Chapter 10

Tabby

It was Monday again. I didn't even bother to look up when the door opened in gym.

"Sorry I'm late and was absent all week, coach," Harry's voice said. I felt hurt. I got up and headed towards the last person I imagined myself with.

"Tristen will you dance with me today?" I asked sweetly.

"Sure, Tabby," Tristen said eagerly.

Looking up, I saw Harry's face fall. He looked hurt. Betrayed. Unloved. Angry. I watched him blankly as he sat in our usual spot, alone. I made sure not to make eye contact with him the whole time. Instead, I stared at his nose. At least he was jealous.

It was my turn to feel the slap of jealousy when Danielle sat next to him, sending me a malicious grin. And Harry didn't fight her off.

"Let's tango," I whispered in Tristen's ear. Tristen grinned from ear-to-ear and wrapped his arm around me. It felt wrong. Only my Harry could hold me like that.

Stop that! He's not your Harry anymore! He's nothing!

I tried not to wince as I leaned into Tristen. I heard Harry growl from across the room. Danielle chose that as an opportunity to show off.

"Oh, Harry, I didn't know you could growl! Do it again! For me?"

I didn't look up. I didn't even try to look up. Don't give her the satisfaction.

...

Harry

...

I felt like ripping Tristen's face off when he wrapped his arm around my Tabby. But when she leaned into him, that idea flew out the window. She loved him. And I couldn't hurt her like that. Not even for my own happiness.

Instead, I growled. Danielle giggled and put her hand on my chest, speaking a little too loudly.

"Oh, Harry, I didn't know you could growl! Do it again! For me?"

I ignored her and watched Tabby. She didn't even look in my direction, although Tristen clearly took interest.

Jasper strolled into the classroom immediately after.

"Sorry I'm late," he said, handing his schedule to the coach.

"It's okay... Jasper? Oh, you must be Jasper Hale. Class, say hello."

"Hi, Jasper."

Tabby looked up with interest.

"Jasper?" she asked. "Checkmate!"

Jasper looked at her with surprise, and grinned.

"You must be the famous Tabby. I've heard a lot about you," he said.

"Oh, according to some people I'm not that important."

It was like she directed that statement at me. Jasper noticed, and looked at me. But Tabby was smiling innocently, as if it were a random statement directed at nobody in particular.

"On the contrary. You have an excellent hand at ches and a wonderful singing voice. I know someone who takes great interest in you."

"Oh, how wrong you are. I'm a loner. Yay!" Tabby quietly cheered. I felt like she stabbed me in the heart.

"Do you mind if I dance with you? You're the second-only person I'm familiar with in this class. And you're a girl."

"Sorry, I'm with Tristen."

Tristen smiled apologetically and squeezed Tabby. I tried not to growl again. Danielle seemed to take an interest in Jasper.

"Sorry I'm late," Alice trilled as she stepped in. I grinned and gained a poker face again. I knew what was going to happen.

"Oh, class, this is our other new student, Alice Cullen."

"Hello, Alice."

Jasper stood there like an idiot in love. Alice smiled shyly back.

"Hello, there, I'm Jasper."

"Hi, I'm Alice," she said, holding out a hand. Jasper took it and they made their way to an empty spot next to me and Danielle.

"Score," I teased Jasper, and they both laughed. "Thanks for coming, Jazz."

"You know him?" Danielle whispered to me.

"He's my cousin. By marriage."

"Hmm..."

Tabby and Tristen were hard to watch. Tabby danced our dance with him. To our song. I felt like what was left of my heart was flattened like roadkill and burned to pieces. When Danielle and I danced, she went off-beat and tried dancing dirty. I backed away from her and most of the class sniggered. Looking at Tabby, I saw she was daydreaming, looking out the window. I felt even worse.

I loved her. I knew that. But... I had to tell her I was no good for her.

...

At lunch, I broke away from Danielle's clutches and those of her clique and ran across the cafeteria for Tabby. She sat there with Scat and Scoot, picking at a small salad. That was when I knew something was wrong. She hated salad.

"Tabby," I breathed. Tabby didn't look up.

"Scat? Scoot?" she asked softly.

"Sorry, Harry. She's too furious to speak," Scat said, frowning slightly at the statement.

"Come back when you're ready to actually return calls," Scoot growled menacingly. Scat nudged her sister, and she glared back.

"Tabby, look, I need to talk to you," I pleaded. Tabby swallowed, thinking, then stood up, sliding the salad to the twins. Scat stole it and munched on a tomato.

We walked outside and then I faced her. She was looking down, her arms crossed.

"Why don't you make this quick so you can get back with your girlfriend?" Tabby snapped.

"Danielle's not my girlfriend. But I can't... I can't be with you anymore. I'm not good for you, Tabby. I can hurt you."

"That's a load of crap."

"I'm serious! I can literally kill you! Tabs, I love you, but..."

"You're not in love with me. No, I get it. I guess this is goodbye, Clearwater."

Tabby looked up, then, and our eyes met. I was aware that her eyes were filled with tears. She was crying.

But I also felt like she was pulling me. I loved her. I wanted to be there for her, whatever she wanted me to be. I was sinking, but she pulled me back up. I Imprinted on Tabby Cat.

"One more thing," Tabby sobbed, breaking the spell. "I never really loved you, anyways."

AN: NOOOOOOOOOO!

I have pictures of the characters on my profile. Check them out. Thanks to Noel Ardnek for suggesting some of them.