LUCERYS WALKED OUTSIDE the courtyard of Nevermore Academy, which chattered with the sounds of outcasts moving about their day. None really paid him any attention, let alone wanted anything to do with him and that suited him just fine. He preferred the distance, rather than being the center of a crowd.

There've been times he was called rude, that he makes fun of people for their problems and utter reliance. There have been times where he was....not well adjusted as his history teacher would call him.

He can't change or adapt and always kept to a silent corner.

'What was it, Lupin would call it?....a loner?'

A social misfit who can't relate or understand others. Preferring to keep his nose in a book rather than becomes engaging, even when he did people still aren't satisfied with what he has to say.

What do they know is all he had to say to that.

Either way, he didn't mind. He'd rather be looked at darkly while he wasn't another filter than looked at lightly while being a bot.

It was easier that way, especially since he made it a point to stay away from strangers, blending into the background like a shadow. The greatest advantage of a quiet person, one might say.

It was an effective strategy to stay out of trouble and away from any unfortunate eyes.

A goal he'd been working toward his whole life, even if it was a lost cause.

Luke walked through the courtyard, his boots crunching lightly against the gravel path that led towards the woods. 

Nevermore Academy loomed behind him like a castle plucked straight from a gothic novel. He could hear the distant chatter of students fading as he ventured deeper into the quieter parts of the grounds.

That was where he felt most at ease.

Ahead, nestled on the outskirts of the academy's grounds, stood glassed-shed surrounded by rows of wooden boxes. Bees buzzed lazily around the boxes.

The sixteen-year-old let out an unenthusiastic sigh of tiresome. He didn't plan to be here. He didn't want to be here at all. It was lunch break, and he preferred to take the time for himself, drink tea and watch everyone make idiots out of themselves before he has to listen to them and teachers yap for another two hours.

But alas, he was given a text message at the last minute. Quick emergency he was told. 

The sixteen-year-old let out a hasty breath as he stepped inside.

Just as expected he saw his often acquaintance fiddling with his gear. He could feel the familiar nervous energy that made him stand out from the door.

The arcane lightly tapped on the door and the curly-haired student quickly turned.

"Hey! You're here!" Eugene exclaimed. "And early!"

"You're lucky I'm in a good mood otherwise I would've left you for the birds." Luke grumbled, his hands finding a home in his pockets.

Eugene forced out a laugh. "Lucky for me then."

Luke rolled his eyes. Four months later, he still doesn't understand sarcasm.

Eugene was president of the school's beekeeping club and an often acquaintance to the loner outcast. They had met months ago after club week was over and Luke was assigned to partner with him for an assignment, rather forced to by Thornhill.

Luke had no real interest in bees. It was bad enough that he has to deal with overblowing chatter, but zipping noises was another level. In fact, he'd never been fond of insects in general. 

But his time partnering with Eugene, he did find the boy's enthusiasm... tolerable. Some would say amusing for a kid often picked on by high classed outsiders. 

Though unlike say, Scott Allan, at least he didn't ask too many questions.

He was gullible and seemed like someone Luke might want in the long run just encase he needs someone who he's certain isn't going to stab him in the back as much as he would do the same. Even if it would lead to constant bargains for closer investments to his liking.

"This better be worth it." Luke warned. 

"I promise, I'll be quick this time around."

"Better be. You've got me out my lunch break and I hate it when time's wasted."

"Well for starters, my friend." Luke nearly grimaced as he continued. "I've been working on a new kind of project for a presentation."

Luke arched a brow. "Is that why you're so damn fidgety?"

Eugene hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck as he avoided Luke's gaze. "Well... sort of, but not exactly."

"You're stalling." He said impatient.

"No, no!" Eugene quickly raised his hands in defense. "It's just, uh... I didn't expect you to actually come this early. Usually, you're... you know, late or... not interested at all."

"I'm already regretting it."

Eugene nodded anxiously until a small buzzing noise came from behind. He turned to see one of his devices sputters to the ground and quickly grab it.

