Shades of Cool, Tyler Galpin

FIFTEEN. say yes to heaven

Wednesday walked into the Rave'N feeling like she was entering her own personal hell. The bright lights, the color white, the fake snow, the loud music and glitter everywhere, it all made her eyes burn. She wanted to poke them out so she didn't have to see any of it. She didn't find it enjoyable or groundbreaking like everyone else did. The dress on her body, while it matched her with its black colored fabric and high neck, was uncomfortable and too poofy. Every girl she saw was dressed in white, light pink and different shades of blue. The only person who stood out was her. But Wednesday different than her sister. She liked to stand out because that meant people would leave her alone.

Enid saw her walk in and she squealed. "OMG! I love the look!"

Behind her, Wednesday saw the normie boy she invited as her date, the same one who terrorized her and Andy at the Weathervane, and Eugene at Pilgrim World. "Interesting choice of date," she responded back bluntly.

Enid looked over her shoulder at Lucas. "It's not what it looks like," she claimed.

"Good, because that normie already has two strikes in my book."

"Lucas is trying to make his ex jealous. I'm trying to make Ajax jealous. It's a win-win. Kenny's gonna help me." Enid explained with a confident smile.

Wednesday's eyes shift away from her and to the punch bowl on the table. "So, she really asked him to be her date?" She asked with a bitter undertone that she tried to disguise as boredom.

"Well, it was really my idea. She was desperate for a date, so, I merely suggested she ask Ajax. She was all for it."

She didn't reply.

Lucas joined their conversation. Wednesday's gaze darkened. "Wednesday, I come in peace," he voiced playfully.

"That's a shame. I brought my pocket mace. The medieval kind."

His face fell.

Another squeal from Enid made her eyes widen. "OMG! Kennedy looks amazing!"

Wednesday turned around. Kennedy walked in with Ajax in her arm. She thought that she stood out, but Kennedy stood out with her. She was dressed like her, her two piece suit all black with black sparkles. Her hair was all around her head. She wore black heels that made her even taller than what she already was. The first thing that popped in Wednesday's head was that she liked what she wore, and the second was that she didn't like that she was with Ajax.

Kennedy found where they were and she smiled. She waved. Wednesday looked away as quickly as she could and got a feeling in her stomach that resembled splinters in her skin. A rope tying around her neck. Someone taking away her ability to breathe. It wasn't the kind of pain she was used to or that she liked. No, it actually hurt her. She didn't like this feeling.

Andy feel like she was on a different planet while walking into the Rave'N. Her hand was still on Tyler's arm and it was shaking, which she was sure he felt. "Don't be nervous. I've got you." He assured him.

She sent him an unconvincing stare, but there was something in his eyes that made her believe him, so she kept her hand clasped on his arm.

Ms. Thornhill greeted them at the entrance with a large smile. "Miss Addams, oh my goodness. You look so beautiful!" She beamed.

"Thank you," Andy responded with a queasy stomach. She glanced up at Tyler. "Uh, you know Tyler."

"Of course. Hello again, Mr. Galpin," the teacher said, her smile never wavering.

Andy looked around the room, taking in the decorations. It was almost blinding how bright it was, like walking into heaven, or a snow storm. She almost couldn't point anyone out until she saw an all black dress from the corner of her eye. Wednesday was standing alone at the buffet table. Andy looked Tyler's way again. "I'll get us some punch."

He smiled at her.

She let go of his arm and walked towards her sister. Andy grinned at her attire. "Wow, you really do stand out."

"Kennedy calls us the anti-Rave'N." Wednesday said emotionlessly.

She turned her head to see Kennedy sitting at a table with Ajax some of his friends. She stood out amongst everyone else, and Andy thought she was the most beautiful. "Well, you guys look great," she told Wednesday and looked at her again. She observed her dress. "It's a beautiful dress."

The older sister brushed her hands against the fabric. "It's alright." Wednesday downplayed but Andy could tell that she loved it. "I'm still trying to figure out how Thing got his fingers on it."

Andy pursed her lips together. "It wasn't Thing, actually. It was me."

Wednesday quickly lifted her head.

