Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

“You are powerful.” She incanted in a low practiced tone.

Her reflection responded with a look of fierce determination. She nodded back at it approvingly.

“You are a gifted witch.” She continued as she pulled her hair into two tight braids, then checked the symmetry on her mirror double.

When she was satisfied she pulled on the varsity jacket. It was old and she had grown. It now stretched tightly over the muscles in her arms as she slid them through. She would need a new one soon but it could wait for a little while longer. Besides, she kind of liked how it made her look.

“Most importantly, you are a winner.” She finished flatly. 

She stepped back and surveyed her efforts one last time. The witch that looked back seemed to fit the part. Her uniform was neat and her muscles rippled nicely as she flexed. Her dark hair fell evenly, framing her face. Accenting rather than accentuating its roundness. She decided to forgo the usual makeup in favor of the new stone she picked up off the twins. It would do a much better job hiding her biggest flaw than she had ever been capable of. She slipped the concealment stone onto her wrist and braced herself for another prank. But when she looked back it was really gone. She even had to trace it with her finger to be sure it was still there. She tucked the stone into her sleeve. Out of sight, out of mind. 

“I am a winner.” Willow repeated to herself with more confidence. “Now I just have to prove it.”

Mirror Willow surprised her by shooting her a sly wink. She shook her head and turned her back on the jarring display. She quickly watered her window garden and tried not to look longingly at her weights, there was no time for training today. She was running late as it was. She double and triple checked her bag for her homework, not willing to waste another late night before she slipped it over one shoulder. With the amount of books she had to lug around her arms would be sore before lunch but Boscha insisted the team logo be on display at all times. Besides, only dorks wore both straps, and there were no dorks on Boscha’s team.

Willow risked another glance at the mirror, too uncertain to hope, but the scar was still gone. Maybe now Willow could convince her to come back to the team. It wasn’t nearly as much fun without her. Willow’s eyes were drawn to the desk calendar. It insisted that today was an important day. Not that she needed the reminder. She chose to ignore the arrogant desk accessory and the calendar that sat just beneath it and moved to open her door.

She took a deep breath full of hastily prepared breakfast. Papa was doing his best to catch up with her. Willow smiled ruefully at the effort but wished he hadn’t bothered. She was going to have to move it if she was going to make it on time and she didn't want to seem ungrateful. She steeled her nerves and decided that she would take whatever he had that she could run with.

“You can do this.” She whispered to no one in particular.

She almost believed it. Mirror Willow caught a brief verdant flash, but Willow was already too far down the hall to reflect on it.

“There you are.” Papa bubbled energetically as she hit the bottom of the stairs. “I almost thought I was going to have to come get you for a change. Another late night?”

“Not too late.” She lied through a false grin, hoping to brush off his concerned look. He followed her with a sidelong glance as he busied himself with dishes. So much for that. “It was just some homework. No big deal.”

“And here I was worried it was nerves. Should’ve known better. Nothing frazzles our Willow.” He seemed to be satisfied. Willow let out a breath she had been holding back. “Breakfast is on the counter, sprout.”

“I’m in a bit of a hurry.” Willow explained preemptively.

“I figured. I tossed in some morning brew for you too. Just in case.”

Willow looked and saw that a wrapped bacon sandwitch and a thermos was waiting for her, ready to rush out the door. Papa was always one step ahead of her. She smiled, genuinely this time, until she saw the pouch that sat beside them.

“What’s this?” She asked, already knowing the answer.

“Your Dad wanted you to have it. In case the girls wanted to celebrate the first day of the season after practice.”

“I can’t take this. It’s too much.” She offered judiciously. She pushed the coin pouch away as if it were infested with something vile or dangerous or both.

“Willow Park. Fifty snails isn’t going to break the bank.” Papa said exasperated. He turned, picked up the pouch and tossed it to her in one fluid motion. Her instincts kicked in and forced her to catch it. “Take it with you. It’ll make your Dad happy. And I promise if you don’t end up using it I’ll sneak it back into his pocket myself.”

“Okay.” She relented, only mildly irritated that he had guessed her back up plan. She slipped the coins into her bag with no intention of touching a single shell of it.

“Thank you.” Papa sighed. “He just wants you to know how proud of you he is. We both are.”

“I know that.”

“Good. Make sure to keep our deal a secret when you see him tonight.” He turned back to the dishes as if they suddenly needed his utmost attention.

“Won’t you be there?” Willow asked hopelessly.

“I’ll be working late.” He admitted while continuing to look away. Willow knew why, he had never been good at giving bad news. “Hope you don’t mind roast beast.”

It was the only thing Dad knew how to cook that didn’t end up burnt or bland. Willow loved it nonetheless.

“I like Dad’s.” She answered honestly.

“Me too.” He said in a wistful tone that told Willow she had to go now before a long winded story blew through. “But you better head out. I’ll see you for dessert.”

He surprised her with a pinchy stiff armed elbow hug, careful not to get any suds on her hard work. He leaned in and kissed her loudly on the forehead, but she anticipated him for once and kept any hint of embarrassment off her face. She tried not to wonder what the kiss would do to her stone. She failed.

“You look great.” He said to assuage her fears. “Love ya, sprout.”

“You too, Papa.”

She grabbed breakfast and booked it before either of them could do anything else embarrassing. Like looking to make sure her stone hadn't failed yet. She decided to wait to check for herself until the house was well out of sight.

Willow wiped the remains of her hurried breakfast off her face and stuffed the handkerchief back into the pocket of her jacket. She replaced it with her emergency compact and checked her reflection again to make sure everything had survived the rushed meal and even more rushed exit. Her face still looked to be free of any erroneous zits or an imagined handlebar mustache. Even her hair had managed to stay in place despite the headlong run to school. The scar was still blessedly missing. She closed the compact and slowed her pace just before running into Skara, Cat and Boscha at the front of Hexside.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Boscha asked snidely. “You’re late.”

“Hardly.” Willow grunted back. “Are we doing this or what? I had to skip my morning workout for this.”

She missed her time with Papa more. Both he and Dad were working extra to keep up with her extracurriculars. Dad worked early, Papa worked late and she was always either practicing or doing homework. These days it seemed like they were only all together on the weekends. Willow hated the schedule and struggled in the extra classes but everyone insisted it was worth it. She was going to make sure they were right. She of course knew better than to bring any of this up in front of Boscha.

Willow’s skin crawled as Boscha raked her over with all three of her eyes, inspecting each and every inch for even the smallest flaw. Her eyes darted, assessing, judging. The middle one sometimes moved independently as if it could see things the others couldn’t. Willow hated that one most of all. The way it squinted and glared. Sometimes she could see it in her dreams. But now was not the time for weakness. You can do this, Willow. This is nothing. After an excruciating wait Boscha shifted position. It was time for judgment to be laid down.

“Not bad.” She started. Not good but it was high praise coming from Boscha. “No mulch stains, no fertilizer smell and what did you do to your face?”

Willow slid the concealment stone out of her sleeve. Boscha nodded her approval.

“You really bulked up since last season.” Boscha continued. Maybe it was an insult, or maybe not. Probably as intended. Boscha betrayed herself slightly by squeezing Willow’s bicep appreciatively. Willow thought she might have gotten a pinch or two if she had decided to test elsewhere. “You look like you could almost tear right through that old jacket of yours. Do you think you could?”

“I probably shouldn’t,” Willow answered, careful not to deny it. “I don’t have another one yet.”

“Too bad,” Boscha said with a fake pout. “It would've looked cool.”

Boscha turned around and Willow felt the weight of scrutiny lift. Willow could breathe again. Skara caught her attention and signaled that she thought Willow looked great with a cartoonish bug eyed glance/wink combo and an enthusiastic thumbs up. Willow thanked her with her second genuine smile of the morning. Both knew better than to interrupt Boscha’s moment. Not today.

“Alright girls. You know the drill. Captain goes first.”

Boscha burst through the doors and announced them to some fanfare. Willow and the others, marching in lockstep, flanked her as she cut through the waiting crowd. Both as a show of teamwork and power. Willow absently pushed away a couple of doting fans who wanted to get a little too close to the captain. As she scanned the fawning crowd she did notice a few notable exceptions. Boscha stopped to make proclamations and pose for Pentsagram pics every few steps. Not for the first time she wished Amity had stayed on the team.

