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

All everyone was talking about this week was the Rave'n. People were going all out for asking their girlfriends, crushes, boyfriends, and more just for them to say yes. Ajax wanted to ask Esmeralda but he thought that she was mad at him for standing her up. If only she knew what happened.

"So? Are you gonna make me ask him for you?" Enid asked. Esmeralda's shoulders drooped. "No, I'm okay. Besides he stood me up, why would I want to go with a guy who stood a girl up?" She asked.

Enid's mouth turned into a line. "Ooh, right. Well, I'm planning on asking someone to the dance but I don't know if they'll want to even go with me." Enid ranted while walking into Thornhill's class.

They both made their way to their seats before waiting for their partners to arrive.

Ajax had arrived as Esmeralda placed her glasses on her face. She's been wearing them a lot recently because of her vision, she also had contacts when she needed to shapeshift. She had begun to draw her desired dress for the Raven. The Rave'n was a big thing at Nevermore, it was the year when everyone could confess their feelings for each other.

Ajax and Esmeralda took a glance at each other. Ajax smiled before giving a wave. Esmeralda turned back to drawing in her notebook. Ajax shook his head disappointingly before going to sit at his seat in front of her.

Thornhill had entered the classroom with a smile on her face. She had clapped her hands before starting the lesson. "Okay, so today we are going to be discussing about my favorite plant!" She picked up a pinkish plant before starting to explain about it.

"While most plants reward their pollinators with sweet nectar, many carnivorous varieties turn to sexual trickery or deception," Thornhill explained.

Ajax had his head down the entire time they were in Thornhill's class. Esmeralda didn't notice as she kept paying attention. Ajax would turn his head back and sneak a few glances at her. She noticed them she just didn't make eye contact with him.

Thornhill placed the plant down before talking about the orchid. "The orchid produces a pheromone that mimics a female insect, luring the males in," Thornhill explained. "Now, once the plant is pollinated, what do the male insects get in exchange?" She asked.

"Nada. Just like all the guys at the Rave'N." Bianca commented. All the girls laughed as well as Esmeralda. Wednesday didn't laugh at this.

Thornhill let out a chuckle before talking, "Okay, okay. I know you're all excited about Saturday, which is why I haven't assigned any homework."

As Thornhill told them about no homework, there were scattered cheers. "But I still do need volunteers for the decorating committee." She asked, "So if you want to sign up please come see me." Thornhill picked up a clipboard and a sheet before students gathered around her to sign.

Esmeralda definitely wanted to volunteer, and so did Ajax. So they both signed up at different times. "Thank you, Esme," Thornhill smiled. "Yeah! Anytime if you need my help I'm here." She smiled back before going back to her seat.

"Okay! So the set up for the dance is at 5 P.M sharp today. It should take us about a few hours but it'll be ready for the dance." She explained as the people who volunteered nodded.

⚔︎

Enid and Wednesday came knocking at Esmeralda's door. She opened it before she furrowed her eyebrows. "What's going on?" She asked.

Enid had the biggest smile ever. "So, I was thinking we go dress shopping for the dance!" Enid squealed. Esmeralda nodded slowly. "The thing is any of us have gotten asked to the dance," Esmeralda confessed.

Enid's smile faded. "Right, but still dress shopping!" Enid pulled Esmeralda's arm before dragging her downstairs with Wednesday.

They made their way to the entrance of Nevermore. A lot of students were walking to Jericho since it was Friday, it was a free day after your third class. So they all walked in a big group before they made it to Jericho.

Enid and Esmeralda led Wednesday to Hawte Kewture. "What kind of dystopian hell place is this?" Wednesday confessed. "The most best place for dresses!" Enid replied. "The dance committee's suggestion is an all-white to match the theme, but all three of us isn't really gonna fly with us," Enid told them.

Wednesday shifted her gaze away before speaking, "Well I have more suppressing businesses instead of worrying about a dress that I don't even worry to attend."

"Cut me loose and go run with the pack," Wednesday suggested. They both exchanged a glance at each other before nodding and walking into the store.

