Not my best chapter I will admit. Bare with me though. Eda (the best character) is coming soon to a screen near you. But seriously not my best.
*****
A new day.
Luz woke up in her school uniform from yesterday. She slowly sits up and immediately sees herself in the mirror and cringes. "Wow, I genuinely look terrible." Considering Luz's encounter with Belos last night, she's lucky she's not a statue.
Luz lugged herself out of bed and packed for the new school day when suddenly she remembered the book Amity gave her yesterday. 'The Good Witch Azura'. Since Luz doesn't have tutoring, or any plans today, she might give this a read after school. Luz finished packing her homework and got ready for her second day at Hexside.
Luz walked through the castle halls, making her way to the gates. Every guard bowing in respect towards her. Then suddenly Kikimora stops her in her tracks. "Off to school are we?"
"Yes ma'am," Luz says respectfully, but really means it in a demeaning way.
Kiki knows Luz all too well to know she doesn't mean to be respectful in her tone "Hmmm. I'm assuming you've learned your lesson last night. But just in case you haven't, and you've forgotten for any unexplainable reason let me remind you." Luz shows a little anger in her face but controls her temper, not wanting to be kept from school any longer "Emperor Belos and you are scheduled for dinner at 8:00 pm tonight and every other night. Don't be a minute late."
Luz now making fists, decides to use her higher ranking in the hierarchy to her advantage. "Thank you for reminding me Kiki. Enjoy the rest of your day, you know, cleaning my room and attending to my father's every need."
Kiki looks at Luz with anger and Luz just smiles, knowing this is a battle that she's won. Usually, Kiki would win these little encounters but today, Luz just wasn't putting up with it. The two depart from each other's company to start off their days.
Luz finally leaves the front castle gates and hops onto Steve's staff for their journey to Hexside. Steve lands in the same clearing as yesterday, 2 miles away from campus.
"Call me later and tell me where I am picking you up at 7:00 pm. I'm not risking anything today." Steve tells Luz making sure she understands.
"No need. I'll be at the library after school. I have a bet to win. Pick me up from there." Luz yells as she's already a good distance from Steve, not wasting another moment.
Finally, Hexside is in Luz's sight. She walks in and heads straight towards her locker when she suddenly catches sight of Amity and all of her friends.
"Hey, Amity! I was wondering if you could just check over my homework from last night? I just want to make sure I don't hand in complete gibberish." Luz says, not noticing the three-eyed witch staring at her intensely.
"Sure. But before we do that, I'd like to introduce you to my friends. This here is Boscha and Skara." Amity then turns to her two friends "Guys this is the human Luz. She's new here and I'm her tutor."
"Oh I know, I've heard all about you. So... human, where do you really come from. Why are you such a mystery? And why did I see you with Half a Witch Willow yesterday." Boscha says, narrowing all three of her eyes at Luz as if she's interrogating her.
Luz gives Boscha a blank stare. "Does this pink-haired witch think that she's intimidating me? Ha! Funny... I should introduce her to my dad one day. Then we'll see who's intimidated."
Luz, not breaking a sweat, is about to give Boscha a smart remark when Amity cuts in "Boscha don't be rude. Ask all the questions you want later. Luz and I have to check over her homework before class. Come on Luz." Amity walks away and Luz waves goodbye towards Boscha and Skara in a sarcastic way, and follows the Blight girl.
The two girls walk down the halls of Hexside to their first-class early. They both sit down in their seats, all alone in the classroom.
"So, I got the concept, but I'm not 100 percent sure if I was doing it right. All I need you to do is to just proofread my work." Luz says as she's searching through her bag.
Luz hands her work to Amity and waits for her response. Amity looks over her homework and seems pleased with her work until she notices something on the paper. "Ummm Luz, I don't know if you can hand this in. You've must have spilled water on it last night or something."
Luz's face turns bright red in embarrassment. "Shoot! I must have cried on my homework! How stupid of me!" "Ahh yes! I forgot I spilled water last night! I just didn't realize it got on my homework. Do I have to redo it?"
Amity notices Luz's discomfort "No... never mind. You should be fine. It's still eligible." "She looks upset. If I'd know any better, these aren't water stains but tear stains. I made that mistake once when I got in trouble for getting a bad grade. Say something, don't just look at her..." Amity was thinking about how to comfort her. Right before she could say anything the bell rings and ruins the moment.
Luz whispers to Amity as the teacher begins class "Thanks for checking it. You didn't have to. And I can't wait for our tutoring session tomorrow when I win the bet." Luz winks at Amity, causing her to blush a little.
"In your dreams," Amity whispers back, nudging Luz's arm.
The two classmates laugh quietly and turn their attention to the teacher. As the class continues throughout the day, Luz notices Willow hasn't been in any of her classes. Luz starts to worry, remembering that Willow went to Bump after school to talk about changing her track yesterday.
Lunch came around, and Luz sat next to Gus, who was reading what looked like a booklet. "Hey, Gus! What'cha got there?"
