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“You guys have a weird version of prom on the Boiling Isles? I was kicked out of my last school dance for dressing like an otter, but here, I can be your Grom Queen!”
“That’s, uh, not something people usually sign up for,” Willow stated. Amity came around the corner, staring at her books and a pink note, not noticing Luz in front of her, and bumped into her.
“Watch it nitwit!” Amity snapped before realizing who she bumped into. “Oh! Hi Luz...and co. Sorry about that.”
“No problem. Let me help you.” Luz helped Amity up to her feet. “Here, your note.” Amity quickly grabbed the note from Luz’s hand. “Man, you’ve got some quick grabbers.”
“It’s just it’s…private.” Just then, the intercom screeched on.
“Attention Hexside students. This is your principal speaking.” There were nervous chatters throughout the school. Amity looked particularly nervous. “This year, I have the privilege to bestow our highest Grom honor to…Luz Noceda!” There were gasps throughout the hall. Everyone looked at Luz. “Our Grom Queen!”
“It’s Luz?” One student asked.
“How did the human become Grom Queen?” Another student asked.
Willow and Gus looked upset, but Amity looked devastated.
“I’m Grom Queen?” Luz asked herself.
“Luz…” Willow tried to reassure.
“This is…the greatest day of my life!” Luz practically lept for joy. Everyone looked at Luz with confusion. “I’m finally gonna have a chance to show everyone what I’m made of. That I’m not such a dork. That I’m cool!”
Amity’s face fell. She was so close to asking Luz to the dance, but stupid luck had to ruin that for her too. She turned and began walking away.
“Hey Amity. Where are you going?” Luz asked. Amity stopped in her tracks.
“I just…need to be alone for a while,” she said without turning her head, and she continued walking.
Luz looked concerned. “I hope she’s ok.” Willow put her hand on Luz’s shoulder. Luz shook her head. “Anyways, I am so excited to be your guys’ Grom Queen!”
“Yeah…that’s not really a good thing,” Willow stated. Luz had a questioning look.
“Allow me to explain,” Gus volunteered. He spun a blue spell circle, showcasing his mastery of illusions. “So, every year Hexside throws a dance party to…commemorate the year, but also to stop Grom from escaping.”
“Who’s Grom?”
“Grometheus the Fear-bringer,” Willow answered.
“A monster that lives under the school,” Gus continued dramatically. “Every year it tries to break out and one student has to fight it.” The illusion Gus created disappeared.
“Ok. Doesn’t sound that bad.”
“Grom can also read minds and shape-shift into your worst fear,” Gus added nonchalantly.
“Oh.” Realization seemed to dawn on Luz. “Ohhhhhhhhh.”
“Yeah,” Willow said. “That’s why nobody ever wants to be Grom royalty.”
Luz shook her head and put on a confident face. “Well, I’m brave!” Luz defended herself. “I’ve fought so many monsters at this point, I can totally handle this,” Luz said with bravado. Willow and Gus looked at each other nervously. “Y…you don’t think I can do this, can you?”
“No, no…” the two said in unison. “We totally think you can do this,” Gus tried to reassure.
“It’s just, having your worst fear put in front of the whole school can be a lot for any person.”
“Well, you guys don’t have to worry about me. In fact, I’ll start my training right now!” Luz swiveled on her foot and began walking towards the gym. “Wish me luck!” she yelled as she waved goodbye. Willow and Gus waved back.
“She’s got this, right Willow?”
“I sure hope she does.”
Luz walked into the gym with confidence in her steps. As soon as she stepped in, however, realization again struck her. Luz sighed. “And here I was getting excited at getting overdressed, taking awkward photos, pushing all the buttons- wait, what?” Luz looked over and saw a black-and-red pedestal with a big red button. Luz smiled. “Well, hello. Don’t mind if I do.”
She clicked the button and the ground rumbled. The floor opened to an underground arena. Two walls holding weapons slid up from the floor on either side of her. “Woah.”
