Chapter Text
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Although she enjoyed her solitude, she also couldn’t always deny her roommate complaining and whining to sit in on her sessions– saying it “relaxed her” and she was “overwhelmed with classes”. Eventually though, her interest peaked when Wednesday stated that she needed new sheet music than what she had brought, and returned back to the dorm leaving Enid alone. She always enjoyed listening to her roommate play her cello and although she would normally just look outside or read her book, sometimes she would watch.
How hard could it be? She said to herself, standing over and walking to the cello. She placed her fingers over the thick stings and picked up the bow to the bridge, her hand hesitating to play. She angled the bow in various angles before giving it one tentative stroke.
The sound that came out was something between a dying walrus and car engine failure. Enid winced, instantly shushing the instrument like it was alive. “Sorry, sorry– don’t hate me,” she whispered, glancing at the door as if Wednesday might appear from the shadows to glare her into dust.
Before she could set the bow down and pretend nothing happened, a voice drifted in from behind her.
“Your form is atrocious. You’re strangling the poor thing.”
Enid nearly jumped out of her skin, turning to find Capri leaning casually against the doorframe, arms crossed but a slight smile at her lips.
“Oh my god- hi- uh, I wasn’t, like, playing playing,” Enid stammered, her cheeks burning red. “I was just…curious. Totally not betraying my roommate’s sacred cello sanctuary.”
Capri stepped in, unbothered, and gestured toward the chair. “Then sit. Curiosity is where it always begins. If you’re going to “borrow” your roommate's cello, you may as well do it properly.”
Enid blinked. “No, no– seriously, I just wanted to see what-”
“Enid, right?”
She swallowed hard. “Yes.” Her voice squeaked.
“I’m sure your roommate wouldn't mind your peak interest in the cello.”
Enid bit her lips back into a smile. “Maybe if my roommate wasn’t Wednesday Adams."
Her eyebrows raised, as she looked the blond up and down. “Wednesay Addams if your roommate?”
“It appears so.” A voice said from the opposite door's entrance. Wednesday's dark figure walked closer, watching Enid sit in her seat next to Capri whose arms were still crossed.
“Now, Wednesday, if Enid, here, was to want to try out the cello– what would you say?”
“I would say,” she started, looking between the two, “that if Enid wishes to embarrass herself in the pursuit of mediocrity, I will not stand in her way. However…” Her gaze landed only on Enid, “She should be prepared for the emotional devastation of realizing she will never be as proficient as me.”
Enid huffed, partially offended. “Wow, thanks for the pep talk, roomie.”
Capri’s lips curled up in what could almost be a smile. “That sounds like permission to me.”
Wednesday’s eyes narrowed. “That sounds like enabling.”
“Or encouragement,” Capri countered, tilting her head toward Enid. “Even wolves need new outlets.”
Enid perked up at that, her smile breaking free. “See, Wednesday? Outlet. Totally healthy. Very therapeutic. Not at all humiliating- how did you know I was a-”
“You have a wolf sticker on your water bottle that says “Howl you doing?”, I can put two and two together." She smiled fully now, tilting her head to the floor.
Wednesday sighed, “If you insist on subjecting the cello to this indignity, then do it quickly. I have practice.”
Capri gave Enid a look, "Perhaps you can finish your session Wednesday, your roommate and I can arrange plans for another time to work on her new hobby?”
Enid nodded, unsure of how to feel about how quickly this had been sprung up on her. All she had wanted to do was see what it felt like.
“Perhaps on Tuesday?” She asked, placing a hand on her shoulder gently.
“I have class until 3.”
“We can meet here at 4.” She nodded, and walked towards the exit, giving Wednesday a small nod as well, “Wedneday.” She said before leaving the room, leaving the two girls in an awkward silence.
“Sorry I touched your stuff.” Enid stood up sheepishly, and looked at the floor.
“You should be,” she said flatly, “It is a finely tuned instrument, not a toy for idle hands.”
“I know! I just- ugh- I'm sorry, my curiosity just got the better of me.” She shook her head and walked back to the opposite side of the room.
