Feels exciting to start the next part of this series! Been busy with recent work on YouTube, but I did have some spare time to swing by and write up the first chapter of this story.

If you haven't read One Witch's Secrets, I suggest you do that first before starting this one. As it will spoil several events in that story.

NOTE: Yes I know I had another story before this called "New Family", but I decided to scrap it since I virtually had no clue where to take it. And it was better to put elements of that story into this one anyway.

SIDE NOTE: I do NOT own The Owl House. All rights go to Dana Terrace and Disney.

Monday. The first day of the week. The one day that people of all ages dread upon belief, thanks to going back to their usual schedule of working, or school work. For many, they want the day to go by as quickly as possible so they'd never have to look back on it again until next time.

Boscha on the other hand, felt like she was about to go through Mondays every single day, with no way of moving on in a calmly or subtle manner. It was only three days ago when she embarrassed Amity Blight in front of a public crowd during the Boiling Isles' Blossoming Tree festival. Exposing her in front of her own crush, and leading up to nothing but fear.

It felt like a miracle when Luz let her stay at her place - The same girl she believed to have ruined her life for the past few weeks since her arrival. But as her night proved to her, Luz was anything but a horrible person.

Boscha felt this sense of warmth and comfort from Luz that she hadn't felt from anyone in the last few years. Despite her friends sticking along for her shenanigans, there was hardly a sense of love between Boscha and the group when she was always giving the cold shoulder.

That was only a matter of time before Amity ditched her, followed by Amelia, and Cat.

And Skara.

The last one hit hard for Boscha. Skara had been her best friend since they were little, long before Amity was forced to join her group. Even as they grew older, they still had this strong connection that she wouldn't feel with the others. Almost a sense of sisterly love for a single child.

What happened to Boscha was something she wished she could forget about.

But it happened anyway.

All of this seemed like a reflection of memories, when Boscha sat in front of her mirror to get a look at herself. Her eyes were red from having just woken up, and what little confidence there might have been in her beforehand was gone.

It felt like all she was staring at now, was a loser.

"You don't seem like much of a star now, do you?" she grumbled to her reflection. After she adjusted her hair, she put her hand on her doorknob. There was a slight pause before she opened it though. Like she was about to step into a lifestyle she never would've imagined. She knew as soon as she arrived at Hexside, most other students would have heard about what she did to Amity. Even though Luz was almost willing to forgive her for what she did, she had a lot of holes she needed to patch up.

"Just get through this day, and you'll be fine," she muttered to herself. She wish she could've said that with confidence, but she knew this wouldn't be the only hard day to get through. It'll be different going from a popular Hexside to one that nobody will like. Not even those who she used to hang out with.

Then again, maybe they were better off not being friends anyway.

If that meant Boscha wouldn't hurt them.

After she got through her breakfast, she left for Hexside without a word left in her house. Her parents were already at work, so she would always be on her own when she woke up, not counting some of the servants her parents had hired. She just wanted to get through the day without much fuss. But as more thoughts processed through her mind, she arrived in front of Hexside. She swore it was only seconds ago when she left her home. Now it felt like the day itself was speeding along to put her in this rough situation.

And what Boscha feared was coming before her.

She noticed some of the other students staring at her. And in many cases, she couldn't tell what they were feeling. Were they showing pity against her? Or regret? Or rejection?

Either way, they stared.

It was unsettling.

Boscha kept her eyes towards the floor, attempting to ignore the eyes that were glued onto her. But she didn't want others to think she was weak. She may have let her guard down for Luz's sake, but she had to keep her walls high.

Yet all it took for it to show some cracks were simple stares from other students, regardless of what they felt.

Worst of all, Boscha didn't want any of her old friends to notice her. She certainly wasn't in the mood to start an argument in Hexside's main hallway.

And she didn't want any attention to be brought onto her either.

"Hey! Look over there!" A student called out. Boscha covered herself with her hoodie, wanting to avoid any further contact. But when she looked to see if people were staring at her...

They weren't?

She turned around to see what they were staring at instead, and the result didn't exactly surprise her.

Luz had just arrived at Hexside, her left hand holding on to the one of her new girlfriend. Amity held it as tight as she could, as she was looking a little nervous. People only knew about Amity liking Luz, but they weren't aware they were a couple now. Titan knows how they would react to this.

