Nadia’s Journey A Hybrid’s Awakening

Chapter 10

I can't stop replaying it in my mind. The way he looked at me, the way he leaned in, and then... his words. I still can't believe I kissed Noah. It was impulsive, but I couldn't help myself. We were standing there and something just clicked. I felt this electric pull towards him, and in that moment, I knew I had to kiss him. And then, when I pulled away, he whispered those words that made my heart stop. "I've wanted to do that since the moment I met you." My cheeks flush at the memory, and I can't help but smile. But now, I'm left wondering, what does this mean? Was it just a moment of passion, or is there something more between us? I need to see him again, to talk to him, to understand what this kiss meant. But what if he doesn't feel the same way? What if it was just a fleeting moment for him? I can't stop thinking about Noah, and I know I won't be able to until I see him again.

As I replay the kiss in my mind for the hundredth time, I realize I need to find out how Noah is feeling. With a mix of excitement and nervousness, I decide to take the plunge and send him a text. My fingers hover over the keyboard as I carefully craft a message that hopefully conveys my interest without giving away my inner turmoil. "Hey, last night was... unexpected. I wanted to see if you wanted to talk about it sometime?" I hit send, my heart pounding, and now the wait begins. What felt like an eternity later, my phone buzzes with his reply. "Hey, I've been thinking about it too. A lot. I'd love to talk, and maybe kiss you again?" My heart soars at his response, and I can't help but feel a sense of relief. This time, I know it won't just be a kiss in the dark, but the start of something more. Something that could be truly special.

I get ready for the school day ahead, feeling nervous, anxious, and happy all at the same time. As I descend the stairs, Dimitri is waiting at the bottom. 'What is he doing here?' I thought to myself.

"Dimitri, what are you doing here?" I ask confused. He stands there at the bottom of the stairs leaning against the banister with a smile on his face.

"I thought I would pick you up for school this morning. Is that ok? You don't already have a ride, do you?"

"Oh ok yeah that is fine, I don't have a ride yet," I say trying not to show my nervousness and anticipation for seeing Noah. We walk to Dimitri's car, as he opens the door for me, I catch a glimpse of something I've never seen before in his eyes. As we drive to school, I can't help but notice Dimitri's silence. Usually, he's full of lively stories and jokes, but today he seems distant, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. I steal glances at him, wondering what could be on his mind. Is it possible he knows about the kiss? A kiss that seems to have shifted something between Noah and me, creating a connection I can't ignore. I feel a twinge of guilt as I think about Dimitri, my friend, and confidante, who has always been there for me. But the excitement of exploring this new relationship with Noah is all-consuming. When we arrive at school, Dimitri snaps out of his trance, offering me a warm smile as I exit the car.

"See you at lunch?," he asks, and I nod. I wave goodbye, my mind already racing ahead to the moment I'll see Noah. The school hallways buzz with the usual chaos, but my focus is solely on finding him. I need to know if the kiss meant as much to him as it did to me. As I turn a corner, I spot Noah leaning against a locker, his eyes meeting mine. My heart skips a beat, and I feel a rush of anticipation.

As I approach Noah, my heart continues to race, and I feel a fluttering in my stomach. The school hallway seems to fade away, and all that exists is the moment between us.

"Hey," I manage to say, my voice soft and a little breathless. Noah straightens up from the locker, a slow smile spreading across his face.

"Hey," he replies, his voice deep and steady. I search his eyes, trying to gauge what he's thinking, feeling.

"I've been waiting for the right moment to talk to you." My heart skips another beat at his words, and I feel a surge of relief.

"Me too," I admit, my cheeks flushing. "I need to know... I mean, I want to know what that kiss meant to you." Noah's gaze intensifies, and he reaches out, gently taking my hand in his.

"It meant everything," he says, his thumb brushing against my skin, sending shivers through me. "I've been wanting to kiss you for so long, and when you finally did... it was like all my dreams coming true."

'eeeekkkk' I scream in my head, then I remember Dimitri this morning. What was that I saw in his eyes? I think back to when Dimitri helped me hone my sixth sense and how we shared that embrace. We have been friends since elementary school and I have never had romantic feelings for him until that day. It seems like he may have romantic feelings for me sometimes. Maybe I need to talk to him before I go any further with Noah, but I feel so connected to Noah and there is just this pull to be with him. I think I will talk to Dimitri at lunch and see if I can figure this out.

