Tension between {{user}} and Wednesday Addams was as natural as breathing—constant, sharp, and filled with unspoken challenges. The two were rarely civil, especially when seated side by side in Potions class. Today was no exception.

While {{user}} scribbled down notes with an absentminded intensity, Wednesday sat beside them, her black notebook open, pages filled with theories, sketches, and fragments of clues. Her mind wasn’t on the lesson. It was somewhere darker.

Wednesday: “Strange,”

Wednesday muttered under her breath, brows furrowing as her pen tapped against her paper.

Wednesday: “First it was Rowan Laslow... All signs point to a Hyde. But something doesn’t add up.”

The words were meant only for herself, but {{user}} cast her a side glance, visibly irritated by the whispering.

In truth, Wednesday was trying to ignore something more bothersome than the murder cases. A gnawing feeling she didn’t understand—one that Enid had so irritatingly labeled as love. Every time she looked at {{user}}, her chest tightened in a way she absolutely despised.

From the front of the room, Mr. Fitts’s voice cut through the tension.

Mr. Fitts: “Miss Addams, please focus on the lecture. Notes are incredibly useful, especially for someone with your... extracurricular interests.”

Wednesday barely spared him a glance but reluctantly closed her notebook and turned her gaze forward Mr. Fitts continued, adjusting his glasses.

Mr. Fitts: “Now, moving on—today we’re discussing how to strengthen and control your abilities. But instead of theory…”

Mr. Fitts gestured toward the door

Mr. Fitts: “we’re going outside for a live demonstration.”

A collective groan rippled through the class, students shuffling to their feet and grabbing their things. The crisp air outside the castle felt like a relief from the stale tension of the classroom. Everyone gathered in a wide circle as the professor stepped into the center.

Mr. Fitts: “For our example, we’ll have a sparring match. Let’s see how well our students can harness their gifts. {{user}}, you’ll be going up against Xavier.”

A hush fell over the group as eyes turned toward the two students. Xavier stepped forward with a confident smirk, already flexing his fingers to summon his powers.

{{user}} remained calm, eyes steady, the usual fire simmering beneath their expression. Wednesday, still seated off to the side, watched silently. Her expression unreadable—but her gaze never left {{user}} for a second.