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It all started a Friday morning at the Blight Manor.
Amity had woken up, brushed her teeth, brushed her hair, tied her bangs that were falling in front of her face in the classic ponytail, and changed her clothes to her Hexside uniform. All before Edric and Emira even left their room.
As Amity went down the stairs, looking through her penstagram pics, she heard the soft steps of her mother’s heels on the wooden floor of the living room. Immediately, she closed her penstagram and straightened her back.
Surely enough, the moment Mrs. Blight noticed Amity’s presence, Amity heard the steps of the heels coming in her direction. Amity felt her throat going dry.
“Amity” her mother’s cold voice pierced the young witch’s mind. She turned to face her mother.
“Good morning, mother.”
“What is that I’m seeing?” Odalia fixated her gaze on Amity’s face.
“Is there something on my face…?”
“No dear,” Odalia approached Amity and untied the ponytail holding her bangs, “Your brown hair is growing.”
“Oh,” Amity said stealing a glance at herself on the mirror on the wall, “I guess it is.”
“Are you running out of the green dye, Amity?”
“N-No. I guess I’ve been busy to even notice that.”
“But darling,” Odalia said, kneeling to be at Amity’s height and brushing the bangs off her face, “You know that your mom really likes color coordination.”
“I know, but mom-” Odalia glared at her, and Amity gulped, “Mother, don’t you think I’m old enough to decide if I want to dye it?”
“Of course not, sweetheart,” Odalia took Amity by her chin, “You do know what I always say, right?” Amity repressed the urge to sigh sadly.
“Mother knows best.”
“Mother knows best! That’s right!” She patted Amity in her head before getting up from the floor and putting the hair tie in Amity’s hands. “Think about dyeing it this weekend. Am I clear?”
“Yes, mother.”
“Good, now go have breakfast and wait for Edric and Emira.” The older witch turned around, not paying attention to Amity who had just tied her hair again, a sad smile on her face.
As Edric and Emira went down the stairs, Amity was already done with her breakfast.
As they left the house, Amity refused to look in the mirror of the living room.
Today was going to be a long day.
~
“Hey, Amity!”
Amity straightened her posture as she heard Luz call her during the recess between the second and third class. She had just exited the Beast Keeping Class by the way her hair was messy and with a few feathers. But even like that, she looked adorable.
“Hi Luz,” Amity said, hoping her tone wouldn’t be too depressive, “You- you have some feathers on your hair.”
“Oh! Yeah, I had a rough time with a griffin,” She shook her head and lazily set her short hair into place, “But speaking of hair, did you do something to yours?”
Amity flushed and felt a surge to pull her cloak up her head and cover her hair.
“N-No. It’s just growing and I haven’t been able to dye it back to green,” She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, “I’m gonna dye it back this weekend, don’t worry about it.”
“If I’m being honest, I kinda like it!” Amity felt her face heating up as Luz smiled at her brightly, “when did you start dyeing it?”
Amity crossed her arms and closed her eyes as she searched for the answer.
“I think it was 3 years ago.”
“Your parents let you dye your hair when you were 11?” Luz's eyes were wide like 2 plates.
“Actually,” Amity mentally braced herself, “It was my mom’s idea to dye my hair green.”
“Really? But why?”
“My mom has always been very nitpicky with things and that includes hair colors of her children, apparently.” Amity felt her throat closing as the memories of the time her mom hired a professional to dye her hair and didn’t even ask for her opinion on the matter.
“Amity, that’s horrible…” Luz interjected, a sad expression her face.
“I-It’s fine!” she lied, “I’m used to it by now.”
“Even though you’re used to it, that doesn’t mean it’s okay, Amity.” Luz took Amity’s hands, holding held them and Amity felt her face heating up intensively, “Look, I know my opinion may not matter to you but I think it’s time your mom receives a reality shock. You’re not the girl that was forced to agree on that anymore. You’re a stronger witch!” Luz's smile grew, “You defeated Grom! You were able to go back to play Grudgby and defeated the Banshees!”
“Actually-” Amity opened her mouth but Luz interrupted her.
“No, the Rusty Smidge is a dumb rule and it’s not fair in my book.” Amity stayed quiet and Luz cleared her throat and continued her speech, “The important thing is: you’re strong Amity. And your mom can’t hold you just because she’s nitpicky with colors.” Luz squeezed her hands firmly.
“But my mom, she says she knows best-”
“Sometimes even moms can get things wrong. I mean, mine thought I would be way better at a boring summer camp in the human world where I would learn taxes and boring adult things. But I’m way better here! I met wonderful people, like Eda, King, Willow, Gus, and you.” Luz’s eyes were shining, “If you’d like to, I can help you with dyeing it back!”
Amity felt her heart flutter at Luz’s words.
“I-I’ll think about it.” Amity let go of Luz’s hands as she heard the bell for her next class.
As the classes went by, Luz’s words stuck in Amity's head as she avoided looking at any reflective surface.