"Oh no!" Eugene expressed, quickly grabbing the drone and turning it back upright until it whirred back to life. "There, got it!"

Eugene tried to smile but clearly rattled. But Luke wasn't really amused standing by the door away from bees.

Luke stared at him. "That better not be why you called me here."

Eugene instantly shook his head. "No no no! It's em...more difficult than that. You know you're welcome here? The bees won't sting. They're docile, you know."

Luke narrowed his eyes. "Yeah. I'm gonna pass on that."

Eugene's lips formed a tight line as he sighed. "Right."

"Well, let's get this over with, shall we? What did you drag me out here for?"

Eugene fidgeted his fingers, "So you know about that presentation project that's due for Thornhill's class, right?"

Luke arched a brow. "What about it?"

"Well, you see my friend..." Eugene tried to find the right words. "I've been working on something different than normally. Something that looked impressive."

"To Enid?" Luke brought up, recalling the student that Eugene had an one-sided crush on. His acquaintance's flushed nervous reaction and her 'awkward expression to boys' said it all to the arcane student. 

It was funny at first now it became annoying to his ears as he tried to impress the more hyper-enthusiastic girl-pop who seemed disinterested. One time, he tried to show her his new improved beehive and ended up in the hospital wing because one of the bees accidentally got inside his pants.

It was a sight to see even though he felt bad. But it was clear to him that the girl wasn't interested. Besides she was keener to another who was quite amidst to standards even if he found him as a buffoon as well given how easily he can be stoned.

It's a miracle how he lasted this long.

"W-what? No! No, no, no! I-I was just... uh... talking about Thornhill's assignment!"

Luke didn't buy it. He rolled his eyes and just stared.

"No! Seriously, it's a special kind of pollen. One that enhances bees' ability to pollinate more efficiently. The only thing I'm missing is the wolf's bane."

"Ah. Let me guess, you want me to hunt it down like a lost puppy?"

Eugene's head dropped, his voice sheepish. "I've erm...had one yesterday but now it's missing."

"It's probably somewhere in this dump. You haven't looked hard enough." Luke glanced around the place.

"I did! That's the thing. I've searched everywhere and it's not here. It's almost like someone stole it." Eugene tilted his head up. "You're good at finding things. So perhaps you could...locate it?"

Luke lightly scoffed. "So, I'm just a tracking dog now huh?"

"Well, no?" Eugene quickly waved his hands. "It's just, this is important. And you're the only one who I can really trust. Plus, if someone really did take it, I'd rather not confront them alone."

Luke thought back at the selective idiots that are unfortunate to roam the school around him.

There were only few. One he might have an idea as to who.

But that's just a theory. He smirked.

Luke sighed, folding his arms. "So instead of learning how to defend yourself, you want to risk me to go on some pointless goose chase to track down some project that in the hands of someone who probably doesn't like me either?"

Eugene blinked. "I—I didn't think about it like that..."

Luke rolled his eyes. He really wasn't a people person, but he wasn't entirely heartless either. As much as he hated to admit it. 

How it would've been all too simple to just laugh and leave him to the wolves.

"Fine. I'll see what I can do. Where did you last have the wolf's bane?"

"On the second shelf. I'd check the woods for any footprints or other clues. Maybe it's still around there." He explained. "You could also ask anyone in the school if they'd seen it?"

Luke scoffed. "And get the whole school riled up about a damn flower. That's not going to work."

"You can try talking to people, you know."

"Yeah well, that's your job not mine. Just keep doing your thing and I'll track it down." Luke replied, making his way towards the entrance. "You owe me big time, however. I'll think of something down the line.

He waved at him as he walked towards the door. But Eugene called after him before he stepped out.

"So, what do you plan on doing tonight anyway?"

Luke unenthusiastically turned around with a fake smile. "That's not really any of your concern, isn't it? Besides, I thought you'd be aware of what I do every night."

Eugene scratched his head with a smile. "Yeah?... but I figured you were gonna do something else other than snatching artifacts."

