If only romance were as simple as her books made it seem. What if it was that easy just to say hello to that pretty girl, waving at her from across the hallway? Getting closer and closer...what if she could wave back without getting red in the face and actually talk to her about something, not be distracted merely by her presence? What if she could walk right up to her and tell her how she really feels, throw up some finger guns and maybe even a wink? She's had so many chances and she let them slip through her hands like grains of sand.

The thing was, Luz always stopped to check up on Amity. She always came by her locker with some wacky variation of 'how are you', (today it was 'how's my favorite girl?', much to Amity's dismay) that bright signature smile on her face. She always tries to offer her something, help carrying her books, help with anything at all, and Amity looks at her, the girl who's already given her so much—headaches included.

She's become this big thing in her mind—the more she finds herself thinking about her, swelling and rough around the edges. But Luz really couldn't be more simple in concept. Sometimes Amity is confused about her feelings. She wonders what did it. It's probably that pretty smile. Really she's just...Luz. Her friend. Her fearless champion.

And, Amity realizes that Luz asked her a question. And she really wants to answer back but instead she just stumbles over her words. There really isn't anything else she can do but ignore it and keep walking. Surely Luz would understand if she knew why.

She's up until late hours of the night thinking, how can I let her know? She wishes she could just show her— thinks about how much easier it would be if she was a mind reader. She wishes Luz could hear her thoughts, her desperate eternal screams, see things from her side, see how her heart flutters and how she's brightly glowing around her.

And as she smiles, pulls her along, Amity knows there's nothing in the world that can save her now. But still she tries to tread the water, find an island in the middle of the ocean. It's not love, you don't love her, I swear, she tries to tell herself but she doesn't believe it for one second.

But maybe if she says it enough, thinks it enough, then maybe…

"So…" Luz prompts casually with that mischievous glint in her eyes— Amity already knows she's in trouble. She's looking at her like she's finally figured her out— figured it out. Of course immediately upon the slightest glance came Amity's red face, her racing heart. It was getting kind of ridiculous now. The warm glow of the sunset on her face, her gentle smile. The way she's looking at Amity, it all drives her nuts and she wishes...she just wishes…

"What?" Amity shoots back innocently, like she hasn't got a clue and she's just as oblivious as the girl beside her. Stay focused, she has to remind herself or she'll forget how to keep walking and fall.

"I think you have a crush on someone!"

Amity's heart actually feels like it might have exploded. But you'd never guess that from her cool exterior. "Why do you think that?"

"Because you're always red," she looks at her pointedly and as if on cue, Amity helps to prove her point. "And don't think I never see you with that little smile," she teases, oblivious as ever, as per usual with Luz. "So tell me who it is!"

Amity thinks for a little while. There's an easy way out here but she likes to keep Luz on her toes—she knows it's killing her. This isn't the first time Luz has asked about this. "Well," she holds her hands together behind her back, straightening her posture, focuses on her walking pattern- left right left right. "There is someone,"

Luz's eyes widen but in a playful way. Amity can't help but giggle a little bit. "But I'd never tell you."

Amity burst out into full on laughter as Luz whines loudly, pouting her lip. "Oh come on!" She begs. "Why not me? At least give me a clue! What's the first letter of his name?"

Amity pauses for a split second at that. His name. Oh Luz, if only you knew. She starts to think, maybe she's the crazy one here— it isn't such a hard thing to believe that a girl like her could feel like this about a human, let alone a girl one, is it? She feels elated with excitement, feels that rush of how wrong this is and how doomed she is, feeling so special to have Luz all to herself, begging her like this. There's no one in the way, she's getting so much undivided attention. "Nice try, Noceda," is all she budges. She wants this to last a little longer.

"I bet I could guess," she says fiercely, like it's a challenge. Amity's mind goes blank and she can feel Luz looking at her. She gets the impression that Luz maybe didn't really care either way who it was. She just liked to see Amity like this. "Is it that one kid who sits alone at lunch? He is kinda cute,"

Amity pauses, a wave of jealousy briefly washes over her. She doesn't have the slightest idea who Luz is even talking about. But she coolly goes along. "Maybe,"

"Hm, okay," she nods, more invigorated than ever. She thinks she's hot on the tail but the truth is, she's not even close. "It's definitely not Mattholomule—right?"

"Definitely not," she quickly confirms. Even if she were into guys— it wouldn't ever be him. Not in a million years. If Amity weren't so wound up right now, she'd be able to acknowledge the fact that she can feel herself falling for her, deeper and deeper. It's a familiar feeling, the warm tingle going up her back makes her shiver. It's almost like something at the back of her mind is telling her that Luz knows, this was all part of her plan to get Amity to fall for her. Maybe Luz was sent here as a test from the emperor's coven. She hopelessly thinks, looking at her as she ticks off random Hexside student's names on her fingers, Well, I failed. It worked well. Maybe she's just a fool.