"Well, what are you all waiting for?" Emira commented standing beside Amity. "Aren't you going to welcome the new couple?"

"Emira!" Amity blurted.

Before she could say a word though, students down the hallway started to cheer for Amity. All glad that the popular student managed to score a date, regardless if it was one of her gender.

"Aww, see?" Luz asked cheerfully. "They're all happy for you!"

Amity's face beeted red from all this affection, even she couldn't help but smile. It was always easier for her to rid of her fears when she was with people that cared about her. Even if Emira had to say it out loud for people to get the memo.

"No Luz, they're happy for us."

"Oh!" Luz blushed nervously. "Yeah, us. I forgot."

Amity laughed from Luz's comment, which prompted Luz to start laughing too. Although they were a bit hard to see, Boscha could tell what was going on. Luz and Amity became a couple, and everyone was happy for them.

Even she couldn't help but feel glad too.

Although part of her was more glad that they managed to take the attention away from her. That meant she could get to her classes easier, without much attention to go for her.

There was a thought that maybe people will stop paying attention to her now that Luz and Amity could become the new talk of the school. Normally, she'd hate to have her spotlight stolen, if Willow was anything to go by.

But in this day and age, it was welcomed more than ever before.

"Aaaaaaand, scoop!" Amity quickly said before she picked Luz up and held her in her arms.

"Whoa!" Luz shrieked. "Amity! What are you doing?"

"I promised Ed and Em I'd have a girlfriend in my arms, so I'm doing it now." Amity winked.

"And you had to say it the same way I did?" Luz smirked.

"How could I not?" Amity giggled, putting Luz back down.

"Alright Mittens," said Edric. "We need to head to class now. Don't get too distracted by each other!"

"I will not!" Amity responded.

The twins giggled before dashing off. Before Luz and Amity could make a move, they suddenly felt hands pulling them together. It turned out to be Gus trying to have a group hug with them, along with Willow.

"Happy day for the new pair!" Gus cheered.

"Yeah, the kind of pair that makes people go 'finally!'" Willow giggled.

"That would only be the case if many people thought it would happen." Amity pointed out.

"So... you two have any nicknames yet?!" Gus asked.

"Nicknames?"

"Oh come on, almost all couples have nicknames for each other." Willow explained.

Luz gasped in response, her eyes starting to sparkle. "I know the perfect nickname for you Amity!"

"Err... what?"

"Amy!"

And just like that, Amity's entire face turned red. She may have become Luz's girlfriend, but she knew the Gay Panic would never go away. "Oh! Wow! Nicknames!" The high pitched comments from her caused the other threee to laugh, until they were interrupted by the screaming school bell.

"Oh, we better get to class," said Willow. "Come on Luz."

"On it!" said Luz, departing with Gus and Willow to their classroom, but not before giving a wave to Amity.

She sheepishly waved back with Luz as her cheeks were turning pink. "Bye Luz, have a good class!"

"Oh my gosh!" Luz gasped. "I completely forgot something!"

"What is it?" Amity asked in a worried tone, before Luz suddenly ran up to her and practically fell into her arms. Followed by a kiss on the lips, which threw her off guard. After a bit though, Amity reacted accordingly and returned her kiss to Luz while adjusting her balance. When they broke free, Amity stroked Luz's cheek gently. "You goofball."

"Can't forget kisses for the most beautiful girl on the Boiling Isles!" Luz responded cheerfully. "Uhh, no offense Willow."

"None taken." Willow said happily.

"Bye Amity! I love you!" Luz called out when she rushed back to her group.

The Blight girl simply laughed, and waved to her girlfriend again. "I love you too!" She strolled off happily to her classroom. For Amity, it didn't even need to take Luz that much effort to make her day amazing.

She was a complete dork, but still the perfect girl she loved.

When the time came, Boscha was sent to the Potions classroom after her regular classes to continue with her lessons. She took an empty seat near the back of the room, at a table nobody was sitting at. Unlike last time, nobody was staring at her, and she found an empty surrounding to be more comforting.

She slumped forward a bit and twirled her thumbs back and forth, the same voice echoing throughout her head.