Esmeralda looked back on Wednesday who was already looking at them before she walked away. "Where should we start?" Enid asked. "Anywhere." Esmeralda smiled before the two split their ways. "Wait! Before we go we meet back her at one. Got it?" Enid asked. Esmeralda nodded.

Enid and Esme spilt their ways before looking for some dresses and accessories. Esmeralda saw these purple earrings. She loved purple it was her color. The Nevermore uniform was made just for her because of how good it looked on her.

She took the earrings before looking some more for purple things. She found a hairpiece that would go perfectly with her earrings and hairstyle for the Rave'N.

She didn't see any dresses that she liked so she got a few more things before meeting up with Enid. "Find anything?" Enid asked. Esmeralda showed her a hairpiece and a few more accessories.

"Where's your dress?" Enid asked. Esmeralda shrugged. "I couldn't find one I liked so I think I'm just gonna pay for this and head to Uriahs Heap to look at their dresses in the back," Esmeralda explained. Enid nodded before the two girls paid.

"I'm gonna head to the Weathervane for some coffee and a snack. Divina and Yoko are gonna be there." Enid explained. "I'll meet you there," Esmeralda told her. Enid nodded before walking to the Weathervane.

Esmeralda made her way to Uriah's Heap before walking. She saw a black dress that would look good on Wednesday, she entered before looking at the price. It was a good price.

"How can I help you, dear?" Uriah asked. "Hi! Nice to see you again, do you have more dresses?" Esmeralda asked and replied. Uriah nodded. "Definitely there's a lot in the back, that's where all the good stuff is." Uriah sent a smile to her before taking her to the back of the shop and showing her all the dresses.

"Take your pick!" Uriah told her before Esmeralda gave a smile before looking around. She saw this purple ombré dress that faded near the end. "How much is this one?" Esmeralda asked. "Please, it's on me. Plus the one you were looking at when you walked in. It's the least I can do from the help on Outreach Day." Uriah smiled.

"Thank you! Can it be in two separate bags though? The black dress is for a friend." She asked. Uriah nodded and took the purple ombré dress off the stand before walking to the front with Esme.

Uriah soon after took the other dress off the mannequin and placed the two dresses in separate bags. "Here you are. Goodbye now!" She waved before Esme smiled and walked out. Esme made her way to the Weathervane. She walked in to see two boys taking to Enid.

Esmeralda furrowed her brows before walking over. "Enid? What's going on?" She asked. "This is Trent and Lucas. These boys are asking us to the dance." Enid explained.

"His friend overheard me saying we both needed a date. Yoko and Divina were with me earlier while you were looking at accessories." Enid explained. "So both of you want to take us to the dance?" Esme asked.

"Yeah," Lucas Walker responded. "Fine, if that's okay with Enid." She replied. Enid nodded. The two boys stood up before waving to them. Divina and Yoko both came back to the booth with Enid and Esme. "What'd they ask you guys?" Divina asked.

"They asked us—" Esmeralda started but was soon cut off by Enid. "They asked us to the dance! Guess who finally has dates now!" Enid cheered loudly in the coffee shop. Everyone looked at their table before Enid gave a sorry.

Divina chuckled. "So we heard you went to Uriah's Heap for dress shopping what'd you get?" She asked. Esmeralda smiled. "It's a surprise. You'll find out tomorrow."

Esmeralda took the bag with Wednesday's dress. "Can you please keep this with you until the dance? It's a gift for Wednesday, and by the way, only tell Thing about it. Thing and I have a little plan." Esmeralda smiled.

thing had told her about her relationship with Tyler and how they had gotten along great. "Sorry, guys I volunteered to help set up. I should get going." Esmeralda explained. Esmeralda grabbed her things and got up. "Hey, we'll come with," Yoko orated before Divina and Enid agreed. They all grabbed their things and made their way back to Nevermore.

It was about 4:10 when they arrived so Esmeralda had time to put her bags away. She made her way back up to Ophelia Hall and walked into her dorm room.

She entered the room to see a redhead with red eyes crying. "Mars? Are you okay?" She asked. Marice sniffled. "No, Xavier and I fought. Now we're not going to the dance together. I heard Bianca asked him to the dance." She ranted on. "Hey, it's gonna be okay. I was suggesting that we go together but Enid found me a date, and I don't really want to go with him, I wanna go with Ajax."

