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It happens on Halloween.
They’re at a party one of his friends invited them to, dressed up as Barbie and Ken, except the costumes don’t really work when he’s missing half the time doing who knows what. Enid wishes they had gone to Yoko and Divina’s like she wanted to because at least she’d have someone to talk to instead of wandering around with a warm beer in her hand.
Bruno had left to go to the bathroom, and that feels like ages ago. And Enid doesn’t feel like she’s drunk enough to be having fun right now, the music getting too loud and the bar they’re in getting too crowded. She just needs Bruno back so they can find the rest of his friends.
Enid checks her phone again, seeing how it’s been almost fifteen minutes now, and she knows there’s no way the bathroom line is that long. So she finally sets off to find Bruno herself.
They’ve been dating since the spring, and Enid wants this to work. She needs it to work, because all her mom’s done since she’s graduated is nag her about bringing a boy home for the holidays and finally finding the right one. That and after breaking up with her high school sweetheart she wants to prove that she isn’t going to end up alone for the rest of her life.
Bruno’s handsome and he pretty much does whatever Enid tells him to do and she thinks it’s been going fine. Even if he’s always busy working, he always buys her nice gifts and showers her with cheesy compliments and that’s what Enid likes. At least, that’s what she tells herself, but it’s been starting to grow stale.
Enid weaves through the crowd, trying not to spill the beer she’s already given up on and looking everywhere for a guy in a blonde wig. She spies another couple who’s also dressed up as Barbie and Ken, but they look like they’re having a much better time with each other, probably thinking about how lonely Enid looks walking around by herself.
Then, Enid stops in her tracks, because in the bathroom hallway is where she finds Bruno, and he’s making out with a girl dressed as Little Red Riding Hood.
“Bruno?”
“Enid,” Bruno gasps, pushing the girl away, “Woah, hey, woah.”
He’s wiping his mouth as the girl runs off, Enid staring back at him dumbfounded.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“Sorry, sorry, I’m sorry,” Bruno tries to apologize frantically, but Enid just steps away from his outstretched arms.
Enid just scoffs at him. “Are you serious right now?”
“Enid, I’m sorry,” he says again, begging this time, “I promise it was a mistake. Please.”
Enid’s still in disbelief, trying to collect her thoughts, but she knows this is real, that she’s not drunk enough to be seeing things. Bruno clears his throat.
“Look, I don’t know her, okay? It was the alcohol.”
“Pfft. Whatever.”
Enid rolls her eyes, and Bruno has a hand on her shoulder.
“C’mon. We can’t break up before the holidays,” he says to her, and Enid stops, trying to ignore that the handful of people waiting in line for the bathroom are watching them.
“I promise I won’t do it again,” he leans into her ear, and she finally turns to him, “Please give me another chance.”
Enid knows she can’t give in. She doesn’t deserve to be treated this way. But Bruno does have a point that matters to her, that her mom is expecting them at Thanksgiving, and if she hears they’ve broken up, Enid knows she’s going to get an earful. She thinks maybe they can work things out and be okay by then. Hopefully. She doesn’t want to spend the holidays alone.
“Fine,” she retorts, glaring at the sorry look on his face, “But we’re leaving.”
- - -
It happens again.
Enid should have known better.
They’re doing an ugly sweater ball crawl and they end up at that same bar from Halloween. Enid’s already having flashbacks, afraid that the second Bruno leaves her side she’ll find him with another girl.
Of course, Bruno somehow sneaks off anyways, shouting to Enid that he’s going to get them more drinks, and she loses sight of him in the crowd. Enid’s head is swimming from the alcohol, and she tries her best to follow where he’s gone. After squeezing through groups of people, she doesn’t see him anywhere at the bar. So of course, she goes to check the bathroom.
Enid doesn’t get how she started dating someone so stupid. Bruno’s about to lean into a kiss with a girl who she swears is the same one from Halloween, but their lips don’t get a chance to meet because Enid’s shouting his name loud enough for the whole bar to hear.
Enid breaks up with him on the spot, not giving him a third chance, and trudges through the snow to sob from the comfort of her apartment.
She doesn’t go home for Christmas, knowing her mom is going to find a way to make this her fault. Her family had loved Bruno, who knew all the right words to say to make them like him, having no idea that he had cheated on their daughter twice now. She ignores her phone buzzing with texts and calls from her mom asking why she’s canceled her flight and telling her she’s disappointed the whole family by not showing up.
Enid would go to Yoko and Divina’s for dinner, but they’re out of town for Christmas so instead, she orders takeout and grabs a bottle of wine from the corner store and puts on a Christmas movie until she falls asleep, hoping that by next year, she won’t be spending the day alone.
- - -
Enid’s very thankful for her friends.
Yoko and Divina make plans for all of them to go to the Catskills to go snowboarding on New Years Eve to cheer Enid up and make sure she doesn’t spend the holiday alone. There’s supposed to be fireworks and a huge party and Enid thinks it sounds like exactly what she needs.
