Chapter Text
Luz detested the rain - every encounter with the element assuring the appearance of negativity in her day. It must have been pure happenstance, a coincidence. Though that didn't stop said coincidence from making Luz's day a shitshow. Combining that with the seemingly never ending monotony of the bus journey to school, Luz knew she was going to have a crap day. Even her childish innocence and outspoken mannerisms couldn't inject any form of fun or motivation into dealing with the brazenly brewing storm.
The Noceda family of three gathered around the TV earlier in the morning - expecting to receive conformation regarding the closure of Connecticut's schools. You'd think that they'd shut down for the sake of keeping their students and staff safe, but no. Luz made it obvious that she didn't share her concerned opinions on the dangers of brutally battering rainstorm bullets with the fat cat, elderly state executives for education that were most likely too out of touch with the rest of society to run the education sector in a way that suited everyone - though endlessly complaining to her mom and sister wouldn't have gotten Luz anywhere besides eventually pissing them off.
So, there they were. Luz and Vee on a dingy, disgusting bus... heading to school...
The twins would always secure a seat next to eachother, though usually their interactions would be limited. Vee was a lot more reserved and laid back - a vast difference compared to Luz's sometimes rudely energetic attitude (and other times, her quieter and shyer repose). She'd usually indulge in some sort of fiction via her unsurprisingly bland, black cased phone - Luz's of course differing due to the midnight purple covering adorning bat wings and stickers of fantasy icons all over. Well, at least that was something they both had in common - their shared love for fantasy and more specifically for 'The Good Witch Azura'. Luz glanced down to Vee's phone - the screen's light layering their faces in a white, eye straining glow.
'Yep, Azura fan fic.' She noted to herself - internally squeeing due to the nature of the work being heavily based around romance.
Whilst Vee had been able to phase out the relentless tedium, Luz's ADHD took charge - her eyes scanning the bus to locate anything interesting, only to uncover diddly squat. She started to fiddle with the hem of her top - not necessarily the greatest use of her time (but anything to satiate her need for something interesting to happen I suppose). Luz ultimately relented from pulling out her phone - following in her younger sister's footsteps and engaging in her favourite artform. There wasn't really any point, they'd be at school in a matter of mere minutes, and she wouldn't be able to concentrate without some incredibly mind boggling plot twist taking precedence over some menial calculations to be worked through in Math class - Luz's first period of the seemingly endless abyss that this day was shaping up to be.
The bus continued to roll ever closer the place that Luz had crowned the winner of the 'Most boring or insulting place to be' award. She loathed a lot about society - her body always developing a pang of pain and anxiousness when the morning of a school day rolled around (that same awful feeling of anxiety cropping up even when interacting with complete strangers in public). Whether it was down to her grades being okay at best; her social insecurities grasping at her mind and destroying her confidence, or the straight up bullying - she would rather be anywhere else, doing anything else.
Plus, Luz didn't have many interests when it came to classes besides Art class - everyday mostly being a boredom fest of no one to talk to besides Vee...
Vee might have been the younger sister, but she was definitely the most confident publicly. Though, she'd always lean into Luz's warmth whilst seated together - the same occurring when the pair strolled side by side together. Vee would always try to rest on her slightly older (and slightly taller) sister's shoulder - Luz obliging by leaning into and enjoying the warmth that they both shared in tandem (Vee may have been leagues above Luz on the 'Confidenceometer', but she definitely had a more mellow side to her general personality - most noticeable via her quieter temperament when with either their mom or Luz).
So of course this is what they did when the mind achingly lengthy bus journey concluded - walking together, clutching each other's hands as they approached the building most prominent in Luz's nightmares...
