wednesday threatened.

"I came here to watch the light drain from Bianca's eyes, not dress up like a kid at their fifth birthday party," Reena told her. "No offense."

Enid shrugged. "None taken."

* * *

All the teams were set up in their boats and trumpets were playing.

Wednesday saw Enid smiling and waving at Ajax. "Focus."

"We don't need boys to mess us up," Reena stressed.

"What do we have here? The runt of the litter," Bianca taunted.

Wednesday gave her a blank look. "For the record, I don't believe I'm better than everyone else. Just that I'm better than you."

Reena smirked. "I think I'm better than everyone, but especially you."

"I want to welcome you all to the Edgar Allan Poe Cup," Principal Weems announced. "This is one of Nevermore's proudest annual traditions, dating back 125 years. Each team must row across to Raven Island, pull a flag from Crackstone's Crypt, and hustle back without sinking or being sunk. First team to cross the finish line with their flag wins the cup and bragging rights for a year, as well as some special privileges. Let the Poe Cup begin!"

The teams took off, paddles pushing along the water. So far, it wasn't as bad as Reena had expected, especially since she had never rowed in her life.

Xavier's team passed them. "Oh, excuse us!"

On the side of the lake, Reena noticed one of the siren boys jump into the water. "He's coming."

Beside them, another team had come up, and their axe blazed over the girls' heads. Luckily, it was only a few seconds later that their boat started shaking, and it was completely broken apart soon later. 

Wednesday took out her telescope and spotted the siren in the water. "Thing."

Thing pulled one of the levers, and it sent a net straight at the siren, successfully capturing it. Since the Black Cats were the second ones to reach the land, Wednesday and Reena quickly got out.

Enid went to come with them, but Wednesday stopped her. "Stay here and make sure Bianca can't sabotage our boat."

The two girls ran into the forest after the jokers. "Later, Wednesday and Reena!"

Reena rolled her eyes. "We're taking him down!"

Wednesday grabbed the flag, and a second later, her body fell limp to the ground. Reena luckily caught her, carefully lowering her to the ground. For the minute Wednesday was out, Reena kept trying to wake her up with no luck.

Bianca ran over and grabbed the flag just as Wednesday woke up. "Taking a catnap?" She and her teammate ran off, flag in hand.

Reena offered a hand to Wednesday. "Come on, we can't let them win."

Wednesday accepted the help and grabbed their flag, the two girls then took off back to their boat. 

"Come on!"

"Hurry up, we have to go!"

Wednesday shoved their flag in the hole, then they both got in, continuing their rowing back to the mainland. They passed the Jokers, whose boat was sinking.

"See ya, jokers!" Enid yelled as she kept going.

"Cheaters!" Xavier screamed after them. 

Enid smiled. "I just asked myself, "WWWD?" What Would Wednesday Do?"

Reena laughed. "Good job, Enid! I couldn't stand the thought of them winning!"

The two remaining teams were neck and neck, so Wednesday pulled the second leaver that sent blades out of the side of the boat. Before any damage could be done to the other team's boat, the Black Cats' boat was pushed by the male siren. 

"Go get his ass, Thing!" Reena demanded. Thing jumped out of the boat, swam down, and knocked the siren in the face. The two teams were again next to each other, and the spikes worked to slice open the Gold Bugs' boat.

The Black Cats made it to the other side, all of them quickly getting out with their flag and running through the finish line. 

"Whoa!" Enid cheered. "Yeah, we did it! OMG, Wednesday, Reena, we did it! This is the greatest moment of my entire life. Admit it, you kinda got into the whole school spirit thing."

Wednesday looked back at Bianca, who was getting out of the water. "You didn't tell me it was a dark, vengeful spirit."

Reena shrugged. "I think you should've assumed it was from the start.

* * *

The ceremony after the Poe Cup was incredibly boring, and Principal Weems kept going on and on. "The first Poe Cup took place in 1897 as a way to not only honor Nevermore's most famous alumni but to celebrate those values that all outcasts share. Community, perseverance, and determination. And we certainly saw those values on display today." She handed the trophy to Enid as people cheered. "Congratulations to Ophelia Hall! As a former resident, I will be happy to see the cup back on the mantle after all these years."

Wednesday and Reena were able to slip out unnoticed and ended up next to the statue of Edgar Allen Poe. 

"There were way too many people clapping and cheering for us," Reena complained.

Wednesday sighed. "Tell me about it." She looked and something caught her eye. She nudged Reena, pointing to the watermark on the statue. 

Before they could investigate further, Enid found them."What are you doing down here."

"Hiding."

"Meth."

The three of them started walking back outside, Wednesday slightly frowning. "People keep randomly smiling at me, it's unsettling."

"It's called having your moment," Enid informed her.
"You took down Bianca Barclay. Try to enjoy it. The girls wanna know if you wanna hang out later. Oh, come on, it won't kill you."

"I'll think about it," Wednesday settled.

"I might show up," Reena told her.

Enid grabbed Reena's arm, skipping back to the table as Principal Weems went over to speak to Wednesday.

* * *

At night, Wednesday and Reena snuck out to the Edgar Allen Poe statue, flashlights in hand. They solved each of the riddles in his book quickly and circled the first letter of each answer. They spelled out "SNAP TWICE". 

Wednesday followed the instructions, snapping twice, and the statue opened, allowing the girls to pass through a secret passageway. It led to a large room, filled with books and portraits.

Reena shined her light on one of the portraits. "Isn't that your mom and dad?"

Wednesday sighed. "Unfortunate, isn't it?" She left it at that going to search the selves. The book was quickly found, Reena looking over Wednesday's shoulder at the rest of the drawing.

"He looks familiar," Reena noted.

Wednesday shut the book and stuffed it in her bag. "That's our next mission."

The two girls went to leave but were stopped when bags were thrown over their heads.