~
“Luz!” Amity’s voice reached Luz's ears as she went down Hexside’s stairs on the main entrance.
Luz stopped on her tracks and turned around to look at Amity.amity went down the steps carefully not to trip on her own feet.
“Can we… talk?”
“Sure!” What’s up?” Amity crossed her arms on chest, keeping her books secure from falling.
“I’ve put some thought on what you said and… I’m down.”
“What?”
“I’m down to going back to being a brunette.” Amity said confidently, a small smile on her lips.
“Oh my gosh! Really?” Luz’s brown eyes glistened like the light spells she did.
“Yes. I think you’re right. I need to set things right with my mom. Show that she can’t control my feelings and-”
Amity’s next words were dismissed by Luz hugging her tightly. Once again, the witch felt her heart beating fast.
“This is awesome Amity!” She said letting go of Amity and putting her hands on her shoulders, “I have some experience with dyeing hair!”
“Did you ever dye yours?” Amity asked, not being able to see Luz with any color of hair except the chocolate brown.
“I mean, I wanted for a while to maybe paint it pink or blue, maybe purple but never got around doing it. Though I did use to help my mamá to dye her white hairs, so I think the process is very similar to yours.”
Minutes went by and they had agreed to meet at the Owl House after Lunch so Luz could have some time to prepare they would need.
As Amity went home, she didn’t bother about Edric and Emira’s antics. All she felt was her heart soaring at the thought that she had finally found someone who cared about her.
~
“Ok!” Luz said as she let Amity in the bathroom of The Owl House, “I did some sorting in the market and bought the closest dye to your original hair.” She shook the small box that was on the sink, “Also, when I go home, I will definitely taking some of these magic bleachy-things” she shook the flask with the glossy white liquid Amity recognized at the one she used to bleach her hair.
“Don’t you have those in the human realm?”
“Not really, we have one but it smells real bad.” Luz said as she opened the cabinet under the sink and grabbing an old and used towel.
She patted the closed toilet as Amity put her purse on the top of the sink.
As Luz wrapped the towel around her shoulders and carefully untied her hair, letting her crazy bangs fall on her face, Amity had to refrain from blushing from their proximity.
“Hey, relax your shoulders Amity. I promise I’m not going to ruin this.” Luz said as she delicately scratched her fingers through Amity’s hair as she applied the color remover. Amity let out a relaxed sigh at the soothing massage on her scalp.
Time passed as Luz and Amity spend their time, just talking and listening to music in the human’s room. Amity couldn’t deny even if she wanted that when Luz grabbed her hand to dance to some pop human music, she felt her heart race. Their dancing was interrupted by Luz’s timer saying that it was time to apply the dye on Amity’s hair.
At that point, Amity was way more relaxed and confident to have Luz close to her, being able to support the heat on her cheeks every time Luz made sure Amity was okay and distracted her with her jokes and silly talks.
~
As Amity washed the excess of the dye away, she felt her throat close.
Was she really doing this? What would happen if her mother decided that this meant she could no longer do what she liked? What if-
No.
She shook her head and wrapped her hair in the towel. She wasn’t going to let her mother dictate her life anymore. Maybe she would lose some things at first, but it was worth it if she could show her mother that she wasn’t a helpless child she could toy with.
As Amity sat on the end of Luz's sleeping bag, Luz got up from the window seat and approached a small chest on the corner of the room.
“What are you looking for?” Amity inquired, tilting her head slightly.
“I’m looking for my hairbrush!” Luz said, stopping her rummaging and looking back at Amity before starting again, “I want to brush your hair before you see the final result.”
“Luz, you don’t need to do that! You already did so much.”
“Oh don’t be silly! Today was really fun! I really like hanging out with you, y’know.” Luz said and Amity was glad she was still busy looking inside the chest or otherwise she would’ve noticed the clear blush on the witch’s face, “Aha! Found you!” Luz spoke to the hairbrush in her hand.
She closed the chest behind her and approached Amity from behind, unwrapping the towel and letting Amity’s almost dry hair frame her face
Amity relaxed as the hairbrush settle her strands into place. She felt her bangs being pulled back into her usual ponytail.
“Ok! Now, close your eyes!” Amity complied, “Now, open!”
As Amity fluttered her eyes open, she was staring at the reflection of her in a small hand mirror, but there was no sign of the usual green. She felt like she was staring at a picture of her from years ago.
“So… what do you think?” Luz asked, smiling from behind Amity.
Amity ran her fingers through her hair as if she was still assimilating things.
“I… I really like it.” She felt the words go out as natural as breathing.
“Well, I do too.” Luz said lowering the mirror and coming up from behind her and sitting by her side, “It feels like I’m seeing the real you.”
Amity couldn’t handle anymore and she hugged Luz tightly, burying her face in her neck as Luz stifled a little.
“Thank you, Luz.”
“Uh- De nada- I mean, you’re welcome.”
As Amity walked home, she felt her confidence growing.
She could absolutely do this.