As the morning sun streamed through my window, its gentle rays danced upon my skin, casting a warm glow in the room. Below, I could hear the familiar sounds of my Grams bustling about in the kitchen, no doubt preparing breakfast for us both. With a soft sigh, I pushed aside the covers of my bed and rose to greet the day, stretching out the stiffness from sleep.

Making my way down the hall to the bathroom, I indulged in a brief, steamy shower, allowing the hot water to soothe my senses and awaken my mind. Afterwards, I meticulously brushed my teeth and took the time to straighten my hair, ensuring each strand fell just so. Returning to my room, I perused my closet, selecting an outfit with care, mindful of the significance of this first day at school. With my attire chosen, I dressed quickly, the anticipation of the day ahead urging me on.

Descending the stairs, the aroma of freshly made waffles greeted me, a comforting scent that filled the air. Grams had outdone herself once again, and I wasted no time in joining her at the table, eager to savour the delicious breakfast she had prepared. Despite my excitement, I ate hastily, stealing glances at the clock as the minutes ticked away.

With a quick peck on Grams' cheek, I bid her farewell and stepped out onto the porch, my heart racing with anticipation. Approaching the truck, I fished the keys from my pocket and pressed the unlock button, the familiar chirp signalling its readiness. Sliding into the driver's seat, I inserted the key into the ignition, the engine coming to life with a satisfying roar.

Pulling out of the driveway, I navigated the familiar streets, the anticipation building with each passing moment. Today marked a new chapter, a fresh beginning at Forks High, and I was ready to embrace whatever the day had in store. With determination and excitement coursing through me, I set off towards the school, though the voice in my head nagged at me. Telling to keep a low profile.

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

I manoeuvred the truck into an available parking spot conveniently situated near the school entrance, my heart pounding with the realization that I was already late on my first day. Hurriedly, I flung open the door and slammed it shut behind me, swiftly locking it before darting up the steps and into the school building.

Inside, I located the main desk, where a woman greeted me with a warm smile. Her sleek black hair cascaded down to her shoulders like a waterfall of ebony silk. "Hey, I'm here for my class schedule. Charlotte Matthews," I announced breathlessly. With a nod, she turned to her computer, her fingers dancing across the keyboard in rapid succession. In no time, the printer whirred to life, spitting out a sheet of paper that she handed to me with practised efficiency. I offered her a tight smile of gratitude before turning away, and navigating the hallways in search of my English class.

After a brief journey, I reached the classroom and peered through the window, spotting a TV positioned at the front of the room. Tentatively, I rapped on the door, the sound echoing softly yet assertively through the corridor. The muted hum of the TV ceased abruptly, and moments later, the door swung open to reveal my teacher standing there, ready to welcome me to the class.

"May I help you?" he inquired; his tone neutral yet welcoming.

"Yes, I'm in your class. I'm new," I responded promptly, extending my schedule for his perusal. Glancing down at the paper, he raised an eyebrow in mild surprise before stepping aside, granting me entry into the room. As I crossed the threshold, a hush fell over the classroom, and I could feel the weight of a hundred pairs of eyes fixed on me. Heat crept up my cheeks as I became acutely aware of the sudden attention. With a soft click, the door closed behind me, and the teacher returned to my side.

"Class, let's extend a warm welcome to our new member, Charlotte Matthews," the teacher announced, drawing attention to my presence. With a small smile adorning my face, I offered a wave to the roomful of students. Taking in the varied reactions, I noticed the boys sporting eager grins while the girls appeared surprised by the arrival of a new face. Carefully navigating through the desks, I located an available seat, opting for one in front of a pale girl seated at the back of the classroom. As I settled into my seat, the weight of a hundred pairs of eyes seemed to linger, their collective gaze following my every move.

"Face the front, class," the teacher's command echoed through the room, prompting everyone to reluctantly tear their gazes away from me and redirect their attention to the lesson. With a sigh, I braced myself for what promised to be a long class period...

