Chapter Text
Luz knew she was different. Everyone knew it. The other kids from her school knew it, and bullied her for it. Her teachers, who disliked her, knew it. Even her mami knew it, no matter how much she said Luz wasn’t that different from other kids. Luz knew that other kids didn’t have glowing amber eyes. Other kids didn’t have black and yellow sclera. Other kids didn’t have claws, or fangs. Other kids didn’t hunt animals when they were hungry. Luz Noceda knew she was different, she just didn’t know why.
Different doctors had tried to give different explanations, but they didn’t actually know what was happening. Eventually, Luz’s parents stopped taking her to doctors, as it wasn’t like the doctors were helping at all. Also, Luz never seemed to get sick, so she had no real reason to visit the doctor. The last time Luz had ever been in a hospital was when her dad had died. He had died from a mysterious sickness that the doctors were unable to diagnose. He had tried to leave a note for Luz with the book he gave her, but the sickness made him so weak that the note was completely unreadable. However, Luz loved the book. She loved the convoluted backstory, the interesting plot, the flowery language, and the depictions of magic. It was all so cool to her! Unfortunately, she didn’t know anyone else who liked the books. They were just another reason she was labeled as a weirdo. Hopefully, her book report would change that.
The book report did not go as planned. That was why she was currently sitting in the principal’s office, trying to explain her book report, and why she had brought snakes to school. It wasn’t her fault the backup snakes had somehow escaped. She didn’t understand why everyone was so scared anyway. They were just Garter snakes, they weren’t going to hurt anyone. Y’know, probably.
“And what were you planning to do with this?” Camila asked, holding up some fireworks that had been tied together, which Luz had also apparently brought to school.
“Those were for the act 3 finale.” Luz said, seeming downcast. Camila was surprised her daughter had brought actual fireworks into school, but no time to dwell on that now.
“Mija, I love how creative you are, but it is getting out of hand. We all love that you express yourself, but if you can’t separate fantasy from reality, you may need to spend the summer here.” Camila said, showing Luz a pamphlet for a summer camp called Reality Check Summer Camp. It did not look like a fun place to go. Luz did not want to go there.
“Don’t worry mom, I won’t let you down. No more weirdness!” Luz exclaimed as she stood up. The snake she was holding launched itself at the principal, knocking him over. “That doesn’t count, right?”
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Luz was standing outside her house, the bus to summer camp would be coming soon. Her mami walked out the door, about to go to work. She told Luz about how great summer camp would be, although it sounded like she was making things up. It wasn’t anything that Luz liked. Camila then commented on Luz’s lack of friends.
“Do you have any real friends, at all?” Camila asked.
“No. That’s how I know no one at summer camp will like me. I’m different from everyone else. Everyone calls me a demon, and they bully me. No one will ever want to be my friend. Not unless I can find someone as weird as me.” Luz replied. She already knew that it would be nearly impossible to make friends at summer camp. Only someone interested in weird stuff would care about someone, or something, like her.
“Oh, cariño, it will be okay. I’m sure you will find some people who are willing to be your friends at camp. You just have to let yourself meet them.” Camila said. She truly did want her daughter to meet new friends at camp. This would be a good opportunity for Luz, at least that’s what she told herself. She remembered what high school had been like for her, she didn’t want Luz to go through the same thing. She just wanted to protect Luz, and she was willing to do anything if it meant Luz had a better life than she had had.