7, jealousy

The fire crackled, shadows dancing across the students' faces. Team Nevermore had just won the Color War, and the group now sat around the flames, singing old camp songs with their own twisted, outcast flair.

Pugsley and Ari sat side by side, shoulders brushing, smiling at each other in a quiet, comfortable way that made them forget the rest of the camp for a moment.

Liam, a few feet away, watched with a sour expression, jealousy simmering under his usual calm façade.

As the final note of the last song faded into the night, Morticia, who had been perched elegantly on a log nearby—her black gown sweeping the ground like a shadow in motion—leaned forward, her eyes glinting with dark amusement.

"My dear," she purred, her voice silky but laced with menace, "is this your... girlfriend?"

Pugsley's face went red immediately. "Mom, please!" he whispered, flailing slightly.

Ari, unfazed by the macabre elegance surrounding her, straightened and curtsied with a polite smile. "Mrs. Addams, I am Ari Sinclair. Pugsley's... friend."

Morticia's lips curved into a knowing smile, sharp and wicked. "Ah... a friend, yes. But one can sense the electricity between you, even across shadows and firelight. How deliciously... interesting."

Pugsley groaned, burying his face in his hands, while Ari tried not to giggle at the over-the-top, creepy maternal interrogation.

"You're Sinclair," Morticia continued, her eyes narrowing with that calm, calculating gaze that made everyone feel like she could see straight into their souls. "Like Wednesday's... roommate, Enid."

Ari nodded, trying not to squirm. "She's my sister."

Morticia's gaze softened just a fraction, her lips curling into that signature, dark smile. "Ah... so that explains the wild energy. You must be... a werewolf, then."

Ari blinked. "Yes... I am."

"Delightful," Morticia purred, tilting her head. "There is a certain... beauty in the untamed. Pugsley, my darling, you've chosen a companion who understands chaos in its purest form."

Pugsley groaned, burying his face in his hands again. "Mom! Please..."

Ari, however, tried to smile politely through the mortifying praise. "I hope I'm not... too much of a handful."

Morticia's eyes glinted dangerously. "My dear, if you were, he would adore you all the more. There is nothing sweeter than a bond forged in the... shadows of mischief and mayhem."

Pugsley peeked at Ari through his fingers, muttering under his breath, "Mom, you're going to ruin everything..."

Morticia didn't miss a beat. "Oh, I assure you, darling. I only enhance the experience."

Ari tried not to laugh. The way Morticia said it... it was both terrifying and kind of fascinating.

Liam's eyes kept drifting toward Ari and Pugsley, who were now whispering and laughing quietly by the fire.

"Stop staring at her so much," Gia hissed, elbowing him. "Ari likes that guy."

Liam's jaw tightened. "Whose side are you on?" he asked, his voice low but sharp.

Gia smirked, folding her arms. "Definitely Pugsley. You and Ari getting together could ruin our friendship. Besides," she added, nodding toward Ari, "Ari is my best friend and she likes him."

Liam looked down, a flicker of frustration crossing his face. "Figures."

Gia leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Honestly, just back off. Let her figure it out. You'll drive yourself crazy otherwise."

He sighed, sitting back, staring into the fire. "Easy for you to say. You're not the one watching them... like this."

Gia rolled her eyes. "Welcome to my world. Now stop sulking, or I swear I'll tell Ari you're staring at her again."

Liam groaned, and for once, he didn't argue.

Meanwhile, Ari and Pugsley sat oblivious to the drama unfolding just a few feet away, laughing softly as the firelight flickered across their faces.

—————

Ari and Pugsley wandered away from the campfire, slipping past the laughing groups of students and the occasional whistle from a counselor. The forest loomed tall and dark around them, the branches swaying gently in the breeze, casting long shadows on the ground.

"This is way better than sitting by the fire listening to Principal Dort's endless pep talk," Ari whispered, ducking under a low-hanging branch.

Pugsley grinned, brushing leaves off his shoulders. "Totally. And we don't have to share the spotlight with anyone."

Ari laughed, the sound light and musical, and they continued deeper into the trees. Pugsley picked up a stick and started pretending it was a sword.

