Chapter Text
"When examining Frankienstein it is clear to see the ways Mary Shelly's personal loss affected how she wrote the character of Frankenstien's monster" Wednesday explained to the lecture hall, pacing across the silent hall. Each one of her steps echoing as the students hung onto each word she said. "Can anyone tell me how?"
She scans the room, a sea of hands rising for her attention. Wednesday was the only lectuer who seemed to be able to make students want to answer, want to listen. Maybe it was because they craved her approval, since she was very particular about giving it out. Only giving it to those who proved they cared, students who got top marks, had unique takes, actively participated. But even then it was lackluster compared to other lecturers. She would always print out assignments to hand back, a simple 'good work' written in her favourite fountain pen was the most she did in terms of praise. Her handwriting was gorgeous though, loopy cursive letters that look printed it was so perfect.
Before she can pick someone to answer there's two knocks at the door. Turning to glare at whoevers chose to interrupt her lesson she sees Enid Sinclair leaning in the doorframe. Rolling her eyes as the smile spreads across Enid's face.
"Afternoon Raven" She says with a wink straightening up with her hands in her pockets. Stepping into the classroom, seemingly ignoring how pissed off Wednesday looks.
"Can I help you coach Sinclair? We're in the middle of a lesson" Wednesday says harshly, gesturing towards the packed hall. The students are sitting dead still, watching the interaction like it's a TV show. You could hear a pin drop.
"I just need to grab my track girls for a few minutes" Enid tilts her head towards the middle row where four members of the track team are sitting. All of them turning red as Wednesday looks at them before looking back at Enid.
The hall is tense. Wednesday was known for being strict, often times getting into arguments with other lecturers who interpreted her class and refusing to let students in who arrived late. Unless they emailed her of course she was strict not impossible.
"Do you really need them now, can this not wait?" Wednesday crosses her arms over as Enid looks her up and down. The hall was tense but between them? You could cut it with a knife.
They had 'never really gotten on' since Enid started about six months back. Often having spats over stupid things like Enid taking students from class or that fact that Enid was meant to be in the sport section of the College but somehow always found her way to sitting in the literature staff room. Using Wednesday's mug of course. Or the fact Enid never called her Professor Addams not even Wedensday or Addams. It was always a nickname. Willa, Wends, Raven, Elvira. The last one made Wednesday's eyes roll into the back of her head. It started when she wore a low cut dress to a staff Christmas party. Nothing scandalous but enough to make Enid amp up the flirting. She wasn't scared of her like the others, if anything she enjoyed the challenge.
"Afraid not Willa, I'll be ten minutes tops" the nickname makes Wednesday's jaw clentch. Hearing her students start muttering between themselves, she quietens them with a quick glare before beckoning the track girls down.
"Ten minutes." She says sternly, ushering the girls out of the class and making Enid step back into the hall.
"You're the boss" Enid gives her a salute before laughing softly and taking the girls away from the door. Letting Wednesday go back to her lecture in peace.
"While they are gone you I want you all to look over your previous notes and see if you can answer the question in more detail". The students nod as Wednesday sits in her desk chair. "I will open a submission for it, make sure you check your spelling or you will fail, this is for a literature degree not a highschool exam". There's a small chuckle from some students as she starts typing angrily as the they work.
Once the ten minutes pass the girls hurry back inside apologising to Wednesday on the way past. She exuses them and fills them in on the assignment before turning to the door. Enid waves at her as she walks away leaving Wednesday frustrated, trying to finish her lesson.
After no further interpretations, the class wraps up. "Thank you all for attending today, I will see you tomorrow where I expect to have all your answers submitted". The students file out with some saying 'bye professor Addams' on their way out.
Wednesday starts packing her bag once the hall empties. Carefully placing her books and laptop away. After a few minutes there's two knocks at the door. She doesn't even turn around, continuing to clear the desk. She knows who it is.
"Sinclair I don't have time for you, I have another lecture" Her harsh voice echos through the now empty hall.
Wednesday hears the door shut before footsteps start coming towards her. Enid speaking up once she gets closer "Look I just wanted to ask you something, I enjoy our little back and forth Willa" Wednesday can hear the tease in her tone, rolling her eyes as she continues to put her papers away. "But do you want to go out sometime?"
"You know I'm in a relationship" Wednesday says bluntly. She had been dating Tyler Galpin for a few months now. Enid knew that. Having seen Tyler drop her off or pick her up some days, pressing a kiss to her head before leaving again. They hadn't really been that serious in all honesty, Wednesday found the relationship quite boring. There was just no spark.
"Yeah I know but" Wednesday turns around to find Enid standing close than she thought.
Her breath hitches as Enid uses one hand to pin her to the desk while the other reaches around her back. Grabbing a post it and scribbling her number on it with a pen from her front pocket. Slipping it into Wednesday's hand as she pulls back.
"Let me know when you change your mind" She winks as she walks away leaving Wednesday holding the note dumbfounded. What was this feeling in her chest? Like someone was squeezing her heart in their hands, is this...a spark?
Wednesday gets through the rest of the day without bumping into Enid again. Getting lost in the flow of her lectures. She really did love teaching, finding talking about literature to be the one place she feels at home. It helps when your area of study is your special interest. Getting wrapped up in marking assignments, talking to students and keeping ontop of her own book, it's like this morning never happened.
But on the quiet drive home with nothing to distract her, the image of Enid pinning her against the desk finds it's way to the front of her head. The way she could smell her bodyspray, see all the shades of blue in her eyes and feel her own heart beat rapidly. Shaking her head to snap herself out of it she pulls into her drive way, looking down at her phone.
Tyler - 'hey babe want to go out for dinner tonight?'
Pausing for a second she keeps reading it over. As her fingers hover over the keypad but she can't push Enid out her mind. Deciding to turn Tyler down for the night.
Wednesday - 'Not tonight I am exhausted.'
Tyler - 'could I come over? ♡'
She doesn't open it, just reading it from the notifcation bar. But the heart emoji makes her roll her eyes. Finding them childish at best, insulting at worst. Deciding she'll reply in a little bit, once she makes dinner...maybe. She slides her phone into her bag before grabbing it and stepping out. Looking over her small front garde before going into her house, letting out a deep sigh. It was silent. Just how she liked it.
Slipping off her shoes and jacket she starts making her into the kitchen to prepare dinner. The night is uneventful, apart from the persistent thoughts of Enid flashing in her mind. Eventually she tells Tyler that she wasn't in the mood for company as she settles into her bed. Pulling out the book she'd been reading, 'the turn of the screw'.
It had been placed on her desk a few days after her birthday, wrapped in black paper with no note. Assuming it was from one of her students she didn't question it. The book was a gorgeous print with a gold foil cover and edges, delicate linework covering the dark blue background. It had become one of her favourite covers, always being placed out instead of in her packed bookshelf. Eventually she would figure out who gave her it. After all not many people knew her birthday, so it wouldnt take much work.
It was probably just a student.
When she turns in for the night, clicking off the lamp on her nightstand she can feel a heat gathering in her stomach. As the morning replays in her head until she falls asleep.