"I saw you looking at it through the window while we were in Jericho. I knew you loved it, so, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get it."

"You bought the dress knowing I didn't want to go in the first place?" The older sister asked with her pinched eyebrows softening from surprise.

Andy shook my head gently. "No. I bought the dress knowing you'd change your mind."

Sister relationships are known to be the most complicated relationship. Everything one felt, the other felt as well. They're half of each other's soul, the cause of each other's anger and tears. Her entire life, Wednesday thought that nobody would ever understand her or care to. She didn't want anybody to understand her. She's not a book meant to be read. But her sister understood her. Wednesday look over her shoulder at Tyler, the boy still having a conversation with Ms. Thornhill. "Just letting you know, if he hurts you, I'll kill him."

Andy's lips curled into a smile. She flinched when a hand grazed her back. It was Tyler. "Wednesday, you look nice," he complimented the older sister.

Wednesday stared back at him blankly. "Be nice to her. I don't want to have to pull out my pocket knife."

The threat made his eyes widen.

She walked away. Andy titled her head back to meet Tyler's eyes. "Believe it or not, that was her being nice," she told him with a half smile.

"Sure. I'll believe it," he responded, slightly disturbed. Tyler looked down at her and began to smile again. "This is great."

"We just got here."

"I know, but. . ." He looked around the buzzing room again. "I've never really been a fan of this kind of stuff. I don't go to dances or anything at my school."

Andy lifted her eyebrows. "Really? I thought maybe you were the popular guy."

Tyler chuckled. "Far from it, actually. The only social interaction I get is working at the Weathervane."

She eyed him in silence. The information was surprising. Andy really did think that they were opposites, that Tyler was a popular guy while she was an outcast. But they were more alike than she thought, and Andy started to look at him in a different light. "Well," she voiced while pouring them both a cup of punch. "Maybe we can help each other out tonight."

She held out the cup. Tyler smiled again and took it from her hand. "I'll take you up on that challenge, Andromeda Addams."

They clinked their cups together. Andy drank what was in her cup and immediately, her face scrunched in disgust. "Yeah, that's spiked."

"Definitely." Tyler coughed and she laughed.

Kennedy drank the spiked punch while watching everybody on the dance floor. Enid was spinning around with Lucas, having the time of her life, while Ajax watched obviously just like she wanted. She didn't mind the circumstances she was under. She didn't like Ajax in that way. They were friends and Kennedy understood that Enid was willing to do anything to get him, so she helped her out. But the longer she sat there, the more unhappy she felt. She didn't feel the way she wanted to feel tonight. No amount of fake smiles and laughter could convince her that she was happy.

Her ex boyfriend and best friend were just feet away from her. It was obvious that Xavier wasn't happy either and Bianca was trying her hardest to keep his attention on her, but he was too busy sulking. It was a cycle that haunted her. Kennedy remembered every fight they had and each time, she tried keeping Xavier's attention on her so that he'd forgive her for lashing out on him. She knew now that it was wrong and that they were wrong for each other, but she didn't know it at the time. She was clouded by what she thought was love.

She wasn't angry anymore. She was just confused.

Enid had pulled Wednesday onto the dance floor with her. Andy was with Tyler. Neither of them knew what the hell to do. They'd never been to a dance before. Kennedy watched Enid circle around Wednesday and try to get her to dance, but she stood there frozen and uncomfortable. She looked to the side and saw Xavier staring at her from his table. She clenched her jaw painfully.

Wednesday walked off the dance floor and sat down at their table. Kennedy sat up straight. She eyed Ajax, who was on his phone watching the pro hockey play-offs. "Not much of a date," she stated cynically.

"At least I have one," she responded sarcastically, smiling so Wednesday knew she was kidding.

Her face didn't change. Wednesday's gaze switched to the other side of the room. "Is it hard to watch?"

She was taking about Xavier and Bianca. Kennedy shook her head. "It is, but. . .not in the way I thought it did." She watched her become confused. "It's really hard to explain. I don't completely have it figured out yet. . .you don't like dancing?"

Wednesday leaned back in the chair and crossed her arms. "It's not my thing," she simply stated.