It had always amazed Luz that her sister had been able to do better socially than she ever had - considering that Vee was so calmed and even innocent compared to most people. But she had some friends - friends that Luz wasn't initially too fond of. Gus Porter and Willow Park - a good suite of pals for Vee, but Luz never really enjoyed their company. She'd always stay to her sister's side if she ever hung out with them - because besides the library granting her the hushed and peaceful atmosphere that she normally craved just as much as the thrill and excitement of partaking in something fun, she didn't have anywhere else to go. No one else to hang out with, no one else to confide in.
Luz and Vee (like many of the other students) rushed in from the torrential downpour battering the state - droplets of water stained into their coats and their hair now dampened.
"Right, I've got Science." Vee mentioned - her voice somewhat coarse like it usually was, slightly raising herself to peck her sister on the cheek (even though it wasn't necessary). "See you later." Luz waved Vee off as they departed - wandering into different sections of the school as they lent eachother a smile. That dreadful build-up of anxiety hit Luz's stomach full force now, seeing that a certain someone and her group of assholes were now stationed directly outside of the entrance to her first class.
Boscha, calling her an asshole would be a major understatement. She'd bullied Luz since the beginning of their time at high school. At least Luz wasn't alone in that regard though, Boscha picked on plenty of people - though being happy that she wasn't the only person who Boscha fucked with was a feeling that made Luz feel sick in hindsight.
Thankfully, classes would begin to open up - Luz heading into the room of her first lesson after a brief pause to let more students funnel in beforehand. She'd do anything to assure that Boscha and her flock of jerks wouldn't notice her...
"Today a few new students will be joining us." Principal Hal started. "It should be abundantly clear to all of you by now that we don't tolerate bullying here!"
'Bullshit.' Luz mentally mouthed to herself - they couldn't care less. Seeing Luz's mother had taken time off work to attend to her being sent to the Principal's office more times than she could count, the bullying that had most likely caused her to be forced to said office had been brought up by both Camilla and her daughter - but to no avail, nothing would be accomplished. Even after Camilla marched a warpath against the school, fighting tooth and nail for her daughter to be treated equally - they wouldn't stoop to reluctantly punishing any students who's parents could counter a claim of criticism with a hefty slander lawsuit.
And so the lesson began. Light bantering ensued after Hal's meaningless rattling ceased - Luz being one of the final few to remain in absolute solitude. Today they were revising fractions - a topic Luz could barely wrap a fraction of her brain around. Math was far from her strongest subject, but she normally didn't do to much of a bad job at it.
First period was boring to say the least, but that would all change at the end of the hour. The teacher let the class go really late, with everyone (including Luz) rushing to pack away their books and equipment. As this occurred, Luz's current worst fear quite literally struck her from behind. Boscha purposefully smashed into Luz's back - knocking Luz's books from her grasp.
"Ha, watch it shit-for-brains!" Boscha derided, leaving Luz to pick up her fallen property - giggling as she left the class. The worst part about it? She saw Luz's reaction - a reaction brimming with malice and rage. Luz's fists were clenched, her face had shot a sharp rose red. She wasn't necessarily a ticking time bomb, but not getting emotional was something Luz always had to struggle with every time that bitch mocked and bullied her (or if anyone did for that matter).
Thankfully, this event was yet another where her infinite rage subsided. Luz hastily piled her possessions into her yellow bag - speedily waltzing to the door, closing it behind her as not to piss off the teacher. Seeing Boscha calmly strutting down the hallway was enough to ignite Luz's blood, with it's temperature hitting boiling point in a matter of seconds.
Second lesson of the day, Science. Biology wasn't necessarily her forte, but Luz found it much more entertaining than Chemistry - that class normally dragging her mind and body sluggishly and painfully through an hour of complete and utter mind-fuckery. Though Luz had always compared Chemistry to the likes of the magic slinging spells of fantasy. Well, they were completely different (with the age old online battle occurring between magic fans and science followers popping up in the forefront of her mind). But the comparison was a lot more interesting to ponder upon than what Mrs. Pinechalker was spewing from her elderly, withered mouth - continuing to croak on about chemical bonding or some shit.
