Nadia’s Journey A Hybrid’s Awakening

Chapter 8

'Whew thank goodness I didn't have to participate in gym class today' I thought to myself. I have to learn how to control my powers before I can do any sports, much less the triathlon. I need to talk to my Father as soon as I get home so he can help me control my vamp speed and strength. Since I missed gym class, it was now time for lunch, I headed to the cafeteria to find my friends. I go through the line to get my lunch and find my friends at our usual table, except now Noah is sitting with us.

"Nadia! You completely missed gym classes and getting to watch me crush it in the triathlon courses." Charlotte yelled as I approached the table.

"Yeah sorry, the Headmaster needed to see me. I forgot to go see him after my talk with my parents, so he was checking in on me."

"Why did the headmaster need to see you and what does he care about the talk you had with your parents?" Charlotte asked, kind of irritated.

"Well, Charlotte, he knows what I am and, uh", I look at Dimitri and Noah, wondering if I should tell her what the headmaster is or not. She knows about me and Dimitri, but not Noah or anyone else at school yet. I don't know if telling her will get me in trouble or put her in danger or....... my mind is just racing. I do not know what to say here. Luckily, Dimitri sees my struggle and breaks the awkward silence.

"Charlotte, this is a special school. You know about me and Nadia and so does the Headmaster. The Headmaster is informed anytime one of his students is different from the others to protect us. You remember how we told you if humans knew of our existence it could be dangerous for us. Well, the Headmaster makes sure we are safe." Dimitri chimed in.

Thank goodness for Dimitri because I wasn't sure how I was going to answer that. I trust Charlotte with my secret and Dimitri with his, but I am unsure if her knowing every supernatural being in this school is a good thing or not.

"Nadia, I will take you home again today if you want." Dimitri turns to me and says.

"Oh, actually Noah is taking me home today so he can tutor me in Math. I am really struggling with it." I said, avoiding eye contact.

"Oh well why didn't you just ask me?" Dimitri said somberly.

"Ha Ha Ha Dimitri, you tutor Nadia in Math, you're barely making a C!" Charlotte laughs.

"Thanks, Char! Yeah, Dimitri is dumb everyone!" Dimitri snaps at Charlotte.

"Oh, Dimitri, I didn't say that, and I didn't mean that way, I'm sorry." Charlotte tried to apologize.

"Whatever!" Dimitri got up and walked away from the table. 'Why did he get so upset about Noah tutoring me?' I thought to myself.

"I will go check on him," I told Charlotte. As I get up to leave, Charlotte pulls me back down and says she will check on him since she caused his outburst. She leaves the table, and I am left alone with Noah!

"What is with him?" Noah asked after Charlotte left.

"I don't really know, but I know he was sent here to protect me and help me come into my powers. So maybe that has something to do with it. Maybe he feels protective of me. I honestly don't know."

"What do you mean he was sent here to protect you? Protect you from what exactly?"

"It's a long story. Maybe I can explain it after school when we get back to my house. Right now we have to get back to class."

After lunch is Math class and as I walk into the classroom I see Charlotte talking to Dimitri. He seems calmer than before.

"Did you guys make up?" I jokingly say.

"Yeah we did, I am sorry for my behavior at lunch, Nadia." Dimitri apologizes.

"It's OK Dimitri, I just asked Noah for help because I know he is in all AP classes and has already learned this stuff. I didn't mean to upset you by doing so. You are my best friend and I never want to hurt you."

"It's OK Nadia, I understand. I don't know why I got so upset about it, I just feel very protective of you, and we don't know anything about Noah."

"Well, you will never know anything about anyone unless you spend time with them and get to know them, right? Give him a chance, Dimitri, he is new here and could use some friends," Charlotte added. Our math teacher, Mr. Jacobs clears his throat, and we realize he is looking at us. Embarrassed, we turned our attention to him and apologize for holding up the class. Now that I have honed my sixth sense, I can tell that Mr. Jacobs is a Vampire. He is of average height, about 5'8" with white hair, dark blue eyes, skin as pale as paper, and smells like old leather. It makes sense now why he is so pale. I've always wondered. We sit through math class quietly and when the bell rings for the next class, Mr. Jacobs calls all three of us to his desk.

"Nadia, Charlotte, and Dimitri, when that bell rings it means class is starting. You should be in your seats and quiet. I will not tolerate any more chit-chat after the bell has rung. Charlotte, you may go but Nadia and Dimitri, I need to have one more word with you two." Charlotte leaves reluctantly and Mr. Jacobs addresses me and Dimitri.

