The scent of pine filled the air as Bellatrix's boots crunched over the forest path, the packed dirt underfoot a familiar reminder that she was nowhere near home. She squinted at the bright sunlit clearing ahead-cheer camp. Everything about it screamed "Addison," from the strings of pastel streamers to the overly enthusiastic counselors cheering like it was the Olympic Games. Bellatrix wrinkled her nose, wishing for all the world that she could be anywhere else.

"Come on, Bella!" Addison was already a few paces ahead, bouncing in her white sneakers with enough pep to power the entire camp. Her blonde ponytail bobbed as she twirled to face her sister, bright-eyed and grinning. "Cheer camp is going to be so much fun! Just imagine-cheering under the stars, bonfires, campfire songs..."

"Sounds... exhausting," Bellatrix muttered, hands shoved into her black hoodie pocket. She'd never understand her sister's boundless energy. Addison loved Seabrook and every tradition that came with it. Bella, on the other hand, felt like she was in a perpetual tug-of-war with the town, with her family, and even with herself.

Addison linked her arm with Bella's, a familiar move she always pulled when Bella's stubborn streak reared its head. "You know, it wouldn't hurt to try to have fun. Who knows? You might actually like it."

Bella raised an eyebrow. "Define fun. Because if it involves sparkles, I'm opting out."

Addison rolled her eyes. "Bella, you're impossible."

"Only because you're relentlessly optimistic," Bella shot back, although there was a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "And it's a little nauseating."

Addison stopped, facing her with a patient, almost pleading look. "I just... want you to enjoy yourself. Sometimes I feel like you're stuck in this shell that you don't need to be in. You could be so much more... happy."

Bella huffed. "I am happy, Addie. I just have a different idea of it than you."

Addison's lips pressed together, clearly unsatisfied with her answer, but before she could protest, Bree's unmistakable voice echoed across the campsite. "Addison! Bella! Over here!"

The two sisters turned to see Bree bounding toward them, her pink pom-poms already in hand, as if she couldn't wait another second to start practicing. Bella sighed as Bree wrapped them both in an overly energetic hug.

"Isn't this just the best?" Bree gushed, twirling her pom-poms. "We're going to have the most amazing time! Right, Bella?"

"Right," Bella replied, deadpan. She glanced at Addison, mouthing, Help me, but Addison only grinned.

The camp went by in a blur of chants, drills, and endless routines. Bella's muscles ached, not from the workout, but from the sheer effort of feigning enthusiasm. Addison, naturally, threw herself into every exercise, urging Bella to follow suit.

"Bella, you've got to put your heart into it!" Addison said one afternoon as they rehearsed yet another cheer routine. The cheerleaders around them clapped and kicked to a beat that Bella could only half-heartedly match.

"My heart's fine right where it is, thanks," Bella mumbled, dragging her feet as the others bounced.

Addison sighed, giving her a look that was somewhere between exasperation and pity. "Could you at least pretend you're having fun?"

Bella crossed her arms, glancing down at her black nail polish, which stood out starkly against the pastel shades around her. "This is me pretending. Can't you tell?"

Addison's smile faltered. "Bella, I just... I wish you wouldn't push everything away. I know you think it's silly, but it really means a lot to me."

The softness in her sister's voice tugged at Bella's resolve, just a little. She knew how much Addison cared about cheer, about Seabrook, about family. And, as much as she hated to admit it, Bella cared about Addison. She just didn't have the words to explain that she was... different.

"It's not that I don't care, Addie," Bella said, her voice dropping. "It's just that all of this-" she gestured to the camp full of sparkly outfits and beaming faces, "-doesn't feel right to me. It feels like I'm pretending to be someone I'm not."

Addison's expression softened. "I get that, Bella. I really do. But maybe it's okay to try new things, even if they don't feel right at first. You don't have to be anyone else but yourself. Just... give it a shot?"

Bella looked away, staring at the lake in the distance. She could see the appeal of cheer, she supposed. The camaraderie, the structure, the way it made Addison light up. But Bella's heart tugged her in a different direction-toward mysteries and shadows, not sparkles and chants.

After a moment, she looked back at her sister. "Fine. One routine. And don't expect me to smile."

Addison's face lit up. "Deal!"

As they practiced, Bella half-heartedly lifted her pom-poms, going through the motions as Addison coached her on form. Addison clapped along, cheering her on with an encouraging smile. To Bella's surprise, there was something oddly grounding in the rhythm of the routine. Her movements were stiff, but she felt a strange kind of power flowing through her, an energy she couldn't quite place.

"See? You're getting it!" Addison chirped, beaming. "Now, if you just add a smile..."

Bella rolled her eyes but let out a reluctant laugh. "Don't push it."

Addison giggled, throwing an arm around her. "Thank you, Bella. Really."

"Yeah, yeah," Bella mumbled, secretly pleased at Addison's joy. She couldn't deny that seeing her sister happy made her feel... something warm. It was one of the few things that could break through her protective shell.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, they sat by the campfire, surrounded by friends and laughter. Bree was recounting some absurd cheer horror story, while Bucky puffed himself up, bragging about his routine. Bella leaned back, letting the night wrap around her, feeling almost... peaceful.

Addison leaned over, nudging her. "See? Cheer camp isn't so bad, is it?"

Bella gave her a look. "Don't get too used to it, Addie. Tomorrow, I'm going back to my corner."

Addison chuckled, squeezing her hand. "Whatever you say, sis. But I know there's a spark of Seabrook spirit in there somewhere."

Bella scoffed but didn't pull her hand away. As she stared into the flames, a quiet feeling stirred in her chest. Addison's optimism, her love-it was like a steady beat she could almost feel, something that connected them despite their differences. And though she'd never admit it, there was a small part of her that didn't mind.

For tonight, she was content. Tomorrow, she'd return to her familiar shadows. But for now, she sat beside her sister, letting her warmth flicker against her own quiet defiance, like stars and darkness sharing the same sky.