Period 2 concluded - with the day's Recess causing a majority of the school's students to hang around in the halls. The storm continued to absolutely batter the state, so a majority of the hallways throughout the entire school were more populated than usual. Though to Luz's surprise, Vee joined her in the library today - with Gus and Willow following in her footsteps.
Whilst the other two bickered and bantered amongst eachother, Vee viewed it as appropriate to use Luz as a sentient pillow (as per usual). Though Luz did like the attention, especially when it came from the heart of someone she adored to bits. She loved Vee, she meant a lot to her (probably a lot more than what most siblings thought of eachother).
Luz tucked into a ham sandwich packed by her mom. Not the most scrumptious meal she had ever consumed, but it sat right in her stomach - fulfilling her rage induced hunger from earlier. Though something caught Luz off guard, specifically regarding Vee. She just seemed... out of it. A strong pallet of fatigue drenched Vee's face - the girl not bothering to participate in the discussion that Willow and Gus were locked into. It didn't irk Luz that much, she seemingly shared a similar onset of drowsiness - manipulating her body into slugging around at a snail's pace. Both girls stayed up a little later than usual, so nothing seemed amiss to Luz thus far.
Recess ended, and to Luz's delight, she was joined by Vee for History (seeing that she'd just moved to Luz's set recently). Mr. Hilditch had them revising some topics for World War 2 since they had some tests coming up in the following weeks. The hour was lengthy and hushed, with a few students speaking up only to ask for advice. Luz again witnessed an overbearing lethargy in Vee's eyes - bloodshot bolts traveling through to her pupils, her sister struggling to concentrate as her pen would begin to scribble off to the sides of her book. What was up with Vee?
The lesson neared it's end. Hilditch was strict, but fair and rewarding. He granted the class a few minutes to talk before ushering them out of the historically themed room. Vee continued to endlessly rub her eyes - yawning into her palms as she hoisted her backpack upon her shoulders.
"Having a rough day sis?" Luz concerningly questioned - shooting Vee a worried look, hoping that nothing serious had occurred.
"Nah I'm alright. It's just... I had a nightmare last night, didn't get much sleep - that's all." Vee mustered, letting out a lengthy yawn afterwards. Though Vee's answer was seemingly off to Luz. She never normally brought up nightmares, in fact Luz couldn't remember the last time she did. Luz's morbid curiosity began to swirl over her mind. What actually happened to Vee? Did someone hurt her? She needed to know.
"You sure? 'Cause you don't normally mention nightmares." Luz continued - worried and reluctantly assuming the worst. "I mean, we were both tired this morning, but you perked up once we got here."
"Yeah I'm fine. I'm okay, thanks." Vee swiftly muttered, darting her glance away from Luz. Yep, something was definitely amiss. Vee never normally acted like this, not at least around Luz. Whatever had happened, it wasn't good - a fear of dread continuing to blanket Luz's body and mind. Who did what to Vee? Why did they do it? What was Luz gonna do when they saw them? "Could we just... I don't wanna talk about it."
"Vee." Luz mouthed with the volume of a mouse - raising her hand and placing it on Vee's shoulder, calmly squeezing as to comfort her. "Is there something wrong sis? You know you can tell me." The discussion between both sisters halted for a brief moment. Then, Vee answered.
"Okay, I didn't want to tell you because I knew you'd probably overreact." Vee began, a soft tremble caught to her coarse tone of speech. "But... Boscha was picking on me and Gus earlier and..."
"What?" There was that feeling again, that feeling of riveting rage and a lust for revenge. How dare she fuck with Vee! No no no no this wasn't going to stand! She'd always targeted Luz, that was good enough a reason to detest her guts. But now she'd really fucked up! "You should have told me Vee. Did it happen before Recess?"
"Yeah. Luz look, please don't go and start-"
"No, I'm not letting her do anything to you." Luz's heartfelt monologue had begun. "If she ever comes near you again, you need to tell me and mom. Got it?"
