Chapter Text
The California glow hadn’t quite worn off Enid yet. She still carried it in her smile, in the way her hair seemed brighter under the pale March sun and her skin was tanned kissed by a brighter sun. Even the Highschools weather-worn brick facade looked less gray than usual when she was nearby— though Wednesday would sooner credit atmospheric refraction than sentimentality. Spring had settled in tentatively: cherry buds just starting to blush, a softer breeze through the trees, students spilling across the lawn in lighter jackets.
“It feels… weird,” Enid said as they crossed the parking lot. “Like, we were in California, skating in the sun and now—” She waved toward the school entrance. “This.”
“You speak as though one were superior to the other,” Wednesday said.
Enid shot her a knowing grin. “Don’t even pretend you don’t miss the beach walks.”
Wednesday’s silence was telling.
Up ahead, their friends were clustered on the front steps like a welcome committee. Yoko leaned against the railing, Divina's arms wrapped around her. Kent lounging with a backpack half-zipped, Ajax gesturing wildly to Eugene over some mystery topic.
“Enid!” Divina spotted them first, waving them over.
In seconds, Enid was engulfed in hugs. “Finally!” Divina said. “It’s been so boring without you.”
“Boring without her,” Yoko corrected with a smirk, “and eerily quiet without you, Addams as paradoxical as that sounds.”
“Tranquility is underrated,” Wednesday replied.
Ajax bounded over. “Okay, spill. Did you dominate California skate parks or what?”
Enid’s grin widened. “We did. Totally owned it.”
“She means we encountered opponents,” Wednesday said. “I handled them swiftly enough.”
Kent laughed. “Same old Wednesday.”
Eugene tugged at his bee-patterned hoodie. “You bring back anything?”
Enid’s eyes flicked briefly to Wednesday. “Yeah. Memories. And… a hoodie that might end up being mine forever.”
Wednesday did not contest this, which earned a round of knowing looks from the group. She dared not bring up the ring. By the time they got to English, Ajax had already convinced Enid to recount a story from Venice Beach. She made the entire row laugh, describing Wednesday’s deadpan stare-down with a guy who tried to flirt by doing a backflip on a skateboard.
“I told him his technique was more likely to impress an ambulance driver than me,” Wednesday said without looking up from her notebook.
Mrs. Roberts had to shush them twice before class actually began.
Enid and Yoko shared a desk, texting under the table about their next skate meet-up. Across the room, Wednesday worked through the assignment with precise, almost surgical efficiency. Kent leaned over to whisper something to her.
“Do you ever… just get bored?” he asked.
“Yes,” Wednesday said flatly. “Which is why I solve problems as quickly as possible.”
He blinked. “Math problems or… people problems?”
Wednesday allowed the faintest smile. “Yes.”
The group claimed their usual corner table. Enid sat wedged between Wednesday and Divina, happily trading fries for one of Yoko’s chocolate cookies. She was more sitting on Wednesday's lap but part of her left leg was on the seat as to not crush the tiny goth. Ajax and Eugene argued about which California food looked the most disgusting in Enid’s trip photos.
“That burrito was art,” Enid insisted.
“That burrito looked like roadkill in a tortilla,” Ajax countered.
Wednesday cut in without looking up from her book. “It was delicious. Surprisingly authentic compared to what i was expecting.”
Everyone paused.
“Wait,” Yoko said slowly, “you actually liked something thats not Enid?”
Enid grinned. “Add that to the history books.”
They all ended up in the library, scattered across a big table. Divina and Yoko passed notes back and forth; Eugene was trying to force Ajax to work on their Biology homework.
Enid leaned over to Wednesday, her voice low. “Feels like we never left, huh?”
Wednesday kept her eyes on her notebook. “We did leave. We returned. And yet… something is not the same.”
Enid tilted her head. “Yeah?”
Wednesday’s pen slowed. “Yes. You smile differently now. Not worse in fact its even more radiant now.”
Enid’s chest felt warmer than the spring air outside.
The group lingered, swapping plans for the weekend. Yoko suggested a movie night, Ajax pitched a park skate session, and Kent was lobbying for a diner run.
Enid gave Wednesday a questioning look, but Wednesday simply said, “I don't care which, as long as no one expects small talk, I will tolerate it.”
“Cool,” Enid said, slinging her backpack over her shoulder. “Then it’s a date.”
The others groaned at the word, but neither girl seemed to hear.
They walked home together, side by side, the low sun painting the pavement gold. California might have been behind them, but spring was just getting started — and so were they. Pugsley chased behind the girls, seemingly forgotten once again. He literally followed them to school every day how did he keep being forgotten? Perhaps Wednesday and Enid just failed to notice in their obsession with one another.