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Chapter Text

My bag must have made a noise when I let it drop; the table shook and I could feel eyes on my body as I sat down.

No matter. This was my solitary time between classes.

The last thing I wanted was one of those friendly type people inviting themselves to sit with me. I paused and looked at my black, woven tote on the tiny, circular table. I moved it to the empty seat next to me. 

The shop was packed today, but that wasn’t unusual. Even over my giant, onyx headphones I could hear the muffled valley girl accents ordering their venti-dirty-tripleshot-halfchai-halfmatcha-caramel-mocha-with sprinkles. 

Me? I liked my coffee the way I liked everything else. Black. 

I almost smiled thinking about it as I tapped my phone awake. Any minute now, the notification would slide up and I’d walk over to the counter and see the cup with my name on it. I couldn’t help but to feel superior to all of the primitive buffoons standing in a wrap around line while modern technology existed. Even better for me, I thought. They always did the mobile orders first. 

But moments turned to minutes and there was nothing on my screen. Curiously, I went into the app and saw that the “Ready for Pickup” dot wasn’t filled in yet. Weird. It was 12:12. I placed my order at 11:52— like I always do— 8 minutes before my literature class ended. It was always ready by 12:08 latest. And that was only when that idiot Bruno was behind the counter. 

“Hey! Back of the line, Halloween Horror Nights!” A familiar voice made me snap my headphones below my chin. Speak of the devil. It was Bruno. And another one of his uncreative nicknames.

He hadn’t changed since high school. At least not his personality or IQ. He was broader at the chest and let his curls grow out. Yet, he still acted like the skinny 15 year old with a buzzcut that hid a fish sandwich in the girls' lockeroom air vents our senior year. 

“Did they really find someone even slower than you to work here?” I raised an eyebrow. Was I going to have to find a new spot? 

“New girl’s kind of empty upstairs but…” He nodded slowly and bit down on his lower lip, “She’s kind of hot.” 

I rolled my eyes. I hated when he tried to relate to me by objectifying women. 

Men always did that when they found out I was a lesbian. As if I could relate to them oggling over some basic straight girl with fake tits. 

“I guess she’s probably not your type, though.” His voice dropped to a whisper as he shrunk down to my ear, “I heard you like girls like you like your coffee.” 

I felt my face boil into flames. How did he know about Bianca? 

Suddenly, the lights throbbing on the dance floor from the past weekend flashed in front of me. In my drunken gaze, I made out her amazonian figure rocking rhytmically with the music. I wasn’t as graceful, but the third Long Island Iced Tea had me feeling as confident. I went right up to her, and grinded up on her backside. She was wearing a long but form-fitting skirt. My cold hand slid up her side, past the gold bangle on her forearm and squeezed her shoulder. She looked like a mermaid. 

“Wednesday Addams.” Her voice was smooth with a smile as she turned and glanced down at me. Her crystal eyes pierced through the shroud of the club, contrasting her dark skin. She’d never been this close to me. 

“Bianca Barclay.” I slurred and gulped. Was this really happening?

“Wednesday Addams?” A higher, unfamiliar voice echoed in the background of my flashback. It grew louder. “Wednesday? Like Monday, Tuesday, Wed-,” 

The voice snapped me back into the present and I blinked a couple times to process the person in front of me. 

She had short blonde hair with a couple pink and blue highlights. Bisexual? Big, doe-like eyes. Thick, brown eyebrows. Light makeup— orange eyeshadow that blended with her tan and subtle coral lip gloss over her smile. I looked down at her shirt. Even in her baggy work shirt and apron, I could tell she was slim. She looked like a surfer. 

“That’s me!” My voice cracked a little. I felt my cheeks get hot again. Boy, my groove was off right now. 

“Oh. My. GOSH.” She paused at every word and held her palms open in front of my face. It felt like she was going to jump over the counter. “I am sooo sorry!” She wailed. “I totally didn’t notice your order… Oh my gosh!” She gasped and I jumped. My nervous system didn’t know the difference between an actual emergency and the way she was overracting. “I totally saw you walk in, too! You must be like… DYING for your caffeine!” 

Was this some kind of reverse psychology? If she apologized overdramatically, was I then supposed to insist it was no big deal?

The weirdest part? I think it worked. 

I flipped my left wrist in front of me and pressed my right index and middle finger over it. 

“Still alive and waiting, unfortunately.” I said in a monotone voice as she gasped again and burst into laughter. I fought the urge to smirk. She was kind of cute. In an annoying, ditzy cheerleader kind of way. 

She went into a detailed frenzy about how she: "finally realized there was a mobile order while a Karen was yelling at [her] for forgetting the chocolate drizzle! But [she] accidentally deleted the description when she was trying to queue it!! UGH! So [she] was waiting to walk over to [me]— but then [I] was gone! And then [I] was talking to Bruno from Botany anyways, so [she] just decided to wait for me to get to the front."

“I saw your name but not your order. Wednesday? Like the day of the week? That’s so unique, wow,” Damn. She was a yapper. I was getting dizzy. 

“My pal Wednesday here,” I practically choked as Bruno’s gargantuan arm collapsed around my neck, “likes her coffee like she likes her wome-“ 

“BLACK! Light ice. I’ll add my own sugar.” I blurted, hoping I was loud enough to drown out the beginning of his sentence. 

“That’s hardcore.” She giggled, “But I can’t say it doesn’t suit ya’.” She winked before flipping around and moving towards the machines. Was she flirting? Or just one of those friendly type people?

I examined her as she made my simple drink. She was literally humming. She was wearing light gray jorts. Even through the fabric, her legs looked athletic but feminine. Not too thin like mine were, but still firm.

“Craving some cream in your coffee?” Bruno snickered quietly so only I could hear. He had such a smug look on his face when I turned to him, bewildered. 

“Not everything’s about race.” I muttered, trying to maintain my cool demeanor. 

“Fair enough,” he nodded. Somehow, I felt like we were bonding. I hated it. “I told you she was hot, but,” he paused. This was probably the most serious I had ever seen him, “I call dibs.” 

“Black, light ice, and she’ll add her own sugar!” She cheered as she bounced back towards us, holding the drink in my direction. One of my fingers brushed one of hers ever so softly as I grabbed the cup. She had a lot of rings on. Definetly bisexual. 

“Thanks.” I managed plainly. Her shoulders dropped. She looked a little dissapointed at my bland reaction. But Bruno was next to me, and I knew he’d never let me live it down if he knew his suspicions were right— I had been checking her out. She was very cute. She wasn’t my usual type. She was bubbly and extroverted but she pulled at my heartstrings. Something about her made me want to be nice to her. “I’ll see you around.” I said before walking away to my table. 

I always placed my order at 11:52 and claimed a table by myself at 11:58. I would have my iced black coffee with light ice prepared by 12:00 on the dot (12:08 if Bruno was working). I'd rip open two packets of splenda into it by the counter and shake it on the way back to my table. I’d sit down and open my laptop and get lost in my homework until 2:22. Then, I’d pack up all my stuff and make my way to my last class that starts at 2:30. 

But today I clumsily lifted my bag over my shoulder, opposite to the arm that held an un-sugared cofffee and I darted through the front door somewhere between 12:20-12:34. I didn’t even look at the time. But I realized I was out of breath when I was across campus by a gazebo packed with stoners smoking cigarettes mixed with marijuana and there were ducks by the lake in front of them and there was a heart drawn in sharpie next to my name scribbled on the cup.

My drink looked watered down as I smiled goofily at it.

Chapter Text

The girl in the mirror glared back at me. She was skinny and pale and had bags under her eyes. She was short.

“Mother was right,” I muttered. “I do look sick.”

I took a step back to inspect the outfit that I had spent all night and morning putting together. The bottom of the pleated charcoal skirt peeked from under the oversized black sweater with white zebra stripes. I raised one of my legs to see the Doc Martens at the end of my gray pantyhose. They were supposed to add a couple inches.

She’s probably still taller than me. I frowned. I tried to picture her again.

Her sandy shag with cotton candy streaks appeared first. Followed by the orange glitter on her eyelids and then her shiny lips. She had smiled a lot. She seemed like a smiley person.

I shook myself from my imagination and glanced at the time. 11:55. I left class early so I could stare at myself in the bathroom and mentally go over the lines I prepared.

I knew exactly what I would say and the manner in which my words would be delivered. This time, I didn’t place a mobile order– so I’d have a reason to be face to face with her again.

“I didn’t want to risk you missing my mobile order.” I’d say flatly. I knew Bruno would have stayed behind yesterday and mentioned I place a mobile order every day.

When I arrived at the shop, I stepped onto the tips of my boots to try to look over the crowd, but I didn’t see her blonde head. Annoyed, I decided to snag an empty table as usual. I planted my bag on one of the empty seats.

A sudden poke on the back of my shoulder made me twist around. I yanked my headphones off. It was her.

She produced two coffees from behind her like she was pulling a rabbit out of a hat. One was at least half whipped cream, with swirls of color and sprinkles dancing throughout. The other was dark and plain.

“It’s not watery, I promise. I JUST made it!” She beamed proudly, handing me the cup. “Bruno said you’re very punctual.”

Slowly and carefully, I reached for it. My eyes slid down to her fingers as I ever so slightly brushed against them. Bisexual rings again.

“Is that seat taken?” Her eyebrows raised, gesturing at the seat with my bag on it. Her eagerness reminded me of a dog that just heard a bag of chips crinkle.

Silently, I dragged my tote from the seat onto the table and I sat down. I stared at her and pursed my lips.

“Oh!” She cheerfully accepted the invitation. Now she was eye level. I made brief eye contact.

Deep blue like the ocean at night. Her eyeshadow matched the strips on her hair. Bisexual. She had to be.

“Soooo…” She grinned as she stretched her words, searching for something to say. She came off a little awkward, but I found it endearing. “I’m Enid.” She looked up at me as she took a big sip from her straw. Puppy eyes.

“Wednesday.” My voice wasn’t as flat as I hoped. She giggled as she reached over and spun the coffee I was holding.

“I know THAT, silly!” She pointed a manicured claw at my name in bubble letters with a little heart next to it. “What’s it like being named after my favorite day of the week?”

“Your favorite, huh?” Was I blushing? Was she flirting?

“Are you kidding? The weekend is overrated!” Enter her long-winded monologue about how getting to Wednesday meant you’ve almost made it to Friday. Plus, she was always off on Wednesdays. “No, I’m telling you, Wednesday! It’s like fate or like a sign or something! Every job– and I’ve had A LOT of jobs–” Enid took a giant breath before diving back in: “They ALWAYS give me Wednesdays off!”

Suddenly, she let out a terrifying gasp.

“What?! What’s wrong?” I leaned forward instinctively, my hand gripping her bare arm.

“AHHH!!!” Enid flailed wildly, then clamped my hand between both of hers. “You’re SOOO COLD!” She exaggeratedly puffed air to my fingers as if she was making a fire.

She was warm. It was a good thing I was sitting down, because my legs went weak. My heart’s pounding betrayed my attempted cool demeanor. Sharply, I pulled myself out of her grasp.

“Why...” I said in a low voice, feigning composure, “did you scream like someone was getting murdered?”

“Oh my god!” The perky girl wailed into a brief laughter, her long fingers momentarily tapping my leg. I could feel her heat through my stockings. “It’s just… you’re Wednesday…”

She spoke as if I was supposed to know where she was going with this.

