A Love Rekindled

Chapter 25

Seven Years Later

The soft clicking of keys filled the cozy apartment as Wednesday typed away on her laptop. The dim glow of her screen illuminated her sharp features, her fingers moving methodically as she pieced together her latest article.

It had taken her years to adapt to using modern technology, but with Enid’s persistent guidance and the demands of her job as a journalist, she had begrudgingly mastered it.

The door to their apartment creaked open, and Enid strolled in, visibly drained. She let out a heavy sigh before flopping onto the couch they had picked out together during one of Enid's rare victorious shopping trips.

“Tired?” Wednesday asked, not lifting her gaze from the screen.

“Yeah,” Enid replied, stretching out dramatically. “I’ve got deadlines piling up for the new line, and my brain feels like it's melting.”

Wednesday leaned back in her chair, letting her eyes wander briefly from the screen. Her gaze landed on the framed sketches adorning the wall—her own meticulous portrait of the two of them, completed years ago, and Enid’s original drawing of stick figures, which was now infamous in their circle.

A small smirk played on Wednesday’s lips.

“I still remember the day you confidently showed me that… masterpiece,” she said, her tone dripping with dry amusement. “Now, you’re an acclaimed fashion designer.”

Enid chuckled as she followed Wednesday’s gaze to the framed stick figures.
“I still can’t believe you framed that,” she said, shaking her head.

“It’s memorable,” Wednesday replied, her voice softening slightly. “And, truthfully, I cherish it more than any of your haute couture designs.”

Enid burst out laughing, her tiredness momentarily forgotten. “You’re unbelievable! My stick figures trump my actual career?”

“Without question,” Wednesday deadpanned.

Enid rolled her eyes, her grin lingering. “You’ve got a strange way of being sweet, babe. But I’ll take it.”

Silence settled between them for a moment, broken only by the rhythm of Wednesday’s typing. Finally, Enid sat up and stretched.

“By the way,” Enid began, her voice lighter now, “Yoko wants to meet up tonight. Drinks, maybe dinner. You coming?”

Wednesday’s fingers paused mid-sentence. “I need to finish this article,” she said, her tone neutral, though she noticed the slight disappointment in Enid’s eyes.

“Oh,” Enid mumbled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Alright. I’ll tell her you’re busy.”

Wednesday sighed inwardly, guilt tugging at her usual sense of detachment.

“Fine,” she relented, glancing over her shoulder at Enid. “I’ll check my schedule, but if we do go, it won’t be tonight.”

Enid’s face lit up, her earlier fatigue fading. “Really? You’ll come? I’ll let Yoko know we’ll plan for another day!”

Wednesday shook her head, suppressing a small smile as she turned back to her laptop. “You’re relentless.”

“And you love me for it,” Enid quipped, already texting Yoko the update.

Wednesday returned to her work, the faint smile on her lips betraying her affection.

“Yes, unfortunately for me, I do.”
_________

The streets were bustling with crowds as Wednesday and Enid approached the bar where they were supposed to meet their old friends. The sign of the bar buzzed faintly overhead.