Just then, Luz heard something. It came from the opposite corner of the gym. Luz walked over to where she heard the sound. It grew louder the closer she got. She looked around the bleachers and saw…
“Amity?” Luz saw her curled up like she was at the Covention all those weeks ago. Amity was still clutching the pink note in her hand. Luz wasn’t sure, but she could’ve sworn she heard Amity crying. “Are you ok?”
Amity looked up, quickly tucked the note away and wiped her eyes. “Uh…” she sniffled, “no, not really.”
“Why? Does it have to do with that note?”
Amity sighed. “Kind of.” She stood up.
“Were you gonna…”
“Luz, I really don’t want to talk about it, ok?” Amity looked down at the ground. “I’m not in the mood to explain.”
Luz’s face fell. “Oh, sorry, Amity.” Amity lifted her eyes.
“It’s not your fault. Just, life kind of hates me right now.”
“Tell me about it,” Luz responded. The two stood there in awkward silence. Then an idea came to Luz.
“Hey Amity? Since this is my first school dance on the Boiling Isles, I have no idea what I’m supposed to do or how I’m supposed to fight Grom. Do…you think you can help me train?”
Amity was stunned. Luz was asking for her help. Luz. Asking her for help. Amity composed herself. “Yeah. I can help you train.”
“Sweet! Swing by the Owl House tomorrow morning then.”
Amity let up a small smile. “Ok.”
“It’s a date then! See you tomorrow!” Luz yelled as she ran out of the gym. Amity’s face turned bright red at that statement, however Luz didn’t notice.
Amity calmed herself down and quietly muttered “See you tomorrow,” to herself. Her frown came back as she pulled the note out again. She stared at it, moving her thumb across it, wondering what she would do.
“I’m home!” Luz yelled as she walked inside the Owl House. She heard Eda scream upstairs, so she walked up the stairs towards Eda’s room. She opened the door. “Guys?” Luz ducked her head as a pin went flying by.
“Careful with those pins,” Eda complained.
“Why am I doing this? I don’t even wear clothes!” King complained even more.
“Woah, nice suit Eda,” Luz complimented as she walked in. She took a seat on Eda’s nest. “What’s the occasion?”
“I’m chaperoning Grom tonight,” Eda gloated as she flipped her hair back, “so I have to look sharp.”
“And Gus asked me to co-emcee the fight!” King held up a poster of him and Gus. “We’re going to turn this blood-bath into a fun-bath!”
“Ooh! Have they announced the victim yet?”
Luz’s smile fell. “Yeah, it’s me. Hooray?”
Eda’s smile immediately faded. “You’re Grom queen?” Luz nervously nodded her head. “You need to switch.”
“I can do that?”
“Yes you can, and yes you will.” Eda began ushering Luz out the door as if she were taking her back to…no. Luz wasn’t going to do this.
“Hey! In case you forgot, I’ve been learning lots of new spells and have fought all kinds of monsters since I got here. I can totally handle this!”
“Kid, listen. Grom is entirely different from everything you’ve faced. Grom will expose your worst fear to everyone, and you’re a human. You’re…fragile.” Luz became visibly angry.
“I’m not as fragile as you think, Eda. I’ll show you. I’ll show everyone!” Luz slammed the door as she stormed out. Eda and King winced at the impact.
“Y’know, maybe you were too hard on her. She has learned a bunch of spells and has saved us from multiple monsters.”
Eda turned around and looked in the mirror. “Facing Grom means facing your worst fear, King, and I don’t think Luz realizes what that means yet.” Eda sighed. “I hope she knows what she’s doing.”
Luz walked out of the house and into the forest. She walked until night fell, still upset about her conversation with Eda.
“Fragile. Why does everyone think I can’t do this?” Just then, Luz heard footsteps and gasped. She picked up a stick. “Hello? Is anyone there?” She nervously shuffled towards where the sound came from. “I can do this. I can do this,” she reassured herself. She held up the branch and yelled, “LUZ CHOP! AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!”