“Maybe I’m always off on Wednesdays because I was supposed to meet you…” Her teeth were revealed in another smile, almost shyly. “Can I admit something? But you might think I’m psycho…”

“I like psycho.” The words escaped my mouth before I could overthink it.

Could this really be an instant, mutual connection? I felt like I was in a rom-com.

Personally, I had always been the horror movie type. But right now, a cheesy kiss in the rain didn’t seem too bad.

“I think we are destined…” My future wife scooted forward, eyes locked into mine. “To be BESTIES!”

Her cheery squeal morphed into a doomed, long note on a grand piano. Thunder crashed behind me and the screen grayed with dripping blood.

Besties.

The word stabbed into my chest’s pathetic organ and killed its hopeful beating.

Chapter Text

“Oooo is this illegal?” Enid happily sang for what was probably the 34th time.

“Why do you keep saying that?” I snapped. I had enough. “What feels illegal about seeing my room?”

“Wednesday!” She rolled her eyes playfully, “It’s from a trending sound.”

Her response left me with more questions than answers.

“ANYWAYS,” Enid threw her arms up into the air in defeat.

We had only known each other for two weeks, but she had already given up on explaining social media references to me.

Without further ado, I slipped the silver key in and held my breath as I opened the door. Suddenly, a shiver of regret swam up my spine.

This was the first time I brought a girl– or anyone for that matter– into my dormitory.

“WoooOOooooWwwW!!” Enid’s jaw was practically at her collarbone. She zoomed from corner to corner, trying to get a close look at everything.

All was as I had left it this morning. Tidy. Every item in its allotted space. So why did I look around with her? Why did I try to pretend it was my first time seeing it?

Monochrome as it was, every black piece in the room had its intentional texture. The sheets and pillows on my twin bed were silk– so as to not irritate my sensitive skin. The rug was flat and scratchy– easy to vacuum. 

There were pops of color, of course. My band poster featured a gray grim reaper with a red cloak. The maroon desk came with the room and it was property of the university, so I hadn’t painted it. No matter, the sleek black lamp and laptop that sat atop of it pulled it all together.

“You’re a MUSICIAN?!” Enid yelped excitedly, scurrying over to the large instrument.

“Don’t touch that.” My warning was stern. That custom made cello cost more than tuition.

“Wednesday…” She swayed her shoulders coquettishly, slowly approaching me. “Play for me?” Her mascara rimmed lashes batted sweetly with shimmer. The vanilla perfume she had on was intoxicating.

“No.”

“UGH!” Enid transformed back into a toddler, whining loudly as she explored other areas. I let out a quick and quiet exhale when she turned around. It was difficult to pretend she didn’t control every cell within my body.

“Wait.” She froze and pointed at the plain mattress on the opposite side of the room, “You have two beds.”

I raised an eyebrow in response.

“Is your roommate a ghost?” Her question confused me further. She shook her head in disbelief. “I’m asking… WHERE’S THEIR STUFF?”

“There’s no stuff. I don’t have a roommate.”

“WHAT!!!” It was more of an exclamation than a question.

I was left with no choice than to offer every excruciating detail regarding the former co-inhabitants. Enid insisted on knowing how long they stayed, why they left, if we ever hung out together, their favorite colors, their majors and even their zodiac signs.

“They’re crazy for leaving.” Enid remarked with a wide smile. We had each taken a seat. I was on my bed and she was on the unclaimed one across from me. “A little late-night cello and some candles on a full moon scared off not one– but two people?”

“Don’t I scare you?” My cheeks glowed pink when I asked that. My entire life, I had been drawn to the macabre. It seemed to work as a repellant for most people.

But here was this ray of sunshine, with a butterfly crop top and electric purple chunky hoop earrings, completely unfazed.

“No, you’re Wednesday.” She winked. I didn’t understand her response. It was like an inside joke with herself.

Then, it was like she was overcome with a new thought, because her eyes bulged and her mouth stretched into an “O”.

“Don’t gasp again, please.” I winced. I was getting more used to it, but it still freaked me out whenever she did that.

“Oh. Em. Gee. I just had, like, the greatest idea.” She practically threw herself across the room and tackled me to my back.

I was too stunned to even blink with her straddling me. She pressed her warm hands against my cheeks, squishing me to look like a fish.

This was so odd. I had never felt so ridiculous yet turned on at the same time.

“You have to let me move in!” She lunged off of me and twirled onto the rug. “Please! Please! Please! Plea-!”

“No!” The words spat out harshly. I was too overstimulated to consider my tone. No matter, it rolled off her.

“I won’t touch any of your stuff, Wednesday! PLEEEASSEEE!” As much as I liked her, her whining really made me grit my teeth. I’d pretty much do anything to make it stop.

“What’s wrong with your room? Aren’t you like besties with Yoko?” I gagged at the fact I knew so much about the stranger Enid often mentioned.

Even though I hadn’t met her, something about her just annoyed me. Maybe it was the fact that this Yoko person was a lesbian and that Enid once commented on how “naturally luscious” her hair was.

“I’m besties with you!” Her response stabbed me through the heart again. Don’t remind me. 

I tried to look disinterested when Enid followed up by saying that Yoko had a new girlfriend.

“There’s always a scrunchie on the door…” Enid fussed. I wasn’t sure what that had to do with anything. “Last night, I really had to pee. I was too scared to even open my eyes because I could HEAR them..!”

“What were they saying..?”

“WEDNESDAY!!” Enid guffawed, shoving me in embarrassment. “See, I know I’m not going to have that problem with you.”

Her sentence was quite presumptuous. It implied she was going to move in.

The following week, I growled at the miniature pony figurine next to the toothbrushes.

“Enid!” I called out to the room, “What did I say about putting your… creatures in shared spaces?”

She barged in and coddled the toy against her chest.

“But Wednesday,” She summoned her puppy eyes and stuck out her lower lip, “Applejack needs a home. And you won’t let her be on my side of the desk!”

“Well, you said you didn’t even need a desk– that you do all of your studying on the bed. Yet,” I scoffed, “Half the desk is filled with frilly pens and sticky notes.”

She looked down at the plastic horse in her hands in dismay. Before a teardrop could form in the corner of her eye, I sighed.

“Fine.” Before I could even finish my sentence, she leapt and latched like a spider monkey– arms and legs around me. 

The first few times this had happened, I toppled over; but I was ready to catch her at all times now.

“I better not see any other animals on the counter.” As I spoke, she let her legs down but kept her arms around my neck while she tossed her neck back and practically howled with excitement.

Enid was like a child sometimes. 

After she skipped back to the room, it was just me and “AppleJack” face to face. I frowned.

Was this my life now? Was I condemned to all of the compromises of a lover with only the benefits of a friend? 

Chapter Text

Enid slid across the floor between our beds on her socks. The waves on her head crashed about wildly as she contorted her limbs and hips.

The melancholic strings and piano wailed around my ears, off-tempo to her quickly bouncing fists. 

There was no doubt she was listening to poppy Korean music again. She danced to it at least twice a day.

I didn’t mind that she blasted it on a nauseatingly magenta bluetooth device, either. I liked wearing my headphones.

The thin, white wife-beater and cheeky running shorts she had on may have contributed to my tolerance.

Then, it was like she remembered I was there because her body froze and her cobalt eyes landed on mine.

It had only been a couple of weeks, but we had already developed a telepathy reflective of several years.

As she pressed a button on her phone to pause the speaker, I moved one of the black orbs to reveal an ear.

“Please tell me you like karaoke!” Her smile could hardly contain her excitement.

I slid the headphone back over my ear.

Of course, I was on my back within seconds with my headphones fully yanked off. She loved to tackle me onto the bed whenever she didn’t get her way.

“We could do a duet!” She suggested in an animated tone. “I don’t sing.”

“Nonesense! You’re a musician for crying out loud!” Enid retorted, pointing at my cello.

“That comparison is irrelevant. I have no ear training and frankly no interest in vocals.”

“Don’t be silly! You don’t need to be a good singer to be GOOD at karaoke!” My roommate enthused, “Do you think I’ve had any training?”

She shook her hair against my cheeks. It tickled, but I didn’t flinch.

“I’ll watch you, but I’m not participating.”

“UGHHH!!!” Enid rolled off of me, laid by my side and poked the tip of my nose. “Fine! Friday night. 8pm?”

“As inconvenient of a time as any.”

“Great! What are you gonna wear?” Enid sprang to the closet and threw the door open. She began diving through the sea of black clothes on one side.

“Why do I need any particular outfit to watch you sing? And stop touching my things!”

“Roomie,” She pouted back with a hand on her hip, “Even if you’re not getting on stage, you still need to look cute at the bar.”

STAGE? Bar? She was going to do this in public?

My first time at a karaoke bar was eventful.

The place smelled of hamburgers and gin. Sparks of neon lights decorated the dim walls and floors. It was surprisingly easy to tune out the tone deaf strangers in the background as we approached to order.

“Ooo, they have a menu!” Enid’s face lit up as she held her phone camera over the square barcode on the sticky countertop. “Do you want to look?”

“Surprise me.” I murmured, disinterested.

“Halloween isn’t ‘til next month!” The irritating bass of a man’s voice cracked into our bubble. Bruno.

“Hey, she looks hot! I helped her pick it out!” Enid chimed in, slapping his arm gently with the back of her hand.

For all the years I had to listen to his immature mockery of my appearance, this was the only instance in which I reflected on it.

I glanced down at my platformed mary janes and knee high socks. Enid insisted they “went” with my body con mini dress. I normally wore this between layers of puffy jackets and pantyhose, so I was rather cold. A simple pendant in the shape of a moon hung on a thin silver string and sat on the bones of my chest. 

Enid said I looked hot. I had to keep repeating that to myself to justify how exposed I felt in this outfit.

“Enid Sinclair singing Gnarly by Katseye!” The MC announced through a microphone.

“EEE!!!” Enid quickly chugged the mystery shot she ordered, before running off “Cheer for me!”

I did the same with mine. Too sweet. Why did I let her order for me?

“You gonna sing My Chemical Romance next?” Bruno snorted, sipping on a grey can he was holding.

“Funny.” I turned to get the bartender’s attention and spoke to him without looking in his direction. “I’m just here to watch Enid.”

“I’m sure you are.” The spice in his speech made me squint at him inquisitively. “Oh come on,” he continued, “It’s obvious.”

“What is?”

“Wednesday,” It was weird to hear him use my name. “I’ve known you since we were 14. But I could have met you today and figured it out.”

I kept staring at him.

“You totally wanna munch her carpet.” Bruno teased profanely, shoving my shoulder.

“Who wants to do what to who’s what?” A sarcastically shocked voice entered. Bianca. “Oh, Wednesday.” Her icy eyes panned to Enid on stage and then back to me, “Enid’s carpet.”

Suddenly, I wasn’t cold anymore.

“Don’t look so embarrassed. I get it.” Bianca lifted her cocktail up in a “cheers” gesture. “She’s fun. Fit. Cool style. Didn’t know that was your type but, I get it.” She remarked between sips.

I thought the boiling heat from my face would set my braids ablaze.

“Plus, we’ve all seen you staring at her ass.” Bruno interjected.

“Don’t be a pig. Shoo.” Bianca waved him away. 

I was grateful, but still mortified. 

“Another round for both of us,” Bianca instructed the bartender politely, “On her tab— Addams.”

I must have looked shocked at that, too.

“What? Don't you think you could at least buy me a drink after ghosting me?”