Y/N laughed, tilting his head a bit. "Oooh kid. I'm always doing something else."

"So, is that a, yes?"

Luke was going to say something but restrained himself as he felt continuing the conversation was getting nowhere for his liking or to his. He wasn't going to insult him or anything like that for suggesting that. Before he could walk out of the room, Eugene spoke again.

"Are you ever going to consider me as a friend?"

Luke paused for a long minute before he gave him an answer.

"Don't let the bees sting, will you. Can't be any fond around my company when you're screeching for help."

Those were his last words and left. Did not bother looking back at Eugene who lowered his eyes. This was his twentieth time failing to get Luke to be his friend. It was obvious he wasn't the easiest person to approach, let alone have a proper conversation with. He just assumed it was because he was shy or had self-esteem.

But now he was starting to think Luke truly doesn't want any friends.

• • •

THE DARK-HAIRED GOTH watched the passing trees on the one road outside the window of her family's car. She focused on the sounds of blowing wind in order to invade listening or even acknowledging her ridiculous parents.

Wednesday sat in the middle facing her loving mother and father. Her younger brother Pugsley was sitting beside their driver Lurch while she was trying to ignore her parents' affection. Yet she couldn't because of how obvious and ridiculous they were. 

After seeing enough of the corrupted world, she refunded her full attention back to her parents.

They were busy staring at each other with love in their eyes and overly poetic compliments while their daughter sat having to suffer facing them. Pugsley didn't have to suffer to his sister's dismay as he got to sit beside their driver Lurch.

Then the two closed in for a quick kiss before turning to Wednesday.

"Darling, how long do you intend on giving us the cold shoulder?" Her mother asked.

"Lurch, please remind my mother and father I'm no longer speaking to them." She asked the driver who grunted in response.

"I promise you, my little storm cloud, you will adore Nevermore." Gomez leaned in to reassure his daughter. "Won't she darling?"

"Of course." Morticia agreed. "It's the perfect and fittest school for her."

"Why? Because it was the perfect school for you?" Wednesday scoffed. 

"I have no interest in following your footsteps; becoming captain of the fencing team, Queen of the Dark Prom, President of the Sèance society." 

"Wednesday, I merely meant that finally you're going to a place where your peers understand you. Maybe you'll make friends along the way." Her mother offered her daughter a smile.

"Nevermore is like no other boarding school. It's a magical place with all kinds of ingredients. It's also where I crossed paths with your mother and fell in love." Gomez added.

The two were about to lean in for a kiss but Wednesday spoke up.

"You guys are making me nauseous. Not in a good way you presume."

Gomez lowered his head while Mortica turned to her with a serious face.

"Darling, we aren't the ones who got you expelled. That boy's vengeful family was going to file attempted murder charges. How would that have looked on your record?"

"Terrible," Wednesday instantly replied. "Everyone would know I failed to get the job done."

The car went silent for a brief moment until they finally arrived at their destination. 

Nevermore Academy.

One looked and Wednesday felt comfortable to say that she was not impressed.

A place for the gifted, they say. For other people who don't really seem to fit in with the norms.

But unbeknownst to her there are some other reasons people go there. Some have nowhere else to go, so they remain there. Others are forced to be there. That was the case for the school's newest member.

Wednesday had an incident weeks ago after unleashing a pack of Piranhas into a swimming pool after discovering that her little brother was being bullied. Now here she is being punished for it.

She wasn't over the moon to hear the news. She and her parents had already had a meeting with the principal at the school. Together, the three of them walked through the school towards a dorm room which only had one student inside instead of the usual two.

The door opened as Wednesday walked through, and was immediately terrified of what she saw.

The room was full of pink and blue colors as a blonde girl ran up and jump in front of her with open arms.

"Howdy, roomie." she excitedly said.

"Wednesday, this is Enid Sinclair." Weems introduced.

"Are you feeling, okay?" Enid asked Wednesday, noticing her features. "You look a bit pale."

Instead of answering, the girl remained quiet.

"Wednesday always looks half-dead." her father explained to her.