"Yes, but Luz... just calm down, please." Vee pleaded, her sister abiding by her request. Luz began to calm herself - composing her body language and readying herself for the end of the lesson. Luckily, no one dedicated anytime towards paying attention to what Luz and Vee were discussing (+1 for Luz's social insecurities I guess).
"I know, I'm sorry." Luz begrudgingly, but heartfeltly apologized. Vee drove her head into Luz's chest afterwards, locking her arms around her sister. "That asshole has done so much to be over the years, I just don't want you to get caught up in it - sabes que me preocupo por ti Vee."
"I know... thank you." She mumbled into the fabric of Luz's top. Luz was humbled, softly stroking her sister's hair as she planted a kiss on her forehead. Luz thought that conforming to the general idea of being a protective and caring bigger sibling was dumb. Though even if she was the older sister (only by a few minutes), she'd do anything to protect Vee - even if that meant getting herself into a mountains worth of trouble. It didn't matter if she was older or not, she'd protect Vee no matter what. She'd do it because she meant the world to her. "You're right, she is a major jerk." Even Vee's attempt at an insult (which got a chuckle out of Luz) wasn't full force - her politeness and calm temperament converting every one of her words into comfy pillows instead of sharpened rocks.
Thankfully, the trend of Vee and Luz sharing their lessons continued into Period 4 - both girls being in the same set for English, Willow also joining the sisters. Unfortunately, Boscha and her cronies would be present. Though besides a few odd glances passed between herself and Luz, Boscha stayed clear of the twins.
Though that would all change at Lunch...
The storm had begun to subside, the school's faculty allowing for the students to utilize the outside areas. Luz; Vee, and Willow occupied a small, white gazebo placed near the P.E block. Though the warring weather left everything outside drenched beyond drying in a reasonable amount of time, that wasn't gonna stop the group from hanging out in their favourite place to... well, hangout.
The paths around were generally crowded, but no one ever utilised the gazebo. Gus had caught up with the girls after traveling from the other side of the school. For a place that had just recently survived through a torrential storm, the weather had changed drastically. The beaming, midday sun lit up every blade of grass it graced. The winds had calmed - slowing to soft, gentile breaths. However, the general themes of conflict and prejudice imposed via the storm's presence wouldn't subside - not yet at least. Boscha and her goons were marching straight towards the gazebo - their leader donning her pink jock jacket, proudly and boastfully wearing her role as the rugby team leader.
The group stepped up onto the small platform - blocking the entrance and surrounding their targets...
"Hey assholes..." The pink-haired menace started slyly. "So... what are you four morons up to, huh?" All Luz could do is stand; fists clenched, gazing directly into the soul of that malevolent fucking asshole - wanting nothing more than to swing a few punches at her. But what would be the point? She'd get into serious trouble over it, and Luz was weak - her lanky, nerd arms probably wouldn't even be capable of leaving a mark if flung flamboyantly.
"That's not really any of your business, Boscha." Gus stated, Boscha readying herself to mock his smaller height.
"Awe! Does little Augustus want to speak up? I'm sorry, you're way too small for any of us to hear you!" She scorned, tapping Gus on the nose - infuriating Willow.
"Don't... touch... him!" Willow barked back, but to no avail. Boscha continued.
"Alright chubby, don't get your panties in a twist."
Vee stepped forward, shielding both of her friends.
"Look, I don't know why you have a problem with us. Why are you-" Vee started - her voice rough with a building anger toning her every word. Boscha continued anyways - cutting Vee off mid sentence.
"I honestly couldn't give two shits." The jock informed, giggling like a witch afterwards.
"And besides, didn't we tell you to fuck off earlier?" Cat questioned, back straightened and arms crossed next to their pack's leader.
"Oh yeah! Get fucked Vee! I've already had enough of your-"
"Don't you dare talk to her like that!" Luz stepped in, shoving Vee behind her - facing Boscha in a daring one on one.
