The Threads That Bind Us

Chapter 12

The morning after her conversation with Professor Binns, Fidelity found herself distracted throughout her classes. Her thoughts kept drifting back to the old map and the crescent moon pendant. However, there was something else tugging at her mind as well-Noah.

Since their kiss, she hadn't seen him, and though their last encounter had been magical, the absence of any contact since then left her feeling uncertain. Had the moment meant as much to him as it had to her?

After lunch, Fidelity decided to take a walk by the Black Lake, hoping the fresh air might clear her head. The sun was bright overhead, and the gentle breeze carried the scent of pine and lake water. She found a quiet spot near the water's edge and sat down, letting the cool grass tickle her fingers as she watched the ripples dance across the surface.

She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice Noah approaching until he spoke.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, his voice soft and a little hesitant.

Fidelity looked up, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of him. "Of course," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady as she shifted to make room for him.

Noah sat down beside her, close enough that their shoulders brushed. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence between them filled with the sounds of the lake and the rustling of leaves in the breeze.

"I've been thinking about you," Noah said suddenly, breaking the silence.

Fidelity's breath caught in her throat, and she turned to look at him, her eyes searching his face for any sign of how he was feeling.

"Me too," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Noah smiled, a warmth in his eyes that made Fidelity's heart flutter. "I'm sorry we haven't had a chance to talk since... well, you know." He glanced down at his hands, fidgeting with a blade of grass. "I didn't want you to think I was avoiding you."

Relief washed over Fidelity, and she shook her head. "I didn't think that. I guess we've both just been busy." She paused, then added, "But I'm glad you're here now."

He looked up, meeting her gaze. "So am I. That night by the lake... it was special. I've never felt like that with anyone before."

Fidelity felt her cheeks warm, and she nodded. "It was perfect," she agreed, her voice soft. "I've thought about it a lot."

"Me too," Noah said, his hand moving to cover hers, his touch gentle and reassuring. "I was hoping we could spend more time together, you know, now that we're... well, whatever we are."

Fidelity's heart skipped a beat at the implication of his words. "I'd like that," she said, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "But... I have to be honest. There's something going on right now-something that I'm trying to figure out with Ava. It's kind of... complicated."

Noah's expression shifted to one of concern. "Is everything okay? What's going on?"

Fidelity hesitated, wondering how much to tell him. But she found herself wanting to share it with him, to let him in on the strange mystery she and Ava had uncovered. "Ava and I found this note a while back, and it led us to something in the Forbidden Forest. I can't explain it all now, but it feels... important. Like something's about to happen, and we're right in the middle of it."

Noah's brow furrowed as he listened. "The Forbidden Forest? That sounds dangerous. Are you sure you're not getting in over your head?"

A small laugh escaped Fidelity, despite the seriousness of the situation. "I probably am," she admitted. "But I can't walk away from it, Noah. There's something pulling me towards it, like I'm meant to see this through."