The Aftermath {A Wenclair Story}

Ophelia Hall

"Oh, my little storm cloud. Look at you, attending Nevermore willingly. I'm so glad you love it here, as your mother and I did." Gomez Addams glances lovingly at his wife, who smiles and caresses the side of his face with her hand. "Cara mia."

Wednesday holds back rolling her eyes, instead turning to her brother Pugsley to save herself from her parent's public displays of affection. She suddenly got a sense of deja vu from when she was first forced to come to this school. She stood in the same spot, her heart lit with anger and resentment towards her parents. Mostly towards her mother.

But now she stood, hands clasped in front of her resting against her custom Nevermore uniform, and instead of anger in her heart was excitement and contentment. She felt as if she were home once again. This school had become a safe haven for her, as it was for almost all the students here. A shock to her and her family.

"Pugsley." Her younger brother threw his arms around her, much like last time, and she patted his shoulder twice before he let go. "I'll miss you, Wednesday."

"You survived without me once, I'm sure you can manage again." Her brother smiled a bit before turning his back and getting into the car. Morticia stepped forwards and ghost caressed the side of her daughter's face, smiling softly. "My dear, I do hope this time is as much as exciting as was last. Do have fun, and we are a simple summon away." She looked at the grand school one last time, a hint of sadness in her eyes before turning away. Gomez kissed Wednesday on the cheek and finally the Addams family left, leaving one behind.

Well, two.

Thing popped up from Wednesdays backpack, sitting on her shoulder and tapping his fingers. "There is no reason for me not to be ready. Unless you are questioning, let's go." She turned on her heel and clipped inside the school.

Once again at Nevermore.

Faintly she felt the buzz of her phone in her backpack, but ignored it like she always did. Rarely did she ever use it herself. Mostly Thing would be tapping away on it, playing games or watching videos.

As always, she found social media to be a soul-sucking void of meaningless affirmation.

The school was swarming with students already, the Wolf's and Vamps, Sirens and Stoners. Everything in-between. Walking through the halls she spotted familiar faces. Bianca, who nodded her way. Wednesday nodded back. Yoko and Divina, standing close and whispering into each other's ears. They both waved as she passed.

This sense of familiarity was strange to Wednesday. She didn't have friends. All her life she didn't think she needed them. Why need anyone when yourself is enough?

She didn't think it was worth the pain and disappointment that came with relationships. Friendships. All had let her down before.

But recently Wednesday realized that it wasn't that bad to have people on your side. Goody had told her she was destined to be alone.

Destiny's can change.

She was about to walk up the next flight of stairs to Ophelia Hall when she was suddenly stopped besides the balcony. "Wednesday."

Xavier stood there, arms cross, with a new haircut and black piercings in his ears. His hair was shorter, cut closer to his neck, but still a bit long. It was also layered, and it looked good on him. It fit. "Xavier." The boys lip curled a bit at the corner but he put on an accusing expression. "You didn't get my messages?"

"I told you I wouldn't answer. I have no use for modern-day technology." He rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Of course, I forgot the legendary Wednesday couldn't dare leave the comfort of her olden ways." She felt a bit of a sting at his words, thinking of their past before the semester break.

She remembered him behind bars, heavy chains locked all over his body. She was certain that he was the Hyde. She wasn't sure if he would ever forgive her for being wrong.

"I need to go to my room and unpack. Have fun with talking to yourself through a screen." Wednesday saw the smile and scoff as she turned away, but now that she was closer only one thing was on her mind.

Only one person occupying her head.

Standing in front of her old room door she felt a wave of sadness wash over her, remembering when Principal Weems first introduced her to Ophelia Hall. The death of the Nevermore principal was still fresh, and everyone still mourned her. There would never be anyone like Larissa Weems.

A tap of reassurance came from her shoulder, and she glanced at Thing with a sigh. "I'm fine." He tapped his fingers in the same way one would roll his eyes and slid back into her backpack, letting her walk through on her own.

The door slid open with ease, and she was immediately hit with the bright arrangement of colors, the loud pop music, and the smell of, what was it this time, cotton candy? If there was one person who could spend all of their money on ridiculous-looking and awful-smelling candles, it was Enid.

Before Wednesday could get even a foot into the room arms were thrown around her shoulders and a bright cheery voice practically yelled into her ear. "Howdy, roomie!"

For the first time in months since the break, Wednesdays chest warmed.