"Oh." the blonde softly chuckled. "Welcome to Ophelia Hall."

Enid went in for a hug, but Wednesday stepped back. Enid wasn't hurt or taken back. Immediately she nodded and still smiled.

"Not a hugger. Got it."

"Please excuse Wednesday. She's allergic to color." her mother informed.

"Oh, wow. What happens to you?" Enid asked.

"I break out into hives and then the flesh peels off my bones." Wednesday answered with a monotone voice.

Enid swallowed as Weems chuckled, not because it was funny but rather to lighten the mood. Perhaps if Enid can't get the new student out of her shell, perhaps there was another who could. But that's for another time.

"Luckily, we've special ordered you a uniform. Enid, please take Wednesday to the register's office to pick it up along with her schedule and give her a tour along the way."

Wednesday turned to her parents, but they didn't say anything. She looked at them before walking out of the room while her new roommate hopped behind her.

Enid began to show Wednesday around the architecture of the academy's halls while explaining to her about the school. The new students choose to allow her roommate to humor her around the place she views as a prison before suffering with the dress-code.

"Nevermore was founded in 1791 to educate people like us." she explained to her as they walked downstairs to the main area.

"Outcasts, freaks, monsters, fill in your favorite marginalized group here."

"You can save the sanitized sales pitch." Wednesday interrupted the blonde. "I don't plan on staying here for long."

"Why not?" Enid frowned.

"This was my parents' idea." the raven-haired girl answered as she looked at a photo on a table. It was her mother and a group of students in the fencing team.

"Oh, look, there's my mother smirking at me." She said as if the mere sight of the picture was making her vomit. "They've been looking for any excuse to send me here. It's all a part of their nefarious, yet completely obvious plan."

"What plan?"

"To turn me into a version of themselves."

"In that case, perhaps you can clear something up." Enid said as the two continued walking.

"Rumor's been swirling around that you killed a kid at your old school, aaaand your parents pulled strings to get you off." she asked with a wince.

"Actually, it was two kids, but who's counting?" Wednesday corrected as Enid stopped walking for a second before continuing forward.

The two opened the door to the section of the school which was outside. Many students were walking around as Enid and Wednesday arrived.

"Welcome to the quad." Enid presented.

Wednesday took notice of her surroundings, analyzing and observing the place and its inhabitants.

"It's a pentagon." Wednesday concluded as Enid turned towards her.

"The whole snarky Goth girl thing might have worked at normie school, but here things are different." she made it known. "Let me give you a wiki on Nevermore's social scene."

The blonde walked away as Wednesday quickly caught up with her. "I'm not interested in participating in tribal adolescent clichés."

"Well, then use it to fill your obviously bottomless pit of disdain." Enid shrugged. "There are many outcasts here, but the four main cliques are Fangs, Furs, Stones and Scales."

The first table Enid pointed towards was full of students with sunglasses on their faces. One of them being one of Enid's close friends, Yoko.

"These are the Fangs, AKA vampires. Some of them have literally been here for decades."

Wednesday eyed them before continuing on with Enid as she showed her another table of students howling towards the air.

"That bunch of knuckleheads are Furs, AKA werewolves. Like me!" She squealed. "Full moons get pretty loud around here. That's when Furs wolf out. I suggest you pick up noise-canceling headphones."

Wednesday remained silent as her eyes darted at a pair of students around the fountain.

"I'm assuming scales are sirens." she began, looking closely at the dark-skinned girl's watery features.

"You catch on quick." Enid smiled before she pointed at a darkly skinned girl. "And that girl, Bianca Barclay, is the closest thing Nevermore has to royalty! Although her crown's been slipping lately."

She turned to point at another boy farback who was painting what looks to be a black bird.

"She used to date our resident tortured artist, Xavier Thorpe. But they broke up at the beginning of the semester." She leans forward and whispers. "Reason unknown."

"Fascinating." Wednesday said in her monotone voice.