It’s a sunny winter day and they manage to find a good parking spot among the masses of cars, and so Enid’s excited thinking about how great of a day it’s about to be. Until she’s digging through her backpack.
“Shit,” she exhales, and Yoko’s at her side.
“What is it?”
“I forgot my goggles,” Enid huffs, “Do either of you have an extra pair?”
“Nah,” Divina shakes her head. “The ski shop def has rentals though.”
Enid groans, looking through her bag one more time. “They’re probably so expensive. Ugh.”
Enid trudges off, trying to remember where she left her goggles and wondering how she could have forgotten them. When she gets to the shop, the line is long, and it’s another thing to add to her list of annoyances, which she wishes won’t grow any longer.
Finally, Enid gets to the front after what feels like ages.
“I just need to rent a pair of goggles,” she tells the cashier, but all he gives her is a frown.
“Sorry. Sold out.”
“Seriously?” Enid exclaims, and they just shrug back at her. Enid figures she’ll just risk it without them if she can’t find another pair. She thinks maybe she’ll pay some kid to give her theirs, or maybe go to the lost and found and lie about having lost some.
But as Enid turns to leave, she’s stopped by a woman who’s looking at her curiously. She’s got jet-black hair falling down under her helmet in two identical braids and eyes just as dark. She’s so pale Enid thinks she’s seeing a ghost.
A cute ghost though, Enid thinks, because Enid notices the freckles dotting her face like stardust, and the wisps of hair that stick out from under her helmet, and she’s got the perfect shade of lipstick that compliments her so well-
“Excuse me,” the woman says, snapping Enid out of her thoughts, “Would you like to borrow my goggles?”
She’s holding them out to Enid, those dark eyes watching her closely. Enid’s already shaking her head.
“No, no, that’s okay,” Enid tells her, feeling bad about taking them, but the woman doesn’t back down.
“I have an extra pair,” she explains, and all Enid can do is laugh.
“Well, I guess one of us came prepared.”
The woman doesn’t break her glare, and Enid now suddenly feels like she might end up missing if she doesn’t take the goggles. So she does with a nervous smile.
The woman nods back at her, pleased. “You can keep those.”
“For real?” Enid gasps, surprised by the stranger’s kindness despite the fact that she comes off so intimidating. “You’re the best, uh-“
“Wednesday,” the stranger says, and the name makes Enid grin. Somehow, as unusual as it is, it’s fitting.
“Wednesday,” Enid repeats, and it feels different from every time she’s said it before, no longer just a day of the week to her now. “Thanks Wednesday.”
Wednesday just gives her a curt nod before heading out, and Enid stares down at the goggles in her hand with a hopeful smile.
- - -
Enid convinces Yoko and Divina to let her go on one last run before heading back to their room to get ready for the party. There’s only a handful of people left out, the few brave enough to go out under the floodlights lighting up the hill.
As Enid gets in line, she recognizes the person standing next to her, their dark braids peeking out from under their helmet.
“Wednesday!” Enid calls, her face breaking into a grin, “Hey. Wanna share a lift?”
There’s a flash of recognition on Wednesday’s face when she realizes who’s calling her name, but she quickly hides the smile that was threatening to jump out. Enid thinks she’s going to say no, glancing down at the skis on her feet, but she’s surprised when Wednesday nods back at her.
“Sure.”
Enid hopes she doesn’t look too excited, hopping onto the chair and giving Wednesday enough room so that she’s not invading her space. She tries to think of something to talk about to pass the time, wondering if Wednesday would even want to talk to her, but Enid’s surprised once again.
“I presume the goggles are holding up?” Wednesday asks, glancing up at the pair of black and white goggles sitting on top of Enid’s helmet.
“Yeah. Thanks again,” Enid replies, “I appreciate it a ton.”
Her grin goes to her ears, and Wednesday finds herself letting a tiny smirk escape because it seems Enid’s cheer is contagious. But then, the ski lift comes to a halt and saves Wednesday from getting any more lost in Enid’s smile.
“Uh oh,” Enid gulps, looking around frantically. “Of course this happens on my last run.”
“It shouldn’t last long,” Wednesday reassures her, and Enid nods, knowing she’s right. It happens all the time, they’re going to be fine, and then they’ll both be on their way before probably never seeing each other again.
Except, the minutes are going by and there’s no sign of them moving, and Enid’s quickly starting to panic. She glances over at Wednesday, who’s just staring out in the distance, and Enid wonders if she too is trying to hide that she’s nervous.
“Um, I just realized I never told my name,” Enid blurts out, “I’m Enid.”
Wednesday turns to her, giving Enid a curt nod. “Nice to meet you, Enid.”
Enid likes the way her name sounds when Wednesday says it. And she likes looking at Wednesday because it helps distract her from the fact that they’re still stuck up here.
“So, uh, you from around here?” Enid asks, hoping to start a conversation to take her mind off of their current situation.
“I live in the city.”
“Me too,” Enid’s eyebrows shoot up to her bangs, “Where?”