It took them some time to push through the throng and head off towards their lockers. The Banshees had their pick of just about everything in school (as long as they kept winning) and lockers were no exception. They stopped at their bank of lockers and Willow happily dumped her load of homework into its waiting maw. Who needed a workout when you were taking so many extra classes?

Willow looked around while the others gossiped but Amity wasn’t here either. Despite quitting the team she was still afforded one of the good lockers, but she must have already dropped off her stuff. Willow tried not to take it personally. Amity might not be on the team anymore but she still knew how important the start of the season was. She was too cool to be one of the hangers on but the least she could do is wish them good luck. Willow let her locker snap shut and fell in line to head towards class. She pretended not to notice Boscha slyly searching the halls with her third eye while no one else was looking. It seemed Willow wasn’t the only one that had noted the absence.

Willow ambled behind Basha as she continued her impromptu parade. It was required that at least at the beginning of the day that the team follow as her personal retinue. Fortunately, they all took history class together first period. Unfortunately they ran into Amity on the way. Willow heard her laugh before turning the corner and knew it was going to be trouble. Because she was there too. The human. Luz. The two of them were huddled together with Agustus laughing over some kind of weird hand thing the human was teaching them.

She and Agustus grabbed each other's hands while pressing their thumbs together violently. Willow heard the human screech something about a thumb war, whatever that was. She cringed, but not at the strange human custom, she was looking at Boscha.

Boscha’s entire demeanor changed. She had always had a light disdain for the human and the human had done little to make matters better. After demolishing the clubhouse and getting most of them caught up in some kind of body swap mess (that Willow was happy to have missed) Luz was persona non grata for the Banshees. And here Amity was laughing it up with the enemy. 

Boscha marched up to the trio and cleared her throat loudly. Augustus yelped, either at the sound or losing the hand contest. Willow suspected the former, he had always been a little jumpy.

“You’re in my way Luz-ers.” Boscha said haughtily. 

“You could always go around.” Luz retorted, stepping between Boscha and Augustus.

Boscha ignored her completely now that she was ‘out of the way.’

“You better be careful, Amity. I understood sacrificing the human to Grom, but if you keep babysitting her people might get the wrong idea.”

“Thanks for your concern, Boscha, but I think I know how to take care of my friends.” Amity said with a warm glance in Willow’s direction.

Willow nodded, she didn't want to give Boscha any more ammunition but she wasn't going to ignore her either. Without Amity she wouldn’t be half the witch she was now.

“Skara, Cat, Willow.” Amity acknowledged them each in turn. She was one of the few that bothered. “Good luck on the new season. I can’t wait to see what you girls came up with.”

“We’ve got all sorts of new strategies.” Skara piped up excitedly. “I spent the whole off season studying the pro leagues and stealing their best plays. There’s this one where you start with a blast of fire…”

Skara was too excited to notice Cat tugging her sleeve but she couldn’t miss the edge in Boscha’s voice when she stepped in.

“Amity’s not team captain anymore, Skara. I am. Besides, she’s too busy prepping for scout trials to listen to new grudgby strategies. That’s why she left the team in the first place. Isn’t it?”

The question was nearly as pregnant as the pause that followed. Amity bailing on the team was a sore spot between them obvious enough that even the human picked up on it. Boscha stared down at Amity begging her to contradict it. To back down. But Amity never backed down from anyone. Willow had to admire her ability to meet that unblinking animosity with pure confidence. She would have never been able to pull it off herself.

Willow knew the truth of course. If it wasn’t for that botched play, Amity would still be leading the team. It was Willow’s fault, really. Plants were supposed to be her specialty. The scar didn’t even look that bad but Amity couldn’t look at it without feeling guilty no matter what Willow said. That’s why she got the twins to make her a concealment stone. She just wanted Amity to look at her again.

“Boscha’s right. I need to hurry if I’m going to make it to my locker before class.” she said. Subtly hinting that she had been avoiding Boscha this morning. Willow wondered if Boscha picked up on it. Judging by the darker shade of pink that colored her cheeks Willow guessed she had. “We’ll talk later, Skara. And I’ll see you in class, Luz.”

Amity hurried off before things could escalate further. She turned back once to smile and wave. Their eyes met but Willow doubted either were meant for her.

Willow sat in her customary place at the back of the class where she was least likely to draw the attention of anyone, just the way she liked it. She had enough stress in her life trying to keep up with the expectations thrust upon a witch aiming to join the emperor’s coven, but unlike Amity, she didn’t have the luxury of quitting her extracurriculars to keep up with the increased workload. She was barely squeaking by in most of her classes and her status as a Banshee was the only reason why in more than one of them. Membership gave her leeway to get extra time on assignments or extra credit to make up for them. Even Professor Hermonculous gave her a push in the right direction. Willow made it a point not to take advantage of the situation unlike some others.

Much to her chagrin, Boscha dropped into the chair that Willow had intentionally left empty. No one else would have dared try to fill it. Willow quickly forced her groan into a semi-believable grunt of greeting. It wouldn’t fool everyone, but if you were only half paying attention it might go over your head. It easily sailed over Boscha’s.

“Great idea.” Boscha said. “Now we have a perfect shot at that Luz-er.”

Willow managed not to roll her eyes. It was a monumental effort.

“Maybe just lay off her.” Willow suggested. “So Amity got herself a pet project. You know her, she’ll be crazy about it for a few weeks then move on to the next thing. Unless someone tries to take it from her. Leave it alone and Amity will be back, like the human never even existed.”

Willow wasn’t sure who she was trying to convince. Either way it didn’t matter, neither of them really believed it. Something was different this time. Boscha broke the tension by bouncing a piece of her eraser off Luz's head and letting loose a loud guffaw. The teacher turned angrily then saw who the culprit was and joined in as if it was all some merry joke. Boscha really could get away with anything.

“Pet project.” She repeated. “I like that. The human really is like some kind of pet, isn’t she.” 

She paused long enough for Willow to chuckle automatically. Boscha launched a spitball at the back of Luz’s head before she continued.

“You might be right, you’ve known her the longest, but I’m not so sure. It might have started as some charity case but not anymore. I mean, you must have seen them at Grom Night. Oh, that’s right you weren’t there.” She prodded.

“Nope.” Willow’s grip tightened on her pencil but she refused to rise to the jab. Boscha seemed a bit disappointed.

“Couldn’t find a date?” Boscha probed further. She paused long enough to load another round and fire it, scoring a hit on Luz’s neck. Luz shivered and wiped it off but kept her attention on the lesson. Willow wished she could do the same.

“I was busy.” She said instead. Her fist creaked.

“With more of that?” Boscha nodded at Willow’s half finished homework that she had hoped to catch up on. “I don’t know why you bother.”

“I have a lot of work to do if I want to join the Emperor’s coven with Amity.”

Boscha chortled again, she just couldn’t help herself.

“If you ask me you’re aiming too high.” She demonstrated by launching a spit ball high in the air. It landed with a wet splat onto Luz’s notes instead of her hair where Boscha intended it. “See. You should stick to what you’re good at. You do plants and you’re pretty strong. People always need a farmer.”

Willow said nothing. Let Boscha sneer, she didn’t care. No one ever believed in her, no one but Amity. Amity had always known she was worth a chance, and now that she had it, Willow wasn’t going to waste it. Boscha couldn’t understand. She had been destined for great things since the day she was born. She didn’t know what it was like to fight for everything you get. She always looks down on me. She’s always trash talking me. And I just have to take it. Someone should give her a taste of the real world. Boscha laughed again, probably not at her but the sound irritated Willow anyway. She could feel the muscles in her arms bunch up. Her breathing grew short. She could feel the adrenaline ready to flow.

Calm down. Boscha’s still the team captain. And if you get kicked off the team you can kiss your future goodbye. Just grit your teeth and bear it. Willow choked back her anger and forced herself to breath normally. She unclenched her fists slowly, deliberately. Somewhere Boscha was still talking. Willow let the incessant droning lull her back.

“... even worse than you were. She doesn’t have any magic. If she thinks she’s tough enough to study with us, she can prove it. If she’s really that strong…”

“She’ll be able to block it.” Willow finished for her. Happy she tuned back in in time to catch this gist.

