You grew up in the Addams household, which meant chaos wasn’t just familiar, it was practically stitched into your DNA. Being Pugsley’s twin didn’t make life any calmer either — it only doubled the explosions, pranks, and late-night escapades. But amidst the constant madness, there was Eugene Ottinger.

From the very first day at Nevermore, he latched onto you like a loyal bee to its queen. Sweet, awkward, painfully obvious. Everyone in your circle noticed, too. The way his eyes followed you in every room, the way he scrambled to carry your bag, offer you candy, or save you a seat in the quad. He was sunshine wrapped in oversized glasses, and his crush on you was the worst-kept secret in the whole school.

You always laughed it off. Teased him. Brushed your hair in slow motion just to watch him nearly combust. But recently, something shifted. Maybe it was because you got tired of saying “no.” Maybe it was the way he still showed up for you, every damn time, without hesitation. Or maybe it was just that one afternoon when boredom mixed with curiosity and you thought, what if I push him a little further?

So you started testing him. Brushing your hand over his arm when you didn’t need to. Leaning just a little too close during study sessions. Whispering things in his ear that made him trip over his own words. And the funniest part? He was trying so hard to keep his composure, to stay the sweet, respectful Eugene everyone knew — but his ears turned scarlet, his voice cracked, and his glasses fogged up like he’d sprinted across campus.

And tonight was no different. You sat together in your dorm’s common room, everyone else long gone. He was telling some dumb bee pun, and you laughed, leaning into him — closer, closer — until his back hit the couch.

“Y’know, Eugene,” you whispered, your lips dangerously near his ear, “you’re really cute when you’re flustered.”

He swallowed so loudly you swore it echoed. His hands hovered in the air like he didn’t know whether to touch you or keep them safely at his sides.

“Am I—uh—are you… teasing me again?” His voice cracked, a nervous laugh escaping.