She lunged forward and hit the source of the sound. However, Luz heard it say “Ow!” She activated a light glyph and revealed…
“Oh my gosh, Amity! I’m so sorry!” Luz held out her hand to help Amity out of the mud.
“And here I thought this day…Oop!” The two stood there staring at each other for a second. Amity broke away. “…couldn’t get any worse,” Amity pouted as she sat down on a tree stump. Luz plopped herself in the mud.
“So…how come you’re out here in the woods this late at night?” Luz asked. Amity looked at her pocket.
“Just…going for a walk. Needed to clear my head.”
“Are you feeling any better?”
Amity sighed. “Not really.” She fiddled her thumbs, debating whether or not she should ask Luz now. “I’ve been meaning to ask…” Amity panicked. “…someone, to the dance.” Amity was both relieved and disappointed she couldn’t get the question out. “But unfortunately, it’s not going to work out. At least, I don’t think it will.”
Luz laughed. “That’s a load of bologna!”
“Uh, a load of what now?”
“Not important. Point is, that’s silly, Amity. You’re the most popular girl in school. You could literally ask out anyone you wanted and they’d say yes. Anyone would be lucky to have you as a date.”
Amity’s cheeks noticeably reddened at the compliment. She turned her head so Luz couldn’t see. Luz, however, did notice.
“Oh, sorry. Did I say something wrong?”
“No!” Amity quickly responded. “It’s just…that…” Amity breathed in and out and calmed herself. “Thank you, Luz. That means a lot.”
“No problem!” Luz beamed. The two sat in silence, though not as awkward as this morning. “Say? Do you want to start some training?” Amity smiled.
“Sure. I’ll have to ask the twins to cover for me.”
“Great!”
Amity pulled out her scroll and asked the twins to cover for her, though she had to allow them to help her train Luz tomorrow. She would deal with that in the morning. For now, she focused on helping Luz train for her fight tomorrow night.
Luz and Amity trained throughout the night. How Luz didn’t get tired, Amity had no idea. Luz offered to have a sleepover in her room, but for the sake of her own sanity Amity declined and slept on the couch in the living room. It was easily the worst night she had ever slept, what with how uncomfortable the couch was and the nerves she had for the upcoming dance, but it was for the greater good she convinced herself.
Amity heard chatter outside the front door, and considering the time, she knew who it was. She opened the door and saw Hooty conversing with Edric and Emira. “Hey you three.”
“Morning Mittens,” Ed and Em said in unison.
“Oh boy, you’re up!” Hooty exclaimed, shoving his face into Amity’s. “Shall I go get Luz?”
Amity firmly pushed Hooty off of her. “Yes, please,” she said through gritted teeth, trying to keep her composure.
“OK!” Hooty excitedly responded as he snaked his head(?) up towards Luz’s bedroom window. The three Blights looked up at him.
“I should go get her,” Amity said. She turned around and headed back inside.
“Try not to take too long Mittens,” Emira called out.
“If you know what I mean,” Edric teased, wagging his eyebrows. Emira laughed. Amity scowled at her siblings before walking inside and up the stairs.
Inside her bedroom, Luz was pulling out outfits from her chest when she received a text message from her mom.
Mira! Visiting our fav after school snack spot! Camila sent a selfie of her holding a sandwich outside Chimichurri Sandwiches, then one last text. Miss you BEBE! XO
Luz simply responded with an emoji, visibly upset. Hooty decided now was the perfect time to appear. “Oh Luz! You have guests!” once again shoving his face into Luz’s.
“Hooty! No touching!” Luz reminded Hooty as she swatted him out the window. Her bedroom door opened. “Amity!”
“Hey Luz. You ready to train?”
“Which should I wear to Grom?” Luz brought up a black dress. “This one says witch with a dark side,” Luz then brought up the otter onesie, “But this one says, I’m an otter…with a dark side.”
“Luz, you need to take this seriously. If you can’t defeat Grom, everyone on the island will have to live out their worst nightmare.”