Unfortunately, I could only reply by continuing to look confused. 

“Ah, don’t tell me.” Bianca placed a palm to her chest, “You didn’t give it a second thought, did you? You met Enid and forgot I existed?”

“I-I didn’t– I mean,” I clumsily looked for the correct response.

“Wednesday, we danced. You told me I was beautiful and kissed my hand goodnight.” Now it was Bianca who blushed, “Maybe that’s not a big deal to most people, but I thought… I don’t know,” She swallowed, “I thought you were different.”

Vaguely, the drunken memory stumbled in front of me. We had indeed danced. I remembered how dizzy I was, watching her twirl. I remembered her gold bangle and how ravishing her body had felt against mine.

Last year, Bianca captured my attention on the first day of Philosophy 301. She answered the professor’s questions boldly and impressively. After each quiz, he listed our grades in descending order on a piece of paper he taped to the board.

Bianca and I spent all semester switching off between first and second place.

The academic tension between us accentuated her womanly curves and mesmerizing eyes— transforming rivalry into desire.

Now, I cringed thinking back to my behavior under the influence. Something about it felt inappropriate, like I was betraying Enid.

I looked to the stage but she wasn’t there. Instead, she was talking, laughing, flirting. She was sitting on some guy’s lap.

“Hello? Earth to Wednesday?” Bianca waved in front of my face— she was getting annoyed.

“I-uh…I’m sorry about that.” My mouth was getting dry.

“About which part?”

“Um…” Devastatingly watching Enid on someone else was occupying all of my brain power.

“Right. Go get your princess. I don’t need this.” The gorgeous woman next to me scraped her chair loudly as she got up and angrily left. Yet, I didn’t care.

Sometimes I was painfully aware that I was selfish and had hurt others. But the worst part about it is that I didn’t care. I wish I did.

But I only cared about one thing at that moment.

I didn’t plan what I was going to say when I got to her. My brain was flooded with insults and complaints about the person she was on.

He was scrawny and looked like a stoner. He probably smells like cheese, I thought. I scrunched my nose and frowned as I studied his gray beanie and plain navy t-shirt and jeans. Wasn’t Enid all about getting dressed up for the bar? Now she was settling for this unstylish loser?

Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was the rage, but a lot of it was a blur. All I know is I yanked Enid by the wrist to the bathroom.

“Wednesday!” She kept shrieking, “What’s going on?!”

I released my grip once we were alone.

I shrugged.

“Oh NO!” She crunched her fists to her side, “You don’t get to do that!”

“What?”

“You know what!”

“I don’t.”

“Geez,” She muffled a scream into her hands before taking an exaggerated breath, “You don’t get to NOT explain yourself.”

“What do you need explained?” I crossed my arms and looked at my shoes.

“Are you drunk?” She took a step closer and lifted my chin. Her voice became a bit more sympathetic.

I shrugged. She sighed.

“Do you like that guy?” I finally mustered the courage to mumble.

“I don’t know. I’ve seen him around campus. He’s cute, right?” She gave a hopeful smile.

“Not really.” 

“Wow, you keep it real.” She shook her head, “Maybe too real. That’s mean.”

“Do you want me to lie? You’re out of his league.” After the words came out, I felt my cheeks get pink. 

“I guess looks aren’t everything.”

“Clearly not.”

“Okay, Wednesday.” This was the first time she seemed bothered by me. “Do I need your permission to flirt with boys? What did you expect me to do while you talked with your little crush? You didn’t even pay attention to my song!”

“What?” Her remark sobered me up slightly.

“Bruno told me you have the hots for that… that bald girl.”

“She’s not bald. Her head is shaved.” I corrected, “And never listen to Bruno.”

“So you’re NOT a lesbian that likes girls with ‘shaved’ heads? Hmmmm?” Enid began tapping her foot.

“...That sentence is half true,” I admitted, then I got bold: “I don’t care about hair. Are you a bisexual that likes white guys with dreadlocks?” 

She took a step back, her mouth agape. She looked around awkwardly.

“Who said I was..? Did Bruno say that?” She asked nervously.

“I don’t talk to Bruno.” I assured her. “Just forget it. I’m drunk.”

“So am I!” She exasperated and began to walk away but then came back to add: “I-I’m sorry I called her bald. That wasn’t very girl’s-girl of me. She’s really pretty and dresses cool.”

Once again, I was at a loss for words.

“Well… should we go back out there?” She desperately tried to smooth over the mood, “Do you want to sing with me?”

“Not really.”

The way she dropped her shoulders at my rejection made me sad. There was none of the usual bratty whining or tackling to get her way.

“I don’t like singing. I’m sorry.” I managed.

“It’s cool. We like different things.” She forced a smile, “Do you want to go home?”

Chapter Text

Had brunch plans. Didn’t wanna wake you.
Have a nice day.
-Enid

I crumpled the green sticky note and tossed it in the trash. She normally drew a heart or a flower or a rabbit or something. She didn’t even write “XOXO” or “Love” before her name.

She hated me.

I ruined everything.

There was a knock on the door. Was she back already? Did she forget her key again?

“Oh, hey, is Enid here?”

To my displeasure, the white guy with dreads was standing before me when I opened the door. And he was wearing the beanie again.

I slammed the door.

Another knock.

“She’s not here!” I called out without opening.

“Can you tell her Ajax stopped by?”

I whipped the door open.

“She named the horse after you?!” I seethed.

“Huh? A horse?”

I stomped towards the bathroom and came back with the plastic creature and shoved it in his face.

“Is this you?!”

“Uh….I think that’s Applejacks.” He said hesitantly, “My little sister watched that show. That’s the only reason I know that.”

I eyed the toy and looked back up at him. I supposed he wasn’t lying.

“Anyway… can you please tell her I stopped by and that I’ll come by again later?” He scratched the back of his head, “I’m going to ask her to dinner.”

“She won’t be hungry.” I smirked, a ray of evil sparked in me. “She’s on a date right now. Eating.”

Truthfully, I didn’t know who she was at brunch with. She was probably with her old roommate and her girlfriend— but I wanted to deter him.

It worked. He seemed upset.

“Whoa. Okay, then. Guess I was too slow. Thanks for telling me.”

“Why would you thank me for that?”

“Ya’ know. Girls always lie for their friends. But you’re straight up… like I thought Enid was.”

I began shutting the door again but he put his palm over it.

“Tell me the truth,” he hunched over to be slightly closer, “Should I stop wasting my time?”

“Yes.” I tried to close the door and once again, he kept it open.

“It’s just… I may have already made a reservation for tonight…” He lifted his shoulders sheepishly, “Uh, do you like sushi? It’s kind of this fancy place that’s supposed to be like… a cave…”

“The Skeleton Fish?” I interjected with surprise. “You got reservations for The Skeleton Fish? Without acquiring the date first?”

“So you’ve heard of it!” He snapped finger guns in my direction, “So you know it’s super hard to get on the list. I may have a friend who works there that pulled some strings. I may have texted this friend after a few beers last night and…already paid my friend…. but in my defense… Enid did seem like she was into me…” 

Though my initial tactic was just to get rid of this Ajax, I was presented with a new opportunity: I could have a free, fancy meal at a dark themed fine dining establishment.

“What time is the reservation?” I inquired.

“7 but I ca–”

“I’ll be by the north exit parking lot at 6:35PM. Don’t be late. DON’T knock on my door. Got it?” I said sternly.

He nodded in shock.

“I’m aware of their dress code,” I added, “I will opt for a suit.” 

Without waiting for his confirmation, I slammed the door shut. There was no way I would wear something revealing again or torture myself in heels. I had to make sure to take precaution or he might believe it's a date.

Ignoring Enid’s calls was a sweet torture. I knew she was antsy because I turned off my digital location (which she insisted I indefinitely share with her). There was a sick nature inside of me that relished at the thought of her tossing her phone across the room. 

Undeniably, she liked knowing my whereabouts. She was controlling and demanding.

It made me bite my lip to think about it.

My activities had to remain a secret. It was for the greater good, I told myself. I’d use dinner conversation to steer Ajax’s feelings away from Enid. The food and ambiance were a plus.

The Skeleton Fish was not where your average college student spent their Saturday nights. Courses were average $224.56 per person– not including gratuity or drinks. Plus, it was what many peers of my generation would consider stuffy. 

For me, it was appealing. The texture and colors of the wall were made to look like a cellar. The floor was a deep red marble. There was a live pianist every night. The staff spoke in European accents. 

“You look great, by the way, Wednesday,” Ajax smiled across the table.

Sometimes it was difficult for me to distinguish between sarcasm and sincerity. Did straight guys find this cute? Black slacks and a jacket with a tie? 

I suppose an androgynous look could be attractive to heterosexuals. Especially with a suit like mine that was tailored to my figure. 

If I were a man, would Enid be more attracted to me? 

The one in front of me wasn’t even wearing a tie. His jacket was too short for his arms and his shoes didn’t match. He looked like a manager at a department store.

Thankfully, he wasn’t wearing his beanie. I suppose because it wasn’t allowed. Instead, he had his locs tied in a ponytail.

“Well, well, well,” Bianca’s voice startled me. 

At first, I thought it was my imagination, but she was really standing over our table. She was in an ankle length teal dress, accessorized with gold everything: earrings, necklace and strappy heels.

“Do you guys know each other?” Ajax’s head twisted from one to the other, “Bianca’s my connection here!” 

“I provide vocal accompaniment to the piano.” Bianca clarified, placing a hand on her hip. “Jax, when you said you were inviting a cute girl you met at karaoke yesterday, I didn’t expect you to pull up with Wednesday Addams.”

“Oh, no it’s not her!” He stammered at her, then panicked in my direction, “Not that you’re not cute! U-uhm you’re definitely cute.” 

“Cute?” I repeated suspiciously.

“Pretty? Beautiful?” He kept trying, “Sexy isn’t right, right?” Ajax began laughing nervously, “Not that… not that you’re not… not sexy… it’s just, it’s a first date..! Bianca!” He switched to her desperately, “Help me out, please.”

Horrified, I realized this was indeed a date– at least from his perspective. To make matters worse, we had a witness. Not just any witness either, but one that had motive to speak ill of me. 

Chapter Text

The back of Bianca’s dress dipped into a curve, revealing back dimples. Her voice was rich and vibrant as it glided with the pitch of the piano.

Had I heard her sing the night before at the karaoke place? I couldn’t recall. 

I paid more attention to her across the restaurant than last night when she was inches away. 

Mostly, I fixated on whether or not she would inform Enid of this encounter. But there was a nagging side thought: back dimples. 

“Shit!” Ajax cursed as he abruptly stood up and tried to wipe the table.

His red wine spilled from his glass and rolled down the skirt of the table on the other side. Out of all the black I was wearing, it landed on my white button-up. He attempted to get close to me, but I backed away. 

“It’s fine, I’ll handle it.” I assured monotonly, heading to the bathroom.

Once alone, I removed my jacket and shirt and turned the water on. 

“No bra, bold move Addams.” Bianca teased from the entrance of the bathroom. I hadn’t expected her to follow me.

My hair was long and covered my nipples, but I still held my clothes to my chest. 

Truthfully, we saw each other naked all of the time. We were both in the fencing club and therefore used the locker room together. 

“It’s not what you think.” I insisted. I turned around and held my wet shirt under the electric dryer next to the sink.

“You’re not on a date that you stole from the girl you liked so she wouldn’t want him anymore?” Bianca cocked her head to one side. 

