CHAPTER TWO
woe is the loneliest number

____________________

Rowan was dead, or at least that's what Wednesday had said. It's what she heard. But there was no body, so she really didn't know what to believe. Especially when Rowan showed up early in the day. And then was saying he was leaving. She was trying to distract herself from that anyways. So, she was helping with painting the boat for the poe cup race. Even if she wasn't practicing this year. "Ladies, come on! Let's work on those teeth. More scowl. This kitty is taking no prisoners." Enid came over, looking at the three.

She knew how serious Enid was about this. "If Bianca Barclay wins again this years, I will literally scratch my own eyes out!" Bianca played dirty every years, she knew that. She'd always brag about it to her after even when Juliana was on the opposite team. "You're not the only one who doesn't want Bianca to win, Enid."  She spoke up as she continued to paint.

"I would pay money to see that." The sound of Wednesday's voice was heard making her look up to see the girl. "Howdy, roomie! I'm so glad you decided to stay." Enid was now talking to Wednesday, she decided to just tone the conversation out but she heard stuff about Rowan. She was about to walk over to them but then Enid turned back to them. "Yoko, come on! Flare those whiskers. The Poe cup droops for no one."

Juliana noticed how they were almost out of paint... So, she looked to Yoko. "We're almost out of paint, I'm gonna go get some more. If Enid asks where I went then tell her that we needed paint." Yoko just nodded, making Juliana walk off. She grabbed the empty paint bucket and started walking towards the other paint buckets.

____________________

She sat down in her seat which was next to Xavier, scribbling on her paper. "I've seen you finally made a friend. Even if it is a plant." Juliana looked up to see Bianca talking to Wednesday. "I go for quality over quantity." She turned back to her desk once she saw the two go to their seats. She looked towards Enid and Yoko who were whispering about something and just let out a sigh when she turned back to her paper. "There's an open spot next to me and Juliana. If you can stand sitting that close to an elitist snob." Juliana titled her head, confused what Wednesday must have said to him. When she saw the girl walk over, she moved over.

She noticed how Wednesday watched finished his drawing, then slowly bringing it to life. She noticed Bianca staring at her too but she ignored it. She instead watched how the spider crawled off the paper and into the table making her back up slighty. "I doubt Wednesday is impressed by your tricks, Mr. Thorpe." Ms. Thornhill spoke up making Juliana slightly nod. She wasn't impressed either, she hated spiders.

"Admit it, you're a little impressed." Xavier looked towards Wednesday who looked very uninterested. She didn't say anything, the only thing was heard was the sound of the spider crawling. She hated it, she hated spiders.

Then a loud sound of Wednesday hitting the spider was heard. Most in the class laughed while Xavier looked annoyed as he closed his book. "Wednesday, we're thrilled to have you join us on our journey into the world of carnivorous plants." She told Wednesday as she walked to stand in front of her desk. "Now who can tell us the name of this beauty?" Ms. Thornhill asked talking about the plant to her side which made Juliana raise her hand. "Dendrophylax lindenii." Wednesday answered the question making Juliana look towards her. She really knew her stuff. "Otherwise known as the ghost orchid." Bianca stated when lowering her hand. She was clearly annoyed.

"First discovered on the isle of Wight in 1854." Wednesday rushed out making Juliana let out a sigh. They really didn't get along. "Very good, Wednesday." Ms. Thornhill congratulated the girl on his much she knew. "Looks like you may have competition for first chair, Bianca." Everyone knew Bianca loved competition. But Juliana knew how much she hated losing, how she would do anything to not lose. That was a thing about their relationship... Bianca always had to have more control at times.

Juliana heard some students snicker and she looked to Bianca to see the look on her face. She was going to say something, to defend her but quickly stopped herself when she saw Xavier giving her a look. "Wednesday, perhaps you can identify the ghost orchid's greatest qualities." Ms. Thornhill turned to raven haired girl, though it wasn't a question.

"Resilience and adaptability." Wednesday answered without even giving Ms. Thornhill a second to say anything else. "it's able to thrive in even the most hostile environments." Juliana turned to her, she was impressed. Maybe she really was better than Bianca. "But it's mere presence can change the ecosystem, causing the established plants to reject it." There they went again. She just wished Bianca would let things go sometimes.

"Usually because the native species is allowed to thrive unchecked. Nothing a weedwacker couldn't fix." Ms. Thornhill was looking back and forth between the two while Juliana wouldn't even look towards Bianca. Even if she was talking. "You can most certainly try." This didn't feel like a conversation about flowers anymore. "I don't think we're talking about flowers anymore.." Juliana spoke up, trying to get the two to stop.

Most in the class laughed and still felt Bianca staring over at her table. "Thank you, ladies, for those illuminating insights. Clearly the plants aren't the only carnivores in class today."

____________________

She heard as knock on door, which made her quickly get up and go to it. Once she opened it, she saw Bianca. "I don't wanna talk to you!" She let out a groan as she started to close the door but Bianca stopped it and walked in just before it closed. "Good to see you too." She rolled her eyes,  walking over to her bed.

"What do you want now, Bianca? I thought I made it clear I didn't wanna talk to you." And she thought that's what Bianca wanted. She was the one who ended things. "To see how you're doing. I mean I know you and Xavier used to be close to Rowan." She didn't believe that one bit. "Yeah, well you didn't seem to care much after you practically ripped my heart out. And you don't even care about Rowan either!" She ignored Bianca's gaze as she walked over and grabbed a box of things that belonged to Bianca or stuff she gave her.

She didn't want them anymore after everything that happened. "If I don't remember you only got close to him for Xavier, Jesus you do everything for him. I wouldn't be surprised if you two are dating now." She couldn't be serious right now. She wasn't even over her. So, why would she think that? "This again? Xavier is my friend! And even if i was with him, it wouldn't be any of your business! You broke up with me, Bianca!"

She was yelling which probably wasn't the best idea. "That wasn't... It was a mistake. Julie, if you just let me explain— I can fix this." That made her even more mad. Now she was finally saying that her ending things was wrong? She pushed the box of their stuff into Bianca's hands.

"Get out. Now."

____________________

authors notes—
I KNOW I DIDN'T WRITE THE POE CUP SCENE but like Juliana wouldn't really be in it so I didn't know how I would've written it so I decided to just not too