Chapter Text
After the whole Crackstone fiasco and the extended school break, Nevermore Academy was opening its doors for the new school year. A giant line of cars was waiting to drop off the new and returning students. Some parents parked to help their child out of the vehicle, while others were being assisted by their personal driver, more accurately, their parents’ chauffeur. Xavier Thorpe had just been dropped off at the academic institution by his father’s private driver a few minutes ago. He was gathering his luggage to head to his room when he saw the Addams family car enter through the academy’s gates. Xavier smiled from ear to ear, and his face lit up with joy when he saw Lurch get out and open the door for those inside the vehicle.
Xavier constantly messaged Wednesday throughout the break, even though she never answered. After his constant pestering, Wednesday responded to one of his texts, leading to an interesting phone conversation that lasted for quite some time until Wednesday realized it was past midnight and that she had been on the phone with Xavier for over two hours. This turned into a weekly thing that both teens looked forward to each week, although they would never admit it aloud to each other. Xavier, because he was embarrassed about his unrequited love for Wednesday. If only he knew, it might not be so unreciprocated. Wednesday, because she refused to accept that she felt what Enid called “butterflies” in her stomach whenever she thought of the tortured artist. Enid mentioned to her during one of their calls that it was probably because Wednesday felt some romantic attraction for Xavier. Wednesday tried to suppress these unfamiliar feelings whenever they talked. Wednesday never replied to his message when he asked her the week before classes resumed if she was returning to Nevermore. He didn’t contact her after that since he figured it was best to give her space.
That’s why when he saw the girl get out of the vehicle, he almost tripped over his suitcase as he rushed to greet her. “Wednesday, you’re really here?!”
Wednesday turned around once she heard Xavier’s voice. She replied sarcastically, “Nooo…I’m a ghost.”
“Nuh-uh! See, you’re real,” he said as he poked her shoulder. “If you were a ghost, I shouldn’t be able to touch you physically.” He poked her forehead next.
Wednesday slapped his hand away. “Doofus,” she murmured under her breath.
“No parents this time?” Xavier asked Wednesday since he didn’t see Mr. and Mrs. Gomez Addams.
“I told them unless they wanted the blood of their firstborn on their hands, it was best they stayed home. I couldn’t handle a 5-hour drive from New Jersey to Vermont with them engaging in constant public displays of affection without throwing myself out of the moving car.”
Xavier laughed at Wednesday’s dry sense of humor.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t come alone.” The vehicle’s door opened and out came Wednesday’s brother, who had Thing on his shoulder.
“Xavier, this is my brother Pugsley.” Xavier extended his hand toward the boy for a handshake.
“Pugsley, this is Xavier Thorpe. He is the son of your favorite well-known psychic, Vincent Thorpe.”
Pugsley greeted Xavier with a smirk and shook his hand. “So, you’re Xavier Thorpe? The boy my sister accused of being the monster and got arrested.”
Xavier nervously rubbed the back of his neck as he answered Pugsley. “Yeah, I guess I am.”
Pugsley sensed Xavier’s uneasiness and could feel his sister shoot daggers at him. However, he couldn’t help but continue teasing the two teens before him. “My mother also got my father arrested when they attended Nevermore. That didn’t diminish the love he had for her. Certainly, it didn’t stop him from asking her to marry him after graduation.”
Xavier glanced at Wednesday and quickly looked away before she could catch him looking at her.
Pugsley continued, “They live a successful, happy, and passionate married life. Wednesday and I are a result of their desire and love for one another. Hmm…maybe history is bound to repeat itself.”
“Excuse my brother, Xavier. He spent too many times getting electrocuted when we were younger. He doesn’t know what he is saying.”
Thing gestured that it was time to take Pugsley to pick up his schedule and uniform. “Well, we had better be going. I need to take Pugsley to pick up his stuff and figure out what dorm he was assigned.”
Wednesday grabbed Thing and put the disembodied forearm on her shoulder. She walked away, leaving Pugsley and Xavier alone.
“See ya later, Wednesday!” Xavier shouted.
Pugsley gave Xavier a pat on the back. “Wednesday may be difficult to handle sometimes, but she wouldn’t take an arrow for just anyone. Don’t give up on pursuing her.”
Xavier was glad to have the youngest Addam sibling on his side. “She's not hard to handle; she's just particular about who she lets into her heart. She's worth it, though.”
Pugsley nodded and ran to catch up with his sister.
Xavier picked up his baggage and headed toward the residence halls. He couldn’t stop thinking about the possibilities of creating a future with Wednesday. Maybe she and I are meant to be very much like her parents. I can't give up. All good things take time. I can't give up now.
Xavier entered his dorm and was welcomed by his best friend, Ajax.
Unknown to both teenagers, it was written in the stars that they would meet and fall in love. However, there would be some ups and downs until they entered a romantic relationship and became a couple.
