"So again, we're here for what exactly?" Lunette questioned, sarcasm seeping from her words.
"The Harvest Festival. It happens every year," Wednesday replied nonchalantly, her tone dark and detached.
"And our attendance is mandatory," Enid said, her preppy excitement clearly fake.
"Why?" Lunette frowned.
"Apparently, we have to socialize with the normies," Enid replied, attempting to sound cheerful but failing miserably.
"Gross," Lunette mumbled.
"That's what Wednesday said the first time," Enid chuckled hesitantly.
"I didn't say it like that," Wednesday said, her tone bland and disinterested but her eyes full of amusement.
Lunette sighed and looked at the festival preparations. Booths were being set up, and the townspeople were busy decorating and preparing food. The aroma of freshly made pies and roasted corn filled the air, accompanied by the sound of upbeat music playing in the background.Lunette sighed and looked about at the festival preparations. Booths were being set up, and the townspeople were busy decorating and preparing food. The aroma of freshly made pies and roasted corn filled the air, accompanied by the sound of upbeat music playing in the background.
"Great, so we're stuck here making nice with people who think we're weird," Lunette said sarcastically.
"Pretty much," Enid said, trying to seem happy. "But hey, at least there might be some good food."
Wednesday smiled slightly, but it was dark. "And the chance to watch their quaint traditions."
Lunette gave a shrug. "I guess that's one way to make it bearable."
"Exactly," Wednesday said, her voice carrying a hint of dark amusement. "Let's get this over with."
The three started moving through the throng in an attempt to get in with the celebrations after that. Feeling a little nervous, Lunette knew that Wednesday and Enid would be there to help them deal with anything that came their way. All they had to do for the time being was get through a day of fake smiles and light talk."So again, we're here for what exactly?" With a sarcastic tone, Lunette said.
"The Harvest Festival. It happens every year," Wednesday replied nonchalantly, her tone dark and detached.
"And our attendance is mandatory," Enid chimed in, her preppy enthusiasm clearly forced.
"Why?" Lunette frowned.
"Apparently, we have to socialize with the normies," Enid said, trying to sound upbeat but failing miserably.
"Gross," Lunette muttered.
"That's what Wednesday said the first time," Enid chuckled half-heartedly.
"I didn't say it like that," Wednesday interjected, her tone flat and uncaring, but her eyes betraying a glimmer of amusement.
Lunette sighed, looking around at the festival preparations. Booths were being set up, and the townspeople were bustling about, decorating and preparing food. The smell of freshly baked pies and roasted corn filled the air, mingling with the sound of cheerful music playing in the background.
"Great, so we're stuck here making nice with people who think we're weird," Lunette grumbled sarcastically.
"Pretty much," Enid said, attempting to sound cheerful. "But hey, at least there might be some good food."
Wednesday gave a small, dark smile. "And the chance to watch their quaint traditions."
Lunette shrugged. "I guess that's one way to make it bearable."
"Exactly," Wednesday said, her voice carrying a hint of dark amusement. "Let's get this over with."
With that, the trio began to weave through the crowd, trying to blend in with the festivities. Lunette couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.
Xavier and Bianca walked towards the group once they set their eyes on them. Behind them were two other girls that Lunette did not know.
"Hey guys," Xavier greeted.
"Hi, E," Bianca added.
"Hey," Lunette echoed, glancing curiously at the new girls.
"Who are they?" she asked.
"That's Divina and Yoko. You haven't seen them before," Bianca explained.
"Well, I have now," Lunette replied, giving a small, polite smile to Divina and Yoko.
"Hey, I'm Yoko," one of the girls said with a friendly smile.
"And I'm Divina," the other added.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Lunette," she responded, trying to shake off her unease as she smiled back at them.
"We know," Yoko said with a knowing grin.
As they chatted, Lunette found herself relaxing. Divina and Yoko were easy to talk to, and their conversation flowed smoothly. They shared stories about their favorite parts of the festival, laughing about funny moments and exchanging tips on the best food stalls to visit.
"So, how long have you guys been together?" Lunette asked, genuinely curious.
"A little over a year now," Divina said, smiling at Yoko. "We met at a summer camp and hit it off right away."
Yoko nodded. "Yeah, it's been great."