“Perhaps once you can read basic sheet music you can try again.” Her roommate sat back down in her chair, picking the cello back up and watching the blonde sit in her seat with her knees to her chest. “Do not sulk, Capri has offered you lessons, perhaps you can learn a few things.”
—
It had been 2 months of Enid taking solo lessons from Capri every Tuesday for two hours. Although she was no one nearly as talented as Wednesday, she knew a few basic pieces such as Ode To Joy and Amazing Grace. Although Wednesday had never heard her play, she always made sure to mention her lessons to her roommate and what she did. She would always nod her head at whatever she would say .
Capri had praised Enid’s progress, “steady hands, improving ear, patience in practice” and so on. Sure her fingers still fumbled quite often, and sometimes a screeching noise would come out of the cello… but overall, Capri had encouraged her to continue and suggested she join the junior symphony the following semester.
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Enid shook her head, “This is all really fun and I am having a great time, but I am unsure about playing in front of people.”
“You won’t be alone, Enid.” She assured the young girl, “You’ll have other classmates on stage and we rehearse a ton so you will be well practiced, I can assure you.”
Enid had pondered the suggestion, and said she would let her know. “It’s only been two months and then we have winter break, I’m unsure if those three weeks off will be very beneficial for me.”
“Perhaps you could practice at home? For your family?” She suggested one practice, circling Enid who sat in her chair.
“I don’t know- my family can be a little… weird.”
“Well, I am sure they would love to see what their daughter is doing in her free time.” She smiled, “You’re doing really great Enid.”
“Thank you, Ms. Capri, but- you are the only person I have played in front of and I don’t think my parents would be too fond of the cello if I am being quite honest.” She admitted, and shifted through her sheet music.
She paused in her tracks and turned her attention to the girl still shuffling through pages. “Well, if I had a daughter who was spending her free time learning an instrument out of her own free will rather than sitting around being lazy– I think I would be pretty proud.”
“That’s… really nice of you to say.”
Capri tilted her head, studying her with the kind of patience that made Enid squirm. “It’s not just nice, it’s true. You have a spark for this, Enid. And it isn’t about perfection, it’s about joy.”
Enid laughed nervously, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Unfortunately, my parents wish I was involved with something a little more athletic rather than artistic.”
She nodded knowingly. “Mmm,” she paused, sitting down next to her. “Then you don’t play for them,” she said firmly. “You play for yourself. And maybe for the people who actually care to listen.”
Enid’s lips parted, surprised by the edge in Capri’s voice. It was the first time she’d ever heard the teacher’s calm voice sharpen like that. “Of course.” She half smiled, and they sat in silence. “Sooo, um- should I- continue?”
“Yes,” she clasped her hands in her lap, sitting up straight. “Let’s try something new, hm?” She reached over, turning the sheet music to find something new. “A small challenge before you leave.” She placed the sheet on the stand.
Enid leaned forward, squinting at the notes. “Uh… that looks way more complicated than the happy little warm-ups we’ve been doing.”
Capri smiled faintly, her tone teasing but steady. “That’s because it is. But I think you’re ready for something a little less… comfortable.”
Enid groaned softly, straightening her bow hand like she’d been taught, attempting the new music. It wasn’t a complete disaster, there were a few mistakes, a few incorrect notes, but every time she would pause, Capri encouraged her to continue. “Keep going. Don’t stop when it falters– let it move through the mistake.”
Enid continued, her fingers fumbling slightly again. “Sorry,” she muttered an apology.”
“Don’t apologize,” she tapped her finger gently on the stand, “Keep going.”
She continued and eventually the song ended, she looked up, cheeks flushed and bracing herself for criticism.
Capri only smiled. “See? Challenge met.”
“Barely.” She let out a shaky exhale.
“If I had presented this to two month ago Enid, would you believe she could have done this?”
“No.” She muttered.
“Then, challenge not only met, but accomplished.” She stood and gave a nod, glancing at her watch. “Well, Enid, it seems we’ve gone past our time together.” She gathered her belongings as Enid watched.
“Ms. Capri,” the girl hesitated, “is it okay if I stay a little longer? I know Tuesday and Thursday’s the music room is closed by six- but I was just wanting a little extra practice time?”