“Manhattan.”
“I’m over in Queens, but I work in SoHo.”
Enid’s surprised Wednesday’s talking to her, and now she’s tilting her head. “Doing what, exactly?” she asks.
“Fashion. I’m just an assistant though,” Enid explains, "But hopefully I get promoted soon.”
“That sounds intriguing,” Wednesday hums, and her interest makes Enid buzz. She didn’t expect them to get this far at all, and now she can’t stop.
“It is. But I’m just so busy all the time,” Enid groans, thinking about how she does not want to go back to work after the holiday. Instead, she focuses on how Wednesday seems to be watching her closely, which honestly just makes her even more nervous. “What about you, what do you do?”
“I write.”
Enid hums, growing more curious by the second. “For like, the times?”
“No. For myself.”
“Oh, no way. That sounds cool,” Enid says, and now the words are spilling out of her mouth. “I’ve always wanted to like, write a book about my life. An autobiography or whatever it’s called. But I haven’t done anything interesting. Not yet, at least.”
She laughs at herself, and Wednesday’s just staring back at her. Enid quickly stops, noticing she’s gone quiet.
“Sorry if I’m annoying you by the way. It’s just like, the best way to distract myself when I’m nervous.”
Wednesday squints back at her. “Why are you nervous?”
“Because we’re stuck up here?” Enid gestures to the snow covered mountain, “And it’s cold, and dark, and have you ever seen that movie about the wolves eating people who jumped off of the ski lift?”
Enid wants to add that the person she’s stuck with is so attractive to her she can’t even look at her properly, but she keeps that thought in her head.
“There aren’t any wolves up here, Enid,” Wednesday rolls her eyes, but secretly, she’s amused. As talkative as Enid is, she’s actually not annoying. She’s interesting.
“Okay, but the fireworks!” Enid exclaims, “I don’t want to miss them.”
“We won’t.”
“I hope so,” Enid sighs, but then she’s snickering. “I was looking to find someone cute to kiss at midnight.”
“How disgusting.”
“Oh c’mon. If we’re still stuck up here until then, I guess I’ll just have to kiss you.”
Enid’s grin on her face is playful as she gives Wednesday a light jab with her elbow.
Wednesday feels her ears ring, hoping Enid doesn’t notice her eyes quickly flick to her lips at the suggestion. Sure, Enid’s pretty, and maybe kissing her would get her to stop talking, but no, no they’ve only known each other for a few hours and they’ll probably never see each other again. Still, Wednesday can’t look away from her, Enid’s icy blue eyes freezing her in place just like they did back in the ski shop.
“Sorry, sorry, I’m kidding,” Enid apologizes, quickly looking away with bright red cheeks, “I’ll shut up.”
“No. It’s fine,” Wednesday clears her throat, staring back out into the night, “If it helps distract you, go ahead and talk. And if I decide I’ve had enough, I’ll jump and feed myself to the wolves.”
Enid breathes a sigh of relief, and then she tries to think of something to talk about that will make things less awkward. So she starts to tell Wednesday about how she moved to New York from San Francisco for a hockey scholarship and it’s why she has a scar on her nose, and her cheek and on her eyebrow, because she would get into so many fights that she makes sure Wednesday knows she won. Wednesday thinks its fascinating that someone as bubbly and colorful as Enid seems to be capable of knocking people out, and she wishes she could see it for herself.
Then Enid gets Wednesday to tell her a bit about her book and how it’s about a detective chasing down a serial killer and even if she goes into so much detail Enid thinks she might be sick, she hangs onto every word because she likes watching how proud Wednesday looks talking about her work.
Enid thinks she could sit out here and be stuck forever if it meant they got to keep talking. But eventually Enid can feel herself growing tired and colder and hungrier and she just wants to get down.
“Oh my god I’m freezing,” Enid says for the hundredth time, and she checks her watch, having lost track of time. “And look, it’s already five minutes until midnight!”
“Perhaps the story of you spending New Year's eve on a ski lift with a stranger could be the opening chapter of your autobiography,” Wednesday suggests, trying to distract Enid from bringing up anything related to kissing again.
“Wait. You’re so right!” Enid slaps her on the arm enthusiastically, “I’ll totes give you credit for the idea.”
Wednesday scoffs. “That’s not necessary.”
“Oh, c’mon,” Enid whines, and then she’s holding her hands up and mimicking the words. “Special thanks to Wednesday Addams, the girl who let me borrow her goggles on New Year's Eve and inspired me to write this book.”
Wednesday knows they’re probably going to miss the fireworks, but she doesn’t care, because Enid’s smile is brighter than they’ll ever be. Enid’s thinking about how Wednesday’s eyes are as dark and endless as the night sky high above them.
Then, the ski lift is suddenly whirring back to life, the sudden jerk sending Enid right into Wednesday’s arms.
“Shit!” she gasps, pulling herself away as quickly as possible, “Sorry, sorry.”
