Page 5 of Confusing Hearts

I sat at the back of the room. My skin was pebbled in goosebumps and my heart thumped hard in my chest. My hands were clammy, and I didn’t hear a damn word the professor said.

I scoured the room, looking for any sign of reciprocation. Nothing. There were plenty of females that made eye contact and checked me out, but none were her. Still, I knew she was close. I waited in the hall outside the room as it cleared, closely watching every female as she exited. Still nothing. Walking back into the empty room, I slumped back down in the chair. She had been there. I was certain of it, and suddenly I was consumed with a need to find her.

I couldn’t sulk for long. My graphics design class was starting in fifteen minutes. With a sigh of frustration, I headed out and walked two buildings down to Wagner Hall.

The remainder of the day passed in a blur, as did the rest of the week. My senses stayed on high alert, but there had been no further signs of my mate, and I soon began wondering if I had just imagined it. Calc on Monday morning would be the final test to that theory, because she hadn’t been there on Wednesday and I didn’t sense her in class that morning either.

Matt knocked on my door as I lay there after my classes were done for the week, thinking through what to do for the weekend. He didn’t wait for me to answer before opening the door. He never did.

“Hey, man, the panthers are having another party this weekend. Want to go?”

I rolled my eyes. “Didn’t we have enough of them last week?”

“What? They’re hot. And what do you know? You could barely remember the party last weekend you were so wasted.”

“Touché. I guess Anita will be there at least. She seems cool.”

He quietly observed me with interest. “Anita? You’ve been talking to Anita?”

I shrugged. “We went running together last weekend, you know that day I met up with you guys in the woods? She took off as you approached. She seemed cool. Easy to talk to.”

Matt sat down on the foot of my bed. “Look, Chase, panthers are off limits. Even to me, if I’m being honest. They are mostly loners, but governed by a dictator who insists on keeping their line pure. Jags and panthers are really the same breed, just different colorings, and my kind isn’t good enough for them, if you get what I’m saying. They are beautiful and fun to party with, but absolutely hands off.”

I laughed. “Dude, they’re cats. I mean, no offense, but hardly my type.”

“Okay, just checking. I wouldn’t want to see you get hurt.”

I shook my head. “I’m interested in having a good time. Nothing more.”

“That’s what I’m saying. Party, dance, even flirt with them, but that’s it.”

“I got you. Don’t mess around with the panthers. So, why are we still going to party there?” He grinned and shrugged. “Dude, am I getting this lecture as a way of reminding yourself?”

He shoved me off the bed and grumbled. “Just get dressed already.”

Before long we were on our way to the panther sorority house. Ayanna was working the door. She rolled her eyes but let us pass anyways. Once inside I immediately spotted Anita and waved. She was with a striking woman who had straight, jet-black hair and a sleekness to her moves. She had to be panther. It was literally like watching the large cat move in human form. I had never been so mesmerized in all my life, and found myself drawn to her.

“Hey, Chase.” Anita’s voice cut through the haze induced by the beautiful creature.

“Hey, Anita,” I said, giving her the nod. I looked around, but the woman was gone. She just vanished before my eyes like a mirage. “I could really use a drink.”

She laughed and took my arm to guide me to another room with a fully stocked bar. All I wanted was a beer, but she gave me a whiskey on the rocks instead. Who was I to argue? I shot it back and slammed it down for another round.

“Last one for a while. You were pretty messed up last weekend. You are far too pretty to look at to be a drunk.”

“I’m not a drunk. That was one time.”

“And well on your way to round two.” She nodded towards my glass.

“Alright, I’ll savor this one, just for you.” I winked at her and she blushed and giggled. She was fun to flirt with and easy to talk to. I knew I should heed Matt’s warning and not get involved beyond that, but I was curious to see where the night would lead us.

We sat and talked for a bit and she seemed a little distracted, looking around.

“Is everything okay?” I finally asked.

“Um, yeah. I was just hanging out with a friend and she sort of disappeared on me. I just hope everything’s okay. I wanted to introduce you. She’s about the closest thing to a sane panther as they come, especially for a princess.”

“Is that panther code for bitch?”

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