“Exactly.” Boscha agreed heartily while tossing another chunk of eraser and managing to bank it off Augustus’s ear and into Luz’s cheek. “It worked on you, didn’t it.”

Willow could only nod, lost as she was in memories of painful nights nursing welts and bruises. Worse mornings trying to hide the evidence from her concerned parents. But it worked. She was a full witch these days, and no one said otherwise. She glanced sideways. Almost no one.

Boscha loaded yet another spit wad into her straw, only this time she snorked in a loud unladylike fashion. Just in time Luz lifted her hood and the shot bounced harmlessly off of it. It was almost as if she could hear them talking about her directly behind her back. Boscha looked incensed at the effrontery. Willow used the opportunity to dump the splintered remains of her pencil into her bag and replace it with an identical one. It was always best to keep a spare or two with Boscha around.

Willow ignored the rest of the lecture, she already knew that it wasn’t going to be productive with Boscha’s new obsession. Willow melted into the background. Grunting and chuckling on que, waiting for Boscha’s attention to wander. When it did, Willow used the time to work on her other homework. It seemed like a better use of her time. Boscha did everyone a favor and left class early, telling the teacher she needed to prepare for practice. He allowed her to leave without question, despite practice being hours away. She signaled for the rest of the team to follow but Willow pretended not to notice. She really needed to catch up.

When class was over Willow overheard Luz trying to reassure Augustus.

“Don’t worry Gus. She can’t follow us around all day.”

You don’t know the half of it, Willow thought to herself as she hurried away to the safety of her next class.

As always, Willow rushed through lunch so she could get a little time in the school library. If it were up to her she would skip lunch all together but she had to be seen with the team. Willow sat quietly and powered through her mandated lunch while Cat and Skara gossiped about who was dating who and Boscha preened. No one ever questioned her. Her teammates knew that she needed all the help she could get, and the rest of her classmates knew better than to bother one of the Banshees. Mess with one, you have to deal with them all. Willow polished off her meal in record time (she was timing it) and stood to leave. Boscha interrupted her before she could make her exit.

“You haven’t seen Amelia around anywhere, have you Willow?”

“Not since the greenhouse.” Willow could tell the truth, though she would have happily lied.

Willow liked Amelia but it seemed that anyone in the human’s orbit was going to catch Boscha’s wrath today. Too bad for her. Willow had seen her in class with something rude scrawled across her face. She pointed it out and offered to help get it off but Amelia declined. She knew that if Boscha saw her without it she would just write something worse.

“Well, let me know if you do. I promised to feed her to a locker later and I would hate for her to think I’m a liar.”

“What do you got against her?” Willow asked, hoping it sounded curious rather than confrontational. “She’s okay.”

“You only think that because she’s in the plant track like you. Don’t go soft on me, Park.”

“I guess you’re right.” Willow relented.

“If you see her let her know I’m still looking for her, okay?”

“Sure thing, captain.” She lied. If she was lucky enough to see Amelia first she would warn her to stay far away from Boscha.

“Hey, Willow.” A voice called after her. For once she was happy to hear it.

“Hey, Amity.” She answered and waited for her to catch up. “What are you up to?”

“Have you seen Luz around anywhere?”

Am I supposed to be keeping track of everyone now? She pushed through her annoyance and answered truthfully.

“Not since first period. Why?”

“I heard that Boscha was bullying her. Maybe even the whole grudgby team.” She gave Willow a sidelong glance that was normally reserved for her parents. “You haven’t been doing that, have you?”

“Of course not.” Willow assured her.

“No, of course not. I shouldn’t have asked.” Amity said with a sigh of relief. Willow was just as relieved to have passed the test. “I should’ve known better. I’m just worried about her.”

“I’m sure she’s fine. She has her…human magic…or whatever.” Willow was trying to be reassuring but clearly failing.

“I know, but I’m still worried.”

“How does that work anyway? I heard humans can’t do magic.” But she had heard it from Boscha so the source was dubious at best.

“They can’t. Not the normal way. But Luz found her own way. She draws these glyphs on paper and it just…works. I don’t really get it myself.”

“Cool.” Willow said flatly. She was shocked at the admission but she was well practiced in keeping her emotions to herself.

“It's just, she’s new to all of this and she doesn’t really know how the magic works yet either. I’m sure you understand.”

The words landed like a blow but Willow rolled with it.

“I guess I do.” She agreed. She also knew where this was going and decided to jump to the chase. “Do you want me to keep an eye out for her?”

“Would you?” Amity’s face lit up.

Willow nodded. She would do anything Amity asked.

“Thank you, Willow. I knew I could count on you.” Amity was practically beaming.

“What are friends for?” Willow asked, fairly sure of the answer.

“Are you still practicing after school?” Amity asked out of nowhere.

“Same time as always.”

“Cool. I’ll come by and watch. Maybe we can stop for a drink in town somewhere afterwards. We haven’t hung out for a while.”

“Sounds good.” It really did but Willow couldn’t help but think of the pile of snails weighing down her bag, and her conscience. She would just have to come up with a way to make it up to Dad later.

“Great. See you later Willow.”

Willow waved her down the hallway before making her way towards the library. Maybe today wouldn’t be so bad after all. 

You can do this.

And for once she believed it.

Willow didn’t have to keep that eye out for long. Just before she got to the library she happened upon the human. To be more precise she happened upon the bottom half of the human struggling in the mouth of a random locker. Her feet kicked helplessly against the side, trying to find purchase, to no avail. 

Willow scrutinized her half of the human. From where she was standing the human didn’t seem like much. She was somehow dressed wrong despite wearing a school uniform. It was probably the ostentatiously colored tunic. Everyone knew that Principal Bump had opened up multi-track studies recently and a few of the “problem” students had already enrolled. It made sense that the human would be one of them but it looked like she might be trying them all. Willow rankled a bit since she was only allowed to train on magic theory from the other branches even though she was trying for the Emperor’s coven. Willow was told she had to pass the tryouts before she could branch out but now it seems like anyone could do it. She absently wondered if joining multi-track studies would make her prospects better or worse. 

Luz interrupted her train of thoughts with a loud bang as she kicked the locker in the chin. It rewarded her efforts by clamping down harder. Luz squeaked as the large teeth dug into her midsection. Despite what must be a growingly painful pinch, Luz didn’t let up. She kept flailing and yelling something unintelligible from deep inside its gullet. Willow just couldn’t understand it, what did Amity see in her? The human was weird and awkward and weak. She couldn’t even pull herself out of a locker. Willow sighed. Whatever the reason, the girl was important to Amity. She moved to help.

This wasn’t her locker and Willow had no idea how the combination worked but thankfully she had experience on her side. She had escaped enough lockers to know a few  tricks. She pulled the flower from her hair and pumped some magic into it making it grow much faster than it should have. It raced through its life cycle and as soon as it was ready to pollinate Willow held it under the locker’s nose and blew. The locker sucked in the puff of pollen and almost immediately began to sniffle. Willow stood back as her trick had the desired effect. After a few huffs and puffs the locker sneezed Luz out onto the floor.

“Man. I thought I was never going to get out of there. Thanks friend.” She squinted up with a wet smile. She held her hand flat in the air. After noticing Willow’s hesitation she clarified. “You slap it. It’s a human thing.”

Willow looked at the goopy hand and recoiled.

“I’ll pass.” She said with only mild disgust.

“Gus seems to like high fives…” Luz trailed off. A glob of saliva dripped from her hand, solving her confusion. “Sorry about that.” She tried to wipe her hand on her shirt only making things much worse. “Oh right. Let me just…” She looked around for something better to use. Maybe something dry.

Willow took pity on her. She conjured a warm rain and let it fall on Luz. After a second Luz understood and rinsed the majority of the spittle off. When it was cleared Willow shifted her magic to cast an artificial sunbeam to dry the human. She ended up looking content if a bit bedraggled.

“Thanks for that. And for getting me out of that locker. How did you do it, by the way?”

“Daffoshrill pollen.” She said, dropping the rapidly dying flower onto the floor. “All the lockers are allergic to it.”