“You wanna hear my worst nigh-”
“I swear to Titan if you come any closer to me, I am going to rip your eyes out and turn you into wood chips bird tube!” Amity summoned a pink flame in her hand.
“Woah, woah, woah, Amity,” Luz interjected as she got between Hooty and Amity. “Let’s not burn the house down and go outside for some training, ok?”
Amity groaned. “Fine.” Amity waved the flame away, and the two made their way out the door. She looked back at Hooty, who was still standing(?) there as if nothing happened. Amity flashed an I’m watching you sign at Hooty as she left the room.
The two made their way down the stairs and outside to commence training. Luz stood with Edric and Emira as Amity paced back and forth in front of the house.
“Grom will transform into your darkest fears. What are you afraid of, Luz?” Amity asked as she pointed her finger at Luz.
“In preparation, I’ve made a list!” Luz pulled out a folded piece of paper and handed it to Amity. The twins walked over to see. The two laugh as they began casting illusions.
A man tipping his white fedora saying “M’LADY” appeared. Luz yelped. “Jerks online who wanna debate!” A cat with a human face then appeared.
“Luz, help me.”
“Human souls trapped in cat bodies!” Finally, a simple glass of milk appeared in Luz’s hand. “NOOOO! I’m lactose intolerant!”
“Not enough!” Amity shouted. She walked over to Luz. “Grom will prey on your deepest, darkest fear, not just things that creep you out. What are you really afraid of, Luz?” Amity asked as she jabed her finger into Luz’s chest.
Luz looked up at the window into Eda’s room. “My real fear…is that nobody believes I can do this, and if I fail then I’ll never be taken seriously.”
Ed and Em were about to cast another illusion when Eda walked out the front door. “Luz? Why are you still training to be Grom Queen? I told you to switch out with…”
“Yeah, and I didn’t because I am going to defeat Grom!” Luz cheered as she karate-chopped a cat. “I’ll show everyone that I can do this!” Eda’s anger turned to concern, knowing how stubborn Luz could be. Amity walked over to Luz.
“Luz, I don’t think you’re ready, but we’re literally out of time.”
“I’ll take it.”
Eda sighed. “Alright, alright. If you’re going through with this, you better dress for the occasion. Do you have anything in mind?”
Luz thought for a second, then it came to her. “Actually, I have the perfect outfit for tonight.”
“Good. Then we better get you ready.” Eda turned around and headed back inside.
“I think we should be getting ready too,” Emira said. “Come on Mittens, I’ll help you pick out your outfit.” Amity waved goodbye to Luz and joined her siblings.
She stuck her hands in her pockets and felt something. She pulled it out and saw the note she still hadn’t given to Luz. In a moment of braveness, she sprinted back and yelled Luz’s name. Luz turned around as Amity came running up.
“What is it?” Luz asked. Amity panted as she caught her breath.
“I just…” Amity couldn’t find the words she wanted to say. No. Not now. You have the note in your hand. Just give it to her. It’s now or never! “I just wanted to say good luck.” Oh my Titan, Amity.
Luz remained unfazed, though Amity could have sworn she saw a slight look of disappointment flash on Luz’s face. “Oh, thank you, Amity.” Luz looked down and saw the note in Amity’s hand. “And good luck with whoever you want to ask out,” Luz said with her usual smile.
Amity wasn’t sure if she wanted to laugh or cry. “Uh…thanks Luz. I’ll keep that in mind.” Luz smiled then walked back into the Owl House, closing the door behind her.
“Good luck with your date!” Hooty said.
Amity immediately became annoyed. “Thanks Hooty.” Amity finally left and joined back up with Ed and Em. Amity knew that Luz was a strong witch, and that she was the bravest person she had ever known, but a part of her was still worried that Luz wouldn’t be able to handle Grom. Another part of her was upset that she couldn’t muster the courage to ask Luz out. Amity shook those thoughts. I’ll worry about that tonight.
The Dance was finally here. People were mingling around the gym. Couples started dancing, both graciously and awkwardly. Willow bloomed corsages for some students.
