Friday Addams || Xavier Thorpe

21

"All right, everyone take a seat. We have a special announcement," Principal Weems started speaking. Everyone began applauding as they filtered into the bleachers around the pedestal. 

"Welcome, welcome, Nevermore Academy," The mayor spoke. "Now, on behalf of the entire Jericho community, we are so pleased to have you here today. Your generosity and hard work are truly... outreachous!" He chuckled before clearing his throat from his own pun. "Okay, everyone. We'll see you back here at one o'clock for lunch. Enjoy!"

The students dispersed as my sister cornered a certain blonde werewolf. "Enid. Switch volunteer assignments," she demanded, rather than asked.

"What? No. Uriah's Heap is definitely not my bag." The disgust was evident on her face through her scrunched nose.

"It's an emergency. I need to check out Pilgrim World," Wednesday explained. I was confused about why my twin would wander around Pilgrim World with children instead of going to Uriah's Heap.

"But Wednesday, this is not a fair trade. Why would I agree to spend the entire day at some dumpy emporium of crapola."

"Because Ajax is volunteering there. Thing sneaked a peek at his assignment. But if you're not interested..."

"No!" Enid exclaimed, not wanting to pass up on the idea of spending time with her crush. If she managed to speak with him as the two were incredibly awkward around one another. They exchanged envelopes and the werewolf's face lit up with excitement. "Oh my gosh, thank you. You're the best!" She giggled while running off to Uriah's Heap.

I turned away from Wednesday after giving her a look to let her know that I was suspicious of her. I made my way to the Weathervane where I would be working with Xavier. I entered the shop to see Tyler working and almost cursed for having forgotten about him. He greeted me and showed me the ropes around the building before the door opened and signalled Xavier had entered. He gave Tyler the cold shoulder and stood next to me. As soon as we were left alone, I pulled him to the side to talk. "So, you don't believe that a huge monster killed Rowan? I saw it with my own eyes, Xavier! I thought you would believe me." I started off direct to focus his attention on the issue.

"I'm trying to keep my mind open with the possibility that he is actually alive. I mean, we did all see him leave the school today. How is that even possible if he was killed by the monster?" He said while greeting a  customer and taking his order. He began making the black coffee that an older man had requested.

"You and I both know that weird things can happen. We literally go to a high school where most people are sirens, werewolves, or gargons. Anything can happen and I wouldn't be surprised if that were an impression of Rowan."

"All I'm saying is that we can't rule out all angles. Don't start acting like Wednesday and only focus on the grim details you've witnessed. She has visions, how do you know it wasn't both of you having some strange vision of Rowan's death?" His statement irritated me further at him telling me not to act like my twin. There was nothing wrong with her and I wasn't just claiming Rowan died for her benefit.

"It wasn't a vision, I don't get them. And I'm almost nothing like Wednesday. We aren't only following up on our suspicions because it's grim, we are following them because it's true and we don't want anyone else to get in danger." I turned away from him and we silently worked through customer's orders.

"Principal Weems," I heard Mayor Walker speak by way of greeting. I hadn't even realized the tall woman was in the Weathervane. He stepped closer to her booth and I eavesdropped while pretending to wash dishes. "Well, it looks like another successful Outreach Day is upon us." This caused the principal to chuckle with delight as she held a bright smile with her perfectly white teeth showing. "And, uh... thank you for your generous donation to my re-election campaign."

Weems showed disinterest and tried to play it off as nothing. "Consider it a token of our ongoing cooperation," she responded.

Ms. Thornhill approached the table to give  a check-in with Principal Weems, Tyler had served her coffee. "Apparently everyone is off to their assignments. And so far, no incidents." I almost let out a sigh of relief at that, believing Wednesday had not been up to anything.

"Mayor Walker, I'd like you to meet Marilyn Thornhill." Principal Weems gestured to the more petite woman as Ms. Thornhill stood with her hands clasped behind her back. "In the spirit of Outreach, she's Nevermore's first normie teacher."

The mayor chuckled and shook her hand. "The pleasure is all mine." He seemed to study her face for a few more moments.  "Hey, have we, uh... Have we met before?"

"Not officially, but I see you in here every morning. You're always tucked into that back booth when I come for my daily matcha latte." I listened carefully to everything she said, still feeling something off about her. 

"I knew it!" Walker exclaimed at the revelation before Principal Weems cut in.

"Miss Thornhill, please keep me posted, especially about a certain pig-tailed upstart." Weems caught my eye at the mention of my sister and I quickly glanced away before she suspected anything. The younger woman nodded and the three of them returned to their normal business.

The business was quiet for a few more hours before my twin made her way into the coffee shop. She walked up to the counter where Xavier was taking orders and made her presence known. "I thought you were supposed to be at Pilgrim World," He said with a grim tone.

"I deserted it while my sanity was still intact," was her quiet response. 

"Oh yeah? Do you want a coffee? It's one of the many perks of this wonderful assignment." I spoke as I walked over to the counter. I figured she was up to something that Principal Weems would not be very fond of. 

"I'm actually here for Tyler," she replied as her eyes turned to face mine.

"I told you he was bad news. Twice." I agreed with this statement after having a strange feeling around Tyler, similar to that of the one with Ms. Thornhill.

"I will second that."

"But who I speak to is my business." She levelled us with the classic Wednesday gaze and rang the bell that was sitting on the counter. Tyler appeared from the back room as Xavier scoffed.

"You rang? Want the usual?" He asked, holding up a cup to be prepared for making her a coffee.

"And some help." Xavier abandoned the conversation with Wednesday and went to help other customers. I followed along with the conversation between my twin and Tyler, not wanting her to get hurt. "You know the original pilgrim meeting house, the one from the 1600s? You know if it's still around?" She asked to which Tyler nodded. "Show me."

The boy brought us over to a map as I untied my apron, preparing to leave the building. He pointed to a spot on the map that was surrounded by forest. "Uh... there, but, look, it's kind of sketchy. Squatters and meth heads use that place as a crash pad. What's this about?"

"Nothing," Wednesday replied defensively.

"You're becoming obsessed with this monster in the woods thing." I figured Tyler would disagree with our theory as everyone else did.

"Would you rather I develop an obsession with horses and boy bands?" At his lack of response, she continued. "Thank you for the help."

"Hey, listen, the ruins are kind of tricky to find. I could take you this afternoon. My shift ends at two."

"Principal Weems would hang, draw, and quarter me if I miss the big statue dedication. And as enticing as that sounds, I'd prefer to keep a low profile. Besides, I know my way around the great outdoors." I knew that Wednesday was not overreacting with her statement about Weems.

"Don't tell me you were a girl scout," Tyler offhandedly joked.

"I could eat girl scouts for breakfast. I have an uncle who went to jail for that," she gave a slight smirk as we trailed out of the Weathervane.