the next day during breakfast wednesday didn't bother as much to sit as far away from tyler as she could, it being a little sign to prove her words from last night. she was careful not to sit too close to him though as she knew that would get annoying reactions from her parents, especially her mother.

her mother was still ecstatic to have learned (rather, assumed) that her daughter had a similar taste for "dangerous" men and wednesday was extremely agitated by that fact.

breakfast was rather silent until mortica spoke up, "wednesday dear, since you left supper early last night you didn't get to hear the plans we have made for tyler."

wednesday barely looked up from her food, shooting her mom a sideways glare as the woman continued, "we've decided he can stay here as long as he needs since anywhere else he'd be at risk of getting caught and sent to jail or an awful institution." her father nodded in agreement, giving the boy a sympathetic look.

wednesday wasn't surprised and did mostly agree but she argued anyways, "a decent amount of people, including his dad - the sheriff, were aware tyler and i were friends, some people may suspect we're keeping him here."

"i understand your concerns but we know ways out of that, need not to worry. he will be safe here," mortica replied calmly, directing a soft smile towards the honey haired boy, who returned a nervous one.

when wednesday didn't say anything further and only nodded slightly, her mother spoke again, "is that alright with you?"

"it doesn't matter what i think anyways mother, you and father have already decided without my opinions," she replied angrily, stabbing at her food.

"i think we got enough of your opinions last night," her mother shot back.

"and again, they didn't matter since you decided to keep him here despite me saying how i am not fond of him." wednesday was growing increasingly agitated.

"he needs somewhere to stay and we both know you care about him enough," her mother replied more calmly, picking up on her daughter's anger and trying to reason with her.

wednesday didn't want to admit she was right but she deflected, not wanting her of all people to know that, "think what you'd like mother, as long as you don't force me to spend time with him."

"i think you'll spend enough time with him on your own."

wednesday scowled as she wondered to herself if somehow her mother knew about her and tyler's short conversation from last night or not. or maybe it was just her mother being hopeful or assuming that wednesday liked him. either way, it annoyed her to no end.

she finished breakfast quickly and tried to escape back to her room but her mom caught her in the hallway.

her mother stopped her by gently placing a hand on one of her arms, "wednesday... i know you try to hide it but i've been there before too, i can see the signs... i know you."

"you don't know me," wednesday shot, she hated it when her mother tried to tell her she did.

"then answer this; do you have feelings for him?" her mother replied, giving the girl a curious but understanding expression.

wednesday paused for a moment too long, long enough for her mother to see right through her. to see the past the facade where she pretended she absolutely hated his guts now and wanted him dead.

sure, she had for a day or so, but those thoughts had changed after he opened up to her last night. it made her believe he could get better and that he'd remain the tyler she originally met when she came to weathervane in jericho and helped fix his espresso machine.

"wednesday, you know you can always be honest with me," her mother consoled, wanting her daughter to know she could confide in her about these sorts of things since she knew she struggled with certain feelings and tended to remain as emotionless as possible.

wednesday wanted to glare at her mother but she knew she was just trying to help and be a good mother and she couldn't be mad at her for that. so the girl nodded slightly and said earnestly, "thank you."

"of course my little raven," her mother replied as she held her arms out. she'd let wednesday hug her if she wanted and the girl did, leaning into the taller woman's embrace for a moment before pulling away and briefly walking away.

the only thing wednesday could think of as she returned to her room was 'god, that was embarrassing. and pathetic.'

she felt her mother knew her darkest secret now. and she wasn't sure how much she could trust her with it.