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Amity curled inward on herself, her chest heavy and aching. It was so stupid to get upset. Odalia had always made it clear exactly how she felt about Amity. Amity was something to be used, and cast aside when she wasn’t useful. And Amity was very rarely useful.
It was Amity’s fault, really. She shouldn’t have even tried to see Odalia. Maybe it was because Dad had changed, making an effort for his kids. Or maybe it was because she had been around Luz and her friends for so long, and had found a great family. But whatever it was that had pushed Amity to seek out Odalia, she regretted it. The conversation replayed in her head over and over again.
Odalia had sat in a rather empty foyer of a small house on the outskirts of Bonesborough. Despite the fact she helped Belos, the newly founded Council was attempting to give people like her a chance to right their wrongs. Odalia was forced to help in the reconstruction of Bonesborough, but she was free otherwise.
Amity knocked on the front door of the townhouse. “Enter, Mittens,” Odalia’s voice rang out. Right, she was an oracle. Amity walked in, and took a seat opposite of Odalia. “To what do I owe the pleasure,” Odalia asked, a slight bite to her words.
“I wanted to see how you were doing,” Amity said, looking anywhere but her mother. She took in the minimal decor of the Townhouse, each item simple and having a practical use.
“Why, checking in on the mother you turned your back on? How sweet.” Odalia’s voice was dripping with venom, not even bothering with her mask. Amity’s chest was growing tight.What if- “Do not fear, I will not attack you. I am on a tight leash, attacking you or anyone else will only cause me more trouble,” Odalia said, rolling her eyes.
Right. “I’m sorry to bother you,” Amity said, standing to head for the door.
“Nothing new there,” Odalia said.
Amity knew what it was; it was a delicious morsel inside a Slitherbeast trap, waiting for her to reach in and snap the jaws shut on herself. Still, Amity took the bait. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Well, I spent my entire life trying to help you grow into the best possible witch you could be. But it seems you were destined to fail. Worthless; that’s what others called you. Still, a mother does try to do the best for their children. I hope one day you come to your senses, and leave that pathetic human. When you do, I will be waiting,” Odalia said.
“Don’t hold your breath,” Amity said, her vision becoming blurry as she stood.
Amity stormed to the door. As she slammed it shut, Odalia once again got the last word. “I won’t.”
Even now, laying alone in her bed, Amity’s chest ached. Odalia was a horrible, down right evil person. Amity knew that. She had never shown Amity she cared, not even once. Why bother visiting her?
Before Amity could continue down that rabbit hole, a knock sounded at the door. It was probably Em, checking in on her. But Amity couldn’t see her, not like this. Amity stayed silent, curled into a ball with the blankets pulled over her head. Tears were streaming down her face again. Titan, when would she stop crying?
Amity heard her bedroom door creak open, and soft footsteps carefully approach her bed. She was sure they could hear how pathetic she was, Amity unable to mute her sniffling as the tears continued falling. The bed dipped, and a hand began to stroke Amity’s back through the blanket. Em must be trying to comfort her. But when the intruder began to hum, Amity knew it wasn’t Em.
Amity threw the covers back to find her girlfriend, Luz Noceda, sitting next to her, a sad smile on her face. “Hey, you,” Luz greeted, softly caressing Amity’s cheek.
Amity couldn’t stop herself as she threw her arms around Luz, holding onto her like a rock in an ocean of despair; if her grip loosened, she may be lost in the waters forever. Luz returned the embrace, shushing Amity’s sobs as she rubbed Amity’s hair.
“I’ve got you, Sweet Potato,” Luz whispered. She held Amity, shushing her quietly as Amity cried. It felt like hours passed by, but in reality it was probably just a few minutes before Amity’s breathing began to even out, the sobs dissipating.
Luz maneuvered them so that they were both under the blankets, with Amity in her lap, never letting go of her girlfriend. Amity pulled back enough she could peer up at her girlfriend’s face. “There’s my girl,” Luz said, giving Amity a genuine smile.
Amity blushed, nuzzling back into Luz’s neck. The human giggled, laying her head on top of the witch’s. “I’m not going to push, but I’m here whenever you want to talk,” Luz said. Amity hummed her acknowledgement, staying in the safety and warmth of Luz’s neck.
“I saw Odalia today,” Amity said, her voice hoarse from the crying. She could feel Luz’s body tense, but the human waited. “I, uh, I guess I thought it would go different.”
“I’m sorry,” Luz said. “Whatever she told you, it’s not true. She may spout her lies and spew her poison, but she will never lay a hand on you, my fair maiden!” Luz announced, her arm shooting up in defiance, as if she were brandishing a sword. For added flair, Stringbean hissed from where she was wrapped around Luz’s wrist.
Amity broke out into giggles. Once the moment past, the heaviness returned to Amity’s chest. Luz tightened her grip, as if she could feel the shift. “Snail for your thoughts?” She asked.
“I just feel so worthless,” Amity said. “Why wasn’t I ever good enough?”
Luz pulled the witch back, much to Amity’s dismay. But it was only so Luz could look into Amity’s eyes. “Hey,” Luz said, resting her forehead against Amity’s. “Never think those things of yourself. Odalia is evil, and she is wrong . You are the most amazing person I’ve met, and I’ve been to two worlds. That’s a lot of people, and you’re the awesomest of both,” Luz declared.
Amity giggled and rolled her eyes, but Luz wasn’t done. “I mean it,” she said. “No matter what Odalia says, or what the voices in your head say, you are amazing, kind, loyal, beautiful, and just so amazing. And I love you. Don’t forget that.”
“You said amazing twice,” Amity remarked.
“And I meant it twice,” Luz replied. Amity blushed, leaning in and kissing her girlfriend.
“Why’d you come over, anyway?” Amity asked.
“We were supposed to go out for ice scream, remember?” Luz said.
All the color drained from Amity’s face. “Luz, I’m so sorry, I got caught up with…”
“Hey, hey, it’s okay! I got worried, and I came to check on you! Now we can spend the rest of the day here, maybe watch a movie or something!” Luz said.
Amity frowned. “But you love ice scream.”
“Not as much as I love you,” Luz replied, making Amity’s ears burn again.
“Besides,” a voice said from the doorway, “ice scream is best eaten in bed.” Amity and Luz looked over to see Ed and Em in the door, holding a tray of ice scream. They entered, passing the tray to Luz before hugging their sister.
“Thank you,” Amity said, hugging them both tightly.
“We’ve got you, sis,” Ed said. Em nodded her agreement before the duo left again.
“So,” Luz said, “What movie do you wanna watch?”