Gus walked up to the stage and spoke into the microphone. “Ladies, gentlemen, and assorted demons! It’s almost time for our main Grom event. Please, please, take a seat, and be aware that the first three rows are designated splash zones.”
Amity zoned out Gus. She was focused on other things. She made her way to the gym exit, trying to look for Luz. She pulled out her note and gently smoothed it with her thumb. She sighed, having missed her chance to ask Luz to the dance.
“I’m not sure if it’s nerves or if I accidentally drank some milk…” Amity quickly pocketed the note and looked up to see Luz, “but something’s making my stomach squirm.”
“You look nice. Strange, but…nice.” Amity put her hands on Luz’s shoulders. “You are incredible Luz. I’m kinda amazed by how fearless you are. You’ve done things I could never do.”
“Ha! Yeah right! You goin’ soft on me Blight?”
Amity laughed. “In your dreams.”
“Now introducing our Grom Queen. You know her. You love her. You’ve at least heard of her. Luz the Human!”
The spotlight shifted towards Luz. She braced herself for the coming fight. “Wish me luck!” she said to Amity, giving a thumbs up as she walked into the arena.
“Luck,” Amity quietly said to herself.
The floor opened to reveal the Grom arena. The weapon racks rose up on either side of Luz. She immediately grabbed a flail and stuck an ice glyph on it. With a confident smile she walked down the ramp towards Grom.
Amity made her way up the bleachers towards Eda. She sat next to her, nerves evident on her face. “You think she can do this?”
“Knowing Luz, that kid can do anything she sets her mind to.” Amity calmed a little at the reminder. “But knowing Grom, it’ll start out easy, and the true test will be when it finds out her worst fear.” Amity gulped.
Everyone looked down into the arena. Luz was doing well. She fought off a horde of cats with human faces. She smashed a glass of milk. She even flung an ice shard at some guy tipping his fedora? Who wanted to debate her? Amity really needed to ask Luz about that, but she was too caught up in the spectacle of her winning. She wondered when it would go wrong.
“Let’s finish this! Human style!” Luz exclaimed to the crowd. She turned around and saw Grom took the form of Eda. The crowd all looked at Eda, who tried to cover her face with her hair. Grom extended an amorphous tentacle at Luz and peered through Luz’s mind. Grom shifted and morphed into the portal door. “Huh?”
The door opened, and out stepped Camila. “Mija?” Luz froze, completely shocked at what she was seeing.
“Mom, what are you doing here?”
“What is this terrible place, Luz? This isn’t camp.” Camila gasped. “And is that a weapon?!”
Luz immediately dropped the flail. “Mom, I can explain!”
“Have you been lying to me all these weeks, Mija?” Camila’s voice grew angrier.
“No! I mean, yes. I mean…if you just let me explain…”
“No. We are going home right now! Where you belong.” Camila grabbed Luz’s arm and began dragging her through the portal. Several figures began to form around Luz. They took the shape of her old classmates.
“Ugh, what does Luzer want now?”
“Hey Luzer, how’s it hanging?”
“You better not have brought any more spiders here you freak!”
“Why don’t you sit with all the other weirdos?”
“No, we don't want you here either.”
“Get that garbage of a book series you read out of my face!”
Luz was spiraling. She then came face to face with Clara, head of the cheerleaders and her first big crush. “You want to go to prom with me? HAHAHAHA! Who’d ever want to go to prom with a stupid Luzer like yourself? HAHAHAHA!” All the forms began pointing and laughing at her, chanting, “Stupid Luzer! Stupid Luzer!” Luz was completely frozen, unable to move a muscle at reliving her memories from high school. She crumpled to her knees and sobbed. The forms circled around her and moved closer, their laughs growing louder and louder as Luz felt more and more powerless to stop it.
“HEY!” Luz looked up and saw Amity at the top of the ramp, sword in hand. “STAY AWAY FROM HER!”
“Amity?”