"You don't say," she said back with the smallest grin. "Don't worry, it's not mine either. I mostly just jump around."

"That's what Enid's been doing."

Kennedy chuckled.

Wednesday stared at the side of her face. Her gaze switched between her and Ajax. "I thought you wanted to have a fun night?" She inquired.

The girl just shrugged. "So did I."

Her dark eyes glared deeply into Ajax's face. She stood up and walked around the back of Kennedy's chair. She snatched the phone from his hand. "Whoa, Wednesday! Not cool!" He gasped.

"If I see you on this thing one more time, I'll make those snakes on your head feed on your own flesh. Now dance with her." She threatened.

Kennedy widened her eyes. Ajax did as well and he looked at her. She just shrugged, unable to speak. The boy grabbed her hand and yanked her up from the chair and he quickly pulled her towards the dance floor. Kennedy glanced over her shoulder, Wednesday still looking at her from the table.

Andy quite literally had two left feet. She wasn't a dancer by any means. She was growing claustrophobic by all of the people jumping around her. Tyler had a right grip on her hands. "You look like you're in hell," he said while laughing.

"I'm sorry. I'm just. . .not used to this," she told him, not wanting him to think she was being dodgy.

"I get it, trust me. Why don't we sit down for a minute?" Tyler offered and Andy felt the most relief that she had felt all night.

He led her off the dance floor and to the table where Wednesday sat alone. "Are you okay?" Andy asked her sister and smiled at the boy for pulling out her chair.

"I'm sitting here waiting for the sprinklers to magically go off so I can leave," Wednesday responded blankly.

"You two really are sisters," Tyler interjected, the corner of his mouth turned up.

Andy hid her smile. "What's going on with you? It looks like something's bothering you?" She said to Wednesday again. She followed her gaze aimed at the dance floor. She was staring at Kennedy and Ajax, the boy holding her hand and spinning her in circles. Andy glanced at her sister again. She didn't ask the questions that popped in her head. She let the situation be.

Then she noticed how Xavier couldn't stop sending her longing stares and his Bianca kept glaring at him for doing so. "I feel like everyone's staring at each other," she said to Tyler.

He followed her gaze. "Oh yeah, definitely. You Nevermore kids have more relationship drama than my school," he said with a teasing smirk.

Andy rolled my eyes. "No we don't."

"Sure," Tyler laughed. "But it's okay. I'm only staring at you."

She was happy that for the first time in her life, she was wearing blush, courteously of Kennedy Eden. Her lips rolled back into a smile. "There's better things to be staring at."

"No, there's not," he said with his blue eyes glimmering. Tyler's hand rested on the back of her chair and unconsciously, his fingers brushed the ends of her long curled hair.

Andy held her breath and got goosebumps. Her hands were pressed firmly on her lap and she squeezed them together. Her stomach began twisting in knots. Nobody's ever looked at her the way he was now and if he was any other person, she would've hated it.

But he's not any other person. He's Tyler.

She looked at his empty cup. "You need a refill? Or are you feeling a buzz yet?"

Tyler laughed, his smile stretching his face. "Sure, I'll go for another one."

Andy nodded. She grabbed their cups and stood from the table. She ignored the pain in her feet from the heels as she walked to the punch bowl.

Xavier, having followed her without her knowing, appeared tall beside her. "I can't believe you brought him here," he spoke harshly.

She flinched and looked up at him in shock. "What?" She questioned while pouring the ladle of punch into her cup.

"You know what," he insisted, twisting his head to the side.

Andy saw that he was looking at Tyler. He was watching them talk, his jaw clenched tightly. She blinked. "What's it to you?" She spoke hostilely.

"Because you don't know what he did to me."

Her harsh gaze softened ever so subtly. Andy turned her attention to the side once again and caught Tyler's watchful eyes. He looked terrified. She felt terrified. Had the sudden fantasy she conjured up about him start to be destroyed? Was he keeping secrets that she was sure he was never going to reveal to her? Was she right to be cautious about what could happen between them?

Ajax looked like he was going to faint. "Kenny, I'm sorry, but I'm getting the biggest cramp in my hip right now," he said while completely out of breath.

