What Really Matters (Lumity AU)

8. Amity

I took a deep breath as I pulled half of my hair back into a ponytail. Today would not be a repeat of yesterday. Today will not be a repeat of yesterday, I reminded myself.

I grabbed my book bag and walked confidently out the door, where Emira and Edric were waiting for me, arguing about whether penguins had wings or flippers because they couldn't fly. I did my best to ignore them until we got to school, and once we were at school I did my best to ignore everyone else. I had to talk to Miss Clawthorne before school to see if I missed any homework while I was gone.

I couldn't, though, because Luz had to come show her beautiful- I mean, her annoying face. She stepped right in front of me, blocking off my path. "I heard you were sick yesterday," she told me happily. "I was worried. Are you feeling better today?"

"Emira told me you were worried," I muttered. "As if I need some idiot like you worried about me."

A look of hurt flashed across her face, but it was so fast I almost thought I'd imagined it. Her bright, beautiful smile returned - I mean, her bright, annoying smile returned after less than a second. "Of course you need an idiot like me worried about you," she said as if it were obvious. "Everyone needs someone worried about them, even when they think they're some kind of royalty."

"I've got people," I lied, sidestepping her and continuing on my way to the classroom. "But I would really prefer not to do this today."

She caught up to me again anyway. "So where are we going?"

"None of your business," I grumbled, but after a moment I had to admit that I was lost. "The classroom. I have to go to the classroom."

She laughed. "The classroom is this way, Amity."

Oh. So she was going to call me Amity. I was worried she was going to call me Mittens after all that time around Ed and Em, but she knew my name. The nickname wouldn't have been so bad if it was her saying it.

No, no, no, I reminded myself. It would be worse if she were the one saying it. You're not gay.

But she seemed like one of the best types of friends. It might have been fun to be friends with her if I was allowed to.

Author's note:
395 words. That's probably not the worst cliffhanger I've left you on, and this is only the 7th chapter. I guess you'll never find out what happened the day that Amity didn't go to school.
I'll probably tell you at some point, actually. Just not yet.
Also, I have over a hundred reads! And this is only the 8th real chapter! Thank you very very much.