Stunned, I had to admit her assumption made sense. There existed the possibility that I had done that subconsciously. 

“Have you always been a player? Or is your Karaoke Princess bringing out your evil side?” Bianca spoke with bitterness. 

“I’m not a player.” I replied defensively.

“Leading people on makes you a player.” She made her way toward me, “You don’t have to have sex with someone to make them feel used.”

There was a tense silence between us. I looked up at her hypnotic blue eyes. 

I think I liked it when girls were mad at me. 

“Maybe it would make things… better if you did.” Bianca whispered as she looked down at my body then my lips then back at my eyes. 

Her proposition wasn’t unappealing. It had certainly been a while since I was sexually active with someone.

I had never slept with someone I wasn’t in a relationship with, though. I thought about doing it with Bianca, but that was when I wanted her to be my girlfriend. Since Enid entered my life, it seemed wrong. 

“You’re in love. I see it in your face.” Bianca wagged a finger as she stepped backward.

Without replying, I put my clothes back on. She was right. 

“You should stop wasting everyone’s time. Just tell her how you feel.” Bianca sighed in annoyance. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I lied pathetically. 

“Look, we keep running into each other. We have a bunch of classes together and fencing…” Biana exhaled, “Maybe we can be good friends. We can…talk about stuff.”

My face must have looked perplexed. 

“What? Is that weird?” Bianca huffed, “C’mon I don’t think either one of us has a huge group of girl friends to hang out with. Am I right?”

She had a point. For the most part, I kept to myself and Enid, of course. But I couldn’t talk to Enid about Enid. Additionally, Bianca was impressively intuitive. She could read my feelings well. Maybe she could help me interpret Enid’s, too?

It was decided, then– Bianca and I were friends. 

By the end of the dinner, Ajax spilled his drink, not once but two more times. To make matters worse, his card was declined and I had to pay.

“Soo…” Ajax put the car in park as we pulled into the dorm parking lot, “Did you like the restaurant?”

“I suppose.” My mind was still racing from the eventful evening. 

“I’ll pay you back… and I promise next time–”

“Next time?”

“Yeah..? No..?” He tried weakly. “Friends?” I closed my eyes for a moment and considered the situation carefully. Perhaps it was beneficial to have him on my good side. 

As I had a leg out of the car, a light bulb went over my head. 

“To be honest, Ajax…”

“Yeah?”

“I think I might not be attracted to men.” I pretended this was a new discovery.

“To be honest, I can totally see that,” he chuckled sympathetically, “I guess the suit should have given it away. Or maybe the fact you left me for Bianca for like 20 minutes. I mean, whatever, she’s cool.”

“Right, well…she’s just a friend,” I stated.

“Really?” He said with a hand on the wheel, “By the way… you think you can keep this between us?”

My ears perked up like a cat. 

“I’m not embarrassed of anyone knowing I went out with you or anything but…my card declining and asking out two friends in a row…”

I could forgive him for referring to me and Enid as just friends since he was more than willing to keep tonight’s fiasco a secret. 

There was a purple scrunchie wrapped around the knob our room. Enid’s decorating was getting out of control, I thought.

I was not prepared for what I was about to see. 

“EEEEEE!!!” Enid shrieked, jumping from the floor on her side to my bed.

Bruno stood up from her bed, pants and boxers by his feet. His hands were shoved between his legs, covering himself. He quickly got dressed and headed to the door. My eyes shot daggers at him as he walked by me with a smug look. I slammed the door behind me. 

“Wednesday, oh my god.” Enid got close to me but I stepped away.

“Were you on my bed with him?” I raised my voice. 

“No! I swear! I didn’t let him touch your stuff.” She grabbed my arm but I wriggled out. “Why are you mad? There was a scrunchie!” 

“So?!” 

“Ugh, Wednesday!” She slapped her palm against her face, “That’s code for…it’s getting hot in here– come back later!” 

“I would never have agreed to that.” I was disgusted. “If you’re going to do things like that, go to his room!” 

“I’m really sorry,” she pleaded, “I understand not everyone is comfortable with stuff like that…”

“What do you get out of that, anyways?” I shuddered. 

“What do you mean?” 

“Never mind.” 

“You mean… me doing that to him?” Her voice was bashful. 

“Forget it. I don’t want to know.”

“To be honest…” She began anyway, “I didn’t really like it but… I wanted to try…”

“Enid. Stop.” I ordered sharply.

“And where were you, missy?” Enid scanned my outfit, “Fancy date?”

“Nothing of the sort.” Did this count as lying to Enid? Ajax and I had sorted our platonic relationship– so why tell her? 

“Why did you turn your location off? I thought you DIED!” Enid wailed dramatically.

“Your first instinct if you think I’m dead is to pleasure a frat boy in our room?” I gave her one final glare before I slammed the bathroom door shut, “That’s why you can’t be entrusted with it.”

“WEDNESDAY!” She pounded against the door, “What the fuck is your problem with me lately?!” 

I chose not to respond. I stripped out of my suit and stepped into the tub.

Over the running water, I could hear her bloodcurling screams. She pulled on the door knob violently. It was to the point that I felt she would tear it off. 

My insides burned livid with jealousy. Sure, I had gone on an alleged date but it was with Enid's supposed crush. Then, I turn down casual sex with a very attractive woman because it feels like cheating. All to come home and find Enid on her knees with my nemesis. 

Had she really done it? She did seem like she’d be a “giver” in bed. Would she do want to do that to me? Would she only want me to do it to her? What if she did break the door down? Would I forgive her if she..?

I’m toxic as fuck. I admitted mentally, my breathing becoming deeper. I traced a finger down my breasts and over my hipbones. Keep yelling. My hand slid lower as the steam of the hot shower embraced me.

Chapter Text

The lights were off in the room when I came out of the shower.

She didn’t leave a note but I could tell her essentials were gone. By essentials, I’m referring to her water bottle smothered in stickers, her rainbow backpack, and her plush penguin she slept with every night. 

Enid had left me. 

It’s temporary, I told myself. She hadn’t gotten the bathroom door open. She’d be back for AppleJack and her toothbrush soon enough. 

Still in my towel, I laid flat on my sheets and clicked my phone on. It was already open to my thread of messages with her.

Enid Sinclair stopped sharing location with you.

Reading that update felt like a kick in my stomach. Furiously, I began typing out something along the lines of “Turn it back on right now”, but I erased it all. I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of begging for her attention. Especially because she could easily turn it around on me and demand I explain my whereabouts. 

Before that moment, I reveled in solitude. There was never anything as peaceful as the silent darkness of sleeping alone. 

Yet, tears began to pool on my pillow. 

On Sundays, Enid’s alarm would ring at 6:00 on the dot. I’d grumble through it with my eyes still closed and hide under my thin, silk blanket. 

She was noisy as she scrambled to put on makeup and locate her misplaced uniform apron. Her departure time ranged from 6:21am-6:45am. More often than not, she’d swing back in the house 2 and a half minutes later to grab her keys that she forgot. 

Since it was a weekend, my caffeine time was lenient. Anywhere between 7:45am to 9:30am, I’d boil a cup of black tea and sip on it with whatever breakfast Enid left for me in the fridge. Whenever I was finished, I would play cello until my fingers were sore. Then, I’d work on my novel or take a walk and find a quiet place to read a book. By 4pm, I would be back at the dorm. 

4:45pm-5:07 was Enid’s typical arrival time– variance depended on whether she stayed back oversharing with a coworker before returning home. 

This Sunday was off. 

My eyes were puffy and dry as they made contact with my glaring phone screen. 

6:01am and no missed calls or texts. 

Though I felt like absolute crap and debated staying in bed, my stomach began to protest. It wasn’t even my breakfast time yet. It appeared that my body knew it wasn’t going to be fed that morning.

Surely, the usual tea would settle my hunger. I looked at the stone black electric kettle on my desk.

Actually, I had a craving for coffee. 

“If it isn’t Cockblock Addams.” Bruno snarked as he flipped a wooden chair from the top of a table and rested it on the ground. 

“The cafe opened 5 minutes ago. Why isn’t it set up?” I snapped quickly. The mere allusion to vile scene from the night before murdered my appetite.

“Why don’t you ask your roommate? Maybe you’ve heard of her: blonde-pink hair.” Bruno laid a flat palm in the air around his chest, “She’s about ye’ high,” with an arrogant smirk, he motioned his hand down near his pelvis, “around here on her knees.” 

My body moved without my brain’s consent as I rammed Bruno from the table to the counter, my fists stretching his shirt from the middle. I would have grabbed him from the collar, but he was too tall. 

“Chill out, freak!” With restraint to his strength but still plenty of hostility, Bruno shoved me. It was hard enough to fling me backward, but I managed to hold my balance before fully tipping over. “I’d never hit a girl… but you’re fucking pushing me.”

“Where is Enid?!” My voice raised with wrath. 

“Probably with some other guy! What do I know?” Bruno threw his arms up in the air in exasperation, “She hasn’t talked to me and she didn’t show up for work, okay? Am I free to go officer?” He asked sarcastically. 

Points were made, I admitted silently. Bruno never worked Sundays. Typically, he’d be hungover from whatever greek life rager he’d been involved with under the prior moon. She had to be with Yoko. 

“Stay away from Enid.” I called back sternly, turned on my heel and headed away. 

“Or what?” Bruno yelled, “Enid’s a normal chick. She’s not a fucking dyke like you.”

My major organs sunk when I reached Yoko’s door. Though I had never formally received this address, I knew it was the correct room– I’d seen it plenty of times while zooming in on Enid’s location in the past.

There was a purple scrunchie on the door. Sweat coated my skin as I reluctantly knocked– prepared for the worst. 

There were shuffling and muffled voices scattering about. The door opened. 

A tomboy about 5’6ft in height with slicked brunette hair and green eyes stood in front of me. Her articles of clothing were limited to a sports bra, striped boxers, and one sock. 

“It’s you.” She grinned with sass. 

Running on instinct and caffeine deprivement, I ducked under the arm holding the door and slipped into the room. 

The naked girl in the bed let out a terrified, soprano shrill. 

With long, straight black hair and olive skin, she was certainly not Enid. 

Soon after, it was me that was thrown against a wall, similar to how I handled Bruno earlier.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” The first girl demanded through her teeth, “That’s my girlfriend in there!” 

“I-I I thought it was Enid–” I sputtered. 

With pity, she took a breath and let me go. 

“Wednesday, huh? I’m Divina.” Surprisingly, she held out a hand to shake. “Yoko, the girl in there, is my girlfriend. Enid isn’t here right now.”

“But she’s staying with you..?” I said slowly. 

“Ugh,” Divina seemed uncomfortable, “Look, I’m not supposed to tell you… I don’t want to be a part of this drama, okay?” 

“I…” I swallowed a lump that was taking shape in my throat, “I just want to know if she’s okay.”

“You may have just missed her.” Divina went back toward her room, “She said she forgot something in your room.” 

The door closed. 

Chapter Text

There are many things that I’ve never liked. Among that list: pushy salespeople at kiosks in the middle of the mall that offer to straighten your hair, unsensible parents that bring crying infants to the theater, and running. 

Fencing, swimming, and even walking— understandable. But running?

I didn’t like the excessive exertion of breath or swinging my arms. Being in an all black outfit with a hoodie and boots didn’t make it more tolerable. 

No, I didn’t run to my dorm to try to catch up with Enid. At most, I maintained a brisk jog to make sure she wouldn’t accidentally take one of my things or sneak in a boy again. 