****
The next day, the halls were filled with uniform-clad students chattering about their adventures over the break. Xavier walked into his botanical science classroom when he spotted Wednesday. There was an empty seat beside her, and he rushed to take it before another student took it.
“Do you mind if I sit here?” Xavier inquired.
Wednesday didn’t reply. She just moved her stuff already on the table to make space for his items.
Xavier let out an exasperated huff. He didn’t understand why she wasn’t talking to him. Given their conversations over the break, he thought they were past the hostility.
Wednesday wasn’t trying to hurt his feelings. In fact, she was hoping Xavier would sit next to her. If she had to sit with someone, she figured Xavier was a better option than some other random student.
Throughout the lecture, Wednesday would glance over at Xavier, who was drawing instead of paying attention to the professor. She let out a small gasp when she realized he was drawing her pet scorpion, Nero. She had sent him a picture of her beloved pet once when they were discussing the dog Xavier had when he was little before his father decided to get rid of it because it was too much work to take care of it. Xavier turned his head when he heard her. He looked at her, and he was surprised that she had scooted closer and was trying to get a better glimpse at this illustration.
He animated his sketch, and the predatory arachnids moved towards Wednesday. Instead of squashing it, like the spider Xavier drew last year, she extended her palm so the scorpion could crawl up her arm. She was amazed he had gotten every detail precisely like the real thing. The quick smile that appeared on her face made him forget his earlier frustration towards her. She played with the scorpion throughout the lesson.
The bell rang, indicating to the students and professor that the class was over. Nero vanished in a puff of smoke. Wednesday and Xavier started gathering their supplies. He ripped the drawing from his sketchbook and handed it to the girl next to him.
“For you, Wednesday. I know how much Nero meant to you. If you ever want, I can animate him again for you. All you need to do is ask.”
Wednesday accepted the piece of paper, grabbed his hand, and squeezed it before he reached down for his backpack. “Thank you, Xavier.”
They both felt an electric feeling when their hands touched. She got goosebumps, and he was left with a tingly, warm feeling after Wednesday let go.
From that day forward, Wednesday would bring the drawing with her daily and ask Xavier to animate Nero 2.0. Since the duo sat in the back, the teacher never caught them. She would play with the drawing while Xavier observed her. Wednesday would sometimes let him hold the scorpion.
The relationship between the tortured artist and the gothic girl improved. Wednesday was still harsh and cold toward her peers, but when it came to her friends, she tried not to hurt or upset them as much with her cold attitude. That included Xavier. The thought of hurting his feelings by her words or actions didn’t make her feel content.
****
Before Xavier realized it, they were three months into the semester. He was happy with the way things were going between him and Wednesday. Apart from their classroom shenanigans, Wednesday was tutoring Xavier; thus, their time together increased. Xavier was actually surprised when she agreed to help him, not that he was complaining. He thought she would refuse when he asked the girl who owned his heart if she would put aside her cello sessions to aid him with a class he would fail if he didn’t bring up his grade. Wednesday wasn’t too happy to lessen her cello lessons, yet she figured she owed Xavier after putting him in jail. But she required him to read her novel and deliver feedback in exchange for her tutoring service. She was planning on publishing her book soon, and deep down, a part of her was fearful that the audience would find it too gruesome and, therefore, it wouldn’t sell well. Wednesday valued Xavier’s opinion, and he wasn’t afraid to call her out when something was wrong. She needed someone who would provide honest, constructive criticism.
Xavier's love for Wednesday intensified as they spent more quality time together. It had been two months since Wednesday and Xavier had started their arrangement. He was ready to talk honestly about his romantic feelings for her. He didn’t care if she had a problem dealing with sentiments. He couldn’t stay silent anymore.
At the same time, Wednesday’s view on love shifted. She wasn’t completely repulsed by the idea of sharing her life with someone. She had come to enjoy Xavier’s company over the last sixty days and even missed him when they had to postpone their study sessions for whatever reason. Yet, that was something no one knew, and she planned to keep it that way until she was prepared to allow herself to be open about her feelings, doubts, and desires.
In Xavier’s room, both teens sat on his bed with various textbooks open in front of them. Wednesday was jotting some notes for Xavier in his notebook while Xavier read the chapter assigned for homework. Wednesday had already finished reading it during lunch and was writing down the content she believed was important Xavier remembered.
Xavier looked up from the page he was reading and watched the girl next to him. She looks so cute when she is concentrating on the task at hand.
Wednesday could sense him staring at her. Goosebumps formed on her arms, and a shiver ran down her spine as the boy next to her looked at her intensely.
She was about to look up from the notebook where she was jotting down notes to tell him to stop those lingering gazes he was giving her when he spoke up.
(To be continued…)