She smiled in response, “Of course. As long as you lock up when you leave. I’ll clear it with the custodian.”
Enid’s face lit up. “Really? Thank you!”
“Yes, use your time wisely, okay?” She tapped once more on the stand before walking to the door, “Have a goodnight, Enid.”
“Thanks, you too!” She smiled softly, and continued practicing alone. She continued to go over the new song provided by Capri, stopping at every wrong note and mistake and starting over.
“Enid?”
The sound of her name made her nearly drop the bow. She looked up, startled, to see Wednesday’s pale figure framed in the doorway, arms crossed.
“W-Wednesday! Hi! Um… what are you doing here?”
Wednesday walked slowly to the center of the room. “It is past curfew. You were not in our room. I assumed you had been mauled by some unsupervised freshman werewolf and came to collect the remains.”
Enid rolled her eyes, cheeks flushed. “Very funny. I was just… practicing.”
“Pracitcing, hm” She stood next to her roommate, studying the sheet music on her stand. “Interesting.”
Enid rolled her eyes, closing the music book. “You know, you don’t have to stay and listen to my 'atrocious' practicing.”
“Who says it’s atrocious?” Wednesday asks, glaring at her roommate.
“Well, no one,” she muttered, “Other than myself.”
Wednesday rolled her eyes now at her roommates comment. “You think you sound terrible?”
“I mean, it’s not like I’m anywhere near your level. You’ve been playing since, what, the womb?”
“Since I was five,” Wednesday corrected flatly. “Though your assessment is not far off.”
“Whatever,” she shook her head, “I could do without the Wednesday judgement, thank you very much."
“Self-deprecation does not suit you, Sinclair. Leave it to me.”
That earned a small laugh from Enid, who ducked her head. “Still, I don’t think I’m ready for you to hear me.”
“Will you ever be ready?”
“No.” Enid did not look up yet.
Her roommate sighed. “It’s been a while since you’ve sat in on my sessions.” She noted, looking around the empty classroom.
“Yeah well, you always look so intense when you play, I figured I was probably intruding. Especially after practicing by myself, I wouldn’t want you in here bothering me.”
“You think you were bothering me?”
“A bit… but also back then I was just listening. Now I’d be comparing myself, and-” She stopped, chewing on her lip. “It’s embarrassing.”
Wednesday studied her, the weight of her stare making Enid squirm even more than with Capri. “Enid, you realize how unfair it would be for you to compare yourself, a beginner, to me?”
“Well yes, but it's inevitable.”
“Play me that song.” She sat down in an empty chair.
“Wed-”
“Do you know how to play it?”
“Barely.” She scoffed.
“Then, play me something you do know.” She watched her intently, and Enid continued to bite her bottom lip.
“I think I need more time to practice alone.” She said quietly, and Wednesday had never seen her roommate so… shy and reserved. She didn’t really like it.
“Play,” she ordered again, her voice softer this time… more of a plea than command.
“If I play, can you not tell me how awful I am?”
“Enid,” she started again, “just play.”
Enid lifted her bow again, watching her roommates narrowed eyes. She drew the bow across the first string, carefully. The note sounded thin and shaky, but it held. She moved to the next note, going back to the basics of Amazing Grace. She continued until she hit the wrong string with a screech that made her jump back slightly.
“-Ugh! Sorry!” she whispered, cheeks blazing. Wednesday's expression didn’t falter, instead meeting the blonde's eyes that made her even more nervous.
“Don’t stop because you messed up.”
“But-”
“Continue.” She nodded, and it reminded her of all the times she’d stop playing when she’d make mistakes during rehearsals. She tried again, this time going much smoother than before and pressing her lips into a line, glancing at her roommate.
“Not bad, Sinclair.” She stated simply.
“Not bad?” She smiled softly, “Really?!”
“There is area for improvement, but I think that…” she hesitated, “You did good.”
Enid’s smile faltered slightly, her fingers fiddling with the bow. “You know, I actually… I kind of… I miss hearing you play,” she admitted quietly.
Wednesday’s eyes flicked up, sharp and curious. “You do?”
