Philophobic : Tyler Galpin

27: You Make Me Feel Like A Fool

Tuesday, November 13th

[author's pov]

Victoria hasn't spoken to Tyler since they arrived back in town. She'd been biking to and from school since his confession and neither dared to text each other.

Tyler wasn't afraid of getting rejected. He wasn't afraid of anything when it came to her.

But she couldn't say the same.

"Surprise!" Everyone shouted as Wednesday walked into Crackstone's Crypt.

Wednesday's eyes were alight as her friends began to sing the happy birthday song to her.

A handful of the Nevermore students had gathered to celebrate Wednesday's birthday–the idea sparked by Enid of course.

Victoria and Enid had yet to speak to each other about the fact that Victoria had accidentally turned Enid and kept it a secret. For some reason, Wednesday and Enid had already come to good terms about that.

Enid gave Wednesday her gift: a snood. A beautiful craftsmanship that was worn around your head. Enid's was bright pink while Wednesday's was grey and black–her favorite colors. Well, the only colors she could wear.

As it got darker and everyone enjoyed the cake in their own quiet conversations, Victoria approached Enid.

"I'd like to talk," Victoria said after she pulled her best friend aside.

Enid pursed her lips. "I'd like for you to as well."

Victoria heard the sharpness in her voice and sighed with an overwhelmingness that rose in her chest.

"Enid, I'm so sorry I accidentally turned you at the Halloween party," Victoria began. "And I'm even more sorry that I didn't tell you. It was wrong of me and I should have done what was best for you and not me."

Enid's expression remained stern.

"And I know you don't have any reason to forgive me anytime soon, I just wanted you to know- to know-" Victoria's voice began to crack as she cleared her throat. "That I really am sorry, Enid."

Enid's expression softened a little. She knew how sorry she was and for the past few days of time they spent apart, she had already found it hard to remain angry at her friend.

"I missed you too," Enid said, hugging Victoria tightly in a warm embrace. "I forgive you."

Victoria sobbed gently as Enid hugged her. Of all the apologies in the world, this was her most meaningful one. She couldn't imagine how it'd feel to lose Enid.

"I made you a snood over the weekend too," Enid said as she took out a navy and cream snood out of her pocket. Enid sniffed with a sob as she said, "You played so beautifully this weekend, I wish I went. Tyler posted a photo of you two and I thought the color looked great on you and I couldn't stop thinking about how much I miss my best friend."

Victoria frowned and hugged Enid once again, bursting into tears.

Ajax walked in on the scene, pausing slightly as his smile faded into an awkward stance. He slowly backed away and disappeared back into the crypt with the cake in his hands.

The rest of the late night (early morning) was spent catching up.

"So you can harness your powers through playing the violin," Enid said, in thought.

Victoria nodded as Wednesday said, "That's quite the secret Weems kept. I do suspect she's hiding other things though. About Rowan's death and the town's past..."