“Aw, man. I should have thought of that. I hope Eda never finds out. She’ll never let me live it down.” Luz watched the flower dry up into dust and blow away on an unseen wind. “Sorry about your flower. Let me help.”

Before Willow could protest that she was more than capable of growing her own accessories Luz had whipped out a pencil. In a matter of seconds Luz scribbled something and pressed her finger to it. The symbol started to glow and a beautiful if obnoxious flower grew itself in the cup of her hand. Luz unashamedly reached up and stuck the flower into Willow’s hair.

“That’s better.” Luz pulled away and framed Willow with her fingers. Willow was surprised to find she didn’t feel as self conscious as she did when Boscha regarded her. “Dang girl. That’s a good look. You want that high five now?”

“No thanks.” Willow said, still warry.

“Your loss.” Luz shrugged then slapped her own hand. Willow failed to see the thrill.

“What does Amity see in you?” Willow asked incautiously.

“Who? Amity? A friend.” Luz answered cagily. She smiled into the sunbeam and turned around to let it get her back.

“You don’t get it. The Blights are a big deal around here. They don’t just associate with anyone. What makes you so special? It can’t just be that you’re a human, can it?”

“I don’t think so?” Luz tried. “I don’t know.” That sounded more honest.

“Me neither. But there must be something if Amity picked you.” Willow admitted begrudgingly.

“Uh, thanks. I think.” Luz turned back fully dry now. Her eyes went wide as she got a better look at her rescuer. “Wait. You’re Willow right? Amity’s friend?”

“Guess I am.”

“Great to finally meet you. Amity talks about you a lot.”

“She does?” It was news to Willow.

“Yeah. She said you’re the nicest witch she knows. You guys have been friends forever, right?”

“Since we were little kids.” Willow agreed.

“I’d love to see that. Little Amity running around being silly and not all serious all the time. You'll have to tell be about it sometime. But I have to admit, I’m having trouble imagining you little.” Luz gave Willow a wink that made her blush. She tried to get back in control of the conversation. Luz’s pace was giving her whiplash.

“What else does she say about me?”

“Only good things, promise. She said you’re powerful and great with plants. And that you work harder than anyone else. That’s how you got on the - Wait!” Willow could actually see the epiphany happen. It was fascinating. “You’re on the grudgby team!”

“Yeah.” Willow answered cautiously. She didn’t like where this was going.

“Can I convince you to get Boscha to leave my friends alone? I know she has beef with me but that doesn’t mean she should drag Gus and Amy into it.” She lets you call her Amy? Willow reeled but tried to focus. Luz was still talking. “And the teachers won’t do anything about it. It’s ridiculous!”

“Yeah. Boscha can be a little bit…much this time of year. And everyone just lets her get away with it, especially now that she’s team captain.”

“What’s so special about that?”

“The season started today. As captain it puts a lot of pressure on her. She just needs to blow off some steam.”

“You think she might blow it off someone else's kettle for a change?”

That one landed and Willow snickered a bit. Luz beamed. Her energy was infectious. It probably explained why Willow's tongue was suddenly so loose. Willow went on with a real smile. The third genuine one since this morning.

“Look, there’s no talking to her right now. Boscha’s head is all about Grudgby. If it doesn’t have to do with that, she just won’t hear it. But trust me. Keep your head down and stay out of her way. By this afternoon she’ll be so busy with the team that she won’t give you a second thought."

“Okay. I’m picking up what you’re putting down.”

Willow looked but she hadn’t put anything down. She shook her head. That wasn’t the real problem. Willow could tell that Luz was up to something. The girl was like an open book. But before Willow could caution against whatever scheme she had cooked up Luz was already racing down the hall.

“Thanks for the help, and the advice. See you later Willow.”

That’s what she was worried about.

“It’ll be fine.” Willow told herself.

It’ll be fine. Stay calm. You can do this.

You can do this.

“We challenge you to a grudgby match!”

Somehow her shout was loud enough to reach up to the second floor window despite the trash can still wedged over her head. Her voice really carried. Still it was a little muffled and Boscha couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She had to check.

“What did she just say?” Boscha demanded.

“I couldn’t hear her.” Willow lied.

“Did she say what I think she said?” She turned to Cat hoping for confirmation.

“I think so.” Cat admitted earning a glare from Willow. She put up her hands. What could she do? Luz had said the magic words.

“I’m going down there. Cat, slide.”

Cat didn’t hesitate. She cast the spell and a floating blue hand materialized in the shape of a slide to the ground outside. Boscha was on it almost before it fully formed.

“Where did Luz get a stupid idea like that?” Skara asked the room.

“Don’t look at me.” Willow answered too quickly. She tried not to sound too guilty as she pressed on. “I told her to stay out of the way and keep her head down. This is the opposite of keeping your head down.”

“Yeah. But you gotta admit, she’s got guts.” Skara sounded impressed.

“That or she’s an idiot.” Cat never minced words. “Still it could be fun. Better than whatever drills Boscha had planned.”

Willow couldn’t help but agree. Not about the drills, a work out was a work out. She realized she was excited to find out what the human could really do after the hint she had gotten in the hall. Only this wasn’t the way. She was supposed to be looking out for Luz, but somehow, she had only made things much worse. She just hoped Amity didn’t hear about it.

Willow listened carefully to the terms of the challenge and breathed a sigh of relief when Boscha didn’t make it an everlasting oath. At least that was something. Maybe with a little effort and a lot of luck she could still salvage this. It wasn’t that big a deal. She could handle it. You can do this. You can do this.

You can do this.

There wasn’t much time before the end of the day, she had to move fast. It took longer than she expected to track him down. The first two Augustus's she had run into turned out to be illusions taking notes in classes for him. She was starting to wonder if he even went to school at all, but eventually she found the rea Augustus alone in a study room talking to a near perfect squad of hims all wielding cheer flags. Willow hadn’t worried about having an audience, Augustus was mostly alone these days. The teachers thought he was a prodigy and let him do his thing, but the students knew what he really was.

She cleared her throat hoping not to startle him but ended up doing it anyway. Augustus jumped at the sound of another voice and his Illusion squad scowled and drew arms. Willow knew it was fake but it was hard to look at a thicket of coven spears pointed your direction and not feel a bit intimidated. She pushed through it.

“Ah! Willow. W-what are you doing here?”

“It’s Gus right?” She sat down on a table, purposely ignoring his backup. “I was hoping I would find you.”

“How do you know that name?”

“I heard the hu - um, Luz say it after I pulled her out of a locker. It's a good name.”

“I like it better than the other one.” Gus admitted.

“Me too.” Willow meant it, and was happy she did. She had heard that illusionists were almost as good at catching lies as the oracles. “I’ve never thought you were a freak.”

“Thanks.” Gus murmured as she waved his illusions away.

“You sure, boss?” One of them asked.

Clearly they (and therefore he) still didn’t trust her. Willow found herself relieved when Gus nodded and the squad and their spears poofed out of existence. It would make this easier. Willow never was a bully. She hated how it made her feel, but you didn’t hang around Boscha for this long without catching a few tricks. She was able to justify it to herself because she knew she was helping. If she did this right she could shut the whole thing down before it started and no one had to get hurt. It’s okay, Willow. You can do this. Stay strong.

“What do you want, Willow?” he asked with a resignation that made Willow wish she was here for any other reason.

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay?” She baited.

“What do you mean?”

“It's just, Luz challenged Boscha to a grudgby match and since you’re her friend I figured you would be on her team.”

“That’s right.” Gus said as confidently as he could. It wasn’t much but it was there.

“Have you ever played grudgby before?”

“No. But Luz had us do a montage so we’ll be fine.”

What the heck is a montage? Willow brushed it aside. She had a job to do.

“That’s great!” She returned with false enthusiasm. “I knew that Amelia would be okay, she tried out the same time I did. Almost beat me too. And Luz. Well she might not know a lot but she has a ton of enthusiasm. I’m sure she can handle it.”

“And I can’t. Is that it?” Gus obstinately followed her logic to its conclusion.

“Are you sure you can?” She tugged the line tight. Time for the sinker. “Grudgeby can get pretty-intense. We all remember what happened the last time, and that was just over homework. I just don’t want to see that happen to you again.”