Kennedy had to laugh. They'd been dancing for almost an hour. "It's okay, Jax. You can go sit down." She told him. Both of them looked over at their table. Wednesday was still sitting there. "Don't worry, I won't let her kill you tonight."

He chuckled. Ajax limped off the dance floor. Kennedy followed behind him.

Wednesday stood up as he sat down and she waked around the table. She firmed her head back. "Feeling better?" She insured emotionlessly.

Kennedy nodded vigorously, out of breath herself. "I am. Thanks for that. I needed to let loose a little."

Wednesday nodded silently. Kennedy's cheeks were flushed a deep red and sweat shined against her skin. The smile on her face was wide and it never faltered. She gulped.

"Alright, now that I've loosened up, it's your turn."

Her eyes went wide. "What?"

Kennedy laughed. "Yeah. Come on, dance with me."

"I don't dance."

"That's because you've never had a dance partner like me," she claimed confidently and laughed again. Kennedy grabbed her arm and pulled her along with her. "Come on, you'll have fun. I promise."

Tyler found Andy sitting by herself in the hall, her arms wrapped around her torso and one leg crossed over the other. She was staring into her lap. In his mind, Tyler kept saying that she was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. His stomach instantly tied in knots. "Was it the thin mountain air or Yeti-tinis that got you?" He joked while laughing.

Andy kept her head down. "Neither," she replied solemnly. She glanced up and met his eyes. "Xavier told me what you and your friends did to him and his mural."

Instantly, the smile washed off his face and was replaced with guilt. Tyler didn't think he would have to explain himself to her so soon. He gritted my teeth and searched for how to tell her the truth. "I guess that was inevitable,"

Tyler sat beside her on the bench. He could feel how tense she was. "Look I. . .I wish I could say that it was an accident, or that it wasn't as half as bad as it sounds, but I'd be lying, and I. . .I don't want to lie to you. And he could have made things worse for me, but, he didn't."

Andy looked him up and down. "Why did you do it?" She asked in a light voice.

More regret panned in his chest. Tyler sighed and looked down at his hands. "I could give a million excuses, but. . .the truth is I'm still trying to figure it out. I got sent away to this boot camp and realized that's not the version I want to be. A bitter townie that blames everyone else for the shitty hand he's been dealt."

He felt her staring at him melancholically. He met her gaze. "Look, I did a terrible thing, but I swear I'm not a terrible person. I don't want you to think of me like that." He said desperately.

"Tyler, I threw a boy into a pool full of piranhas. I locked a girl in a bathroom still full of cockroaches. I'm not exactly Miss Perfect." Andy scoffed. She unfolded her arms. "I'm not proud of the things I've done either. So, I won't judge you for your mistakes if you don't judge me for mine."

Tyler couldn't help but smile. He didn't know why he expected her to yell at him, or crucify him. That's not who she was, and she saw him differently than how he saw himself. Tyler felt like it was only them in the room, like he wanted everyone else to disappear. "I knew there was a reason I liked you," he told her with a cheeky smile.

In that moment, Andy went against everything she told herself not to do, and it was like walking out into the sun after a life time of being trapped in the dark. "We should get back in there."

"Yeah," Tyler said while still smiling. He stood and held out his hand.

Andy placed her palm in his and let him lead her back into the dance. The dj was playing Goo Goo Muck and her eyes widened out of her head when she saw her sister on the dance floor, Kennedy standing in front of her and smiling. "Is she—?"

"Dancing?" Tyler finished, watching the scene with amazement.

Wednesday danced like nobody was watching. Everybody stared at her in awe, but her eyes were only on Kennedy, and Kennedy's eyes were on her.

Andy smiled. "Wow. I didn't think she had it in her."

"Alright, Miss Addams, it's your turn," Tyler spoke and tugged her hand again.

She started to laugh but quickly grew shocked when he spun her around with ease. Their fingers intertwined fluidly and Tyler pulled her close to him, so close that Andy could feel his breath on her face. "I thought you said dancing wasn't your thing," she whispered.

Another cheeky smile appeared on his lips. "I might've lied just a little."