Marice chuckled. "It's okay, I'll go by myself." She confessed. "You should go, it's almost time for setting up," Marice added. Esme nodded before setting her bags down and leaving.

She made her way into the hall before seeing Ajax sitting at a table waiting for everyone to arrive. He spotted Esmeralda in her glasses. She hasn't taken them off since this morning.

"Esme! Wonderful to see you here nice and early." Thornhill grinned before she was handed her some curtains. "Could you put these around the entrance for me?" She asked as Esme nodded. "Ajax! Could you help Esme please?" Thornhill asked. Ajax looked up at the mention of Esmeralda's name.

He nodded before walking to Esme. She sighed before walking to the entrance to hang up the white curtains. The entire time it was quiet. He wanted to say sorry to her and ask her to the dance. But a girl from Jericho High School already asked him to make her ex jealous.

And Trent had asked Esme to the dance so she couldn't really say anything either. They both finished their tasks and it was about 9 P.M. Thornhill had excused them and they made their way back to their dorms. Esmeralda has getting ready to go to sleep so she could wake up early and try to find a few ways to style her hair for her earrings could be seen.

⚔︎

Esmeralda woke up around ten to do her hair and makeup. She wanted to have a little white to stick with the theme so she did white eyeshadow. Her hair was placed up in a bun with the hair piece wrapped around her hair.

As she waited until around 6 P.M. she decided to start changing into her outfit. The ombré dress looked perfect on her. "You look so good!" Marice praised on how she looked. Esmeralda smiled before she placed the earrings and accessories in. "Thanks. You look good also." She complimented Marice.

Marice's hair was waved and she parted it nicely. She wore a white long sleeve dress with her white heels. "Your date should be here soon," Marice told her as Esme nodded. Marice grabbed her bag and left.

After Marice left, Esme heard a knock on the door. It was Trent. "Hi." She told him. Trent wore a white suit before waving. "You look great." He reasoned. Esmeralda smiled before she closed the door and Trent held out his arm for her to grab.

The two walked down into the quad where students were walking into the Rave'N. "You guys look great!" Thornhill commented. Then Esmeralda saw Ajax. She gulped as she saw Ajax with another girl. All this time she thought that he didn't have a date.

"You see that guy in the beanie?" Trent asked as Esme nodded. "He's with my ex. She's trying to make me jealous she wants me back." Trent laughed, "You realize Enid and Lucas set this all up to make our crushes and exes jealous right?" Esme asked.

Trent nodded. "Esme! What a beautiful dress. I love the ombré." Thornhill commented about her dress. Esme thanked her before the two walked into the dance.

"Have a dance for me!" Thornhill called out before giggling. Weems was standing welcoming everyone to the Rave'N. "Welcome to the Rave'N!"

The music was loud and people were dancing. Trent and Esme went to go meet up with Lucas and Enid. Enid was moving her waist to the song before spotting Trent and Esme walking up to them. "Your dress! Totally a surprise." Enid smiled. "It was free and I liked it."

Lucas had asked how Trent was liking the dance. The two boys walked away from the girls before Ajax came by and looked at Esmeralda's dress.

"Esme?" Ajax questioned. Enid looked to see Ajax with a girl and Esmeralda turned her head. "Huh, I thought that was you," Ajax added, he noticed the purple colors on her dress and how she loved purple.

"Where's your date?" Ajax asked as Trent came over and placed his arm around Ajax. "I'm her date, man." Trent admired as his ex scoffed. "This is Trent. We're having a blast at this dance... together!" Esmeralda smiled as Ajax compresses his lips. "Sweet." Ajax sighed before walking away with his date.

"Well, that worked." Trent chuckled. "It totally made him jealous. Enid comes up with the best ideas!" She cheered. "I'm gonna go grab some yeti-tinies, want one?" Esmeralda asked as Trent nodded, "Sure." He replied.

She had walked to grab some drinks. "Hey," Ajax appeared. Esmeralda huffed. "Hi." She replied. "I like your dress." He added. Esmeralda nodded, "Thanks. Your date is pretty... interesting."

