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"What? You have never seen the stars outside of a city?"
Wednesday stared at her roommate incredulously, with wide eyes and something weirdly resembling an emotion on her face. And with the moonlight filtering through the colored glass of their room's window, her pale skin almost looked more alive, enticing.
Enid's heart thrived in those small moments of humanity in her. But she wouldn't ever admit it, obviously. She quite liked to be alive.
Still, if she had to admit something related to her life outside of this school to get them, she would gladly spill her entire childhood. It was worth it.
"I guess it never occurred to me, especially with... you know... the dangers of going out at night..." She almost whispered the last part.
"You're a werewolf. What the fuck would hurt you?" Came with a deadpan.
She was about to awkardly explain that no, she wasn't the one in danger there; but with the murder-y tendencies of her roommate she didn't believe she would understand. And she would much rather not talk about that anyways, even if she did often feel the need to let Wednesday know everything about her.
Let's not open that can of worms yet.
"There is a new moon tonight." Wednesday points out, looking at the window from her sitting position on her bed. Enid looks out too, from her own colorful bed, not understanding her proposition.
They should definitely be sleeping right now, lights went out three hours ago. But strangely enough Wednesday felt like talking today (starting a conversation with "what's your favorite medieval torture device?" wasn't that weird for her, though), and there was no way in all nine circles of hell that Enid would let that opportunity pass. So instead, the time did, and they found themselves wide awake sharing past experiences, or the ones they could allow themselves to speak about.
"Why does this matter so much to you?" The werewolf turns back to the human, still a little thrown back by her past reaction.
"I am not gonna sleep in the same room as someone unable to appreciate the night."
That made sense. Probably.
Still, Enid couldn't quite get yet the importance of where you watch the stars. Stars are stars, they're gonna be the same no matter where you are.
"It can't be that much of a difference."
That seemed to offend Wednesday more than that time she suggested using a dark gray shirt instead of a black one. Her eyes widened again and her frown was so prominent it might just have been a scowl, reminding Enid of a wolf baring its teeth.
The girl jumped out of bed and stomped her way to Enid, who now feared for her life, but instead of slicing her stomach open she grabbed her wrist, and yanked her out of her bed.
The only reason she didn't open and close the door with a gigantic SLAM! was because they needed to be discreet. Oh but how that sound echoed in her imagination.
She kept dragging the bright girl through the hallways, passing doors and windows with utmost silence.
At some point the prisoner almost voiced her confusion, but a sudden growth in the strength on her wrist made her realize her mistake.
Once they were away from the dorms, Wednesday went on a beeline to the back gate, that should take them to the forest. This time they had to be even more careful, with the guards watching over the main halls and rooms.
Enid wished for a moment that she could be surprised at Wednesday's knowledge of the guards posts, schedules and walk routines; but then again, the attention she always put into everything she did (specially stuff she shouldn't do) was one of the things she liked the most about her.
Still, the werewolf was kinda freaked out about skipping rules like this. They should be sleeping. Or at least locked in their room. Even more so with the newly found dangers roaming around the school. This was so wrong on so many levels.
And yet it also felt right.
-
No, it did not feel right.
They were deep into the woods, being led by nothing but Wednesday's apparent sense of direction. Which Enid had started to doubt the moment she heard twigs snapping around her. Even with her supernatural vision she had almost tripped twice already, and -cursed be her nocturnal eyes- she was certain the spider she had just passed was not only the size of her head but it had just snickered at her.
"Weds, seriously if you're gonna kill me for not stargazing please just do it quick," she shivered, something that the goth girl would be able to feel as she was still gripping her wrist. "Just stop my suffering already."
And because she had her eyes tightly closed when finishing her deathly wishes, she failed to see her guide had stopped, and collided with her back.
Wednesday dropped her arm as she opened her eyes. "Stop complaining."
But Enid couldn't listen to the demand, mesmerized by what was in front of them.
A clearing in the middle of the forest, that even without a moon was able to be illuminated enough for both of them to see. There was a small pond, with a rock in front of it, and fireflies dancing above it, reflecting their light in the water.
And then she looked up.
She understood now Wednesday's offense, she wanted to go some minutes back in time and slap herself. She had basically said blasphemy. It has to be considered that, as the fascinating beauty of a freckled sky must have at least one deity dedicated to it.
