copy cat || paul lahote

it had been two days since the funeral, and three days since bella had left for italy without contact. the house felt quieter, the world somehow heavier, but nora barely noticed. she had completely forgotten about herself. she hadn't gone on her usual runs, hadn't shown up to training for school, and worst of all—she had ignored what had happened before the funeral. the way she had shoved jacob, the unnatural force behind it. it was impossible.

perhaps she was in denial.

she sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her hands. they looked the same as they always had—normal, human. but that strength... it wasn't normal. she had seen how jacob had flown back, how everyone had stared at her, stunned into silence. she clenched her fingers into fists and exhaled shakily.

did that mean bella could have abilities too? what even was she? were there more than just wolves and vampires out there? what if there were others like her—people who didn't fit neatly into one category or the other? the thought made her stomach twist.

a part of her wanted to march straight to sam and demand answers, but something told her even he wouldn't have them. this wasn't like the others. just... whatever this was. but if not sam, then who? who could she even talk to about this?

her mind kept replaying the moment over and over—the way her body had reacted on its own, the raw power in her limbs. had it been some kind of adrenaline rush? no. she knew what adrenaline felt like, and this was something else entirely. something deep. instinctual. and the worst part was, she liked it. the power, the control, the certainty that no one could touch her if she didn't want them to. that thought scared her more than anything else.

she glanced at her reflection in the window, watching the way the late afternoon light cast soft shadows across her face. there was nothing different. no sign of whatever had shifted inside her. if she ignored it, maybe it would go away. maybe she could pretend she was normal for just a little while longer.

her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her spiralling thoughts. it was an unknown number.

unknown: u should come down to the beach

she frowned, typing back a quick response. who's this?

unknown: jared. forgot to save my number? rude.

nora sighed, staring at the message for a long moment. she knew he was right—ignoring this wouldn't make it go away. but she wasn't sure she was ready to face it yet. did she really want to sit in a room full of wolves, all trying to dissect whatever the hell she was? what if they decided she was a threat? a problem to be handled? the thought unsettled her more than she wanted to admit.

her fingers hovered over the keyboard. i don't think i'm ready to talk about it yet. no, that sounded too unsure. she deleted it and tried again. i need some time. that wasn't right either. finally, she just left the message unanswered, locking her phone and setting it down beside her.

before she could dwell on it any longer, she heard the front door open. footsteps. then, a familiar voice.

bella.

nora immediately picked up her phone again and texted back.

bella's back. maybe another time.

she locked her phone and stood up, pushing aside all thoughts of la push and what had happened. right now, there were bigger things to deal with.

nora scrambled down the stairs, her heart pounding in her chest, rage bubbling up inside her. she barely registered the sound of the front door clicking shut behind bella before she stormed into the living room, her eyes immediately locking onto edward.