When we pulled up the Espina house my eyes went big because the house was pretty big. It wasn't a small story house with two bedrooms. It was pretty nice and fancy looking. It was a house I always dreamed of living in but never thought it would happen.

I hadn't realized how long I been staring until my dad opened my door and I almost fell out but I caught myself. My dad arched his eyebrow at me and I huffed, turning my head away from him since I was still mad. I was that stubborn and even though probably coming here was actually a good idea I wouldn't let him know that. I still had friends back in South Dakota and it was all taken from me. Now I have to start all over if we're here long enough.

“Stop with the teenage attitude, Thalia.” dad said as he went to the back of the van and started to unpack. Ander walked passed and smiled at me. My face heated up and I couldn't stop my mouth from twitching into a small back before he went to the help with my dad. I haven't seen many Jaguar boys because it's hard to find them and well I was growing up my dad kept me away from them. It's hard to be attracted to a human boy but with Jaguar boy, they're different.

A little girl ran over to me and she smiled at me. She was about maybe ten with long black hair and russet color skin. “You're very pretty.” she said, leaning against the van and looked up at me. “I'm so happy there's finally going to be another girl in house. My brothers don't like to hang out with me, always saying I’m annoying and stuff—“

Ander walked over with a box in his hand, “Rosa, stop that. Why don't you give Thalia a tour of the house and show her your bedroom since you will have to share your room with her.”

Rosa eyes lit up excitedly and she grabbed my hand, dragging me out of the car, “Yes!”

I slipped on some ice and began to fall. I was to far away from the car to catch myself but I fell into Ander right arm as he caught me. My whole face heated up as I stared down at the mushy dirty son on the ground. He still had the box in his left arm but he held me with his right arm. He smelled so much like cologne.

Ander lifted me up and I quickly stepped back, “Uh, thanks.”

“No problem. Rosa, you have to be careful—“

“Oh no, it's not her fault. Even I’m fine.” I said, smiling down at an upset little girl and she smiled back. “And since I’m alright, we can go on that tour now.” I said as I held my hand out towards her and she quickly put her hand in my mine.

*

When I expected to walk into a pink filled room with dolls everywhere, I was surprised to walk into Rosa room where the walls were mint green and she had superhero posters everywhere. It was a little messy also. I would expect we walked into the middle child, Zander room since he was only thirteen but nope. I looked down at Rosa who was in normal jeans and a gray hoodie. She was a little tomboy but had allot of spirit in her.

“So my daddy said him and your dad well buy new mattresses for you and your brother but until they do you can sleep with me. Don't worry, I don't snore.” she said, chuckling. “Do you snore in your sleep?”

I shook my head, “No.”

She nodded once roughly, “Good. So are you and Ander gonna marry each other?”

My eyes widen and she tilt her head to the side, “Uh—no.”

She frowned, “Oh, well that sucks. You would make such a beautilful bride and I would love to have a sister.” she said. Her eyes widen, “You wanna see my skateboard? I just got it and it runs amazingly. Wait right here.” she said as she ran out of the bedroom and left me there.

Kavan walked in with my box of stuff and set it on the floor, “So how long do you really think we'll be here?”

I shrugged, “I don't know, I hope we really do stay this time.”

He rolled his eyes and grinned, “You take one look at a male Jaguar and you're head over heels.”

I scoffed and hit his arm, “Shut up. Of course that's not the reason. This family has lived here for fifteen years, Kave. They know how to control themselves and we can finally settle down somewhere with their help.”

“From what I heard, dad old friend Jared hasn't shifted in two years and the mom? Six years.” he whispered. “How do you think they do it? I feel like I have to shift at least once a week, I wouldn't survive that long.”

I shrugged, “I don't know. Maybe they got use to it.”

He stared at me for a moment, “Maybe things will finally change, Thalia. No more running. At least one of us will be able to finish school.”

I frowned at him since Kavan couldn't graduate school even though he wanted to. He couldn't control his instincts and we moved the last quarter. He just decided to stop going and he started working with dad at his construction jobs. Kavan was very smart in school though, he always passed everything. He didn't even need to study which I envied him for because I could study for hours and still only get a C on a test. Mom and dad didn't finish school either.

He reached out and put his hand on my shoulder, “Hey, cheer up. It was my choice and I can always go back to school in the future. Get my GED and everything settled.”

Rosa ran back into the room and held her skateboard out, “See, isn't it cool. I don't know how to ride it yet but I’m practicing. Zander won't teach me, so I guess I have to learn myself.”

Kavan bent down, “Well it's your lucky day. Until I find work how about I help teach you? I can skateboard real good.”

