The air smelled of fresh paint and wood shavings. The old shack was cluttered with art supplies and paintings tacked to the walls. Xavier's brush glided over the canvas as he added the finishing touches to his latest project. Halloween was approaching, and the nightmares had been getting worse. This was the third painting he'd made of the monster in his mind. But after he was done, he planned to paint something that made him happy.

Something like you.

You hadn't been at Nevermore long, joining a few months after Wednesday Addams. But Xavier had quickly started crushing on you. You spent a lot of time with Wednesday, which is how he met you. Wednesday made it very clear that no, you did NOT speak, so don't bother. Well, you spoke a little bit sometimes. One word at a time, or repeating something you heard all day like a parrot.

You had wandered into his art shed yet again, a white sheet in your arms with holes cut in the eyes. Nevermore students were allowed to trick-or-treat in town, and fucking Tyler Galpin had invited you to walk around with him. Xavier was seething on the inside, knowing that unfortunately, he could not prevent you and Tyler from being friends. You were extremely excited by the prospect of Halloween.