"I know, right?!" Enid gasped, believing that she was remotely interested in that fact. "My vlog is, like, the number one source for Nevermore gossip."

Wednesday gave her a questionable look before a boy in a beanie walked up to the pair. She could see the insides of his beanie twitch and crawl around, meaning that this kid was a gorgon.

"Yo, Enid, you're not going to believe the dirt I heard about your new roommate!" He said with a large tent of excitement in his voice. "She eats human flesh!"

Enid gave him a look, keeping her lips sealed as the gorgon continued.

"-totally chowed down on that kid she murdered. You better watch your back."

Enid gave a slow nod before she stepped aside so that Wednesday could be seen in front of him. She stared at him coldly before correcting him,

"Quite the contrary. I actually fillet the bodies of my victims, then feed them to my menagerie of pets."

"Ajax, this is my new roommate, Wednesday." Enid introduced as Ajax looked at the girl beside her.

"Whoa. You're in black and white," Ajax let out. "Like a living Instagram filter."

"Ignore him." Enid quickly spoke as Ajax walked away studly. "Gorgons spend way too much time getting stoned. He's cute, but clueless."

"No kidding." Wednesday blankly replied as she followed her.

"It's a small school. There wasn't much about you online. You should really get on Insta, Snapchat and Tiktok." Enid advised excitedly.

"I find social media to be a soul-sucking void of meaningless affirmation." Wednesday told her.

"So, you've heard of it!"

"No." Wednesday instantly shot her down.

Just as the goth girl's blunt response leaves a momentary pause between them, a swirling orb rushes past the girls. It zigzagged all the way throughout the courtyard wildly which made some of the student jump and stagger back, including Enid.

"What was that!" the blonde girl exclaimed.

Wednesday remained silent, only staring at the orb. Out of the many things that Enid had shown her this was probably one that intrigued her the most. Especially after watching it run past a couple of students, including a nearby couple that was doing too much mouth-kissing to her liking.

Then as the speeding orb dashed towards her about to hit her, a jar came in between them and captured it inside.

"Well, well. Someone is getting a bit reckless now, aren't they?"

Wednesday's eyes darted to see a darkly boy, in a similar wardrobe style to Xavier, stood in front of them. Unlike the artist, this one was far more refined, deliberately put-together. He sealed the jar shut, making the darting creature harmless and contained. 

Luke took a sigh stoically before his eyes danced towards the pair. Wednesday couldn't tell if he was interested or was it just a coincidence.

"Did you do this?" Enid pointed at the contained orb.

Luke snickered as he smacked his lips as though he swiftly entertained the thought.

"Me~ No. This little dart was farming around LONG before I got here. If it was me, it wouldn't be in a more obvious place like this."

The blonde stared at the boy, trying to detect if he was lying. Luke held his stoic composer as a dared smirk crept from his lips. For a fleeting moment she felt her veins go up and nearly lost sight of him as she caught the tilt of crimson from the boy's pupil.

A slight hesitation pauses. Her pupils dilated almost imperceptibly; her breath hitched for the briefest second. Luke let out a sigh as he instantly turned away after a heartbeat later. He rolled the jar idly in his palm, letting the captured orb dart helplessly against the glass. A flicker of irritation quietly buried.

"Well, if you're done staring, Sinclair. I've got to get this little thing out of here."

He playfully tilting the jar slightly as the wisp flickered within continuing to escape. Enid's eyes drifted from him to the flickering orb as he was about to turn.

"What is that thing?" She asked.

Before he could answer, the raven-haired girl beside Enid spoke.

"A will-o-wisp."

Luke' eyes finally darted over to her.

"Some people call it a Will 'o the wisp, but it's an errant spirit, often a sign that death is near." She explained, looking at the contained jar.

The boy blinked; his curious expression turned into an intrigued smirk. 

"Looks like someone knows more than what they're led on." Luke chuckled. "Then again your presence is very...different."

Enid cleared her throat. She looked back and forth before opening out her arms.

"Lucerys. This is my new roomie, Wednesday."

