Charles Alblice has always led an ordinary life in Birchtowne. He enjoyed the company of his cousin, Quinn, and their best friend, Michael. The three lived their lives as carefree as any other teenager would.
But life in Birchtowne gets messy when...
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When they arrived at his house and made their way to Charles's room, he pulled his curtains shut at Lea's request. She sat on the edge of his bed, legs crossed, fingers drumming her knees.
"What's up?" he asked, sitting down next to her. He took note of her fidgeting hands, at her shifting eyes.
She took a deep breath and forced herself to look Charles in the eyes.
"I'm Flare."
He stared blankly at her for a good minute before nodding. "Yeah. I know, Lee. I figured you out two years ago."
Lea swatted at him, fighting a small smile off her face.
"Figuring it out and me telling you point-blank are two completely different things." She pulled on her sweater sleeve, eyes dropping to the floor. "And I'm sorry I stopped seeing you because you knew. I didn't want you getting hurt because of me."
"So, why tell me now?"
When she didn't respond, he placed his hand on her knee. She reached her hand out, enclosing hers over his. They shared a smile and Charles gave her an encouraging nod so she would answer the question.
"Are you..." she paused, letting out a small sigh. "Are you a super?"
He blinked. Him? Just thinking about it made him burst out into laughter.
"You're insane," he said through laughs.
"Charles, please." He looked up at her, seeing the look she gave him was dead serious. "Your little run-in with the truck? How did he not see you?"
"Probably is just an awful driver." Lea didn't look amused, so he tried again to get her to laugh. "Maybe I'm just so short he looked right over me."
Lea looked away, but he could still see her bite back a smile. He took the victory.
"Come on, Charles. Why did I think you'd left? I didn't—I couldn't—see you in the road until you just appeared. Out of nowhere." She looked back at him, squeezing his hand. "You have powers. It's the only explanation."
"I'm sure there's at least a million more explanations," he said, narrowing his eyes, "each one a lot more logical than being completely oblivious to my own superpowers for seventeen years of my life."
She pulled her hand away from Charles's. "Can you just do me a favor and focus on trying to disappear?"
He groaned slightly but did as she requested. He closed his eyes, forehead crinkling and brows furrowing as he focused. Focus... but on what? He didn't know what he was supposed to be doing. Didn't know how—if Lea was right—using these so-called powers would work. Frustration mounted within him. This was ridiculous! Nothing was happening. He felt no different than when he'd closed his eyes, and Lea hadn't reacted to anything.
