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Rain trickled against the window as thunder cracked and harsh lightning split the sky. It was a perfect end to the day, or it should’ve been, but something was wrong, and not in the way Wednesday liked. It wasn’t wrong in the way people consider eating a whole KitKat to be wrong. No, it was wrong in the way where routines get shattered and that uncomfortable sensation settles in the deepest parts of one's stomach. It was that all consuming kind of wrong where other tasks seem impossible to complete. In Wednesday’s case, the task she was struggling with was writing her novel.
Now, what was so misplaced that Wednesday couldn’t focus you might wonder.
Simple Enid Sinclair had stopped touching her.
It was a drastic pivot from the prior year where Enid seemed to want nothing more than to be in Wednesday personal space. It was a sudden change to. Just a few days ago Enid was her usual, touchy self. They ate lunch together side-by-side with their knees touching in that easy, subconscious way when something became commonplace. It wasn’t as if Enid didn’t want the contact either. She was constantly reaching out only to stop herself mid motion and pull back. That just made the situation more infuriating.
The worst part was how much Wednesday found herself missing Enid’s close presence. All the shoulder bumps, and accidentally brushes had become a welcomed warmth throughout Wednesday's day. They were comforting like resting your hands above an open fire and now that they were gone it was driving her mad.
“You’ve been staring at a blank piece of paper for almost an hour. What’s the matter, Wednesday?” Thing signed from the corner of her desk.
“Have you noticed Enid hasn’t been as…touchy this semester as opposed to last year,” The younger Addams answered slowly to make sure she chose her words carefully.
“I have, you must be thrilled!” Thing teased before he saw Wednesday’s face. Her jaw was tight and her brown eyes had darkened in the way they do when something went beyond a minor convenience to something truly irritating.
“Or not?” He tapped hesitantly.
“It’s just so peculiar,” Wednesday huffed, leaning farther back in her office chair. “Last year Sinclair couldn’t go more than five seconds without offering me a hug, now she avoids physical contact like the plague.”
“Would you accept a hug if she offered one?”
“Probably not.” Wednesday said dryly. As much as she relished in Enid’s touch Wednesday knew she was too stubborn to openly accept hugs just yet.
“Then why do you care that she stopped offering!” Thing protested. “You hate being touched anyways.”
“Because Enid’s touch is…different.” The black-haired girl muttered.
Thing paused and turned his fingers to face Wednesday straight on. If he had eyebrows they would’ve raised.
“Are you saying you…like Enid’s touch?”
Wednesday fell silent as she considered her next words.
“I suppose I am.” She admitted begrudgingly. “I don’t understand what changed. She was perfectly normal with me before the Founder’s Pyre.”
“You’re a detective, why don’t you investigate?” Thing reasoned.
“And how do you suppose I do that?”
As if on cue the heavy cast-iron door swung open and Enid entered, still wearing her lavender dance wear from practice. Her hair was pulled back in a small ponytail.
“Well your suspect just came back. Why don’t you interview her.” The disembodied hand interjected.
“Are you suggesting I…talk to her about my problem?” Wednesday questioned.
“Well that typewriter isn’t gonna give the answer.” Thing replied smugly while smacking the untouched typewriter with his finger for extra emphasis.
“Alright you’ve made your point, now run along.”
Thing made a sarcastic movement with his thumb to portray his mock annoyance before retreating under Wednesday’s bed.
Wednesday spent a few moments staring at the tinted window in front of her, questioning whether she really wanted to have this confirmation. In the end though, the desire to return to normal and get an answer was too great.
Enid is dying. The seer thought as she rose from her chair. I have to be able to focus because I have greater things to worry about.
“Why have you been holding back?” Wednesday interrogated boldly, making Enid look up from her phone. She was texting someone, probably Bruno. Wednesday couldn’t stand the oaf, though she wasn’t sure why. Something about him being close to Enid made her mood sour but that was a problem for another day.
“What?” Enid looked at Wednesday with confused blue-eyes.
“You heard me. Why are you holding back?”
“Wednesday I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Ever since the founder;s pyre you’ve stopped initiating any forms of physical contact and I wanna know why.”
Enid’s gaze shifted to the floor as she bit her lip regrettably
“I just don’t want to cause you another vision.” Enid confessed with a sigh.
“So, you’ve seen me have visions countless times and it never deterred you from touching me until now.”
“Yes but that night wasn’t like your other vision! The shaking sure but those black tears and gasping was horrifying. It sounded like you were drowning. Then Lurch had to carry you away and I didn’t see you until morning. You’ve never had a vision that bad, never, and I’m the one that caused it.”
Tears started to flow down Enid’s cheeks as she spoke through little, panicked sobs. Without a word Wednesday gripped the taller girl’s hand and placed it on shoulder in the same spot it was that night in the quad. She held it there for a few seconds before removing it and setting it back at Enid’s side.
“There now you see I won’t be affected by your touch.” The goth said flatly.
“Well, obviously I know that it won’t happen every time!” The blonde girl huffed impatiently, though it was hard to take her seriously with a hot pink blush on her ears. “I just don’t want to see you like that again and I would rather not risk it.”
“Enid, my visions are incredibly unpredictable." Wednesday tried to reason.
“You said you had got them under control this summer” Enid rebutted.
“Well clearly I was mistaken.” Wednesday replied sharply, bitterness present in her voice but Enid knew it wasn’t directed at her but at Wednesday herself.
The wolf paused she never thought Wednesday would ever admit she didn’t have things figured out, that she wasn’t always eight steps ahead, that she didn’t have control of a situation.
“I’m sorry that must be hard for you.” Enid said softly. Her voice quiet, almost like a whisper.
Wednesday took in her words silently for a moment before responding.
“I apologize as well, for not being more understanding of your trepidations but I assure you, you cannot harm me. Besides, while I might not always express it or even reciprocate, your touch is worth every vision, and to prove that you will not harm me.”
Wednesday held out her arms eagerly, waiting for Enid to crash into them. They stared at each other for a long moment, Enid eyes were wide from surprise and slightly unsure. Wednesday nodded curt but comforting and Enid took the request slipping into the seer’s embrace. They stayed there for a long moment. Enid’s skin was warm while Wednesday was as cold as a glacier. Together they created the perfect temperature, not too hot or cold. It made their embrace all the more pleasant.
“I hope you know this won’t become a routine.” Wednesday deadpanned, her head resting against Enid’s shoulder. Her voice was softer than Enid had ever heard. With a small giggle Enid pulled her friend in tighter, their bodies pressing closer together.
“Of course not.”