ornery

Reena would be lying if she said that she wasn't excited about Parents Weekend. Contrary to what some people thought, Reena loved her parents. Sure, they were overprotective, but they were the best parents Reena could've asked for. 

Although, just because Reena was excited, didn't mean Enid and Wednesday were, too. The three girls were standing together, listening to Principal Weems's speech, kids and their families all around them.

"Nevermore was created as a safe haven for our children to learn and to grow, no matter who or what they are," Principal Weems began. "I realize most of you have heard about the unfortunate incident involving one of our students. But I'm happy to report that Eugene is on the mend and is expected to make a full recovery. So let's focus on the positive and make this Parents' Weekend our very best yet."

"On the mend? Try in a coma," Wednesday corrected.

Reena scoffed. "She's trying to make all of this sound better than it is."

"Have you been to see him?" Enid asked the two. "You're his friends."

"I'm the reason he's in the hospital," Wednesday shot back.

"If we had just gone with him he would be standing here right now," Reena agreed.

"That is not your fault, okay?" Enid assured them. "The monster hasn't attacked anyone in the past week. Maybe you finally scared it off."

"Or maybe it went into hiding to avoid this weekend," Wednesday suggested, and then she caught sight of her parents. "I knew I should have worn my plague mask."

"Would you look at my family?" Enid directed their attention to the group of werewolves. "Talk about toxic pack mentality. I give my mom thirty seconds before her judge-y claws come out."

Reena frowned. "I'm sorry for you two. My parents and little brother are over there." She pointed at them across the courtyard. "One thing, nobody mentions anything about our investigation around my parents. They're already spooked about the monster in the woods."

Enid sighed. "Got it. Let's get this over with."

The three spilt apart, and Reena made a mad dash over to her parents, Mela and Valin, and her adorable little brother, Ravi. 

"Oh, there she is!" Mela exclaimed, seeing her daughter running towards them.

Reena took Ravi from her father's arms. "There's my favorite baby."

Valin laughed. "If I remember correctly, you claimed he was the only baby you've ever liked."

"And I stand by that," Reena defended herself. "Just look how cute he is."

"I know, he's almost cuter than you were as a baby," Mela joked.

"Don't you go there," Reena warned. "Every auntie says I was far more adorable than him."

"Because you paid them with those fundraiser chocolate bars from your school," Valin pointed out.

"We only found out because we had to pay for the missing bars," Mela told her.

Reena shrugged. "Well, it worked, didn't it?"

Valin shook his head. "Getting back on track, how has school been? Any friends? Or did you scare them off?"

"I have a few friends," Reena informed them. "Wednesday and Enid are down here, Tyler lives in town, and Eugene is... sick."

"Wednesday Addams?" Mela questioned. "The girl who set those Puranas lose in the swimming pool?"

"Maybe?"

"While I don't love that you choose to be friends with people like her, I'm glad you're making friends."

"You know, you can meet her if you want?" Reena offered. 

"Bring her over, then," Valin encouraged.

"I'll grab her." Reena went over to Wednesday's family, Ravi still in her arms. "Hey, Wednesday, Mrs. Addams, Mr. Addams, Pugsley."

"Reena, right?" Morticia remembered.

"That's me," Reena confirmed. "And this is my brother, Ravi."

"You were a tad rude when we brought Wednesday to her dorm," Morticia recalled. "That's good. People are far too nice these days."

"That's nice to hear," Reena thanked. "Most people--"

"Alright," Wednesday interrupted. "What do you need?"

"Oh, my parents want to meet you," Reena got back on track.

"What? Why?" Wednesday was alarmed.

"I told them I was friends with you and now they want to meet you."

"Are they sure?"

"Very sure."

"Well... fine. Lead the way." Wednesday looked at her family. "I'll be back in a moment."

Wednesday trailed behind Reena as they went back to Mela and Valin. "Wednesday, this is my mom, Mela, and my dad, Valin. Guys, this is Wednesday Addams."

