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4 「T H E - R E A S O N」 3

"Catherine says she's moving out," Charlie told her angrily as he motioned over to Catherine, who was angrily pouting as she refused to look at her cousin anymore. "and the only thing I can think of that tends to not make her feel welcomed is you, so I will reiterate...what did you do?"

"I-" Was all that left Bella's mouth as she glanced between the two repeatedly again, trying to come up with some kind of lie to get herself out of this.

"She's infatuated with Jacob," Catherine answered before Bella could, crossing her arms as she looked her cousin up and down in disgust. "or the thought of him being infatuated with her at least."

With that Catherine let out a huff motioning towards her cousin, For years she thought Jacob had been in love with her cousin.

Both of them thought that, so there was ample time for Bella to at least attempt to date him, but it was only after he was hers that Bella tried to pretend to want him.

"Last night she set up a date between me and a friend of hers," Catherine continued to explain seeing the still confused look on Charlie's face, the glare not leaving her face as she stumped her foot.  "so she could try and take Jacob away from me, told him I cheated on him."

"Because you did." Bella scoffed back to her short cousin, whilst crossing her arms, her words causing Charlie to look at her appalled.

"Isabella!" He scolded loudly as he looked at his daughter, who only rolled her eyes as she turned partially to face the other way with her arms still folded.

It was hard to discipline someone who was nearly grown, plus due to the time the two hadn't been together it was hard for Charlie to act like a Father with Bella.

She'd already grown up by the time she came back to live with him, there was nothing he could do to try and fix what had happened to her while she was with her mother.

He honestly didn't even know what happened, it was like the little girl he knew was gone, and now it was a teenage girl with no regard for anyone else but herself.

Charlie didn't want to admit that to himself, that his baby girl was broken somehow.

"Like I was saying Uncle Charlie," Catherine spoke with a small sigh, she didn't want to even continue in any conversation that Bella was a part of.  "I think it would be best if I moved out."

Almost immediately after she finished speaking, Bella let out a loud groan as she rolled her eyes again, before she stumped out of the room.

Leaving a tightlipped smile on Catherine's face as she refused to even acknowledge her temper tantrum, Charlie did the same as he only shook his head watching his daughter awkwardly stump away.

"I'm going to start looking for places to move into later today," Catherine spoke up again and continued with their conversation, offering her Uncle a small smile. "I'll try and visit when I can, bring by some food."

"Catherine, you-" Charlie spoke wanting to dissuade her from her choice, but he quickly realized as he looked at her that he most likely couldn't. "you sound very sure of your choices, so I won't be trying to stop you."

Hearing her Uncle's words, Catherine couldn't help but let out a sigh, she was so glad that he wasn't going to try and talk her out of this.

It was already a tough decision to move out of the house, away from the people who had been her family for so long, but time makes people grow apart, and that's okay.

"Thank you, Uncle Charlie." Catherine thanked him lightly as she moved forward, the two embracing in a small familiar hug.

Unlike Bella, when their awkwardness repels each other, Catherine is warm and embracing so it isn't weird when they hug.

It felt like he was hugging his daughter and Catherine like she was hugging her second Dad.

"But that doesn't mean I'm not going to give you every last home security and protection option I can find for you," Charlie started to speak honestly and partially seriously as he held the girl close to his chest, she was so small now that he thought about it. "I mean security systems, door jams, tasers, the whole nine."

"Thank you, Uncle Charlie." Catherine thanked him with a small chuckle, she was happy he wasn't upset about this.

Hearing her chuckle, Charlie couldn't help but do the same the atmosphere became light and cheery before it dropped down to serious and sad.

"Make sure you stay safe, Catherine," Charlie spoke out the goodbye he didn't get to give last time, it was like one day she was just gone along with his best friends. "there's a lot of weirdos out there."

He spoke partially awkwardly as he tried to lighten the mood again, the two slowly coming out of their embrace.

Both knew this was most likely going to be the last time she stayed the night over his house, she was a full adult now.

"Okay," Catherine nodded her head with a small smile on her face before she started walking back towards the door. "I have to go talk to my mom and dad, okay."

At her words Charlie let out a small hum in agreement, watching as the girl let out another chuckle before she left the room.

Getting ready to go speak to her parents for the first time in a few odd days.