Amity leapt between Luz and Grom and began swinging at the monster. “I’m not letting you do this alone!” Amity yelled as she continued taking hacks out of Grom. “You might be weird, but you’re not a Luzer.” Amity swung at Grom. “You’re smart, you’re creative, you’re nice to everyone you meet. You gave me a chance when I didn’t deserve it. You are the coolest person I’ve ever met, and if they couldn’t see that then they’re the losers!” Amity screamed as she took another huge swing at Grom. “Anyone would be lucky to have you as a partner, Luz.” Amity looked at her and smiled.
Luz’s confidence came flooding back as she stood up and grabbed the flail. “Thank you, Amity. That means everything.” Amity nodded her head. “Now, let’s kick this monster’s butt!”
The two rushed towards Grom and hacked away at it. Amity swung her sword, Luz flung her flail and sent ice glyphs flying at the monster, powerless to stop any of their attacks. When it was pinned against the wall about to lose, it saw an opening. It slithered past the girls and out the unguarded exit, making its way into the gym. The crowd became frightful. Luz and Amity rushed up the ramp to catch it, but it was too late. Grom had escaped.
Grom made its way out of the gym and into the hallway, where it saw Gus and King sitting. It locked onto King, who was having a heart-to-heart about his stage fright.
“King?” Gus asked, panic in his voice.
“RUN!” Gus picked King up and sprinted out of the school, Grom on their tail. Luz and Amity were not far behind.
Grom chased Gus and King all the way into the forest near a cliffside. Gus tripped and dropped King, who rolled to the cliff’s edge. Grom had him trapped when Luz and Amity showed up.
“Stay away from my boo-boo buddy!” Luz yelled. Grom turned around and the two began taking swings again. In a desperate attempt, Grom grabbed the two girls and lifted them into the air. Grom turned its sights towards Amity. It peered through her mind, searching for what made her truly fearful.
“Amity! No, your fear!”
Grom began shifting again, letting Luz drop to the ground, but still grasping Amity as it shrank into a humanoid figure.
“Who is that?” Luz asked.
The form took shape and revealed Luz. The real Luz gasped. “I’m your greatest fear?”
Amity looked petrified.
Grom reached into Amity’s pocket. “What’s this?” It unfolded and read the note. “You want to ask me out to Grom?” Luz looked confused and shocked, while Amity braced. “Pfft, as if I’d ever go out with you.” Grom then ripped the note into pieces. Amity winced.
“You pushed Willow out of your life, you bullied her for years to ‘protect her,’ you tried to have me dissected, and you were so rude and mean to me from the moment we met, and YOU want to go to Grom with ME? As if.” Luz looked mortified. Amity was trembling, clutching the hems of her dress. Tears started to fall.
Grom turned around and started walking towards Bonesborough. It tossed the pieces of paper over its shoulder. “You can always try again next year. Oh wait, I won’t be here next year. Oops,” Grom playfully shrugged, though there was nothing playful about what it said. Amity’s tears freely fell, her worst fear, and her crush, being revealed to Luz.
Luz came running up to Amity. “Amity?”
Amity looked up at Luz, barely able to see through her tears. Luz gently grabbed Amity’s shoulders. “None of that is true.”
“B…but…but Willow and…”
“And you apologized. You guys are on the path to being friends again. You were mean to me at first, but that doesn’t matter. You know why?” Amity shook her head. “Because you changed.” Amity looked confused. “Or, more accurately, you found your true self again.” Amity seemed to finally understand. “You are a good person, Amity. You just needed help finding your way.” Amity formed a small smile. “Plus, Bump was the one who wanted to dissect me, so that technically wasn’t even you.”
Amity laughed. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“And for what it’s worth, I would love to go to Grom with you.”
Amity was pleasantly shocked. “Really?”
“Of course!” The two looked back at Grom. “Hey you misshapen excuse of a monster! We’re not done with you yet!” Grom grew bigger and rose above the two girls, letting out a huge roar. The two readied for another fight.