“I can handle it.” He assured her. 

Willow pointedly ignored the quaver in his voice. She looked him up and down in the unnerving way Boscha always did. Like she could see every flaw.

“You know, I think I believe you.” She finally lied. “I’m glad. Boscha’s been wanting us to get some practice against a real illusionist ever since that thing against Glandus last season. And who’s a better illusionist than you? I mean, you almost brain blasted the whole school! How many teachers did it take to bring you down? Three?”

“Four.” He admitted. His hand snuck up and clutched at his elbow. His eyes dropped to the floor. She was almost there.

“Exactly. You’re one powerful kid.” She said as she jumped back down to the floor making sure to flex her biceps until she heard a seam pop. She would fix it later. “I for one can’t wait to see what you got. I’m glad all that training isn’t going to go to waste.”

When Gus said nothing she knew she had him. It was time to make an exit.

“I gotta head to class, but I’ll see you on the field later, right?”

“Right.” Gus mumbled glumly.

Willow’s smug smile died the second she was out of sight. She could hate herself later too. For now she pulled her shoulders back and blanked her face.

You can do this.

“Do you think they’ll show?” Skara asked as she hastily pulled on her grudgby kit.

“Luz will. Remember Grom night? She doesn’t look before she leaps.” Cat said.

“Doesn’t back down either.” Skara added. “What do you think, Willow?”

“I think she should stay away and forget the whole thing. I told her that too.”

“Too late for that. I heard Amelia is gonna play. You worried?” Skara teased Willow.

“Hardly.” She shot back. “Even with Amelia they don’t stand a chance. Gus is scared of his own shadows and from what I hear Luz can barely even do magic.”

“Never stopped you, half-a-witch Will-ugck!”

Willow moved without thinking. Before she knew it she had Cat lifted off the ground by her pads. Cat’s eyes widened as she saw past her normally dead green eyes and caught a glimpse of what burned just below the surface.

“Nobody calls me that!” Willow growled, inches from her face.

“Igt wrsh uh cmplimnt” Cat choked out past the collar of the pad digging into her neck.

As quickly as it came, the burning rage rushed away leaving Willow feeling empty and small. She dropped Cat with a shiver and tried to say something, but nothing came out. Cat saved her the trouble.

“Sorry Willow. You haven’t been…that for a while now.” She managed to cough out.

“I’m sorry too. I overreacted.”

“Just save some for the game.”

Willow wanted to say more. Nothing came to mind. It was too jumbled. Control it. Use it. Apologize later when your head is screwed back on right. Skara jumped in to break the tension that slowly filled the room.

“Did Amity tell you anything else about Luz’s magic?” Skara asked, guessing at Willow’s source.

“It wasn’t like that. Amity wouldn’t hurt a friend like that.”

“You sure about that?” She didn’t have to point out the obvious. There was a mirror right behind her. Willow had to take off her stone to change and that meant the scar was fully visible. A jagged line nearly bisected her face starting at her top lip and veering just around her nose. It jumped over her left eye and traced a broken path into her hairline where Willow concealed the worst of it with her braid and signature flower.

“Yes. I'm sure.” Willow let some hardness creep back into her voice to let Skara know to drop it.

Amity would never let herself hurt a friend like that again. Never on purpose. Willow slipped the concealment stone back on under her lucky wristband (a gift from Amity) and the scar faded away as if it had never been there. It faded from Willow’s thoughts as well. Out of sight out of mind. Time to get to the matter at hand.

“Let’s get going. Boscha’s already waiting for us.” Though she was really worried who else might be there. Willow blocked that worry too before she turned around and reached a hand out. “Bring it in?”

To her credit, Cat put her hand on the pile first. Skara followed soon after. Willow sandwitched them both with her other hand. They chanted together. Like a team.

“Banshees fly. Banshees wail. But never will the Banshees fail!”

Willow led the way to the field. Boscha was already waiting and seemed to be passing the time by taunting Luz and her friends. Willow checked the competition. Amelia was unbothered by Boscha’s antics. She was just as focused as the day they went up against each other for tryouts. At another time Willow would have almost been glad for the chance to play against her again. Luz was trying to ignore whatever Boscha was saying but she was as open as ever. Each barb turned Luz’s nose like sour milk. But Gus was the one she really cared about. Willow could tell by the way he was fidgeting as far from the action as he could get that she had won. She smiled sympathetically when she managed to catch his eye. It was only partially faked. Best of all, the stands were empty. For once Willow wasn’t bothered that Amity had found something to keep her busy. Boscha turned as she heard them take the field.

“About time.” Boscha directed at Willow, like always.

Willow glared but said nothing.

“Fine. Let's get started. The sooner we stomp these dorks into the ground the sooner we can get some real practice in. Any last words human?”

“No.” Luz stated confidently, until Boscha started to snicker. “Because they won’t be my last words. There will be more words. So many words…”

Even Amelia started to giggle at that.

“Whatever. Are we going to play or what?” Luz recovered.

“I’m going to enjoy this.” Boscha said as she hovered a ball over.

The ball burst into flames and with just a flick of her wrist it launched at Luz. Luz dodged with a yell as the fireball seared past her and her team, blasting into a tree. The resulting explosion shredded the trunk. Willow could feel the impact of the remaining bulk hitting the ground. Gus did too. He squatted low and wrapped his hands over his head with a tinny squeak. Willow felt a twinge of guilt. Maybe she had laid it on too thick.

“Whoops.” Boscha intoned innocently. “My hand slipped.”

“I’m sure.” Luz’s voice was icy. Boscha’s smug smile faltered. “That’s the last cheap shot you take at my friends. Come on guys. Let’s show them what we got.”

“I can’t. I can’t. I can’t” A thin voice kept repeating from behind her.

Luz turned to see Gus rocking back and forth with his eyes glued to the grass.

“Hey, Gus… Gus?” Luz repeated when she got no response. She took a cautious step closer. “You okay?”

He just kept repeating his mantra. Luz knelt down and touched his shoulder.

“It’s okay, Gus.” Her voice was soft. Caring.

“I can’t!” He yelled back. He looked up and his eyes were filled with tears. More worryingly, they were also filled to the brim with blue. “I’m sorry, Luz. I’m so sorry.”

Magic started to swirl around the young boy. In it Willow could see faces. Some she recognized and some she didn’t. Some were students. She saw her own joyless smile reflected back at her. This was bad. She doubted anyone knew he was here. The teachers would have never let him do something this stressful. If he went off now there was no telling how long it would be before someone could stop him. In the corner of her eye she saw the rest of the Banshees tense up. They knew it too. Everyone backed away. Everyone but Luz.

She pushed through his growing event horizon and got close to him. Willow watched her pull the kid into a hug. She whispered in his ear. Willow found herself wishing she could hear what she said. Slow but surely the magic drained until Gus dropped into Luz’s arms spouting apologies.

“It’s okay. I shouldn’t have pushed so hard.” Luz told him. Willow looked away.

After the close call no one objected to Luz escorting the shaking Gus off the field. When she returned she was greeted by Boscha’s look of absolute triumph. The look she shot back could have reduced anyone to cinders.

“Looks like we win.” Boscha gloated.

“I didn’t hear a bell.” Luz shot back.

“What are you talking about, human? You can’t play without three players.”

Luz glanced over her shoulder. Amelia nodded somberly. Luz’s shoulders only tensed for a moment.

“Fine. But this is between you and me. Leave my friends out of it and I’ll forfeit. I’ll get your water. I’ll carry your stuff. I’ll do whatever you want. If you leave them alone.”

Willow breathed a sigh of relief. That was it. Crisis averted. It hadn’t gone exactly to plan but it was hard to argue with the results. All she needed to do now was run a bit of interference and this would all be over. Boscha’s satisfied, Luz is safe and best of all Amity is none the wiser. No one would ever have to know that she couldn’t keep her side of the bargain. But, as usual, Boscha had to ruin everything.

“Fine by me.” Boscha let a sly wicked smile crawl across her face. She summoned a dozen more balls. Each erupted into flame. “Your friends are safe as long as they get out of the way in time.”

She fired the opening barrage.