Hours later, the lunch bell finally rang, signalling a welcome respite from the stifling atmosphere of the classroom. Making my way to the bustling canteen, I scanned the sea of students, noting the diverse cliques scattered throughout the room—jocks, geeks, and everything in between.

Searching for a familiar face amidst the crowd, I spotted some classmates from English earlier in the day. Eager to join them, I began to weave my way through the tables, only to be interrupted by a couple of jocks who couldn't resist wolf-whistling in my direction. Shaking my head in exasperation, I quickened my pace, seeking refuge at an unoccupied table near a window. Pulling out a chair, I sank into my seat and kept my gaze fixed on the tabletop, reluctant to meet the curious stares that undoubtedly followed my every move.

Alone at the table, I idly nudged the remnants of my meal around my plate, finding little enjoyment in the mediocre fare before me. Despite its lacklustre quality, I continued to pick at my food, my attention divided between the unappetizing meal and the tabletop below.

Midway through my meal, a distinct sensation washed over me—a feeling that someone's gaze was fixed upon me. Unlike the curious stares I had encountered throughout the day, this gaze felt different, softer, somehow. Refusing to meet the eyes that bore into me, I kept my focus downward, avoiding any interaction. My gaze remained fixed on my plate, occasionally drifting to the surface of the table, unwilling to acknowledge the unspoken scrutiny hovering over me.

"Hey," a gentle feminine voice broke through the silence, causing me to lift my head and meet her gaze. Softening my expression, I offered a small smile.

"Hi," I responded softly, acknowledging her presence. She gestured to the empty chair beside me, and I nodded in understanding, welcoming her unspoken invitation to join me. The chair emitted a grating screech as she pulled it out, the sound ceasing as she settled into her seat. With a sigh, she crossed her arms tightly over her chest, as if she also was nervous to make new friends.

"I'm Bella, by the way," she introduced herself, extending her hand for me to shake.

"Charlotte," I replied, reciprocating the gesture as our hands met, palm to palm, and exchanged a brief shake. In those fleeting seconds, a sense of connection passed between us. As our hands parted, my attention was drawn to a group of people chatting and laughing amongst themselves as they approached. A knot formed in my stomach at the sight of unfamiliar faces, a pang of unease settling within me.

"Charlotte, these are my friends," Bella said, her friends gathering behind her chair, their curious gazes fixed on me. "Jessica, Mike, Eric, and Angela," she introduced each of them in turn, their names rolling off her tongue as they stood before me. Each offered a smile, and a small wave.

"Hi," I mustered the courage to speak, accompanied by a tentative smile extended to each of them. From then on, Bella took the lead in steering the conversation, firing off questions to which I responded. They were the kind of trivial inquiries anyone making new friends would ask.

As the conversation continued, Bella's friends chimed in with their own questions, even expressing interest in how my day had been so far. Gradually, my posture relaxed, and I found myself beginning to open up a bit. Yet, despite this newfound ease, a lingering sense of fear still clung to me like a persistent nightmare.

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

After a surprisingly good first day at school, quite different from my experiences at previous schools, I parked the truck in the driveway and made my way inside the house. Stepping over boxes strewn across the floor, I headed straight for the kitchen.

"Hey Grams, looks like the rest of the stuff arrived," I remarked, picking up a nearby box labelled 'Kitchen', and placing it on the counter.

"Hey honey," she greeted me, turning from the fridge, which appeared slightly emptier than before. "How was school?"

I couldn't help but smile. "It was actually good, and I made some new friends today," I admitted, knowing she could see the happiness in my eyes.

"Oh, sweetie, that's wonderful. What are their names?" she inquired with genuine interest.

"Bella, Jessica, Angela, Mike, and Eric. They're all really nice," I replied with a hint of excitement. My Grams offered a tight smile before returning to her tasks. Feeling uncharacteristically not hungry, I headed straight upstairs.