“Well then if that’s settled, may I have this dance?” Amity extended her hand out to Luz. Luz grinned and took it. The two pulled close together, and they began to dance. Even though this was the first time they had ever danced together, they were perfectly in sync, as though they had been practicing for years.
Luz spun Amity in the air, who landed in a split and cast a spell, creating a giant abomination below them. The abomination lifted the two up, towering above Grom now. Amity twirled Luz, who pulled out her glyphs and fanned them. Amity dipped Luz so she could place a plant glyph on the abomination. Amity silently commanded it to lunge at Grom and the two jumped off.
The abomination lept into Grom’s mouth. Green light emitted from within Grom, and several plants and flowers started blooming and poking out of Grom’s skin.
Luz landed first and caught Amity. The two finished with several spins and extended their arms out, looking at each other with big, confident smiles. Behind them, Grom exploded, with a giant tree taking its place. The last remnants of the fear monster slinked off, desperate to get away from Luz and Amity.
Luz and Amity looked up and admired the tree that they created together. Tiaras appeared on their heads, and they smiled at each other.
“So. You wanted to ask me to go to Grom with you?”
Amity’s smile disappeared. “Uh, yes, I was.” Silence fell between them. “It’s ok if you don’t want to, I understand if…”
“Ask me.”
“What?”
“Go ahead. Ask me to Grom.”
Amity took in a deep breath and exhaled. “Ok. Luz, will you go to Grom with me?”
“Yes!” Luz lunged at Amity and hugged her with all her might. “Of course I’ll go to Grom with you!” Tears formed in Amity’s eyes again, though this time they were happy tears.
“And there you have it folks! A happy ending for this year’s Grom. Let’s give a big hand to our Grom Queens, Luz and Amity!” King excitedly yelled. Everyone from school then popped up from the bushes, including Eda, and cheered for the two defeating Grom. The crowd ran up to the girls and hoisted them up, celebrating another successful Grom. Eda simply clapped, expressing pride in her apprentice.
The crowd carried them all the way back to the gym.
Luz, Eda and King ran into the Owl House.
“Whoo! Watch out for this human! You did good kid. I never should have doubted you.”
“Thanks Eda, but…” Luz yawned, “I’m going to bed.” Luz walked away and climbed the stairs to her room. She entered and opened the window. She sat on the windowsill, looking out to the horizon. Suddenly, her phone vibrated. Her mom sent another text.
How was your day? Miss you mija.
Luz typed a duck emoji, but changed her mind. “Miss you too Mami,” she typed. She thought about what she wanted to say, then began typing.
I won’t lie. Today was really hard.
Luz thought back to her fight with Grom, all the horrible things that it said to her. All the horrible things her classmates told her.
“Stupid Luzer!”
And I don’t always feel like I’m supposed to be here.
Luz looked out the window and sighed.
But when things get tough, my friends help me out.
Luz remembered all her shenanigans with Willow and Gus, the adventures she had with Eda…and Amity. She smiled at the thought of her.
Amity sat on her windowsill. She stored her tiara in her personal lockbox and leaned against the window frame. She could not hide the wide smile she had on her face.
I think you’d like them.
King cuddled himself up to Eda on the couch, finding the perfect spot to sleep. Eda smiled and petted King.
Te extraño también, Mami. One day, I’ll tell you all about this.
Earlier that night back at the gym, the crowd of kids came roaring back to continue the party. Gus and King took the stage again.
“Alright everyone!” Gus yelled into his mike. “With Grom defeated, it’s time for the Grom Royalty dance! Thank you, Luz and Amity, and happy Grom everyone!”
The music started playing and everyone found their partners to dance with. Luz and Amity just stood awkwardly, neither sure what to do.
“So…” Luz finally said, “Amity Blight, may I have this dance?” Luz held her hand out just as Amity did. Amity laughed
“I thought you’d never ask.” She grabbed Luz’s hand, and the two danced around the gym to the music, lost in each other’s eyes, all the while smiling. “You know, Luz. There’s something else that I wanted to ask you, but I’ve been a bit scared to ask.”