"Luz!! Just the human I wanted to see!" Gus smiles and flips through the booklet "I have here an actual human book! Apparently, this addition is called a magazine. I just purchased it from the owl lady in town. It's got cool pictures and other humans featured on it. Like this one here. Her name is Dana Terrace, and she's an incredible writer in the human realm. Look at all her accomplishments!" Luz could have sworn she saw Gus' eyes sparkle.
"The Owl Lady? What kind of name is that? And how does she have human items?" Luz shakes the thought and asks"That's really cool buddy, I would love to meet the owl lady sometime and ask her a few questions... Anyway, have you seen Willow? She hasn't been in class all day and I'm starting to get worried." Looking around Luz plays with her lunch, hoping to catch sight of her friend.
Just when Gus was about to speak, a witch with a green uniform sits across from the two students. "Luz! Guess who's in her dream track."
A wave of relief finally washes over Luz as she sees Willows smile in her new uniform. "Willow! You changed tracks! I'm so happy for you! I knew you could do it!"
The three celebrated all of lunch until they parted ways to finish off the rest of the school day.
Luz went through the motions for most of the day. Some classes are co-track, like history, so that's when she got to hang out with Willow and leave Amity to her and her friends.
The day finally concluded and Luz said her goodbyes. Willow and Gus wanted to have plans, but Luz kindly declined due to her plans to win a bet.
On Luz's way to town, she sees the Blight girl walking by herself, in the same direction she's going. Luz decides to go over to the lone witch "Heya Mittens. Where are you headed?"
Amity turns, surprised, and a little scared since Luz popped out of nowhere. "AH! Luz don't run up on me like that! And what have I told you about that nickname!"
Luz smiles and holds her hands back in defense "Hey, I mean no harm. Just wondering where you're headed. I know when I'm not wanted." Luz turns, hoping Amity stops her from walking away.
"Ok ok. I'm headed to town to pick up some things for my parents. What about you?" Amity praying to the Titan that she can spend a little more time with the human.
Luz turns and smiles towards the witch. "Oh, I'm headed towards the library to get some quality reading of a certain book done. I can't wait to finish it and win myself a Grom-posal."
Amity's face turns a different shade of red at Luz's comment. At this point, Amity is hoping Luz dislikes the book so she has an excuse to take her to Grom with no questions "Ha more like you can't wait to finish and compliment me whenever I see fit." "Did I flirt right? Is this flirting? I don't know what I'm doing anymore." Amity mentally facepalms.
Both the witch and human walk side by side, experiencing spiders in their stomachs. However, the witch is the only one who actually knows what this feeling means. As for the human... she has a lot to learn about what this feeling truly means other than an upset stomach.
Amity and Luz finally reach the town. As they near the library, Amity speaks up "Hey Luz. I don't want to overstep, or anything... but about your homework today."
Luz stops in her track "oh no. Did I do it wrong. We're you just afraid to tell me that before. Should I be expecting a failing grade!?!?"
"No! Not at all. Your homework was fine." Amity looks into Luz's eyes, trying to find the right words to say "I just wanted to let you know that I would consider us... friends... I guess. And if, you... need someone to talk to... about... stuff. I'm here. I don't know if you have people to talk to, so I'm letting you know that you do now."
Luz suddenly realizing that this is about the paper stained with her tears "Oh... that... yeah that's a complicated story... uhh. Thank you for letting me know... if I'm ever ready to talk about it, you'll be the person I go to." Luz is now blushing, rubbing her neck, looking at the witch before her. "And I'm glad I can call you a friend. That really means a lot."
Amity and Luz smile at each other. They get lost for a moment in each other's eyes when suddenly a phone rings.
"Hello? Yes. I'm here. No mother I am here at the store getting everything on the list. Yes. Ok. Ok. Yes. Ok bye." Amity hangs up and looks back at Luz "sorry that was my mom. I have to get going or I'll never hear the end of it. Have fun falling in love with fiction. I'll see you tomorrow." Amity walks away before Luz can make a comeback. "Falling in love with fiction??? Who says that? Come on! You are a Blight, you're better than that!!! Maybe I'll ask Em how to flirt later."
Luz laughs to herself and watches the witch disappear into the crowd of creatures. Luz turns and makes her way into the library. Since she is reading a fiction book, it only seems fit to go to the fiction section.
Luz heads for the table where she had her first tutoring session with the Blight girl and sits in the same spot. She honestly feels silly sitting there, all alone, reading fiction. But, Luz is determined to win and put this bet to rest so she never has to read another fiction book again.
Luz opens the book, wanting to get this over with as soon as possible.
Chapter 1
A Lying Witch and a Warden
"What kind of title is that? " Luz rolls her eyes and starts to read.
About two and a half hours pass and Luz closes the book, to the last chapter titled 'Young Blood, Old Souls'. She has so many questions to ask. "What happens when Azura rescues her mentor from the evil sorcerer Amdromadon? Does Azura finally master her powers? How is she full of optimism when everything is taken from her?" Luz was now itching for answers. "Did Amity say there were more books? I need the second book!"