"En garde!" he shouted, lunging playfully at Ari.

"Pugsley!" she squealed, stepping back and swiping at him with her own branch. "You're going to poke someone's eye out!"

He ducked, spinning around. "Only if they're dumb enough to be in my way."

They zigzagged through the woods, laughing and chasing each other like kids, occasionally tripping over roots and falling into piles of dry leaves. Ari rolled on the ground, her hair messy and eyes sparkling, and Pugsley fell beside her, panting from laughter.

"You're impossible," she said, nudging him with her shoulder.

"And you love it," he replied, his grin widening.

They lay there for a moment, staring up at the canopy of leaves, the fading light creating a patchwork of shadows around them. For once, the world felt quiet and theirs, the chaos of camp reduced to nothing more than distant sounds.

Ari felt a strange flutter in her chest, noticing how close Pugsley's arm was without quite meaning to. She rolled slightly toward him, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I like... this," she admitted softly, barely above a whisper.

Pugsley's eyes met hers, a rare, unguarded look flashing across his face. "Me too," he said, and for a second, the forest held its breath.

Suddenly, a loud, panicked voice shattered the moment.

"Guys! Slurp... killed somebody!"

They both jumped, sitting upright immediately. Ari's hair flew in her face as she spun around. Pugsley's jaw dropped.

"What?" Ari demanded, already scrambling to her feet.

Eugene came barreling through the trees, waving his arms dramatically, eyes wide with terror. "You have to see this! It's... it's bad!"

Ari groaned, running a hand over her face. "Oh no... I knew he'd get into trouble again."

(Not Eugene running to his parents and telling them about what his brother did 😔😔)

—————-

"I knew we should have told someone," Eugene muttered, shaking his head as they stared at the body of the cadet leader. "Slurp's always been more your friend anyway."

"Harboring a murderous zombie will get both your butts expelled for sure," Agnes said, materializing from the shadows with her usual calm, invisible presence. "I'll try to help you not get caught, Ari."

"Agnes... what are you doing here?" Ari asked, stepping in front of the boys protectively.

"Proving myself to Pugsley's sister," Agnes replied, her pale eyes glinting in the moonlight. "Handling her low-priority tasks, like keeping you alive." She glanced over at Pugsley, expression unreadable.

Pugsley sighed, sidling up to Agnes while shooting a look at Eugene and Ari. "We need to defend Slurp."

"No way." Eugene refused. "i'm out of the zombie business.

"Relax," Pugsley said, rolling his eyes. "Slurp's never tried to eat my brain." He told Eugene.

"Because that would be empty calories," Agnes muttered, and Ari bit her lip to keep from laughing.

"Ari, you coming?" Pugsley asked, nudging her gently.

"I would've probably refused two days ago," she admitted with a smile, "but... I kinda grew to like Slurp."

All eyes turned to Eugene, who groaned. "Look... the last time I was alone with a monster in the woods, I ended up in a coma."

Pugsley scoffed. "Stop bragging," and with a swift grab, he dragged Eugene outside the tent.

Agnes and Ari shared a glance, both silently acknowledging the madness they were about to dive into, before following after them.

—————

They stepped outside the tent, the cool night air brushing against their faces.

"Let's check the bathroom," Ari whispered, her eyes scanning the darkness. Agnes nodded silently, her presence almost ghostlike.

"Alright, let's go," Pugsley said, dragging Eugene along with him, who groaned at the prospect of another monster encounter.

As they approached the bathroom, a terrifying sight awaited them: the door had been smashed to splinters, and Slurp was looming inside, axe raised, clearly about to strike.

"Slurp! No, my dad!" Pugsley yelled, spotting Gomez standing frozen in the doorway, oblivious to the danger.

Without hesitation, Pugsley unleashed a crackling bolt of electricity from his hands. Slurp shrieked in a mixture of surprise and confusion, stumbling backward as the shock hit him squarely.

The zombie was hurled out the broken window, landing in a heap on the grass outside. Gomez shook his head, looking unfazed.

—————-

A/N

Only like two chapters are left..