Willow had to give it to Luz. She was quick. Between her natural agility and the strange magic she wielded, Luz managed to avoid most of the swarm of flaming missiles. But not all. Boscha cackled as one of the errant balls caught Luz in the shoulder and spun her to the ground. A small scatter of paper drifted away, some of it burned merrily. To her credit, Amelia didn’t run when she had the chance. She rushed to Luz and helped her pat out the fire before it spread into her robes. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Willow stepped in and grabbed Boscha’s arm in an iron grip before she could launch another salvo. Boscha’s eyes cut angrily towards Willow. If there was one thing Boscha hated more than everything else it was when someone interrupted her fun.

“That’s enough.” Willow stood her ground. “She gets the point. Let’s get back to practice.”

“This is practice. Target practice.” She said savagely. “That was the deal.”

“No. The deal was she would be your target if she lost. She never lost because we never played. Besides, look at her. She can barely get out of the way. What good will this do?”

“I think you’re forgetting something important you vine brained moron” She tried to pull her hand away but couldn’t. Her voice rose to match her frustration. “I’m the captain now! That means I determine what’s good for the team. I decide how we practice, not you. You wouldn’t even be on this team if Amity didn’t feel sorry for you.”

Willow’s eyes narrowed menacingly but Boscha knew the score.

“That’s right. If it weren’t for Amity taking pity on you, you would still just be half-a-witch Willow. But it looks like even she got tired of you. I thought that maybe I could do what she couldn’t but if you don’t let go right now, I swear I’ll drop you right back into the gutter where she found you.”

It’s not true. Boscha’s just trying to hurt you. You’re still Amity’s friend. You’ve proved that.

Willow knew she was right. She knew that she had earned Amity’s friendship a thousand times over. But that didn’t stop her from letting go. She needed to be on the team. She had to stay on top. Blights don’t associate with just anyone. Only the best. She had to be the best. Willow took a step back.

“That’s better. I make the rules here. And I say that if the human can’t get a team together then she loses. Unless you want to join her team.”

Willow didn’t say anything. She knew better. She got back in line.

“That’s right.” Boscha sneered. “No one wants to be on that Luz-er’s team.”

“I do.”

No. It can’t be her. She said she would never play again. Not after what happened. She promised. But there she was. Amity walked past her old team without so much as a nod. Boscha watched her go by in disbelief. 

“Oh, you just destroyed your social life.” Boscha spat at her.

“No. I think I improved it.” Amity shot back.

Something cold and oily dropped into the pit of Willow’s stomach. She didn’t understand. Willow stood like a statue as she tried to process what just happened. She had tried so many times to get Amity to come play again, but she always refused. She still blamed herself for what happened. But Willow knew it was an accident. She would do it right this time. All she needed was a second chance. But Blights don’t give second chances. Nothing she said could ever convince Amity to come back to grudgby, yet somehow, Amity was here only she was on the wrong side of the field. Willow tried to blink her away like the ghosts that used to haunt her closet back home but Amity stubbornly smirked as she lined up with the enemy. Boscha broke in.

“Crush them all.” She commanded. “Whatever it takes.”

Willow barely registered it. She just watched her friend. Amity never looked her way. Not once.

The game was surprisingly close. Between Amity’s leadership, Amelia’s skill and Luz’s frenetic unpredictability they were a formidable team. And with every point scored, every successful trick play, Boscha got more and more frustrated. She would never admit that they were actually good. But if something didn’t change soon even Boscha wouldn’t be able to deny it. Willow did her best to keep out of her line of sight. She had her own worries.

Willow was glad to see that Gus managed to pull himself together enough to start up a cheering section. It was actually pretty distracting. It was too bad that there was likely nothing that would get him to cheer for the Banshees now.

After a pitched battle they were down to the wire. Score tied and just enough time for one last play. The Banshees didn’t need much of a huddle. Boscha promised to run them into the ground for the next month if they didn’t finish this off now. Most of them anyway. For Willow the message was clear. Win or get out. She lined up determined to salvage at least something from today. She watched the opposition argue amongst themselves before falling into formation. She couldn’t believe her eyes. She shook her head and looked again. It couldn’t be. But it couldn’t be anything else. Willow knew that play. She would never forget it after Amity sprung it on her. It was the play that convinced Amity to leave the team. The thorn vault.

It wasn’t her fault. Willow just didn’t know it was coming. If Amity had said anything. If she had warned her or practiced it, even once, Willow wouldn’t have messed it up. She tried to tell her that. Tried to convince her that she would get it right the next time but Amity left anyway. Left her alone with these…Banshees. Amity couldn’t even stand to look at her. All because of that stupid thorn vault. And now she was going to let Luz run it. Some human she just met. What made her so special. What made that human any better than Willow.

The cold oily thing that had sat in her gut since Amity showed up on the field ignited. Willow stopped caring about the score. About the game. About the ball. All she could see was Luz. The arrogant human that thought she could just waltz in and take everything away from her. But she couldn’t. Willow wasn’t going to let her. Willow had to stop her. Crush her. Whatever it takes.

The ball flew. Willow hardly noticed. She was already on the move. She rushed to the side dodging a wild spell. No idea whose. As she ran she wove a spell of her own. She aimed it at a spot where she knew she would have a clear shot. A venomous orchid burst from the turf and spat a large crag of stone into the air. Willow slung a vine around the flying chunk and dipped her shoulder sending herself into a spin. She used the momentum to whip the stone in a tight arc and hammer it at her target. Her arms were powerful, her aim precise. She let fly.

“LUZ!”

The world slowed to a crawl. Willow dropped to her knees. Unable to take it back. The thorn vault arced over the Banshees. Soundlessly, it impacted. Amelia sprinted over the thorny bridge, ball in hand. Green ran with red. Something buzzed. An ankle turned in a way it was never meant to. Boscha gloated. Over what, Willow absently wondered. The players rushed Luz. Amid a sea of congratulations no one saw. No one but her. Luz followed Willow’s gaze.

“Amity.” She cried as she rushed to her side.

After a time, Luz scooped Amity up to carry her to the nurse accompanied by an emphatic “Wow, sports.”

Willow never heard it. She was long gone.

Why did you do that? What were you thinking? Out of everything you could have done, why would you go after Luz? Of course she would try to protect her. That’s what Amity does. And now she’s hurt. She’s hurt because of you. All because you let your emotions get the better of you. Again. When will you ever learn?

Willow clutched at her head, trying in vain to get her mind to quiet down. Just for a minute. Just long enough to let her think. But when she covered her ears the voices only screamed louder. Your fault, they cried. Spiteful. Stupid. Weak. No wonder she left you behind. You can’t keep up. Who did you think you were fooling, half-a-witch like you? All those people. All that work. Everything they did for you, and this is the best you can do? Barely clinging onto a passing grade. Lickspittle to Boscha. That’s why she picked Luz. Because even if she’s just a human, she’s better than you!

Willow shouted incoherently as she vented her rage into the locker with both fists. It moaned around the dent she left in it and spat a fang onto the floor.

“Oh-ho. There she is.” Boscha crooned from the shadow of the door. “That was some savage work back there. I didn’t know you had it in you. I mean, I hate the human, but going for a headshot like that? You are one mean witch. Too bad, oh so perfect, Miss Blight had to get in the way.”

Willow clenched her teeth hard enough to hear a pop. She set her shoulders and forced her hands open. She refused to give into Boscha’s barbs. Boscha relished in the tension, if she recognized it at all.

“Don’t get me wrong. If not for your little tantrum we would have never gotten Amity out of the way long enough for me to get the rusty smidge. Good thing too. We might have lost if you didn’t pull your head out at just the right time. What was it that finally got to you?” She taunted.

“Drop it, Boscha.” Willow warned.

“It was that play wasn’t it. I knew as soon as they set up. Amity ran the thorn vault again, and after what it did to your face. You know she told me that she was hanging up her pads for good after that? Said she would never play again. Turns out she just needed the right team. Huh?”

Willow’s muscles went taught. Shaking with pent up frustration, desperate for an outlet. Stay in control. Don’t lose it, Willow. You can do this.

“I know the girls were fawning over Amelia after the game, but don’t worry. I told them you were still the best fit. No one is taking your spot, yet. No need to thank me. I mean, what are friends for?”