As I neared the elevator, there were a couple of groups of people waiting. The stairs were more practical– it was only two flights.

Out of breath, I burst into the room, only to find it as empty as it was before I left. Defeated, I let my knees give out underneath me. 

I traced a finger on the course texture of the rug I sat on. Maybe it was time to call her. 

Miraculously, the door peered open, and I saw a sliver of her face. 

“Enid.” I drew a breath sharply, careful not to exude excitement. 

“Wednesday,” she sniffled, facing away, “I won’t be long… just forgot something…”

She went to the closet and dug up a blouse. 

“Enid.” I stood up and walked behind her. There was a flame inside of me that almost made me wrap around her waist and press her back against me. Almost. 

My nerve vanished. 

“How was your night?” Her voice rung with a sad sweetness as she spoke. 

“I was concerned,” I admitted. 

“About what?” She turned around. She was only a couple of inches taller than me, so I could gaze up at her blue eyes comfortably. 

“You weren’t here…” I wasn’t sure what the right words were, but relief washed over me as I was able to be with her, “It was… quieter than usual.”

“Right,” her lips formed a weak smile, “Glad you got some sleep.”

Did I say something offensive? I wondered as she walked to the door. 

“Are you coming back tonight?” 

“Don’t worry,” she sniffled again, back turned once more, “I’ve moved out.” 

“No you didn’t.” The sentence slipped from within without warning. 

“I did…I’ll be back for the rest of my stuff when you’re in class. I wouldn’t want to… disturb you again.” 

As the door closed and she was gone, I fell to what was once her bed and cried. 

Despite her original claim, Enid came and went from the dorm on several occasions for the next few days. A towel, a purse, or a stuffed animal— there was always something she needed and she never got more than one item at a time. 

At the cafe, she would have my coffee prepared as usual but she wouldn’t take her break at my table or acknowledge me. My name was written without an accompanying shape of endearment sketched out next to it. 

By Wednesday night, I’d grown impatient. I must have lost three pounds as I had barely eaten anything since she left. Preparing meals for myself or purchasing groceries had become too much of a burden since she had accustomed me to her cooking. 

To sedate my gnawing hunger and questions, I located a bottle of fine brandy my father had gifted me last year for Christmas. After only a couple of sips, the dial tone rang in my ear. It stopped after two rings.

“Hello?” 

Without responding to her answer, I relished in Enid’s voice on the other side of the call.

“Wednesday?” She insisted, “Are you okay?” 

“Get over here.” I grumbled with my eyes closed. 

The ceiling spun in circles with her silence. 

“What’s the magic word?” She finally sighed with a twinge of glee.

“I need you,” I begged pathetically and hung up. She attempted to call me back right away but I rejected the call. However, I turned on my phone’s location for her. Come here. I pleaded in my head. 

I must have fallen asleep, because the sound of the door opening startled me awake. With a stuffed rainbow backpack on, a full plastic bag in her hand and a stuffed penguin under her arm, Enid was at the door. 

“Are you going to help me? This is heavy.” 

Without responding, I stumbled up from bed and grabbed what I could. 

“Wow, someone had fun,” She remarked curiously, seeing the half-empty bottle on the pillow, “Only miss me when you’re drunk?” 

“You have your stuff.” I tore the penguin from her and squeezed it into a hug, “Are you coming back?”

Enid shrugged. 

“You have your stuff.”

“Yeah, well,” She accepted my offer by sitting on my bed and lifting the bottle to her mouth, “Yoko snores and Divina talks in her sleep.” After a sip, she held back a gag, “Oh my god… this is strong!” 

“It’s from Mexico,” while slurring, I took a seat next to her.

“My favorite.” 

Her comment made me flutter. I’m Mexican. I smiled as I reached for the alcohol. 

“I think you’ve had enough.” My newly returned roommate raised her arm so that it was out of my reach. “How about some coffee? Or… bread?”

“There’s no food,” I giggled. 

“You didn’t go shopping this week?”

“No…” With my inhabitations subdued, I rested my head against her shoulder, “You make me something.” 

“With what?” I could feel her shake her head. She opened a food delivery app on her phone. “Pizza? Ramen? Burgers?” 

She always gave me too many options. 

“Actually,” she continued, “this Mexican drink is making me want some tacos!” 

A cloud of bliss rained over me as I watched her scroll through lists of combos and talk to herself until she settled on an order. She knew me well enough to pick something out for me. 

Once confirming the time it would take, she asked me if I had seen a movie. The title escaped me, but it was something about K-pop and demons.

“No, but it sounds scary. Put it on.” I asserted as she got up to grab my laptop and a glass of water. After chugging it, I nuzzled into her cozy embrace. That was my first time in her arms, my head sunk in a spot above her breasts. She radiated heat. 

I don’t remember the movie. I remember waking up when the food arrived. There was singing for sure at parts.

“We should do this song in karaoke next time!” Enid suggested happily at one point. Though I recall that comment, I slept as she yapped through the whole film. 

Balance was restored. 

Chapter Text

“Looks like you got your heart back,” Bianca teased, gesturing at the doodle on my coffee cup. 

Two weeks after reconciling with Enid, I was settled back into my routine. Friday afternoons now featured friendly company from 1:45pm until I left. Though I was apprehensive at first, I maintained alone time for the first hour. I could appreciate two qualities in Bianca: 1. She did not speak aimlessly to fill the air. Many times, we sat enjoying each other’s solitude— absorbed into our own studies. 2. She was punctual, so I was always mentally prepared for her arrival. 

“Any luck getting out of the friend zone?” 

Her question coincided with me burning the tip of my tongue. 

“I could ask you the same,” I fired back, “My sources indicated you attended opening night of that creature feature with a certain someone. Was it any good?” 

“The date or the movie?” Bianca laughed, “Not that it was a date. Ajax and I are just friends, of course.”

“Of course,” I snarked, “How about the movie?” 

“Hell if I know,” she sipped her zero sugar caramel latte with oatmilk, “I only went because Ajax didn’t want to go alone. I had my eyes closed the whole time.” 

“Such a waste. I’ve heard it’s frightening and gory." For a nostalgic moment, I remembered my younger brother, Pugsley. Though he could be annoying and always made me buy him a red slushie, it was nice to have a designated horror movie companion. Since my being away at college, I’d really only seen him at family holiday dinners. 

“We did invite you.” 

“No thanks. I don’t particularly desire to be a third wheel.” 

“Just. Friends.” Bianca reiterated, “Or maybe you didn’t go because Enid was working that day?” 

Instead of replying, I took out my headphones. 

“Oh, come on. Fine, let’s change the subject,” Bianca sucked her teeth, “Speaking of Enid, she's telling people you’re singing tonight.” 

“Then let me put this rumor to rest. I’m not.” I expressed with sternness. 

Truth be told, at that point, I could have sang with Enid. After she forced me to watch the sing-along music video 546 times, I knew the lyrics. It was a duet from an animated musical she was currently obsessed with. 

Karaoke Fridays had become a regular occurrence, but I was merely a spectator. 

“Are you really not going to sing with me?” Enid whined as she twisted my hair into braids. 

Her cherry lipstick and exposed midriff were tempting, but still, I declined. 

“Suit yourself…Bruno said he’ll sing with me anyways.” 

“I can’t believe you’re still talking to this guy…” I muttered between my gritting teeth. 

“We’re not talking… we’re just… friends.” She was a terrible liar. Her voice went up at least two octaves whenever she was being dishonest. 

“I don’t want him in the room.” 

“Wednesday!” Enid groaned, finishing up my hair, “I told him– I’m not the hook-up type.” She lifted her chin proudly. 

“Yet you’re wasting your time with someone who clearly wants nothing more?” 

“What makes you think that’s all he wants with me? You don’t think I’m good enough to be his girlfriend?”

Oh no. I’d come to know Enid well enough to recognize it was time for damage control. She was putting words in my mouth that could lead to a fight. 

“I don’t think he’s good enough to be your boyfriend.” I clarified as I approached my drawer and pulled out a black tee layered over long-sleeved stripes. 

“Then who is, Wednesday? I mean,” she complained while inspecting herself in the mirror. Her ass looked great in those jeans. “You hate every guy I talk to. Look at Ajax. You judged him but he’s such a sweetheart. Remember I told you he took Bianca to the movies? He paid for everything, even her non-dairy butter popcorn.” 

“Glad to hear he’s in a good place financially…” I chuckled under my breath.

“What?”

“Nothing…” I shook my head, “I don’t trust Bruno, okay. I’ve known him for years. He might act differently around you but… the way he talks about women isn’t ideal.” 

“Has he talked about another girl?!” She gasped with concern. 

“No, but…” I pondered on informing her about his use of homophobic slurs or how he bragged about his sexual encounter with her. But I didn’t want to hurt her feelings or disillusion her. “You should trust me.” 

“Omnious.” Enid sneered dryly while she began taking selfies. Somedays it felt like we were morphing into each other– did I detect my candor in her response?

“Make that four! And another one of those curly fries,” Ajax instructed the bartender as Enid and I greeted him and Bianca. 

“I can get this round,” Bianca gently steered his arm down and revealed a silver credit card. 

“N-no it’s cool.” Ajax grinned with a pink glaze on his cheeks. 

“You’re quite the gentleman lately,” Bianca remarked in pleasant surprise, “But I’m an egalitarian.” 

“Enough.” I scolded. “You.” I turned my attention to the worker. “Charge this card.” Assertively, I held up my card– steel and black, of course. 

When the employee reached to grab it, Ajax and Bianca began insisting on using their money again. Unshockingly, my payment was eventually accepted when I shot a look that said: Charge my card. If you know what’s good for you.

When the basket of fried potatoes came and was offered to Enid, she declined by dramatically waving her arms.“No! I’m saying NO to carbs this week!” She squeaked. 

“Enid, you look great.” Bianca assured, taking a fry. 

I scanned and appreciated Enid’s charmingly toned, slim physique. I did not communicate my agreement on Bianca’s statement. 

She’s perfect, I thought. 

“I wanna look good for Halloween..! I’m going as Tomb Raider!” Enid rambled on about her premature plans for next month, “I wanted to be My Melody and Kuromi from Hello Kitty Island Adventure but…” As she described my resistance against dressing up, I shuddered— remembering the pink and black rabbit and cat costumes she’d suggested. Though I salute her choice of color palette for my character, it wasn’t my first choice. 

The announcer’s agitating voice scratched through the microphone and interrupted my detailed daydream involving Enid dressed in Lara Croft’s shorts. 

“Enid Sinclair and ‘A Special Guest’? Singing: Free by K-Pop Demon Hunters Cast.” 

“EEEEE!! Wednesday!” Enid gripped my knees and put on her best puppy dog expression, “Last chance? Pretty please, for me?” 

Her liquid eyes and pouty lips tugged at the strings of my cold glass heart, but I said no. 

Defeated, she trotted to the stage. She held back tears after the first verse, shakily climbing into the chorus. 

She was trying not to look at me. 

“You better go up there!” Bianca reprimanded me by tapping my shoulder. 

“Seriously,” Ajax added, “Now’s your chance to be her hero.” 

My gaunt knees felt like falling sand when I stood up. I took a deep breath. 

“Oh my god she’s going!” Ajax yelped and stumbled on his way to gift me his half-drunken shot. 

“Shut up,” I said before closing my eyes and swallowing the drink. 

