Clara brushed herself off, wincing in pain. Josie offered her hand, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Let me help you up. I really got you good this time around."
Clara rolled her eyes, accepting Josie's help. "What are you doing here?"
"I wasn't always sure you'd take care while going home, so I decided to accompany you," Josie said, her grin fading. "Then it started raining, and I took shelter here. I saw you coming in and thought I'd scare you."
Clara chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh my God."
As they strolled back to Clara's home, the aroma of a home-cooked meal wafted through the air. Her grandma greeted them with a warm smile.
"Happy birthday, dear!" Her grandma handed Clara a plate piled high with food. "I made your favorite dishes."
As they sat down to eat, Clara's eyes welled up. "I wish Mom and Dad were here."
Her grandma's expression softened. "You don't have to say that, sweetie. I'm here for you. Your parents... they died heroes. They sacrificed their lives for this town."
Clara looked down, feeling a pang of guilt. "I'm just a whiny little kid."
Suddenly, Clara's body convulsed, and she vomited blood. Josie's eyes widened in alarm. "Let's take her to the hospital, Granite!"
At the hospital, Clara received treatment and was discharged a few days later. Josie visited her, concern etched on her face. "When will this continue?"
Clara shook her head. "I don't know. The doctor said it's due to my powers not flowing properly. I'm left with this sickness... coughing up blood."
Josie's expression turned somber. "I'm sorry you have to suffer this way. I wish you'd have a breakthrough in your powers."
Clara's voice cracked. "I've lost hope. Even if I was a late bloomer... I'm sixteen, and I haven't gotten my magic. Please, just leave it."
Josie's eyes filled with empathy. "Okay, I'll let you be."
As Josie left, Clara broke down, tears streaming down her face. She whispered, "Mom, are you still there? Please tell me..."
Her thoughts drifted back to her past, where rumors had circulated about her parentage. Some classmates had whispered that she wasn't the real child of her parents, that she'd been picked up from the bushes.
Clara pushed those thoughts aside and focused on her grandma's gentle voice, asking if she wanted to eat. She declined and retreated to her room, humming her favorite tune, "Moonlight Serenade," as she drifted off to sleep.
But her rest was short-lived. A nightmare assaulted her, leaving her gasping for breath. She woke up with cold sweat, the morning light streaming through her window.
As she dressed for school, she met Josie at her locker. "Stop that, you really scared me yesterday. Why would you go to that abandoned house?"
Clara shrugged. "Nothing's going to happen."
Josie's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I found something. Do you want to go check it out later tonight?"
Clara hesitated before agreeing. "Okay, fine. We'll go."
In class, their peers whispered about Clara's lack of magic. The taunts stung, but Clara tried to ignore them.