Ethan's sudden message flooded her with a torrent of emotions and she didn't know what to do.
Part of her was hesitant to meet him and wanted to ignore him or decline his invitation, still confused by his unexplained and weird behaviour.
But, at the same time, she was curious to know what happened and why he had left like that, and that meeting was the right occasion to talk about it and finally get an answer.
She craved an explanation, and she knew that she wouldn't be in peace with herself until he told her the reason.
Subconsciously, she was also scared of having done or said something inappropriate without even noticing it.
She was shy and wasn't used to talk to guys, besides her classmates.
Delphine thought for a while, considering the options she had, and then took a decision.
With a bit of anxiety and trepidation, she decided to text Ethan back, agreeing to meet again and talk.
Delphine's fingers moved quickly across the phone's screen.
"Okay. Where do you want to meet?" she typed, trying not to show any emotions through her message.
She pressed "send" and impatiently waited for an answer, her mind racing with questions.
In a matter of moments, Ethan's response appeared on the screen, and Delphine's heart skipped a beat.
He told her that they could meet in a quiet location near the sea, a place where no one could disturb or interrupt them, and in that same afternoon if she didn't have other plans.
Delphine was enthusiast and anxious at the same time about his invitation, but she couldn't help but feel a tinge of confusion at the nature of it.
Was it like… a date?
Or was it simply hanging out with a new friend?
She didn't even know why Ethan was so interested in talking to her.
That ambiguity left her teetering on the edge of curiosity and her desire to know the truth about everything consumed her.
*A couple of hours later*
Delphine started getting ready for the meeting and approaches her wardrobe.
After browsing through her clothes, she decided to wear a flowing, knee-length sundress in a soft shade of light blue.
To complete her look, Delphine opted for some delicate accessories.
She chose a pair of silver hoop earrings and a dainty silver necklace with a seashell pendant, that looked perfect to wear in that time of the year.
Then she stepped into a pair of comfortable sandals and was ready to make her way towards the meeting spot.
The meeting place was not far away and she would have reached it easily on her bicycle.
The warm summer breeze tousled her hair.
The sky above her was a canvas of vibrant hues, with streaks of pink, orange, and gold painting a breathtaking sunset.
Wispy clouds adorned the sky, adding a touch of ethereal beauty to the scene.
As she cycled, Delphine kept thinking about the incoming meeting.
She didn't know what to expect and just kept thinking about the questions she wanted him to answer.
Excitement coursed through her veins, creating a fluttering sensation in her chest.
As the scenery shifted and the cove came into view, Delphine's heart quickened.
The combination of the picturesque surroundings, the fading sunlight, and the anticipation of what was to come filled her with a sea of emotions.
She slowed her bike, finally arriving at the meeting spot, and parked it.
Her eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for the figure of Ethan among the picturesque scenery.
And then, after a few seconds, she spotted him.
Ethan stood at the edge of the cove, his figure bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun.
His eyes, usually filled with warmth and playfulness, now held a depth that seemed to reflect the weight of unspoken truths.
Delphine immediately noticed Ethan's dark hair, kissed by the ocean breeze, giving him an air of casual elegance.
His outfit was a simple combination of jeans and a well-worn shirt.
As their eyes met, Delphine sensed a flurry of emotions flickering in Ethan's gaze.
There was a mix of mystery and impatience, as if he had been carrying a burden that he was now ready to share.
Delphine offered a warm smile as a greeting.
Ethan mirrored her smile, but didn't say anything right away.
Then he took a deep breath, his voice tinged with sincerity as he began to speak.
"Delphine, first of all I wanted tell you that I'm sorry for running away like that without giving you an explanation."
She nodded gently, her eyes fixed on him.
"I'm glad that you acknowledge that" she replied, her voice a blend of understanding and curiosity.
"I've been wondering what happened and why you disappeared so suddenly. Did I say anything wrong? You asked me to meet, anyway."
Ethan's gaze showed a bit of vulnerability as he met Delphine's eyes.