They make it to the library and Amity decides not to get too worked up about how Luz just held the door open for her. It's a good thing they're both such good friends, things would be weird otherwise. Being quiet for a moment is such a pain to Luz as they cross the library to Amity's secret hideout, her eyes begging the next guess of the next guy. She eagerly pulls her by the hand and Amity yearningly trails along, like eating too much of something you know you shouldn't but you can't stop. Nothing can save her now.

They tumble into the secret room, its warm cozy atmosphere taking them in and a bookshelf swallows them, it was once Amity's but she's willing to share it because it's special just like Luz is. And all of her special things should be in one place, she guesses. Seeing her here makes her heart race even in its mundaneness. "Okay, don't laugh. Eyeball kid!"

They both go dead silent before bursting into wheezing laughter. Then Luz suddenly stops but there's still a playfulness in her eyes. "I don't even know if that's a boy or a girl!" She pauses. "Not that I'm-...you know,"

Amity flushes, anxiously rubs her arm. "No, it's okay," she takes a deep breath and decides to give Luz one more tiny little hint. "I...like girls too."

Luz goes quiet. Then she blinks, stammering for the right words. "Oh! Well... that's definitely gonna make it harder for me to guess who it is."

Amity deadpans.

There's an awkward silence between them as they look for a book to read, of course ultimately ending up with some volume of Good Witch Azura. Luz plops down on a little beanbag cushion in the corner of the floor and Amity sits far away at her desk. It seems like one hundred hours have passed before Luz finally says something and Amity sighs in relief. "Wanna take turns reading to each other?"

"Sure," she quickly agrees because she'd do anything to get things back to normal again. Luz sits on the floor, smiling at Amity and patting the beanbag chair. Oh, she just doesn't get the hint does she? Amity smiles back weakly and moves to sit there— the thing she anticipated would happen happens, as if on cue and Luz lays her head back, right in her lap. A blush creeps up her neck as they briefly make eye contact.

Amity is trying to pull herself together under the mask of finding her page when Luz says, "So—...you definitely have a little crush on Azura, right?" She smirks up at her knowingly. Amity all but squeaks and she pouts. Well, she's not wrong. Biting down on her lip, Amity nods and Luz lets out a satisfied little giggle. "Knew it."

So now Amity is freaking out about two things at once. It's fine if she just told Luz the biggest secret of her life, that didn't change anything. Was she that obvious? "So? You always have a crush on the villains. Every single time!" She weakly shoots back.

"I can't help it! Villains are hot," Luz says and Amity tries not to freak out. Actually, she is right about that too. It feels rebellious to feel that way about a character you're supposed to hate but why do the villains always have the most chemistry with the main character? It's definitely not an accident. Luz suddenly sits up beside Amity, much to her relief. She looks embarrassed, reaching for Amity's trembling hand, she says, "I have to tell you something!"

Oh Titan spare me, what else could she possibly say that will—"I think I'm like that too...but I'm still trying to figure it out,"

"Y-you mean you like girls?" Amity asks quietly.

Luz nods. "Do you think I'm weird?"

"No. Do you think I'm weird?"

"Of course not," Luz says, gently interlaces their fingers. Amity sighs, her chest aching with how fast her heart is beating right now. She has to try and calm herself down or else she'll explode. Luz starts laughing then Amity realizes how ridiculous all of this is. The stars have aligned perfectly and there really has been no better time for Amity to say what she needs to say. Luz likes girls! Amity is a girl!

"You dummy," she laughs and rests her forehead gently against hers. Then it slips out, all of the ways she thought it'd happen, all the things she thought she'd say scatter with the wind. "You know I love you, right?"

Luz pauses. "You love me?"

Amity nods eagerly, their eyes meet and her heart flutters because it's finally happening. That wasn't so bad. She should have just told her a long time ago! "More than you could ever know."

"Love you too." She sighs, relaxing against Amity and she lets out a relieved giggle.

It obviously hadn't clicked yet. What else could it possibly take? What else did she have to say?

Amity hesitates. She should just leave it like this, it was good enough. She said it. She should have left it at that and went on with the evening, giggling at her cheesy jokes and taking her sweet nothings. But…

"No...L-Luz," She takes Luz's hand, gently presses it to her face as she watches confusedly. "You always ask me who my crush is, but…"

Luz's eyes widen as she steadily comes to the realization. Finally. "It's... you."

"Oh." She blinks, completely taken aback.

In the rush of the moment, Amity just loses all sense of self control and she wants to be close to her. They were playing, right? This was a joke and it hardly matters anymore because surely Luz already knew. Her wide eyes, lips parted in shock— she wanted to be closer. But that's weird.

Besides, Luz doesn't see her like that. Not the way Amity wants her to. That thought makes her crazy but at least Luz can't tell what she's thinking. Now Amity doesn't even know what she herself is thinking, but it doesn't matter anymore because she's had it.

