"Where you going, Noceda?". Each word was like a hammer to the head.
The person who called out to me, a very tall, silky haired classmate of mine, didn't have an obnoxious voice, but she knew exactly which nerves to hit. She was a cheerleader, and while I admit all cheerleaders being drama hungry is just a stereotype, this cheerleader fit the cliche perfectly.
Though she wasn't a barbie style blonde who wore makeup like it was a part of their religion, or she wasn't the top bitch of the school who was dating the quarterback, she was still pretty and popular. People couldn't get enough of the brunette.
"Hello," she drawled. "Earth to Noceda. I'm trying to talk to you".
I was having none of it. I had enough to worry about without having to entertain my peers. Unbeknownst to them, I was fighting non-stop to find a way into another realm. I had people I cared about going through who knew what on the other side. And I had people I cared about in this realm who had to get back there too, to their home.
Not to mention the guilt on my back. It made each step I took down in the school hallway feel like I was trudging through a swamp. The reason my friends weren't in the demon realm, safe in their homes, or that my newfound family had to deal with a literal godchild, was all because of one stupid mistake on my part. I should have never messed with those time pools. I should have never trusted Phillip. Had I known that I was helping a future dictator plan out a mass genocide…
"Noceda?".
"You're trying to get on my nerves" I corrected with a growl.
"I just have a question. You were the one who brought those garter snakes to school right?". Her voice masterfully hid her intent, yet it was clear as day to me. The herd of friends swarming behind her said everything.
To put it plainly, I was. It was another one of my stupid ideas that ended up getting a bunch of people hurt, this time for a book report. I should've known that cheap-ass tank I had them in wouldn't be able to contain them.
"You know the answer to that, Chelsea. You were there".
In response to my response, Chelsea rolled up her sleeve and shoved her arm in my face. It took a little while to spot it, but there were two small marks on her wrist.
"See what happened? Lot of people got hurt because of you".
"I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt" I mumbled. Shame pushed my gaze to the ground.
"Really?" she hmmed. "You really didn't think bringing a bunch of snakes to school could've ended badly? No. Nobody's that stupid. What were you really thinking?".
With a shake of my head, I began to walk faster. I had had enough of the conversation. I didn't want it to go an inch further.
"Where are you going?" Chelsea pressed. She started walking faster too. "I asked you a question".
"A question I don't want to answer".
"Why is that, Noceda? Why won't you answer my question?". My agitator leapt in front of me and slid to a stop. I was just barely able to stop in time to not crash into her. Yet I wasn't fast enough to stop myself from shoving her.
I caught her off guard. Chelsea stumbled backwards, toppling over a trash can. A few people in her entourage laughed, while others began to whisper what I only assumed were insults pointed at me.
I took a step forward, remorse tangling with my anger. Before I could ask if she was alright, someone from behind called out my name.
"Luz Noceda!". Of course, principal Hal saw what happened, or the damning stuff at least. "To my office!".
"But, I…she–".
"Now!".
As I walked away in shame, everyone began to laugh. Some tauntingly oo-ed at me like a bunch of kindergarteners. I wanted to shout at them so badly, but I held my venom back, lest I make the situation even worse.
"What was that all about?" the principal snapped. "I know you're not the most well-behaved, but I never imagined you'd hurt someone on purpose".
"On purpose" stung like a bee.
"I didn't mean to! I tried to just walk away but she wouldn't leave me alone! She kept asking me about that time I brought the snakes to school".
"Because she was someone who got bitten," the adult added. "And that is no excuse. All you did was just hurt her again".
"I wasn't thinking!". My holler was agonized.
"You never are". His snarl made me recoil back. "That's your problem. You don't think about how your actions affect others".
"I–".
"NO. No more excuses. No matter if you're sorry or not, you still have to be punished". I swallowed the nervous clump in my throat. I had a feeling he wasn't going to let me off with a warning. "Three hours of detention after school. If I could, I would give you more. Now get back to class".
…
By the time I made it home, I was ready to collapse. Detention was like it usually was, quiet, awkward, demeaning. What happened sat on my shoulders the entire time, making me feel heavy as stone.
I thought going home would make me feel better, but seeing all the witches who were stranded here because of me just made me feel worse. Still, I had to put on a smile for them. It was the least I could do.
My friends, adopted sister, and girlfriend were all huddled around the couch, their eyes plastered on the tv in front of them. Willow's ear flicked as she noticed me. She turned her head, alerting everyone else of my presence.
"Hey, Luz" the former welcomed, followed by everyone else.
"Hey, guys" I greeted, trying my best to not sound drained. None of them were fooled. "What are you guys up to?".
"We're watching this movie about sirens, but they don't call them sirens" Gus answered enthusiastically.
"They call them "mermaids" Hunter explained. "And one of them is a "sea witch".
"Yeah," Amity jumped in. Her voice was sweeter than candy. "This kraken lady is trying to get the red head to give away her voice. She's…a lot like my mom. And her two pets are literally just evil Ed and Em. Wanna join us?".
