Night had fallen, casting a veil of darkness over the town as I hurried to the theatre, excitement bubbling within me. Already changed into more comfortable attire, I met Bella and Mike outside the brightly lit entrance. The buzz of anticipation filled the air as we joined the line, the chatter of moviegoers blending with the distant hum of traffic. As we waited, Mike and Jacob engaged in animated conversation, their voices rising and falling in sync with the ebb and flow of the crowd.

I seized the moment to lean in towards Bella, a question burning on my lips. "Do you think Mike still has a crush on you?" I whispered, catching her off guard. She met my gaze with a quizzical expression, her features illuminated by the soft glow of the theatre lights. With a nonchalant shrug, she turned her attention back to the line, the mystery of Mike's feelings left hanging in the air.

After what seemed like an eternity, we finally reached the ticket booth, relief washing over me as I approached the counter. "Four tickets to see Face Punch, please," I requested, fishing a handful of bills from the depths of my back pocket. Handing over the cash, I exchanged a quick smile with the attendant as he swiftly handed me our tickets.

With tickets in hand, Bella and I rejoined the boys, excitement palpable in the air as we prepared to enter the theatre. "Jessica bailed, Angela got the stomach flu, so Eric's taking care of her," Bella announced to the group. 

"So it's just us four," I exclaimed, a note of excitement lacing my words.

"Great!" Jake exclaimed, his excitement evident as he took a step forward and nodded with a wide grin. Despite Mike's apparent displeasure, he begrudgingly accepted the situation. With determined strides, we entered the building, eager to find the screen room where Face Punch awaited us. Scanning the hallways, we located the entrance to our designated theatre and hurried inside.

As we shuffled through the rows of seats, Bella settled herself between Jake and Mike, while I took my place to Jake's right. The anticipation in the air was electric as we waited for the film to begin. Then, as the lights dimmed and the screen flickered to life, the room was engulfed in the gripping intensity of the movie.

Within the first few minutes, the screen erupted with action and blood, setting the tone for the adrenaline-fueled adventure ahead. As the plot unfolded with explosive fight scenes and relentless gunfire, I couldn't help but notice Jake's tense grip on the chair armrests, his hands slightly clenched. Bella shot a quick glance in his direction, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. Meanwhile, Mike appeared visibly uneasy, his complexion growing paler by the minute as if he might succumb to the intensity of the film at any moment.

"Okay, I think I'm gonna throw up," he exclaimed in a whisper, his voice strained with discomfort, before hastily grabbing his jacket and darting towards the exit. We watched in concern as he disappeared into the aisle, his hurried footsteps echoing before the door was shot open.

With heavy sighs, we rose from our seats and followed after him, the tension palpable in the air. Stepping into the main hall, we hurriedly trailed behind Mike as he made a beeline for the boys' bathroom, his urgency evident in every step.

"He's..." I began, but my thoughts trailed off, unable to find the right words.

"What a marshmallow," Jake chuckled softly, his amusement mirrored by Bella and me.

"You two go ahead, I'll wait for him," I offered, nodding towards the stairs where Bella and Jake were already making their way down. As they descended, engaged in conversation, I remained behind, keeping a watchful eye on Mike.

Lost in my thoughts, I maintained my focus on Mike's well-being, while Bella and Jake exchanged their thoughts and feelings. Eventually, Mike emerged from the bathroom, his complexion still somewhat pallid.

"Are you okay?" I inquired, but he simply nodded in response as we approached Bella and Jacob.

"Well," Mike began, his discomfort evident as Bella leaned her head on Jacob's shoulder. I positioned myself in front of them, observing their interaction. "I need to go home," Mike announced, prompting us all to acknowledge his need to leave. Jake turned to him, his expression tinged with annoyance, shaking his head in disbelief. "I was feeling sick before the movie, okay?" Mike asserted, but Jake scoffed, clearly unconvinced by his explanation.

"What is your problem?" Mike questioned Jacob; his tone edged with frustration.

"Right now? You're my problem," Jake retorted, his stance indicating escalating tension. I sensed that this confrontation wouldn't end well. "Feeling sick? Maybe you need to go to the hospital," There was a brief pause from Jake. "You want me to put you in the hospital?" He threatened, rising from the stairs to confront Mike face to face.

"Jake! Jake. Jake, the movie's over. What are you doing?" Bella and I exclaimed simultaneously as Bella swiftly grabbed Jake's hand. I stepped in front of him, placing my hands on his chest, and feeling the warmth of his body underneath his shirt.

"You're really hot," Bella observed, placing her other hand on top of his to gauge his temperature. I slowly lowered my hands from his chest and reached for his other hand, feeling it as well.

"Yeah, Bella's right. You feel like you have a fever. Are you okay?" I asked Jake, my gaze shifting between him and Bella. While I dropped my hand from his.

"I don't know what's happening," he stated, his breaths coming heavily. "I gotta go," he declared before hastily exiting through the front door, leaving Bella and I in a perplexed state.