“It’s about time,” Wednesday groans, the feeling of Enid’s hands ghosting her arms.
“Yeah. I know you were getting tired of me.”
Wednesday can hear the drop in her voice, and she wants to tell Enid, No, that was the most riveting conversation I’ve had in ages, but they’re already coming down from the lift, greeted by a handful of rescue personnel as the fireworks start to go off.
“Damn,” Enid exhales, “They couldn’t let us stay for at least one more minute? It would have been such a nice view.”
Enid’s staring up at the sky with her hands on her hips, thinking of how fun it would have been to be up above the trees, watching the fireworks with Wednesday, someone who seems to light her up the same way those fireworks light up the sky.
Wednesday finds herself standing next to Enid, silent as she stops to watch the fireworks too, until she looks away for a moment to glance over at Enid to see her reaction.
She expects to see Enid in awe, smiling at the sight, but instead, her smile is barely there, her eyes missing the twinkle that Wednesday had seen earlier. She wonders what Enid could be thinking about, why she looks so lost when she had just been so excited.
But as soon as the fireworks come to a stop, she looks as chipper as ever.
“Well, that was one way to spend new years eve, huh?” Enid cheers, and Wednesday has to quickly look away and hope she wasn’t caught.
“I suppose it could have been worse,” she mutters, and Enid’s laughing softly to herself before she takes a breath.
“Thanks. Again. It was nice hanging with you. Literally,” she looks proud of her pun, “Sorry for blabbing your ear off.”
Wednesday hates that she keeps saying that. “If I truly had a problem with you, I would have told you, Enid.”
“Right. Yeah,” Enid shakes her head, “You didn’t jump to the wolves.”
She’s biting her lip, holding back words that she’s too afraid to say. Wednesday’s watching her, waiting, and so Enid decides she might as well ask what’s slowly been growing on her mind for the past few hours.
“Um. So I’m gonna need help writing that autobiography,” she mumbles, nervous smile on her face, “Would it be cool if I texted you if I needed some writing tips?”
Wednesday doesn’t react. She just stares back at Enid, her lip twitching only so slightly. Enid realizes it was foolish to even consider it.
“I get it, you’ve talked to me enough tonight-“
“Give me your phone,” Wednesday cuts her off, and now Enid’s just confused.
“What?”
“Do you want my number or not?”
Enid doesn’t have any words for a moment, and then she clumsily digs through her pockets until she finds her phone and hands it over to Wednesday, hands shaking.
Enid can feel her heart beating in her ears as Wednesday types in her number, handing the phone back with a smirk on her face.
“Happy new year, Enid,” Wednesday tells her with a nod.
“Happy new year, Wednesday,” Enid says back, watching Wednesday as she disappears, feeling on fire in the cold January night.
- - -
Enid doesn’t text Wednesday after that night besides a ‘Hey, This is Enid!’ and another ‘thank you for the goggles’ so she has her number. Work and life just gets too busy and as much as Wednesday crosses her mind, Enid never gets to figuring out how to ask her to meetup.
It’s another busy morning for Enid, having pulled herself out of bed with enough time to grab a coffee she desperately needs. The shop she usually goes to has a line out the door, so Enid figures she can go to the one closer to her office instead and save herself some time.
Enid loves spring. She loves the sunshine and seeing the flowers bloom and not having to wear so many layers because she gets cold so easily. She loves that it feels like a new beginning, because after the last few months, she could use a reset.
She goes over her day in her head. It’s Wednesday, a day that sticks out among the others because it reminds her of a certain someone who she still needs to text. But it seems the universe is reading her mind, because as she steps into the coffee shop, she’s surprised to see Wednesday waiting in line in front of her.
She’s frozen for a moment, trying to figure out if it’s actually her, but Enid would recognize those braids anywhere.
“Wendesday,” Enid calls, and Wednesday turns around, eyes going wide when she sees who’s saying her name. Enid’s instantly smiling. “Hey.”
“Enid,” Wednesday replies, just as shocked. Enid takes her in for a moment, no longer wearing a helmet and puffer jacket but a trench coat that’s much more fitting for the weather. She looks just the same as that day at the ski shop, Enid entranced once again.
“Sorry I never texted you,” Enid quickly apologizes, “I got so busy.”
Wednesday doesn’t seem bothered, much to Enid’s relief. “It’s fine.”
Enid just sticks her hands in her own coat pockets, looking up at the menu even though she already knows what she’s going to order, not noticing Wednesday stealing a glance at her.
“So, you go back up at all after new years?” Enid asks as the line moves up. Wednesday nods.
“A few times, yes.”
“Lucky,” Enid replies, “I got too busy to go.”
“That’s a shame.”
“I know,” Enid groans, but there’s a playful smirk on her face that makes Wednesday’s breath hitch in her throat, “And I was so ready to not pack my goggles so I could ask to borrow yours again.”
“I’m going to have to start charging you,” Wednesday teases as they get closer to the counter, and Enid smirks back at her.
“How about I buy you a coffee and call it even?”
