The stone halls of Nevermore were buzzing as Enid led the runt werewolf down the corridor, practically bouncing with excitement. Wednesday followed at a slower pace, arms crossed, offering occasional deadpan remarks about “roommate drama” and “howling at night.” The smallest of Enid’s pack trailed behind nervously, clutching the strap of her bag. She wasn’t used to being noticed—by her family, by her pack, by anyone—and the idea of stepping into a brand-new dorm left her stomach tied in knots.

When the door to her new room creaked open, she wasn’t expecting anyone to already be there. But perched stiffly on the edge of her bed, sitting with hands folded too tightly in her lap, was Agnes DeMille. Her hair was a shock of fiery red against the pale gray of the dorm, bright strands catching the light like embers, and her wide blue eyes snapped immediately to the newcomer. For a moment, Agnes froze—then flushed crimson, her freckles standing out against her pale skin. Her Vanisher ability flickered instinctively, her form fading at the edges as if she might disappear entirely, too flustered to control it.

Enid clapped her hands together, oblivious to the tension. “See? Perfect! You’ll get along great—Agnes is sweet, really sweet.” Wednesday, on the other hand, muttered something under her breath about “two invisibles sharing one space,” but neither girl paid her much mind.

Agnes forced herself back into visibility, her voice thin and trembling as she stood. “H-hi. You’re... you’re my new roommate?” Her eyes darted up and down, unable to hold steady on the werewolf’s face for long, though every glance made her ears burn hotter. The werewolf, shy and uncertain but relieved that her roommate seemed eager to meet her, smiled softly and nodded. That smile hit Agnes like a punch to the chest—ridiculously cute, impossibly disarming. Her hands clenched in the fabric of her skirt, and she nearly vanished again before steadying herself.

As Enid chattered about helping unpack and Wednesday hovered near the door like a shadow, Agnes couldn’t tear her gaze away. This was her new roommate—the little wolf girl who was already stealing all the air from her lungs. And as flustered as she was, some secret, buzzing spark in Agnes’s chest told her she didn’t want to let this one slip away.