“Woo!” Bianca clapped as I got close to the stage. 

Enid didn’t see me coming. She was faced the other way.

So she saw Bruno climb up instead. 

He looked at me. He smirked. 

He looked at Enid and approached the microphone next to her. 

To my utter dismay, he was on-key and smooth with his vocals— even at a higher register. Spiders clawed in my gut when he cupped her face into his giant hand and sang passionately. At the end of the number, he leaned in and pressed his fleshy lips against hers. 

“Let me in, Wednesday.” Bianca called from outside the door. 

“I didn’t invite you.” I finally opened the door and rolled my eyes.

“Yeah, well, we’re not staying here.” Bianca stated. 

“We?” I snorted. 

“We’re going to Ajax’s party.” ‘

“No, I’m not.” 

“C’mon! It’s been a month.” 

Obviously, she was referring to the total time between now and Bruno and Enid’s on-stage kiss. They’d been dating ever since. According to Enid, it wasn’t “official” but they were doing activities like dinner and holding hands. 

“It’s been 18 days.” I frowned, “And it’s not about that. I don’t like parties.” That last part wasn’t a lie. 

“So? It’s a distraction.” 

“I don’t need a distraction. I prefer to suffer.”

“How positively gothic. Not to give unsolicited advice…” Bianca denoted carefully, “But I think you could use a rebound.” 

“I’ll pass.” 

“I’m not talking sex,” Bianca bleated, “But this is honestly hard to watch.”

“Explain.”

“You seem completely miserable. And being around you when Enid’s boyfriend is there is just…” 

“He’s not her boyfriend.” I grumbled. 

“That’s exactly what I’m talking about.” Bianca exhaled, “Look, it’s not easy being friends with someone you have feelings for. I get it. But if you really want to stay friends, then maybe you should… try to think about someone new.” 

It was unpleasant to hear, but I had to admit it was not unreasonable. Not having Enid in my life was too devastating to even consider. Could it be that I could really accept just being friends? 

Bianca was an example of a success story. She was in my room in a tight mini skirt and large hoop earrings– yet my appreciation was fully platonic. Not too long ago, lust lingered in her presence. Why couldn’t I do the same with Enid? 

“Fine, but I’m going like this.” 

Bianca did not shy to express disgust in her face as she noted my XL t-shirt with a skull and black cargo pants. 

“Can I make a compromise?” She tried. 

“No.” I denied.

Somehow, I ended up with a long-sleeved mesh crop over a black bra. At least I kept the same pants on. I sighed miserably as I glanced outside of Bianca’s passenger seat window.

It’s going to be a long night. I thought to myself. 

Little did I know, that was the night I’d meet them. 

Chapter Text

The bass of the rap music in the living room and the smoke from the marijuana in the backyard were equally overstimulating. I decided the kitchen was the most tolerable spot.

There were coolers full of seltzers and bags of chips around the rest of the house, so not many people were walking in and out. I lifted myself up on the counter and looked at my faded black slip-on vans dangling in the air. 

Comparing myself to Bruno had become a less than desirable habit. We both had jet black hair and brown eyes. Sure, he was tan, but we had the same undertone. Did Enid like how much taller and larger he was? 

We fit together so nicely. I sighed as I remembered Enid and I intertwined on her bed– the crevice between her chin and chest felt like it was designed for me to lay my heavy head. Maybe she wanted to feel small and protected with someone. How could I ever give her that? 

“There you are,” Ajax strode in with a beer in his hand, “You want one?”

I shrugged and he opened the refrigerator. Using a bottle opener on the counter, he popped off the top of a fresh beer and handed it to me. 

“I’m glad you came,” He added, “Don’t worry, she’s not here.” 

“She?” I repeated as a question. 

“I didn’t invite Enid and that meathead,” Ajax elaborated between drinking. 

“Oh…” Admittedly, I felt some disappointment. Part of the reason I came was the possibility of seeing her. It was conflicting and counterintuitive, but I longed to see more of her. She was spending increasingly more time with Bruno. Even though I hated it when they were together, I still craved having her around. “Why not?” 

“Psshhhh!” He lightly punched my shoulder, “You’re my friend, Wednesday.”

Acceptable acquaintance at most, I thought to myself. 

“I know more than anyone how she wraps you around her little fingers and makes you think she likes you… then BAM! She gaslights you that you’ve always been platonic.” 

He was speaking from his own experiences, yet it did sound eerily similar to my story. 

“Don’t let her get you down, buddy.” The second playful punch irritated me– and didn’t appreciate the pet name.

Busy furrowing my brow, I almost didn’t notice a third person enter the scene. When I looked up, Ajax had his arm around their shoulder. 

“Wednesday, this is my buddy Tyler!” Ajax introduced. So everyone was his buddy now? “She just transferred. I-I mean they– they just transferred!” 

Tyler chuckled slightly and patted Ajax’s back. From the awkward pronoun correction, I could derive this person was perhaps genderqueer. Though I made note of how to refer to Tyler, it did not phase me– gender was too unimportant of a construct for me to argue about. 

Besides, they were rather androgynous. From Enid’s rambles, I knew Ajax was 5’11 (even though he claimed 6’1), so this “buddy” must have been around 5’8. Their dark blonde hair was in a short wolf cut. They had a brown vest on without anything underneath, so I could see the outline of breasts complimented by thick biceps. 

“Nice to meet you,” Tyler smiled shyly and held out a hand to shake mine. 

I simply stared at them until they lowered it. Ajax excused himself and now I was left with this stranger. 

“Sooo… Wednesday? Is that your real name?” There was an almost innocent sweetness in their tone.

“I hate when people ask me that.” Though I contemplated ignoring them, I was dreadfully bored. Besides, they weren’t bad looking and I was searching for a new distraction. 

“I like it… it suits you,” Their voice was low and raspy, “How do you know Ajax?”

The memory of Enid seated on his lap haunted me. I mentally shook it away. I didn’t want to obsess over Enid anymore.

“Let’s not talk about Ajax,” I blurted, “What school did you come from?” 

“Actually, I’ve moved around a lot,” Tyler began, “My dad’s in the military. I went to the state school for a bit, then did online for a while when we moved more north. But I’ve been wanting to come here since high school. I wrote this essay and got like, a veteran’s kid grant. Perks of being a military brat.” 

“I don’t believe in war.” I stated, emboldened by my beer, “It’s a scam to take advantage of impoverished youth.” 

“I agree,” Tyler burst into laughter, “That’s why I gotta take advantage and scam them back. Bam! Free fancy college.” 

“I wouldn’t call this fancy,” I scoffed.

“Oooh, let me guess, rich girl?” They inched a bit closer. 

I remained quiet and followed their hazel eyes as they scanned my breasts and stomach and legs. They looked up at me. 

“I like your outfit, Wednesday,” they changed the subject, trailing a finger against the fabric of my cargo pants, “these make a cool noise.” Their hands were big and veiny with neatly trimmed short nails. 

Normally, I did not like it when anyone besides Enid touched me– but I was desperate to think of someone besides Enid. 

“I don’t like parties.” I admitted. I felt vulnerable expressing that. 

“Me neither, unless," Tyler reached into their pocket and pulled out a miniature plastic baggie with a square, yellow pill inside, “I have the right party favors.” 

“What is it?” I inquired. I wasn’t one for drugs– alcohol had sufficed as a vice and I didn’t like the smell of weed. This was my first time ever really being presented with something else, though. 

“Molly,” Tyler explained, “It makes everything like, euphoric and fun.” 

“Unlikely.”

“Don’t knock it til you try it,” Tyler took the pill out of the bag and then looked up at me and cracked it in half, “you can get a feel for it without overdoing it.”

Suddenly, I felt nervous. Was this a potentially stupid idea? Was I seriously debating doing drugs with someone I had just met?

I weighed the pros and cons. I was at Ajax’s house— surely him and Bianca would ensure nothing happened to me. 

“Fine.” I held out my hand but they ignored it and raised the piece to my lips. Annoyed, I opened my mouth and let them drop it on my tongue. Even for me, it was intolerably bitter.

“Swallow it right away!” Tyler encouraged, flicking the other half into their own mouth and helping themselves to my beer. 

Sharing drinks made me queasy, but I still sipped it after them to wash down the taste. 

“What now?” I asked uncomfortably. I was regretting my decision already. There were so many unknowns. 

“Now we wait for the fun to begin.”

Chapter Text

Exactly 34 minutes after ingesting the “molly”, a surge of nausea shot up my throat. Luckily, I made it to the bathroom in time to puke straight into the toilet. 

“It’s okay,” Tyler rubbed my back. They came in behind me and shut the door. “This is normal on the come up, remember?”

The past half hour was spent with us going back and forth on what to expect from tonight’s endeavors. Even though I was told to expect an upset stomach before the effects begin, it was still not ideal. 

Mid-vomit, a vibration of happiness slid from the soles of my feet up to my face. Once I was finished, I felt absolutely pleasant. My breathing was heavy and I could not contain the smile on my face. I stood up and faced Tyler– this beautiful angel that had found me in my time of need. 

“How are you feeling?” They brushed a hair behind my ear.

“A-amazing.” I was flustered by how increasingly giddy I felt. 

“I’m glad. Now let’s go have fun.” Tyler suggested sweetly. 

I rinsed my mouth and followed them to the living room. 

The rhythm of the music was electrifying— I practically jumped into the center of the dance floor. The lights around me were cheering me on as I spun into Tyler’s arms. 

“You’re tall,” I practically drooled, my nails digging into their broad shoulders. 

I cackled wildly in surprise as they squatted down and lifted me from the back of my thighs. My legs wrapped around their waist and I felt weightless. 

When was the last time I felt this excited? A melancholic cloud had cast over me one day many years ago, like I was in a constant state of gray. But right there with Tyler, I felt like fireworks personified. 

One of their hands did not shy to squeeze my bottom, as the other supported me under the back of my mesh shirt. They gripped the back of my bra so tight, it felt like they might rip it off in front of everybody. 

“Wednesday!” Bianca suddenly appeared.

I let out a wide gasp and jumped down to hug her. She didn’t really hug me back, she looked concerned. 

“Wednesday, are you okay?” She moved my bangs to get a better look at my eyes, “Your pupils are dilated. And why are you chewing gum like that” 

“You’re so beautiful, Bianca,” I confessed, between smacking the gum Tyler had given me loudly, “Do you wanna kiss me?” 

Before I could plant a smooch, she pushed me away by the side of my arms. 

“I think we should go now, Wednesday.” 

“But I’m having so much FUN!” I exclaimed, turning away from her and hopping back to Tyler. “Oh my god, Tyler!” I pulled them by the hand and navigated them towards Bianca, “This is my FRIEND! Bianca! Isn’t she GORGEOUS?!” 

There was nothing I wanted more in that moment than for them to share my enthusiasm and get to know each other. But Bianca was not a willing participant.

“Nice to meet you,” she dismissed dryly, barely looking at Tyler and then coming back to me, “we are leaving NOW!” 

“No!” I snatched my hand away, “I want to STAY!” 

“Wednesday,” she lowered her voice, “You’re causing a scene.” 

Her attempts were futile. Tyler and I literally ran out of the house, hysterically chortling.

When we were out by all the cars, they pulled me into a passionate kiss. Uninhibited, I opened my mouth and let their tongue slide inside. A small moan escaped me.  

“My place or yours, cutie?” Tyler growled seductively. 