Luke's eyes flickered, taking in the look of her tone and features until his smirk widened. Then he laughed at realizing who he was talking to.

"Wednesday..." He repeated slightly. "Wednesday's a child full of woe."

"Correct." Wednesday stated.

"Hmm." The boy hummed, his eyes glancing up and down the girl.

Wednesday arched a brow. For a moment she felt a quiet beat within her heart as she caught sight at his crimson eyes that stared into hers. The girl kept her composure and continued stared.

The boy blinked before leaning back, his lips nearly twitching.

"So, I've heard." Luke finally said, his eyes lingering.

"I'd also recommend wearing a blindfold during the night." She suggested, turning to her roommate.

"Why?" Enid questioned, puzzled.

"Because a will-o-wisp is also considered a harbinger. When the creature shows up, it's usually the night before a person dies."

Luke's lips quirked. "Say no more. So, I've heard you killed someone?"

"Two, actually."

"Ignore that. She didn't actually kill them." the girl shook her head. "People tend to be overdramatic."

"Overdramatic, huh?" Luke smirked, his expression shifts. "That's a very interesting statement. If it helps though, don't let the supernatural fool you. They can easily be toyed around so it's no different from your old school."

"Meaning?" The goth watched as the boy glanced over at the courtyard.

He gave her a quick once over. ..."You can still get creative."

"Touching." She replied. Enid glancing oddly at her new roommate.

Luke smirked. He wasn't really interested and could care less on whether or not he'd made impressions with the goth girl but something about her made her feel intriguing to him. This was the first time given how many times other students were not quite his tempo.

Enid glanced nervously between them, clearly unsure if this was going to go south fast. But Luke didn't seem particularly hostile. Just curious, as if he couldn't decide whether to take Wednesday seriously or write her off. Usually, it was always the latter, but this was the first time he was actually interested in talking to someone non-hostilely.

Wednesday kept her neutral face as her eyes drifted down at his hands holding the jar.

"What do you plan on doing with that?" Enid asked.

"This is an errant spirit." He said, shaking the jar a bit. "The last thing it needs is freedom."

"That's a shame. It has quite the personality." Wednesday responded.

"I guess it does." Luke muttered, his lips curling. "Imma send this to Lupin and let him deal with this. Already got enough problems to deal with."

"Like what?"

"Eugene." Luke simply said. His eyes told her not to ask any further.

With that, the brief tension seemed to fizzle, leaving the three standing there for a second into strange uneasy silence. Finally, Luke nodded, stepping away from the pair after he was sure that trivialities was over.

"Anyway, I'm off." He smirked directly at the raven-haired girl. "I hope to be seeing you soon. I hope~"

Wednesday scoffed as he gave them a polite smile. The boy walked off with the jar, leaving the girls to themselves as he disappeared into the speck amongst the crowd.

"Well, that went... okay?" Enid began.

"Who is that?" Wednesday asked, still looking ahead.

"That's just Luke." Enid whispered to her. "He's nevermore's only arcane student!"

"Arcane?" Wednesday turned.

"People who are gifted with magic." She explained. 

Wednesday nodded as Enid darted off, her tongue clicked thoughtfully. Wednesday could feel the heat pumping inside her acquaintance's heart for a split-second before she sighs. She did feel something attempt to pierce through by his stare, but she couldn't exactly tell what.

This already got into her nerves. The moment she saw those apparent brown eyes.

"Too bad he's bit of a jerk sometimes." She let out. "Oh, and watch out for any moves he might make. He sometimes flirt."

Wednesday silently blinked, her face remaining blank, but her thoughts became more clearer as she glanced briefly around the crowd. Luke was far gone but the odd feeling returned.

"Can we go now?" She asked sharply. "I'd rather get my things ready for this eternal suffering."

Enid stared then nodded, and the two began walking back inside with the flow of students. Neither of them noticing Luke watching them from a distance as they vanish into the building. 

His brown eyes watched observingly, quite curious as his pupils flickered. Particularly towards the new student. 

Then he smirked before disappearing.