Chapter Four
Luz POV
My first day back at Hexide is something I’ve been looking forward to since I returned to the Boiling Isles. Since this is my last year, I imagine parties, prom and graduation, not to mention making lots of memories with my friends.
Walking up the steps of the school, however, is not what I imagined it would be. Everyone’s chatting with their friends, talking about the Summer vacation, and I feel like the only one walking in alone. Pulling my hood up over my head, I try to disappear into the crowds. A handful of the Emperor’s guards stand at the front doors, and I can’t help but feel a little nervous as I walk by them.
“Halt!” The guard stops me with his arm and I gulp as he peers closely at me. “What do you think?” he calls to another guard, who also takes a long look at me.
“Nah,” he replies. “She’s a lot shorter in the photo.”
The first guard nods, pushing me forwards through the school doors. I move quickly, eager to get away from them, as I make my way through the halls of Hexide. It’s just as big and beautiful as I remember. Golden archways line the walls, and purple lockers stand tall above me. Students hurry to get to class, or stand by their lockers talking.
I give Boscha a friendly wave as I walk past her, which she returns with a scowl. I don’t have time to be offended though, as Willow and Gus race up to me from where they stood at their lockers. They envelope me in their arms as we erupt into giggles.
“Luz! Have you gotten your timetable yet?” Willow asks, excitedly. I nod, holding up the piece of paper that was delivered to the Owl House yesterday.
As Willow, Gus and I chatter about the new school year, something catches my eye. Across the hallway, I see Amity leaning against the lockers. She’s talking with her friends just the same as me, but she doesn’t seem happy to be there. A neutral expression is etched onto her face where a smile should be. I can’t help but remember our conversation in the woods. I know that I hurt her, but I have no idea how to fix it.
I see that Boscha has moved over to them to join the conversation, but I don’t recognise the other witch. She’s taller than both of them, with dark hair that cascades down her back in ringlets. She stands the way a High School diploma does when it’s next to a GED. One hand carries a schoolbook, the other is wrapped around Amity’s waist.
“Who’s that?” I ask my friends, indicating to where the girls stand. The pair looked up quickly before rolling their eyes simultaneously.
“That’s Serena.” Gus explained with a frown. “She’s kinda a big deal.”
“Yeah.” Willow added. “She transferred to Hexide last year. No one knows where from, but we all hear the rumors.”
I swallow the lump that has formed in my throat, watching the way Serena stands over Amity. “What rumors?” I ask, dreading the answer.
“She’s the kind of dark girl with a mysterious past who you never mess with.” Gus glances up at me, scanning my face before adding, “So Luz, don’t try anything.”
I nod back my reply, my mind already elsewhere. The shriek of the school bell is enough to get us all moving to our classes. I linger for a moment, my eyes fixed on Amity. Serena grabs her waist in a firm hand and presses a kiss on her lips. Amity blushes as she says something to her girlfriend. Their laughter is audible from where I stand as Serena walks away. Amity looks up, the smile fading from her face as she locks eyes with me. Only for a moment though, then she’s gone, swallowed by the crowds of students.
“Are you coming, Luz?”
Willow calls from where she stands with Gus at the other end of the corridor. I nod, running to catch up with them.
“Hey, Willow?” I ask as we fall into step with one another. “Is Serena part of the Emperor’s Coven?”
She shrugs. “Probably. She’s crazy enough to be.” She turns right where I turn left, walking away from me down the halls. “Seriously Luz,” she calls back over her shoulder. “Don’t try anything stupid.”
I chuckle as I turn away from her and towards my own classroom. The halls are empty now, a subtle reminder that I’m late to class. I jog the next few meters, skidding to a halt outside the right door. To my relief, the teacher isn’t here yet, and the room is still an eruption of noise. I look around the room for a spare desk and see only one available.
The only seat that hasn’t been taken is the one next to Amity Blight.