When Coach-Whatever-Her-Name told two student to get up and pick team members I was last of course since I'm sure they thought I was some weakling and I'm new. I was on a boy name Tyson team and the team I was on got a blue slash to go around our waist.

Little did they know I love dodge ball.

I suggested being one of the players to go up and get the ball. Tyson was hesitant to let me go first but I talked him into it. I stared at the ball I was gonna get when I felt a pair of eyes on me and I lifted my head up to see Rian across from me with a grin on his face. He was gonna try and get the same ball. I narrowed my eyes on him and I knew who I was gonna get out first.

“Ready. Set. Go!” the gym Coach said and I quickly ran over to the ball. I picked it up and looked at Rian who was half way but paused as he stared at me wide eye since I was very quick to get the ball.

I grinned, walking backwards a few steps before I turned to give the ball to the person behind me. They dodged the ball and I turned to face Rian who dodged the upcoming ball easily and grabbed them. He aimed at a few students and I was getting frustrated because he wasn't trying to hit me.

I grabbed a ball that was coming my way and I threw it at Rian when he wasn't looking. He was a second early though and managed to dodge it. The red rubber ball slammed roughly into the wall, making a loud bam sound and Rian eyes widen again as he looked at me. Another ball came my way and I threw it at Rian. He dodged it again and his face turned hard as he grabbed a ball and threw it at me. I easily dodged it and grabbed it. I held it in one hand and threw it at him but again he dodged it.

It kept going on like that, no one else getting in our way.

“Just give up!” Rian said before he threw the ball with a grunt.

I dodged it and grabbed it, “You just give up!” I hissed as I threw it back.

“Why are you only focused on me?” he asked coldly as he threw the same ball back.

“Because!” I said as I grabbed it and threw it. “Show how much of a loser you really are. Maybe if you wouldn't smoke you wouldn't be out of breath to."

“You have real balls to go up against me.” he said as he threw it back.

I grabbed it and my eyes widen as I looked behind him. He turned his head around and I grinned, aiming at his head as I threw it but he turned his head back right in time for the ball to smack in his face. I watched as the ball bounced off his face and he fell on his back. At first I was shocked and the whole room went quiet as they all looked at Rian.

Then we all ran over towards him. I bent down next to him to see him holding his bleeding nose and him groaning in pain as he turned on his side. Since I do have a conscience I quickly;y felt guilty for what I have done. I didn't think I threw it that hard but telling from the blood flowing from Rian nose I apparently did.

Then it hit me. I smelt that smell of blood hit me in the face like a brick. It made my mouth water up and my hands shook on my knees. To a human the site of blood would have grossed them out but me it was like flowing melted chocolate at the moment. My teeth bared as I stared down at Rian and his eyes opened. He looked right up at me and our eyes met. My eyes widen and I closed my mouth. That woke me up to me realizing I was making almost a purring sound. I quickly stood up to see some of the student close around me staring at me.

I turned and ran out of the gym room. I pressed my back against the wall and I brought my hand up to my chest since my heart beat was speeding up. I closed my eyes as I took deep breaths until my heart beat slowed down. Once I knew I was calmed down enough I opened my eyes and stared up at the ceiling. I hit myself in the head, 'Idiot. Idiot. Idiot.”

*

I didn't feel like staying at school for the rest of the day. I knew I hit Rian nose pretty hard and I'm sure I might have broken it. His nose will still be bleeding a little and even out of the gym room I could smell his blood. I could smell it throughout the whole school actually until I left the building.

I brought my hands up to my mouth. I had on the gloves Ander gave me but they were still cold. I breathed hot air into them and rubbed them to warm them up. I remembered where the Espina house was since it was exactly that far. It was a good fifteen minute walk. I stopped at a gas station and grabbed some hot chocolate to warm me up.

When I got to the corner of the street where the Espina's live I saw Ander out on the porch. He wasn't alone though. Some pretty girl with long curly blonde hair and smooth ivory skin was with him. Ander looked away from the girl and looked at me. His eyes widen a little and he stood up from leaning against the rail. The girl looked at me and looked confused.

He walked away from her towards the staircase of the porch, “Thalia—“

“You're girlfriend?” I asked him as I walked towards him. You could obviously hear the hurt in my voice but I knew if I looked back at the girl my voice would turn cold and I become real rude.

He walked down the steps quickly and came near me, “Now just wait a second. Why aren't you in school?”

I brought my hands up and pushed him back when he got to close, “You didn't answer my question, Ander. Who is she?”