Wednesday moved again, and Enid came back to Earth, feeling sad and almost dizzy about it. Both of them walked to the rock and sat there, looking up.
The sublime white dots formed nonsensical shapes and letters, and Enid's imagination ran wild. Forgotten were the fear of a murderer, a dark forest, a giant spider and even getting caught breaking rules. None of that mattered, if she really thought about it.
It was all unimportant, when she was less than a molecule of water in an ocean of endless black and white.
If you're in the middle of a city, like the ones she grew up in, and looked up, you would see a dark blue or purple, plain color, with maybe five to six stars. And you wouldn't even stare that long, because of the noises of cars, honks, a bustling society with lives that demand all of their time, all of their life.
Here though, the only noises to be heard were two frogs signing their love (lust?) at each other, a gentle breeze that rattled the leaves of nearby trees, and the slow steadiness of Wednesday Addams beside her.
The thought made her turn her head, to find eyes darker than night already looking at her.
Her companion looked amused, in her own inexpressive way.
"So I take it you like this?" She asked, the points of her lips threatening to go up in a cocky smile.
"I, Enid Sinclair, apologize and regret for every word I have ever said against the night sky" she closed her eyes solemnly and took a hand to her chest, the other showing her palm beside her head.
Then she heard the prettiest sound in the world.
Wednesday giggled.
It was obvious how she tried to muffle it with one hand, and to continue wearing her poker face/angry frown, but Enid heard it, and saw it clearly in the darkness of the night.
Her heart might have just jumped out of her ribcage to dance with the fireflies to the frogs' song.
And she knows Wednesday can't see it, with her normal human eyes, but she turned to the stars again in an attempt to hide her blush.
Something caught her eye then.
"What's that?" She pointed to a star that moved, slowly, to the other side of the tree line.
It gave Wednesday a chance to gather her bearings, too. "That would be a satellite." At the last word her smile disappeared from her voice.
Enid made an "oh" sound, unaware until now that those could be seen, and followed it with her gaze.
Just before it hid behind the trees, Wednesday added "my father used to tell me they were lit cigars that angels threw away after smoking them. That's how fires are started."
It was a much more interesting answer, for sure. Enid happily imagined a tiny goth, stargazing with her dad, who told her stories of magical creatures to survive their human-filled life.
Her smile was wide yet soft as she asked "please tell me more", and some of that softness could have transferred to Wednesday, because she accepted.
"Hm. I don't have many about stars. My grandmother once explained to me and my brother that the stars were tears that the moon cried"
"Oh no, why did she cry?"
"She was upset for all those humans that ignored her, but that was just my grandmother's devotion to Hecate."
She remembered reading in class about the greek goddess of witchcraft and the moon, but didn't imagine people actually believing in her. It was a nice thought, though.
"And this other time my mother said that the Moon and the Ocean were girlfriends"
"I thought the Moon and the Sun were the ones together?"
"It is a polyamorous relationship"
"Ah"
Whenever Wednesday talked about her family, it was so obvious that she loved them. Even when she was complaining about her youngest brother annoying her, or her parents being controlling, it was evident in her voice that they were very close.
She spoke with a certain devotion of her mother, her eyes sparkled when bragging about something her father taught her, she was expelled for defending her brother. She even accepted her…pet? Hand thingy to live in their room, when that wasn't part of her original plan.
It must be nice to have that.
And her family told her stories of women-like characters in relationships with each other, with more than one 'person' in them. So even to that extent they loved and cared for each other, and accepted everything.
"They must be very open," she let out mindlessly.
"I mean, the Ocean does come a long way just to give the Land some kisses, so it isn't even reserved for three."
It didn't matter that she misunderstood. It's better that way. And Enid also ignored the little pang of pain in her heart at her past thoughts; with the word that Wednesday spoke, her eyes unknowingly fluttered to the other's lips.
"It's your turn"
"What?" She regained control over her gaze, looking up to her eyes instead. That's much safer.
"Stories from your family?"
"Oh, I…" there wasn't much that her progenitors said to her, definitely not stories while stargazing and bonding.
"I read this one about a heartbroken goddess that fell in love with a human woman, but she married a man for her family and the goddess spent her eternity alone… it's not very happy."
"I can see that."
A silence fell again, and both of them returned to the stars. It was a comforting sight, after all.
The magic of a moonless night was really affecting Wednesday, because she started another conversation.
"How do you feel?"
