snakes and shapers // 𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖔𝖓𝖊
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❛ ━━･❪ ᗢ ❫ ･━━ ❜

The day she heard a new student was coming to Nevermore in the middle of the year was a shocker. The girl killed a kid, tortured people, and did worse.

Esmeralda fixed her skirt as she made her way to Enid's dorm. Weems had requested that she and Enid showed Enid's roommate around. Esmeralda agreed and walked down to Ophelia Hall where she could hear music coming from Enid's room.

Esmeralda knocked on the door and waited for Enid to open the door. "Hi, Esmer!" Enid had that nickname that only she called Esmeralda. Enid and Esmeralda have been lifelong friends. Same city, the same elementary and middle school, and now high school.

"Wednesday is coming in about 5 minutes so we better prepare for her," Enid explained. Esmeralda nodded before walking into the dorm and sitting on Enid's bed. Enid was watching a show, a good show Esmeralda could say.

They were both focused on it when they heard a door open. It was Wednesday. Wednesday's mother gasped at the colors in Enid's room. Her father commented on how vivid Enid's room was.

She walked into the room, and both Esmeralda and Enid looked at the pale girl. "Wednesday, this is your roommate, Enid Sinclair," Weems explained. Enid smiled before standing up and making her way to Wednesday. "Howdy, roomie!" Enid cheered.

Wednesday didn't say anything. Enid asked her a question before Gomez responded for her, "Oh. Welcome to Ophelia Hall!" Enid opened her arms to hug Wednesday. Wednesday backed up as Enid figured out she wasn't a hugger.

"Please excuse Wednesday. She's allergic to color, and your room well... is too much for Wednesday." Morticia added. Enid asked a question as Wednesday responded to what happed Esmeralda was weirded out.

Weems found the opportunity to tell Wednesday about her specially ordered uniform. Weems then told Enid and Esmeralda to take Wednesday down to the office for her uniform and schedule. "Can we give her a tour along the way?" Esmeralda asked. Weems nodded happily.

Enid grins at this as Esmeralda gives a little laugh. Wednesday glowered at her parents and walked out the door. Enid skipped happily following Wednesday after. Esmeralda smiled at Addams' parents before following Enid.

Enid and Esmeralda were talking about how it was going to be fun being friends with Wednesday and they were going to do everything together. "We should tell her about Nevermore to cure the awkwardness," Esmeralda suggested. Enid smiled and nodded and started to explain to Wednesday about Nevermore.

Wednesday told the two girls about how she wasn't planning on staying long and how her parents tried to find any excuse to send her to Nevermore.

"Rumors have been going on that you killed a kid at your old school and your parents pulled strings to get you out of it," Esmeralda informed Wednesday. "It was two actually. But who's counting?"

Enid's eyes go wide and Esmeralda's eyebrows go up. Double doors to the quad open up. "Welcome to the quad." Enid smiled. Wednesday noticed a tree in a fountain at the center of the quad.

"Let us give you a wiki at Nevermore's social scene," Enid explained as the three girls started to walk around the quad. "I'm not interested in participating in tribal adolescent clichés," Wednesday added.

"Then you probably picked the wrong school, there are many types of outcasts here. But the five main cliques are Fangs, Furs, Stoners, Scales, and Shapers." Enid explained using her fingers to make hand gestures. Enid pointed to a table with a group of people with sunglasses.

"Those are the Fangs, AKA Vampires," Esmeralda explained. Enid told Wednesday how some of them have literally been at Nevermore for decades.

"Those knuckleheads over there are Furs, AKA Werewolves." Enid added, "Like me!" Enid said excitedly. Enid forgot the part about the full moons and where they get loud.

"Wednesday I suggest picking up some noise-canceling headphones in Jericho. Full moons for Furs get pretty loud at night." Esmeralda explained to Wednesday.

"That's when we wolf out," Enid added. "I'm assuming Scales are Sirens," Wednesday asked. Esmeralda nodded, Enid pointed to one of Esmeralda's friends. "That girl, Bianca Barclay, is the closet thing Nevermore as to royalty," Enid added. Scales glimmered on Bianca's skin. "Though her crown's been slipping lately. She used to date our resident tortured artist, Xavier Thorpe."

Enid explained about how they broke up at the beginning of the semester. "Reason? A specific shapeshifter getting in the way of their relationship." Enid announced. "If you ever need more information about gossip at Nevermore, Enid's blog is the place for it," Esmeralda added as Enid nodded.

"Yo, Enid! You're not gonna believe the dirt I heard about your new roommate." Ajax appeared out of nowhere. Enid's eyes go wide as she turned back to see Wednesday fascinated into the "dirt" about herself. "She eats human flesh. Totally chowed down on that kid she murdered. You better watch your back." Ajax looked out for Enid.

Enid let out an awkward chuckle before she stepped aside to see Esmeralda and Wednesday listening to the conversation. Esmeralda noticed one of Ajax's snakes out of his beanie. Wednesday told Ajax something Esme couldn't hear.