Wednesday’s shaking her head. “There’s no need to do that.”
“Shh. I got promoted,” Enid says, whipping out her card, “I have money to spend.”
“You got the promotion?” Wednesday gasps, and Enid’s grinning proudly.
“Mhmm.”
“That’s great to hear,” Wednesday says, a glimmer of delight in her eyes, “Congratulations.”
It’s the first time Enid’s seeing Wednesday smile. Well, almost smile, the corners of her lips are turned up just enough to show that she actually means what she’s said. Enid swears she sees a dimple on Wednesday’s cheek, and now she feels her face growing hot.
“Thanks,” Enid mutters, only remembering how to speak because the cashier is asking them for their orders.
They wait in a corner of the shop, Enid keeping her hands in her pockets so she doesn’t accidentally brush up against Wednesday, staring around at everything at but Wednesday because her mind is already racing a million miles a minute trying to figure out how to keep talking to her before they go their separate ways once again.
“So, how’s your book coming along?” Enid asks, a bit hesitant. Wednesday doesn’t answer right away, and Enid can see her jaw clench, wondering if she’s already talked to her enough for this encounter.
“The publisher returned it to me with less than ideal feedback,” Wednesday mutters, and now Enid’s frowning.
“I’m sorry.”
Wednesday just nods back at Enid, and Enid’s searching for the right thing to say because she can see how disappointed Wednesday looks even if she’s trying to hide it.
“Would it be cool if I took a look at it?” she asks quietly, “I mean, not to like, critique it or anything. I just wanna see what they’re missing out on.”
Enid wonders if she’s overstepping now, that Wednesday would be offended by the question, but instead she looks intrigued.
“Perhaps I could show it to you at lunch,” she suggests, and Enid’s grinning again, almost missing that the barista is calling her name.
“Yeah, yeah! Let’s do that,” Enid exclaims as she grabs their drinks. “I’ll text you.”
Wednesday nods, taking her drink from Enid gingerly, ignoring how their fingers brush for a split second. Enid’s smile back at her is brighter than the spring sun that floods into the shop as Enid ducks out of the door and waves goodbye.
- - -
Enid actually remembers to text Wednesday this time, because Wednesday is the only thing on her mind the rest of the day, through all of the meetings and calls and emails she deals with.
But it seems their schedules never seem to be on the same page. Wednesday is only free at times Enid’s not, and then Enid’s free when Wednesday is busy, and no matter how many times they try to move things around, it never works out.
Enid doesn’t like to think that they might never see each other again. She’s watched enough cheesy rom-coms alone at night with a bottle of wine to know that there’s a spark between them. At least, she thinks there is, because she doesn’t think Wednesday would have given her her number or offered to get lunch if she wasn’t at least a little interested.
Their conversation fizzles out as spring turns to summer, and Enid thinks she’s finally moved past it when once again, she runs into Wednesday out of the blue.
Yoko had jokingly proposed to Divina on Valentine’s Day because she thought it would be funny, and then they decided to actually get married, and that’s why they’re out at a lake having a bachelorette party on Divina’s brother’s boat.
Enid loves the water and the sun and floating around in a tube with a drink in her hand. It’s more than needed after a hectic few months of work, but she knew it was coming with her promotion. She’s just glad she has the weekend off to finally relax.
Enid’s got her sunglasses on and a San Francisco Giants hat on her head as she lazily drifts along the lake, not realizing she’s floating away from their anchored boat back towards shore. She doesn’t mind though, her friends were doing shots and she was already buzzed enough. She’s hoping to take a nap when she spots someone sitting on the pier, wearing all black even under the blazing sun.
Enid’s awake now when she realizes who it is.
“Wednesday!” she shouts, waving excitedly, “Is that you?”
“Enid?” Wednesday says, surprised to run into her again, and out here of all places. Enid digs her hand into the water to push herself closer, a sunny grin splitting across her face.
“No way,” Enid gasps, coming to bump against the pier, “What are you doing out here?”
Wednesday huffs, glancing over her shoulder to the shore where there’s a gathering of people, a grill smoking, and a bunch of kids sword-fighting with pool noodles.
“I was unable to find a way out of the annual Addams family barbeque this year,” she explains, and even if she looks annoyed, Enid thinks it’s sweet. She wishes her family did something like that.
“That sounds fun,” Enid replies, and then she points over her shoulder to the boat where her friends are jumping into the water. “Bachelorette party,” she tells Wednesday, quickly making herself clear, “Not for me though.”
That pulls a tiny smirk out of Wednesday, who raises an eyebrow at Enid and her flamingo inner tube.
“Nice day, huh?” Enid asks, taking a sip of her drink, once again not sure what to talk about.
“A bit too sunny for my tastes,” Wednesday replies, glancing up at the sky for a moment, “But yes, it is objectively nice out.”
“I just hope I don’t get sunburnt,” Enid chides, rubbing at her arm, “It always seems to happen to me no matter how much sunscreen I use.”