Just get through it. Just get through it.

"Alright students!" the potion teacher spoke loudly. "Get your pots out! It's time to see how far you've gotten with your mixtures!"

Following the teacher's demand, Boscha took some mixtures from the front desk and back to her table. Some of the other students were working together for their's, but Boscha opted out.

"I can do this myself..." she mumbled to herself. She was briefly interrupted by Barcus, who looked to be offering to partner with her, until he read her aura and opted out. She had no idea what he was thinking, but she decided not to think about it. Any ounce of attention can send chills up her back nowadays.

Instead of paying attention to her mixture though, Boscha's mind was elsewhere - Thinking constantly about her old friends and how to earn their trust again. Adapting to a new lifestyle she's not used to.

Worst of all, accepting the fact that nobody trusts her and wants to be her friend. Seeming like all that attention during Grudgby season was for pity and nothing more.

Just more reasons to feel completely lost.

Which only slapped her in the face when she realised her mixture was messing up.

"Oh shoot!" Boscha tried to stir her mixtures together to cool it down. When it did, she sighed of relief. But chills travelled again when another student approached her. He seemed to be a newer student who came here not too long ago, and was giving Boscha a gentle look.

"Boscha? Do you need help with that?" he asked with sympathy in his voice.

"Uhh, sure." she answered nervously. The young student handed her a mixture to pour into her pot. When she did though, it faded into black.

Pure dark black that even showed her reflection.

"Is this... normal?"

"Yeah. It's meant to represent the colour of your heart." he responded in a more annoyed tone.

That really hurt Boscha. She didn't want to admit it, but it did.

She chose not to say anything, and sat back down trying to keep her eyes away from this student. There was virtually no point in saying anything. It seemed like nobody would be willing to side with her. He turned around in a huff, and went back to his table.

If Boscha were any normal student, a course of action like that would be seen as an act of offense by Hexside staff.

But these were being directed on the same person who took pride in making others miserable.

She deserved that.

"Hey! Sorry I'm late!" A voice called from the front. Boscha lifted her head up and noticed Luz facing the teacher. She almost forgot that Luz has to attend various sessions during school, given her multi track status.

"Quite alright Ms. Noceda," the teacher responded gently. "Take a seat."

Luz spotted Boscha sitting in the back by herself. She briefly gave a wave to Barcus, and walked to where Boscha was sitting to take a seat. The sudden sound of the chair moving made her jump in shock.

"Human!" Boscha exclaimed. "Don't scare me like that!"

"Sorry Boscha," said Luz. "I noticed you were sitting by yourself back here, so I decided to sit next to you."

"Thanks, but no thanks. I'd prefer to be on my own."

"Aww come on. How else are we gonna bond together?"

Boscha's top eye turned to Luz, and her optimistic look ended up getting the look from all her eyes. Something about the way she was looking at her was making her think otherwise.

Luz was the only person she's seen today who actually wanted to see her. The only one willing to give her a chance.

The smile on her face couldn't keep Boscha's walls up for long.

"Fine."

"Sweet!" Luz said cheerfully. "So whatcha conjuring up here?"

Boscha's eyes widened, and quickly poured the mixture out the window. "Uhh, don't worry too much about that!" She didn't need to remind Luz of what she just went through earlier.

"Oh, an error on your part or something?"

"Yeah... just an error." Boscha was glaring at the student who gave her the mixture in the first place, which Luz didn't take notice of. "So uhh... how have you been?"

"Oh I've been amazing!" Luz said with excitement, pulling some mixtures out and starting to pour some into the pot. "Me and Amity are a couple now."

"I kinda knew that already." Boscha smirked.

"Guessing the school wasn't keeping it a secret, huh?"

"Nope."

"Well anyway yeah, we're a couple now and we've been loving every second of it! It's kinda weird too that now Amity and her siblings live at the Owl House with us."

"Huh?" Boscha asked in shock. "Amity lives with you now?"

"Only temporarily." Luz reassured. "Until we figure out a way to face her parents again."

"Oh right... Amity's parents tried to kill you."

"Yeah, and then you came along and saved me!" Luz smiled. "I can't thank you enough for that! In fact, I could tell everyone here about how brave you are!"