"And look who's decided to grow a pair." Boscha taunted - shooting Luz a sharp smirk. "So what are you gonna do then fuck-face? Are you gonna get mommy to come to the school again?" She continued, slurring her words as to mock Luz. Though all Luz could do was continue to oppose her physically. She had never got this far with standing up to Boscha, not ever. What would she say next? What would she do? She had never planned this far, neither had she dreamed of being able to successfully do more than just a dent to Boscha (mentally, or physically) - giving that cow the comeuppance she rightfully deserved.
"Oh, and that reminds me! We've only ever heard from your wormy, little mother. Where's your dad?" Boscha asked vindictively. Vee began to feel nuscious after she hastefully comprehended the wickedness of Boscha's sickeningly evil question. She didn't know how she was able to compose herself after that moment - wanting only to collapse into someone's shoulders in order to cry and vent her feelings, something Vee hadn't needed to do in quite a long time. But Luz? That was it! That was her breaking point! All the years of Boscha's tormenting had finally caused her to snap! First it was her, then she brought Vee and their mom into it... and then... their dad? That was it! That was fucking it!
"Where is he at then? Unless your mom is a lesbo like Wallowing-Bitch-Willow's dads over here, two dads huh? What a freak! Unless... hmm... he left you two and your mom, didn't he? Oh that is sad... or maybe... he's dead? Uh, well I guess that was a teensy bit too far... eh, I don't know... I don't care either, but either way I-"
*THWACK*
Luz's fist struck Boscha's detestable mug with the force of a thousand Samurai warriors! The jock flew backwards out of the gazebo, straight over the three stairs that lead up to the platform that the teens stood on. A loud thud could be heard as Boscha slammed into the dirt ground below - her friends jumping down to see if she was alright. Blood began to guzzle from her nose - drenching her neck as well as her coral coloured jacket, with her face covered in a scarlet paint.
To say Luz played her cards right was... a somewhat appropriate statement. She felt fucking amazing, but her mind and body was imbued with years of built up rage - unleashed now via a hefty blow to Boscha's fucking ugly, piece of shit face! Fuck you Boscha! Fuck you! If it wasn't for Vee (now tearing up) holding her back, Luz would have jumped down onto Boscha in order to smash her foot onto Boscha's face - kicking every one of her fucking ugly teeth in. Either way, that fucking rodent got what she deserved!
"You don't ever fuck with me or Vee again, fucking perra estupida!" Luz roared, fighting against her sister's grasp - wanting only to cause as much agony to Boscha as physically possible...
Luz had calmed, with thoughts of Boscha's utter destruction now lingering on her currently unstable mind. But that didn't change the fact that she was now forcefully sat outside Principal Hal's office... alone... in a quiet hallway. At least everyone went to their classes beforehand - the odd one or two people strolling by instead of the whole dang school flooding past her, mocking her like a majority of the times previously.
Luz's attention had flared, with her glance darting down to the seemingly interesting specks of dust and dirt coating the ground beneath her white shoes. Her hands grasped at the sides of the needlessly uncomfortable chair that she had been told to wait on - pulling on the plastic parts on the side of said chair, feeling like they'd snap off from it's metal frame. Luz's heart was in overdrive - her body felt weak and hollow, like she had survived a recent trauma on a scale of devastating proportions. Her mind had locked down - only thinking about whether Vee was okay, as well as the phrases of loathing and jeering that Boscha had shot at her and Vee. How that piece of shit mentioned her dad - that bitch had no clue about Luz and Vee's father.
And that sent her into a crying frenzy - arching her back down to her lap and crying into her arms. She just needed her mom to be here, to tell her that everything was going to be alright whilst she embraced her daughter. Soon, Camilla would turn up - once again leaving work to attend to yet another situation at the school. Though this time (unbeknownst to Luz), she'd be escalating this to the heavens.