Entering my room, I was pleasantly surprised to find my bed made with fresh white bedding, courtesy of my thoughtful Grandma. Spotting my grimoire resting on my pillow, I carefully stowed it away in my over-the-shoulder bag hanging in the closet. It fits perfectly, making my life a bit easier. Placing the bag gently on the carpeted floor, I changed into comfortable grey attire and settled onto the bed, feeling the weight of the day lift from my shoulders.

As I lay there, basking in the peaceful atmosphere, I casually waved my hand toward the door, which obediently closed on its own. Smirking to myself, I gazed up at the ceiling, the soft light filtering through the windows as I drifted off into a deep slumber, embraced by the comfort of sleep.

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

Under the veil of the night sky, the forest was cloaked in shadow, the moon casting an ethereal glow through the canopy of trees. Bella's figure darted ahead, her movements swift and determined, her breath forming a misty cloud in the chilly air. I followed closely behind, the damp earth soft beneath my feet.

Suddenly, Bella stumbled, a tree root snagging her foot, sending her sprawling onto the muddy ground with a thud. I watched in alarm as she crumpled into a fetal position, her body trembling with emotional pain. Faint growls reverberated through the darkness, emanating from the depths of the forest, shrouded in mystery and menace. Frantically, I attempted to scan the surroundings, but it was as if an invisible force held me captive, my gaze fixed solely on Bella. I could feel her anguish as if it were my own, the weight of her suffering bearing down on me like a heavy burden.

My eyelids shot open, greeted by the serene expanse of a clear night sky stretched overhead. Startled, I shot upright, frantically scanning my surroundings, my chest heaving with panicked breaths. Drawing my knees to my chest, the dirt was dragged with my feet. I wrapped my arms around them tightly, shivering from the cold. Clad only in a pair of bottoms and a top, I felt the chill of the night air seeping into my bones.

Where am I? I pondered to myself, slightly panicking. Casting a wary glance around, all I could see was an endless sea of trees stretching out in every direction. Suddenly, a low, guttural growling sound emanated from a nearby bush, sending a shiver of fear down my spine. My pulse quickened as I slowly turned my head, eyes narrowing to peer through the dense foliage. The bushes rustled ominously, and the moonlight revealed a pair of large, glowing eyes staring back at me.

My heart pounded with dread as I watched the creature emerge from the shadows, its form looming ominously in the darkness. With a surge of terror, I scrambled to my feet, never taking my eyes off the menacing figure. Before it could fully emerge from the bush, I bolted, my survival instincts kicking in as I raced desperately towards the nearest exit out of the woods.

As I fled through the underbrush, branches clawed at my skin, leaving stinging welts in their wake. In the distance, I caught sight of flashing red and blue lights, drawing me like a beacon of hope. Ignoring the pain, I pressed on towards the promise of safety, each step bringing me closer to the reassuring glow of civilization.

In mere minutes, I emerged from the dense forest, seeking cover behind a sturdy branch as I surveyed the scene unfolding before me. There, amidst a gathering of people, I spotted Bella being carried toward a figure clad in a police uniform. A sense of recognition hit me as I realized it was her father, as she mentioned he was the chief of police. However, the man holding her close, his bare torso and shorts seemed weird with the formal attire of the others. But the people and her Father didn't seem worried about who this man was as if he was known to them.

Preferring to remain unnoticed, I skirted along the outskirts of the woods, avoiding the curious glances of the onlookers. With a sense of relief, I began to make my way back home, tracing the familiar path along the road. Lost in thought, I pondered the peculiar turn of events that had led me to this very spot, mere moments before Bella's discovery. It was a perplexing coincidence, one that left me feeling unsettled. Yet, as a witch, I understood that such occurrences were not uncommon. With a resigned shrug, I pushed aside my doubts, choosing to let the mystery linger, at least for the time being...

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