Here to Help

Chapter 6

"Are you sure you're feeling okay, Luz?" Amity asked, concern stricken across her face.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine," Luz smiled, propping herself up on her elbows as she leaned over, seated at the table. Her leg had felt like it was on fire since Amity had accidentally kicked it in her sleep. Not wanting to create any more worry in her friend, Luz tried her best to keep the pain she was feeling under wraps however, it was toeing the line of becoming unbearable.

"Okay... its just you look a little flushed," Amity remarked as she continued to prepare breakfast.

"Ah, yeah..." Luz's voice trailed as her head slipped from her hands, the motion of which causing her body to jerk. "Argh..." she hissed, moving her hand down to her injured leg in an attempt to apply pressure to suppress the pain, the effort of which proving futile as her cast prevented her from doing so.

"Hey..." Amity said, panic lacing her voice as she placed the cooking utensils she previously held on the counter. Making her way over to Luz, Amity gently wrapped her arms around the human's shoulders in an attempt to comfort her. "You're hurting aren't you?"

Chocking back tears that had formed from the pain in her leg combined with the heavy night and morning she had experienced, Luz offered a somber nod in response, unable to speak.

"Okay, why don't we get you over to the couch," Amity asked, concern growing for her friend. Extending her hand for Luz to embrace, Amity helped Luz to her feet, handing the human her crutches before moving to place one hand on Luz's shoulder and one on her waist in an effort to offer support. "Just take it slow, I got you."

As they approached their destination, Luz stumbled, arms failing, body weak resulting from her fever born out of pain. Arms wrapping tight around her, Luz found herself spared from meeting the cold, hard, ground as Amity pulled her back into her chest.

"I... I'm sorry," Luz stuttered as she mustered up what little strength she had left to stand back up oh her own.

"Hey, don't apologize, okay? It's okay... I've got you."

"I... I just feel like such a burden... You shouldn't have to be taking care of me," Luz whimpered, tears once again threatening to fall.

"Luz, I want to help you. I care about you too, okay? Please, don't worry..." Fighting back the tears forming in her own eyes, Amity couldn't help but wonder why Luz felt the way she did. Luz had helped her so much the previous night and through the morning, not to mention had been such a gracious host, the least she deserved was someone to show her kindness and consideration in return. Was she made to feel like a burden in the past, Amity pondered. As loving and giving as Luz was, Amity felt herself grow angry at the thought of someone making her feel that way.

"Thank you..." Luz finally uttered as she turned back to Amity, nodding to signal that she was ready to continue to the couch.

Finally arriving, Amity helped Luz on to the couch, propping her back up against several pillows positioned in front of the arm rest. Carefully lifting Luz's injured leg, Amity gently set it on top of a small stack of pillows, taking note of the swelling evident in Luz's toes. "Luz, did something happen that the pain is worse today?" Amity questioned, thinking back to the jovial "I'm okay" Luz had given her the day before when pain had crossed her. From what she could tell, it had appeared the pain had been getting better but clearly, something had set Luz back.

"Ah..." Luz thought, debating on telling the truth before settling on a lie. "Yeah... I didn't want to say anything but I knocked it against the bedpost last night getting up to use the restroom... It wasn't as bad at first but its gotten worse since then," she groaned. She didn't want to make a habit of lying to Amity, she thought, the green haired girl having enough people in her life betraying her trust. But in this case, telling the truth would only make the young witch feel bad and to that end, Luz opted to protect her friend's heart.