Until then, Luz sat in bitter hatred - endlessly sobbing into her arms and tights. She just wanted this to be over. She just wanted to go home and cry the night away in her mother's arms. But funnily enough, something else would occur before then.
Something far more interesting...
Luz slightly tilted her head out of her lap in response to hearing a rapid onslaught of light footsteps - tears continuing to stream interminably down her cheeks. When she did, her gaze was met with a stroppy girl who had taken the seat after the one in-between herself and Luz. She crossed her legs and arms - sighing to herself whilst swishing her luscious; lengthy, minty green hair away from her face. She leaned back and closed her eyes, allowing Luz a moment to observe the girl.
Her wrists donned spikey gauntlets (the first signs to Luz that she was probably a bit of an outsider, like herself), and a somewhat desaturated, rosy pink short dress - stylised to have small little white bumps at the hem. Luz had no clue who she was - but this girl; with her silky white skin, messy but fluffy looking hair with brown roots and a loose tie at the back, deck shoes that matched Luz's own pair (besides the pink tint), thick tights that fit the same hue as her big black earrings and perfectly painted nails. An interesting getup in Luz's own opinion, but these thoughts only distracted her from the straining mental trial that she was currently struggling to heave herself through.
Luz's head returned to her lap, slightly calmed now but still not wanting to view the outside world... not until her mama arrived...
"Bad day huh?" The girl next to her asked - donning an accent that mixed a posh, British tone with Luz's own Eastern American accent (well, a part of her own accent - the other girl obviously not sharing the Dominican portion that Luz had pulled from her family's heritage). It took Luz a few moments to peer past her legs again in order to present her barely worded answer, but why would this girl want to talk to Luz of all people?
"Yeah, I guess." Luz sighed, slowly stating her words whilst her voice croaked and broke - the sentence she spoke trembling with every word.
"Huh... well if it makes you feel better, I told a guy that he should kill himself because he called me a slut for having dyed hair." She confidently admitted.
"Really?" Luz replied, almost astonished that the girl had no issue committing to the act she was describing.
"Mhm, my first day in this shithole and I'm already making a name for myself I guess."
"Wait... you're one of the new people?" Luz timidly asked - now beginning to become engaged in their little conversation and a lot more calmed compared to how she was mere minutes before.
"Yup! And If you wanna find out about my timid alter ego, then you've gotta befriend me! But I'm joking, I probably don't... I don't have a softer side... I don't even know why I said that." The girl jokingly conversed, completely failing at interacting with Luz - scratching the back of her head whilst glancing away from the girl that sat opposite, obviously cringing at her awful attempt to interact with another human.
"Well, I think you're as quirky as I am!" Luz noted, now a lot more lively and upbeat compared to just a few seconds before - her face still red and tears continuing to lightly spawn at the edges of her strained eyes, slowly trickling down her face.
"No I'm not!"
"Yeah you are! C'mon, everyone's got a sweeter side. Even cool people, like you!" Luz vocally prodded, internally dying after realising what she said in hindsight - also causing the green-haired girl to faintly blush, darting her eyes away and unleashing a lengthy sigh.
"Alright, maybe I'm not as hot headed as my reasonings for having to sit here might lead you to believe." She admitted, finally offering a sweet little smile to Luz. After a brief pause, she spoke again. "And okay, maybe I'm not as cool as you think."
"You sure? Your dress is neat. Oh! And your hair! I've been wanting to grow mine out for a while now." Luz declared, pushing some of her loose hair behind her ears - giggling after her words had finished; leaving in place a cheesy, child-like smile. Her new acquaintance let out a small chuckle in response.
"Well, you seem pretty cool yourself."
"Mmmm... I mean, not really." Luz regrettably admitted, physically sulking back into her chair - sighing out a gloomy breath of despair as her mood dive bombed dramatically, once again.
"I can tell you haven't had the best day - neither have I, to be frank."