"Don't bother, Luz. I'd rather sort this situation out by myself."

"If you say so. But if you need anything, say the word!"

"Thank you." Boscha smiled lightly. It was the first time she even showed that kind of look today, all thanks to Luz just being herself. In some ways, Boscha saw why Amity loved her so much. "So, Amity lives with you now, huh?"

"Yep! She likes it for the most part, even though Hooty can annoy her."

"Have you two kissed?" Boscha smirked.

Luz's cheeks turned red when she got that question, but she wasn't afraid to admit the truth. "Yes we have."

"Boy, if your face goes that red now, I can only imagine how red it gets when you actually kiss her."

"Anyway!" Luz briefly interrupted. "Onto you! You ever had a crush on anyone?"

"Me?" Boscha's cheeks flushed red. "No."

"You do, don't you? Your cheeks are red."

"Maybe because you've embarrassed me." Boscha folded her arms.

"Did I?" Luz asked in a worried tone. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine, romance isn't my thing. Let's just focus on getting this mixture done." Boscha pointed out. She proceeded to stir the spoon into the pot to mix the colours together and make something up. Luz slowly joined in, chatting away some more about herself and Amity. Boscha normally liked to brag about herself, but hearing Luz talk like that was rather soothing to her ears.

A soothing voice that she wished she got to hear again from those she used to be close to. Her excitement can always get the better of her, which explains why she got into trouble with Amity's parents despite Boscha's warnings. But Luz was selfless, Boscha had to admit. Even during the target practise, Boscha's real intent was never to hurt Luz but rather just give her a bit of exercise. Her throws were rather small after all.

Even before they became friends, Boscha saw a good side to Luz. She just never wanted to admit it to keep herself strong.

Only now she had other reasons to not be as tough as she was before.

Painful reasons.

Hours rolled by, and the screaming school bell echoed throughout the hallways once again. This time, as an alarm that school was over for the day. As students emerged from their respective classrooms to head to the main entrance, Boscha wanted to make sure she was last one behind so nobody could stare at her. But these students were taking their time, and she knew she couldn't stay in her classroom forever.

Luz, Willow, and Gus were some of the first students to leave the school, partially to get through the ongoing crowd that was sure to increase by the mere seconds. "Make way! Coming through! Exchange student and friends trying to get out here!" Luz called through the ongoing crowd.

"I don't think that's gonna help much, Luz." said Willow.

"It would in a much smaller environment!" cried Gus. "I can barely stretch in this crowd!"

Eventually, the three friends did make it outside despite a few trip ups down the stairs. "Boy, has Hexside ever been this busy after school?" Luz asked.

"Not usually. It's only this intense because of an accident that happened in Beast Keeping." Willow explained.

"An accident that's no longer a problem!" A voice said from behind Luz. When she turned around, she gasped in joy when she saw who it was: Viney, and her pet griffin Puddles.

"Viney! Hey! Nice to see you! Feels like it's been a while since last time!"

"Right back at ya." Viney said, giving Luz a fist bump.

"How are things going for you in your tracks?"

"Oh, much better than before. Puddles and I have kinda been leaving a great impact on our classmates. I never thought Bump would allow us in there after that, but he seemed pretty cool with it. And you?"

"Amazing!" Luz said happily.

"Yeah, because Luz has a girlfriend now~!" Gus said in a snarky tone.

"Oh, you're into girls?" Viney asked.

"Yep!" Luz smiled nervously. Her cheeks were getting a bit pink. "I am."

"Anyway, sorry about all that chaos. There was just an accident in Beast Keeping that freaked everyone out. But me and Puddles have it under control now."

"Cool! And how's Jerbo and Barcus doing?"

"They're doing good too." Viney responded in a natural tone. "Anyway, I better jet. Forgot to get Puddles' food, and you don't wanna know how he'll act when he's hungry." She hopped onto her pet's back, and they flew off into the sky. "Catch you later!"

"Bye!" Luz shouted.

"Anyway Luz, how was your day? Things go smoothly for you in Potions track despite ms. you-know-who?" Gus folded his arms in annoyance.

"You mean Boscha?"