“No, she isn't. She's my neighbors. We were just talking and—”

“Why?” I asked, jealously in my voice. I couldn't help it though and even though I didn't want to be jealous I couldn't help it. I felt this threatening feeling from this girl and I had no control over how my feelings went. Maybe if I was a normal human girl, I could easily hid my feelings but I’m a Jaguar and you shouldn't mess with a Jaguar things. “Why are you talking to her? Do you like her? She isn't even like us. Is she why you want to wait until I graduate?”

He stepped towards me, “Just calm down—“ I smacked him across the face, scratched marks on his cheek, and my teeth bared. His head had turned to the side and he closed his eyes, sighing heavily as the scratched marks healed, “Thalia, calm down. You don't need to be dramatic about this.”

I stepped back, “Sorry. Sorry I'm not pretty like her.”

His mouth dropped in shock as he stared at me, “You really upset over this? She's just my neighbor—Thalia!” he yelled when I turned around and ran away. I ran down the corner and thought of only one place I knew Harmony.

When I got to the park I held back the tears in my eyes until I found the boulder I came to first the other day. I sat down on it as I looked out to the lake and after a moment the hot tears slid down my face. I felt this betrayal feeling seeing Ander around another female. This is why Jaguars are very aggressive creatures. They can't control how they feel. If Ander saw me around another male—human or Jaguar—he would be pissed. I mean, if he even really does want me as a mate. If he cared enough of me he wouldn't ever let another female that isn't family and I know of around him. I don't know this girl, he never mentioned her. If she's his neighbor why haven't I seen her before? I've been here three days already.

After awhile I stopped crying and I just sat there thinking for awhile. Once I was calm enough I wasn't ready to go back to the house and face Ander. I wasn't sure if my reaction scared him off or not. I would understand if my reaction did though. Maybe I was to quick to pick a mate already. I should wait longer. I shouldn't have fallen for Ander so quickly like I did.

I felt someone behind me and before I turned my head the person spoke, “Oh come on? You're at my spot again?” I heard Rian and he sounded annoyed. He walked around the boulder and faced me with a hard look until he saw me. His hard look disappeared and his eyebrows furrowed together, “Why were you crying?”

I gave him a hard look this time, “This is my spot now. Go away.”

He scoffed, “You just can't take someone else spot. This is my relaxing spot to smoke and clear my head.”

“Well it's mine now! So go away.” I said as I brought my knees up to my chest.

He scoffed again but stayed quiet as he stared at me. His nose had a band aid on it and he was breathing through his nose. He has a cigarette in one hand and a coffee cup from a gas station in another hand. He must have been sent home because school hasn't ended yet.

“Did I break it?” I asked him after a moment.

“No but it's gonna be bruised for the next couple of days real badly.” he said before bring the cigarette up to his mouth. After he inhaled it and let it out he dropped it onto the ground. “Move over.” he said as he pushed me aside and I glared at him but let him step next to me. He placed the cup of coffee between his legs and put his hands in his pockets as he looked out into the lake, “Good aim, though. I didn't think you were that strong.”

“I thought you would have realized when I dropped you on your ass the other day.” I said and he chuckled before wincing. It was quiet for a moment before I sighed heavily, “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make your nose bleed. I was aiming at the side of your head and meant to make you stumble.”

“I'm never going against you against in dodgeball.” he said. “I'm actually scared of you.” he said as he looked at me and I couldn't help but grin a little. His eyes widen and he looked amused, “Whoa! Is that a smile? An actual smile? Hey world! Thalia Whatever-Her-Last-Name-Is actually smiled for Rian Stark! We need a party right now.”

“Shut up!” I coldly hissed as I pushed him and he chuckled. “You're such a loudass and my last name is Blackthrone.”

“Thalia Blackthrone.” he said as he grinned down at me. “Alright if you won't go out to dinner with me Friday. At least come to this small party I’m having this Saturday at my parents house. My parents will be gone all weekend and I have the house to myself.”

“No thanks—“

“It starts at eight.”

“I said no Rian—”

“Dress pretty but I’m sure that won't take much effort.” he said and I shook my head at him.

“You're such a pest, you know?” I asked and he grinned widely. “Don't hold to much hope I'll come because I won't. I got better things to do.”

“Like?” he asked and I stared at him for a moment. Crap, I didn't think we get that far.

“Netflix.” I said since it was the first thing that came up and I wanted to slap myself. I just discovered Netflix back in Fairview and I was happy to learn the Espina's had Netflix to.

He brought his hand up to his chest and faked a surprised look, “Netflix is way more important than me?”

“Oh way important!” I said as I swiped in the air and snorted. “Netflix is probably the best thing to be invented. What were you're parents thinking when making you?”