Luz now amazed at how good this book was, wonders how wrong Belos was. This book was a masterpiece, and it was only 19 chapters. Luz couldn't wait to talk to Amity about the big cliffhanger it left off of. How this book just changed everything for Luz. "If Belos could be wrong about this, what else could he be wrong about."
Just as Luz is about to look for the second book, she gets a text message from Steve on her scroll phone "Hey kiddo! I'm on my way to the library. I'll be there in 5 minutes. Start to pack it up!"
Luz groans in defeat and packs everything away. She's now excited to accept her loss and obtain the second book.
Steve picked up Luz and brought her home for dinner. Luz arrived back at the castle 30 minutes early and had a normal dinner with her adoptive father. After dinner, she did her homework and went to bed.
The next day rolled up and Luz went to school. She hung around Willow and Gus for a bit before class. When classes started, Luz was just lost in her thoughts and strolled through the day. She loved to learn more than anything, but she couldn't get the book out of her mind. "This is probably why dad doesn't allow fiction. It's all I can think about right now. I can barely focus."
As school finally concluded, Luz could no longer contain herself. She ran to the library hoping Amity would somehow already be there. Luz was a competitive person, but in the rare occasions she lost, she admits it like a champ. She opens the grand doors to her second home and heads towards the table where she met with Amity two days ago.
Amity was nowhere to be found. Luz sat down with her bag and book in her hands, bouncing her leg up and down, in anticipation of when her tutor will arrive.
About 27 minutes pass. Luz is still waiting when suddenly a voice appears behind her. "You're here early. How did you get here so fast?" Amity sits down, situating herself for the lesson.
"Amity! Oh cramity! You are the most talented, amazing, awesome witch on the Boiling Isles!!" Luz praises the young witch.
Amity, now blushing profusely, looks at Luz with a confused expression. "Excuse me?"
Luz continues "'The Good Witch Azura'! I thought I was going to hate it but not at all! I need to know what happens next. You win. I bow down to your greatness." Luz is now making a bowing motion towards Amity for the fun of it now.
Amity is now slightly disappointed that she won, but can't stop smiling "oh wow... compliments..." She quickly gathers herself to speak up "Oh it's like I know what I'm talking about. What I thought fiction was, how did you put it? Utter nonsense?"
Luz now stumbles on her words "Well.. you see I was... well... now that I've read it.... I guess... it's not.... total nonsense."
Amity is now laughing at the disheveled human "Hahaha. Oh, you should see your face. It's so cut- FUNNY. ITS SO FUNNY." Amity pauses, face redder than any tomato on the island, looks to see if Luz noticed what Amity was about to say.... she didn't. Amity takes a deep breath and continues "Here, I want to show you why you've never seen me at the library." She gets up and starts to walk towards the romantic section.
Luz cocks an eyebrow in confusion. Instead of questioning her, Luz follows quietly wondering what Amity is doing. "Yeah my father would not like how I'm reading fiction. Especially if it's romantic."
"And I thought my parents were strict." Amity lets out a laugh "trust me, this one right here is worth the read." Amity pulls the book out to reveal a secret room behind the bookcase. She walks into the secret room just to show off 'The Good Witch Azura' series. "What do you think?"
"So this is where you've been hiding all my life. This place is amazing" Luz smiles and looks around, admiring the whole view. "Ok so we're studying in here from now on AND we're starting a book club. It's official." Luz can't contain herself anymore, she runs to Amity and engulfs her in a big hug. "Amity Blight you are the best, most talented witch EVER!"
Amity has officially stopped working. Her face red, and her breathing is hitched. Luz puts her down to look at the Azura book series. Amity needs a moment to recollect herself. "Yup... cool... yep... book club... with you... ok... wow... compliments... also cool... cool." The human and the witch made themselves comfortable for the first time in their official clubhouse.
Amity started on how she found this spot to begin with. Instead of using their time at the library to study abominations, they just talked about Azura and what's to come in the series. Amity kept saying how she's been looking for the 5th book but has had no success.
Luz was excited to start the second book, so she started to read it aloud and act it out. Amity watched her facial expressions change, reading every word, pronouncing every syllable. Of course, she already knows what happens, but she just loves to watch Luz go through the same thing she went through a couple of years back.
The girls talked for a while until Steve texted Luz it was time to go home. For some reason, the two girls had trouble parting ways. It was more difficult than usual, and it won't get any easier.
"See ya tomorrow Mittens, the most powerful, talented witch!" Luz says while bowing towards Amity.
"Ha. Ok that's going to get old really quick isn't it." Amity now rolling her eyes, handing Luz the second book. "I'll see you around, human." Blushing, Amity stands in her hideaway, scared and confused for her newfound feelings towards the human girl.
*****
I had a lot of trouble writing this so... yeah... that's my message... ;)
Cough cough... next chapter... cough cough... major character shows up... >:)