"Pretty obvious he means Boscha." Willow grumbled. "Everyone's been giving her the cold shoulder ever since they found out what she did to Amity." For a second there, Willow stood silently and looked like she was getting more and more frustrated. She looked around the field for something.

Or rather, someone.

She wasn't sure if it needed to be now, but she had something she needed to get off her chest. And she wouldn't feel right if she didn't do it.

"Willow?" Gus said first.

"I'll... see you guys tomorrow. I need to go talk to someone." Willow responded, and left in a little hurry.

"Hm. Anyway, guess I should head off too. Dad promised to take me to town and get some new hats for the next Grudgby game." Gus said while he started to walk away. "Later Luz!"

"Bye Gus!" Luz waved to him. Then she herself started looking around the field too. "And speaking of Amity, where is she?"

A finger tapped on her shoulder right after. From the odd timing, Luz knew who it was. But she wasn't prepared for a sudden kiss on the lips when she turned around to see her girlfriend. After a second, Amity stepped back. "Here I am, Noceda."

"¡Dios mío!" Luz cried in a flustered state. "Don't scare me like that, Amity!"

"Sorry," she chuckled. "Just wanted to greet my girlfriend in a special way."

Once Luz snapped into reality, she at least looked happy to see Amity. "Wow, you really have gone soft on me," she smirked.

Amity laughed again. "That's only because I love you." She leaned in and rubbed Luz's nose with her's. "Come on, let's go home."

"Where's Ed and Em?"

"They like to make a head start to beat me home sometimes. It doesn't matter, I'd rather walk back with you."

Amity gave a gentle smile towards Luz and held her hand tightly. Luz's eyes started to sparkle, and didn't think twice before engaging in a tight hug with her. "Awww! Amy! You're also the sweetest girl on the Boiling Isles too!"

"Okay Luz, come on." Amity patted Luz's shoulder gently. "Let's just get home already."

"Not even a return hug for that?" she smirked.

Amity couldn't help herself and gave Luz a return hug she wanted. Despite the excuse, Amity would sometimes hope to at least get one or more hugs and kisses from Luz. She could care less if people called her a sucker, at least she was dating the girl of her dreams. And it was a lot more love she'd recieve compared to her parents anyway.

After releasing from the hug and giving a quick peck on Luz's cheek, the two lovebirds held hands together and started to walk home. It may only be Amity's temporary home, but it felt more like a real home than any.

"So, you got a nickname for me yet?" Luz asked.

"It's pretty hard to make a nickname from one with three letters."

As minutes rolled by, the crowd grew smaller and smaller. Various students left the building, or were picked up by their parents or guardians. When the hallway appeared virtually empty, Boscha saw it as her chance to leave school without stealing everyone's attention. It could've been a miracle for Luz to be the talk of the school with her first day of being in a relationship. She heads down the hallway to leave, looking around cautiously to see if anyone was looking at her.

Eventually, she did make it outside, while a few other students were waiting on some pick ups. She hopes nobody would even look at her. If she was lucky, perhaps they could forget that she ever did such a cruel act towards her former friend. The Blossoming Tree festival was a big event however. If any word got out regarding what happened at a place like that, chances are they likely never would forget.

And then Boscha saw Skara. Standing by peacefully for her parents to come by and pick her up.

She looked happy.

Happy about what, Boscha didn't know. But what for? Was she going to hang out with that boy who asked her out to Grom? Or was she going to see Amelia? Either way, she still stood there looking gleeful. Not once taking her eyes off the sky to see her former friend.

Boscha needed to get away from Skara, even though her plan was to talk to her friends and try to make amends for her misdeeds. But a simple talk like that could almost never fix years and years of bullying and mistreatment. Skara was Boscha's best friend since they were kids, and it only took one moment to shatter it to pieces.

She really did feel like a loser.

"Oof!"

Boscha tumbled back a bit from a sudden impact. When she turned to see what caused it, her eyes scowled.

Willow stood firmly in front of her, arms folded and returning an identical look to Boscha's.

"What do you want Willow?" she grumbled.

"Oh nothing drastic. I just thought it would be decent of me to see how you're doing after 'you-know-what' happened."

"What? You mean Amity getting together with the human?"

"I meant what you did to Amity and Amelia at the festival!" Willow snapped.

