20 Communication is Key

The weekend ended and Monday arrived. Ezra walked the halls of Nevermore Academy. He spent the weekend practicing his dueling techniques deep in the forest. He subconsciously scanned the hallways, ever since the Harvest Festival, Enid had been avoiding him completely. He honestly had no clue what was going through her head but he understood one thing, that Enid must have felt betrayed.

Ezra spotted Enid up ahead entering their Werewolf Reproduction class. He slid into the seat next to her just as the teacher began her lecture. "Enid, can we talk?" he whispered. She stared straight ahead, ignoring him. Ezra sighed, resolving to try again after class.

As soon as the bell rang, Enid gathered her things and made for the door. Ezra hurried after her, catching her arm. "We need to talk," he said firmly.

Enid pulled her arm away. "I have nothing to say to you."

"Well I do," Ezra insisted. "I've had enough teenage drama back at my old school. You can't keep avoiding me. We have to talk about what happened this weekend."

Enid glared at him but he just met her gaze without flinching. Seeing that people were starting to stare she hesitated before eventually nodding reluctantly. Ezra led her towards the library, figuring they could find a quiet corner there. As they entered, Ezra spotted two vampires in the stacks, their fangs extended as they fed on each other.

"Brilliant," Ezra muttered sarcastically, steering Enid away from the intimate scene. He found them an empty table tucked away in a back corner.

Enid crossed her arms. "Well? What do you want?"

Ezra took a deep breath. "Look, I know you're upset that I told Wednesday about my magic before you. But you have to understand, she figured it out on her own. I didn't actually choose to tell her first. I shouldn't have implied that you're untrustworthy."

Enid glared. "But you told her everything. Meanwhile, I had no idea until the festival."

"I know, and I'm sorry, but you have to understand that this secret is very important. If it got out I could end up being hunted by people that want to use my magic for their own gain" Ezra said earnestly.

Enid's eyes looked slightly fearful at the mention of him being hunted. Seeing this Ezra continued, "But it's not that I don't trust you. Honestly, I feel like I can trust you more than Wednesday."

Enid's expression softened slightly. "You do?"

Ezra grinned. "Of course."

Enid showed a brief smile before forcing her face back into a frown.

Ezra continued, "I would have told you about my magic sooner if I could have. But you have to realize that when I first came here I was alone, no family, no friends, I didn't want to reveal anything until I fully understood my situation."

He went on, "The only reason I ended up telling Wednesday was because I had to use my magic in front of her to save her life. That falling gargoyle would have crushed her if I hadn't stopped it with my wand. I didn't really have a choice in that moment."

Ezra remarked, "Wednesday seems to be a bit of a trouble magnet. She's always ending up in precarious situations that require magical intervention."

Enid finally opened up, "I guess when you told Wednesday first, I just felt...insecure. Like you trusted her more than me or something."

Ezra said earnestly, "I'm really sorry I made you feel that way, Enid. That was never my intention at all. Honestly, like I said before, I feel like I can trust you way more than Wednesday."

Enid gave a small smile and said, "I'm sorry too for overreacting and ignoring you like that. That was really immature of me."

Enid pulled him into a hug, with Enid resting her head against Ezra's chest. They stayed embraced like that for a long moment, with Ezra gently running his hands through her hair.

She then looked directly into his eyes her tone growing more serious. "And Ezra I just want you to know you're not alone, not anymore."

Ezra felt his lips curve up involuntarily, "Thanks, Enid."

Finally, Enid pulled back and Ezra asked gently, "Feel better?"

Enid nodded, her usual bright personality restored. "Yes, much better."

Ezra smiled. "Good, I'm glad. I much prefer happy, bubbly Enid to sullen, silent Enid."

Enid laughed. "Me too. Sullen is more Wednesday's thing anyway."

Ezra nodded thoughtfully as Enid spoke. "Speaking of Wednesday," she said, giving him a knowing look, "do you...you know, have feelings for her?"

The question momentarily stunned Ezra. He paused, considering it seriously. "I don't think so," he finally said. "At least not in that way. Don't get me wrong, I find her fascinating. But romantic feelings? No, I don't believe I have those for her."

Enid raised an eyebrow. "Interest is often the first stage to attraction, you know." 

Ezra studied her face closely. "You don't seem upset by the possibility."

"Well wolves are pack animals," Enid replied cryptically.

A touch surprised Ezra asked, "Weren't you just feeling insecure about my closeness with Wednesday?"

"I was just worried that you trusted her more than me." Ezra was about to speak but Enid quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, you still haven't told me everything! How did you get here? How does your magic work? What's your home like?"

Ezra smiled at her antics. "I'll tell you, I promise. But not here." Glancing around the library.

Enid nodded in understanding. "Meet me tonight behind the greenhouse after lights out."

Ezra agreed. "Ok, I'll tell you the whole story then."

Enid's eyes lit up eagerly. "It's a date!" She hopped over toward the door, Ezra following behind. As they exited the library together, Ezra felt a swell of affection for his bubbly friend. Though their relationship had experienced a rocky patch, he was glad they were back on solid ground. He looked forward to opening up and sharing more of himself with her. For now, classes awaited them both. They parted ways with a smile and a wave, already anticipating their covert greenhouse meeting that night.