Because of Her | a wenclair story.

part 2; first day's woe.

 The sun slowly peaked on the horizon, and I sought to count the passing trees. The journey was a long one, a sleepless night passed, and ten minutes of rest for Lurch. Even longer now that the sun has risen, and the anxiety in me grew. One thing and one thing alone played on repeat in my head, normally such a nuisance would've made me want to put a bullet in my head, but the annoyance this time was pleasant. Enid.

Soon, the vehicle came to a halt, and Lurch glanced back at me to signal we'd arrived.

The early morning air was cold on my face, clouds slowly began to cover the clear skies though not entirely. Mother would've commented on what a beautiful day it was; shame she couldn't make it. Nor could father, as Uncle Fester got himself into a knot he needed help to get out of. Not that I minded.

Lurch helped carry my suitcases inside; passing by bustling bodies and incoherent chatters. My eyes were almost frantic, getting away from me in search of the familiar blonde hair, giddy with freedom. My chest swarmed with a foreign feeling as my feet carried me to Ophelia Hall.

Finally, the door separating me from her stood before me. I had advised Lurch to leave my belongings, and he had bid me goodbye after with my family's best wishes.

A long exhale, the doorknob was cold on my skin. The hammering of my chest was ceaseless. With another long breath, I slowly pushed the door open.

When I first saw her after so long, my breath caught in my throat; she was busy unpacking her belongings, and had not noticed I came in. I took to watch until she did; her blond hair glistened from the morning rays seeping through the window, the soft features of her face were forced into a frown; her lower lip pulled in a small pout. She looked upset, I assumed it was because of her mother.

Only when the small thud of the door closing behind me sounded did she look up to catch my gaze. I watched as her face lit up immediately. "Enid."

"Wednesday!" Her chirpy voice soothed the nerves in my chest. I watched as she hoisted herself up, skipping toward me with her arms open. Instinctively, I stepped aside before she could hug me; and almost regretted it from the expression she next wore; the same pout with furrowed brows. From this close, I noticed the dark circles under her eyes. Yet, she was so effortlessly beautiful.

"Come on, I thought we were behind the no-hug phase."

"What could possibly make you think such a thing."

I busied myself with carrying my belongings to my side of the room to distract myself from studying her features. The sun gleamed brighter on my side, the window being uncovered from colored papers. Enid followed close behind, and even closer when I began settling in my belongings.

"You know, you did hug me." I did not have to look at her to hear her pout.

"That was different."

"Fine," she huffed, welcoming herself to plop on my well-made bed. I could feel her eyes on me, normally, I'd ignore the feeling. Having eyes on me was something I'd become accustomed to, but when it was hers, a strange feeling surged through me. It was almost like fear, the way it overtook me.

A comfortable silence fell upon us, and soon, I was done unpacking.

Enid's eyes were closed now, a peaceful expression on her face; a small, satisfied smile on her lips. Her smile was warm, and the sadness of her expression before was almost a distant memory from the ardors she radiated now.

There was a small creak when I sat down beside where she lay on the edge of the bed, and she slowly opened her eyes to meet mine. Her smile grew, and her hand found mine. This much I allowed. Our fingers intertwined, and her grip on my hand was secure, but not forceful; like a child holding their mother's finger. Her hand was warm and weirdly, I longed to feel more of it. Of her.

"You know," she began, her voice barely above a mumble. "Your hand is so cold. It was cold on the day we hugged, too." The words were slow on her lips, she took her time saying them.

"Yeah? Is that bad?"

"No," she hummed, I could hear her smile as she spoke. My gaze remained on our hands. "I like it."

When I turned in hopes to soak myself in the warmth of her gaze, her eyes were shut again. Now, the rays illuminated her features brighter; and I could see the small bruises on her arms; darker circles she had attempted to cover under her eyes; her chapped, pink lips. The girlish little blush on her cheeks.

Instinctively, my free hand drifted to feel what I assumed was a bruise on her forearm, and rightfully so; she flinched when my hand made contact with the swollen, warm skin. "You're hurt."

Her chuckle was strained, and she slowly lifted to sit. She did not withdraw from my hold, so I held her arm tighter, careful not to hurt her. "Just side effects from wolfing out the last full moon," another chuckle. Her smile grew sheepishly. "I promise, it's not that bad."

My brows furrowed, and I studied her arms; as she said, the bruising was not too bad. She might've fallen somewhere, or hit her arm while running. When I met her gaze next, it was soft and full of warmth, and her signature smile grew when I looked at her. "But your eyes, have you not been sleeping?"

"Wednesday, for someone who pretends to not care, you sure notice so much."

"Answer the question, Enid."

Her grin stretched before a defeated sigh, the hand holding mine tightened. "It's just..." She pursed her lips as if ashamed, and her free hand began awkwardly playing with my fingers that held hers. "My parents. You know how they are."

I didn't, but I also didn't ask further. I did not want to make her uncomfortable when she looked so at peace. So, when her smile returned, we took to unpacking her belongings in comfortable silence. Enid would talk of her travels, her summer, and my heart felt content having to listen.

—

Note: this takes place after the 8th episode, of course. But as if the stalker never existed so keep that in mind as you read.