Out of nowhere, a splash of sadness pricked at my heart. Enid. I remembered her. I missed her. My eyes began to water.

“What’s wrong?” They titled my face up and wiped a falling tear. 

“I have a roommate.” I sniffed. 

“Well that’s okay, you don’t have to cry,” Tyler chuckled softly, “We can go to my place. But I live with my dad, so we have to be quiet.” 

“I don’t want to be quiet!” I wailed, “Ooo! My roommate has a boyfriend, let me see if she’s with him–!” 

I pulled out my phone to check Enid’s location but I could hardly get past the home screen. Even when I had been drunk out of my mind, I was able to at least send a text or order a ride. Right now, it was hard to comprehend how to even make it to our message thread. 

“My phone is weird,” I held it out to Tyler for help. They grabbed it and asked me for the name. They’re incredible. I admired in awe at how they were able to seamlessly use my device. 

“It says she’s in a bar downtown,” Tyler confirmed. 

Then, it was decided– we would go to my dorm. Tyler’s car felt like a spaceship. The traffic lights and the moon gleamed around us, dissolving into one long stream of color. Tyler is magical. They had to be. Even in this condition, they could drive. 

Once through the door, I scurried over to Enid’s side and fished for a scrunchie from her drawer. 

“We have to put this on,” I explained as I wrapped it on the outside knob and closed the door, “Enid says it’s a rule, if we have a boy over– not that you’re a boy!” 

“I can be anything you want me to be,” Tyler assured, lifting me again and pressing me against the wall. 

At some point, my back was against my silk sheets and it felt amazing. Tyler zipped their vest down and revealed two ample, round breasts. I did the same and followed with my bra. Tyler jerked my pants off effortlessly and threw it behind them. They looked down at my body with hunger. 

“You’re so hot.” They heaved, biting my neck and roughly cupping my breast. Their other hand squeezed my hip tightly, to the point I knew it would bruise. 

Some of it hurt, but I was so overtaken by pleasure and emotion that I couldn’t even speak. I felt submissive, like a doll under them. Tyler locked both of my wrists in one hand and used the other to pull my underwear to the side. 

“W-wait,” I managed between heavy breaths. For a split second, I recalled how reluctant I had been to come out tonight. I hadn’t prepared for any of this. “I didn’t shave.” 

Tyler licked my face in response and I moaned loudly as they moved a finger inside. They sucked on my neck and nipples as they caressed my clitoris. My eyes rolled back and I was definitely wet enough to orgasm, but I didn’t.

After some time, Tyler sat up and drank some water I had next to the bed. 

“You can’t cum while rolling,” Tyler grinned, bending down to kiss me once more, “I’m going to use the bathroom.” 

As they walked away, I lay like a doll, looking at the ceiling. Rolling. That’s what this sensation was called. A fitting name for this exuberant high. 

When Tyler came out of the bathroom, we put some music on the laptop. I got into soft pajama shorts and a tank top. Tyler stayed in their boxer briefs, shirtless. 

With the music on autoplay, Enid and I’s karaoke song came on. The slow building melody bore a hole into me– making me sad. As my part approached, I dissected the lyrics for the first real time: 

But you're breaking through all the dark in me

When I thought that nobody could

And you're waking up all these parts of me

That I thought were buried for good

Between imposter and this monster

I been lost inside my head

Ain't no choice when all these voices

Keep me pointing towards no end

It's just easy when I'm with you

No one sees me the way you do

I don't trust it, but I want to

I keep coming back to

Why does it feel right every time I let you in?

Why does it feel like I can tell you anything?

The tears flooded from my eyes uncontrollably. That was exactly how I felt about Enid.

“Are you okay?” Tyler hugged me, “You’re so cold… and you’re crying. Did I hurt you?”

“No. Not you.” I wept, and changed the song. 

I told them I was beginning to feel tired and sick. They reminded me that it was called the “come down” and it just meant the roll was ending. We made some tea and started browsing for something to watch. 

My algorithm was severely damaged from sharing an account with Enid. I didn’t want to scroll endlessly, so I fell asleep to a children’s cartoon about magical horses. 

“WOW! SORRY!” Enid’s squeal startled me from my slumber. 

I had a soaked bedsheet in my mouth— the molly made me relentlessly gnaw, even after coming down and falling asleep. Quickly, I pulled a sheet over Tyler’s bare chest. They started to open their eyes as well. 

“Uh–Do you want me to come back?!” Enid’s voice cracked as she flipped to face the other direction. 

“Oh… you must be Enid…” Tyler yawned, nonchalantly getting up with their breasts exposed, “I’m Tyler.” 

Enid briefly turned around and screamed before turning back. 

“Hah, my bad, didn’t mean to make it weird,” Tyler sounded amused, “I got to go actually, but uh,” they walked back over to me and kissed me on the cheek, “I’d love to see you again, Wednesday. I’m glad I met you.” 

Even after they walked out, I was at a loss for words. Enid was not. 

“WHO WAS THAT?!” She yelled rhetorically, “SHE JUST HAD HER TITS OUT?! IS THAT YOUR GIRLFRIEND? AND WHAT HAPPENED TO SCRUNCHIE ETTITQUETTE?!” 

“I-I put one on the door…” I tried sheepishly. 

“No! You DID NOT!” 

Though I was certain that I had, I was also certain that I was under the influence. Anything could have happened, so I didn’t argue further. 

Her face was red and she seemed angry. Was she embarrassed because she had seen a partially nude body against her consent? Was she this mad about the scrunchie? 

“Spill. Now.” My roommate’s brows were pushed toward each other as she sat down next to me. “How long has this been going on?” 

“I-I uh-we-they-” The sentences weren’t forming correctly, “I-I n-need some coffee.” 

Enraged, Enid howled as she stood up and stomped to the door. 

“I’ll bring you a fucking coffee. But you OWE me,” She shut the door violently then opened it again,”You owe me an EXPLANATION..! A detailed one!” 

The door was slammed again. I was too stunned to move a muscle.

Chapter Text

While Enid was gone, I suddenly felt sick and depressed. I crawled under the sheets with the laptop on and played some music. Unexpectedly, a tear ran down my cheek. Where were these feelings coming from? 

Enid came back pouting and slapped a coffee down on the desk next to me. 

“I’m going to shower. Then, I want my deets.” 

Wanting to avoid conflict with her, I decided that maybe it’d be easier to write my thoughts down in the notes app on my phone. It was nowhere in the bed or on the desk. Exhausted, I searched for it underneath the bed and even in the closet. 

It must be in the bathroom. I waited until Enid came out. 

She was in a towel, her cheeks still puffed in anger. Her face was pink, I assumed from the steam of the shower. 

“Is my phone in there?” I took a step towards her to try to look over her shoulder. 

Instead of answering me, she ripped off the towel and let it land by her feet. 

Absolutely amazed and flabbergasted, I completely forgot about my misplaced cellular. 

Sure, we had changed around each other, but that was different. She usually turned her back when she was changing her bra or something. 

This time, she was in full naked glory. Her breasts were the perfect shape— perky and coral colored nipples encircled by small areolas. Her tiny waist and hips paired with her toned, feminine legs were not new to me. But it was all brought together without clothes in the way. Her pubic area was trimmed into a generous triangle that revealed she was actually a natural brunette. 

“Should I walk around like this now?” Enid taunted, curving around to show her firm but round butt. 

“W-what’s happening?” I managed. I was either flushed red or pale as a ghost– what I looked like was the last thing on my mind. 

“I thought having boobies out was no big deal? Why don’t you let me see yours?” Enid pointed to my tank top, “I mean, I can see your nipples through that anyways.” 

Was this some sort of punishment? Her tone indicated sass but this was in no way upsetting. 

“Ugh, never mind,” Enid rolled her eyes and went over to her clothes and put on some shorts and a t-shirt. 

No bra or panties. 

“You said you were looking for your phone?” Enid sneered, “It’s been off all night. Your location says ‘not found’. I was worried, by the way.” 

“Um… s-sorry…” 

“An apology from Wednesday Addams?!” She exclaimed sarcastically, “Maybe I’ll get naked more often.”

Now I knew, I was certainly blushing. 

“Could your new friend have stolen it?!” Enid suggested in suspicion. 

“What? Why would they do that…” My brows furrowed. It didn’t seem like Enid liked Tyler so far. She hadn’t even given them a chance. Was nudity that upsetting to her? 

“‘Kay, well, were you around anyone else?” 

“Ajax and Bianca,” I recalled. 

“What was this like a double date? Or did you guys all just hang out and not invite me?” Enid squinted. 

Last night replayed in my head and I cringed remembering certain parts. There was also a pang of guilt I felt knowing Enid was explicitly not on the guest list. 

“You were already out with Bruno. It was nothing. Can you call them please?” 

“What is this? The 1800s? I’ll put it in the groupchat.”

Ah, yes, the group chat. I had it on mute. Though it wasn’t as active as when Enid was single. 

“Actually,” she pursed her lips to one side, “Looks like both of their phones are off, too. Their locations aren’t showing.” 

Did she have everyone’s location? I only had hers. 

“Bianca’s on campus so we can go to hers first,” Enid grabbed her teal Crocs sandals with cartoon character and pride flag pins. Then she pulled out my plain black ones and slid them toward me. “Let’s go!” 

Silently obedient, I put my shoes on and followed. 

On the way there, Enid pressed me about Tyler. I attempted to be as vague as possible to avoid revealing Ajax had a party or that I did drugs. All I said was that we were at Ajax’s place and he introduced me to a friend. We ended up talking and kissing and one thing led to the next at the dorm. 

When the door was not opened on Enid’s third polite knock, she transformed into a beast. It reminded me of when she was angry outside of my shower. She banged wildly with both fists and let out a scream from deep within. I wasn’t sure why she was so upset about me not having my phone. 

“Uh, can I help you..?” Bianca appeared behind us, confused at the chaos. Interestingly, she was wearing the same skirt and hoops from last night. Was she just returning home? 

“Wednesday’s phone: have you seen it?” Enid took a deep breath. 

“No and good morning to you, too…” Bianca countered, then turned her attention to me, “I’m glad you’re alright. What happened to..?” 

“Why wouldn’t she be alright? Did that weirdo do anything to her last night?!” Enid interposed. 

“N-nothing happened!” I panicked, “Can you reach Ajax somehow?” 

“Oh, Ajax is still sleeping,” Bianca flicked her wrist. 

We both stared at her. 

“N-not that I would know. I mean, I assume he is. I mean, uh, I really have a busy day soo… hope you find your phone!” Bianca squeezed herself between us and scurried into her room. 

“I suppose now we wait for Ajax to wake up and charge his phone or we can go to his house?” I surmised. 

“I’m not going ANYWHERE! You do what you want! Maybe your bestie Bianca can take you to his house!” Enid stormed off. Dumbfounded, I trailed her. 

Was it something I said?

As if she wasn’t livid enough, when we got into the room, Tyler was sitting on my bed. 

“How did you get in here?!” Enid barked angrily. 

“Whoa! The door was unlocked.” Tyler replied and looked at me, “I just wanted to give you your phone back. It was in my pocket.” 

They stood up and placed it in my hand. That’s when I got a flashback of me giving them my phone to check Enid’s location. I never asked for it back. They must have not realized. We were rolling, after all. 

“I would have called, but I don’t have your roommate’s number. I saw the door was open and figured you were home. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” They spoke with sincerity, glancing back and forth between Enid and I. 