Wednesday looks back down at Enid, who reminds her of the sun, all bright and warm and always finding a way to make her face hot with everything she does. This time, she’s laughing at herself, and it’s a sound Wednesday wishes she could play on loop.
“How long are you going to be out here for?” Wednesday asks, feeling hopeful about the idea that’s just popped into her head.
“We leave tomorrow night.”
Enid wonders what Wednesday’s thinking about, if this is finally the time they talk to one another for more than a few minutes. Surely her friends wouldn’t mind if she slipped away for a bit for whatever Wednesday’s got planned.
Wednesday takes a breath, eyes flicking away for a moment because Enid staring at her makes her sweat more than the sun shining down on them.
“Well if you’d like to join me, I’m planning on going out to watch the sunrise from the lake tomorrow morning.”
She nods her head at a boat floating by the shore, The Mourning Star painted in bold black letters along its side.
“That sounds real nice actually,” Enid grins, because even if she’s not a morning person, she’d wake up early for Wednesday. Her friends shouting for her to come do shouts from the boat makes her snicker. “If I’m not too hungover.”
Enid never imagined someone like Wednesday would be the type to wake up early and watch the sunrise, but Enid tries not to think too hard about it. She does think about how she’s been waiting for a reason to hang out with her for months now, and she knows she can’t mess this up.
“I’ll text you in the morning and see how you feel,” Wednesday says, breaking Enid out of her thoughts. She shakes her head in agreement.
“Okay. I’m gonna try my best to be there.”
Enid waves a goodbye as she paddles back to her boat, Wednesday watching her ripples in the lake lap up against the pier.
- - -
Enid wakes up with her head pounding and her stomach feeling sour and her skin burning. Yoko’s snoring on the couch across from her, Divina slumped on the other end, and the rest of their friends are scattered around their cabin fast asleep.
The events of the night slowly come back to Enid, how she had gotten back to the boat and got roped into doing shots and before they headed back to the cabin and drank some more. Enid had tried not to get too drunk, remembering she had to be up to meet Wednesday, but everyone was having too much fun and she quickly lost track of time.
She scrambles for her phone, digging it out of the couch cushions and seeing that it barely has any battery left. There are a bunch of notifications, Enid not caring to read any of them because she’s looking for one in particular. She feels her heart drop when she finally finds it.
4:53am
Wednesday: Good Morning, Enid. I’m getting ready to head out on the lake if you’re awake.
Enid closes her eyes, letting out a deep breath of disappointment. It’s just past noon now, and so Enid quickly types up an apology, hoping Wednesday isn’t too mad, because Enid certainly feels like she’s missed out on something great.
12:32pm
Enid: oh my god i’m so sorry
Enid: i am beyond hungover and have the nastiest sunburn
Enid: i am so sorry i missed this
Enid doesn’t expect a reply, in fact she doesn’t think she deserves one. She closes her eyes again, head feeling like it’s going to pop like a balloon, trying to go back to sleep when her phone buzzes.
12:35pm
Wednesday: No need to worry about it. I recommend using aloe to help with your sunburn.
Enid can’t tell if she’s mad, if the advice is Wednesday trying to make sure Enid doesn’t feel bad, if this might be the last time they ever interact.
Enid’s making her headache even worse trying to think of what she could possibly say, but then her phone dies, and she thinks that’s a sign to stop thinking about it.
- - -
Enid doesn’t text Wednesday after the lake. She felt terrible, still hoping that Wednesday wasn’t too upset. She tries to think of a way to make it up to her, maybe trying to schedule lunch again that she will definitely pay for, but once again she gets too busy to remember.
The temperature drops and the leaves start to change color and Enid’s surprised that it’s already fall, the entire year feeling like a blur. She’s still got to find a dress for Yoko and Divina’s wedding next month, and she’s got a big presentation coming up, and there’s still Halloween to figure out. Yoko and Divina are throwing a party like they always do, but Enid has no idea what to go as. She just hopes it goes a lot better than last year, trying to forget how she had heard Bruno’s now dating that girl he had been caught kissing.
Enid just needs a distraction, something else to look at instead of social media, so that’s why she finds herself at a bookstore over the weekend, trying to find something interesting enough to read.
As she weaves through the bookshelves, Enid swears she hears someone calling her name.
“Enid?” she hears again, and Enid whips around to see Wednesday staring back at her from down the aisle.
“Wednesday. Hey,” Enid greets, and it’s funny how quickly a grin spreads across her face. “Good to see you.”
Wednesday’s already at her side, eyes glancing at the books next to them.
“I didn’t picture you as a horror fan,” she comments, and Enid nods along.
“I’m just looking for something to read for Halloween. Got any recs?”
Wednesday’s eyes narrow. “I don’t exactly browse the gothic romance section that often.”
“Ah. Right,” Enid laughs to herself, “So what are you looking for then?”
Wednesday's face seems to light up at the question, a flicker of pride in her eyes that Enid finds herself intrigued by.
“I’m here to meet with the store about them selling my book.”