Esme remembered something that Enid told her that Ajax told her.

If a snake comes out of a Gorgon's beanie, their true love is near.

Esmeralda stared at Ajax as one of his snakes stayed outside of his beanie. He didn't notice but he looked shocked as he saw Wednesday standing right in front of him.

"Ajax, this is my new roommate Wednesday." Enid smiled.

"You're like a living Instagram filter," Ajax concluded. Ajax soon then noticed Esmeralda standing next to Wednesday. "Zamora." Ajax snarled. "Petropolus," Esmeralda replied.

Esmeralda liked the Petropolus boy when she first met him, but she had to play the part. What was the part? To hate him. How could she though? She liked him a lot.

A girl, Marice came over and pulled Esmeralda aside. "Excuse me, I need Esme just for a minute," Marice stated with a smile on her face before dragging Esmeralda with her.

"I need you to cover me in fencing tomorrow. I have some things...to do." Marice explained. Esmeralda rolled her eyes. "Fine. But this is the last time I'm doing this for you." Esmeralda agreed.

"Thanks for helping a fellow shaper out!" She giggled. Marice hugged her before she skipped off to go do whatever she had to do.

⚔︎

The next day arrived and it was time for fencing, Esmeralda walked over to the bathroom while Marice was somewhere no one knew. She walked over to the nearest restroom she could find and shape-shifted into Marice.

Esmeralda walked out with a nervous look. She's done this multiple times and no one has ever caught her. She was never nervous before but today she was absolutely more nervous than usual.

In her Nevermore uniform, she fixed it to make it more believable that she was Marice.

"Yo! Mars!" Esmeralda could hear Ajax's voice from behind her. Esmeralda paused. She thought that this wasn't gonna happen. She just thought that she just had to do fencing and that was it. Not to talk to people.

She exhaled before turning around to talk to Ajax as Marice. "Hey...! Ajax..." Esmeralda chuckled awkwardly. Ajax furrowed his brows.

"Why are you acting weird? What happened to calling me, Jax? Are you mad at me?" Ajax asked. Esmeralda shook her head. "No! Why would I be mad at you?" She asked. Ajax shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I wanted to tell you about fencing, I heard Addams is going to join fencing, so, be prepared for her. You don't know what she could do." Ajax explained.

Esmeralda nodded. "I agree. I mean I did hear that she eats human flesh." Esmeralda smiled. Ajax nodded, "Fencing starts soon. We should go," Ajax told her, she nodded and they both made their way to fencing.

Esmeralda couldn't help but blush walking next to Ajax. She knew about Marice and Ajax being friends because the two are fencing partners, but she noticed something else.

A snake was still out.

She saw a bunch of people around her so she doesn't know who his true love is. "Hey, are your parents coming to Parents weekend in two weeks? My mom is coming she can't wait to see how Nevermore is now, and she can't wait to also see her old dorm. Who is yours and Zamora's dorm." Ajax didn't dare to say Esmeralda's name.

Esmeralda smiled, "My dad's probably gonna be a no-show again this year, but hey, Jax, why don't you really like Esme?" She asked. Ajax shrugged his shoulders.

"My mom always told me that we're supposed to hate shapeshifters for centuries. Luckily she hasn't found out about Weems being a shapeshifter." Ajax explained.

"Do you ever want to be her friend?"

Ajax sighed. "Maybe. I've been thinking about it, but if my mom found out she'd flip out. But I have to hate her either way. She seems like a nice girl, but you know family's orders."

Esmeralda nodded. Ajax opened the door for fencing, "After you Mars." Ajax held a hand out as a gesture for her to walk in first.

"Thanks!" She smiled. Esmeralda made her way down to the other doors where she would be able to change. She had changed into Marcie's fencing outfit before walking out of the changing room.

Ajax was Marcie's fencing partner, so, Ajax had everything she was supposed to have, but Esmeralda knowing Marice she'll lose everything she keeps.

Ajax handed Esmeralda the fencing sword before she placed the fencing mask on her face before doing her standing position and getting ready to fight Ajax.

"Ready to lose Mars?" Ajax chuckled. Esmeralda rolled her eyes. "Please we all know you're going to lose Jax." She told him.

Esmeralda knew how to fence since her older sister taught her. Her sister was a master at fencing and graduated about a year ago. She promised Esmeralda that she would be there for Parents Weekend. She beat Ajax a few times before the two heard the door open.

It was Wednesday in her own black fencing suit. Esmeralda noticed Rowan's trip. "Coach! Coach, she tripped me!" Rowan groans. "It was a clear strike, Rowan." The coach said. Esmeralda rushed over to help him up. "You okay, Rowan?" She asked. He nodded. Rowan pulled out his inhaler as Wednesday commented on Bianca being a queen bee and how they drop dead when you pull out their stingers.

Esmeralda chuckled. Ajax removed his mask to watch the fencing between the two. Ajax and Esmeralda as Marice and the others gawked.

