supper time came around and wednesday didn't expect tyler to talk much so she was a bit caught off guard when he directed a question at her, "i've noticed you have a phone now?"

she glanced up at him for a moment as she nodded, "yes." she was sitting in the same spot she had chosen for breakfast, knowing if she chose to sit any closer to him that would be an obvious sign to the others that they were on good terms now.

she wasn't going to bring up how xavier had got the phone for her since she knew the boys were weird about each other. she knew why of course and while she didn't like xavier in that way, it was annoying how the two reacted whenever the other was brought up.

so when tyler then asked who got it for her she let out a soft huff as she set her fork down. she knew she could lie but there would be no point, she knew he'd just get more annoyed if she lied and he found out the truth later. besides, they were both trying to be honest with each other. "xavier," she said simply.

her mother chimed in before tyler could speak, who's expression looked a little bit annoyed, but more defeated than anything. "who's this xavier?"

why did the conversations during meals always go where she didn't want them to? "a friend. xavier thorpe," she responded simply, figuring her parents would realize who it was at his name since he had a slight connection to their family.

recognition showed up in her mom's face, "oh, how lovely. he attends nevermore?"

"yes."

"why'd he get you a phone?" her father broke in, he seemed just curious.

wednesday shrugged, "your guess is as good as mine. though i believe it's because he wants to be able to communicate until next term begins and because apparently everyone around our age has one."

"our little storm cloud is popular with the boys," her father stated, sounding proud.

"please, don't compare me to mother again," wednesday shot, already knowing where that comment was about to go.

her father gave her a guilty sort of look and looked as if he was about to apologize when pugsley spoke up, "does xavier like you?"

wednesday wanted to roll her eyes, "for some reason i cannot fathom, he does."

"do you like him?" pugsley was smiling and it made her really wish she could duct tape his mouth shut.

"hardly as a friend. he gets on my nerves," she stated blatantly. she'd rather have her parents wish for her and tyler to be together than her and xavier. besides, hopefully tyler would gather information from this conversation. that she didn't like xavier that way and he would have no reason to be jealous of him.

"do you like tyler?" pugsley then asked and she saw both her mother and tyler smirk slightly.

"enough to not murder him in his sleep," she responded simply, sending a glare towards the smug boy.

"that says a lot coming from you," the honey haired boy shot in response. he looked too pleased with himself and it drove wednesday insane.

she was glaring at tyler harshly, "oh please, that's the bare minimum. i don't want to murder everyone."

"sureee. wednesday has a crush on tylerrrr," her brother started teasing.

"do you want me to choke you with your food?" she then looked to her brother, giving him a threatening look.

"you're threatening cause i'm right," he responded, unfazed.

"no, it's because you're a nuisance and this is embarrassing for you." wednesday usually hates her family a lot but in this moment she hated them the most she ever had. this whole conversation was ridiculous and unneeded.

"mother, am i wrong?" pugsley asked, confused.

mortica smiled slightly at her son as she responded, "why don't you leave her alone about it? it's something she'd rather not discuss right now."

"okay."

wednesday rolled her eyes. tyler was about to speak but she shot him down immediately, "speak and i will murder you in your sleep." he knew she wouldn't necessarily go that far but wasn't sure what she would do so he closed his mouth and let wednesday have the rest of supper in silence beyond the usual conversation among everyone else.

***

not the best chapter but having the family interactions is always fun. having their progression and thoughts on wednesday and her "boy problems" is entertaining and something i feel would actually happen so yeah lol.