"I could say the same. He's way too tall for you." Ajax blabbed. Esmeralda "I'll you later, Ajax." She walked away before Ajax could say another word. She walked over to Trent who was on his phone. "Here." She placed it on the table before she sat down.

"You wanna dance with Enid and Lucas?" She asked, "Yeah," Trent agreed before the two made their way to the dance floor to dance with the two.

As the four were dancing for a while a song called The Goo-Goo Muck had started playing. Wednesday was wearing the dress that Esmeralda has gotten her and she was with Tyler. Esmeralda was tired from dancing so she decided to take a break. "Let's watch our best friend dance!" End giggled as the four all sat down.

Esmeralda smiled at Wednesday's funky dance moves, Enid's mouth was hung open just a little as she smiled at her dance moves also. "Come on!" Enid grabbed onto Lucas' arm as well as Esme's.

"We'll be right back." They both said, Enid and Esmeralda, both exchanged looks before shrugging and rushing to the dance floor. Enid bumped Esmeralda into Xavier so the two would talk and dance.

"Hey," Ajax expressed. Ajax gave a funky dance as Esmeralda laughed and danced with Ajax. The two danced till they couldn't breathe. The song ended as they two faced each other.

Esmeralda was out of breath before she went to sit down and catch her breath.

Marice soon appeared in her outfit. "I'm a little late but I saw Bianca outside talking to Wednesday. I heard they were talking about me actually." Marice sat down next to Esmeralda as Marice and Xavier made eye contact.

"Yo! Yo! Yo! It's almost eleven o'clock, so haul it out on the dance floor one last time before the Rave'N says "Nevermore!" The DJ, played a Dua Lipa song as almost everyone was pulled into the dance floor.

Enid and Esmeralda danced with Kent as they both laughed. Ajax was watching from afar as he danced with his date. His date noticed this before she stepped out of the dance floor and walked out.

Ajax called out for her but he didn't chase after her. He just walked closer to Esmeralda. Everyone was dancing happily but what they didn't notice is that paint was falling onto them.

Soon everyone started to notice. Their white dresses, suits, beanies, and hats were getting stained with paint. Even their faces. Enid had looked at her dress to see paint on it. Esmeralda's face and outfit were full of paint on her.

Enid had grabbed onto Esmeralda and tried to walk out without slipping. "Come on!" Enid blurted. "You go find Trent and tell him off okay?" Enid asked as Esmeralda nodded.

Esmeralda walked around everyone and soon found a door open where she heard talking.

"Are you for real Trent?" Esmeralda began. Sobbing began, "All I thought you wanted to do was come to the dance and make your ex jealous, not pull this shit." Esmeralda confessed. "What your friend did at Crackstones statue—"

"You're full of shit, I thought you were different than your own friends." She kept going on. The boys kept laughing. "What are you gonna do? Shapeshift into me?" One of Lucas and Trent's friends said.

Esmeralda just stood there as Ajax came. "Leave her alone assholes!" Ajax yelled out. They all left as Esmeralda backed up. "Are you okay Esme?" Ajax asked as she looked up to him. "No, I didn't want to go with him. I wanted to go with you all this time." Esmeralda confessed.

"Why didn't you ask me then?" Ajax asked. "Cause you asked me to go to the greenhouse with you but you never came, I was too sad to talk to you," Esmeralda confessed. "But you never told me why."

Ajax chucked. "Look, I was too embarrassed to tell you, but, I... accidentally looked in the mirror and kind of stoned myself with my snakes." His hand reaching to his neck. Esmeralda gave a small laugh.

"That's pretty funny, but it's not embarrassing." She smiled, and Ajax nodded, one of his snakes had came out as he felt scared that he would stone her.

The two stared at each other for a while before Ajax put his lips on hers. His hands traveled to her waist bringing her close to him as they were still both drenched in paint.

"We should probably go slow right and like totally hide this from our parents?" Ajax suggested as he pulled away from the kiss for that sentence. "Definitely."

Ajax smiled before bringing his lips back to her as the two continued to kiss each other.