"Alright alright, sheesh. No need to tie your plant in a knot." Boscha attempted to walk away from Willow, but she ended up following her. "Will you stop following me?!"

"Who said I was done with you?" Willow scowled again.

"What do you want from me?!"

"Nothing, I just wanted to see how you're doing. And given I've hardly seen you all day, I think I know what's going on."

Boscha began to sweat a little, swallowing whatever amount of fear was in her body. She prayed that it wasn't how she was acting in the hallways this morning. Wasn't all the attention on Luz and Amity? "What..?"

"You've been trying to avoid everyone's attention, aren't you?"

Dang it. She was onto her too well. "I am not!" Boscha barked.

"Don't think I didn't notice you rushing by while everyone had their attention on Luz. You're just trying to look strong and nobody will care." Willow said bluntly.

"Well duh! I don't want to deal with people making fun of me!"

"They aren't making fun of you, Boscha." Willow said flatly. "They're realising more and more just how much of a jerk you are. And about time, too. Because quite frankly, Amelia and Skara are better off without you anyway."

That last comment felt like an arrow was struck into Boscha's growing heart. She hated even hearing the idea of her old friends treating her like she never existed to them. Boscha knew Willow wasn't intending to hurt her like that, but it still felt painful anyway.

"But..."

"But what?" Willow interrupted. "But they don't deserve us? Is that what you were gonna say? Because that sounds like something you would say."

"No!" Boscha shouted. Her patience with Willow was starting to run dry. Sure, Boscha was on friendlier terms with Luz, but Willow was no easy girl to break. "Would you stop being so judgemental?!"

"I'm not being judgemental. I'm just asking is all."

Boscha paused for a moment, looking sideways to think of something to say. She was struggling hard. Anything she could've said would've been thrown back at her face like a big fat lie. She was considering admitting to Willow that she saved Luz from Amity's parents, but that would require some evidence. And Luz was long gone.

"Point is, Boscha, I was already pretty peeved with how relentlessly you bullied me for the last few years, but to even take it out on your friends for hanging out with anyone besides you?" Willow's voice started to sound more irritated by the second, sending Boscha into a stress panic. "I'm surprised they even lasted being your friend for so long!"

The three-eyed girl just tucked at her uniform, out of Willow's sight. She tried to look tough, but Willow was getting through to her much too easily. Millions of thoughts came into what Boscha could say. She could easily say sorry, but that would never make up for years of bullying.

Willow remained silent for a second, before she continued with her vents. "And before you ask, yes, Skara started hanging out with us now. And she's never been happier."

"I'M SORRY!"

Willow jumped back for a second. "Excuse me?"

"I said I'm sorry!" Boscha tried to hide any cracks in her delivery. "Is that what you want?!"

"...No. That won't do it." Willow stood firmly against Boscha, making the girl almost tremble. "You think saying sorry is going to earn your friends back? After what you said? After how you've treated everyone around you? After nearly trying to kill Luz for target practise? Sometimes I think you really do have a black heart if you show no remorse in nearly killing a human!"

"I'm not asking to get my friends back..." Boscha whispered sternly.

"Then what have you got to worry about? Next thing I know, you could be getting more friends if you really tried. You're strong, and I know people may give into you easily." Willow sighed, and started to turn around, but not before facing back to Boscha.

"Besides, how do I know you're truly sorry? Sounds more like you're saying it now because of the situation you're in... Will you even change at all?" With that delivery, Willow began to walk away from her enemy. Boscha just stood there in complete disbelief, unsure of what to even say or do. She said sorry, and that wasn't enough?

No. It would never be enough.

Boscha made things intentionally worse out of fear of feeling abandoned. And now it's happened. All she was doing was disguising her persona for Luz's sake and nothing more.

Her friends really were better off without her.

Boscha grabbed her bag and just trembled on home. Now she didn't even pay notice if anyone saw her, or whatever would come in her way. She wanted to get back to her comfortable environment with no confrontations of any Hexside student or staff member.

All while containing the black heart within her body. One that wouldn't grow beyond respect for a human.

She tried now. Nothing changed.

"I haven't changed..."

That last part was really hard to write. How does one make you want to side with Boscha, and not look at Willow like she's being a jerk? Had no idea, so hopefully I nailed it.