Lunette, with her nonchalant attitude, listened more than she spoke, but she kept up with the conversation, offering the occasional nod or comment.
As the conversation continued, Lunette felt her initial unease melting away. She realized these girls were friendly and welcoming, and she started to enjoy the festivities more.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Wednesday walking towards a shooting darts game, her intense expression unchanging. Lunette couldn't help but smile at the sight,
Out of the corner of her eye, Lunette noticed Wednesday walking towards a shooting darts game, her intense expression unchanging. Lunette couldn't help but smile at the sight.
As Wednesday walked towards the shooting darts game, she noticed eyes staring at her. The eyes belonged to Principal Weems and one tortured artist, Xavier Thorpe. Wednesday continued throwing the darts at the target, hitting them perfectly every time.
"Jeez, any better and you'll be taking home the whole pack," Xavier commented.
Wednesday didn't bother to look back, already knowing it was Xavier. "Pandas don't travel in packs. They prefer to travel alone."
"Noted. Subtle hint taken," Xavier said, a touch of frustration in his voice.
"What is your problem?" he asked, trying to keep his composure.
"You already know," Wednesday replied coldly, her eyes never leaving the target.
"Xavier, I rejected you for a reason," she continued, her tone dark and unwavering. "You should really stay with Bianca. Clinging to the unattainable only leads to misery, and I have no intention of being anyone's salvation. Your obsession is unbecoming."
"Unbecoming? You're the one that made me fall in love with you," Xavier shot back, his frustration evident.
"I did not," Wednesday replied, her voice icy. "You fell in love with me, and I didn't even like you. All you were was a friend." She threw another dart, hitting the bullseye with a sharp thud, her gaze never wavering.
"Well, you never seem to be into guys, so who's the lucky girl?" Xavier retorted, his frustration turning into curiosity.
"Why does it matter to you?" Wednesday shot back, her tone even colder. She threw another dart, hitting the bullseye with a sharp thud. "Focus on your own life, Xavier. You'll be much happier that way."
Lunette walked away from the group, heading over to where Wednesday and Xavier were having their tense conversation. She wasn't quite keen on Xavier yet and decided to intervene.
"Wednesday," Lunette called out, her voice nonchalant.
"What?" Wednesday responded, still focused on the dartboard.
"Enid told me you had money, and I forgot mine. I want tacos."
"And why should I give it to you?" Wednesday asked, her tone sharp.
"I'm broke," Lunette replied simply, her expression unchanging.
Wednesday turned around, unzipping her backpack and reaching into it to hand Lunette her wallet.
"So you're trusting me with your wallet?" Lunette asked, a hint of surprise in her voice.
"Max out my card, and I will smother you in your sleep," Wednesday replied darkly, her gaze unwavering.
"Noted. Bye," Lunette said, her nonchalant tone intact as she speed-walked to the taco stand where Enid, Yoko, Bianca, and Divina were gathered.
"So, I'm guessing that must be the lucky girl?" Xavier asked, nodding towards Lunette as she walked away.
"How's Rowan?" Wednesday countered, her dark eyes fixed on Xavier.
Xavier chuckled bitterly. "Didn't have to go that deep. Me and him got into a fight last night. Nothing major."
"Does that explain the bruise on your arm?" Wednesday asked, her tone still cold.
"Yeah, somewhat," Xavier admitted, glancing down at the bruise and rubbing it
"I'm going to head over to Bianca," Xavier said, walking away from Wednesday. He made his way to Bianca, wrapping his hands around her waist.
Meanwhile, Wednesday knew she had to get Principal Weems' eyes off of her if she wanted to sneak into the forest. She walked over to the stand worker and handed him $40. "The tall sad woman sitting over there," Wednesday said, pointing towards Weems, "give her this. She needs it more than I do." She set the panda plushie on the stand and walked away.
From afar, Lunette watched the scene unfold. "I want a plushie," she said with a sad tone. "Well, I got tacos, I'm good," she added, trying to console herself.
Before she could lift her head, a ball of fur hit her in the face. "What the fuck?" she exclaimed, grabbing the plushie only to see that it was a boba plushie.
"Yep, I'm marrying her," Lunette murmured to herself, her nonchalant expression breaking into a small smile as she clutched the plushie.