Rosa eyes widen, “Really?”

Kavan nodded, “Of course.”

*

I was sitting on the swings of the porch as everyone inside was 'celebrating'. I wasn't very much in a celebrating mood because all I could think about was my birthday coming. I pulled my sleeves over my hands to warm them up since Jaguars don't like the cold. We love the heat but living in warmer climates like California or Florida wouldn't be the best place for us since lots of other Jaguars mostly live there and not allot of like each other unless we have a reason to trust each other.

My dad and his friend Jared became friends once when my dad lived in Idaho but after a year Jared had to leave town and they haven't seen each other since today. I brought my hand up to my mouth and looked up at the moon and thought about the history of Jaguar. It all started with the Aztecs and as Europeans came over, they all breed with each other until mostly every culture these days were Jaguars but we all have one linked connecting us. We all have Aztecs roots.

I don't know if I'm ready for my sixteenth birthday. Back in the days, that's when you were considered an adult and fully matured enough to become a Jaguar. I don't think I could do it though, I'm scared. It not that I don't want to be one but becoming a Jaguar means allot of things. We have to control our tempters, don't get close to humans, when we shift we have no control and can easily kill, and making sure we keep the culture alive. Some Jaguars don't care, they'll shift every night without worrying and my dad doesn't want us ever to be around them.

I heard the door to the house open and my heart sped up when I saw Ander walk out. He gave me a small smile before walking over and leaned on the rail of the porch, “Is it strange for you?” he asked.

I eyebrows furrowed together, “What do you mean?”

“A big reason for moving you guys in here was so we can get to know each other. Our parents are trying to set us up.” he said, his smiling disappearing from his face. He didn't seem very happy with that and probably came out to tell me to don't get my hopes up.

“Oh,” I said. “That. Well, uh, don't worry because I think we both know we're not perfect for each other anyways—“

“I never said that.” he said, making me more confused. “I never said you weren't perfect, Thalia. I just don't like the idea of my parents trying to get in my love life. You shouldn't be out here in this cold weather.” he said as he reached in his pockets and pulled out some black gloves. He handed them to me and I hesitated. “Take them, it's okay. I don't really need them anyways.” he said since his body heat was really warm. Warmer than a human.

I reached out and took them. I slipped them on my hands, “Thanks. They're pretty thick, so they're nice and warm.”

“So am I?” he asked, grinning. I was confused by his questioned because I didn't know what he meant. “Am I perfect?”

My eyes widen and my face heated up. He could easily see my shyness and looked amused, “Uh—well—uh—I don't know.”

He chuckled, “Well that's alright. You don't have to think about that until the next two years.” he said. “I heard your brother saying maybe you'll be the first to graduate and it seemed real important to him, meaning it's important to your whole family. Most of the time when Jaguars get married so young, they drop out of high school. You don't need to think about any of that right now.”

I stared at him for a moment surprised since most Jaguar men weren't like that. They all wanted to get married so they could have a wife. Finishing a school wasn't a big deal to most of us and most of us to drop out of school. The men work and the women take care of the home and family. But of course the parents have other hopes like mine does

My parents met when my mom ran away from home and living on the street taking care of herself when she was seventeen because she never liked being told what to do and believed she could do better without nagging parents. She wasn't doing well on her own and when my parents fell in love they were quick to get married.

“Oh, well thank you.” I said.

“We can just be friends for now.” he said. “And if in two years if you want to maybe change that—I'm all in.”

“Really?” I questioned.

He nodded, “Yeah. You're real beautiful, Thalia.” he said before he got up from leaning on the banister and I tried hard not to let my mouth smile widely at the compliment. “I think all the Jaguar men would want you as their wife.” he said before turning around and went back into the house. I could finally smiled like an idiot without him watching. I brought my hand up to my mouth to cover it, afraid someone would come out.

*

After dad signed me into my new school we walked out of the office. He turned to me and sighed heavily, “Have a good day, Thalia.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, “Dad, we've been through this a thousand times. I know the rules. I won't make friends this time."

He frowned down at me, “Thalia, I just didn't want what happen to ever happen. I know it broke your heart but family comes before friends. You're family will always be there, friends won't be. Blood is thick—“

I rolled my eyes, “Thicker than water. I know, I know.”

He narrowed his eyes on me before sighing heavily and gave me a hug, “Have a good day.”

He turned around and walked out of the school building. I saw a familiar boy walk passed my dad and notice me. My eyes widen at the site of Rian and I quickly turned around, walking away. I quickly walked down the hallway, putting my long brown wavy hair down in front of me so I hoped I blended in the crowd of students.

