Enid woke up and told Luke that she was fine. It was just fatigue and overtraining. Luke didn't inquire much further and let her rest peacefully. It's hard to look her in the face when just minutes ago, you kissed another girl. He went back to his room and collapsed onto his bed.
'Why did I kiss her again?' Luke thought, burying his face in his pillow.
The first kiss came from Wednesday. That was explainable, he couldn't do anything to dodge it, although he actually could, but it's better not to talk about that... The second one was completely his fault. He leaned in and kissed Wednesday. He even asked for a third round.
'Enid and I haven't gotten back together yet... It doesn't count as cheating, right?' Luke thought, trying to ease his guilt. Another thing that bothered him was that he couldn't stop thinking about Wednesday. It wasn't like with the other girls he had been with, who didn't affect him in the slightest. It was easy to forget them.
With Wednesday, he felt the same sensation as when he kissed Enid, though with its differences.
'Is it possible to be in love with two people?' Luke thought with a strange expression.
'No... I shouldn't rush. It might just be fleeting feelings. The girl I love is Enid,' Luke thought, getting up from the bed. It's strange for him to use such a cheesy word, but that's how he felt about Enid. Besides, the feeling was mutual.
With Wednesday, he didn't know. She's a shell, and it's a miracle they kissed, but talking about feelings? Luke considered that unlikely.
Most likely, she would isolate herself and wouldn't want to be controlled by her emotions. That's why she always avoided friends and relationships. Luke didn't know how their relationship would progress in the future, and the most probable outcome was that it wouldn't lead to anything. She would start ignoring him or something similar.
…
The next morning, Luke had breakfast with Wednesday to talk about the latest murder that occurred. The Hyde had obtained another mutilated part for the ritual. Fewer parts were left to gather, and Wednesday was likely the next target.
"We can't let him keep collecting parts for the ritual. We have to stop him," Wednesday said. As for the kiss from yesterday with Luke, she decided not to bring it up, and Luke didn't want to talk about it either.
"Yeah. The problem is that we can't leave Nevermore, and if we do get out, where would we even look?" Luke asked, taking a sip of his coffee. He knew where to look, and it was a bit exhausting having to pretend he didn't.
"The original pilgrim worship house. It was built in 1625, and the building we visited at Pilgrim World is inspired by that house. From what I've heard, it's in deplorable condition, but there might be something useful," Wednesday replied.
This was what Luke had been aiming for from the start. To lead Wednesday here, where Atlas, Sabrina, and the others were staying. Take pictures to gather evidence, and then go back. But he wasn't too thrilled to hear that Wednesday wanted to head there.
He felt like he was using her and manipulating her to get here. Why was he feeling this guilt again?
'Stupid feelings,' Luke thought with a grimace.
"Alright, we'll go there," Luke nodded. He would take his camera and get the best quality photos. He needed the evidence. He was at war with the Spellmans; he had to set his feelings aside.
"In three days, I have to go to therapy. I'll sneak out from my therapist's house, and we'll head to the original worship house. It's about 25km away from Jericho," Wednesday said with a plan in mind.
"That'll take time. They'll realize you're gone. How long can you take in the bathroom?" Luke asked.
"It doesn't matter. I don't care about the punishment. You could say you have a meeting with your editor. That way, they'll let you out," Wednesday said. Luke had already told her that he had gone to Jericho several times to meet with his editor, and the school allowed him to leave.
"I have a better idea," Luke said.
"What is it?"
"In two weeks, it's Outreach Day. It'll be much easier to sneak out that day. Besides, it's not that easy to fake a meeting with my editor," Luke responded.
Wednesday thought about it. She knew what Outreach Day meant. It's a day of awareness in Jericho. The students of Nevermore visit the town of Jericho and meet their normie neighbors.
It's meant to create a sense of community with the normies. To improve their relationship, the students help the citizens of Jericho with their businesses, like volunteer work.
"Alright, we'll do it that day," Wednesday said after a few seconds.
They'd have more time to sneak out, and it would be easier to blend in with so many students. Luke could use his mind control on a normie so they wouldn't be reported, and act as if they were always there working.
…
Three days later, as usual, Wednesday headed to the town of Jericho for her boring and useless therapy session with Dr. Valerie Kinbott. A normie and local therapist in the town.