"And I'm sorry they've forced you to put up with me." Luz apologised. "You... you don't need me here... making your day even worse."
"Wait, what are you talking about?"
"I'm a mess. You've got your own problems to worry about and..." Luz started, before being interrupted by the other girl.
"But, you're probably the nicest person I've met here."
"So what? I'm not popular - nobody likes me." Luz responded, her feelings scrambled and her phrases regrettable... but she was telling the truth - Luz didn't want to lie to someone who hadn't wronged her.
"And? I don't care." The other girl admitted - brushing off Luz's remark as if it was meaningless.
"Wait... really?" Luz asked, timidly.
"Yeah, why would I? Pretty much everyone I've met here is a massive jerk."
"They... yeah, they kinda are."
"Actually, that's an understatement. They're fucking assholes!" The other girl stated, a truth that Luz herself was too afraid to say out loud. "But... you're different, I can tell."
"I... uh..." Luz mumbled confusingly.
"You're cool. Even though you've had a shit day, you've done more than a good job at cheering me up."
"Um... I... I have?" Luz queried intriguingly.
"You've talked to me like a genuine, decent, human being - wait, no you've done more than that! You haven't treated me like a... stupid, old shoe... or something, I don't know." The other girl ranted, causing Luz to chuckle. "But the point is, you've been nice to me. Most people aren't even capable of doing that, so... thank you."
Luz was befuddled, literally unable to muster the courage to speak out loud. All she could do was offer a quaint little smile, the other girl's face mirroring Luz's own.
"So... uh, you wanna be friends?"
'OH MY GOD SHE WANTS TO BE YOUR FRIEND? WHAT? HOLY SHIT! WOW! OKAY! UM... UHHHHHH... OKAY!' Every alarm sounded with a deafeningly loud claxon, Luz's mind being thrown asunder into the bin situated across the hall.
"Oh! Uh, yeah! Yes! Yes! Of course we should!" Luz's own excitement peaking at a height that she'd only ever hit a few times in her life. Whether it be at Christmas; or her birthday many a year ago when their mom was able to scrounge up some extra cash to buy Luz and Vee a (relatively) recently released video games console, it was rare to witness Luz in this excited of a state - even if she was normally quite an energetic person.
"Well, okay!" Was the somewhat shocked, but enthusiastic response that Luz received. "Right, so... I'm Amity, Amity Blight." The girl (her name revealed to be 'Amity') stuck out her hand to shake Luz's.
"Hi Amity, I'm-"
"Luz?" The girl's name was clearly stated by a familiar and safe voice, delivered in a soft and caring tone - Camilla was here.
"Mama?" Luz shot up from her chair - the gleeful discussion with Amity almost wiping her mind of the painful reason for why her mom had shown up in the first place. She hurried past Amity and stepped straight into her mother's warmth - Camilla embracing her daughter into a hug.
"Mi Angelita, are you okay?" Camilla asked, more than worried about her daughter's health due to the concerning words that Principal Hal shared over the phone.
"Lo siento mama! I didn't no what else to do and... and... I..." Luz finally felt safe via the warmth and embrace of her mom - her tears unable to be held back any longer.
"It's okay Luz, it's okay. It wasn't your fault querida." Camilla reminded to her daughter in an attempt to calm her. "I think we should sort out this awful bullying once and for all, yeah?"
"Thank you mama." Luz mumbled as both herself and Camilla headed for the door.
"Hey... Luz?" Amity asked - Luz and Camilla looking down to the girl seated next to them. "Good luck." She warmly stated, popping a thumb up afterwards.
"Thank you darling." Camilla spoke, grateful of the friendly gesture that the other girl shared. Though as she did, the door into the Principal's office swiftly opened.
"Ah, Mrs. Noceda... come in." Principal Hal sternly welcomed - the mirrored expressions of both Luz and Camilla offering feelings of not just anger and distraught, but disappointment and exhaustion...