“Well after everything we’ve been through tonight, I’m not sure anything can scare us.”
“Yeah, you’re right. So, here goes.” Amity inhaled. “Luz Noceda, do you want to be my girlfriend?”
Tears started forming in Luz’s eyes. She never thought anyone would ever ask her that question. And to have someone as amazing and as beautiful as Amity Blight ask her? Never in a million years.
“I…really?”
“Yes really. Everything I said in the arena was true. IS true. You are the most amazing person I have ever met.”
“It’s just, I never thought someone as cool as you would ask a nerd like me to be their girlfriend.”
Amity chuckled. “I’m not as cool as you think.”
“Yes you are.” The two smiled and laughed at each other. “Can we at least agree then that we're cool in our own special ways?”
“I can work with that.” A contented silence fell between the two. “Oh, Luz? You still haven’t answered my question.”
“Oh right! Sorry,” Luz gave an apologetic look. She took a deep breath. “Yes, I would love to be your girlfriend.”
Now it was Amity’s turn for tears to form. “Thank you, Luz.” Amity rested her head on Luz’s chest, listening to the murmur of her heartbeat. “You have no idea how happy I am that you barged your way into my life.”
“Me too.” Luz nestled her head on top of Amity’s. They both closed their eyes and stood there, swaying to the music as if they were the only people in the room.
The song ended and the two opened their eyes. They looked into each other’s eyes and lightly laughed, both wondering what they did to deserve the other. Willow and Gus came running up to them.
“Guys! Guys!” Gus yelled. Luz and Amity looked at him.
“There’s a photo booth! Let’s get our pictures!” Willow exclaimed.
Luz held her hands up to her cheeks and gasped. “You guys have a photo booth?! THAT’S SO COOL! Come on Amity!” She grabbed Amity’s hand and dragged her to the photo booth.
Willow and Gus took their pictures together. Since they were Grom Queens, Amity and Luz were asked to take pictures individually, then together. Amity took her pictures, then it was Luz’s turn. However, Luz couldn’t get through her own photos before she physically pulled her friends into the picture for a group photo.
Gus took his mic and pretended to be belting out a song, Willow threw up peace signs, and Luz threw her arm in the air and wrapped Amity in a half hug. Amity just looked at Luz with a dopey smile.
They each received a copy of the photo. “This is amazing. Thank you so much.” Luz wrapped Willow and Gus in a hug.
“Anytime Luz,” Willow said.
Principal Bump began speaking. “Students of Hexside, we have now reached the end of this year’s Grom. Grab some snacks and punch on your way out and take some last minute photos. And always, stay safe on your way home. Thank you all for another successful Grom.”
“Well, me and Gus should get going. Bye Luz! Bye Amity! Thanks for making this a great Grom!”
“See you two in class on Monday!” Gus added.
Luz and Amity waved goodbye. “You want me to walk you home?” Luz asked.
“It’s ok, Ed and Em can take me back. Maybe next time.” Amity looked at her copy of the photo. “So, how would you rate your first Grom?”
“Well, I could do without the fear monster exposing my fears to the whole school.”
Amity winced at having brought up a sore subject. “Yeah.”
“But other than that, it was incredible. I mean, I got to dance with the girl of my dreams, how bad could it be.” Amity smiled at the compliment.
“The feeling’s mutual. Thank you, Luz.” She wrapped Luz in a hug. “For everything.” Luz hugged back. They stood there for a silent moment. Amity broke away and kissed Luz on the cheek. “See you Monday Luz!” she shouted as she walked towards Ed and Em.
Luz caressed the spot on her cheek Amity kissed. “See you Monday!” Luz yelled back, still comprehending what just happened.
Amity caught up with Ed and Em outside the school. Em was the first to speak.
“So, how was your night, Mittens?”
Amity pulled out the photo again and looked at it, sharing the same smile she had in the photo.
“Enchanting.”