“Friends?” Willow finally turned on her tormentor. The spark of pure hatred in her eyes made Boscha take a step back. Willow advanced. “We have never been friends. You have done nothing but tear me down from the moment I met you. You made it clear, over and over, that you tolerate me at best. None of you even care about me. The only one who does is Amity. She’s my friend.”

Despite being backed against the wall Boscha’s smile widened impishly. She went in for the kill.

“Is she?”

Don’t lose control. She’s not worth it. You can do this. You can do this.

Can’t you?

The door slammed loudly as Willow barged past a bewildered Cat. Fresh tears burning hotly in her eyes, threatening to scorch new scars down her cheeks. Cat’s attempts to call her back fell on deaf ears. Willow didn’t want to hear. She just ran.

“What’s wrong with Willow?”

“Who knows?” Boscha answered. “I was just congratulating her on a good game.”

“What did you say to her?” Cat asked suspiciously.

“Nothing she didn’t need to hear.”

Willow looked around blurry eyed but didn’t know where she was. All she knew for sure was that she was alone. Dry sobs wracked her chest as she clawed for air. She dropped to her knees, loudly pushing a desk over in a futile attempt to silence the voices. Your fault. She rocked forward until her forehead pressed against the cold floor. You did this to yourself. Her fingers dug into the sides of her skull, loosening her braids. Failure. Strands of hair clung wetly to her forehead.

“Willow? Are you in there?”

Not you. Anyone but you.

“Leave me alone.” Willow groaned.

“Hey, I was looking for you.” Luz pressed on oblivious to the danger. “Amity sent me to tell you she isn’t - whoa. Are you okay?”

“Just go.” Willow tried to warn her. “You shouldn’t have followed me.”

“I didn't, I just followed the trail of flowers.”

Willow glanced back and saw the tiny white flowers sprouting between the cracked tiles. It wasn’t untill that moment that she noticed the vines that had shot up and rooted her feet to the floor. They continued to inch their way up her legs. She couldn’t stop them. She couldn’t control them at all.

Take control. You can do this. It’s your magic. You can do this. 

“It’s okay.” Luz said.

You can do this.

“I’m right here.”

You can do this.

“I can help you.”

You can’t do this.

Luz reached out to put a hand on Willow’s shoulder but Willow batted it away as she rose up to meet her. A riot of green shot in Luz’s direction. She was only barely able to leap out of the way and behind the meager protection of a fallen desk.

“I told you to leave me alone!” Willow roared as she began to grow. Deadly vines studded with razor sharp barbs snaked their way over her legs lifting her into the air. “Why don’t you listen?” A thick bark hardened into a massive fist augmenting her own. She used it to effortlessly slap the desk aside. “I’ll make you listen.”

The nurse had just placed the final healing sigil on Amity’s fresh cast when the detention teacher burst breathlessly through the door. Amity could already tell something very bad was happening. Mr. Shroot didn’t wake up for anything. He scanned the room in a panic until he caught sight of Mrs. Hunchbole.

“Aggie. We need the sleeping nettles. Now. It’s happening again.”

She surprised Amity and Mr. Shroot both when she tossed the leftover gauze a hit him directly below his eyes.

“Agh! What was that for?”

“I had to make sure you’re really you.”

“It’s not an illusion. It’s plants.”

“Oh Titan. Follow me.” Mrs. Hunchbole said as she rushed past him. “And this time remember your mask.”

As soon as they were out of sight Amity summoned a small abomination and sent it to drag a nearby crutch over to her bed. She mounted it and started to hobble down the halls. She had to hurry. Willow was in trouble.

“Why are you here? Why would she send you?” Willow shouted as she formed a hammer of vines and slammed it into the spot Luz had just occupied, crushing another desk and scattering a few chairs. The plants she had inadvertently summoned had formed around her into a vaguely cyclopean golem with Willow’s burning eyes dominating the center of what might be called a head. Every time she spoke the fanged maw gnashed open and shut. “Is she too scared to tell me herself?”

“I can’t imagine why she would be?” Luz quipped as she used an ice platform to launch herself just out of reach.

Luz started looking for a way out. The room was too small to avoid - whatever Willow had become forever. Especially if she kept growing like that. Luz needed space.

“Don’t laugh at me!” Willow raged. “You’re just a dumb human who barely even knows three spells.”

“Actually. As of this afternoon, I know four.”

Luz slapped her hands together to activate the fire glyphs she held in each hand. Willow grasped at her too late. Luz used the blast of the flamethrower to propel herself toward the door of the classroom. The golem cringed away from the heat as the gout of flame roasted the beast. Several vines sizzled and burst only to be replaced by more. The effort distracted Willow long enough for Luz to make good her escape. She slapped a light glyph onto the door before she slammed it shut. Even so, she still had to shield her eyes to keep the flash bang from blinding her too. Luz was up before she had even blinked away the stars. 

Just in time too. The door blasted from its hinges and skidded down the hall passing Luz on the right. A wooden hand groped blindly before simply planting its fingers like roots in the floor and dragging more of itself through the tiny gap. The Willow thing attempted to crush through the opening clogging it with plant matter. It roared in frustration.

“Get back here!” The voice was only vaguely reminiscent of Willow.

“First you want me to leave, now you want me back. Make up your mind, girl.” Luz had the good sense to say that under her breath. Best not to antagonize it any further.

Luz turned a corner just as the thing that used to be Willow managed to batter its way through the door and start clawing after her. Luz’s eyes went wide. It was already halfway down the hall. Luz needed to pick up speed.

After a few close calls Luz found her way to what she was looking for. The only thing between her and the exit was a spiral staircase. Luz dropped an ice glyph and stomped on it, turning the stairs into her own personal luge run. She slid down on her feet, flinging her hands out wildly until she hit the floor at a dead sprint. But the main hall proved too big. Before she could make it within even ten yards of the doors the plant monstrosity launched itself from the upper rails and landed with a massive thud between her and the exit.

“You won’t get a way that easy.” It gurgled.

“Who’s trying to get away?” Luz smirked.

A half dozen icicles speared the thing from every direction as the glyphs she had seeded around the room activated. Each shaft encasing large sections of its limbs in ice The thing cried out in pain. Luz had always wondered what a tree falling in the forest might sound like, if this was it she understood why they tried so hard to fall when no one was around. Smothered somewhere in the dark and the green Willow cried out too. No one heard. Luz formed an ice machete in one hand and whipped up a flame blast in the other. She rushed the monster and started hacking away in an attempt to free Willow from its grasp. Still it mocked her.

“You’re nothing special. You’ve done nothing but hurt her. Humiliate her. She should hate you, but I miss one dance and suddenly we’re not friends anymore?”

The monster seemed to finally catch on to what Luz was trying to do. It stopped trying to break free from the ice and started tearing its own arm off instead. Luz redoubled her efforts hoping to get Willow free first.

“You don’t deserve Amity’s friendship.” The thing snarled. Luz did her best to ignore it. “You just take her for granted. I work so hard to make myself worthy. Ever since we were kids I had to be better. You’re not worth it. You’ve never had to prove yourself over and over and over again.”

The arm finally tore free. It swiped at Luz, dozens of sharp shoots aimed at her heart. Luz pushed herself away with an ice platform and whipped out a vine to Tarzan herself to safety. It was a mistake. Willow’s magic reached out and took control of the vine. Before Luz could even let out a decent yell it started to twist itself around her arm. Luz fought against the strangling cords as the thing ripped itself free and stalked towards her helplessly dangling form. Luz could see that the gaping hole she had torn in its chest was already stitching itself closed. It didn’t even look humanoid anymore. A venus fly trap mouth opened and screamed at her. Luz swayed gently under the power of its breath, rank with fresh fruit and old herbs.

“Gross, mulch breath.” Luz joked.

“Stop laughing. You’re not better than me!”

“I never said I was.” But Willow couldn’t hear her. She was in too deep.

“Then why?” The monstrosity continued. “Why are you good enough to be her friend and I’m not?”

“Hey, up here!” a voice yelled down from the balcony.

The thing turned to address it. Amity stood on the rail, crutch in one hand, oversized purple scythe encasing the other. The creature looked up at her and screeched. Without a moment’s hesitation Amity dove off the rail. Her crutch dropped away and she sliced down through the air like a bird of prey, swinging her talon into the heart of the creature.