"The Little Mermaid's a classic" I replied ungracefully. "But I think I'm just going to lie down for a bit".
I began to make my way to the stairs when my girlfriend quickly hopped to her feet and hurried to my side.
"I'll go with you".
"That's okay, sweet potato" I murmured. "You should go finish the movie".
In response, the lavender haired witch firmly grabbed me by the arm and stared deep into my eyes. "I'll go with you" she repeated.
Her stunning golden eyes said much more than that. They told me she knew something was wrong, and insisted I at least let her comfort me, if not talk about it. I let my walls crumble. I did promise her that I wouldn't keep hiding my problems from her.
"Okay" I sighed. "Let's go".
We both sat down on the edge of my bed. Amity put my hands into hers. They were smaller, but they were nice and warm, and her skin was smooth as butter.
"Is this about being in detention today?" she asked gently.
"You know about that?".
"Camila told us". When she saw the glint of dismay in my eyes she added, "She didn't tell us why, only that you'd be at school for another few hours".
"I couldn't help it! She just wouldn't leave me alone and she jumped in front of me–".
"Woah, woah. Take a deep breath" I did as Amity said. I breathed in a few times and tried to slow my mind down. "Start from the beginning".
"There was this girl at school who walked up to me in the hallway and… You know how that one time I brought some garter snakes to school for my book report? She was one of the people who got bitten". As I spoke, I tried to soak in Amity's reaction. She shared my pain, despite not sharing my blame. "She kept asking me why. I kept telling her I didn't want to talk about it. I tried to walk away, but she jumped in front of me. I got mad and I shoved her".
"That's it? You just shoved her away when she got too close?".
That's not how everyone else saw it, especially the principal".
"Who cares what they think". Embarrassed, the young witch rubbed her arm. Her gaze moved to the corner of the ceiling. "I know that's weird coming from me".
"But I really did bring all those garter snakes to school" I argued. "And I pushed her too".
"You did. You made a few mistakes. So have I" my girlfriend hmmed softly. "But it'll never be the past again, only the future".
Despite her gorgeous white-fang smile, my ache refused to leave. It faltered for a moment while Amity thought what to say next.
"Remember when I thought you were just some human pest that got my badge taken away?".
"You worked really hard on that project and deserved to keep that badge".
"Well… okay. I'm not saying I'm pro cheating…just, look what happened because you did. Willow was able to impress principal Bump and move to the right track. She could finally practice plant magic without hiding". Amity brought her hand to the side of my face. I soaked in her touch, letting it ground me. "Back then I didn't know you very well, but now I do, and I know you're no pest".
"I wouldn't say that".
"I would. You're something special" Amity's voice grew as strong as a mountain. "You're Luz Noceda, human witch, apprentice and mentor, and awesome girlfriend!".
"Yeah, an apprentice who failed to save her mentor. A girlfriend who got the love of her life stranded in a dif–".
"Luz. I know things could've gone better, but all the witches downstairs are alive because of you. And no matter what's going on in the demon realm, Eda still loves you, King still loves you, I still love you! Because I've never been happier than when I'm with you! If your classmates could see that, then they'd think twice about being so cruel. But all they care about is when you're at your worst".
I got lost in Amity's…everything. Her life-filled eyes, her delicate touch, the heat radiating off of her like she was a fire in the middle of a blizzard. My shame didn't fade, but
I felt Amity's admiration. I let it sink into me like lotion.
"What am I supposed to do tomorrow?" I asked after a deep breath out. "I'm sure Chelsea's never going to let me live this down, and I might lose my temper again".
"Whenever I get angry, I just hold my head high and remind myself that I'm better than my anger". While she spoke, my girlfriend held her head up high. She went rigid, straightened her back, and raised her shoulders.
"I see," I chuckled. "You use your scariness".
"Basically" Amity giggled back as she relaxed. "Now, come on. I wanna know how that siren movie ends".
"I could tell you". Amity threw her hand over my mouth.
"Don't you dare".
…
"Hey, Noceda! How was detention?". When I spotted Chelsea running up to me, I think I died a little inside. My entire body tensed as yesterday replayed in my mind.
"You should've been there with me you–" I stopped myself. I needed to stay calm, like Amity had said.
I did what my girlfriend showed me. I stood up tall and raised my chin. Instead of walking down the hallway, I started strutting like a peacock.
"But life's not fair, it just is," I added.
"Uh… why are you walking so funny?".
"Why are you walking so boringly?".
"So I don't look like a giant dork like you". I let out a confident, "ha".
"You call this being a dork, I call this not caring about what you think".
Chelsea said something else, but I didn't hear it. Just like Amity, I wasn't going to bow down just because someone was a bigger jerk than I was. Us witches were not so fragile.
While I left Chelsea's clique in the dust, whirling in their confusion, I noticed they all began to laugh. But instead of being angry or embarrassed, I snickered with them. They thought I was a loser, and maybe I was, but I had something far more valuable than popularity. I had an awesome girlfriend who thought I was everything and more.