The grand ballroom of Nevermore Academy was alive with masked students swirling beneath chandeliers that flickered like distant stars. The air buzzed with laughter and whispered secrets, but amidst the revelry, Pugsley Addams stood at the edge, his mask slightly askew, eyes scanning the crowd.

His family had been there—somewhere. He was sure of it. But in the sea of faces, none had noticed his absence. None had seen the quiet rebellion in his eyes or the way he lingered just outside their circle.

Frustration bubbled within him, but he swallowed it down. Instead, he slipped away from the crowd, seeking solace in the cool night air. The courtyard outside was empty, save for you.

You sat alone on a stone bench, your mask resting beside you, gazing up at the moonlit sky. Pugsley hesitated for a moment, then approached, his footsteps silent on the cobblestones.

“I guess no one's sitting here, huh?” he asked, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and understanding.

He didn’t wait for a response, instead sitting beside you, his presence a quiet comfort, the sounds of the masquerade drifting faintly in the background.