23, nevermore gala

The dorm room was a battlefield of fabric, makeup, and nervous energy. Dresses were tossed across beds, shoes lined up like soldiers awaiting inspection, and Gia was already halfway into a dramatic meltdown.

"This is the gala, Ari!" Gia groaned, holding up a sequined dress to her body in the mirror. "What if I trip in front of everyone? What if I look like a sad disco ball? What if—"

"—you explode from overthinking?" Ari interrupted with a small grin, sitting cross-legged on her bed while carefully braiding part of her hair. "You'll look fine, Gia. You always do."

"Fine?!" Gia gasped, spinning to face her. "This isn't about being fine! This is about walking into that ballroom and owning it. You never know what could happen at a Nevermore gala." She dropped the sequined dress dramatically onto the bed. "Scandal, romance, betrayal..."

"Sounds like one of your soap operas," Ari teased, slipping into her dark blue dress.

Gia flopped down beside her. "Okay, but you're the main character here. You're going with Addams practically glued to your side." She waggled her eyebrows.

Ari rolled her eyes, cheeks warming. "Pugsley isn't glued to my side. He just... wants to walk me in so I don't feel awkward."

"Mhm. Sure. The boy orders pineapple pizza for you and you still think he's just being nice?" Gia shot back, reaching for Ari's mascara.

Ari laughed softly, letting her friend lean in and start fussing with her eyelashes. "He was trying, okay? And... I kinda like when he tries."

Gia froze for a beat, then grinned wickedly. "You sooo like him."

"Shut up." Ari shoved her playfully, careful not to mess up the mascara wand.

Gia squealed and hugged her tightly, nearly ruining Ari's braid. "Oh my god, my girl's going to the gala, looking gorgeous, and she's low-key falling for an Addams. This is everything I live for!"

Ari shook her head, laughing. "You're insane."

"No, I'm your best friend," Gia corrected, pulling back to admire Ari's look. "And tonight? You're going to turn heads, Ari Sinclair. Trust me."

The bell rang faintly in the distance, signaling the start of the gala. Both girls looked at each other, nerves and excitement bubbling in their chests.

"You ready?" Ari asked.

Gia smirked, grabbing her clutch. "Born ready. Let's make some chaos."

Gia tugged on her earrings, glancing sideways at Ari as she smoothed down her dress. "So... the full moon's coming."

Ari arched a brow at her through the mirror. "Does it matter? I still haven't wolfed out. Not once."

Gia shrugged, lowering her voice like she was about to share some spooky bedtime story. "You know, I read somewhere that some werewolves can wolf out without needing the full moon. It's not very common but It happens when their emotions get... extreme. Like, pure rage or, um—" she grinned slyly, "—falling in love."

Ari froze mid–hair adjustment, shooting her friend a flat look. "That sounds like something you made up."

"No, swear! It was in one of those dusty old books in the library. They said it's like... the wolf breaks through when your guard is down. When you're too consumed by whatever you're feeling to fight it off."

Ari rolled her eyes but tugged on her necklace a little tighter. "Well, then I guess I'll just have to avoid rage and... whatever the other thing was."

"Love," Gia supplied with a singsong lilt.

"Not happening," Ari muttered, but her faint blush betrayed her.

Gia smirked knowingly. "Mhm. Keep telling yourself that. But if you start sprouting fur on the dance floor tonight..." She winked. "I've got you covered."

Ari laughed, shaking her head. "You're impossible."

"And you're adorable when you're in denial," Gia shot back, grabbing her clutch and pulling Ari toward the door.

—————-

The grand hall of Nevermore was unrecognizable. Chandeliers dripped with black crystals, gothic roses twined around silver candelabras, and masked students swirled across the floor in elegant chaos. The music pulsed, dark and sweet, echoing against the walls.

Ari adjusted her raven-feather mask as she and Gia stepped inside. Gia, of course, had gone for a golden one that glittered even in the candlelight.

"Okay, wow," Gia whispered, her eyes wide. "This place looks like a Tim Burton fever dream. I'm obsessed."

Ari let herself smile, though she tugged nervously at her bracelet. "You look like you belong here."

"Correction," Gia said, looping her arm through Ari's, "we look like we belong here."

They hadn't made it three steps before a familiar figure caught their attention across the room. Liam stood near the refreshment table, scanning the crowd like he owned it.

"Oh my god," Gia muttered. "Of course he'd show up looking like the dramatic anti-hero in a YA novel."

Ari stifled a laugh. "Don't let him hear you say that."

But Liam had already spotted them. His eyes lit up, and with a grin that was just a touch too smug, he pushed off the table and strode toward them.

"Well, well, well," he drawled, stopping in front of them. "If it isn't the two most dangerous girls in the room."

Gia folded her arms. "Dangerous? Please. The only dangerous thing about us is Ari's patience when you talk too much."

Ari elbowed her lightly, shaking her head. "You look... nice, Liam."

He dipped his head slightly, his grin softening at the edges. "So do you. Both of you." His gaze lingered on Ari for just a beat too long before he cleared his throat and shoved his hands in his pockets. "So, uh... should we go claim the dance floor before the Addamses make it their own?"

Ari excused herself from Gia and Liam with a grin. "You two go have fun. I'm going to say hi to Pugsley."

