Burn slow

Chapter 7| Unexpected guest

POV Wednesday

I doved into the deep of my mind rolling on the waves of thoughts. I was indifferently staring at the ebony saucer with golden ornament on which lonely rested "Black velvet". Formerly this cake used to be my favourite.

Last night Xavier asked what was going on with me.

Good question.

Xavier sent me several messages in the morning but I ignored all of them.

Even if I wanted to show my true colours, I wouldn't show much because my one and only colour was black and I would be hugely disgusted to find in myself something else apart it.

I didn't know by myself what was going on with me. And that blew my top.

I was even more cantankerous than usual.

I tended to know what was going on in my head, to have my thoughts lined in order just anything else. But this time it was such an appalling disarray. I scared myself being not able to find an answer to the question "What am I feeling?". That fear wearied me even more so with every single day I felt more tired. I was exhausted from my own mind which was desperately trying to decipher my emotional morse code.

My mind ignored the door bell ringing so I was still glaring at nothing. But the next sound that could break through the blockade of my consciousness made me jump in place.

- Hello. Is Wednesday at home?

Xavier's voice. It cut out my stream of thoughts and I got goosebumps.

I turned around and blinked my eyes just to make sure I wasn't sleeping.

I wasn't.

Xavier was standing in the door himself trying not to glare at Lurch who just opened the door. I took several unconfident steps forward Xavier like being apprehensive about meeting him.
- What are you doing here? - I asked him staying in the shadow. I didn't want Xavier to see me.

My eyes tracked Thing prowling to the house. His palm and fingers were filthy so I quickly got the hatch that Thing had had a long trip.

- Just wanted to see you. We are friends, right? - Xavier gave a general answer because Lurch was still nearby.

I slightly nodded. Lurch having gotten the understanding that Xavier wasn't a threat stepped away letting me get closer to the door. But I didn't hurry to do that. I was staying hidden by the dark shadows of Addams's Manor.
- Wednesday, - Xavier made a step forward almost entering the house. Unconsciously I wanted to get closer to him too but burred myself immediately, - we have texted this night and... - Xavier sighed because he struggled to explain why he was really here. - I just got a weird gut feeling about you and you ignored all my last messages so I just wanted to double check if you're alright.
- I am totally fine.
- That is why you are hiding in the darkness? - Xavier smirked but this smirk concealed a lot of anxiety.

I stepped out the shadow.

- I'm alright, you see? - I said with annoyance. I didn't mind texting him but I wasn't ready to see him on my doorstep. - Alive. Yet.
Xavier looked me up and down. His glare got even more concerned and the smirk vanished immediately.

Xavier noticed that shadows under my eyes looked even darker because I haven't slept well for a long time. My black sweatshirt looked even bigger on me accentuating my miniature figure. I lost much weight because since the end of the semester any food got stuck in my throat:
- Yet, - Xavier repeated after me slowly. His brain was processing my words. Suddenly he changed the topic of the conversation: - Get ready. We're going to Atlantic City.
- You mixed up the pronouns. You said "we" instead of "I".
- No, Wednesday. My pronoun was correct, - Xavier glared at me with steely gaze. He leaned to me a little bit closer and almost whispered next words. - It has something to do with Francis Polish.
I stared at Xavier for several seconds with my signature grumpy face but it didn't work. Our eyes locked and an invisible combat has started. We were staring at each other fighting with glances:
- Fine, - that was the only thing that I said to Xavier removing my gaze. He smiled at me with the victorious smile. - Wait here.
I slammed the door in front of Xavier without any back thought that it could be rude.

I made it to my room and saw Thing
sitting at my table, smearing himself with a chamomile hand cream and looking pretty satisfied.
- How did Xavier find out where I live? - I asked Thing strictly. He got frozen for a couple of seconds and then took off running. I threw myself into chasing.

I jumped over the chair to get to Thing but he managed to spring to the bed. I threw another chair which was in my way aside and fell down at my bed. My fingers almost reached Thing but he hid under the wardrobe having decided to weather the storm there.
- I'll deal with you later, - I promised Thing. - You're lucky that I don't have time now.

I was out of breath and red colour splashed over my cheeks. I looked more alive but it didn't reflect what was inside me at all. I groaned and proceeded with getting ready. I didn't bother much with my look. I chose a black over-size cable-knit sweater with a wide neck and leggings of the same colour.

I got out the house swiftly and almost hit Xavier who was on my way. Fortunately he managed to evade.

- Let's go, - I cast a word to Xavier ignoring the requests of my parents to explain where I was going and with whom. - Lurch will bring us to Atlantic City.

We got into the car and it started moving before Mother who came out the house managed to stop me.