"It's a long story and what happened is just part of the details. Before we talk about that, there are some things that you need to know and I have to share with you" he said, spelling out the words carefully.
"I need you to let me talk and listen to what I say very carefully. I hope you'll trust me enough to let me do it."
Delphine's curiosity intensified.
Now, she was even more confused than before and didn't know what he was going to tell her.
She only thought that it looked like it was something very important.
She just nodded, showing her willingness to hear him out.
"I'm here, Ethan" she said, her voice gentle and encouraging.
"I want to understand everything. I'm here to listen and I won't interrupt you. Please, tell me everything."
Ethan settled himself by the bay and Delphine followed suit, sitting right beside him.
The air was filled with anticipation as she patiently awaited Ethan's words, curious to hear what he had to say.
Ethan took a deep breath and prepared to reveal the truth to Delphine.
He didn't know what to expect, too.
He had no idea about how Delphine would react: she might think that he was crazy or mocking her.
And would he blame her?
It's not something usual that happens everyday.
Before he started talking, he reached out and gently clasped her hands, drawing her attention fully to him.
"Delphine, I don't even know how to begin. You know, our meeting was not a coincidence. It was destined" Ethan began, his voice filled with conviction.
"I think that too" Delphine replied with a smile.
"There is something very important that you don't know about me. You have to know... we have the same heritage, a shared ancestry that connects us on a deep level.
Delphine furrowed her brow, her gaze searching his face for clarity.
"Yes, we have already talked about it at the party.
We were born in the same country and we were adopted. Did you forget about it?"
"No, no, of course I didn't" Ethan answered before she even finished the sentence. "But that's not what I mean."
Delphine, that was feeling more and more confused, inquired "Okay... Then, how is our ancestry related to our meeting? What do you mean?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion.
Ethan smiled warmly, his voice soft yet resolute.
"This is harder than I expected. Uhm, Delphine, I want to ask you a few things. Please, just tell me yes or no. Okay?"
Delphine nodded and waited for him to ask his questions.
"You have always felt a strong connection to the sea and its inhabitants. Am I right?" Ethan asked.
"Well, yes... we live in a maritime area, everyone has a certain connection to the sea. It would be weird if I didn't, wouldn't it?" she replied, forgetting about what Ethan had just told her about replying with a yes or no only.
But the confusion of that moment overwhelmed her and she didn't even think about it.
"Right. What about the moon? Have you ever noticed that you feel different according to the moon phases?" he asked.
Delphine looked up for a moment to concentrate and think and then answered "During the full moon I feel more irritated and I struggle with falling asleep. That's all I noticed. But, let's say, I have always loved the moon, I even bought a necklace with a moon charm. Oh, sorry, I did it again!"
She covered her mouth with a hand for a moment and chuckled, remembering that she talked a little too much again.
Ethan looked her straight in the eye and, smiling, explained her calmly "All of this is all part of who we are. It's in our blood."
Delphine was more and more confused.
It's true, she was very connected to everything he said, but what did her heritage have to do with it?
"Delphine, have you ever noticed that when you enter the water, it's as if a part of you comes alive? Is this connection on an emotional level, too?" he inquired, even though he already know the answer.
Delphine paused, reflecting on her experiences and the sensations.
"Yes" she replied softly, her voice filled with a sense of wonder.
Ethan's smile widened, his eyes shimmering with certainty.
"And about the moon... do you feel like you're more influenced by it than other people?" he kept asking.
Delphine nodded, her eyes shining with a newfound awareness.
"That's right. But how is it related to the sea? And how are the sea and the moon related to our meeting?" she asked.
Ethan leaned in closer, his voice now a mere whisper.
"Delphine, these are not mere coincidences. They are whispers of our true nature, even when we're far away from our homeland" he revealed, his voice brimming with both reverence and excitement.
Delphine's breath caught in her throat, knowing that the moment of the revelation was coming.
"What are you trying to tell me, Ethan?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
"Delphine, there's something extraordinary about us. Something that goes beyond the realm of the ordinary world" he started, his voice filled with a blend of excitement and apprehension.