Enid prompted her to elaborate with a look.
"I dragged you here, you broke the rules. And you're a goody two shoes."
"Hey! I'm not!"
"Just yesterday you almost cried because we were three minutes late to a class."
"I-" and she wanted to argue that that teacher is evil but…yeah. Point taken.
So she took a long breath and felt the smell of rotten leaves and alive wood on her tongue, to collect her thoughts.
"I guess… it's easier to do those things when I'm with you" is that a confession? Please don't let it sound like a confession.
“Am I a bad influence? Is that what you're saying?” there was a tinge of a teasing chuckle there.
Enid actually laughed. “No, you just give me the courage to be more free.”
Because yes, that was true. Wednesday Addams made her feel many things, and one of the main ones was freedom. She didn't feel the need to follow rules and expectations, because she saw how the shorter girl scoffed and cursed at those things. She didn't have to pretend to be happy all the time when Wednesday didn't care for appearances, for faked smiles.
What is more, she was certain that the girl could not only easily distinguish a real smile from a fake one, but also actively looked for the genuine ones.
And while she would still stress when running late to a class, walking beside Wednesday felt like it was worth every second of missed lessons.
Fuck that evil teacher anyways.
Finishing her internal rant, Enid looked at that marvelous girl beside her, to find an almost longing gaze going back at her.
Very distracting thought. Let's move on to another one.
"Now it's my turn on emotional questions" she declared. "Why did you bring me here?"
"I told you"
"No. I bet if anyone else in this school said they hadn't watched the stars without light pollution you wouldn't have cared less. And the roommate thing doesn't count, I want an honest answer."
Enid was actually very proud of herself for that. It required a specific flavor of bravery to demand honesty from Wednesday Addams. Or demand anything, really.
The girl beside her looked at the pond, deep in thought. She pursed her lips slightly, and drowned a little, the crease hidden by her bangs.
She inhaled to start a sentence, then regretted it, and closed her mouth. About three times this was repeated, and Enid started to fear she wouldn't actually get an answer. That she had crossed a line she wasn't allowed to pass yet.
"I suppose…" Nevermind that. "I might be okay with you slightly more than my need to kill you. I don't hate you enough."
The werewolf's heart was on the dark moon now, lighting up fireworks for the stars. That was indeed a very twisted way to say you like someone, but it was definitely the best thing Wednesday could muster to say, and she knew that. She appreciated the challenge it must have been to say that out loud, the strain in her voice was clear. But she would gladly take it.
And to such a feat of bared feelings, she wanted to contribute her own part.
"I like watching you smile"
As expected, it had the opposite reaction people have to that. Wednesday frowned deeply in disgust and confusion, and squinted at her.
"But it… shows weakness…" she debated.
"Weakness isn't always bad, dummy"
The frown didn't leave her face as she stared thoughtfully at the pond, and Enid smiled at the sky.
-
As it got later they decided to go back. They had classes in the morning, and goody two shoes Enid wouldn't miss them for anything ("i'm scared of that teacher okay!?"), So they walked through the forest again, this time holding hands, since "you can see in the dark and I know the path. It's the most effective way." Enid just laughed.
"Your family sounds very cool," she said what she had been meaning to since their talk at the pond. They were now getting ready for bed, finally.
"I could take you to my house on vacation. They would hate your clothes and smiles but like the rest." It was, again, the best compliment she could muster. Enid understood.
But more than understanding she felt ecstatic. Wednesday spoke so highly of them, and so often. And she would get to meet them.
They seemed so loving, so supportive and understanding.
And maybe they would be the only ones to give those things to her.
She felt like crying, but didn't. Instead she opted for the less safe option this time, and got out of bed again.
Her roommate hadn't laid down yet, accommodating the hand (Thing, that's his name. She needs to learn it.) Into his drawer. So she walked to her, and when she turned around, she hugged her.
She felt Wednesday tense up her entire body, turn her hands into claws at her sides and even stop breathing, but she didn't do anything. She didn't push her away, or tear her apart, or curse her, her family and her cow.
So they just stood there, hugging.
And when Enid feared the girl might be turning purple from lack of oxygen, she let go.
"Thanks" she whispered, and felt her voice crack.
And she went to sleep. To dream of a dark mansion with the weirdest, most loving family ever.
And Wednesday too, this time, in the middle of the darkness, there was a bright, colored spot reserved for someone else.