"Nadia, are you ok?" Noah asks, and I realize I have been standing here for a moment with my inner thoughts looking like a complete dummy.

"Oh yeah, I'm fine, I'm sorry, I was remembering something from this morning. We better get to class, want to walk with me?" I ask.

"Of course I would love to walk with you, Nadia," Noah reaches for my hand and we walk to class. I can't seem to focus on anything Mrs. Abernathy is saying in science this morning. There are too many thoughts racing through my head, and then there is Noah, I can feel his gaze on me, I look back and see him looking at me. The bell rings and it's time for gym, I hope I remember everything my father taught me today, because it is my turn to try out for the yearly triathlon. Luckily I remember my father's training and I am able to control my powers and appear human. The next class goes by quickly and then the bell rings for lunch. As I walk into the cafeteria, I find Dimitri and Charlotte sitting at our usual table. As I approach, Dimitri looks at me and there is that same glimpse I saw this morning.

"Dimitri, can we talk?" I ask a little nervously.

"Yeah, want to go to my car to talk?" he asks. I think about it for a moment, it would give us the privacy to talk freely.

"Yes please." We walk out to the student parking lot and climb in his car. "Is everything ok with Dimitri? I can sense something in you but I don't know what it is?" I blurt out.

"To be honest, Nadia, no I am not. I can smell him on you, I know you've been hanging out with Noah, more tutoring and stuff, but his scent is on you like he has marked his territory or something." Dimitri admits a little aggressively.

"Yes, we have been hanging out a lot lately and last I kissed him. I was going to tell you and Charlotte today, but you seemed off today, and I wanted to find out what's going on with you. You seem a little jealous, Dimitri, what is going on? Do you have feelings for me other than just being friends? And I want the truth."

"YOU KISSED HIM?!" Dimitri screams. "To be honest, Nadia, yes, yes I do have feelings for you other than just friends. I do not know when exactly my feelings turned more romantic like for you, but they did and I have felt them for a while now. The day I took you out to help you hone your sixth sense, I thought for just a second you had feelings for me too."

"Oh Dimitri, I don't mean to hurt you with this news, and yes that day I did feel something shift for you. But with Noah I feel drawn to him in a way I can't explain."

"Drawn to him huh? Does it feel like an electric pull?" Dimitri asks.

"Yes it does, how did you know?"

"Dang, it sounds like you and Noah may be fated mates."

"What is a fated mate Dimitri?" I ask so confused.

"Fated mates for werewolves are mates chosen by the moon goddess. They are specially chosen for that werewolf and usually make that wolf stronger and more powerful. But one can reject their fated mate, it has happened. Nadia, I have fallen for you."

"Dimitri, I don't know if Noah is my fated mate or not, but I will admit I did feel something for you, something that was more than friendship, but what I feel for Noah is so strong. I am so confused right now, and I don't want to hurt you or him. And I certainly don't want to lose you."

"Nadia, nothing you could ever do would ever make me stop being your friend. I am here to protect you and I will do or be whatever you need me to be. I won't stop loving you though."

"I know, Dimitri," I reply softly, my heart aching at the pain I hear in his voice. "You've always been there for me, and I value our bond more than anything." I take a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. "I need time to figure this out. To understand what I truly feel for both of you. Can you give me that?"

Dimitri nods, his expression a mix of sadness and determination. "Take all the time you need, Nadia. I'm not going anywhere. And I'll be here for you, no matter what." He pauses, his eyes searching mine. "Just promise me one thing." "Anything," I whisper. "Be careful with Noah. If he is your fated mate, then your connection is undeniable. But if he's not... well, just be sure of his intentions. Don't let your heart get too entangled before you know for certain."

I smile at him gratefully. "I will. And thank you... for being honest with me. It means a lot." As I turn to head back to the cafeteria, my mind is spinning. I never expected to be caught in the middle of something like this. I always thought choosing between two people was a cliché, something that happened in movies and books. Yet here I am, torn between two guys, both of whom I care deeply for, albeit in different ways. I spot Charlotte sitting at our usual table and make my way over to her. She looks up at me with concern in her eyes.

"What's wrong? You look like your world has been turned upside down."