“Yeah,” Enid said, biting her lip nervously. “I mean… your music- It’s- really something. You should… maybe play something?”
Wednesday raised an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth twitching ever so slightly. “For you?”
“Just a little. Please?” Enid nodded, cheeks pink.
“I did not bring my cello.”
“You can use this one.” She suggested, tilting her head to the large instrument in her hands.
“I prefer to use my own.” She responded, standing up.
“Oh, okay.” She nodded in understanding.
“I suppose,” she hesitated, as if she was unsure if this was the correct thing to say, “if we go back to the dorm, I could play a few pieces outside,” she glanced out the large windows of the music room, “It is a perfect night for practice."
“Really?”
“Yes, really.” She looked back at the girl, “Now, hurry before I change my mind.”
Enid packed away her instrument and put it in the back closet, locking up the doors behind her.
Outside, the air was cold and crisp as Wednesday set up for a quick session. Enid stood near the ledge, looking over the school and out into the distance. The stars gleaming over the land on a clear night.
“Now, will you be playing as well, or merely observing. Both are acceptable.” She asked, looking at the girl.
Enid’s fingers itched to try Wednesday cello, especially since she was offering. “I think… I’ll just… listen,” she murmured, settling in to soak it all in. Wednesday nodded, and chose a piece to play. It was lovely.
Enid had missed listening in on her sessions, but hadn’t realized that maybe that was her sacred time alone and she was intruding… She didn’t want any unwanted resentment on her end. Every so often her eyes would flicker to her roommate whose intensity softened slightly under the moonlight, the way her fingers moved effortlessly. After ending a piece, Wednesday would glance at Enid who would always look away as if she had been caught.
This would lead her to say, “That was really good.” and Wednesday would nod in response and switch pieces. She began playing again, and Enid hesitantly interrupted “I-” she bit her lip. “I’m sorry if I… interrupted your time before. I didn’t mean to… intrude.”
Wednesday paused mid-note, her gaze flicking to her roommate, expression unreadable. After a long moment, she continued playing, slower this time, almost deliberate in letting the notes linger.
Finally, she set the bow down and looked at Enid. “You were not intruding,” she said quietly. “You sitting in my sessions was not intruding, I did not mind an extra pair of ears.”
“Are you sure?” She asked, “I was worried-”
“Enid, if you were intruding, you would’ve known within a second of my first session.” She looked at her worried roommate, “Do not overthink the situation.”
“Okay…” she let out a slight shiver at the cold air that washed over them.
“Here,” she picked up her book and handed it to the girl, “Choose a piece.”
“What?”
“Choose a piece you would like me to play.” She repeated again, waiting for her to take the book from her hand. Enid grabbed it skeptically.
“Uh… maybe this one?” she said, pointing to Cello Suite No. 1.
Wednesday glanced down at the page, nodding once. “Very well. That one it shall be.”
Enid’s hands trembled slightly as she returned the book, but Wednesday took it without a word and positioned herself with quiet precision, closing her eyes as she began to play. Enid listened intently, hearing the clear and precise notes– there was no hesitation nor mess ups, it was perfect. As the song ended, their eyes met once more.
“That was… beautiful, Wednesday, truly.”
“Yes, well, you chose well.” She closed the book, watching the girl shiver slightly. “Perhaps, we call it a night?”
“Yeah, of course.” She nodded quickly, the two of them making their way back inside quietly.
Back in their room, the girls got ready for bed as per usual, Enid talked about her day other than rehearsal and Wednesday listened. Once they were both laid down, she knew it was time to wrap up her story, and they would lay in silence. Enid crawled under the blankets, pulling them up to her chin, and let her mind drift over the events of the evening.
She thought about everything Capri had told her, the words if you were my daughter, I would be proud repeated in her head. As bad as it sounded, sometimes she wished she could be. She loved her family dearly, but sometimes, they made it hard for her to like them.
She felt guilty for thinking badly of her family, but even Wednesday offered her more support. She wondered if this is what it felt like to be understood… If so, it felt nice. She let her eyelids grow heavy, shutting them into a deep sleep.