“Wait, what?” Enid gasps, remembering how Wednesday had looked so disappointed back in the coffee shop ages ago. “It’s being published?”
“They’re printing it as we speak.”
“No way, congrats!” Enid exclaims, holding back on giving Wednesday a playful punch on the arm even though she’s never been more excited for someone. “That’s awesome.”
Wednesday’s got a smile on her face now too, Enid’s excitement contagious. “It’ll be out just in time for Halloween.”
“Well, that’s perfect,” Enid beams, “I’ll be the first one in line to buy it.”
Wednesday wants to think she’s lying, because she knows Enid’s not into the kind of things she writes about, but her smile is genuine and warm and it makes Wednesday wish she could stare at it forever.
“Speaking of Halloween,” Wednesday clears her throat, trying to focus, “My family throws quite an extravagant masquerade party. You’re more than welcome to attend.”
Enid’s already been invited to Yoko and Divina’s party at their new place, but she knows they’d understand. But even if they didn’t, Enid wouldn’t care, she wouldn’t miss this for the world, not after what happened in the summer.
“That sounds like fun,” Enid says will a grin, “I’d love to.”
Wednesday’s pale cheeks turn the faintest shade of pink. It makes Enid’s stomach do flips.
“It’s a bit of a drive,” Wednesday tells her, “Would you like a ride?”
“Uh, sure,” Enid stutters, trying to act nonchalant and not like her entire day’s just been made, “I can text you my address.”
“That sounds like a plan.” Wednesday gives her nod, and then she’s excusing herself, realizing she’s going to be late for her meeting, Enid watching her run off with a buzzing growing in her chest.
- - -
Enid spends way too much time trying to find the perfect outfit for the party, looking all over the city for the right dress to match the wolf mask she had picked out. She thought it would be fitting since it would be a full moon that night, and she can just pretend it’s a werewolf which is perfect for Halloween.
Wednesday had told her she’d be outside of her apartment at six on the dot. So of course, Enid spends the whole day going through her plan of getting home and getting ready so she’ll be there on time for Wednesday to pick her up, finishing up her makeup just in time to head down to the street and wait.
Enid’s early, checking her phone, so she’s not surprised when there’s nobody waiting for her. But when six o’clock rolls around, she’s looking around for a car, watching each one that passes by and hopes they’ll stop for her.
Wednesday seems like a pretty punctual person, so when it’s ten minutes past six, Enid starts to grow concerned. The trick-o-treaters are now out in full force and she smiles at everyone who passes by, hoping they don’t think any of her standing out on the street by herself.
It’s six-thirty now, and Enid wonders if she should text Wednesday, make sure she’s okay and knows where she’s going, but she feels like that’s being pushy. She checks her phone again at six forty-five, rocking on her heels anxiously, looking up and down the street hoping nobody’s noticed how long she’s been standing out here.
By seven, there’s no sign of Wednesday, and Enid’s growing impatient, glancing up at the full moon and thinking of how silly she looks standing out her in her mask. The thought of being stood up crosses her mind, and she thinks that maybe this is Wednesday’s payback for summer, and the thought that Wednesday would even do something like that makes Enid frown.
Enid gives it five more minutes, still seeing no text from Wednesday, and then heads back inside, trying not to feel embarrassed. She takes the bowl of candy she had left in front of her door for herself and digs out a beer that’s been in her fridge in forever and puts on a random movie, too disappointed to even go to Yoko and Divina’s party.
She’s drifting off to sleep when her phone buzzes.
9:41pm
Wednesday: My deepest apologies Enid. My car broke down and we’re still waiting for a tow.
Enid squints at the screen, wanting to believe it’s true, but there’s that part of her that’s always been unsure of herself that thinks that it’s some kind of lie, that it’s Wednesday’s way of letting Enid down easily. Either way, Enid doesn’t care anymore, she just send Wednesday a reply and turns her notifications off and stares back at the television with a huff.
9:44pm
Enid: it’s okay, hope you’re alright. thanks for the invite
- - -
Enid doesn’t go home for Thanksgiving. She ignores her mom’s texts and calls telling her that she’s supposed to come and they want her there, but Enid knows her mom could care less. She’ll just be berated the whole time about work and her outfits and be asked why she broke up with Bruno. Then they’ll insist she come back for Christmas after missing last year, and Enid will have to come up with some excuse as to why she can’t come.
She could blame it on work, because she is super busy around the holidays, but no matter what her mom won’t listen. She’s so busy that she honestly thinks she might just do nothing and take a much needed break, but the idea of being alone on Christmas scares her more than anything.
It doesn’t help that all Enid sees is everyone hanging out with their significant others for the holidays, wearing matching sweaters and taking cute pictures and going ice skating together. The realization that she was lonely hit Enid at Yoko and Divina’s wedding, Enid trying hard to keep herself together during their first dance because she wishes she was doing that too.