...........................

Days had slipped away since we last laid eyes on Jake. I've dialled his number countless times, my heart sinking with each unanswered call. Voicemails stacked up like unanswered prayers, but his father informed us that Jake had mono and visitors were off-limits. Bella and I exchanged glances of frustration and worry, feeling powerless in the face of Jacob's silence. One evening, I sat with Bella in her room as she attempted to reach Jacob once more.

"Jacob, please... call me," she pleaded into the phone before eventually setting it down, defeated. I couldn't bear to see her like this, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on us both.

"Okay. We should be back around 3:00," Bella's dad, Charlie, announced, his eyes reflecting a mixture of concern and resignation as he recognized the person Bella was desperately trying to reach.

"Hey," Bella's dad interjected, catching both our attention. Bella turned to face him; he knew his daughter was worried. "Look, I don't have to go fishing today," he continued, his voice tinged with a sense of urgency.

"Yes, you do," Harry Clearwater insisted, his tone firm but caring.

"Yeah, you do. Go. What are you talking about? Just be careful," Bella urged her dad, her words laced with a hint of apprehension. As they exchanged parting words, her dad appeared hesitant to leave her side. Eventually, they departed with Harry, leaving us alone in the quiet house. With the door closing behind them, a sense of anticipation hung in the air, signalling that the moment had arrived for me to share what I needed to tell her.

"Bella, there's something significant I need to share with you," I began, my voice barely above a whisper. Her gaze sharpened; curiosity evident in her expression as she fixed her eyes on me.

"Charlotte, you know you can tell me anything," she reassured me, a gentle smile playing on her lips. With a nervous exhale, I shifted on the spot, my fingers twiddling in anxious anticipation.

"Well, you see... I... um... possess certain abilities," I admitted, choosing my words carefully. Bella's interest was piqued, her casual stance giving way to a more attentive posture as she leaned in closer, signalling her undivided attention. "It's rather difficult to explain; it's easier to demonstrate," I explained. With deliberate movements, I retrieved a pillow from her couch, its contents bursting with feathers. Placing it carefully on the nearby table, I gestured for Bella to take a seat opposite me. As she settled in, I tore open the pillow, releasing a flurry of feathers onto the surface.

In the ensuing silence, Bella remained speechless, her eyes fixed on me with a mixture of fascination and apprehension. Positioning the pillow on the floor in front of us, I braced myself for what was to come.

"Promise you won't be scared?" I requested; my voice tinged with uncertainty.

"I promise," she affirmed, her tone steady with conviction. Drawing in a deep breath, I steadied my nerves and focused my attention on a single feather resting before me. With a delicate touch, I positioned my hands over it, my fingers forming a subtle arch as I concentrated on the feather's weightlessness. Slowly, I lifted my hand, and to my relief, the feather obediently followed suit, hovering in mid-air as if under some unseen force.

In a matter of moments, her expression morphed into one of profound surprise. It was difficult to discern whether she was enraptured by the display or consumed by fear. Her eyes remained fixed on the feather's graceful movements as I guided it around the room. With deliberate care, I lowered my hand, coaxing the feather to descend gracefully back onto the table. As it settled among its downy companions, I rubbed my hands together, nerves fluttering like the feathers around us. Bella's silence was palpable, adding weight to the moment.

With a deep breath, I placed my hands over the scattered piles of feathers, feeling their softness beneath my touch. Slowly, deliberately, I raised my hands, each motion accompanied by the rising of another feather. One by one, they lifted into the air, dancing on unseen currents.

With a sweeping gesture, I lifted my hands higher, a silent invitation for the feathers to join in the ethereal ballet. As if responding to a silent command, the room was soon filled with a mesmerizing flurry of floating feathers. Bella's gasp echoed in the air as she took in the enchanting sight, her eyes wide with wonder.

"I'm... a Witch," I whispered softly, my voice carrying the weight of years of secrecy and revelation. A gentle smile played on my lips, a mix of relief and anticipation painting my features as I waited for her response.

"I... believe you," she said, her laughter tinkling softly in the air. With a simple gesture, I halted the gentle dance of the feathers, freezing them in place like delicate sculptures. Bringing my hands together, I orchestrated their descent, guiding them back to the centre of the table before they settled with a whispering rustle.

"Charlotte, your secret is safe with me," Bella assured me, her voice warm with sincerity. I felt a rush of gratitude flood through me as I stood, enveloping her in a tight embrace.

"Thank you," I murmured softly into her ear, the weight of my secret lifting with each word. In her embrace, I found solace, reassured by the unwavering loyalty of a friend.

.....................................

I watched Bella drive her truck towards Jacob's house, concern etched in her features. We had discussed her visit briefly, and despite my reservations, I didn't try to dissuade her. Instead, I turned towards home, my mind filled with thoughts of Jacob's well-being. Once home, exhaustion washed over me like a tidal wave, and I succumbed to the call of sleep, sinking into the welcoming embrace of the sofa for a much-needed nap. It felt like a dream, yet the sensation was too vivid, too real to dismiss as mere fantasy.

