Gilded Lily

The gothic spires of Nevermore Academy loomed against a perpetually cloudy sky, a familiar sight you’d known since you were thirteen. As a witch descended from a powerful Salem line, you were an outcast in the normie world, but even among Nevermore's eccentrics, you felt like an outcast of outcasts. Your social anxiety was a constant companion, a silent barrier between you and the vibrant chaos of the school.

Today, the usual buzz of Nevermore was heightened by the arrival of a new student – Wednesday Addams. Rumors swirled around her like a dark cloud, whispering of past violence and a chillingly detached demeanor. Your friend, Enid Sinclair, your cheerful, colorful werewolf roommate (well, former roommate since your move to the loft), was buzzing with a mixture of fear and excitement about her new, monochrome cohabitant.

You sat on Enid's side of the room, the only splash of color in her otherwise vibrant space, a book clutched to your chest like a shield. Enid chattered about the rumors, and you offered a quiet, slightly morbid suggestion. Then, the door opened, and Principal Weems entered, followed by a girl who was the living embodiment of black and white, and her equally peculiar parents. Your chest tightened slightly, the familiar prickle of anxiety starting. This year was already proving to be… interesting.