They had sent out invites for dinner on Christmas Eve on a cute little Christmas card that just made Enid feel more jealous, and she just left it on her coffee table next to a copy of Wednesday’s book she had bought that she still hasn’t read.
She wonders what Wednesday’s up to. Probably at some extravagant dinner with her family, Enid not even having crossed her mind once. Enid thinks that maybe they’ll run into each other again, and again, and again, only destined to talk to each other for minutes at a time but never actually get to know each other any more. As much as she wants it to work somehow, her life is not some cute holiday romantic comedy.
The thought of never seeing Wednesday Addams again makes her feel even worse, and she’s only distracted by her phone buzzing.
4:34pm
Yoko: hey, you coming to dinner?
Yoko: haven’t seen ur rsvp
Enid: no, sorry
Enid: i need a night to myself
Yoko: fair, but nobody should be spending christmas alone
Yoko: lmk if you need anything, okay?
Enid sighs, thinking that it would be good for her to go, but she knows Yoko’s going to notice what’s up and she doesn’t want to bring the mood down. She tosses her phone onto the couch so she doesn’t look at it anymore and focuses on cooking the turkey she’s treated herself to for tonight. She has a nice bottle of wine and some snacks and pumpkin pie with whip cream ready for dessert because if she’s going to be alone tonight, she at least wants it to be nice.
She pulls the turkey out of the oven and sets it on the counter and everything is looking good until she realizes she’s missing cranberries.
Enid thinks it’s not the end of the world, but she needs this to be perfect, or else she’s just going to feel more miserable than she already is.
So she puts on her winter jacket and laces up her boots and trudges through the snow to the only store that’s open right now, hoping they still have a can of cranberries or she’s going to lose it.
The store is crowded with last minute shoppers, so Enid ducks through the crowd and makes a beeline for the aisle she needs to be in, bumping into shopping carts here and there along the way. Everything’s just as chaotic as the inside of her head.
Enid stops and scans the shelves for a can of cranberries, spotting a lone can waiting on the shelf as if it’s just for her. But before Enid can even grab them, someone’s calling her name.
“Enid?” The voice is soft yet Enid hears her among the dozens of other sounds, whipping her head up so fast she’s going to make herself dizzy.
“Wednesday?” she says in disbelief, wondering if this is actually some Christmas miracle or she’s just hallucinating.
“What are you doing here this late?” Enid asks, and Wednesday’s pointing at the can that’s still in her hand.
“I was hoping to grab that last can of cranberries. I forgot to buy some earlier.”
“Ha,” Enid giggles, thinking of their first meeting back at the ski shop, ”Deja vu, huh?”
Wednesday wants to find the sound of Enid’s laugh endearing, but this time it sounds hollow, like it’s forced.
“I’m presuming you need them as well?” Wednesday asks, trying to ignore how quickly her heart rate has spiked at the mere sight of Enid.
“I do, actually.”
“Then you can have them.”
“No, no it’s okay,” Enid shakes her head, pushing the can down the shelf away from her. “You take them Wednesday.”
Wednesday pushes the can back with a glare. “Enid, I insist.”
“No, Wednesday,” Enid says, Take the damn cranberries.”
“It’s fine,” Wednesday says throught gritted teeth, but now Enid’s got a scowl on her face.
“It’s not,” she retorts, “You have a family that cares about you waiting for these cranberries and all I have is the world’s smallest turkey sitting on my table getting cold.”
Wednesday can see the slightest glaze of tears on Enid’s eyes, and the sight makes her feel sick. She’s been so used to seeing Enid smiling that seeing her sad and upset almost scares her.
“Actually, I’m not spending Christmas Eve with anyone,” Wednesday mutters, looking away shyly. The sigh makes Enid’s glare fade from her face.
“Really?”
“My family was out of the country and their flight back was canceled. So I’ll be having dinner by myself.”
“Oh. Oh I’m sorry,” Enid says, knowing exactly how it feels to be alone during the holidays, pity growing in her stomach as she watches Wednesday and suddenly gets an idea.
“You know, how about we share?”
She holds the can of cranberries up, Wednesday just scrunching her nose back at her in confusion.
“What do you mean?”
Enid’s got a smile on her face now, the same sunny one that Wednesday’s found mesmerizing from the first day they talked. “Why not spend our Christmases alone, together?”
Wednesday’s staring back at her, wondering if she’s hearing things right. Enid’s still eagerly waiting for an answer, so she points over her shoulder.
“I mean, I’ve already got a turkey cooked.”
Somehow, the stars have finally aligned, almost a year out from the first time they’ve met. Wednesday knows that this is finally her chance, that she has no reason to say no at all.
But Enid’s speaking before she can answer, eyes suddenly going wide.
“Oh shit. I left the oven on!” she exclaims, and then she stuffs the can of cranberries into Wednesday’s hands.
“Well, c’mon, before my apartment burns down!” Enid shouts, face lit up like a Christmas tree, as she holds her hand out. Wednesday doesn’t hesitate to follow her, out into the snow, Enid’s hand warm in hers the whole way home.