As usual, she was driven to Jericho by Principal Weems in her car, and as usual, Weems wanted to chat with her about her life at Nevermore. Wednesday only responded with monosyllables to make her stop bothering her.
Upon arriving, Dr. Valerie opened the door and let her in. Wednesday sat on the white sofa and waited for Dr. Valerie to open her mouth and say the usual nonsense.
"Well, Wednesday. How was your week at Nevermore? Any interesting news? Any new friends?" Dr. Valerie asked with a slight, kind smile.
The progress she had made with this stubborn girl was minimal, but she didn't give up. It was her job to get her patients to open up and feel comfortable talking about their feelings and emotions.
The memory of kissing Luke came to Wednesday's mind. Maybe, for the first time, she could ask this therapist something. Although she doubted she could help her, there was no harm in asking.
Since that day, the thoughts she had about Luke had increased. She didn't like it. She needed to think logically and solve the mystery, not dwell on love and that kind of nonsense.
"How do I stop thinking about a person?" Wednesday asked.
"Oh…" Valerie said, surprised by the question. Was there someone capable of causing this?
"Why do you want to stop thinking about that person?" Valerie asked.
"It's affecting my routine. I can't do what I used to with the same ease because I'm constantly thinking about this person. Now tell me how," Wednesday demanded, expecting an answer.
"In your daily life, do you have constant thoughts about this person?" Valeri asked, and Wednesday nodded.
"Do you have a desire for proximity to this person?" Valeri continued, and Wednesday nodded again.
Wednesday was very good at controlling her feelings and emotions. She knew that lately, she wanted to be around Luke, whether in the cafeteria talking about the mystery or elsewhere discussing other topics where only he provided interesting insights.
"Do you feel a mix of nervousness and excitement when you're near this person?" Valeri asked.
'Why so many questions?' Wednesday thought.
"Not nervousness. But a mix of intriguing restlessness and disturbance," Wednesday replied, causing Dr. Valeri to give her a strange look.
"I see... Based on what you're telling me, you feel an attraction toward this person, am I right?" Valeri asked, and Wednesday said nothing. She had kissed Luke yesterday, so of course, she felt attracted to him.
"If that's the case, the symptoms you're experiencing are quite predictable," Valeri added.
"What?" Wednesday asked, growing impatient.
"You are in love," Valeri responded simply. A grimace formed on Wednesday's face. Her, in love?
"Let's assume your theory is true. How do I stop having these thoughts about this person?" Wednesday asked.
"It's easy," Valeri said with a slight smile.
"How?" Wednesday asked again.
"Remove him or her from your life. Stop seeing that person. Tell them not to seek you out anymore. That way, the feelings you have will gradually fade. Depending on the person, it might take more or less time," Valerie replied.
Wednesday was surprised by this answer. She had expected a lecture about accepting feelings, love, and all that nonsense—not this.
She imagined the next few days, weeks, or months at Nevermore without ever speaking to Luke again, cutting him out of her life. For some reason, she felt a pain in her chest. It felt both good and bad at the same time.
"If you don't want that, you can accept that person into your life. Are you afraid they'll change your routine and influence you? Just control your feelings and align them so that person becomes another gear in your life, another part of your routine. That way, you'll keep doing what you always do, with their addition," Valeri said with a smile.
'Another gear in my life? I didn't think this therapist would say something like that,' Wednesday thought, looking at Valeri's smile.
"As I said, just structure your life, your routine, or whatever with that person in it. If you already have so much interest and intrigue about that person, he or she should be part of your life. Just align it so that it doesn't affect your other habits. Besides, if you get along well, it'll just make a better version of yourself, won't it?" Valeri said, and Wednesday pondered.
She was right. Luke was already part of her life; she just needed to control her new routine and make sure it didn't influence the things she wanted to remain unchanged. On the other hand, she and Luke made a good team. She advanced much faster on the mystery, and when they fought together, they could defeat Hyde easily—something that would take much more effort if she acted alone.
"Was my advice helpful?" Valeri asked.
Wednesday looked at her. Her opinion of the normie therapist had increased. She hadn't expected useful advice. She had been bracing for the usual cheesy comments about accepting feelings and not wanting to control everything in life—typical hippie speech.
So far, it had been the most fruitful session she had ever had.
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