I know, it's been, like, three months since I've updated, and I'm SO sorry! My mind got focused on other stories and moving and the holidays . . . ugh, what a mess. Anyway, I'm putting my whole heart into this story until it gets finished (mainly because my best friend is threatening me with my life if I don't finish soon), so here's the beginning of a new start. Thanks to all of my reviewers, without you guys I wouldn't have the drive to keep working on this. Please, keep reviewing! I deleted Chapter 16 b/c I didn't like how mushy it was, and redid the chapter which is now Chapter 16. Without further ado, Chapter 17 . . .





Chapter 17



Diana woke to the afternoon sun. She had forgotten to draw the shades the night before.

Walking blindly, she stumbled through the hallway in her half-awake frame of mind and eventually made it to the kitchen, still in her pajamas. She ignored the grinning look she got from Nick as she sat at the breakfast table, pouring milk into the bowl of corn flakes that had been waiting for her.

"Didn't get much sleep either, I presume?" His bowl of cereal of half-eaten.

She shook her head, swallowing the food in her mouth. "Sleep didn't come easy last night. I just tossed and turned, trying to figure out what was wrong with this scenario. I wish I had brought my gems with me so I could have slept with an moonstone under my pillow."

Nick looked back at his food as Aidan entered the room. "Is everybody excited about this evening?"

Diana grumbled something, not even sure if she knew what she had said. She just wasn't a morning person today.

Aidan kissed her lightly on the forehead. "I told you. Don't worry. Everything will be okay. I'm going to go up to the library to get what you guys will need for your trip."

Diana nodded, giving him a loving smile. Even if she was grumpy, it was still great to have her soulmate.

Finishing her cereal and leaving Nick with a promise to see him later, she went up to her bathroom, letting the calming greens soothe her. One of the soaps smelled lightly of hyacinth, causing her to frown. She really did miss Cassie.

After she dressed, she picked up the phone, dialing the number from memory. Please let her be home . . .

"Hello?" a voice echoed through the line.

"Hey Cassie, it's Diana."

"Oh goddess! Diana! How is everything?" Cassie's voice was full of excitement.

Diana smiled to herself. "I have so much to tell you! Everything has been so great!"

"I really hope you're having a good time. How is Nick?"

"He's really good. You wouldn't even know him, he's such a different person here." She bit her lip, wondering whether or not she should speak of their new-found good fortune.

"Any cute guys there?" Cassie giggled, then heard her say in the background, "Oh stop it, Adam, I'm just kidding."

Diana laughed. "Yes, plenty. And there's one in particular . . ."

"Does Diana have a crush on someone?"

"It's a little bit more than a crush, Cassie."

There was silence on the other end. Then, slowly, "Diana, do you mean what I think you mean?"

Feeling herself begin to blush, she replied, "If what you think is that I've found my soulmate, then yes."

Girlish screaming rang through the phone. "Did you really? I can't believe this! This is so great!"

"Nick found his, as well."

"You have to be kidding. Both of you? I'm so glad he went with you. He really needed a change in life, and now he has his soulmate!"

"I'm glad he came, too."

"Oh," Cassie said quickly. "I forgot to tell you. I had a dream about you last night."

Diana moved to the edge of her seat. "What was it about?"

"It was kind of blurry, since I didn't have my moonstone, but you were meeting someone. Both you and Nick. Then something bad happened. Sorry, I know it's not very descriptive, but I didn't get too much sleep last night."

"I don't think anyone did," Diana sighed, her feeling of dread suddenly getting stronger. "Well, I better let you go." She didn't want to tell Cassie about the trip tonight. She didn't want to worry her. "Give everyone my love."

"Oh I will Diana. Tell Nick I say hello. I miss you so much."

"I miss you, too, Cassie. We'll get together and do something when I get home."

"That sounds wonderful. 'Bye!"

Diana returned the phone to its cradle. She had to tell Nick what Cassie had told her.