The music and chatter of the gala swirled around her as she made her way across the ballroom. Candlelight flickered off the Addams family, who stood together like a dark, elegant painting come to life. And there he was , Pugsley, in his harlequin costume, shifting nervously at the edge of their little circle until he spotted her.

"Ari! Hi!" His face brightened instantly as he waved her over.

When Ari reached them, Morticia's sharp eyes softened. Gomez grinned wide enough to nearly split his face. Both of them greeted her like an old friend.

"Ari, darling," Morticia said, her voice smooth and warm. "What a vision you are tonight."

"Always a pleasure," Gomez added, bowing extravagantly before squeezing her hand between his.

Even Pugsley's father nodded to her with genuine warmth. It wasn't the first time she'd felt their welcome, but tonight it made her heart beat faster.

Then Grandmama shuffled forward, peering at Ari with a toothy grin. "So this is the girl!" she rasped, eyes twinkling like candles about to gutter out. "I've heard plenty. Pugsley's little shadow."

Ari blinked. "Oh hi. I'm Ari."

Grandmama cackled. "No need to introduce yourself, child. I can smell when someone belongs." She tapped her nose and winked. "You've got just the right amount of mischief."

Ari flushed, glancing at Pugsley, who was grinning ear to ear.

"Where's Wednesday?" Grandmama asked suddenly, her eyes darting around the gala.

Morticia's painted lips curved into the faintest frown. "We're barely on speaking terms at the moment."

Grandmama gave a throaty chuckle. "Well, now you know what it feels like, Morticia. To be despised by a child to whom you've given everything. I suppose that makes us equals."

Morticia's gaze darkened, but before she could reply, Pugsley straightened and pointed across the room. "There's Wednesday."

Everyone turned as Wednesday drifted toward them, mask in hand, her expression unreadable.

"Ah," Grandmama cackled. "Look at us—one big, unhappy family."

Pugsley groaned and rolled his eyes. "Alright, that's enough family bonding for tonight." Without hesitation, he grabbed Ari's hand and tugged her gently away from the circle.

Ari blinked in surprise but didn't resist. Their joined hands swung between them as they slipped into the flow of the gala crowd.

"Sorry," Pugsley muttered, shooting her a sheepish grin. "They get... intense."

Ari smiled, her heart skipping at how naturally his hand fit in hers. "I kind of like it. They're... very Addams."

He laughed under his breath.

————-

Pugsley tugged Ari through the swirl of masked students and flickering candlelight until they finally slipped out onto one of Nevermore's balconies. The muffled music thumped behind them, but out here it was quieter, the night air cool against their faces.

He let go of her hand, a little too quickly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry. My family can be... a lot. Especially Grandmama. She likes making things... uncomfortable."

Ari leaned against the railing, smiling. "You don't say. But honestly, I kind of liked it. Your mom is sweet. Your dad is funny. And your Grandmama? She's terrifying, but in a good way."

Pugsley laughed, shaking his head. "You're probably the first person to call her terrifying 'in a good way.'"

"I mean it," Ari said with a shrug. "They all clearly love you. Even if they show it in... well, a very Addams way."

He shifted, standing beside her, his arm brushing hers for just a second before he stepped back as if the contact had burned him. "Yeah, they do. But they can be embarrassing. Like—Mom calling you my girlfriend?"

Ari giggled, covering her face. "Oh my god, yes. I thought I was going to die right there at the table."

"Same," Pugsley said quickly, then smirked. "But also... not the worst thing in the world."

Ari froze, lowering her hand to look at him. "Not the worst?"

His cheeks flushed pink, but he didn't look away this time. "I mean... if it were true. Hypothetically."

She blinked, suddenly very aware of how close they were, of the way the candlelight from inside caught in his dark eyes. For a second, words refused to form. Finally, she cleared her throat. "Hypothetically, huh?"

"Yeah." He kicked at the stone floor nervously. "Like, if you weren't... you know... way out of my league."

Ari laughed softly, nudging his shoulder with hers. "Pugsley Addams, you are not out of my league. That's ridiculous."

"Really?" His voice cracked just a little.

"Really," she said firmly. Then, after a pause, she added, "Actually... I like hanging out with you. A lot."

His eyes widened slightly, hope sparking in them. "You do?"

"Of course I do," Ari replied. "You're funny, you're sweet, and you ordered me pineapple pizza."

He groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Okay, I'm never living that down."

She laughed, gently tugging his hand down. "Relax. I hated it, but the thought was... honestly, kind of adorable."

For a moment, they just stood there, smiling at each other, the air thick with unspoken words. Then, faintly from the gala hall, a slow song drifted out.

Pugsley hesitated, then held out his hand in a dramatic bow, trying to hide his nerves with humor. "Would you, um... want to dance? You know, hypothetically."

Ari grinned, sliding her hand into his. "I'd love to. Hypothetically."

——————-

A/N

Have fun with this

I still haven't finished ep 8

So don't spoil me

I know I am taking too long but I am very busy with my mlwtwn ff and also school is starting on Monday

Also i wasn't gonna publish new chapter today but I did for two reasons: 1. I wanted to thank you all for all the followers and 100k views, 2. I am too lazy to edit this chapter 😔😔

GUYS WHAT DO YOU MEAN GOOGLE HAS AN INFORMATION ABOUT MY FF

AND ARI SINCLAIR ACTUALLY EXISTS

Whatttt??