FRIENDS OR FOES

Charlee's POV

I sat in my home office, surrounded by the familiar comforts of my desk, bookshelves, and framed photos. But my gaze was fixed on the three men standing in front of me, their faces a mixture of tension and anticipation.

Ben, my so-called "business partner," shifted uncomfortably, his five-foot-eleven frame seeming to shrink under my glare. He was dressed in his usual attire - a crisp white button-down shirt and khaki pants.

To his right stood two men I had never met before. One was a towering figure at six foot four, with a strong jawline and piercing brown eyes. He had dark hair and sharp features, evident of his half-Mexican, half-white heritage. He wore a fitted black T-shirt and worn jeans that seemed to mold to his athletic build.

The other man was a compact guy at five foot nine, with a messy mop of black hair and a scattering of tattoos on his arms. His half-Mexican, half-Chinese heritage gave him a unique look, with high cheekbones and a small nose. He wore a faded band T-shirt and ripped jeans, giving off a laid-back vibe.

"Who are these people, Ben?" I growled, my anger and distrust simmering just below the surface.

Ben swallowed nervously, his eyes darting to the two men before returning to me. "This is Jordan Garcia and Donnie Wong. They're...they're here to help."

I raised an eyebrow, my gaze never leaving Ben's face. "Help with what?"

Ben hesitated, glancing at Jordan and Donnie before answering. "With your...situation."

My eyes narrowed, my anger boiling over. "You told them, didn't you? You told them about my secret."

Ben took a step back, his eyes wide with fear. "Charlee, please -"

But I cut him off, my voice rising. "You had no right to share my secret with these strangers."

Jordan stepped forward, his deep voice calm and soothing. "We're here to help, Charlee. We can -"

But I didn't let him finish. In my rage, I turned to the TV and slammed my fist onto the coffee table. The TV behind me erupted into a fireball, flames engulfing the screen and sparks flying everywhere.

Jordan, Donnie, and Ben stumbled backward, shielding their faces from the heat. "Charlee, no!" Jordan yelled, his voice hoarse with urgency.

But I was beyond reason. My anger and fear had unleashed a maelstrom of flames, and I couldn't control it. The fire raged on, fueled by my emotions.

Donnie sprinted out of the room, returning with a fire extinguisher the size of a small rocket launcher. He charged toward me, spraying a powerful jet of foam that engulfed me and the flames.

The fire hissed and spat, dying down as the foam smothered it. I stumbled forward, coughing and choking on the acrid fumes.

Jordan rushed to my side, grabbing my arm and holding me upright. "Charlee, are you okay?" he shouted over the ringing in my ears.

I nodded, still gasping for breath. My clothes were charred and blackened, but my skin was unscathed. I stared at my hands, still trembling with fear and adrenaline.

Ben stared at me, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and awe. "Charlee, you're...you're a pyrokinetic."

I shot him a withering look, my anger still simmering. "Obviously."

Jordan's grip on my arm tightened. "We need to figure out how to help you control it, before you hurt yourself or someone else."