"It's your decision, Bianca." The coach told her. Bianco sighed and tilts her head before tossing her mask to the side. Wednesday goes on and attacks. Wednesday goes into a crouch and strikes from above. Bianca luckily dodges it.

Bianco soon does an elegant spin before cutting Wednesday on her eyebrow. Esmeralda looked at the cut on her eyebrow. "Wednesday head to the infirmary please with Rowan." The coach told her. Wednesday let out a sigh before she turned around and walked out of the class.

"Class dismissed." The coach ordered. Everyone had made their way to the other doors to change out of their fencing outfits. Esmeralda was luckily the first one in, and she was the first one out.

Esmeralda walked back to the nearest bathroom to change back into herself. She fixed her hair and walked out of the bathroom. She assumed Marice would be in their dorm so she made her way there.

She opened the door to her dorm. "Thank god you're in here, fencing was a bitch. How come you didn't tell me your fencing partner was Ajax!" She told Marice. Marice bursted out laughing. "I know I didn't tell you. It was for you to get to know him better." She smiled.

Esmeralda rolled her eyes. "I hate you, but thank you." Esmeralda thanked her. "So why'd you skip fencing? I noticed Xavier wasn't there either. Was it for you to sneak off and go kiss him?" She jabbered. Marice rolled her eyes before she gave a smile. "You could say it like that."

Esmeralda smiled and giggled. "So, what are we doing in Thornhills next week?" Esmeralda asked. "Well, you guys have a project. She chooses your partners. I got Rowan." 

Esmeralda and Marice had different schedules but and a few classes together. "Hopefully I get Wednesday!" She smiled. Marice shook her head, she fixed her a little while after. "Probably not, it's based on your level in her class. Since Rowan and I are the highest in the class we're partners."

Esmeralda groaned. She wanted to be partners with Wednesday. But Esmeralda was the highest or the lowest so, she wondered who she would get. The day was over and she started to get ready for bed. "Oh, you know about the group I'm in? The Nightshades?" Marice asked.

Esmeralda nodded. "Yeah? What about it?" Esmeralda speculated that she was gonna be needed for something. "While I and Xavier were..." Marice trailed off.

"Making out?" Esmeralda finished her sentence for her. Marcie gave her a look. "Sure you can say that. But, he said we needed another member like two, so he asked if anyone I knew could be interested, so I picked you. After the Poe cup coming up soon, snap twice at the Edgar Allen Poe statue, you'll all find us there." Marice explained.

Esmeralda nodded. The Harvest Festival was tomorrow and she needed a good rest. She yawned before she told Marice goodnight and went under the covers. "And if Xavier comes, be quiet this time making out please."

Marice scoffed.

⚔︎

It was the night of the festival and Enid had told Esmeralda that Wednesday was going to leave Nevermore. Esmeralda was very sad to hear this, Esmeralda liked her a lot.

Sure Wednesday showed no emotion or doesn't give an f. Esmeralda only knew Wednesday for a day but she could see another side of her. Enid, Wednesday and Esmeralda were all standing there looking at a normie kid and his dad.

"Are you sure you can trust that normie?" Enid asked. Enid only came because she wanted to spend time with Wednesday, but with Wednesday leaving Enid wanted to leave there and then. Esmeralda wanted to find Marice and hang out with her, Xavier, and Ajax.

Marice couldn't find Esmeralda because Marice being a matchmaker for all the years she's been at Nevermore.

"Good luck and safe travels!" Enid opened her arms for a hug. Wednesday backed up. Still not a hugger. Wednesday turned around Esmeralda.

"I liked your trick at fencing. We should fence each other sometime. But goodbye Esmeralda." Wednesday told her. Wednesday knew about her shapeshifting to cover Marice.

"How did you know it was me?" Esmeralda asked, "I overheard the conversation you had with your little friend, Marice was her name I think?" Wednesday explained. Wednesday's eyebrows lifted up to the name of Marice. "Well, goodbye Wednesday." Esmeralda held her hand out to shake Wednesday's hand.

Wednesday stared up at her before taking her hand and shaking it. Wednesday was a shaker, not a hugger. Just as Wednesday and Esmeralda finished shaking each other's hand, Marice pull her away. "C'mon, Xavier and Ajax are waiting for us!" Marice giggled excitedly before they rushed over to a carnival ride.

Ajax and Xavier were chatting before Ajax noticed Esmeralda. Ajax sighed before he puts on a smile. "Great, you brought a Zamora?" Ajax asked. "Yeah, Enid's gone to hang out with Wednesday, so I brought her with us," Marice explained.

Xavier noticed Wednesday chasing after Rowan. They thought nothing of it. Wednesday soon made her way back from the woods, without Rowan.

Xavier told Esmeralda about this and she rushed over to Wednesday. "Where's Rowan?" Esmeralda asked holding onto Wednesday.

"He's dead," Wednesday said with no hesitation.