“Oh I was a rebound child.” he said and my eyebrows furrowed together, not getting it. “I'm the oldest child but my parents had another child before me. She was sick when she was born and passed away a after a few weeks. After a year my parents wanted a kid badly and had me. I like to call myself a rebound child. You would think they would pay extra enough to me but nah. I'm like some memory of her.”

I stared at him for a moment, “Rian, I'm sorry. I didn't know—”

He shook his head, “Thalia, don't go there. I don't need pity. Sure in the beginning it made me feel bad about myself since I felt like I was only born to make my parents happy and here I am rebelling against them. It's just how I am, I can't help but do the opposite of what they want. They have two perfect other kids to be what they always wanted. As long as I can do whatever I want I’m happy.”

“They love you I'm sure—“

He shook his head, “Nah. They mostly ignore me half the time. It's alright, I'm cool with it.”

“Rian, come on. You don't need to play that hard act and—”

“Thalia,” he said, giving me a serious look. “Drop it. I'm not worried about it, you shouldn't be either.”

I stared at him for a moment and seeing how badly he didn't want to talk about it I just nodded. His glassy green eyes looked seriously into mine and I almost looked away but I had this feeling like someone else was here. I looked behind Rian to see Ander and my eyes widen as he grabbed Rian from his pea coat collar and pulled him off the boulder as if he was a bag of potatoes.

“Wh—ahh.” Rian groaned as his back roughly hit the floor.

I quickly got off the boulder, “Ander, wait—“ Ander brought his foot up and start kicking down on Rian. I ran behind him and pulled him away, “Ander! Stop it!”

He pulled away and turned around. His normal brown eyes glowered reddish-yellow color, “How could you?”

I stared at him wide eyes as if he smacked me across the face, “Me? What about you?” I coldly said.

Rian groaned, “Is it not my lucky day?”

Ander growled in his throat and he stared at to turn but I grabbed his arm, turning to face me, “Ander, stop it. It wasn't like you think.”

“You're such a liar!”

“No I'm not!” I coldly said. “I barley know Rian! How about that girl, huh? You're whole life you knew her? You must like her to want to be around her.”

“No.” he said and I pressed my mouth together roughly at his denial. “She does like me. Alright there I admit it but she's isn't like us. I have no feelings for her. I don't even consider her as friend but I can't get away from her because she is my neighbor. I was shoveling snow when she came over and I was trying to get rid of her when you came. It wasn't what you thought. I'm sorry if you thought I disrespected you.”

I stared at him for a moment, “Really?”

“Yes.” he said as his eyes turned back to brown, giving me a serious look. “My mom told me to give you time to cool off. I came to look for you to explain but I found you with him.”

“I know Rian from school. We just seemed to come to the same place and we were talking.” I said.

Rian stood up and leaned against the boulder, “Well if you hadn't showed up, I was gonna kiss her.”

Ander turned around quickly and Rian quickly dodged Ander from grabbing him. Rian tackled Ander to the ground and punched Ander in the face a few times. Ander wasn't fazed by a human punch though and he didn't even start bleeding. Ander wrapped his legs around Rian and turned them around. Maybe if Rian knew Ander was in wrestling in high school and a Jaguar he wouldn't have tried to go against Ander.

I ran over and tried pulling Ander off Rian, “Ander, stop it! You're gonna hurt him!” It was hard pulling Ander off Rian who was holding one hand down on Rian face as he pressed Rian face down on the ground and his other hand around his throat. “Ander, I'm serious! Think about what you're doing! Remember who you are!”

Ander breathed heavily and hesitated but quickly stood up. Rian coughed roughly and when Ander tried to kick him I pulled him away. That smell hit me roughly of blood and my body stiffen as I saw blood coming from Rian mouth and nose. It wasn't as bad as earlier but it still hit me hard.

Ander took my hand, “Come on.” he said as he pulled me away and I wouldn't budge until he roughly pulled me away. We ran away from Rian and his blood. We didn't stop running until we got to his house. I ran in first and he closed the door behind him. I turned to him with a cold look and he looked confused, “What?”

“You don't need to pick fights with other guys.” I said. “You don't need to worry. You can trust me.”

“Oh really?” he asked coldly as he walked towards me. “Maybe I shouldn't trust Jaguar Travelers. All thefts, liars, and murderers.” he said surprising me but I didn't show it as I glared up at him.

“Ander!” Ander mom said surprised as she walked into the living room.

“Says the Jaguar that's so tamed. You're losing your own way and rather live like a human!” I coldly hissed before I went up to Rosa's room and locked myself in there.