I felt someone come up behind me and I looked in the corner of my eyes to see Rian. I wanted to groan, but I held the urge back.

“Ah, so we meet again.” he said and I rolled my eyes. “The girl who brought me down on my ass."

“I'll bring it back down again if you don't leave me alone.” I said and he chuckled. He smelled like ashes, probably from him smoking. I could see the pack of cigarettes in the pocket of his black jacket.

“How'd you do that? You took karate or something?” he asked. “Never once has a girl done that to be. Makes me even more interested in knowing who you are.”

I turned to face him with a cold look, “Or how about you leave me alone, Rich Boy.”

He grinned down at me, “Or I could take you out to dinner Friday night.”

“I rather hit you with a car.” I said. I brought my hand up to my mouth as I faked gasped, “Oh! A girl must have never said that to you before.”

He shook his head, “No, no girl has. Any girl here would be lucky to go on a date with me."

“Well I'm not one of them. And try wearing cologne, you reek like an ashtray.” I said, giving him a sneer look as I turned and walked away.

“Alright, I’ll see you around Thalia!” he said loudly, making a few people stare at me and I grumbled under my breath annoyed at how much of an asshole he was.

*

“Alright. You will run ten laps around for a warm up.” Couch-Whatever-Her-Name was said as she handed me black basketball shorts and a light blue shirt with a raider on it and the school name. I had so many gym coaches I can't remember all their names.

I got changed and dressed for gym. As I ran into the gymnasium, I pulled my hair up in a ponytail. Some of the girls tried talking to be, being nice but I thought about Nicki, Amelia, and Sara back in Fairview. I didn't get to say by to them and I don't have a Facebook or phone to contact them since my parents were old fashion and didn't think we needed that stuff. It's so embarrassing not having a phone in 2014.

I saw on the other side of the gymnasium Rian come out and I groaned. He was in my grade and I had gone through three classes without him being in it until now. He has a big reputation around here and I didn't want to be in his center of attention. Human boys were annoying and I couldn't stand them since they were all immature. Jaguar boys have to grow up quickly to become men.

He lazily ran the laps and only ran about maybe five before rolling his eyes and sat down on the bleachers. I ignored the feeling of his eyes on me as I ran and I never felt so awkward in my life. I was a good runner as all Jaguars are and I finished my ten laps in less than five minutes. All the girls were sweaty where I was dry and they looked at me like I was some miracle.

I went far other side of the bleachers and watched the rest of the students run their laps. Some people tried to talk to me, be friendly but I don't think it's worth it right now to make friends. I'm gonna give it time before I'll make friends just in case my dad does decided one day to just pack up again. I don't want to continued this pattern of make friends over and over again.

“Have you ever done cheerleading?” a girl asked, smiling at me. “You would make a perfect addition to the squad.”

“I don't dance.” I said.

“You don't got to, just gotta look cute.” she said, giggling as she twirled her blonde pony tail around her fingers.

“Thanks but I'll pass.” I said. Why would I want to join cheerleading? Even it's not like after I shift I’ll have the time and patients to do it. I've never liked cheerleaders. When I was younger they would always be mean to me and bully me because they thought I was real poor. I actually have nice things. I just don't have nice phones, a nice computer, or anything like that. In a Jaguar world, electronics are the last thing we worry about.

“Hi Rian.” the girls said all together as they giggled as Rian came over and I wanted to puke. What do they see in this boy? He's just another tall dark haired glassy green eye boy. Sure, he acts tough but he wouldn't know what to do around a Jaguar male.

“Hi ladies.” Rian said, giving them a charming half half. “Can I have a moment alone to talk to Thalia?” Some of the girls frowned but I was about to happily decline just for them but they all quickly shattered away and Rian took the spot next to me. He leaned back on the bleachers behind him and placed his arms on them, “So Thalia, what's the reason why you won't go on a date with me?”

“I don't like chain smokers.” I said. “And you try way to hard.”

“Well I wouldn't need to if you just say yes.” he said.

I turned and coldly looked at him, “Look Rian, I'm not interested okay? So leave me alone."

He stared at me for a moment before coming closer to me and my eyebrows furrowed together as he did. He stopped only two inches away from my face and my eyes widen a little as I looked into his glassy green eyes, “I don't want to leave you alone.” he said.

I snapped out of it and gave him a cold look, “Well Mr. Creepy, I don't like stalkers so don't make me kick your ass in front of everyone.”

He chuckled, “You're so adorable.” he said, quickly leaning over and pecked my nose. My eyes widen and he moved away before I could push him. He got up with a grin on his face and he winked down at me. I glared at him as he walked away. Asshole.