“It’s okay. Thanks.” I was relieved that my phone’s mystery was at least put to rest. 

“Maybe you can give me your number now?” Tyler bit their bottom lip and handed me their unlocked phone. 

With a shy smile, I punched in my contact information. 

“I’ll call you,” Tyler guaranteed and pecked me on the cheek, then turned to Enid, “Have a nice day!” 

Enid just glared at them with her arms crossed. 

Once we were alone, Enid complained about how she’d been ignoring Bruno all morning because of me, so she was going to “see what he was up to”. 

It made me a bit sad. The past hour had me frazzled, but it felt like the first time in a while we did something together. 

“Just kidding,” she jumped onto my bed and pulled the laptop from my lap to make room for herself, “I don’t feel like getting cute.” 

I didn’t protest. As she turned to face forward, I opened my thighs so she could fit between them and let her rest her head against my chest. She pulled the covers over our bodies and then picked up the computer. 

“Wednesday! Have you been watching My Little Pony without me?!” 

Chapter Text

Apparently, Enid shared the sentiment that we needed to spend more time together. Thankfully, she vocalized it enough for the both of us. 

“I know Bruno’s not your favorite person… and maybe I’m judging Tyler,” she sighed, “What if we all did something together? Ooh! We can all go to the Monster Hot Dogs pop up shop! EEE! I’ll make the reservations!”

Hot dogs weren’t my favorite, but I enjoyed a good monster. So I agreed and invited Tyler. We had been texting regularly that whole week.

“Do you like my hat?” Enid asked me on Saturday morning, wearing a comically large snapback. I discerned that her outfit was more boyish than her usual date attire. She was in a long sleeved baggy multi-colored shirt and cargo shorts with a lot of pockets. 

“Is that Bruno’s?” 

“What? It can’t be mine?” She scoffed, “Don’t you like masculine people?” 

“Who said that? Besides, what does it matter what I like? Bruno is your date.” I said matter-of-factly. 

“Guess your taste is all over the place,” Enid tossed the hat to the side and took a tube of mascara to her lashes, “I mean Bianca is pretty girly. You liked her for like ever.” 

“Again, who said that?” I muttered in confusion. I thought I had been freed from the shackles of her mentioning my previous feelings for Bianca. Lately, she had been taking unprovoked jabs at me. 

“Do you think you can call the ride, pretty please?” She switched her tune and put on some puppy eyes, “They’ve been giving me like, no hours at the cafe lately.” 

“You don’t need to explain yourself. I can always call it.” I groaned. I had assured her before that I could always pay for the two of us. 

My family’s financial situation was satisfactory to say the least. From what I gathered, Enid didn’t have much familial support– in affection or money. 

“You look cute today, by the way,” Enid complimented me in the car, adjusting the white collar of my black midi dress. “You should totally let me do your makeup the next time we go on a date!” 

“No.” I denied— even though I knew I’d eventually allow it. 

“You two make a beautiful couple!” The driver chimed, looking at us from the rearview mirror. “How long have you been together?” 

“Two months!” Enid giggled and took my hand in hers— soft and warm. 

“No kidding!” The driver was stunned, “I would have guessed at least a year. Here’s ya stop. Stay safe girls and I’m rootin’ for ya’!” 

“Thanks Aaron! You have a FANTASTIC day!” Enid squealed as we hopped out. It was no surprise she was already on a first name basis. Enid made friends everywhere she went.

What was surprising is that she went along with the assumption that we were a couple. 

“You let him think we were dating.” I thought out loud. 

“So?” Enid shrugged, “We’re never going to see him again. Plus, we do look super cute together. Don’t we?” She shook her shoulders playfully. 

Why was she flirting with me? 

“Right. If I were a boy or something?” I offered. 

I needed clarification to fight off my delusions. I was trying to accept our connection as platonic. She was making it difficult. 

“Why would that matter?” Enid answered. It stopped me in my tracks. 

“Because you’re straight?” My head snapped sharply like an owl to look at her, “Aren’t you?” 

Enid looked around and started humming. 

“Enid.” My voice became firmer, “Are you bisexual?”

“Maybe!” She finally cheered with a little hop, “I don’t like labels. Plus, a lot of the pride flags are pretty! I don’t want to just pick one!” 

My world spun into a vortex. 

“Since WHEN?” I nearly shouted. 

“Since always?” Enid put her hands on her hips and shifted to one side, “You never asked.” 

I was silent.

“Let’s go, they’re waiting!” Enid began frolicking towards the entrance. 

“Friday, August 22nd, at approximately 10:47pm, at Poe’s Bar and Karaoke,” My words froze her in her tracks but she did not turn to face me, “I said and I quote: ‘Are you a bisexual that likes white guys with dreadlocks?’ You deflected.” 

My chest heaved as I awaited for her to produce a response. 

“Wow… you came with the RECEIPTS!” Enid walked back to where I was, “Speaking of that: Where were you Saturday, August 23rd, at approximately… uh, 6? 7! 7pm! The Skeleton Fish?” 

The blood drained from my body. A self-satisfied curve took shape on her lips. When I didn’t speak, she continued: 

“I only ask because your location was off. Ajax’s wasn't… oh! He gave it to me the night before, by the way,” Her delivery turned more aggressive as she spoke through her teeth, “When he told me he would take me on a date the next day.” 

“I can explain,” I gulped, but she interrupted me. 

“No need. See, Wednesday, at first,” she began to pace, “I thought you were the kind of girl that always has to one-up your friends. That or you just really wanted Ajax for yourself and wouldn’t just say that… but no… I had to take time away to really figure it out…” 

Has she known how I feel about her all along? 

“Wednesday…” Enid paused to inhale, “you were just being protective.”

Huh? 

“You didn’t think Ajax was good enough for me,” She exhaled, “But when he brought up an expensive restaurant, you thought, ‘maybe I should see what this guy’s really about’ and that’s why you went. You wanted to find out if you should give us your blessing.” 

I tried to minimize my sigh of relief. 

“But I wasn’t that into him anyways,” she elaborated, “I mean, Bruno was way hotter. I love me a latino,” she squealed, “Oop! I know he’s Filipino! I just meant—he had that look. You know, like you.” 

She ran her hands down two strands of my raven hair by my shoulders. 

“He’s texting me!” Enid gasped, “They’ve both been waiting, let’s go!”

Chapter Text

A cardboard cut-out of an anthropomorphic weiner in a bun cannibalizing an accurately sized hot dog greeted us at the line. As we followed the host through the busy shop, frankfurter themed pop-art covered the walls. 

“Isn’t this neat?!” Enid whispered in excitement, interlocking arms with me. 

“It’s…something,” I admitted. 

When we neared our table, Tyler stood up and pulled a dried, dead rose from behind their back.

“I thought you’d like this better than a live one,” They smiled as they gave me the flower. 

There was an awkward air amongst the rest of the group. 

“I got you a milkshake but I drank some of it. You guys took forever!” Bruno admitted, jiggling a nearly empty cup, “I saved you the cherry!” 

“Gee, tha-,” Enid’s sarcasm was blocked by Bruno popping the maraschino fruit into her mouth. 

“Can you tie a knot?” He asked, pulling the stem and chewing it. 

Tyler shot me a telepathic look that read: straight people, amirite? I tried to smile nervously. There was a lot on my mind as I twirled the deceased rose between my fingers. I was pricked. They must not have cut all of the thorns. 

We all sat on a wooden picnic-style bench outside. Enid and I were across from one another, next to our dates. 

I deliberated that Bruno must not have cared for Enid’s outfit. He usually had an arm around her, trying to “accidentally” brush her breast. Instead, he was nose deep and hunched over into the plastic, orange menu. It was unsurprising that he had so much time to look it over and still had not decided on an order. 

His glass made an obnoxious sound as he greedily slurped the last bits of cream. 

Enid ignored him and hovered the top half of her body over the table to talk to me. 

“Hot diggity dog!” She cackled in a silly voice, “You would love this one!” 

Her purple nail pointed to a photo depicting an abomination of a hot dog. It had a black bun and the meat was green, to say the least. 

“You can get this one and I’ll get the sweet bun version– it’s the same but pink!” Enid declared, raising her hand to attract a server. 

“Actually,” Tyler interjected, “I may have…” they turned to me, “already ordered for you.” 

“What?!” Enid frowned with a whiny voice at me, “But we always get veggie dogs together!” 

“Oh shit!” Tyler stopped, “Are you a vegan or something?”

“No…” I explained, “she just likes to get that whenever it's on the menu.”

“I like to support the cause.” Enid beamed proudly. 

“Doesn’t that defeat the purpose if you’re still eating meat?” Tyler chuckled. 

“Okay.... and?! I do my best okay!” Enid puffed air into her cheeks and shrunk back into her seat. 

“I hope I’m not being too forward,” Tyler said quietly, “I placed it as soon as I saw it and told them to make it when you came in.”

I squinted to read the item they showed me. It had a gray bun and a black sausage with hot sauce drizzled all over. 

“Blood sausage?” I read, “It’s an Argentinian delicacy, right? Morcilla?”

“Yes! You’ve heard of it? Are you from there?” Tyler seemed excited at my worldliness.

“No,” I started, “There’s a big latino community where I grew up. My family is Mexican.” 

“That makes sense,” Tyler stroked my hair. I didn’t protest, but I didn’t love it. “That’s why you’re so cute and tiny.” 

Usually only Enid touched my hair and she took several weeks to work her way up to that. I would have felt ridiculous setting that boundary with Tyler, though. We had skipped over so much. We had already had sex. 

“My lola had this little white dog,” Bruno snorted, “she was tiny but evil. She’d bite EVERYONE for NO reason.” 

His anecdote about his grandma’s pet was obviously meant to tease me, but I did not acknowledge it. It was curious to me that he was being so Bruno right now. Normally, he wore a PG-13 nice guy facade around Enid. Today, he was acting more like his immature self. 

“Every rabid dog has its reason,” Tyler stated. 

They locked eyes with Bruno until Bruno looked away. It was a form of establishing dominance. 

Something fluttered in my stomach. There was something dark and stern about Tyler. It excited me but it also made me uneasy. 

In contrast, Enid had the energy of a Pixar movie’s golden retriever. 

Though many would disagree, I was not heartless. I must say it broke my heart a little to witness the jealousy on Enid’s face when I audibly enjoyed Tyler’s order. 

I couldn’t help myself. Traveling to different countries and experiencing diverse cuisines was how I was raised. Yet, for the past few months, I had been eating fake meat from dingy food trucks on our campus. 

“Before we go,” Tyler cleared their throat when we were done eating, “I’m going to the front to ask for a job application.” 

“Are you looking?” Bruno asked, “I think we’re hiring at the cafe.”

“What?” Enid seemed dismayed, “That’s not possible.”

“Why not?” Bruno raised an eyebrow and stuffed his hands into his pockets. 

“Because… they didn’t even put me on the schedule this week…” Enid said in a worrisome way. “I need an application, too!” 

“Actually,” Bruno stopped her and held her by the wrist, “Can we talk for a second?” 

As Tyler and I waited for the application by the front, I kept looking back at Enid. 

“It’s rude to stare,” Tyler whispered playfully, making me whip around to their direction. “Besides, I think they need their privacy right now.”

“Right now?” 

Tyler sighed and got a little closer. 

“Look,” they said carefully, “we had a lot of time before you guys got here and he started talking and…” 

“And?” Concerned, I urged them to continue. 

“Basically, Bruno’s going to break it off with her.”