Woe Is Love (Wednesday X Male Reader)

Chapter Two - Lay of the Land

Nevermore Academy - New England

Y/N remained silent as Principal Weems gave him a tour of the school grounds. The place reminding him of a decrepit mansion he'd seen in an old time movie he watched with his parents. The atmosphere was filled with the chirping of birds and the fluttering of wings, accompanied by the summer air. It would've been a beautiful day, had Y/N not just lost everything he knew and loved.

The two turned into a long wooden corridor with dozens of doors dotted along the walls. Floorboards bent and groaned as Weems and Y/N passed over them, with the older woman beginning to commentate.

"This is Laertes Hall," Weems announced, waving her hands about as she did. "This is where you'll be spending most of your time here, along with a roommate. Your dorm is just ahead."

Y/N didn't respond. All Larissa received was a short nod of the head. She sighed as she watched the boy walk ahead; he had been this way ever since they'd left the station. Only speaking when required to, nodding or shaking his head for anything else. Weems couldn't help but feel bad for him.

He wheeled the stuff he had bought in Jericho into the room, after being provided the key. The dorm consisted of two beds, one on either side, a couple dressers, a bathroom and a large circular window in the centre that was seemingly inspired by a church's stained glass windows. Maybe the church was inspired by Nevermore, knowing the age of this place.

"I'll... leave you to unpack," the principal spoke up, unsure of what to say. "Food will be served at half six in the dining hall. Feel free to come down and join me if you're feeling up to it."

Larissa stayed for a moment longer before slowly closing the door and leaving Y/N to his solitude.

<[•]>

Deep within Nevermore's library, Y/N could be seen hidden in a corner, flipping through pages of a dusty, old book with a couple dozen more piled beside him. The rustling of paper stopped as Y/N found what he was looking for.

Class of '91

There upon the page, smiling back at him, was a picture of a younger Sarah L/N. Besides her stood two girls, one was clearly Larissa Weems, looking no different to what she does now, whilst the other was found to be named Morticia Frump. Nearby was his dad too, looking as grumpy as ever.

"I remember that day like it was yesterday," a voice spoke up, making Y/N jump out of his chair in shock. "Sorry... I didn't mean to scare you."

Principal Weems stood behind him with a nostalgic smile and hands clasped behind her back. She wore her usual coat with an exaggerated collar, and thin, purple gloves giving Y/N the impression she was a neat freak.

"Your mother never did like the uniform here... always said it made her itchy. When no one else thought the same, she released a horde of midges and cloaked them with her magic... everyone took her seriously after that..." Larissa reminisced with a small smirk and a quick exhale from the nose.

"Why did you owe her a favour?" Y/N queried.

She was quite shocked. Both at the fact that he actually talked back and at the fact he so bluntly changed the subject.

"Well... back when I was your age, I..." Weems began, unsure if she should tell him. "I was stupid. I fell in love... I made a mistake, he wasn't who I thought he was... but by the time I found out, it was already too late."