Friday Addams || Xavier Thorpe

3

After finishing up with our tour by Enid, we went back out to the vehicle to say our goodbyes to our family. I was upset about having to leave them for a few months at school. I would miss having Pugsley around as I did love him greatly.

"Look at you, my little deathtraps. Seeing you in these uniforms brings back so many terrible memories. Doesn't it Tish?"

"Yes. Why don't you boys go wait in the car? The girls and I need a moment." I could tell our mother had something to discuss, judging by the expression on her face. It seemed to be mostly pointed at Wednesday, which wasn't much of a surprise.

"Pugsley, you're soft and weak. You'll never survive without me. I give it two months, tops." Wednesday said in usual nonchalance. Anyone in our family could tell that she would miss him while we were at Nevermore.

"Don't worry, Pugsley. We'll be home soon enough. I trust you can last long enough." I tried reassuring him after what my sister had said.

"I'm gonna miss you both." Our brother came up and hugged Wednesday and I before heading back into the car. My twin stood still but allowed him to hug her because he was family and it would be a while before we saw him again.

Once our father and brother were in the car, our mother turned around quickly and spoke directly to Wednesday. She narrowed her eyes in on my twin. "Any plans you have of running away end right now. I've alerted all family members to contact me the minute you darken their doorstep. You have nowhere to go." My mother had always intimidated me when she spoke in her stern voice, which is why I tried avoiding getting into trouble. However, Wednesday seemed attracted to causing trouble for her.

"I can try to keep her here, but I don't think I could stop her if she tried. But if she ran, I would stay with her," I responded to her before my sister did. Wednesday turned to face me briefly with a look that portrayed we would be talking about it later.

"I will escape this educational penitentiary, and you will never hear from me again."

Our mother sighed and turned her gaze to the stones for a moment before staring back into my sister's dark eyes. "You are a brilliant girl, Wednesday, but sometimes you get in your own way. I'm sure you'll both grow to love Nevermore, and find it as life-changing as I did. Oh, I got you a little something. W... M. Our initials. Friday, I got you a bracelet that spins to form an F from the M. They're made of obsidian, which Aztec priests used to conjure visions. It's a symbol of our connection." She pulled out the necklace for Wednesday and flipped it as she spoke to demonstrate the change between the initials. She did the same for the bracelet. I ddin't expect Wednesday to accept it because of her poor relationship with our mother. She took the necklace and put it into a pocket while I placed the bracelet carefully on my wrist after it was given to me.

"Which one of your spirits suggested this toe-curling tchotchke? I'm not you, Mother. I will never fall in love, or be a housewife, or have a family." I silently stood next to my twin as she spoke. I brushed my light brown hair out of my face and tried to keep my eyes away from the staring contest between my sister and mother.

"I'm told girls your age say hurtful things, and I shouldn't take it to heart."

"Finally, a kind word for your mother. Lurch, the crystal ball please." Lurch grunted as he brought over a case holding a crystal ball in it. It was the best form of communication with our parents since we had decided not to give in to technology. "We can't talk to you for the first week while you're settling in, so we'll call you next Sunday."

"Bye, mom." I waved to her as she opened the car door to sit in the back next to our father once more. She gave a small smile and waved back, the car slowly driving away with Lurch behind the wheel.