Mela offered her hand, which Wednesday hesitantly shook. "It's nice to meet you, Wednesday. We haven't heard much from Reena about her friends, so I'm glad you've been keeping her company."

Valin chuckled. "We were worried she had deterred the whole school from speaking to her. She did that once at the second school she attended."

"Oh, the good old days," Reena reminisced.

Wednesday nodded. "It was nice meeting you as well. I must get back to my family. I suppose I'll see you around." 

After Wednesday's departure, Mela smiled. "She's nicer than I expected. Good pick."

"Good pick indeed," Reena mumbled, watching Wednesday reunite with her family. "Want me to give you a tour?"

"That would be wonderful," Valin agreed.

* * *

Reena left her parents and brother to explore the two alone while she met up with Wednesday to go visit Eugene. As usual, Wednesday updated her on all that had happened while the two had been apart. There was the visit with Principal Weems, the family therapy session, and the argument between Wednesday and Morticia over Gomez's murder charges.

After they arrived at the hospital and went up to Eugene's room, Wednesday placed a jar of honey from Eugene's bees on the table. "I harvested hive number three. The bees miss you, Eugene.  We all do."

Reena nodded. "We hope you recover soon, Eugene. I was starting to like bugs because of how you talked about them."

Wednesday moved her attention to Thing. "Thanks for keeping an eye on him. Any updates? He didn't deserve this. I should be in that bed. Why did you go without me?"

"He never backed down from a challenge," Reena mentioned.

Both girls jumped when a hand touched their backs. 

"Didn't mean to startle you, dears," Sue, one of Eugene's moms apologized. 

"You must be Wednesday and Reena," Janet, Eugene's other mom, figure out. "Eugene's moms. Sue and Janet."

"You were all he could talk about lately. He was so happy you joined the Hummers."

"Eugene hasn't had the easiest time fitting in at Nevermore."

"He was so excited to finally make a real friend."

Wednesday gestured to the jar. "We brought him some honey."

"He can enjoy it when he wakes up," Reena added, and the two went to leave.

Janet blocked their path. "Eugene loves those dang bees like they're his kids. His fuzzy-buzzy babies."

"He's gonna be okay, right?" Sue asked.

"We should go." The two girls left, leaving Eugene with his moms.

Reena sighed. "Seeing his moms makes me feel so much worse."

"It shouldn't have been him," Wednesday mumbled.

* * *

On their way back to school, Wednesday and Reena spotted go Morticia in the graveyard, a rose in hand. Naturally, they followed her and watched from afar. The woman stopped in front of a grave, ripped the head off the rose, dropped the stem of it on the grave, and threw the head in the other direction.

"What's your mom doing in a graveyard?" Reena whispered.

"Be quiet," Wednesday muttered. "We can't let her see us."

After the woman was gone, the two girls entered the graveyard, going straight for the grave Morticia was just at. To their shock, the grave belonged to Garrett Gates, the man who Gomez apparently killed.

"This just got a whole lot more interesting," Reena commented.

* * *

During lunch, things seemed to have calmed down. Everyone was eating with their families, casual conversation was taking place, and it seemed happy. All except for Wednesday and Reena who still had the mystery of Garrett Gates on their minds. It was all alright until the Sheriff dramatically opened the doors and sauntered in.

Principal Weems got up. "Can I ask what this is about, Sheriff?"

"Gomez Addams," the Sheriff called out.

Gomez stood from his seat. "How can I help you, Sheriff?"

The Sheriff cuffed Gomez. "You're under arrest for the murder of Garrett Gates. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."

"Dad?" Pugsley questioned.

Mela shook her head. "I knew you shouldn't be hanging around Wednesday Addams."

"But mom--" Reena tried to argue.

"No arguing right now," Valin cut her off.

"You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed for you," the Sheriff finished, dragging Gomez out of the courtyard.