A Love Rekindled

Chapter 1

Enid stepped out of her mother’s sleek black car, the late morning sun casting a soft glow over Nevermore Academy’s sprawling grounds.

Esther Sinclair, with her perfectly styled hair and neatly pressed blouse, leaned over from the driver's seat, her eyes scanning over her daughter with concern.

“Be safe, okay? And please, for the love of God, stop skipping classes,” Esther said, her voice tinged with both worry and frustration.

Enid rolled her eyes, a familiar routine she’d gone through countless times before.

“Yes, Mom. I’ll try,” she muttered, the half-hearted promise falling from her lips as she shut the car door a little harder than necessary.

Esther lingered for a moment, as if debating whether to say more, before sighing and nodding. “I’m serious, Enid. You’re too bright to waste it.”

With that, she drove off, leaving Enid standing alone on the cobblestone path that led up to the towering structure of Nevermore Academy.

Enid shoved her hands into her jacket pockets, biting the inside of her cheek. The sight of the academy, normally buzzing with the excitement of returning students, felt strangely off today.

Maybe it was just the weight of everything she’d been avoiding thinking about over the break.

She inhaled deeply, bracing herself as she trudged forward, the old stone building looming ahead. Inside, the air was filled with the familiar hum of students chatting animatedly, some reuniting after the summer, others catching up on the latest drama. It was the typical start of the school year.

As she made her way through the crowd, her eyes scanned the hall, landing on her friend Yoko Tanaka, who was leaning casually against one of the pillars, her  sunglasses perched on her head. A wide grin formed on her lips as she spotted Enid approaching.

“Hey, girlie,” Yoko greeted, her voice playful as she pulled Enid into a quick hug.

Enid returned the smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Hey,” she replied, trying to inject some energy into her voice.

“So, how was vacation?” Yoko asked as they began walking down the corridor together, their footsteps echoing in the gothic halls.

Enid let out a tired groan. “Nothing much, honestly. Mostly just family stuff. Too tired to do anything, really.” She shrugged, her usual vibrant energy feeling muted today.

Yoko raised an eyebrow. “Too tired? Who are you, and what have you done with my Enid?”

Enid chuckled lightly, but the sound was short-lived. “I guess I’m just... not really feeling it right now.”

Yoko gave her a side glance, sensing there was more to the story but deciding to tread carefully.

“Well, it’s good to have you back, even if you’re in zombie mode.”

As they turned a corner, Yoko’s eyes caught sight of something or rather someone in the distance.

A mischievous smile crept onto her lips.

“Speaking of the devil…” she muttered with a chuckle.

Enid’s brow furrowed in confusion, following Yoko’s gaze. Her stomach twisted uncomfortably as soon as she realized who Yoko was referring to.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Enid whispered, her voice laced with dread.

There, walking through the hallway as if she didn’t have a care in the world, was Wednesday Addams. The familiar sight of her dark attire, pale skin, and stoic expression made Enid’s heart skip, though she would never admit it out loud.