She's had it alright, watching her smile and laugh, it tugs at her heart everyday, every second. It's beautiful— she's beautiful. A rush of excitement tingles up her arm and she lifts her hand up to hold her face gently. Amity bites her lip at how warm she is— she looks at her lips, the ones that are always smiling— the ones she's always wanted to kiss. Luz looks panicked now but it's just in the background to Amity. She's too far gone to try and stop now. She doesn't care.

And even though she knows she shouldn't do this— knows that this is completely wrong, she keeps leaning in, closer and closer, just wanting to get closer. Luz goes completely red and she leans backwards to reclaim every inch Amity's unrightfully stolen. And she knows Luz doesn't want this but there's something almost magnetic pulling her in. She feels like a maniac and she knows now that this was definitely going to ruin their friendship, but...

Their lips brush and Luz jolts from the feeling of it. Amity leans in all the way, sealing the gap and her fate but it was finally happening. Amity thinks it was completely worth the wait, she's unrightfully earned it. But she knows Luz doesn't want this. But she doesn't try to stop her either. A soft, hesitant kiss from Amity prompts Luz to kiss back for a short moment and it is pure bliss. She slips a hand up, fingers combing through her mint hair— it sends a delightful shiver up her spine. She wishes it could be like this forever. It's not significant in the grand scheme of things but it's pretty nice right now.

Luz brings her hand up to hold Amity's face, gently caressing her jaw with more slight kisses. But as soon as it had started, it was over.

Luz pulls away and gently says, "Amity…"

For a moment, she wonders, wait, is that a good Amity or a bad Amity? Judging by the firm hand that gently pushes her back, tears already stinging at her eyes, it's most definitely not a good one. She knew this yet she still… "I am...so sorry," Amity shakes her head in disbelief. She can't believe this is happening.

"No, no, it's okay," Luz seems to be in shock also, she snatches her hand off of Amity and she blinks, her face burning self consciously. "I'm...I…"

"I am so sorry," she repeats, quickly scrambling to her feet.

It all settles in like a ton of bricks all at once and in one swoop Amity is packing up her bag because she needs to get out of here, now. Luz stays frozen on the floor as she watches Amity— she's trying to speak but she just can't think for anything right now. "What… just happened?"

"I don't know. I'm sorry. I'll leave you alone forever, you won't ever have to deal with me anymore—" she stammers through tears, shoves her books away and pulls the door open.

"Amity, wait! Please talk to me." She follows her to the door and pushes it closed again, reaching for Amity's hand but she snatched it away. Luz looks hurt by that but her voice comes out shaky. "I don't know what's going on."

"I just made a terrible mistake," She says out loud and it becomes real, confirms it for the both of them. "I ruined our friendship."

"No you didn't," Luz says but neither one of them believe it. Amity whimpers and tries to pull away but she holds her tighter. "Just talk to me. Please?"

"Why did you kiss me back?" Amity asks suddenly. Luz stammers, looking very ashamed. "Because I know you don't like me that way."

"I...wanted to see what it was like. I'm sorry." She says quietly.

"Say it."

"Say what?"

"Say you don't feel the same about me."

Luz pauses, like she doesn't understand. She already knew what this whole thing was about when she got herself into this. She didn't really have a choice. But for some reason it hurts more than she could have imagined— she's imagined it a lot.

"No," Luz sighs. "I don't...feel the same."

Amity jerks herself away. And it becomes real. Now Amity would do anything to get things back to the way they were, her hopeless one sided pining. At least she hadn't heard Luz confirm her worst fear. At least she could pretend. "But, I would love it if we could still be friends." She says, misplaced confidence in her voice.

Amity can't help the bitter laugh that erupts from her throat. "Are you kidding? Friends?" She snatches her hand away and goes to pace around the room. "Do you know how much I hate that word?"

"What…?" Luz asks, standing back to give Amity her space. She's so mad Luz imagines she's hot to the touch.

"You never noticed?"

"I…" Luz backs away as Amity closes in on her. They bump against the wall. Amity pokes a finger to her chest.

"You're an idiot," she says but there's still a hint of fondness in her tone. Luz smirks and Amity is right back to square one. She flushes, completely losing her resolve. "Take this seriously!"

"I can't when you look like that," she tries her best to suppress a giggle. "Gosh, I'm sorry. Can we kiss again?"

"W—What?" Amity stammers. Well… now she doesn't know how to feel. Is she supposed to stay mad and tell Luz no, she won't kiss her, or kiss her right now and be a pathetic doormat who stands for nothing? This is certainly not how she expected this to go.

Nothing ever goes according to plan when Luz is involved.

So Amity does exactly what you expected her to and spends the rest of the afternoon just making out with Luz, but don't worry because it's still one sided— Luz doesn't get the same rush from it like Amity does. She wanted to practice kissing as friends and Amity would gladly be anything Luz needs her to be, even if she was going to cry herself to sleep about it later.

Well, at least it was something.