"Nadia, you are failing this class, and Dimitri, your grade has gone down to a D-, midterms are approaching fast. I need you two to buckle down and study hard."

"We will, Mr. Jacobs," Dimitri tells him. We leave the classroom and go to English class. The rest of the day goes pretty smoothly and then the final bell rings for the end of the day. We go out the front door and head to the parking lot, where Noah is waiting for me beside his truck. Dimitri comes over and apologizes to Noah for his behavior at lunch and asks if he can join the tutor session. Noah looks at me and then back at Dimitri.

"Dimitri, I don't mind if you join, but can you wait until after this tutor session? I promised Noah some answers to questions before study time this evening." I jump in and announce. Noah looks at me with a "thank you" look in his eyes.

"Yeah that is fine with me Nadia, I will catch you both on the next session." Dimitri walks to his car and then drives off.

"Thank you for that Nadia, I wasn't sure what to say. I don't mind helping him also but I sort of wanted the time alone with you also." Noah declares.

"No problem, I promised you answers, and I too would like some time, just us, so I can get to know you better."

We climb into his truck and head to my house. We get to my house and get set up in the study. I am a nervous wreck being around him alone.

"So what is this mess about Dimitri being sent here to protect you? What do you need protecting from?"

"Well my Father comes from a high-ranking original vampire bloodline. His father, my grandfather did not want my Mom and Dad to be together. He believed in "pureblood". He had arranged a marriage for my Father to another vampire of high rank. My grandfather felt it a disgrace and dishonor to be in love with my Mother. He gave my Father the choice of staying and going through with the arranged marriage or being disowned with no rights or privileges to the family name and wealth. So my Father and Mother ran away but Dimitri, his family, and my parents all think my grandfather might come after me. He sees my birth as an abomination of nature. So, after my father and Mother fled, a council was created. Dimitri and his family were sent here by the council to protect me from my grandfather and anyone else I guess, as well as help me come into my powers."

"Wow, that is seriously messed up. I know about the council and my family is a part of it. I am the son of an Alpha and our pack is more open-minded than most packs. We believe whoever the moon goddess chose as our mate is fate and the way it should be. We should not be damned, condemned, or cast aside because our fated mate isn't a werewolf. We have many that are mated to vampires, witches, etc in our pack."

"Your family is on the council too? That is great. I am glad your pack is more inclusive. This is the 21st century, and a lot of things have changed over the years/decades. I just don't understand why some people can't see that it's not a bad thing to love who you love or are mated to. I am not sure if my Grandfather will accept me or at least not kill me, but I hope to one day change his mind."

"Don't you think trying to change his mind would be dangerous if he wanted to kill you?" Noah asks with panic in his eyes.

"Maybe, but I can't nor will I live in fear. If I meet him one day, I will attempt to change his mind," I say with courage and determination.

"I will never let anything happen to you Nadia, they will have to go through me to get to you!" Noah says in a protective and almost possessive way.

"I already have one protector, Noah, I don't need another one, besides you barely know me."

"I don't care I mean it, I will fight whoever wants to come after you or who hurts you."

"OK, big boy calm down. Let's get to tutoring Mr. Jacobs told me today I am failing, and I have to pass midterms." I tried to change the subject. Luckily, it works, and we get out our books and begin tutoring. Noah is an excellent teacher, and I am finally starting to understand this math, and I am feeling more confident. We are so caught up in tutoring that we lose track of time until I hear my parents come into the room.

"Nadia, it is after ten o'clock. You two have been at this for a long time now, it's time to stop and get some rest." My Mother says as she walks into the room.

"Oh my. I didn't realize how late it was. I am sorry Mom. We will pack this up. I am going to walk Noah to his truck, then I will be right back."

"OK sweetheart, but make it quick. You need your rest for school tomorrow."

"I am sorry Mr. and Mrs. Whitlock for keeping Nadia up so late, we just lost track of time." Noah apologizes to my parents.

"It is alright son, we appreciate you helping her learn so she can improve her grades." My Father says.

I walk Noah to his truck, and before he gets in he hugs me goodnight. While his arms are wrapped around me, I can hear him take a big deep breath and sniff my hair. When he finally lets up on the hug a little, he leans in and kisses my cheek. I immediately blush and waves of feelings wash over me, my knees give for a second and I almost fall to the ground, but his arms catch me.