Chapter Text
Luz yelped as Emira spun a spell-circle causing Amity’s diary to fly out of Luz’s hands.
“Seriously guys, those are her innermost thoughts and feelings! You can’t just post them around Hexside!” Luz pleaded, reaching for the diary.
Edric shifted uncomfortably at that, but Emira just scoffed. “Come on! It’s Mittens, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to her, ‘Oh no, I got a ninety-seven on a test! My life is ruined.’” Emira said, mocking Amity’s voice as she tossed the diary over to Edric.
“Yeah that’s true.” Edric chuckled before opening the diary to a random page.
A glowing figure of Amity appeared above the page, she was sitting cross legged, and holding her head in her hands. “I really messed up, I did it on my arms today, like an idiot. Thank the Titan I at least had the foresight to only do it on my upper arms.”
The twins glanced at each other confusedly while Luz’s eyes widened in understanding. She lunged for the diary, trying to tear it from Edric’s grasp. “You need to put it back!”
“You know what that means?” Emira asked worriedly while eyeing Luz suspiciously.
Luz huffed, still jumping at the diary, which Edric was holding above his head. “I’m probably wrong, but if I’m not, betraying Amity’s trust will only make things worse!”
“Well now I’m actually worried.” Edric whispered to Emira, but she simply grabbed the diary from him, and opened it to another page.
Another glowing figure of Amity appeared, this one had deep bags beneath her eyes, and was holding an object that they couldn’t quite make out.
“So… I got a ninety-seven on my History of Runes test, I don’t know why I’m upset, Mother doesn’t care as long as it’s above a ninety-five and the highest score in the class. Maybe it’s because the questions I missed were simple enough that a fucking child could get them without breaking a sweat. I just wish-” She cut off, taking the object in her left hand, which turned out to be a small blade, and gazed at it. She rapidly ran the blade against the skin of her thigh. Before the cut could even begin bleeding she let out a huff of dissatisfaction, and swiped at the wound thrice more, turning it from a long but thin cut into a large gaping wound with small translucent yellow bubbles starting to become visible at the deepest points through the blood.
Emira slammed the book closed, locking eyes with Edric; they shared matching expressions of horror, while Luz stared blankly at the diary, not sure how to process it.
Emira threw the diary away from herself, her hands shaking. As the diary hit the floor a page fell out, revealing another scene to the group.
This figure of Amity looked far more haggard than the others, the bags under her eyes were so deep it looked as though she had a black eye, her hair unkempt with her roots being far longer. The figure was pacing back and forth.
“Ugh! Why is it today of all days that Edric and Emira decided to harass me? I’ve already had to deal with Boscha all day, plus yesterday I got my Top Student badge revoked. Titan, I want to cut… but Mother took all my blades!” The figure continued pacing, while biting her nails. Soon the scene changes, this part seems to be written at a later time. “Mother returned my blades? She said that since she took them away my grades have fallen, and that while unsavoury my ‘little hobby’ seems to be the price for perfection.”
Edric seemed about to cry, Emira seemed ready to fight, and Luz moved to return the page to the diary, but before anything could happen they were startled by a gasp from the entrance of the hideout. In the doorway stood Amity, her face not sporting the fury that Luz had expected, but instead fear.
“Wait- I can explain!” Luz rushed out.
Amity let out a choked noise before turning around, and fleeing.
Luz started to follow, but was stopped by Emira’s and on her shoulder.
“I think we should give her a minute, rushing in while she’s still processing is just going to cause more distress.” Emira explained. At Luz’s look of surprise she sighed. “Just because I really fucked up tonight doesn’t mean I don’t know my sister.”
Luz jerked away from her grasp, snapping. “Well, I think today has proven that you don’t know Amity as well as you think you do.” Before jogging in the direction that Amity went.
Once Luz was out of sight Edric slumped to the floor while Emira paced back and forth.
“I guess now I know why Mittens always asked to borrow my pencil sharpeners.” Edric chuckled wateryly before resting his head in his hands with a groan.
Emira ceased her pacing and slid down the wall beside her brother. “How do we fix this?” Emira asked, sounding hopeless.
“I guess we stop being such assholes all the time?” Edric shrugged, not lifting his head.
Emira scowled. “You know damn well that isn’t even close to making up for… well everything.”
“Yeah… but what can we do? We’ve been kicking Amity while she’s already down, and didn’t even notice.” Edric sighed.
Emira paused at that. “We’re horrible siblings aren’t we?”
Luz huffed as she rounded the corner, glancing around for any sight of Amity. After a few moments Luz spotted her. Amity was sitting between two bookcases, clutching her knees to her chest and rocking slightly.
“Hey…” Luz said softly as she approached.
Amity jerked her head up, instantly stopping her movements. “What do you want?” She spit out.
“To make sure you’re okay, or at least as okay as you can be.” Luz said, sitting criss-crossed across from Amity.
Amity let out a dark chuckle, it reverberated deep in her throat. “Why? You already know enough to destroy everything I’ve built for myself.”
“Wha- why would I want to do that?” Luz sputtered.
Amity scowled. “Don’t play dumb, it’s insulting that you think I’m stupid enough to spill my guts out to you.”
“That’s fine, you don’t have to talk about anything to me, but I’ll stay here if you decide you do want to talk.” Luz said nonchalantly, trying to ignore her hurt.
Amity blinked, furrowing her brow, but said nothing. The duo fell into a silence that wasn’t as uncomfortable as either predicted.