Teen Crush

The days that followed Kael's cryptic introduction left Noah restless. Questions swirled in his mind: Who was Kael? What did he mean by Noah being "extraordinary"? And why had he been watching him? While Kael's presence unnerved Noah, there was something magnetic about him, an unspoken pull that was difficult to resist.

Despite his confusion, Noah tried to carry on with life as usual—attending school, rugby practice, and spending time with his family. But Kael's words lingered like a shadow, whispering truths Noah wasn't ready to face.

It wasn't long before Kael made another appearance. This time, it was during rugby practice. Noah was in the middle of a grueling scrimmage, his teammates shouting as they battled for possession of the ball. As Noah tackled an opposing player with a force that sent the crowd cheering, he caught a glimpse of Kael leaning casually against a tree just beyond the field.

The moment their eyes met, Kael smirked, his expression filled with a mixture of approval and amusement. It threw Noah off balance, and he almost missed his coach yelling for him to get back in position. By the time practice ended, Noah was determined to confront Kael again.

"Wait up!" Noah called out, jogging toward the edge of the field.

Kael didn't move, waiting until Noah was just a few steps away. "Impressive game," he said, his tone casual.

Noah frowned, crossing his arms. "What are you doing here? You can't just show up wherever I am."

Kael chuckled. "Can't I? You intrigue me, Noah. You're not like the others."

Noah's frustration flared. "You keep saying that, but you won't tell me what it means. What do you want from me?"

Kael's smile faded, replaced by a seriousness that made Noah's pulse quicken. "I want to understand you. To see if you're ready to understand yourself."

Noah blinked, his confusion mounting. "What are you talking about? I'm just a normal guy."

Kael shook his head. "No, you're not. You're stronger than anyone I've met—physically, yes, but it's more than that. You have a fire in you, a strength of character that most people only dream of. And whether you realize it or not, that makes you special."

Noah stepped back, his instincts warning him that Kael wasn't just a curious stranger. "You're not telling me the whole truth, are you?"

Kael smiled again, though this time it was softer, almost wistful. "You're right. There's more to this, but it's not something I can explain in one conversation. Trust takes time."

Noah sighed, his irritation giving way to curiosity. "Then why don't you start with something simple? Like why you keep following me."

Kael considered this for a moment before replying. "Because I see potential in you. Potential that could change everything—for you, for this town, maybe even for me."

Noah couldn't hide the skepticism in his voice. "That's vague, even for you."

Kael chuckled. "Fair enough. Let's just say that I see a kindred spirit in you. Someone who doesn't back down from challenges. Someone who's destined for more than an ordinary life."

Before Noah could respond, Kael turned to leave, his movements as fluid as water.

"Wait!" Noah called after him. "If you're going to keep showing up, at least tell me how to find you."

Kael paused, glancing over his shoulder with a sly grin. "Don't worry, Noah. You'll always know where to find me."

---

Over the next few weeks, Kael's presence became a constant in Noah's life. Sometimes, he would appear during Noah's early morning runs, offering cryptic comments about his form or endurance. Other times, he would join Noah at the riverbank where he often went to think, sitting silently until Noah finally broke the tension with a question or complaint.

Despite his initial wariness, Noah found himself growing more comfortable around Kael. There was something reassuring about Kael's confidence, his unshakable belief in Noah's abilities. And while Kael still refused to reveal the full truth about himself, he began to share glimpses of his world.

One evening, as they sat by the river under a canopy of stars, Kael spoke with uncharacteristic vulnerability.

"You ever feel like you were meant for something bigger?" he asked, his gaze fixed on the water.

Noah shrugged. "Sometimes. But it's not like I have some grand destiny waiting for me."

Kael smiled faintly. "Maybe you do, and you just don't see it yet."

Noah gave him a sidelong glance. "What about you? What's your 'grand destiny'?"

Kael hesitated, the silence stretching long enough that Noah thought he wouldn't answer. Then, he said, "To protect what matters most. To lead when no one else can."

Noah frowned. "That's… vague."

Kael laughed softly. "It's the truth, though. And maybe it's not so different from your own path."

Noah shook his head. "I don't even know what my path is yet."

Kael turned to him, his expression serious. "You will. Sooner than you think."

---

One day, Kael invited Noah into the woods, promising to show him something important.

"You've been asking for answers," Kael said as they walked deeper into the forest. "It's time I started giving them."

The trees grew denser, the air cooler, until they arrived at a clearing bathed in golden light. In the center of the clearing stood a massive boulder, its surface etched with strange markings.

"What is this?" Noah asked, his voice tinged with awe.

Kael stepped forward, running a hand over the markings. "It's a reminder of what came before us. Of the strength and resilience that we carry in our blood."

Noah raised an eyebrow. "Our blood?"

Kael turned to face him, his eyes glowing faintly in the dappled light. "There's a connection between us, Noah. A bond that's deeper than either of us fully understands yet. And this," he gestured to the boulder, "is proof of that connection."

Noah stared at the markings, a strange sense of recognition stirring in his chest. He didn't know why, but he felt drawn to the boulder, as if it was calling to him.

"Why do I feel like I've seen this before?" Noah murmured.

Kael smiled knowingly. "Because it's a part of you. Just like it's a part of me."

Noah turned to him, his confusion evident. "What are you saying?"

Kael stepped closer, his voice low and steady. "I'm saying that you're more than you think you are, Noah. And the sooner you accept that, the sooner you'll understand why I'm here."

Noah took a deep breath, the weight of Kael's words pressing down on him. For the first time, he felt the faintest hint of what Kael had been talking about—a sense of potential, of destiny.

And though he didn't fully understand it yet, he knew one thing for certain: his life was never going to be the same.