Chapter two
Luz’s POV:
I speedily walked to the library to meet Amity. I could feel the clamminess of my hands as I balled them in and out of fists. We had agreed to meet up today so I could practice how I’d act in front of her father. I was confident in the beginning of all of this, but doubts were settling in. The last thing I wanted to do was make things worse for Amity, which was very much a possibility if things didn’t go well.
I took a deep breath in and let it out as I approached the steps leading up to the library entrance. Compulsively, I ran a hand through my slicked back hair and dusted lint off Edric’s “borrowed” vest before I pushed through the doors.
Quickly finding my way to the romance section, I took a second to wipe my hands on my pants to rid of some clamminess. I tugged on the familiar title, stepping back as the case opened to reveal Amity and I’s secret hangout spot. For a minute I stood awkwardly in the doorway as I waited for Amity to notice me.
When it became apparent that she was far too entranced by the music blasting through her outlandishly pink headphones, I took a step into the room. I gave a slight wave when she noticed me. Instantly perking up, she pulled the headphones off and smiled softly at me.
“Howdy, Amity.” I smiled sheepishly, suddenly extra aware of the awkward fit of the slightly too large vest. “Hi, Luz!” Amity responded cheerfully.
Sometimes it was so apparent to me how much she had changed as we got closer. It wasn’t like we were the best of friends or anything like that, but I couldn’t deny there was something so comforting in knowing there was a difference between Amity as a stranger, and Amity as a friend.
A side of her reserved for those who had earned it.
Amity’s POV:
I watched as Luz rubbed the back of her neck and looked pointedly at my brother’s vest. I had used a spell to dye it purple so my father wouldn’t recognize it as easily, not that he would have bothered paying that much attention to Ed’s clothes. I just needed to be safe.
I found it oddly adorable that Luz didn’t fit in the clothes, but that was something we’d have to fix before she could meet my father.
“Okay.” I started, “We need to get our story straight and get used to it. If my father suspects us of lying...” I shivered. I didn’t want to elaborate, and Luz didn’t push me to. Instead, she nodded.
“We met recently- four months ago- but things have been progressing quickly and we both see a serious future together.” I stated matter-of-fact, my cheeks pink at the idea. Luz nodded enthusiastically. I continued, “We both want two kids and plan on marriage soon.” I could feel my face heating even further, but I continued regardless.
“Have you memorized my parents’ names, Luke?” I asked.
Luz offered her hand, I took it readily. Her shake was firm, but her hands were slightly sweaty, something they’d notice. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Alador Blight, Odalia Blight.” She spoke with an impressive confidence to her voice.
“Good.” I praised. “However, we’re uh... going to need to get you gloves.” I said, pointedly looking down at our hands. Luz’s face flushed, and she tugged her hand back, placing it on her neck again with a sheepish smile.
Luz’s face suddenly shifted into one of realization. She blinked owlishly and hesitantly asked, “What are we going to do about Emira and Edric?” I chuckled lightly. “They’ll be busy tomorrow, they kind of hate anything formal involving our family. Which is... understandable, to say the least.” I said, grimace stretching across my face.
Luz nodded understandingly. I briefly wondered if Luz understood boring social events with family or if she was just nodding along for my sake. I tested the waters a tad. “Did you family ever have boring social events?” I asked, the hesitance clear in my voice.
Luz let out of a short bark of a laugh, easing the tension greatly. “Back when my dad was still alive...” She seemed hesitant to continue. For a moment, I was unsure what to do. This was definitely fresh territory, and I didn’t want to push it and end up taking us back a step, but... Being there for Luz took priority.
I gently placed my hand on hers and offered a small smile. Her eyes met mine, and I struggled not to look away. She looked thankful.
“When my dad was still alive, we used to have these backyard barbecues, he’d invite all of our extended family to these things. There was music, and amazing food, and a dance competition towards the end.” Luz was smiling fondly at the memory, but her eyes were sad.
“I loved the dances when I was young. My dad was the one that taught me. Looking back-” She chuckled, “the dances were definitely rigged, so I’d win, being the youngest and all.” Luz paused, a thoughtful look forming on her face. Standing up, she hesitantly offered me her hand.
Luz wasn’t looking in my direction as she held her palm towards me. I focused so hard on the deep blush spreading across her features that I barely registered my own flabbergasted expression. When her eyes hesitantly met mine, I swallowed and gently placed my hand in hers.
She pulled me up and slipped an arm around my waist, her other hand intertwining with mine. We didn’t look at each other. For a while we stayed put, waiting for someone to make the first move. Luz chuckled with an edge of anxiety. She pulled out the human version of a scroll- a phone- and fiddled with it for a moment before soft music began echoing out of it.
The music wasn’t anything I’d heard before, and the lyrics were in a language I didn’t understand. “It’s a guitar.” Luz said, evidently noticing my confusion. I smiled sheepishly, and she grabbed my hand again. Leading me through a much slower dance than the one we had on Grom night, she started humming.
I took a chance and laid my head on Luz’s chest. She tucked her chin over me. I could hear her chest vibrate with her soft humming. Slowly, the humming grew louder. It was a sudden realization that she wasn’t humming anymore. I couldn’t tell when exactly the hum had turned into soft singing.
I could feel the smile on my face stretch into a toothy grin, but I didn’t care to mask it. “Amity...?” Luz’s voice was barely above a whisper. “Hm?” I hummed. “Thank you. I love dancing with you.” I felt her tilt her face so her cheek was resting on my head, and my cheeks burned in response.
I was afraid of the sheer amount of joy I felt seeping into my words as I spoke, so I whispered, barely audible. “My pleasure.” As the song faded into quietness, I shamefully buried my face in Luz’s neck and whispered, “I love it too.”
I wanted to stay like that forever, but time was running short and my father expected to meet Luz the very next day. So instead, I pulled away from her, grin still etched into my face. It brought me a lot of pleasure to see a very similar grin on Luz’s face.
We spent an hour together, perfecting every detail of our little lie. We spent another hour fixing Ed’s clothes and finding a dark pair of gloves to match the black button down and slacks that Luz wore. It wasn’t long before the sky grew dim and I had to regretfully say goodbye to her and head back home.
My father was there to greet me when I arrived. Refusing to meet my father’s eyes, I listened dutifully as he proposed that I meet with his “friend’s” son regardless, to just give the boy- Sonny- a chance.
Based on the stern look in his eyes, it was less of a proposal and more of a demand coated in honey. I swallowed, remembering the warmth of Luz pressed against me. My father said that he would still love to meet Luke, but that he was certain I’d make the right choice, regardless.
My shoulders felt tight.
Resisting the urge to let out a pained sigh, I merely nodded. “Good girl.” My father said. “I’ll invite him over tomorrow alongside Luke. You’re dismissed.”
I moved almost mechanically. I could no longer feel any of the warmth I had experienced with Luz earlier. All I felt was bitter.
I fell asleep that night clutching to the memory of sweet humming and sparks under my skin.