Andy grinned.

"Andy!" Enid squealed while dancing with Lucas. She waved at her.

The grin turned into a genuine smile. She chuckled and turned her head further, watching Wednesday stand there while Kennedy danced, both of them only focusing on each other. The music was loud, everyone was jumping around, sweaty and energetic. She thought she would hate it. She thought she was supposed to hate it, but she didn't. Andy didn't even care that there was people taking about them, a normie with an Addams. Her hands circled around Tyler's arms and she shivered when his hands sat on her hips. He smiled down at her. "I like seeing you this way," he whispered.

She titled her head back to see him. "Like what?"

"Having fun. Flustered. Smiling. You're beautiful."

Andy could feel her cheeks heat up again and this time, she couldn't blame it on the dancing. "I don't like the way you're looking at me right now," she uttered but that was a lie, she did like it.

"No?" Tyler breathed out, not taking his eyes off of her.

"No."

"That's too bad, I guess." His voice deepened and he tucked her hair behind her ear. "Cause there's nobody else I wanna look at."

Andy didn't reply. Her eyes didn't leave his. They were so close that she was more than sure he could feel my heart beating. She hated being this close to other people, but Andy found herself not wanting to be apart from him. The way his hands felt against her skin, how his eyes peered into hers, his words, she liked it all. She didn't want it to end.

She wasn't sure what to do next and she thought he sensed that, because Tyler started to lean in. He was so tall that he had to bend his head downward. He pressed his hand harder against her waist and Andy felt herself being lit on fire. She prepared herself.

Andy flinched when she felt something hit her cheek. Tyler frowned. "Is that blood?"

She touched her fingers to her face and saw a red liquid coat her fingers. It started dripping on Tyler's white suit. "What in the world—"

Somebody screamed. Andy looked around and saw blood dripping on people's clothes and then she looked up, feeling dots of crimson splash on face.

Blood started to spew from the sprinklers. Her eyes widened in shock as the pure white room became drenched in red liquid. Everybody started to scream in panic and run. "Wednesday!" Andy yelled and ran to her sister.

Wednesday was smiling until she tasted the blood on her finger, and then she became disappointed. "It's paint. It's just a prank." She voiced loudly over everyone's screams.

Kennedy ran up to them. "We have to go!"

Tyler's hand grazed her back. "I just texted my dad. He's on his way." he told them quickly.

Andy sighed out of frustration. Nothing ever goes right for me, she thought. Then suddenly, in a split second, she was pulled into a vision, the impact making her stumble back.

"Andy!" Tyler's voice wasn't clear to her.

She saw Eugene in the woods, the boy fallen on the ground and he was screaming for help.

"Andy!" Tyler shook her back to reality. His hands pressed firmly against her arms. "What's wrong? What did you see?"

Andy looked up at him in horror. "It's Eugene. He's in trouble."

"Andromeda," said Wednesday and she grabbed ahold of her arm. "It's Eugene—"

"I know. I saw."

"We have to go!"

"Wednesday!" Kennedy shouted but was ignored by Wednesday dragging her sister away.

Andy caught Tyler's gaze as she left. "I'm sorry!" She called out.

"Eugene!"

"Eugene!" The sister called out while running through the woods. Andy had abandoned her heels somewhere along the way. She looked around but it was do darker aug she could barely see anything. "Eugene, where are you?"

"Eugene!" Wednesday shouted. The sisters stopped in the middle of the woods. She spun around with wide eyes. "Eugene?"

"Wednesday! Andy! Over here!" They heard the big call.

Andy sighed with relief and they ran to him. The closer they got, the more clear she began to hear growing. Then her eyes widened. "It's the monster," she exhaled.

Running over a hill, Wednesday came to a halt. Eugene laid feet away from them, covered in blood and unconscious.

Andy gasped. "Oh, my god."

"Oh, my god!" Another voice yelled and Andy turned around, seeing Thornhill standing there with terror all over her face. "Is he alive?"

The sisters glanced at each other with the same expression. The monster was getting closer, and it was only a matter of time before another one of their friends got hurt. They needed to move fast.