As I observed from my vantage point, Bella's truck screeched to a stop, its windshield wipers swishing back and forth in rhythm with the tension in the air. With a determined push, Bella flung open the door and stormed out, her gaze fixed on Jacob's back as he stood outside. Slamming the door shut in a wave of frustration, she confronted him with palpable anger.

"Jake!" Bella's voice cut through the pounding rain as she called out to Jacob, her determination matched only by the relentless downpour. Despite his reluctance to engage, he slowed his steps, a silent acknowledgement of her presence. "Hey!" Bella's second shout carried a hint of frustration, echoing in the damp air as she closed the distance between them. Jacob, shirtless and indifferent to the rain soaking his bare skin, turned slowly to face her, his expression unreadable amidst the torrential downpour. Rain droplets cascaded down his bronzed skin, tracing the contours of his newly sculpted muscles.

"You cut your hair off?" she inquired, noting his bare torso, clad only in shorts and shoes. Drawing closer, she spotted a tattoo adorning his arm. "And got a tattoo?" Her eyes shifted to the design on his upper arm, a complex piece that resembled two intertwined wolves.

He simply uttered her name, "Bella."

"I thought you were too sick to come outside or even pick up the phone when Charlotte or I called," Bella stated, a tinge of frustration evident in her voice.

"Go away," Jacob uttered, his demeanour feeling markedly altered.

"What?!"

"Go away," he reiterated sharply, his tone firm and unwavering.

"What happened to you? What's...Hey!" Bella's voice persisted, but Jacob turned away, indicating his reluctance to engage further. "What happened?" she pressed on, seizing his arm to halt his departure. But he turned back to face her, though it was unwillingly. "Did Sam get to you? Is that what's happening?" Bella questioned, pondering whether Sam had influenced Jacob's behaviour, noting his attire reminiscent of Sam's crew.

"Sam's trying to help me. Don't blame him," Jake retorted, defending Sam's actions. "But if you want somebody to blame, how about those filthy bloodsuckers you love, the Cullen's?" My heart raced, and even in my observer position, my breath quickened as thunder rumbled through the sky. My mind spun with the possibilities, wondering if the stories my grandmother told me held any truth.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Bella quickly replied, but I had a gut feeling she was lying straight to his face. And I could sense it.

"No, you know exactly what I'm talking about," Jake asserted, his voice escalating slightly.

"You've been lying to everyone. Charlie, even Charlotte, who's been there for you. Like I have," Jacob paused briefly, shaking his head in disappointment. "But you can't lie to me. Not anymore, Bella." Jacob's words carried the weight of his hurt and betrayal.

"Jacob!" A male voice shouted from the woods, but my attention remained fixed on Bella and Jacob. Through the rain, I could make out four shirtless figures standing on the outskirts, waiting for Jake.

"Look, Bella, we can't be friends anymore. I can't even be friends with Charlotte anymore," Jacob stated, his voice heavy with resignation, as I turned my attention back to the pair.

"Look, Jake, I know that I've been hurting you. It's killing me. It kills me," She took a small pause, her voice wavering with emotion. "I just need... Maybe give me, like, some time or something," Bella said, her voice choked with tears. Rain poured down her face, mingling with her own salty tears.

"Don't... It's not you." There was a brief pause before Bella continued, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"It's not you, it's me, right? Really?" She didn't sound happy.

"It's true. It is me... I'm not," Jake seemed to struggle for a word. "Good... I used to be, a good kid. Not anymore," Rain cascades down his bare torso, tracing the contours of his tanned skin, still unbothered by the cold rain. "This doesn't even matter. All right? This is over," Jake shakes his head at Bella, his expression resolute. As the friendship between them, us, was over.

"You can't just break up with me. I mean... I mean, you're my best friend," Bella pleaded, her words stumbling out amidst the rain cascading down her back, tears mingling with the drops streaming down her cheeks. "You promised me," it was almost I could feel her heart breaking.

"I know. I promised I wouldn't hurt you, Bella. And this is me keeping that promise," Jacob's voice held a softness, a sincerity that pierced through the rain-drenched air. "Go home, and don't come back or you're gonna get hurt." His words weren't a threat, but rather a solemn warning, laced with concern for her safety. My attention shifted from Bella to Jacob, observing him as he sprinted across the grass towards the treeline. Every muscle in his body seemed to ripple with newfound strength, flexing powerfully in the rain-soaked atmosphere. As I watched him vanish into the treeline, my heart shattered into a million pieces. Then, darkness enveloped my sights like a suffocating blanket.

I snapped awake from my restless slumber, my forehead damp with sweat, and my heart still heavy with the weight of what I had witnessed. My breath quickened as the memory rushed back, dispelling any notion that it was just a figment of my imagination. It was undeniably real.

***************