𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 // 𝘹𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘦

𝘟𝘟𝘝𝘐𝘐

I stood beside Xavier, the gentle raindrops striking my ears. I watch everyone around, the somber expressions taking over their faces. We were all gathered around for Myaors Walker's wake. He had passed away unexpectedly in the hospital last night, though I didn't buy it, and knew this was all just part of something bigger.

"Hey, we should get going" Xavier whispers, grabbing a hold of my hand. I nod, walking over to the rest of our friend group. We all stood, talking about random things as we weren't quite in the mood to have fun.

I sigh, listening to Enid talk. I turn around to find Wednesday running into the forest behind the wake. What was she doing now?

"Xavier, I have to go" I drift off, leaving in the direction Wednesday had.

"Dahlia?" I discard his calls, picking up my pace. I was now running through the forest, a black figure coming into view every few steps.

"Wednesday, what the hell?" I stand with my  hands on my knees as I tried to catch my breath. My eyes widen at the men in front of her. It was Uncle Fester. "No way,"

"Uncle Fester" For the first time since we had gotten here, the first time in almost a year, Wednesday smiled. It was a genuine smile. I come over to them, a genuine smile on my face as well.

"Uncle Fester, it's been forever!" I laugh, moving to stand in front of him. Wednesday soon joins us, all of us walking together.

"How long have you been stalking me?" Wednesday asked.

"Just blew into town this morning and was hit by a wave of nostalgia." Uncle Fester laughs, holding onto the strap of his bag.

"I thought you didn't go to Nevermore?" I question.

"I didn't. Your dad got all the brains. But I used to drop in on him. Usually from the ceiling with a dagger clutched between my teeth. Just to keep him on his toes."

"Of course" Wednesday held the same genuine smile she had when she first came face to face with Uncle Fester. It was a nice site to see after such a long time without it.

"He filled me in on what's been going on. Monsters, murder, mayhem. What fun!" Uncle Fester smiled widely, stopping our walk.

"I told him I had a job in Boston, but I'd be checking up on you."

"What kind of job?"

"The kind that means I need somewhere to lay low for a couple of days."

｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈• ｡ﾟ

I walk around the school, finding my way to the dining hall. Wednesday and Uncle Fester left, most likely finding somewhere where he could lay low, while I decided to come back and unwind.

"Dahlia!" I whip my head over to Enid who sat with Yoko, Divina, and Bianca. I smile, making my way over and sitting down beside her.

"Hey guys"

"Where'd you go earlier?" Yoko asked, her arm wrapped around Divina. I couldn't help but smile for her.

"Uh, Wednesday ran into the forest so I decided to see what that was about" I sigh, resting my face in my palms.

"Oh, well don't go running off anymore, especially with her" Enid chuckles, though I knew the chuckle was only to mask her true feelings. She was currently staying in mine and Yoko's dorm after blowing up at Wednesday, and rightfully so. Enid seemed angry whenever she talked about her, but I knew that was only a facade for her true feelings which were sadness.

"Enid, don't pretend to be mad, maybe talking with her could help" I rub her arm, a comforting smile following suit.

"I...I am mad, and I think I might request to room with you guys instead. I mean we've been having so much fun" I could hear the uncertainty in her voice, the stumbling over almost every word. I knew better than to keep bringing it up, so I instead stayed quiet.

"Speaking of, how about we go back to your dorm? Maybe we could do mani-pedis?" Enid claps excitedly, a smile on her face. Everyone agrees and we all start walking.

Enid, Divina, and Yoko were walking ahead as both Bianca and I stayed back.

"So, how's Lucas doing? I know you guys were talking and stuff" I try to break the silence between us, which had now become easier ever since the Rave'N. Bianca and I had now become friends.

"He's...I don't really know. I mean how's he supposed to feel after having his dad die?" Bianca sighs.

"Yeah, if you want to talk, we can" I smile, wrapping an arm around her playfully.

"And you? How are things with Xavier?" She asks, a smirk on her face. We had now gotten to the point where it wasn't weird for discussions like these.

"They're amazing. He's amazing"

"Yeah, I bet it's nice having him trust you" Bianca jokes, both of us laughing softly.

"Hey, you got a nice guy too."

"True, and he trusts me" We finally reach our dorm, and everyone came in to sit down on my bed.

"Okay, where is my nail polish?" Enid asks, looking through her bag. "Ugh, I think I left it in my dorm"

"Think you might be safe to go, Wednesday was out last I check" I laugh, grabbing my phone out of my bag. Enid leaves and we all start talking. I look at my phone and see a text from Xavier. I smile, reading it, 'meet me at my art shed tonight, maybe we could do another painting lesson'.

I text back that I would be there and turn my attention to the conversation.

"Ooh, you texting your boyfriend?" Yoko teases, a playful smirk on her face.

"I know you're not talking with your arms on Divina's waist" I laugh, pushing her playfully. We all continue talking, even gossiping.

I loved this, just being away from drama and fear lingering in the back of my head 24/7.

With my friends, with Xavier, that was where I wanted to be.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

word count: 998

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! The next chapter is definitely going to be the most important yet, at least in my opinion. I was thinking of maybe changing the face of Xavier in my cast introduction chapter given that I really don't want it to come across that I condone anything Percy has done and has been accused of. I also just want to make it clear here as well, I in no way support Percy and am strictly continuing this story because the character is separate from the actor. There is proof against him and it is truly disgusting that someone would do everything he has done. On that note, please comment and vote, it means so much to me. Thank you!