“Wait. Willow’s still in there.” Luz tried. But it was too late. Amity had already disappeared in the things chest.

You’re weak. Pathetic. Good for nothing. That’s why she left you. That’s why you’ll always be alone. Because no one would ever want to be friends with a broken, worthless, freak like you.

No. I can do this. I just have to calm down. I just have to stay in control.

Control? You were never in control. You pretended to be for a while. But you were always going to lose it. This was bound to happen eventually. I know it. You know it. Because this is exactly what you deserve. Because you’ll always just be Half-a-Witch...

“Willow.” A bright light suddenly pierced the web of vines that had trapped her. The owner of the voice followed.

“No. No. Amity, you can’t be here. I can’t stop it. You have to leave.”

“I won’t. I’m here to help you.”

“You can’t. No one can. I can’t control it.”

“Yes you can. I’ve seen it. Remember?"

Willow remembered. She remembered standing her pathetic present next to the dozens of finely wrapped boxes that dominated the room. She remembered hugging her friend. She remembered what happened later too.

“I lost control then too.”

“But you got it back. You just have to do that again.”

“What if I can’t?”

“You can, you’re the strongest witch I know. And I’ll help you.” Amity reached out and took Willow’s hand. Willow felt it. She tried to hold on.

"Come on Willow. You can do this."

"No she can't!" A voice bellowed. A voice that even Willow didn't recognize as her own.

Amity tried to fight it. She slashed at the green, trying to free her friend. The vines lashed themselves around Amity dragging her away, protecting Willow from the intrusion. Amity yelled, it might have been a name, it might have been an apology. It might have just been a scream as the thorns found purchase. The vegetation muffled it too quickly for Willow to be sure. Amity was in trouble. She was going to be hurt again. It would be her fault. Unless she gets control. Willow had to get back control.

You can do this.

It had been a long time since Willow had needed it, but she still remembered the trick that Dad had taught her. She yanked her arm free and held up her fingers. The movement was slow, deliberate. She started by releasing the breath she didn’t know she was holding. Then she followed the steps, just like she used to.

Inhale. 2. 3. 4.

Her fingers counted in time.

Exhale. 2. 3. 4.

She did it again.

And again.

Slowly. Ever so slowly the light started to peek through. Willow could see Amity, she wasn’t scared, she was smiling. She trusted Willow. The thing shuddered and the plants fell away, until all that was left was the two of them. Willow collapsed into Amity’s arms, a messy puddle of sobs and tears.

“It’s okay. It’s okay.” Amity kept repeating as she held her friend.

“It’s not okay. I lost control again. Not just here. In the game. And I…and you got hurt. It’s all my fault. But I can do better. Please. I promise I’ll be better.”

To her horror Willow saw her stone hanging from a vine. Her hands shot to her face, trying to conceal it. She reached blindly for the stone, not trusting her magic to get it for her. Amity brushed her hand away. Willow tried to look away but Amity wouldn't let her. Willow opened her eyes slowly. Amity looked back. She didn't turn away. She looked right into her eyes. She started to blubber apologies again but Amity cut her off.

“Please stop Willow. You don’t need to be better, you’re already the best. You’re my best friend.”

“Aww. That’s really sweet. But, can someone get me down from here?” Luz croaked from her cocoon.

“Sorry. One sec.” Willow released the wrap and Luz dropped upside down onto a spongy mushroom that Willow also provided.

“Oooh. Soft.” Luz cooed. “Thanks, Willow.”

Willow turned her attention back to Amity.

“So, can we…are we still friends?” She asked hesitantly.

“If you still want to be.” Amity answered.

“What do you mean?”

“Back then, when I told you you had to leave my party because you weren’t strong enough. That wasn’t me. My parents said that you couldn’t be my friend anymore and if I didn’t kick you out they would make sure you couldn’t go to Hexside. But then you lost control and made all my plants break through their pots. I thought if I could just show them how powerful you were then they wouldn’t make you leave. I didn’t want to lose you. It was selfish. I’ve spent so long with my mom telling me that If I’m not the best, then I’m not good enough. I never wanted to make you feel that way too. Can you forgive me?”

“Of course.” Willow said with a genuine smile. The fourth one. A new record.

“Cool, so we’re all friends again?” Luz asked, plopping down next to them.

Willow could only stare at her incredulously.

“Seriously? I just tried to kill you. Twice ”

“So? Like four people tried to kill me my first week here. A couple wanted to eat me.”

“Only four?” Amity asked bemused.

“Well, I don’t really count you. You only wanted to beat me up in front of everyone and force me to stop learning magic. That’s way worse than killing me.”

Willow could only shake her head while the two of them bickered playfully. She thought she was starting to understand what was special about this human.

“Shut up, shut up. Did you see, Amity? I learned my fourth spell!”

“Even if I did, it won't stop you from showing me.”

“Nope. Watch this.”

Luz pulled out a sheet of paper and scribbled on it forming the new fire glyph. She pressed it and a small ball of flame floated into being just above where the glowing glyph disintegrated itself. Willow stared. If she was telling the truth, Luz had only learned the fire spell that afternoon and she already had so much control.

“Look! I--have made fire.” Luz stomped around and beat her chest doing her best impression of Tom Hanks from that movie, completely forgetting that she was still holding the fire in her hands. Her uniform immediately burst into flames. Again.  “Aghh!”

Luz threw herself on the ground and started rolling like a mad woman. Then the air above her clouded over and a pleasant rainstorm doused her robes. She lifted a shaky thumbs up.

“Thanks again, Willow.” She mumbled into the floor.

On the balcony above Mrs. Hunchbowl and Mr. Shroot looked down on the scene.

“Crisis averted, it seems.” Aggie noted. She pushed the cork back into her bottle of sleeping nettle potion. “Looks like we won’t be needing these after all.”

“Oh. Thaatsh Goowooo…” Mr. Shroot slurred before dropping to the floor with a thud, snoring loudly.

Aggie carefully corked his bottle.

“I told you to put on a mask this time.” She grumbled while rolling him over. Only then did she notice his snores were indeed being muffled by a mask. “Wait. Don’t tell me you just wanted a nap!”

A few days later Willow found herself searching for the woods for the path to the Owl house after school. She had a lot more free time now that she dropped Grudgby. And with Amity’s help she was even catching back up on her school work. Not to mention she had never felt so relaxed. Until she felt a sudden tug on the back of her uniform that is. She spun quickly, hands already forming a couple defensive spells.

“Woah! Hold on. Friendly, I’m a friendly.” Gus shouted as he ducked out of the way and into a nearby bush.

“Sorry about that. But you can’t sneak up on a girl like that.” She giggled.

“I’m starting to see that. You headed to Luz’s place too?”

“Yeah but I got turned around. Do you know the way?”

He nodded and started walking in the opposite direction. Willow followed in silence. Not sure how to say what she needed to say.

“Listen Gus, about the other day. I just wanted you to know that I didn’t mean any of that. I shouldn’t have been so mean and I’m…”

“How did you do it?” He asked suddenly.

“I hung out with Boscha for too long.” she answered, none too proud. “I knew it was wrong and I shouldn’t have done that to you. I’m sor…”

“Not that.” Gus cut in. Interrupting her again. 

“Oh. What then?”

“You lost control. But you got it back. No one had to gas you. You don’t have to wear any magic blockers. You just got it back under control. How did you do that?”

“It's something my Dad’s taught me when I was little. I can show you. And as an apology maybe I can teach you a few fighting moves that don’t involve diving into shrubbery.” She said as she brushed a few stray leaves out of his hair. “If you want.”

“Yeah. I could probably use a few pointers if I’m gonna be hanging out with you guys.” He paused and let her pull the last of the leaves free. “Thanks, Willow.”

“No problem, Gus.”

“High five?”

Gus held his hand up expectantly. His face was so full of excitement that it was impossible to deny him. She held her hand up. Gus slapped it. And again. Then a third time.

“Oh man. It’s still such a rush.” He said going for a fourth.

“I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?" She said after the fifth.

“Oh, absolutely.”

But she never did. They laughed together, and Willow’s smile was real. She just didn’t feel the need to count them any more.